Transcription
Jordan Hill, Butte County
16th Sept. 1865
Dear Miss Smith,
Your favor of 1st inst. was duly received. I was glad to find that you were well—also that I am to have the privilege of keeping what you sent me. You say truly that it is not likely to be dull at this place for in a short time will be children enough to support a school. Wm. James—your neighbor from Frenchtown—is going to move his family over. He has a house nearly built already. Besides Mr. and Madam Bagnell is here. Madam has taken charge of the cooking department for the company. She appears to be very agreeable—as yet I am not perhaps so well acquainted with her as you are—but I am sure would be glad to see you at anytime when you could make it convenient to come over and see the town (that is to be).
Then we are going to have another machine put up on the ledge—part of it arrived today.
You will please excuse me talking about machines etc. to a young lady and you will please not show this scratching to anyone for they might think I was trying to instruct you in engineering—and I am not competent to do that as yet for am only learning the business myself.
You said truly that you had some fine peaches and sweet potatoes—for I had the privilege of trying both, previous to receiving your letter.
When you wrote that you wished you had something pretty to send me, you must have forgot that I have something pretty—from you already—more so than anything you have received from me.
I am glad to see that you improve so fast in writing—in short time my irregular scrawl will make a sorry appearance beside yours—and I am not quite sure if you can read this but I think it will take you much longer than it did for me to write it.
I am going to Oroville tomorrow, and perhaps may see you on Monday or Tuesday as I come back.
Please present my regards to Madam Smith and act [?] the same from—
Your friend,
J. L. Porter
P.S. When you write you will please give me all the news about what they are doing at Cherokee, also about that little beaux you used to have down in the valley—and about that young lady you are going to introduce me to.
Yours,
P.