John Tyler, Sherwood Forest, Charles City County, Virginia, to Alexander Gardiner, New York, New York

Sherwood Forest Thursday Dec 4. 1849 My Dear Sir; Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Beekman reachd us yesterday. They reachd Philadelphia on the afternoon of the day on which they left New York but Mrs. Gardiner was taken with a violent headache which ran its cicle of three days. On Monday last they left Phil.a and reachd Norfolk on Tuesday morning but on that day no boat ascended the river in consequence of an injury sustaind by the machinery. Yesterday after having passd quite a pleasant day in Norfolk they reachd us. All well except indeed that Mrs. G labors under the affects of a slight cold contracted on the journey. A bright day and moderate weather for a day or two will put all to rights. They got on very well with their baggage until landing at Wilson's wharf, where, through the inattention of the mate, a carpet bag and a small chain were not put on shore. However, I shall take measures to have them restord without much delay. Accompanying this you will recieve seasonal newspapers which David forwarded me and which I should have sent on to you at an earlier day but for the hope in which we indulgd, that you would also have come on, which was not abandoned until the boat reach'd the shore. They are only interesting as exhibiting the [?] and sudden growth of a country heretofore almost without inhabitants. All that fable has ever related of the sudden springing up of empires, is exceeded by one hundred fold, and it is decreed by fate that California is to surpass all other parts of the world, and that too at a day not distant, in wealth and population. The concentration there of the entire trade of the Indies as its place of deposit, places beyond hazard the truth of this prophecy, but I have not time now to enlarge upon this, as this letter has to be dispatched to [?] in time for the boat of the morning. The col. also wrote me a lone and interesting letter, which is substance agrees with his communications to you, and is therefore now sent. Of his success I never have entertaind a doubt and as his fortune encreases, the period of his return to us will every day be renderd more and more distant. This is natural and I therefore do not expect him to return short of some years. I have but a moment to say that Judge Huntington, in a letter recievd yesterday speaks in high terms of the value of our coal lands. Your determination to pay Stuart's bill gratifies me while it pains me. I feel that I have no right to ask you much less to expect you to disfurnish yourself of funds that you might actively and profitably [?], on my account and I only consent to it in consequence of the extraordinary course they thought proper to pursue and my present want of [money?]. So soon as I can leave home on a visit to Richmond or Norfolk I will cash the draft and remit the proceeds so as to replace in fact, your advances. With affectionate regard Yrs John Tyler I need not say that I have written in great haste and have no time to [?]. The newspapers constitutes a package to themselves. A. Gardiner Esq. J. Tyler Alexander Gardiner Esq. Clerk U.S.C. Court New York City