RK-917

Victoria Vancouvers Island July 22nd /65

My Dear Mother

Col Bulkley put in here on his way north and has left me at victoria while he has gone on to New Westminster on Frazers River - He will pick me up on his return - All of my men have gone on to Sitka in the other vessel. - While here I have made some very satisfactory arrangements with the Hudson Bay Co and have gotten some important additions to the winter outfit of my men. -

We shall now be so late in arriving in Norton Sound that most of our work will have to be done in winter. - This will be tough but not dangerous to life or health. Were I unacquainted with the country and the Indians I would not hope to do much in winter - as it is I may very likely walk clear through to Frazen's River and be in San Francisco by February or March. But please write to me both at Ft Youkon and San Francisco - That is write to me at Ft Youkon by during the month of October and till Nov 10th The packet leaves Red Riv Dec 1st.

I had a very disagreeable time in San Francisco and it has made me very sulky and cross. - I have but one pleasant memory connected with that villianous city - That is my intercourse with the Klinkofstrom's of whom I wrote you. That I confess is a very pleasant memory.

I suppose when I get into the woods I shall get softened down a little and feel less morose and bitter. - I am now still in uncertainty and doubt as to the future of this expedition and it makes me very ill tempered.

It is terribly hard to think of this wasted summer. - I dont know what Stimpson, George Walker, and Baird will think of my seeming inactivity but when they know how impossible it has been for us to do any thing in San Francisco they will not blame me much. - I never did harder or more disagreeable work in my life than wait, wait wait as we did there. I think I grew ten years older, and it seems an age since we arrived there. - Dall is a trump; he kept up courage even better than I did.

Well! Ill make up for it all when I

I do get a chance to work and am free from all interference of dirty jealousy and envy. -

My carcajons (my eight men) are splendid fellows and I anticipate some good times around the camp fire next winter. I'll get humanized again then and wear off this San Francisco crust. I have directed Hubbard of San Francisco to send my letters here to care of Dugold Mactavish of Hud Bay Co (a brother of Gov Mactavish) and when Col Bulkley returns in the Fall I can send word by him which way they had best be sent. - I have no letters from Home of later date than the first of May and Ive had no telegrams except one in May from Geo Walker and another from Prof Baird.

I saw Deacon Bross of Chicago in San Francisco and I may see him here before we leave as he and Colfax are expected the day after tomorrow.

I'm glad to hear the boys are doing well. - I am very sorry I had to spend so much money in San Francisco as I fear I shall thus have

have less left for next year for them. There will be left of my salary several hundred dollars however I think and I'm in hopes they may yet pay me the difference between gold &you green backs as all payments here are made in Specie[?].

If Prof Cutting sells my 50 shares of stock for a decent figure that ought to clear all debts and leave enough to keep the boys going for some time.

The next opeartion I go into after I get through this exped shall be to make money! I find it a very desirable thing to have. Tell Bruno to keep on his old idea of making $100,000. - He will have to study and work hard first though

I believe I'm in one of my old semi comotose fits now. - I cant write.

Give my love to all the folk - What has become of Frank? - I write to Geo Walker I suppose Charlie will have rejuvinated the old place ere I get back.

Love to you all. - Ill write from sitka tho may get no letters from me again till next winter -

Goodbye Affectionately Son Bob.