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[letterhead:] E.C. Winchell./Geo. H. Moore.
Winchell & Moore, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law,
Sacramento
Office, Up Stairs, in Ferguson's Building,
At the Stock Market, Corner of K and Sixth Streets

Sacramento Oct. 13, 1852

My Dear Parents,

Mr. John Glover arrived in this city yesterday from the mountains on his way home. He will leave 
today, and I [?] the opportunity thus offered of sending you a word. Thought I have not much of 
interest to communicate, I have not had anything from either of you for several months, but am 
very glad to hear through others that you have been enjoying good health for the most part during 
the summer.

I recd. last mail three letters, - one from Joseph, one from Fanny and one from Mr. Anderson. 
They were as usual highly interesting and contained much that was news to me. I had seen a 
notice of Rensselar's marriage in the "Whit", but had no particulars of the occurrence until Joseph 
furnished them. From Rens. himself I have as yet heard nothing; but I am in hopes that he will 
soon find leisure to resume the thread of his correspondence, -- which for a time he has so 
justifiably broken. 

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Jos. wrote me how near he came to going to Columbia to enter upon the duties of his new 
avocation. I cannot judge what would be the best course for him, but I hope he will make a 
good choice of a location, and be eminently successful in his undertakings.

You will have heard before this reaches you of the death of Mrs. Dexter of cholera. Knowing 
the family to be unprepared to receive much company, I had never been to see them, which I 
now regret. She was taken ill on Sunday morning Sept. 26, after getting breakfast, and though 
she had medical aid in a short time, died during the afternoon. There was at one time 
considerable cholera in this city, but there were not more than 60 or 70 deaths a week, and it 
has long since disappeared. The usual health of the place is restored, with the exception of 
some cases of chills & fever. My own health has been, and still is excellent. I have not had a 
day of indisposition for 18 months.

As you see by my card I have formed a new partnership in business. Mr. Moore is a young 
man from Ohio, - active, attentive, popular, -- of good principles, -- a good lawyer & pleasant 
companion. We have an excellent & very comfortable office in a busy part of the city, -- our 
rooms being elegantly papered, the floor covered with mat matting, and the front doors, four 
in number, of glass, extending from the ceiling to the floor, richly curtained with muslin & worsted 
curtains. We also have a neat circular center table of mahogany, and side tables for writing. We 
got the rooms thus furnished at 30$ per month, -- which is incredibly cheap for Sacramento.

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Business has been pretty brisk this fall, and bids fair to continue so during the winter, -- and my 
prospects for passing the rainy season pleasantly, are far better I think than they ever have been.

By accident, I came very near being nominated for the Legislature a few days since. I was a 
delegate to the Whig convention for nominating county officers last week, but had not the slightest 
wish or expectation of claiming any office. Indeed I would not accept a seat in the Legislature, 
unless I knew it would sit here again this winter instead of Vallejo, the true capital. But some kind 
friend put up my name before I suspected his intention, and in a minute and a half, I was halfway 
nominated. A nomination is this year equivalent to an election in this county, but knowing I could 
not make it profitable to go to Vallejo, I declined the honor & had my name withdrawn. Now, as 
William Wirt says "think in [?] if you can".

The emigration is nearly all in by this time, most of them in good health, order & condition, there 
has been but little suffering comparatively & that has been promptly relieved.

The weather is most delightful - it being by far the pleasantest fall season I have seen in California.

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Mr. Glover thinks of returning to Cal. again next spring. He has overcome his former repugnance 
to the El Dorado.

I haven't heard a word from Homer for several months. I suppose he is so busy in his farming 
operations, that it is not easy to write, but I live in hope. 

I shall hope to hear from you as often as possible for however much I like California, I cannot 
forget my home or its inmates. I shall expect to hear from Rens again in due course of time. 
He will accept my warmest congratulations upon the happy change which he has effected in 
his circumstances, and present to our sister my highest and sincerest regards. Excuse this 
[obscured by wax seal] believe me very affectionately.
 
Your son Elisha

[addressed:] Col. E. Winchell P.M.
West Springfield
Shelby County
Missouri