H. M. Hayward

Monday Evening

Captn G. W. Hayward,

Dear Sir

Though considerably fateigued [fatigued] with the labours of the day I am unwilling to let slip an other [another] good opportunity of writing to you The mail closes this eve'g at 9 Oclock [O'clock]. The [Steamer] (paper torn away) leaves to morrow morning at 7 And it is now 1/4 pass (paper torn away) Thus you see my time is but short You will do me the favor to o^erlook all errors in this and I will promise you to do better next time For the kind and generous manner in which you have favored me when k needy I owe you many obligations And for your wife and family I shall ever cherish the utermost [uttermost] respect I have spent many very many pleasant evenings at your house with you and yours friends & relatives I would give almost any thing could I once more draw up around that social hearth as we once did and engage in the merry chit chat with that same happy company Or to pare apples or pumpkin roll shugar [sugar] chop Sausage meat cut apples drink cider &c &c, winding up perhaps with a song by Lucy & George, and per chance may be heared [heard] that sweet gentle voice which me thinks bespeaks the character of one lovely lady bearing the initials of H. C. But let me banish such recollections from my mind at present Those were times that I lived and what I now regret is that I knew not how to appreciate them But let me hope by the blessing of God to prove successfull [successful] in C [California], and be able to return once more to enjoy the friendship and respect of those loved friends which I have so

recently left behind me in the good old town of Easton Mass [Massachusetts] I will not further continue in this strain I am aware it is not what you wish to hear I promised I think to write you letting you know concerning my health condition & circumstances My where abouts [whereabouts] your are already acquainted I have previously written Mr.. H N Pool and sent you two papers (page torn) at present in San Francisco My health I am happy (page torn) [to] say never was better In short I think I never knew what it was to enjoy good health before When I arrived I my health was very bad having been very sick on the passage Soon after arrival I had a couple turns of slow fever, but not serious, I soon recovered from them and have been improving fast ever since I am now a well man. I have been engaged at my trade the most of the time which in this country yealds [yields] a handsome prophet [profit] I have had a plenty of work and do as yet. When it is fair weather When not all business in a great measure is suspended, chiefly in consequence of the mud It is almost impossible for men (much more) animals to get about the streets The Winter or rainy season as it is called set in about the middle of Nov^r since then it has rained full half the time When it does not rain the sky is clear and as warm and pleasant as the pleasantest days in May The soil in San francisco is unfit (wholey) [wholly] for cultivation In and about the bey [bay] further up there are said to be some splendid lands for culture, I have every reason to believe that Francisco market in another season will be better supplied with vegetables Hundred have left the city already and many others are constantly leaving for the country

to engage in farming persuits [pursuits] If the husbandman will but soe [sow] his seed, in Cal^ia [California] and the harvest must be abundant In this country the honest farmer gets paid equal with the Mechanic Trader Lawyer Doctor or Statesman

The city is masked with quietnes [quiteness] peace and good order generally Two or Three affrays have come off among the gamblers of late which resulted in the death of one young man from Philadel[phia] Two other cases wer [were] settled by a fine round of Shos (page torn away) No one is said to have been injured A large fire (page torn away) on Monday of last week which destroyed the most business part of the place, Loss of property 1,000,000 Further particulars you will gather from an other [another] source Lumber. Notwithstanding flood of lumber shiped [shipped] from the states arrived and to arrive the market is yet thin & prices remain at the old standard 300, per thousand Captⁿ. Your woods would pay a great percentage were they near here In my opinion the market can not be over stocked for ten years yet to come It is therefore safe & a good investment for any man with capital in lumber for this market, But I have written more than i expected when I began It is past 8 Oclock [O'clock] and I must proceed to a close The small demand you hold against me I could pay with the greatest pleasure could I see you. I intend to send it the first good safe opportunity I have My Father is respossible with me I expect But if you are not in want of the money I much rather pay it myself I very much wish you would do me the favor to write me that I may know concerning it I hope to hear from you by the return mail write me all the news and give place to any thin [thing] your wife may please to say

If any of my friends contemplate on coming to Cal^ia tell them to consider well before they start I can give no advice My view I have written more fully in my former letters.

Excuse me for I have no (page torn away) say over I will write you write you I think by the next Steamer, again

Please tender my request to all friends who may choose to enquire of me George & Lucy and Aunt Esther^s family generally to your wife my kind respects and solicit her to tender my best, wishes for success an greatfull [greatful] respects to Miss Harriet A Copeland and you will oblige one who is

Yours with much esteem

H M Hayward

San Francisco Dec^r 31^st 1849