Letter 3: William P. Jones to his parents. Virginia, California

              Virginia Cal
Feb 11 1861
Father & Mother
As I have not written to you for some time I thought I would drop a line
today.
I rec’d a letter from Missaniah days ago and she says you think I ought to
write to you oftener so I ask to be excused for I am writing home to the children
so often that I thought that was enough but I have not forgotten the duty I owe
you both and there fore it is with pleasure that I write to you now I hope all are
well and was glad to hear that you are doing well.
I expect you would like to know exactly what and how I am doing so I will
tell you
I am mining and I now regard my prospects as better than they ever have
been since I came here I have always had money to get what I needed-and now
I have a good claim and I owe no man in California a cent but have money owing
to me My claim has paid better than I expected. I have only been washing for
three weeks and have done well- the expense of opening my claim has been
great therefore I have saved but little but now I am ready to save what I takeout
of it so you see I am in fine spirits. I think now I have a show to save
something so no more about my claim for I will write again soon and I can tell
you more about it
I have worked hard for every cent I have made here and now as regarded
as an hard working a man as there is around here- I hope to come before long
and think I will have bettered my condition by coming to California.
I have one partner Mr Andrews a young man who came from Pike’s Peak
with me he is a fine fellow and we get along well together. he says he will
return home with me so Mother you must prepare to make us some Pound Cake
when we come
I hope to hear from you soon I must quit for I have to write to Mr Cotter
and George about some mistake in our settlement before I left Mr Cotter says I
still owe them some if I do I am ready to pay it but how it is I cant remember I
thought I had settled everything pertaining to our old business so I must write and
have an understanding about it- I would send a little money home now but the
Banks are suspending so I thought I would wait a few months and by that time I
would be better able to spare it.
There is great excitement about the Union dissolving here.
I shall close hoping to be with you all again
My best wishes to the children
Remember me your
Affectionate son
William
Tell GrandFather he has my best wishes for health I would like to see him
Missaniah says GrandMother is coming down to stop here this winter tell her I
hope she is in good health
Good bye