cams_hparker_2311_f003_018_1

San Francisco, Sunday, July 23d 1854 --

Dear Mother,

"The Package" which Mr Tucker
sent me, containing Harriets Miniature, and letters from
you and Miss Lewis, together with a few goods, was received
in nice order, the 18th inst via Nicaragua.

I received a letter from Mr T two days before
by mail, saying that he had sent me the above, by
Wells Fargo & Co's Express, so I was on the look out for
it and received it in about two hours after the Steamer
arrived. I was very happy indeed to receive H's picture
and also to receive letters from you and my kind
friend Miss L. Was glad to hear you were all well
and getting along so nicely with all your undertakings

I consider the Miniature a very nice and
acceptable birthday present, as it was received only
one day after I was twenty two years old.

You say it is a very good likeness, so I shall
prise [prize] it very highly. I think she must have changed
very much in her looks since I left home, so much
so that if I had seen her anywhere when I did
not expect to, I do not think I should have
known her. You can have no idea what a difference
there is between the picture which you have just sent
me and the one which was taken the Fall before I
left home. But after all I think she has improved in