Gold Rush Era Letters

another smart place, we have passed through the cities of Philadelphia and St Louis places that you have read of. We reached our camp at five o clock [o'clock] in a beautifull [beautiful] vally [valley] surrounded by hills from which gushed some of the most beautifull [beautiful] spring which I have seen since I left my Native Tennessee having made today twenty eight miles.

Tuesday 3 -- left camp this moring [morning] in the rain. Our India rubber keeping us dry. Marched today through a fine Country under the bluffs passed through "Kinderhook" made a push to pass some ox teams ahead of us which we did and arrived at camp on the snicarty [Snicarte] slough a shute [chute] of the Mississippi River. the rain pouring down incessantly all day prospects for the night very discourageing [discouraging] wood scarce & wet, had some music, which raised the spirits of the boys lay down at nine ocloc [o'clock] and passed the best night since I left your sweet arms, made today sixteen miles.

Wednesday 4 -- Crossed the river in a steam ferry boat and landed at "Sapio" 1 1/2 miles Above the Hannibal having ferried ten miles. Reached Hannibal at 10 oclock [o'clock] a boat had just arrived for St Louis, which I went aboard of and left in fifteen minutes. Company all well, arrived at St Louis at 10 at night. The wind blew so cold I could not enjoy the scenery very much shall stay on board the boat tonight.

Thursday 5 -- Took lodgings at the Missouri Hotel, such a crowd there was no chance to get a room, met Naves in the Telegraph office, met N. G. Shepherd in the street and concluded to take up lodgings with him at the Main street house, Met T. B. Fisher, Bill Pease, & T. T. Whitehurst, got the blues again

July 15 1853

Nashville Tenn

My Dear Father,

Rec^d your letter of 31^# May. June 20^th. I have delayed answering it as I expected to get Your second in a short time, which arrived here July 15^th enclosing a Draft for £10 –

I am extremely obliged to you for the prompt Manner in which you have relieved Me from My unpleasant position. I shall leave Nashville in a few days and with very little regret for I quite sick of Tennessee –

It is My Misfortune on this occasion to be the Writer of rather bad News respecting your account with Mr Hales & My Uncle, Which has caused Me Much uneasyiness [uneasiness]. When I received your first letter I found that the greater par [part] would be interesting to My Uncle therefor handed over the letter that he Might not loose any of the eloquence therein, Which caused him to enlighten Me considerablely [considerably]. I understand that they have discontinued the Monthly also that the last lot of Plates or cuts are still in New York Nor can they Make any use of them. My Uncle tells Me you had no order to purchase such a number of Plates. If they had continued to carry on the work he could Not use such Plates for a Monthly

[left side in margin] all afabrication [a fabrication]