
          Sonora California

May 13th. 1854.

Dear Friend

I shall start for home
by the 1st of June steamer and consequently
if no accident occurs I shall arrive
in New York in two weeks after the receipt
of this. I have directed my wife and
Lt. [Lieutenant] Whipple to write me at New York
and direct to your care so that I can
get my letters without being detained
should I get in late for next [cues?]. I shall
probably remain in New York a very short
time before I go to see my family in Ohio
when my movements &.c. [etc.] will be in a measure
governed by the directions of Lt. [Lieutenant] Whipple.
I have not time to tell you of the
success I have met in California
in the way of collections as I hardly know
myself. I have collected largely and most
of them are [crossed out: illegible] new to me. I shall
bring a large bundle which will be
left with you and then "we shall see 
what we shall see." My time has been so 
limited and occupied that I have not had an
[added: opportunity] to write as I ought. I shall spend the time
I have left in the Siera [Sierra] Nevada in the
        