(1)

Sacramento City Mar 14th 

Dear Father and Mother

I am much inclined to blame myself for not improving some of the free leisure moments which 
I have had since writing my last short letter to you in replying fully to your kind letters 
heretofore recd. But a very few minutes are left before the clock strikes 12 and the office 
is closed - the mail made up, and thinking that a word will not be unacceptable to you if it 
conveys information of my welfare, I will try to send you this half sheet, promising to be 
more punctual hereafter.

My health of which I always write for your sakes is still most excellent. I am heavier and 
heartier I believe than I [ever] was in Mo, -- at least, those who knew me then say so. [I] 
shall try to send you my daguerreotype before long if I can find a good opportunity so [that] 
you may throw away the very poor one that you now have. The city and surrounding county is 
quite healthy and I hope will remain so. For these blessings which I have recd. since my 
arrival here, although you think I have suffered some hardships, I hope I am sincerely thankful. 
It seems as though the hand of a Kind Providence had ever been over me to protect me from 
disease and death, while numbers of my companions have fallen.

I am still in Practice. Glover has gone to the mines discouraged with the prospect at the Bar, 
and I have formed a Partnership with a gentleman by the name of McConaha.   He is ugly as his 
name but I think he is an active, efficient man and a good lawyer. I hope we shall succeed after 
a while. There is a tremendous amount of business done here but there is an army of lawyers to 
do it.

I am vexed that I cannot write longer, but if I do I cannot send even this till two weeks later. 

(2)

There has been a great fire at Nevada City, in the mountains, 150 houses burnt & $1,000,000 worth 
of property destroyed. No lives lost. Stanton Buckner of Palmyra & his partner Williams of Paris, 
together lost $3,000. Teams are very busy now in supplying that region with provisions from this 
city. A.B. Hawkins of Palmyra, sends a thousand dollars to his friends there who have been burnt out.

But I must close. Give my love to all, -- especially to Fanny & little Sarah Michelle Anderson. I 
read a letter from Fan dated Jany 1st a few days ago, -- shall answer it soon, as also those from 
yourselves. Believe that with fond remembrance and unchanged and unchangeable affection.

I remain, Your son Elisha

P.S. I have desired our P.M. to mark your letters free: but he may be as stubborn as Crutcher; if so 
please let me know it. E.C.W.