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Life in Wisconsin. A German man swindled the Oshkosh bank. Mentions a donation party for Mr. Marble, the Episcopalians holding a festival to raise funds for their church, and financial struggles of horse trading.

Discusses failure to get rich in California, vices of the world, California becoming civilized, and mining.

Articles of incorporation.

Will allow Ellen to return to his father's house on the condition that they provide payment to cover here expenses and are "allowed to have Her when we come back." Agreeing to this arrangement because an Indian Agent from California has encouraged him to work as a subagent in the Indian Department at the Nome Lackee Reservation. "… if I should succeed in obtaining that situation would place me considerable distance from a school consiquently we would have to send Her some distance to a boarding school." "We are consigning to You Our only Child[.] You know a Parents solicitude for the welfare of a child[.] You know the many things we would wish to have done for Her." See also Perry W. Hall ALS to Thankful Hall, [1850?] Marcy 15; New Orleans, [Louisiana]. 3 pages.

“…altho we hav deprived our selves of many warm friends by coming into this western Country but I hope it may prove a benifet to us all in the end.” Comments on the weather, shipping wheat, and some confusion regarding its freight and insurance bills.

Comments on unsuccessful attempts to get wealthy in California. Disapproves of U.S. Army’s expedition to Salt Lake and possibility of raising an army on west coast to “wipe” Mormons. Remarks on Pacific Railroad.

Considering going "to the 'Digging'" [likely for gold]. Comments on the cost for those who have headed west with yokes of oxen.

Will not be returning to Collinsville this winter. Notes a local fair and elections. “The lection was last tuesday we had one hell of a time if you want to see drunken men and fighting I just call in at council Bluffs city.” Describes a fight in a “whiskey saloon.”

Disbound page from a scrapbook with three images mounted upon it. Pen-and-ink illustration of an "Interior of Californian Batchelors house" by S. A. Gill, features the inside of a cabin with household furnishing and utensils, musical instruments, clothing, decorations, and a gun represented. Pencil sketch of a "Californian Peddling Waggon" by R. Woolner. Verso features engraving of "Lilloett, on the Fraser River," British Columbia, with buildings, British flag, residents, pack mules, and mountain vistas visible.

Travelled to the top of Indian Hill but was unsuccessful in collecting a debt. Brief account of his past five years, including his entry into the legal profession and moving to Nevada. Mentions Stewart living “in Silver land” and expecting to clear $50,000 this summer. References other silver prospectors. Notes the “International Prize fight” and promises to write more about his “views on the manly art of self defense—and the great benefits to nations of the Prize Ring in making a hardy and powerful race.”