Victoria Jan. 13th/57

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Dear Father

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I write in haste since for a very long time you’ve had no word from me and possibly may be borrowing trouble on my account. The fact is I cannot as I’m situated write many letters and having a number of correspondents each one’s turn comes only after long intervals. Tomorrow a Steamer leaves here for San Francisco and I must not let the opportunity slip of writing a few lines but brevity must be my motto as I have much to do.

It’s been a very long time since I heard from home. Why does not Lucius write or Elvira or some one? My health is generally good and I manage to pay my way though times are dull and wages low. Eight or ten months ago I had a thousand dollars that I would have sent home if I could, but not having an opportunity I laid it out in one way or another, since which time I’ve earned nothing and therefore am now short of funds. I hope to do better the coming summer as the Indians on the American side of the Straits are now quiet and it is to be hoped they will remain so, in which case business will be brisk again and wages will rise. I some expect to be on American soil again in two or three month’s time but you can continue to direct your letters to this place as I have property here which I cannot yet dispose of to advantage and I must leave someone in charge and work where I can get the best wages. How do you bear up under the weight of years and the cares incidental to life and how does the cold winter’s snow affect your aged limbs? How is Mother’s health and how prosper the agricultural pursuits? Does prosperity reign in the country about you or is there a dead stand still and a sluggishness in the business apparatus in the vale of the Susquehanna?

Can any of you tell me where Timothy Parsons is. I’ve not heard from him for two years. I have not time now to give you any items of general information in regard to matters on the Pacific, and will therefore close this epistle.

 

Yours with affectionate regard

Whit. Chase