Elisha Huntington Letters to His Son in California

              [corresponds to page 1 of March 26, 1854 letter] 
March 26th, 1854 
My Dear Son 
Your letter of 
Feb 14 th [superscript] was read 20 th [superscript] Inst which contains the first deffin 
ite intelligence with regard to your intentions.  It may be best 
perhaps for you to stay through the summer If your prospects 
for earning money will warrant the wrisk of sickness 
which is allmost all I have [caret] been [written above line] afraid of but that you know 
is uncertain in any country we must hope for the best 
and prepare for the worst It Is to a sage proverb and worthy 
of all consideration your staying till June or longer 
wont materially offset my calculations as you could 
not be here in season for a springs work I have my ca 
lculations made and expect a man a week from 
tomorrow and in the meantime I have been getting 
out manure fixing fenses &c in my way you know 
not taking it very hard--Tomorrow I intend to compl 
owing for Oats and in the course of the week will do a 
pretty good job on 8 acres and then shall give up 
the team to my hired man If I get him he Is now on 
the Road and I expect the contractors will make an effort 
to keep him probably at an advance of wages but I think 
they will succede If they do I can find someone else or 
do awhile alone  Charles has sold his interest at West 
Barren for 950 in 1/2 yearly payments of 200 getting 150 
down Uncle Amos backs the obligations for his hopeful 
son Wheaton  I understand they assume all the debts and Lu 
sais Charly Is worth the amount clear Hays moves out