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[Addressed:] John Biswell
             Feb 23th 1851

             Calavarus river



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Greenwood valley Cal Feb 23th 1851

Dear Parrents and relation [I] seat myself to write you all a few lines. To inform you all that we are all well at present and i hope when these few lines comes to your unwavering hands that they will find you all enjoying all the blessings you could wish for[.] We have received several letters from you and from Uncle Robbert Belshe that was written the 26 day of Nov1850[.] i received 4 letters, the 3 day of Feb that was written in Nov[.] I have not much to write at present[.] We are mining on the north fork of the American River[.] Some days [we make] $5 but when the water fall[s] we [expect] to do very well[.] I and Brother Norville[,] Uncle Thom Biswell & Joseph & Franklin Arnett we all have a claime together and we expect to work together all the time we are in Cal[.] Some people are doing very well others are not doing much[.] We have had the beautifulest winter that I ever saw But little rain and no cold we[a]ther[.] I have sowed my [lettuce] seed and onion seed on the north Fork where we expect to remain all summer[.] Provisions are tollerable cheap at present[.] I have not heard from none of our connection lately[.] I never have heard from Cousin JB Nor Wm P Clarkson since the  



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1 Sept[.] I want you to [write] whether you have he[a]rd from them or not[.] Write all about our friends and connection[s][.] I have but [a] few more lines to write at present[.] If nothing [happens] and we live we will start home the 1 Day of Oct Money or no money[.] But we have a very pretty prospect of makeing something[.] the more money a person gets the more he wants[.] There is one thin[g] that I will [k]no[w] how to do when I get home that is to rock the cradle[.] I love to rock the cradle when there is gold in it[.] I heard that John D. Cleveland was going home this spring[.] I had a notion of comeing but I gave it out until next fall[.] that is all I have to say at present[.] I would like to see you all very well at present[.] I just now received a letter that was written in August[.] Give my best Respects to all enquireing Friends[.] Tel[l] William that I have got him some gold[.] Write on the receptino of this fail not[.] 

yours Respecfully Jonathan N. Biswell 
                  Norville B Biswell

To John Biswell & family

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