Gold Rush Era Collections

Knew that the interests of the C would be much safer in my hands than in any other person if I had owned the Boat I would not have taken a greater interest in her Success this last Berth was offered me without any Solicitation on my part.

Our merchants are as knowable [knowledgeable] & enterprising a Body as can be found in any town of the same Size in the world (our population is 10,000) and several of them are men of mark any where. I have not detected one of them in an act of intentional dishonesty. Since I have been here & I have the Best chance in the world to discover Such things.

I spent three days at the Bay abot [about] two weeks ago & met Malcom Breck there he was down down from Oregon. Buying goods he seemed in good Spirits had made about $10,000 in the last Six months he had been somewhat unfortunate before, but has got it all back and is now doing well. He expects to be at home on Christmas next to get married, he came up the River with me to Marysville & it was really rich to see the astonished expression of his face as he came in sight of the town with its Splendid Blocks of Brick Buildings as we walked through the town his amazement rather increased. Then diminished as he had never been in the mines. I drove him up to Parks Bar some Sixteen miles (This is & has been the Richest Place in Cal [California]) & Showed him the various modes of working. They were just preparing to flume the River but had not yet got it turned. When he comes down again next month he intends to come up and see them in full operation. Give my love to Aunt Sue Murray the children & my friends generally

I intend to write a few lines to Mr Breck, I wrote a leter [letter] of congratulations to Lucy

Your affect [affectionate] Brother

William R. Olden

of perfectly clear delightfull [delightful] weather. The health of this place is good there is but little serious Sickness. Last month there were but 15 deaths a population of 10000 the previous year at the Same time the number was 40 out of half the number of people. The time spoken of is the worst of the year. There is always more or less fever & ague & Billious fever at that time. I have not been sick an hour in the Place and what is more I dont [don`t] intend to a mans [man's] will has a good deal to do with it half of the time. I think Mr Jones made a mess of it in changing his mind. Lawyers are making rapid fortunes here but particularly in San Francisco 25 dolls [dollars] is the lowest fee ever taken by a Lawyer & There is no limit the other way but the size of his clients pile The titles to land will furnish a fruitfull [fruitful] field for them for 100 years & then he could aspire to the highest Political honours & have Politicians all get Rich. dont [don't] Know how Sticks to their fingers I suppose I would Back him to be Governor or Senator within three years he is a decidedly superior to the greater part of the politicians in the country, in San F [San Francisco] he would make more money in one year than he will where he is in five.

Tell all my enquiring friends that I am all right and if any of them come to the Country, I hope they will come to see me. I can give them Some valuable advice if my experience is worth any thing. Love to all the family, Aunt Sue Murray & the children.

Your Affectionate Brother

William