November 8, 1850

                                                                      Hangtown upper California,

Dear Miss,

              I will take the present [opportunity] of informing you that I am well at present, and hope these few lines may reach you enjoying the same state of health.   Further I will inform you that I reached California August the twenty fifth, it took us one hundred and twelve days to come across the Plains, that was a long and hard trip it is hard enough to kill any body but I stood it very well till I got here   I felt unwell for a week or so.   But now I am well and as fat as ever improveing every day.   I will inform you that I expect a letter of you before this time   I have been lookin for a letter ever since I been here and all in vain, But I want you to rite to me as soon as you receive this letter   I would very much like to here from you because I haind heard from you for six month, and it will be two month longer yet before I get to hear of you and that is rather long not to hear of a Dear Love which it use to be, But wether it is so now or not that I dont no.   But I hope it may be so yet

Dear Miss   I will not rite much more this time, I have rote to you last and you know all about what I did rite, and now I want you to write as soon as possible if you please, and write to me what ever you think proper and I will ancer you,   I will inform you that I dont expect to leave California till this winter a year then I come home if I live and keep my health

Now dont neglect and rite to me.   Excuse me for not write more I mean to write more the next time – if I receive an ancer of you

I will sent you a specimen of the California Gold,

Excuse my bad riting and spelling because we haind got so a convenient a place to write and or set on we haind got chairs to set on nor tables to rite on, a person is deprived from every thing here which he dont know when he is to home,   I will close my letter now,    

              Derect your letter to

              Sacramento City                                    Your humble servt

              Upper California                                      David B. Hackman