Andrew a young boy and recent emigrant to the west writes his aunt and uncle relating family news and their current prospects, he also displays an uncommon degree of sympathy for the Native Americans he and his fellow settlers were displacing along the Colorado River:

 

 

        “… After a long time I have taken my pen to address you through that medium from this far of [sic] western country to let you know that we are all well and that you are not wholly and totally forgotten, and to let you know how things go here in this part of the western world that is as far as my knowledge extends. I think for a new place things are progressing finely in almost every respect, when father located his claim in this place there was not a single house on this side of the river nearer than 10 miles one way and 16 the other making 26 miles up and down the river without a single Inhabitant excepting the wild Indians now within that distance there is more than 200 inhabitants, and the poor Indian is removed farther west to give place for the whiteman and the time isn’t far distant when they will have to go farther on, and then still farther until there is not a foot of land which they may call their own, yet, and who is there to care for the poor Indian, as for the weather here it is as cold as it is in Maine I think, but not so long, we have had about 1 foot of snow this winter but it is quite bare here now so that they begin to talk of going with wagons, there has been 2 roads located near our house 1 county and 1 Territorial road the U.S.A. mail runs by here once a week and stops at our house Tuesday nights, we have neighours within 1 mile 2 ways, and within 2 miles down river. I like the country verry much so far, the soil is good and we have plenty of timber for fire wood and other purposes, last year was our first beginning, we raised about 40 bushels of wheat and quite a quantity of corn, oats, and potatoes, and beans and likewise turnips, turnips grow spontaneously and are agoing to be of great use for feeding to cattle. Wheat sells $ 2.25 per bushel Oats $ 1.25 potatoes 1.00 buter [sic] 25 cents per pound cheese 14 to 20 and a ready market at the door for all. We have meetings once in four weeks and they are beginning to get schools in operation. Mothers health is quite good this winter the girls, John and George , and Father are well too… From your Nephew, Andrew”