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Sacramento July 31, 1854
 
My dearest Mother

It is now two months since I received any thing from home, but I am impressed with the 
conviction that it is high time for me to make my usual periodical report to you, and I sit 
down to write without uttering any grumblings at the bad luck which detains my letters. I 
had set my heart upon getting, six weeks ago, not only several letters, but perhaps some 
daguerreotypes, but as yet they have not come and I pocket the disappointment with all 
the grace that I am master of, patiently looking forward to the "good time coming".

This has been a warm, and I had almost said, oppressive day, though not so much so as 
some of the days about the middle of the present month which were I think, a little the most 
scorching that I have ever seen, even in California. And you will not be disposed to question 
this when I inform you that the mercury ranged from 108 [degrees] to 112 [degrees] in the 
shade, during the hottest part of the day, that is, from 1 to 4 o'clock. Indeed, I think it would 
have [been] insupportable, but for that charming peculiarity of our climate, viz, the rapid 
cooling of the atmosphere as the sun sinks behind the hills. This brings the mercury down 
to 75 [degrees]-70 [degrees]

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shortly after sundown, - 65 [degrees]-60 [degrees] by midnight and sometimes as low as 50 
[degrees] by sunrise. To day at 12, it stood at 98 [degrees], and now as the sun has just gone 
out of sight it is at 75 [degrees]. And the sea breeze which has blown with great regularity this 
summer is now coming in at my south window fresh from the Bay of San F. and the Pacific, 
and gives the finishing touch to a most delicious evening, which fully compensates for the 
scorching heat and stifling dust of midday. How much I wish it were possible for you all to be 
here and enjoy it.

I must not omit to inform you, that having lived in the same house for the extended period of 
three months, we found it desirable about two weeks ago to find a new home. Accordingly 
we took the 2nd floor of a house directly on the bank of the river, and within a few yards of 
the City Water Works Building in which is my office. It is much pleasanter going home to 
dinner now, than walking a mile through the dust and scorching blaze of the sun. Furthermore, 
three or four venerable sycamores stand close by the south and west sides of the house, 
stretching their long limbs over it, and shielding it almost completely, with their foliage from 
the rays of the sun, after 2 o'clock. It is true our range is somewhat limited, for although we 
have a very comfortable and convenient suite of rooms, parlor, dining room, 

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kitchen and two bedrooms, yet we have no yard. This is somewhat like imprisonment to one 
accustomed to range at pleasure over the forest and prairies of Missouri. But we must make 
up our minds to bear such inconveniences, until the arrival of that "good time" that's coming. 
There are many pleasant things connected with our new location however. We have a beautiful 
view of the waterfront of the city, with the broad river and its embracing scenes, - steam boats 
coming, going and unloading, - sloops, brigs and schooners spreading out their broad white 
wings to the breezes or lying lazily at anchor as though fast asleep, on the smoother water. We 
get the fresh sea-breeze, most all the time, and there are baths and swimming houses close by 
to which we have free tickets - so it is easy to keep clean and cool. I must also mention the 
convenience of the huge ice house of the "Sitka Ice Co" on the bank of the river a short distance 
above us, -- for the Russians have beaten the Yankees in this trade, and Sitka, instead of Boston, 
supplies California with ice.

Furthermore our landlord, a very gentlemanly Pennsylvanian, boards with us by way of getting his 
rent, - and his wife, a very interesting and amiable lady, now absent on a visit to her sister in the 
San Jose Valley will board with us on her return. We have had
 
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several applications for board from gentlemen, and we shall probably take two or three more by 
way of paying expenses. Our house rent is 40$ per month, - servant girl 50$ per month. Boarding 
is 10$ week.

The duties of my present office will have been performed by the 1st of September and then I shall 
be at liberty to resume my practice - though my salary will continue to the 1st of Apl. next. By four 
month's labor, I shall have earned 2000$. If this were in Mo. I could lay up 1500$ of it at the end of 
the year, but here expenses are so great, that it flies with bewildering celerity.

Another terrible calamity has fallen upon this apparently doomed city. About 12 o'clock M. ten days 
ago, a fire burst out in the midst of the most densely populated part of the city. A strong breeze soon 
arose, and all effort to check the flames seemed to be without effect. From one square to another 
they rolled on sweeping every wooden building in their pathway and testing severely the brick fire 
proof ones. A great number of stores were burnt, some with their contents, but in most instances, the 
greater part of the stocks was taken out in time. From 12 o'clock till 4 or 5, the fire rolled on, till it had 
swept off the great portion of 12 squares, or 1/4 part of the densely populated portion of the city. The 
sun shone with 

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with [sic] terrible fierceness, and the labors of the firemen were so great that many fell utterly exhausted 
to the ground. A number of hotels were burnt, the Presbyterian Church, - the only one by the way, that had 
escaped the awful conflagration of Nov. 1852, - many beautiful private residences, and as if to crown its 
latest efforts with the proudest triumph, the last edifice that took fire was the Capital. The State & County 
officers headed by the Sheriff and the Governor in person used every effort, but in spite of their official 
authority, the rebellious fire would not yield, but stubbornly raged until the State House was a mass of 
unsightly ruins, and the work of desolation was complete. The loss of property has been estimated at 
$350,000 or 400 thousand dollars, but it seems to me that it must have been much greater.

Laura's health has not been very good this summer, but she is constantly around, and keeps herself 
continually engaged in the duties of the household. If I was not so low down in the vale of poverty, I would 
take her to the mountains or to the Sandwich Islands, for several months, which I think would prove 
beneficial to her, -- but under the present state of things I cannot effect to do it. She is very anxious to 
hear from you, and as we have just heard that the mail has arrived at San F. she may get a letter by 
tomorrow. The mail closed to day. 

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My health is very good. The emigration over the plains is coming in rapidly. Have you seen anything of 
Ed Murphy yet. I have not heard a word from him since he left here in March.

I hope to hear from you as soon as you can write. Give my love to all. Tell Joe. To keep writing and give 
me all the news. I must close. Goodbye.

Most affectionately,
Your son,
Elisha