1 Philadelphia Pl.
Hackney Rd.
14th June 61
My ever dear Alexander
Having written a letter to dear Walter I shall now address you and in the first shall inform you that your Newspapers have come safely to hand, I wish I could say letters but I must not complain as you have been very much better in your correspondence of late. I wish I could say as much for your brother; however perhaps he required only a little stirring up, his spirits seem depressed by the reverses he has met with - he must hope for better times. I hope his position is not so bad but that a few months will set all straight; riches carry with them a snare - we should not be too eager after them but first seek the best things, that is spiritual and then if it be good for us to have riches we shall have them. The word of God says "having food and clothing therewith be content"! in this our earthly career - it is said "man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards" and is it not the experience of all created beings? some meet with the loss of health, others of friends, some of property - then ought we not to seek a better country - one that is everlasting where there shall be no sin, no sorrow, no sickness - dear Alexander, be wise today! Tis madness to defer - to be wise is to see that wisdom which cometh from above.
I was very pleased with the little boys who with their parents went out in the Faily [?] - do I understand right in presuming they were in the same ship with you on your voyage out to California? Good young men, you find they sought heavenly riches and the Lord gave them both heavenly and temporal and if you remember Solomon asked for an understanding heart to know God and he was pleased to add thereto riches in abundance. We never lose anything by being on the Lord's side - he rewards a hundredfold.
What part are you taking in this sad, sad war - civil war - brother against brother - we are shocked at it in England and are expecting there will be an outbreak amongst the slaves. I presume you will be expected to become a volunteer or a Militia man - God grant the war may not extend to California. Where is Charles? do you expect him? Should you be called away how will your store go on - could your good little wife manage it? I wonder how Perkins, Filmer etc are getting on - the war will frighten some of them home perhaps. Do you ever feel a desire to come to England? or do you feel that the difficulties of living are so great here that you are better away? Do write and tell me all you have in your thoughts. Your newspapers do not give us fresh news - the latest accounts we have are from our own newspapers.
Do you remember Aunt Charlotte Murray who resided at Liverpool - we this morning received an account of her death - "friend after friend departs". I am, thank God, in tolerable health but there is great debility about me - you must not be surprised at my not lasting our much longer - the infirmities of old age are fast creeping upon me but I do desire to live long enough to know that my dear sons are brought out of nature's darkness and then methinks I could say with Simeon of old "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace".
John Kraushaar has been in London - I fear he is doing but little for his family but they are so reserved we know but little respecting them and they live so far off for us to go particularly as they do not appear to wish to receive a visit from us. I fear their pride will not permit them to complain to us, in fact if they did I do not know whether we could help them more than we do now - Anne sends Fanny her children's left off clothes - but between us I do not think their money is much spent in clothing excepting for John.
I am glad you seem to be progressing in a foreign land - it is necessary to have a few pounds that you could in an emergency resort to - may it ever be your case - a wife can appreciate such a state of things.
Elijah returns home today to spend his Midsummer holidays - his mama has not seen him during the six months. The coins were quite safe. You ought indeed to have letters as you do not seem to mind the expense of postage.
Present to your good little wife my affectionate love - accept it yourself and believe me
My ever dear Alexander
Your affectionate Mother
Sarah Murray
I have sent you a slip of a newspaper containing Pacheco's presentation to our Queen.
[Following from a London paper of 1861 re presentations made at the Court of St James, London]
Capt. Luke O'Connor, on promotion and his return from India, by Col. Lysons, C.B., Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Guildford Onslow, by Guildford Onslow, Esq. M.P.
Hon. R. Pacheco, of California, by the United States Minister.
Brig. Gen. Lord Geo. Paget, by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief.