Joseph W. Stow

New Britain Feb 9 1869

Mr. J. W. Stow

My dear Sir

I have just arrived here from my seemed trip to Boston & regret having been obliged to keep you waiting so long. The almost total indifference to consequences of the old Gentm prevented prompt action. He put his foot down Squarely & stuck to it bravely, that he would pay $2000 and not another Dollar to save him from Prison except his expense home. His brother is a poor inebriate, incapable of taking Care of his own affairs & will do nothing for him. His Mother has all the anxiey of a fond Mother for his safe return home, but has no influence with her Husband. Tho they live in the same House, there is no sympathy between them. He is a miser but seems to have a longing to see his grandchild or grandchildren, as the case may be, says he intends to put Frank into business, if he came home & behaved like a man & is industrious, prudent & applies himself as others do who are striving to rise in the world. This may be encouragment for Frank, nothing has been done to compromise the crime, leaving us at liberty to arrest him whenever we like & with such a club over his head, he will be stimulated to do well, if there is any man in him. His father says his income is less than $5000 pr/anu, & that if he was worth more he would willingly pay the whole amt. He rather blames you for not watching him more closely, after having [overdrawn?] his age

Sometime since, & that he wrote you how little he valued money & desired you to send him home [illegible], He uses this as argument why he does not feel bound to pay any more of the amount! I met his Mother in the street, where she was waiting for me to leave the house, not daring to be present at the House, 7 endeavored to get her promise to endorse the Notes " Frank" gives for the Balance, but she said if it was known she would be cut off in the "Will", but that he would see to it that the Notes were paid & remarked that she knew Frank would have money before long. His Father & Mother both suggested our taking Notes for the Balance , to which you will of Course add all expenses & drawing intent, reducing the amt of Gold to Currency by agreement. Expenses already incurred by me, invluding Telegraph of today, & to Boston i.e. $47.19 & Now He wants his Son & family sent home without delay & agrees to pay (a p Enclosed Copy) & also wishes you to Telegraph him at Boston, when they will sail for Rome. You will take the Land at to cost, say 1790 gold & $2000 in Currency paid here, & his Notes for Balance, these may be good for something & may not it is all that can be had. Please confine your correspondence on this subject to me, at N. Y. as heretofore, our family being so large, a Small Community would be advised of this matter, if otherwise. We are all sorry for this occurence but hope for the best results, at least, I doubt not you will be activated as we are in N. Y. after our similar experience, ie. Keep a good look out for every one hereafter. We received about $8500 of our loss - N. Y. Real Estate, & sold it favorably.

We are now about holding our "Annual Meeting" & are just advised of your Stock a/c on the way to us. Coming just in time. we shall report results in a few days & remain Very truly yours I. D. Russell

Copy Boston Feb 8 1869 "I hereby agree to pay the necessary expenses of my son, F. J Stratton & his Family from San Francisco to Boston, and Fifty Dollars for Contingencies of the journey, The money so paid by W J W Stow in behalf of the Russell & Erwin Mfg Co. I will so pay through Mr Stows draft on me at sight."

Signed Jno Stratton

Wrote Mar 29 -

J. D. Russell Feb. 9. 1869

Overland

New York June 23 PM / 63

Mr J. W. Stow San Francisco

D Sir.

This noons mail, brings remittance from G. W. Guion $108.18 in Settlement of Invoice 13th Apl as pr recipt which we enclose. Mr Guion does not understand by your letter May 4 that we propose establishing ourselves in S. F.and request a B/L sent him endorsed by us. - You will please set him right on that matter.

We enclose Duplicate B/L "Ocean Queen" 19 June - (Str) also B/L Ship "Young America" 11th & 13th May. It seems all of us quite forgot (the little "friction") your expenses, after your return from the West. Please Send us your account and we will make proper Entry for it.

We will mail this to day & you outdistance the pony.

Very truly yrs

A. W. North