Niles Fawcett - 1855-07-07

Independence  Cal
November 7th 1855

Dear Sister
        I got back to San Francisco about the 17th of August last after a passage of ninety days from Sydney  we called in at Hanalula a few days for provisions, there was only about twenty five passengers aboard and as our vessel was a go sized one we had plenty of room and a pleasant trip compared with the one going down to Australia but I will try hereafter to make as little salt water travelling do as possible, riding a mule and packing a heavy rifle over the sandy plains of Mexico is preferable to a sea voyage in my estimation.
        This country has change very much since 52 & 53 every thing seems to be as dull as possible for them to be, the miners generaly through the diggings that I have been in since returning look as if they did not care whuther they made any thing or not, and it is likely at the present time there is a large majority that are bearly making grub, though as soon as the rain commences which is expected any day, there will be a great change in the appearance of things.  This place where I am now at work is about fifteen miles north east of Mokuolime Hill and the same distance from the big tree, large enough to make a Ball room on the stump and a ten pin alley on the fallen trunk.  I have not seen it myself but have been told that thirty two cuple danced on the stump on a Forth of July frolic.  it is probable though that they had not much room to cut the pigeon wing.  this neighbourhood is the pretiest one that I have seen in the state of Cal it is just between the Mokuilome and Calivaras rivers the country is very high and broken covered with the finest kind of pine spruce & seder and plenty of as good spring water as there is in world.  although it is a pleasant place to live, the chances for mining are not very good owing to the great elevation of the country.  the rivers might be brought on to it but the expence would very great and no one has ventured to do it, at present the only cause for working the best ground is during rainy season which is very uncertain and if there should be a wet winter men will have to work under great disadvantages.  I have not determined yet where to spend the winter, though it is likely I shall go south some where and if nothing turns up of importance against spring I will probably try the extreme nothern mines.
        It is now fourteen or fifteen months since I have heard from any of you and like very much to know how you all are coming on.  I will obliged to you if you will give me the address of all our people, post Office County and all, in your next letter.  direct your letters to San Francisco and I can have them forwarded to any place that I may be. You may have some curiosity to know what success I had in Australia.  well it was very poor I done a goodeal of walking prospecting and hard work but got very little gold, though as I have got back safe on this side of the Pacific I feel as if that was pretty good luck without the gold.
        This scratch is just to let you know that I have got back in to Uncle Sams dominions and if your Uncle Fuller knows what he intends to do himself it is that he intends to stay on this piece of ground between the Atlantic & Pacific until Old Gabriel calls for him.  remember me to your children tell Uncas & Curtis that I remember them well and often think of them, please let me know how Willis’ children are coming on,
        I suppose winter is beginning to set in by this time in Missouri.  here the nights and morning are cool but after the sun gets up it is as pleasent as can be.  I donot have a pen in my fingers once in six months, and it soon gets tiresome which is just about the case now.  give my love to all. write soon

Your Brother Niles

 

On back, in one of the folds:

We send you Niles’
 letter & hope you
will let us hear
how you all are.
You will oblige me
by Sending a Statement
of my a/c by Robert
if convenient
We are as usual
have not Butchered
 yet