Gold Rush Era Letters

A week ago, today was the 4th of July & not only the anniversary of our glorious independence but also of my arrival in California having at that time passed one year in the country during which time, although I have improved my pecuniary affairs but little, I have been graciously preserved from sickness & dangers of all kinds, & have from time to time heard of your good health & comfortable situation for all of which blessings, I certainly ought to feel thankful. What changes may take place in our family ere another year rolls round?

How many years must pass before we are again permitted to meet if ever?

These questions time only can decide which as you truly say, "explains the why's & wherefore's .. & again to use your expression "let us hope for the best" the worst is ever present''

Eve -- I spent the 4th in viewing the military &c during the day, & went to the Theatre in the evening in company with Wm. Green [William Green] & two other of my acquaintances. But after all it was to me a dull 4th.

The good ship Stag Hound arrived here again the 1st inst from New York, having made the passage in just the same number of days that she did last year, Vis 124 -- having left N. Y. this year the 24th of Feb just 4 days earlier than I started. She is still here in port & looks natural I assure you as she was once my home

I think from what you write me, that Pepperell people have got another marrying fit, and before they get rid of it again, I think it will carry off several couples.

I think John V. Ames and his Brother so far have beaten, the rest who have married or intend to get married soon, in the selection of wives. If John V. has married a woman with $50,000 I think he has made a good speculation out of his marriage, and his Bro William by taking Mrs Luther Launner for a wife, has gained a Mother by his bargain, for certainly Mrs. S. is old enough to be his Mother. If however those most interested are satisfied, others who have no particular interest in their affairs, should be satisfied also.

Miss Lothrop, I think came out the worst, that is if she wished to get married, which I should judge she did, but what she has lost, by the breaking off of the match I suppose her intended husband has gained perhaps it is better taken all more them as though th [torn off] got married. -- You say Aunt Lewis and Ceres [torn off] May F. have not yet returned from KY. Miss Lewis S [torn off] wrote me the same, and also said she should not [torn off] if they remained South, through the winter instead of [torn off] to New England.

My friend Mr Millet of whom I have often spoken came from the same place that Mr Noyes came from vis Ne Bridgewater. He was formerly from Maine, I like him very much. The Mr Millet with whom Jim was acquainted, was, I think no relation of his.

Mrs Noyes and her children have removed to Cambridge where they will remain until he goes home if not longer.

She likes there much better than she does in Bridgewater as she used to live there before she was married.

She wishes Mr N. to come home, as soon as he conveniently can although she is comfortably situated.

[written vertically in the left margin] Whenever you see Abel P Lawrence, give him my best respects, and tell him I am well, and that I think if he wants to emigrate to the westward he had better come to California

Since Sunday the 23rd of December, the weather here in San Francisco has been clear and cold. Much colder than I ever knew it to be before, for so long a time.

I must say I have really suffered, from the effects of the cold. My ears and fingers would ache after being out an hour or two. so that I was obliged to get beside a fire. Water and mud in shady location did not thaw for three or four days.

We have had no more as yet nor do I think we shall, as it is much warmer today then it has been before for a week, but back in the mines among the mountains, they have already had a considerable

A sleigh I have never seen, nor a sled since I left home, and I expect I shall not see one now, until I get home again. Cold weather, would now, I think, take hold of me severely, as I have been away from it for so long a time, still I think I should [?] to have a good sleigh ride, and perhaps a change of climate, and a spell of cold weather would do me good, providing I took care of myself properly --

At any rate if I was at home, now, do not know as I should come to California for the sake of getting into warm weather again.

Having already written you a dull, and long letter I will bid you good night and draw to a close --

Please give my love to our friends, and tell them I wished them all "a happy new year and a merry Christmas" I am and ever hope to be

Your loving Son & Brother

H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

Our business affairs remain unchanged --

Trade I think is a little duller, still we continue to do tolerably well. We shall probably be obliged to make some change, when Mr Noyes leaves for home, but what arrangements we shall make I cannot Tell with any degree of certainty at this early day, but shall be able no doubt to inform you, bye and bye.

I shall be sorry to have him leave, still I suppose I shall manage to get along as well as I did before I became acquainted with him.

He may return to California in the course of a few months, and will, if he does return, bring his family with him. In that case he will then be prepared to remain here as long as I wish to without any doubt. --

I am sorry that Capt. Blemey and family have resolved to leave Pepperell, for from what you have written with regard to them, from time to time I infer that they are very fine people, and during their absence you and Hattie must miss their society very much --

I hope their voyage will be a successful, and a speedy one, and that they will again at some future day, make Pepperell their home.

I should have been pleased could I have met Capt Blemey here in California although I am but slightly acquainted with him.

Perps [Perhaps] we may some day become better acquainted

I see by the Papers brought by the Nicaragua Steamer, which left New York four days after the Mail Steamer, that the firm of Thacher, Mitchell &c in Boston have failed. It is the same firm that I was with for ten months.

Soon after I came to California Mr Shaw withdrew his interest from the firm, and Mr Mitchell, formerly a salesman entered into copartnership [co-partnership] with Mr Thacher, and they have continued to do business together ever since, until now when it appears that they have failed.

So you see that others beside our friend Mr T. sometimes get into difficulty, and are obliged to compromise with their conditions and alter their affairs in a way, that we do not exactly call honorable.

So long as we are prosperous, we are very apt to tell how differently we should do if we were placed in the same situation as those who only pay, a certain per centage [percentage] of their debts, but place us in the same circumstances we should perhaps do the same as those do whom we censure --

Are we not, more willing to preach than to perform? Perhaps you may think that by my manner of reasoning, that I am paving the way, to enter on a dishonorable course myself, but candidly, I have no idea of dealing