The Fassett Letters - Letter #20Date: 3/5/1855Place: PlacervilleFrom: H.H. FassettTo: Mother
Placerville
Cala March 5 1855
Dear Mother,
Yesterday we received your letter of Jan 27th
were all very glad to hear that you were all well and in good spirits,
and as you said to us, we will reiterate “when you write, write items”
any little things, and if instead of thinking so much and writing so
much advice you would tell us about all the folks, what the children
are doing, how the people of our acquaintance are &c,
&c,
As to Ann’s watching over me she does not see me once a week,
and if I was disposed to do anything wrong how could she avoid it or
ever know it, It’s curious Mother,! but never mind, as to
what I am doing as I have written before this I am in the Store with
Chittenden and like the Country very well, business is very good
notwithstanding the winter has been very dry, and for all we have so
little rain
here and are used to dry weather still a droughth affects us in the
rainy season as much as most any other place. for on the amount of Gold
taken out depends the prosperity of the country, and without water no
Gold can be got out, as the dirt in which it is, must be all washed clean to
get it all out, The processes are so many and so different that without
seeing it you can have very little idea of how it is done. It is now
raining quite hard & the prospects for dry diggings are good.
and freights, provisions &c will no doubt raise &
things assume a brighter aspect in general. Here I have been in Cala
all winter,
and such a winter why! Mother if you had been here with me you would
certainly have like me fell in love with the country. Warm pleasant
balmy days like the October days in the states. no fire to keep up
& doors all open and then if we wish cold weather we can have
it as cold as we want by going up in the mountains 10 or 15 miles.
& in a clear day by going up on the Hills can see snow the year
round, and in the coldest of the year here by going 25 or 30 miles the
weather will be pleasant. I think in reference to this land as the
Queen of Sheba did of Solomen “Behold! the half had not been
told me.”
The climate is so very healthy & delightful that any
one that does not enjoy life here cannot any where. and I think now
like Germain that this is the country to settle in for all the world,
and that sometime I hope to visit you all with a good pile, and then
return to this country.
James Morrow is here & leaves in the morning for the States,
& I intend sending this by him he will come & see you
& tell you more about how we live here &c &c
than I can write. time presses its late. Good night dear Mother
My
love to all the family Father, Brothers & Sisters,
Grandmother
& all the pretty Girls no exceptions with them,
Write
soon offten & long
This
picture I send to Harry, Mary, & Willie,
Yours Truly
H H Fassett