26. Relatives' Letters: January - July, 1866

[in pencil: 1866]

Portland Me. Jan 6th 1865

My dear Nellie

Yours of the 5th came duly to hand and I comply with your request to answer it immediately.

You have submitted to me some very important propositions which I fear would require somewhat more reflection upon my part than I have been able to bring to bear in twenty four hours to decide upon. I made note of the very generous offer to me in Harry's business interests.

I fear that he has rather overestimated my qualifications for a newspaper man and that were I to accept the proposal the success which has so abundantly crowned his efforts would fail me; but supposing that there were no fears upon that score there are yet many other

things to think of. Should I conclude to go to Nevada it would very likely be for a permanent stay -- this would at once involve the relinquishment of all plans that I have so far made for the future -- both as to business and interests of a private nature.

To be more plain -- it is quite likely I may sometime want a helpmeet -- if I have seen any person whom I should prefer for that station, would I not have to leave her in this section of the country and give her up or else go it blind and marry her before I went? -- both courses would involve serious considerations.

Did I leave her and still entertain thought of a future union, wouldn't I be in about Harry's situation as he now stands? -- If I married it would be a grave matter

whether I could support her on the single prospect of my future interest in the Appeal. You know I havn't much property of my own -- in fact I fear I should not be able to satisfy Mighels upon the consideration necessary to become a partner. I may not quite understand his proposition -- it is about this perhaps -- he is willing upon my coming out there to admit me as half partner with him or one-third partner in the whole Establishment -- he omits to say whether I should be required to make ready payment for my share or not -- I couldn't pay anything down, but should be in debt at least a thousand dollars -- this would have to be paid sometime -- what could I do it with? -- the profits in the press are $300 -- net per month or $100 for each partner -- or 1200

a year -- out of this I must support myself (if single and a wife too if married) and at the same time to something toward liquidating the debts -- I have no idea what it costs to live out there, but presume it would be higher than here -- You see the prospects are not very encouraging --

But as I said in the first place I havn't had sufficient time to look at all the points pro and con, nor made any calculations how I might arrange my matters here -- I have some interest in the oil Co. by which I expect to make a fortune of course. We are just now trying to get up a new company here to go down into the bowels of the earth for "ile" -- we shall be be rich

if we succeed -- then there could be no reason for me to go west -- tho' I dont make any certain calculations upon this source of wealth and am ready to do something for a moderate income providing it is to my taste -- the law will suit me very well but it takes a long time to study -- I have no aversion to an editorial life and honestly think it might suit my taste after experience. Such an offer as Harry makes, if made here, I should accept without hesitation and so the whole question is about going west to live. I am extremely grateful to Harry for this generous offer and wish you would suitably express my gratitude to him.

Supposing I went it would be some time next May? -- before that time