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 Jack & Frank went over to the middle Yuba this morning with 3 mule loads of Provisions that we agreed to pack over for some men at 12$ per hundred for packing 8 miles, so you can see what prices men have to pay for every thing here. I would be glad if we could get such jobs to do all the time. It would be much better than mining. they will be back early in the morning & then Jack will go down to Nevada -- Frank has gotten to be quite a man but I think that he dont look as old as he used to by about 40 or 50 years. I hope that Ghol has entirely given up the idea of coming to California by this time He must recollect that golden crows always fly in foreign lands, at least I have not seen any full grown ones since I have been in this country. Tell sister that I am very anxious to know what that was that she promised to tell me in her last letter that was so rich concerning herself.  I think I can guess pretty near it, if I am not mistaken. At any rate I would like to be knowing something about it. Mother, I sincerely hope that before this time yours & grandmothers health is better than when we last heard from you for nothing could give us more uneasiness than to hear that you were unwell. Grandmother, I fear will not survive many years longer for she was apparently very? feeble when I left & I then feared that I never should see her again yet I still cherish the hope of seeing you all before this time next year provided nothing happens. I think that our destinies have been cast in diferent lands long enough & I still look forward to the day when we can all once more be together to enjoy that very rare blessing which is found only at home. You must all write as often as you can. Ghoh you must write too & dont think hard of us for not writing oftener, for although I am ashamed of it yet we cant well help it for want of opportunity. My respects to Col Burns & Bro. Henry? Capers &c Tell Josephine that I never mean to write to her untill I hear that she has discarded that fellow Jack Donaldson I knew he would dip? me up if he staid there & I tried to coax him to come to California but he would not tell her however that I still love her as fondly & devotedly as ever -- but I fear that I shall yet have to drag out a miserable existance as a consequence of unrequited love. My love to Mrs. Randolph & also to Emily & Adeline Skinner. I had intended to leave some room for Jack & Frank to fill up but I see I have about consumed it all & they will have to use another sheet if they write & if not this will answer for all. give my love to grandmother & Uncle Presleys family when you see them and for yourselves receive the same from your devoted son & Brother. May God help you all

from Thomas Jefferson Oxley letters, 1850-1853. Transcribed by Chricton on 12/02/2018

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was worth: but I was and have been very carefull of it, knowing its goodfornothingness, and even if it had not broke then, it would have worn out in a short time
School left off at 4 instead of 5. Fair, but cold

Wed. May 8
Quite a hard frost, it has been very cold for 4 days. Little cloudy this morning, Sun shines pretty bright, though no windy hardly. Declamation on the north side of the house
P.M. Mr. W. had his stump hole and garden ploughed by a Mr. Ware with 2 horses; I had to clear, and bear down, 4 mean to plough it. Charles would have done it alone with his team
Eve. Went down to the Steamboat Wharf and got the Globe. It was cloudy at noon; began to blow hard, 3 1/2 clock Snow or hail squall; strong wind from the South, very hard when the Steamboat came in. 9 oclock Rains hard pretty
Saw Dr. Caleff, in sheet, I thought

Thurs. May 9th
Fair, rather warmish
Eve. I have been digging up beds with a shovel, the ground very hard, next the fence, not ploughed very hard work; I am tired, somewhat.

Fri May 10
Fair. very fine day, some frost in the morning, warm in the afternoon Smoky P.M.
School deferred, All engaged getting trees to set out in the yard.
The city council sent a horse cart and mean to haul dirt and gravel to fill in. I did not go for trees but staid to work in the yard. Made 4 1/2 hours
Bangor Rifle Corps arrived. Saw a Cutter in street I thought it was John, Cutter anyhow. 

from Isaac Stevens Metcalf diary [01], April-July 1839. Transcribed by ToddB on 03 / 13 / 2026