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Washington Feb 22/49

Dear Br Chandler

            I have been here about a fortnight have visited the capitol & public buildings & have enjoyed myself tolerably well, yet I care no great about the exciting matters of the present time. Gen. Taylor is expected here tomorrow & they are preparing for a great and grand display. It will soon be over & I can not leave soon for my mind is more particularly engaged in my California Expedition, which I have told you about before. I have not rec'd any answer to my last letter. But Chandler this letter you must be sure to make notice of & do not disappoint me, do not Chandler for I am in earnest & you are now duty bound to give me attention. I shall go to California next month if I am alive. I have made arrangements to go overland via Independence, thru south pass & is a safe & good route. I found a company in Baltimore but as I did not have unclear you I came here & have now Joined a company about 30 or from 30 to 50 fine respectable young men who are going to join together, put in a sum to defray expenses, provide every thing necessary for comfort such as wagons, working materials of every description necessary to make the expedition profitable & successful. We are to work as a company called the Washington City & California mining expedition. We are each to pay in $175 dollars before the 10th of March & I want you to Send me $300 so that I can complete my

[left-hand side] $300 is the sum. Chandler I think you had better get a draft is good here on Greenfield Bank & it by letter. You can arrange it right before Witness & charge it to me. I will enclose the amount on your note. I hope you will do me this favor but I think my fortune depends upon it. I cannot return home to get it and whatever steps you think will decide it. The company is nearly made up and you must be as quick as possible. I am quite well. I was never better. I think it safe for me to go & I will often inform you of my success. The president of the company is a learned & scientific man and he understands all things necessary to be successful in attaining Gold. We provide everything for comfort in case of sickness & are bound to take good care of each other at all times. Mother must not oppose it. I am now in full prime and able to meet the task. Besides a great many very nice young men are coming. Write immediately and comply with my request & in due time if God be pleased to pass penance? I will return to my own and my friends' satisfaction. I am anxious to go - so I shall be careful, judicious, prudent. So now I must bid Good bye. I will write you and tell you all about our jaunt in Washington. I cannot bear to be stuck in one place in such a fine country as it is my delight to travel & it agrees with my health. You are doing well at home and I wish farewell. Do not think that I have to come home or anything else. I am the same and affectionate Brother Charles