of staying till fall and our business was so arranged that we could not separate without sacrificing our property and I concluded to stay till fall. I don't want you to think hard of me for not coming this spring for I think, and thought then, that I was doing for the best, but I am not going to put off (returning] later than the first of October sure, for I want to come home as bad as you want me. After a dull winter things have opened brisk here this Spring. Miners are doing better here than ever before. There are some three Grist Mills in progress and two will be ready to run by harvest and a great many are speculating on the price of wheat. Some put it as low as three dollars and some as high as six do[llars], but I think wheat will be worth five Dollars pr Bu.... Flour is worth in Crescent City from 6 to 9 cts just owing to the market, and it can't be packed here (for) less than six cts pr Pd., which will bring it from 12 to 15 cts. ...
I have not been at Hoffman's for two months but am going up tomorrow or next day. I heard from there a few days ago. They were all well. Hoffman and McKinnell are interested in a grist mill in course of erection. Last winter was a very cold winter and they were dissatisfied with the country, but now the weather is beautiful and I suppose they are better satisfied. The last time I was there May talked of taking up a school but do not know whether she has or not.
Old Man Lawson started for the states last Winter. I had not seen him for some time before he started, that is to speak to him. We were on a trip to the Willamette, and he passed by our camp the evening of the 23d of Febʼy, so I found out afterwards. I was to a Ball on the 22d (?), the first one and the last one in this country. Frank Wilcox left here this spring to hunt new diggings and I have not heard from him since. I have not received any letters from Jim Hollister lately and I do not know any news of any one about Portland.
Write to Uncle Anderson and find out what part of Oregon or Washington Jerry's Joseph A. White lives. Uncle Jo we used to call him on the plains. My Bible and some other things are there and I would like to have them, and give them my love. ... I am going to write to Kate. Tell the children they shall
