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by the time we get there, have the waggons 10 or 12 & mules to draw the waggons in which will be our provisions for six months, our materials for working the mines, tents, clothing, baggage & etc. Powder for blasting is to be taken I believe 1000 pounds for we intend to give the mountains a try when we get there we have Scientific men who understand mineralogy and there are men of all trades going or at least all principle trades such as carpenters 2 or 3 blacksmiths, and such men we can not do without, and then there are clerks and merchants Young good looking and of good talents.

Late accounts state that with all the rush there is room enough and plenty of gold. Now of course it will be silly to count the chickens now; we hope and intend to do well. I hope we may be prospered. There are a great many going?-there is a hole in paper this spring. We shall get there in July probably and our course will lead directly to the diggins, so of course we shall not go to St. Francisco at first but- be on the ground before we get there. It is stated that gold is found on all the small streams which flow from the mountains in to the Sacramento and we intend to look for the lumps a little among the rocks & also we can wash from the sand & etc. Now I am not over anxious, fascinated or nothing of the kind. I think however there is no doubt we shall make it a pleasant excursion and a profitable one too. I shall write as often as I can and after our arrival there is a mail once a month from St. Francisco and we can correspond there with ease. You may depend upon my confidence and attachments. I can leave here with much more fortitude than I could from home when you all would feel so bad that would be a hard parting indeed. Charles

[left-hand side] Chandler I send you the note, with the three hundred endorsed and I think however I will send a receipt which will have and I will send the note perhaps.another time. I shall write again tomorrow and tell you more about the matters relating to our Journey & when I shall send my things which in fact will be few, for I shall take all I can with me.

Chandler I am afraid you will feel worried about the draft for I ought to have written immediately but I wanted to see how I succeeded with my plans. But all is well & I am getting along finely, I believe. I hope you will have good times this summer, all of you and I hope I shall. I shall often think of you and Samuel. When I get to St. Louis, I shall write and all places as when I can. But I must close & Good Night. Yours truly, Charles Reed