Gold Rush Era Letters

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the country. The old Spaniards all lay the blame upon "Los Americanos" believing in these superstitions. That the Yankees have even the power of changing the climate.

Well I dont [don't] wonder much at their thinking so far it is enough to make sounder heads than they possess swim. to see the rapid changes that are going on around us, only think that where less than two years since was an untenanted wilderness is now a large and flourishing City of ten thousand inhabitants it is certainly enough to make the Spaniards cry out "caraho" [carajo]

Monday 30 The mail closes today 12 oclock [o'clock] and I must bring my letter to a close. Yesterday I met Mr. T. G. Anderson who told me he had just received a letter from Mr. Hurst who had mentioned that Father had been doing a very fine business but that his health was poor. I do hope you will use your utmost exertions my dear wife to Keep him from working at all in the shop there is no use of it at all. Tell him I would much rather the business should stop entirely than that his health should be injured by it. Console poor Hilly all you can. Tell her as long as I have a dollar left she shall share it. I hope that our boy will turn out a better boy than present accounts seem to indicate. Keep him under firm but moderate control, do not break his spirit by whipping him there is a much better way than that, I am very happy in hearing our daughter promises to be so amiable in disposition. She would not be like her mothers were she oth erwise. Briddle, Eastman & Johnson are now in the City, they report all well above Cabins, will be down in two weeks to go home. I shall wait for him for company do not be alarmed about reports of cholera here. There is none here. Give my love to all farewell for a short time your affectionate Husband B. A. Watson