cams_benton_b029_f004_004

I am now so well that I think I am not presuming on Providence – but
rather trusting to the Divine Goodness in looking forward to days of health &
serious undertakings, & some accomplishings [accomplishments]. I have requested my brother to
order for me several additional periodicals and newspapers. It is not improb-
-able that erelong I may try to start a paper of some sort at Sac^to City [Sacramento City] – but
it is so far in future – & so indefinite as to admit of no statement of par-
-ticulars. Brother Willey here favors the project & will help it on. Bro. Hunt &
the rest – I presume will do the same. I shall be trammeled by nobody,
it I undertake anything of the kind. More of this hereafter.

If it has not already gone along, I trust the next Steamer will bring – at
least – a small box for me, as I requested of your goodness. As to buildings
&c. [etc.] about which I wrote last month – I care comparatively little about the
house proper – – but the smaller one – the office – I should be very
glad to see. If the house comes alone – of course – I do not regret it in
the least – it will be all the better – though the small building might do –
and would be very much cheaper. They say that lumber – by the cargo –
has become quite cheap up our way – but here it is still 400 Dollars per M.
feet – with Santa Cruz, a lumber-region, only 60 miles off.

Very exciting news is just now coming down from the Southern
mines. It may all be true – but is probably one of the early spring cards –
not the "last cards" by any means – of the traders in that vicinity, who would no
doubt be happy to see new customers.

My letters being all above – for the last two months – I can not reply to any-
-thing they may contain. I hope to see them erelong. You will hear from me by the
first mail after I get home – I think it will be semi-monthly henceforth.
I find no letters in the last arrival of Evangelists. Mr. B. should have received at least
two – one by the Steamer leaving here Nov. 1^st – one by that of Dec. 1^st 1^st both were regularly sent.

March 1^st 4 P. M. I suppose the Steamer is on her way. She will be here in the morning early. To-night [Tonight]
the office closes. I expect to leave early in the week for San F. [San Francisco] and home. I get stronger every day. I am sorry
to say that Bro. Willey's wife is quite sick. I am more alarmed about her symptoms than the rest seem to be.
Will you please forward this line to my brother if he is not in your city, & will not be soon. The people here are about
to order 7 or 800 volumes of books for a public library. They have collected 1200 Dollars for the purpose. Mr. Willey &
others also send for a Chapel 30 x 56 feet – they forward 500 Dollars toward it now. Mr. T. O. Larkin – 17 years
in the country – a millionaire – is going home to Boston this month. He will be lionized awhile, I presume.
My best love to your family & friends. I hope to hear often.

Faithfully Yours – J. A. Benton.