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Hang Town California August 8 AD 1850

Dear Parrents and Ralation and Friends

I now one time more take an opportunity to inform you all that we are all well at present And are in good spirits. 
The first thing I will mention will be about the plains. We had a very fine time on the plains until we past [passed] 
fort Larimie. The roads was very bad from there out to the diggings[.] We had a very tuff[tough] time from fort 
Larimie out to the diggings[.] But we got over the mountains as well as might be expected[.] But I would not cross 
the plains again for half of California[.] now I will tell you something about our teem[.] we had as good [a] teem as 
there was on the road[.] the Race horse got poisen on Barr[Bear] River and died[.] all of our Cattle got poisen 2 or 
3 times But we cured them all But the Race horse[.] We traided our ox teem of [MS. torn] for horses 150 miles this 
side of California And packed through in four days[.] we got one very good mule[.] Norville B. he took it and i took 
a very fine mare I can get 50 or 60 Dollars for any time[.] Norville B has lost his mule[.] We packed our plunder 3 
miles below Hang Town on the mule And we let it lo[o]se with the packed saddle and Bridle and fised [fixed] our 
Washing Machine And washed a few minutes And we looked about for the mule


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and it was gone and never found it yet[.] Now I will tell you something about the gold in California[.] There is gold 
here But it takes hard work to get it[.] I and Norville B has worked 2 days in the mines and we made 19.25 c[en]ts 
Both of us together[.] We are not are a going to leave this place to morrow morning[.] We are going to the wet 
diggings[.] We hav[e] Bought all of our tools to work with[.] Cradle Cost us [MS. torn]0 $ pick 4 dol[lars] tin pan 
2.50 dipper 1.50 cents shovel 6 Dol[.] that is all of the tool[s] we want[.] [MS. torn] we are going to leave this 
place[.] we sold our cradle[.] Jeremiah B and Wm P. has left us[.] we divided the cooking utensial[utensils] And we 
had to b[u]y a frying pan Which cost us 4 dol[.] We hav paid for all of these things and we hav[e] about 40 dollars 
left to go on[.] Some peopple are makeing 1 oi[oz?] of gold per day Some 5 dol per day[.] Some are getting Rich and 
some are not just like it is at home[.] some are doing well and some are not[.] Now I will tell you something about 
provision[s] here[.] pickle[d] pork 33 cts per lbs[.] Beef 25 cts [to] 30 cts per lbs[.] flour 18 cts per lb[.] plenty 
of pickles of all kinds here[.] dried fruit chees[e] Butter and all kinds of vegitables even down to potatoes and 
molasses[.] molasses 1.00 dol per qt[.] all kinds of provision[s] here for sale[.] I hav[e] not he[a]rd from home 
since i left[.] I would [like] to here from you all as soon as possible[.] I hav[e] send to Sacramento


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for a letter I do not [know] whether I will get a letter or not But I hope i will[.] I hav[e] not he[a]rd of Mr. 
Cleveland since i left home nor Terry Little[.]  John Dameron has got in Old John Dameron has not got in yet nor I 
hav[e] not he[a]rd of him but once since we past him[.] Then he was at salts Lakes[.] we did not come go by salts 
lakes nor by Fort Hall[.] we went the cut of[f][.] We beat all of the Randolphs Boys here except Hammilton and 
Withers[.] part of Henderson Company has got in[.] Francis Hammet has not got in yet nor none of my old school 
mates[.] we past Qualls Coats on the Road and we hav[e] not herd of him since[.] I will tell you the way a great 
many young men does[.] they work all day then at night they go to the gam[b]ling House And you [k]no[w] how it 
goes[.] You all need not to be uneasy about us doing that way for we will not do that way[.] I [k]no[w] how money 
comes now[.] I will send you a little gold dust in this letter if [I] can [fit?] it in convenient For you all to 
look at[.] I want you all to stay at home And do the best you can[.] Do not come to make a fortune for there is a 
nough[enough] here now at present[.] there is a great many going to leave this fall coming for home[.] if I hav[e] 
good luck and if nothing I and keep my


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i keep my health I will be at home about the first of april[.] As soon as you receive this Letter fail not to write[.] 
Write all about your corp[crop] and all of the children And Friends and Relation[s][.] Take care of your selves and I 
will try and do the same[.] Do not be uneasy about us for we are doing very well[.] To Anna don't you [end?] up for I 
will be back home if nothing happens in a few months and I will bring you a mare and that do you & Gideon Hamies[Haines] 
has left his teem [team] and walked about 150 miles Then he went on to the city[.] I have but a few more lines to write 
to you all[.] That is to do the best you can and I will try and do the same[.] Norville B is writing a letter[.] I will 
write in about 1 month from now[.] I thing[think] by that time I will get a letter from you[.] if not I will write any 
how[.] I cannot write all that you want me to I hav[e] not he[a]rd from uncle Amos nor Joseph B yet But i hope i will[.] 
Give my best Respects to all inquireing friends[.] 
tell them all to stay at home. Write.

Yours Respec[t]fully J. H. Biswell
N. B. Biswell

To John Biswell
Mother 
Brother & Sister 
and Relations

August 8th 1850