Gold Rush Era Letters

Chas. H. Valaitine [Charles H. Valaitine], an acquaintance of mine who worked in the mines with Sam Tucker [Samuel P. Tucker] last summer and who took my furs on to Boston last October arrived back here again by last Steamer --

I was pleased to see him, for he was able to tell me all about Mr. Tucker, and family, as he had seen them nearly every day, while he was at home. I was able to gain a great deal of information from him with regard to many people, and localities, that I well remembered although I have heard but little or nothing from them since I left Boston.

Mr. S. A. Jewett sent me a present of a Pocket Knife by Mr. V. and Mr Tucker sent me a comb, of course they were very acceptably recieved [received] and will be long retained in memory of the donors --

The next day after he arrived Mr V. left this city for Columbia, where Sam and Chas. Wright [Charles Wright] are at work and where he formerly was before he left for the Atlantic States. I have not heard from him since he went away neither have I heard from Sam but have concluded that he has given up the idea of coming down here for the present.

V. tells me that Daniel Wright's health has improved very much of late and that he has given up the idea of returning to California this year and that it is doubtful about he or his brother coming at all

to have me accompany them, and make them a visit of a week or two at their mountain home. I wish I could do so but at present my business will not allow me to be absent from it, as Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] and myself are now closely confined the whole time.

Sam [Samuel P. Tucker], and Chas. Wright [Charles Wright] are both well and look hearty and rugged. I think they both like the mines very well. Sam is fat, and does not look much as he did two years ago when he was here sick with the fever and ague, and I hope he will continue to enjoy good health so long as he remains in the country.

We have had a pleasant time for an hour or two past, here in my room, talking over matters and things connected with home.

Sam, Wm Shipley [William Shipley], Chas Wright [Charles Wright], William Keep, and myself, have been together, relating to each other, all the important items of news contained in our letters which we have read from our Eastern Friends of late, --- the different changes that have taken place around our homes, since we left them &c, and we all seem to think we should like to be in Massachusetts at the present time, for awhile if not always. It pleases us much however as long as we are absent from home, to receive letters from our friends there I assure you, and we hope we shall alwas [always] receive them regularly.

I saw James K. Bolles yesterday. He has shipped again in the same vessel he was in last summer, and has made up his mind to go to China again and from there home. -- Thinks he will be at home, in about eight months. He sailed yesterday in the Bark "Samuel Merritt" was well and in good spirits.

I received last week a letter from John H. Griffin -- He, Sam Tucker, Chas. Wright [Charles Wright], and others of my friends in the vicinity of Columbia are all well.

They are all engaged in mining, but I guess are not making as much as they were a few months ago on account of the scarcity of water. It has rained however, considerably the past week, and I think they will do well throughout the winter. They would be glad to have me make them a visit, and I should be very glad to do so if I felt as though I could leave here, as well as not.

I shall try and go up there I think in the Spring, before Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] leaves here for home, unless some of them should come down here, in the course of the winter. They write that they have a large log cabin and a plenty to eat --

[written vertically in the left margin]

Tuesday Eve Dec 4th Am quite well this evening -- Hope you are well also. I have no news to write --