Port Townsend

January 20, 1848

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(undoubtedly he meant 1858)

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Dear Mother

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Having received several letters from you since I last wrote I gladly embrace the present moments to write you a few lines that at least you may know I still stand on Terra Firma and enjoy health breathing the pure air wafted from the Pacific waves.

Since July I have been employed on Government works on which I have been not only fortunate enough to secure a situation but also to give satisfaction. How long I shall remain here will depend upon circumstances. If I continue to please the officers in charge and if the works are not abandoned I shall most likely be here most of the ensuing summer.

It is a lightsome place - we are standing on a bluff bank, the mad waves of Admiralty Inlet dashing upon the stony beach beneath, and in the far distance towering to the clouds are the snow clad peaks of the Coast range of Mountains glittering in their untarnished covering of snow even beneath the rays of a midsummer's sun. We have had thus far but a few days of frost and snow and the knowing ones say winter is over.

Whilst you are almost freezing over a roaring fire we, near four Hundred miles farther North, are comfortable with only sufficient fire to take away the dampness of the room. I hear that times are hard in the States but hope my friends have wherewith to make themselves comfortable.

The five dollars you find enclosed is for yourself to purchase some few of those small things which might seem necessary for your comfort but which from your stinted means you might otherwise deny yourself. Is Ade at home? Her last letter told me she was on her way thither but not knowing whether she would stop there any length of time I have not answered it. I never get any letters from Lucius. Why does he not sometimes write?

Two letters I think I have had from Elvira since I wrote to her but I shall write to her soon and I must not be censured severely for not making more frequent communications as my time by daylight is all required in my occupations and by night I am at all times liable to be annoyed by my room companions and moreover it is only two weeks now that we have had any fire in our quarters and you can easily imagine how comfortable it would be in mid winter in an open room with no fire to sit and write letters.

Your affectionate Son

Whit.