Gold Rush Era Letters

Frezno [Fresno] river June 5th 1852

Dr [Dear] Wife & children first I am well & enjoy in good health and Spirits -- last Sunday night James Bowen returned from Mariposa and brot [brought] me Six letters two from that woman, in the stone house dated March 3 & 14th informing me of the receipt of the two drafts &c, also two letters from D. Oatman [J. C. Oatman] informing me of his intention to come to California he wishes me to write what I think of the place. Well he will find California verry [very] different from what it was when he left here but I have not a doubt but he can do well here and accumulate a fortune in a few years. I am glad to hear that he and James and Benjamin Bowen are a coming.

I have been very much in hopes that James would come ever since I have been on Frezno [Fresno] river for I think he could have a chance to do a good business this fall here and his having the advantage of having friends here we will do all we can for them. We have quite a large claim to work out and I shall be in favour [favor] of their Joining us I wish they were here now. I have directed two letters to James one to Sanfrancisco [San Francisco] one to Marysville informing him where I am. If it is James full determination to come to Cal he had by far better come while I am here and if he can have patience and economy & industry and by holding on to the quartz interest he can in time do well.