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Spanish Flat Cal October 11th 1852

Dear Parrents and Relations

I now 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 the same like blessings[.] I 
received your kind and affectionate Letter that was written the second of August And it afforded me no small degree 
of pleasure to here[hear] of you all being well and doing well[.] I have nothing of importance to write at present[.] 
times are dul[l] here at present but I think when it rains that I can make some money here this winter[.] you need 
not to be uneasy about us for we can live here very well[.] I would like to see you very well at this time[.] There 
is a good many of the Randolph boys here at this place[.] I will name afew of them[:] Cousins Gideon Wright[,] John 
Wright[,] Gideon Haines and Brothers and a great many more too tedious to mention[.] They are all well[.] it has 
be[e]n a good while since I heard from Jerry & Wm P Clarkson[.] Jerry is down in lower Cal. And I do not [k]no[w] 
where Billy is but the last time I he[a]rd from [him] he was well[.]


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Provisions of all kinds are high[.] Flour 20 c[en]ts per lb[,] Hams 40 cts[,] Pork 30 cts[,] Sugar 25 cts[,] Potatoe 
12 1/2 cts[,] Old Bacon 40 cts[,] But[t]er 75 cts[,] Onions 12 1/2 cts and a good pair of Boots 8 Dollars and go on & 
on[.] You may look for me home next spring without fail[.] there will be a great many of the Randolph boys come home 
next spring[.] Tell Uncle James Belshe that William Belshe is awell and will be at home next spring if nothing 
happens[.] I expect we will all come together[.] I am comeing any how if I live[.] I may start about Christmas for I 
am anxious to get Home for I will soon be Twenty Two years old[.] Tel all the children that I am the same old Jona 
yet and can play the fiddle yet[.] I am about six feet high and weigh 1.40[140] lbs[.] that is all I have to write on 
that subject[.] Dear father afew more lines and then I am done[.] I want you to take care of all the money that I have 
sent to you[.] I sent by Mr. Malone 321 Dollars in money and half of that note was mine witch[which] make[s] 364 
Dollars[.] And I started home a few days ago and got to Sanforisco[San Francisco] and turned bact[back.] And I sent you 
a Draft of 6.36[636?] Dollars by Isaac Giles of Randolph County Mo Witch[which] he is to hand over to you as soon as he 
gets Home[.] I wa[n]t you to draw it for me and loan it out 


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at Interest[.] I have just sent one Thousand Dollars home myself And Norvil[l]e 1.58[158?] Dollars[.] My Draft cost me 
three cents on the Dollars[.] the money that I have sent home ought to bring me sixty Dollars a year[.] father I want you 
to attend to it for me and I will pay you for it[.] Norville owes me about one hundred Dollars and I expect I will have to 
bring him home the money that he has sent[.] I expect I will have to take it for pay[.] do not say anything about it in 
your letters[.] I want you to write to me what you are going to do with my money[.] that is all I have to write at present[.] 
give my best respects to all enquireing friends[.] Write on the Reception of this fail not[.] I remain your son until Deathe[.]

Jonathan H Biswell

[P.S.] Please excuse all the mistakes and this short letter[.] I would like to writ[e] afew lines to Mary and Dilly but I have 
not got time[.] Please write to me[.]

To you all
J H Biswell