Letters to a Friend 



attempt to scrawl this note to thank you for all 

 the good news and good thoughts and friendly 

 wishes and remembrances you send. 



My kindest wishes to the Doctor. I am sure 

 you will be directed by Providence to the place 

 where you will best serve the end of existence. 

 My love to all your family. 



Ever yours most cordially, 



J. M. 



Near Snellings, Merced Co., [Cal.] 

 February 24th, 1869. 



Your two California notes from San Francis 

 co and San Mateo reached me last evening, and 

 I rejoice at the glad tidings they bring of your 

 arrival in this magnificent land. I have thought 

 of you hundreds of times in my seasons of deep 

 est joy, amid the flower purple and gold of the 

 plains, the fern fields in gorge and cafion, the 

 sacred waters, tree columns, and the eternal 

 unnameable sublimities of the mountains. Of 

 all my friends you are the only one that under 

 stands my motives and enjoyments. Only a 

 few weeks ago a true and liberal-minded friend 

 [48] 



