Henry David Cooke

[top right] Valparaiso Nov 29^th '48

My dear H. C.

The Ship "Crusader" of Boston, which arrived to day, brought yours and Jay's brief letters of Aug 17^th The Steamer sails tomorrow morning, and although I have several letters to write this evening I can not deny myself the pleasure of sending you a few harty words of greeting. I returned about a week ago from California, and in three days more I shall again be on my way to this new land of promise, My time is so much occupied that I have not had an opportunity of writing to any of my friends in the U.S. as yet. I must doso [do so] tonight. Your letter contained unwelcome news, since it informed us that you were not so well when you wrote. By your last communication written from Jay's, informing us of your improvement under his magnetic auspices, we had begun to hope that you would soon walk, — a sprightly, well man — But I beg of you, do not Even yet, be discouraged. Poor Sarah's case, though of a difficult nature, yet found a remedy at last, and she is now as gay and as active and healthy as any lady in Valparaiso. I shall yet hope and expect to hear of your entire recovery. There is little of interest occurring in this busy bustling commercial city. And as for myself, I have equally little to say. The last two years I have divided between a sleepy existence at sea, and a hurried and busy changes of shore life, at intervals. Whether I am now any thing like my former-self in those happy days when your society added pleasure to that derived from books, I know not — Indeed I am sometimes tempted to think that I have undergone some strange transformation of character, so much are my mode of life, my pursuits, and my present objects of ambition, changed. This is an unwelcome belief, but it will sometimes force itself upon me. My great hope is, that in another year I may be able to cast off the slough, and again become a recognised [recognized] member of a nobler fraternity than that of mere calculating, grasping money=seekers. At present I am playing my part in this unnatural strife for th wealth, with a tolerable

then pace, though at times I am heartily tired of the drudgery and painful toil, the selfishness and meanness which I am compelled frequently to encounter. I am not without hope of success, at least in a moderate way, — although the result of my past voyages are not yet drawn out from present operations and set apart by themselves, as so much made.

Every body here, and all along this Coast, as far as Panama, are in a great state of excitement, on account of the news of the discovery of the Gold Mines in California. When I arrived in California, last June, the first important discoveries were made. These were succeeded by others, more and more rich, until I left the Coast the first of Sept^r [September]. Yet in Calif^a [California] there was not half the excitement which prevails here and all along the coast of South America. I will not bore you with a description of the mines, as doubtless the newspapers are full of them by this time, and you are tired of the subject — at least I am. I have been asked so many questions since I arrived here that I have learned to hate the sound of the word "gold-mine" — I landed the Bearer of Despatches [Dispatches] in my vessel, at Payta — Lieut Loesser — U. S. A., who took to Washington the first official intelligence of the discovery of the mines. ~ How rapidly time flies! I can scarcely realise [realize] that two years have passed since we left the U.S. I hope that in two years more, we shall all be on our way home; and I most sincerely pray that He who sends health and all other blessings may grant you full and Entire restoration. — I have become a poor letter=writer, and I must now inflict a few lines upon Jay.

With many wishes for your health and happiness Believe me to be, as Ever Truly and sincerely Yours Henry D.

Lieut Loesser, took among other letters, a most beautifully written description of the Gold mines, by the Rev Walter Colton — sent to the Editors of the National Intelligencer. M^r Colton read the letter to me, at Monterey before sealing it. If you have a file of that paper — and have read it, I think you will have been pleased with the letter.

My dear - kind Brother Henry C.—

Thanks many and warm - I return to you — for your — affectionate remembrance of us — far-off ones but Oh! how sorry — to hear — that you are not so well — Can you not come to us? Change — might restore you as it has done me — If it is possible, believe me — we would do everything in our power — to make you contented — and that might conduce either to your health or comfort ... and I — Oh I should be so happy to have your society - and if ^ it were — permitted to see, health and strength, revisit once more — your long-suffering frame — Do not be discouraged yet -: My dear Brother — William G is waiting while I write these few lines — as he is about making up his package for the Steamer — and — we only rec'd your letter late — to-day So that if we reply at all promptly, it must be briefly — I am glad you were pleased with the Daguerreotype — and if we had supposed you and our Sisters would have cared for it, we would have sent another, we will do so the next best opportunity ---

I wish so much you would write a little letter to Kate. She would be so proud of it — and I would like to have her write you. She said to-night. Uncle Henry C — never writes to me; She is not satisfied with being mentioned — in our letters.

If you are at Newport, when this arrives please give much love to our dear Sisters — Eliza & W^m M. — and Emily —- how I wish they would write us — and tell us all, all, about themselves: — Thank you Dear Henry for saying — you would like to be with us if any where from Newport. Do Excuse this brief scrawl —

The children send love — and fresh from the warm, rosy lips of my beautiful Babe I send you a kiss — and one for — each Aunty — GoodBye Ever yours truly Sarah

[on reverse side of previous page, written sideways in pencil, down right side] W^m G Moorehead William G. Moorehead Nov 29, 1848