Gold Rush Era Collections

Provisions is verry [very] high and the most of it got up in verry [very] Bad order. Chese [cheese] 50 ^cts [cents] a pound as for Butter I have not Eat 1/2. since I left new york New York I have not seen any good butter nor Milk nor Water since I left new Jersey New Jersey the steam boat that I have a ticket has not arrived here for us and we may have to lay here three or four weeks but still I have not seen any more difeculteys [difficulties] than I Expected when I started from home Although it is verry [very] tedeous [tedious] laying here among A missriable [miserable] Rase [race] of inhabatants [inhabitants] but they dont [don't] appear to be Evil Disposed I have seen nothing nor heared [heard] nothing to Discouege [discourage] me from continuing my Journy [journey] through A Olthough [Although] I long to see you and the children verry [very] much Although keep good courage and try and keep Amos in good courage and let him see this letter and Read it As to the Prospect of Butter in california California I see men from there which Does not Differ much from what I heared [heard] before I left home. NB. Do look after Amos In A kind and Motherly order for giving Directions as to work for Isaac I cant [can't] do only Each one of you look after your Buisness [business] honestly and honerbly [honorably] and all will turn well which my mind is to do the same I should have Writen [written] Before But Peter Brown Writ [wrote] which letters they was to let you see let Hannah Read this letter to others Children and let Catharine Read it to Betsy & Mary let G W Houston and an [Ann] see it And all give my love to All my Friends And Neighbors and I Remain

Affectionate Husband

John N Ryerson

[Page 1]

Provisions is verry [very] high and the most of it got up in verry [very] Bad order Chese [cheese] 50 ^cts [cents] a pound as for Butter I have not Eat 1/2. since I left new york New York I have not seen any good butter nor Milk nor Water since I left new Jersey New Jersey the steam boat that I have a ticket has not arrived here for us and we may have to lay here three or four weeks but still I have not seen any more difeculteys [difficulties] than I Expected when I started from home Although it is verry [very] tedeous [tedious] laying here among A missriable [miserable] Rase [race] of inhabatants [inhabitants] but they dont [don't] appear to be Evil Disposed I have seen nothing nor heared [heard] nothing to Discouege [discourage] me from continuing my Journy [journey] through A Olthough [Although] I long to see you and the children verry [very] much Although keep good courage and try and keep Amos in good courage and let him see this letter and Read it As to the Prospect of Butter in california California I see men from there which Does not Differ much from what I heared [heard] before I left home. NB. Do look after Amos In A kind and Motherly order for giving Directions as to work for Isaac I cant [can't] do only Each one of you look after your Buisness [business] honestly and honerbly [honorably] and all will turn well which my mind is to do the same I should have Writen [written] Before But Peter Brown Writ [wrote] which letters they was to let you see let Hannah Read this letter to others Children and let Catharine Read it to Betsy & Mary let G W Houston and an [Ann] see it And all give my love to All my Friends And Neighbors and I Remain

Affectionate Husband

John N Ryerson

[page 2]

Dear Brother,

Nicholas N Ryerson I Wish you to Peruse this letter that I have written to my family & I Donot [do not] see any thing Discourging [discouraging] in the Butter Busness [Business] if they they should be an Dificulties [difficulties] I wish you write to me and tell my family to write and aid and assist them as much as is in your power and I do Not know of any Directions to give you any Diferent [different] from what it was under stood when I left New York Dont [don't] forget to see that My inshurance [insurance] on the buildings Does not Run out before it is renewed which is this sumer [summer] or fall I May Write Again whe We get Ready to start from this Plase [place] if you hapen [happen] at goshen Goshen, New York teel [tell] Mr Murry you heared [heard] from me I could keep on Writing Past Events All Day But Probely [probably] they Would not be interested But Give my love to All my love to All my Brothers & sisters and Friends and

I truely [truly] Remain your Friends and Brother

John N Ryerson

Panama May 6 1850 if you Write Direct your to Sacremento Citty Calefornia Sacramento City, California Peter Brown is Well & has been since he left New York & All the company that left Paterson Paterson, New York Except one which had the Ague once of [or] twice which he is not well which was ll in number

Lot of Butter then All will Come straight I think the Prospect of Butter is good as yet if it comes here in good condition they is no Danger I think in its Making a nice Profit have your casks all tight as directed when I started from home that is the only Way Butter comes heri [here] Right the amount of Dust is thirty ounces it did me a greate [great] deel [deal] of good father And Mother was well I Write to Hannah By this same mail But shant Write verry [very] lengthy Desaription [description] of country &c [etcetera] Wish you to show this letter to all my Brothers & sisters friends Give Repects [respects] to Amos & Hannah G W Houston & Ania & E A. Martin & Catharine & A. Munson & Betsy G. Wallen & Bier & Jane & Abby & tell them to write to me for if I had to write to Each one of them it would take me some time which I have not Been used of writing much of late years I first thought I Would Write a sepPreate [separate] Home to Hannah & Amos But thought this Would be sufficient I Enclose the Recept [receipt] for that gold in this letter send the Butter all so it starts on vessels that dont [don't] lay in New York after the Butter is on board No More But Remain your friend

Nicholus N & Wife Dear brother & sister

as this is a small space left I fill it by sending my kindest regards to you all and am much obliged to you for your Kind wishes Expressed towards me in your letter to John which we recd [received] with great plasure [pleasure], and Soon to recieve [receive] another

P. J. Brown