(1)



Sacramento California
July 29th 1851
 
My Dear Parents

I embrace the opportunity afforded by the return of our old neighbor's son, John S Chick, to send you a word of unimportant chit-chat. He received a letter last mail from his father which compromised the difficulty which has heretofore separated them, and as he says he should never have come to California but for that he is now ready to return. He leaves the city tomorrow for San Francisco to be ready for the steamer of the 1st prox. His success has been pretty good; -- not extraordinary by any means - but far better than it would have been at home. I have not enquired of him particularly respecting his "pile" but suppose from what I know of his business that it closely approximates 1000 dollars, clear. He has been remarkably steady and industrious and has been an excellent citizen in California. He has succeeded in gaining the entire confidence of Mssrs Hoyt & Dexter and I presume they are unwilling to part with so valuable an assistant. He is certainly to be much commended for his improvement. Mr. Dexter sends by him for his family, and places in 



(2)



his hands the means necessary to bring them hither via the Isthmus next season. I have desired him to call and see you on his visit to Shelby, which he will probably do. The rumors of his wife's indifference and coldness and of his father-in-law's open enmity are certainly very strongly contradicted by the letters he has received from them. I incline to the opinion that they are incorrect.

He will be able to give you a very correct idea of this country and I think you may rely with certainty upon his representations.

I have but very little news to communicate. Times are a little better than they were a few months ago but not too brisk yet. The emigration has commenced coming in but is ridiculously small. It is said 1000 persons are all that are bound for this State. People in the U.S. must have been awfully frightened by the accounts of last year's emigration.

Litigation is moderate. We have a court in session all the time, -- sometimes two of them; but the late vigilant action of our citizens, the police & the San F. Vigilance Committee, has lessened the criminal business very much. The civil business finds plenty of lawyers to 



(3)



take hold of it and when it is divided among 60 or 70 it is considerably diminished. We got our share however. I find no difficulty in making money here; the only difficulty is in keeping it - and this is almost an utter impossibility. Office Rent from 25 to 75 dolls per month! Board at the first class hotels from 1.50 to 2.50 per single meal, - at the second rate 1.50 to 2.00 per day, -- at the lowest and cheapest 50 cents per meal. Washing 4.00 per dozen. Clothing is comparatively cheap, - Ready made clothing can be had almost as low as in the States - some articles lower. Taking everything into consideration the expenses of living here are from six to ten times as great as they [are] in the States; it follows that the income [must] be proportionately larger in order to meet them.

I am in the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits. This climate is certainly the most healthy and delightful in the world. I have hardly heard of a case of sickness in this city since the cholera last fall. The weather here at noon-day is extremely warm - the mercury being sometimes at 110° - but the nights are cool and refreshing and the mornings and evenings the most balmy and delightful you can imagine. Sultry weather is unknown - there is always the fresh breeze from the Pacific. 



(4)



There is no news of importance in the city. We had a little bit of fire on Saturday night that gave our fire companies a chance to show their skill. They soon subdued it. Loss about 10,000 or 15,000 dolls. My associate is fishing for another office - but as he is a rampant Democrat & the county is most decidedly Whig, I fear he will get his fingers burnt again.

I wish to hear from you very soon. I received no letters last mail and have been in a very bad humor ever since. I hope such a catastrophe will not happen again. I must close with my sincere wishes for your continued health, happiness and prosperity.

I remain your aff son
Elisha