Gold Rush Era Letters

[Stationer: OFFICE OF [centered] A. J. BAYLEY, [centered] Dealer in General Merchandise, [centered] (Bayley's Ranch.) [centered] Pilot Hill, El Dorado Co., Cal.] [handwritten] Feby [February] 11^th 1892.

Rev. J. A. Benton

My dear Friend

I have in my Diary of 1849. a Copy of the Poem, you composed and read at the last meeting of the Edward Everett – Company on the banks of the Mokelumine [Mokelumne] River in 1/49 [January, 1849]." Have you any objection for me to have it published in one of the Sacramento papers – I was reading it to-day [today] & think it very good. – Well do I remember the Eving [Evening] you deliv'ed [delivered] it. With many kind regards, from my wife & self

I am yours very Sincerely A. J. Bayley

"one of the Edward Everett Boys"

of the first marriage in California and 'Thank God it has been a very happy one.

I thank you for the Kind offer to send me a "Memorial Book, of Dr Bentons [Benton's] life" I should be pleased to receive one with Kind request from my wife & self.

I am Yours Sincerely A. J. Bayley

Oh may thy love our spirits fill, And brighten all our pathway still, And be thou with us to the End A Father, Saviour Lover, Friend ? –!

(The Text was from Romans. 14-12 Verse).

This was the last meeting ever held by the Edward Everett Company, of 12, on Saturday Evening – Aug 4^th 1849, the Company held a meeting at Camp on the banks of the Mokelumne river [River] by a Vote of 87 to 2 – dissolved, and nearly all left. Monday Morning Aug 6^th /49 [1849] for Sacramento. I think this was the only experience Dr. Benton had in mining, or in a Miners Camp.

Sincerely Yours, A. J. Bayley

Pilot Hill Cal. [California] Jany [January] 31^st 1893.

[written vertically in left margin] Boston and California Mining & Trading Co.