Vellezo Jany 13th 1851
[the year is wrong, since Burr left New York City 13 January 1851 for Chagres. It is probably January 13th, 1852, which matches the letterīs content.]
Dear wife
Its with Great difficulty for Me to write this Morning as the State of affairs are such as Not to Mention Much, More than I am in perfect Health as usal, & Hope these few Lines May find You enjoying the Same Good Blessing Likewise the Ballance of the Family. To Give you an idea of my situation, I Have at this present time [...?] Me in this Town about 700 dollars, & in Consequence of the removal of the Capitol to Sacramento, which took Place Late Last Evening. I was Present in the Hall at the Time it was decided upon, & it Broke every one Flat, & am Now Going to the Mines to try My Luck there if I dont succeed You May expect Me Home as Soon as the Spring opens. You need not Expect any Money which I Promised to Send You Soon if I Had Got what was due [?] me Here i intend to remit You 500 in a few days from this time, but as it is I Cannot Say Positively when I Can if I recover my Debts all will be right again, if not I Shall Have to dig it first & that You know is Mighty uncertain, therefore You must Keep up Good Courage & I trust all will be right Yet. Give My Best Love to all. Kiss all the Children for Me a dozen times over
& believe Me Yors forever
James M. Burr
PS) I would of writen more but Time would Not admit of it. For the future I want you to Direct Your Letters to Me at Sacramento City Care of Mrs. Merrill & She will forward them to whatever Part of the Mines I am in
Excuse this Short Espitle [epistle?]
[Next letter, February 10th, 1852]