Gold Rush Era Letters

I received your letter of July 12 direct to Mariposa P. O. at the same time I got my letters forwarded from Marysville in all six. So you see I had some thing of a feast of reading. The story by Mrs Hopkins was verry [very] effectery rendered still more so by the brackets designating various parts undoubtedly from your own hand. I expect another letter tomorrow, in that we shall learn respecting Sister Oatmans health, also further about poor daughter Clarra I fear she has been suffered to go too long but I always hoped she would outgrow the infirmity but my dear wife do the best you can for her brother J W Feu shall be compensated for his kindness towards her if my life and health is spared. My sincere respects to him and Sister Kate I shall give them a call on my way home. how long well till the first conveyance is ready to leave for Joliet -- you wish me to recommend some jintleman [gentleman] to take charge of your farm. Well Madam I am quite well acquainted with a man that will most probably suit in many respects he is thoroughly inured to hardship and toil with an iron bound constitution and good habits save his peculiar whims and strange notions he prefers to do his own cooking and washing and patching and has been so long acustomed [accustomed] to sleeping on the grond [ground] out under the spreading branches of a tree that you will find it quite dificult [difficult] to civalize [civilize] him and how he would do to take charge of an amiable woman and affectionate children I cant [can't] say -- for most certainly he has not embraced or imprinted a Kiss on any human being since March 27 - 1850, but I will forward him as soon a circumstance will permit and I hope you will receive him with all the affection due to your wandering exile husband

To my own Dear Margaret

R J Boylan