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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.