October 1, 1849 three page letter from Amos Blodgett, of Boston, to Jonathan Koss, of Hanover, New Hampshire, talking about severe weather, cholera and the California Gold Rush.  The bottom of the third page is enhanced with folk art. Blodgett writes in part (spellings are his): “Whilst a violent rain storm is raging without, I am quietly seated within my little chamber with my old friend ‘the pen’ trying to place a few of my wandering thoughts on paper for your perusal, but owing to a violent toothache I shall be brief. The weather is cold and damp without and it would not be surprising if my communication should be rather cool but I will endeavor to get up as much steam as I can and not blow up the weather for the last few weeks have been quite cool and comfortable. Business begins to assume a lively hue; the cholera has dispersed from our midst and the county greeniuns, which the epidemic kept away are coming in from all parts. The yellow fever is raging off it, hundreds not to the tomb, but to California. The fever has broke out fresh this fall and is carying off its thousands from our own New England shores to the gold regions of California, and think you, that their golden dreams will be realized & alas I fear not, many will be disappointed whiles others will gather a sick harvest. What will not a man do to obtain gold. Leave wife father mother brother & sisters, yea, his own sweet home, with all its easily associations, for what? For happiness, No, for that which to often makes miserable, big gold, I may go to California yet.” He mentions family and friends by name updating their circumstances, then continues to wax poetic: “the pen is the key that unlocks the secret chambers of the heart, draws aside the curtain of the past & we can look in upon the Panorama on which are painted the scenes of our past lives and we can view it with pleasure as it passes along before our imagination.” He then corrects himself to get back to the subject matter, which appears to be to comment on a written piece Koss has sent to him for review.  He says it has been “looked at, not by a critics eye, but by some fair one, although unknown to you, yet, the production of her pen may pass your eye.” Blodgett invites Koss to visit him at 10 Hanover Street, Boston. Letter in good condition, easy to read, typical small tear where seal was broken.