The following letter was submitted by Mary Bob McClain Richardson on 30 September 2004.

 

Trinity River, California, Sept. 15th, 1851

(Post Marked – Shasta, California, Sept. 20.)

To: Col. R.M. Cooper, Newburg, Lewis County, Tenn.

Dear Father & Mother,

I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know where I am and what I am doing. James M. Starkey, T. G. McMillan and myself have been on the Trinity River abut six weeks a mining and have made about seven dollars a day to the man. McMillan & me have been partners ever since we got to this country and have made a little money. We brought a wagon and team up here with us when we come, and put our mules on a ranch and the Indians stoled three of them. I expect to remain on this River until the rainy season sets in and if the winter is as bad as it was in ’49 it is possible that I may start home about the 1st of January next, and spend the winter with yu and return to California in the spring for I do think there is a chance to make something in this country yet. There is a good deal of sickness down on the Sacramento Valley at this time. I want you to be sure to write as soon as you get this as I have never got but one letter from you yet and I can’t account for it if you write any unless it is that you mail them in Lewis and your Postmaster don’t know which way to start them to California and they get lost out in Hickman, Wayne, and Laurence Counties. If you can possible send them by hand to Nashville or some place where they will know which way to start them I may stand a chance to get them. Let me know where Grandmother is and how she is a getting along, and let me know if there is any of the boys that would be willing to come to this country if I should come home this winter. Either Paris, William, Henry, Theodore or Hamilton Barr or if there is none of them that want to come if there is any of my acquaintance that does. I have never heard from John Cooper since I left him in Sacramento last Sept. I believe that I have nothing more to write at present but remain Your Son

JAMES COOPER

P.S. direct your letters to Stockton and be sure as soon as you get this and also send me some Tenn. newspapers. JCC