Gold Rush Era Letters

away your dear father's addresses 1852

who were very consumptive in other parts of the world, best in this place they have enjoyed perfect health, another season why Emily should come here. I hold the [De?] that You were doing a good business and that I was doubtful about advising you to give up the certainty you have for the chances of California, he is also in doubt feel about that point, all I can say is If You like to Make the Venture. You Shall not want for anything If I have My health – Since I last wrote you I have continued to improve, and hope some of these days to prove that you in your dreams donot [don't] respect the truth, and instead of looking pale, You will see Me stought [stout] strong and rosy, in fact Now, I am looking much better than when I left London. Touching business Matter I cannot say that I have done very well for the last three Months, My expenses have been so great that I am not much better off than when I last wrote, but Now I have a very good prospect I now work at Engraving only, and when I have work, can make 6 dollars a day without much labour —

If you donot [do not] like the proposition I have Made about your coming to me and still think that I had better return write offly [after] the next mail and your letter will arrive here about April. Just the right time for Me to leave here, – but If You feel inclined to come to Me, donot [do not] let Your things keep You for they will not improve by keeping but do the business in the american [American] fashion tight off.

There are Many things in Your letter I should like to answer but I have very little time just Now. The Most important part is My sister's health. I think If you

to the New Eldorado, some times I Meet with parties who have visited the goldfields and returned to this country, of course the accounts are very conflicting, one will say that he can make more in 3 days here, than he could in a week there, others again think Australia infinitely superior to any other country in the world. It is my opinion that Australia will be a very great Country. from the fact that her agricultural resourceses [resources] are of the first order, consequently a great number of the emigrants will be permanent citizens, The people of California are sure to return to the states this being under stood [understood] all wish to get rich wright [right] off as the saying is, therefore everything is in a very unsettled state, I am inclined to think that labour is better paid for in this country than any other in the world. I notice that men for unloading ships only get 10^s/ [10 shillings] a Day in Australia. here they never get less than 20^s [20 shillings] I could Mention Many otherthing [other things] equally well paid for, nevertheless Australia is the best Country for Settlers I should like it better If it were a republic – great numbers of the Americans have left here for Australia since I last wrote you for business has been very bad all round caused by the floods at

at Sacramento, for My own part I have been rather disappointed about work that was promised Me, and should have done very well only just after I wrote. You two fresh Engravers arrived here, and they rather put My light out, for like all New comers they cut down the prices the first thing, however I have made $50 above expenses. Notwithstanding the glut of Talent in the Market —

I have Not heard from M^r Pena for some time although I have written 3 letters to him, the Post office is Not Much to be depended upon in this country in My last I have proposed the Australian business but have Not been very persuasive about the Matter. M^r Pena has a Wife 2 children and his Wife's two Brothers in this country Consequently moveing [moving] with them would be rather expensive — D^r Montague does Not remember M^r Grieves although the Name is familiar to him. The D^r has lived in Australia and thinks It a very fine country but rather warm he decidedly prefers California, No wonder you will say when I tell that he must have made to him I tell that he must have made at least $10 000, in about 2 Years in San Francisco besides having a good looking Wife and a very pretty cottage on the rise of a hill commanding a splendid view of the Bay and surrounding Country —

Provisions is verry [very] high and the most of it got up in verry [very] Bad order Chese [cheese] 50 ^cts a pound as for Butter I have not Eat 1/2. since I left new york New York I have not seen any good butter nor Milk nor Water since I left new Jersey New Jersey the steam boat that I have a ticket has not arrived here for us and we may have to lay here three or four weeks but still I have not seen any more difeculteys [difficulties] than I Expected when I started from home Although it is verry [very] tedeous [tedious] laying here among A missriable [miserable] Rase [race] of inhabatants [inhabitants] but they dont [don't] appear to be Evil Disposed I have seen nothing nor heared [heard] nothing to Discouege [discourage] me from continuing my Journy [journey] through A Olthough [Although] I long to see you and the children verry [very] much Although keep good courage and try and keep Amos in good courage and let him see this letter and Read it As to the Prospect of Butter in california California I see men from there which Does not Differ much from what I heared [heard] before I left home. NB. Do look after Amos In A kind and Motherly order for giving Directions as to work for Isaac I cant [can't] do only Each one of you look after your Buisness [business] honestly and honerbly [honorably] and all will turn well which my mind is to do the same I should have Writen [written] Before But Peter Brown Writ [wrote] which letters they was to let you see let Hannah Read this letter to others Children and let Catharine Read it to Betsy & Mary let G W Houston and an [Ann] see it And all give my love to All my Friends And Neighbors and I Remain

Affectionate Husband

John N Ryerson

[Page 1]

Provisions is verry [very] high and the most of it got up in verry [very] Bad order Chese [cheese] 50 ^cts a pound as for Butter I have not Eat 1/2. since I left new york New York I have not seen any good butter nor Milk nor Water since I left new Jersey New Jersey the steam boat that I have a ticket has not arrived here for us and we may have to lay here three or four weeks but still I have not seen any more difeculteys [difficulties] than I Expected when I started from home Although it is verry [very] tedeous [tedious] laying here among A missriable [miserable] Rase [race] of inhabatants [inhabitants] but they dont [don't] appear to be Evil Disposed I have seen nothing nor heared [heard] nothing to Discouege [discourage] me from continuing my Journy [journey] through A Olthough [Although] I long to see you and the children verry [very] much Although keep good courage and try and keep Amos in good courage and let him see this letter and Read it As to the Prospect of Butter in california California I see men from there which Does not Differ much from what I heared [heard] before I left home. NB. Do look after Amos In A kind and Motherly order for giving Directions as to work for Isaac I cant [can't] do only Each one of you look after your Buisness [business] honestly and honerbly [honorably] and all will turn well which my mind is to do the same I should have Writen [written] Before But Peter Brown Writ [wrote] which letters they was to let you see let Hannah Read this letter to others Children and let Catharine Read it to Betsy & Mary let G W Houston and an [Ann] see it And all give my love to All my Friends And Neighbors and I Remain

Affectionate Husband

John N Ryerson

[page 2]

Dear Brother,

Nicholas N Ryerson I Wish you to Peruse this letter that I have written to my family & I Donot [do not] see any thing Discourging [discouraging] in the Butter Busness [Business] if they they should be an Dificulties [difficulties] I wish you write to me and tell my family to write and aid and assist them as much as is in your power and I do Not know of any Directions to give you any Diferent [different] from what it was under stood when I left New York Dont [don't] forget to see that My inshurance [insurance] on the buildings Does not Run out before it is renewed which is this sumer [summer] or fall I May Write Again whe We get Ready to start from this Plase [place] if you hapen [happen] at goshen Goshen, Indiana teel [tell] Mr Murry you heared [heard] from me I could keep on Writing Past Events All Day But Probely [probably] they Would not be interested But Give my love to All my love to All my Brothers & sisters and Friends and

I truely [truly] Remain your Friends and Brother

John N Ryerson

Panama May 6 1850 if you Write Direct your to Sacremento Citty Calefornia Sacramento City, California Peter Brown is Well & has been since he left New York & All the company that left Paterson [Patterson] Except one which had the Ague once of [or] twice which he is not well which was ll in number