Gold Rush Era Letters

here for three or four years & am I to wait so long for the balance of money which may be due me?

Then as far as my being absent is concerned my affairs can be settled just as well as though I were there as I can go before a Notary Public & have a writing drawn up authorising [authorizing] any one I may choose to transact business for me according to my instructions. Therefore I shall write by this mail to J. A. Tucker & ask him if he is willing to undertake to settle my affairs, according as I have been advised. I had much better have what little money I have got, out here where I can get 3 pr ct per month for it than to have it laying in P. at 5 per ct per annum. Don't you think so?

Mr Wm. F. Walton [William F. Walton], who is truly a friend to me advises me to get, what money, I may have out here as soon as possible as I can use it to so much better advantage here than elsewhere.

Next Sunday, provided my life is spared, I shall be 21 years of age. How I wish I could be at home then, but wishing seems to do no good, & I may as well be content with my present situation as I do not know as I can better it just yet

Friday Eve July 15th The mail closes in a few moments therefore I will only say that I am well &c Shall write H about half a dozen lines which will be all as I have no time to tell long stories

Your loving Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

[written vertically in the left margin]

Your Cousin Shipley [William Shipley] sends his best respects