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[Addressed:] Mr. John Biswell
             Huntsville Mo

[Postmarked:] Placerville
              Cal. Aug. 9


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Hang Town Claifornia[sic] August 4th AD 1850

I now one Time more seat my self To inform you all. That we are all well at the present time[.] We have landed in 
California at last it was a long and tiresome journey[.] I would not travel over the plains again for all the Gold 
that is in California. Although we got along very well I have had my health very well so far. Norville B[,] Jeremiah[,] 
Wm P had the mountain fever[.] They are all well now[.] I have not be[e]n sick the first day yet[.] Now I will tell you 
something about our teem.  Our teem stood up to the plains very well[.] the Race horse got poison on [Bear?] River and 
died. We traided our team of fo[u]r horses and mules And packed through[.] We have travel[ed] over the worst Road that 
ever I saw in my life[.] No[r]ville['s] mule got away last Ev[en]ing and we have not found him yet[.] Good yoke of 
cattle is sells for 30 to 40 $ per yoke[.] Mules and horses in proportion[.] Provision are plenty here and cheap[.] 
We have bought all of Mining utensial[utensils] And we are going to work to morrow[.] As it is the day of the Election 
at home I woul[d] like to be there[.]


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we are going to work 3 miles Below Hang town Mine and Norville['s] Tools Cost us 35 Dollars[.] I have not much to write 
to you all at present[.] We beat all the Randolph Boys here except Hammilton J Withers[.] I have not heard from uncle 
Amos yet nor Joseph Biswell[.] I am going to send a lette[r] to Sacramento to day to them[.] I have not he[a]rd from home 
since we left[.] I would like to here from home very well[.] I want you all to write to me as soon as you get this Letter[.] 
I can't write as much as you all want me to write[.] I[t] takes hard work to get gold here[.] Dear Father I want you to stay 
at home for there is nothing here for you to come after[.] If nothing and I can make money enough i am comeing home next 
fall[.] I have not much to write to you all[.] I landed here 2nd day of August[.] We was just 90 days on the road from the 
Missouri River[.] Write as soon as you receive this fail not[.] Direct your letter to Sacramento City[.] I have sent down 
there for letters[.] I do not [k]no[w] whether I will get a letter or not[.] I will write to you again as soon as i get a 
letter from you[.] Do not be uneasy about us for we can live here[.] that is all i have to say at present[.] I will in a 
few more day[s] i will [write] and do better the next letter[.]


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Write to me all about your crop and how you are all getting along[.] We send our best respects to you all[.] Give my best 
Respects to all inquiring Friends[.]

Write This August 4th 1850

Jonathan H Biswell and Norville B Biswell 

To John Biswell and Family

Write no more

Excuse all the mistakes if you please[.]