Sunday 12th /52 The Same Old Diggings Yet
Dear Carrie,
I Have delayed writting until Now as I was in Hopes of Getting one from You before writing as the Mail is in & we are expecting the Mail every minute. I Cannot Give You Much Encouraging News, More than I am well at Present & Hope this will reach You enjoying the Same, Good Blessing. It is a verry Dull Time Here Out now its Just between Hay & Grass with us. We are Hard at work Heaving up Dirt & prepair from [for?] washing when the Rains Come. We Hear the Cholera is Bad as [?] Sacramento but none in the Mines. I also Hear it is quite bad in the States. I hope it will not visit Your place. I want to see you real Bad, But it would be foolish and imprudent for to think of Coming before next April & that well soon Slip away & then I am in Hopes of Coming Home in flying Colours. I was over to Placerville Last Sunday in Hopes of Seeing Some one from Home but Could not. I Saw Lots of Familys come in across the Plains. I pitied them. I cannot wait any Longer as the Mail is about to Close.
James
[Next letter, April 25th, 1852]