Rev V Dear Sir

A long time has elapsed since I received yours of June 25th. There were two reasons for this delay. One was that I was not quite sure that you expected me to write again, and another was an almost ceaseless pressure of home duties.

On the 20th of May last my brother was ordained, he was married on the 3rd of July, and on the thirteenth of the same month, with his wife, embarked for the Pacific Coast. Their destination was the new territory of Nevada whither Wm. was sent by the Home Mission Society as an evangelist. They were accompanied by Rev. Mr. Palmer (Williams colleague) and his lady. They had a very pleasant voyage and arrived in safety at San Francisco in the early part of August.

On the 14th Wm. went on to Nevada leaving his wife with Mr. and Mrs. Palmer in San Fran. They followed him in a few days. They found Nevada (at least that part of it in which they are situated) a barren, sandy, rocky desert; almost entirely destitute of vegetation. The only green things to be seen there are a few stunted pines and sage bushes. William says that the latter is a vile, pultry shrub that only grows where nothing else can grow. The only productions of the country are gold and silver and of the apparently inexhaustible wealth of their mines of course you need no information. Yet there are attractive features in this barren desolate region. The scenery there is of the boldest and most magnificent description. My brother says that he would never tire of gazing upon the snowcapped summits of the Sierra Nevada which range away hundreds of miles to the south and east "especially when the morning sun throws his beams aslant their glorious undulations."

The population of Gold Hill, Virginia City and Carson already swarm and vast multitudes are daily pouring in. All classes are represented there, but the principal elements are wealthy but unprincipled speculators and miners. The want of an earnest, faithful christan ministry is sadly felt. Drinking saloons, billiard rooms and low groggins abound in every quarter and are much frequented by the greater part of the population. The thunder of the mills and the oaths of wagon drivers are heard almost as much upon the sabbath, as on other days. Crimes which would shock older communities are of daily occurence and even flagerant murders scarcely arrest a passing observation. William had not thought of going there till a few days before his ordination. He had already secured a pulpit on trial at a salary $600 per year with the promise of increase if he staid, when Dr.'s Condit and Hopkins of Auburn Sem. said that they had received letters from Dr. Kendall of the Home Mission urging them to select two of there most suitable young men to go as Home missionaries to Nevada and they had accordingly selected Mr. Palmer and Wm. as the two best adapted to that work. William objected very strongly at first but they finally presented the matter in such a light as to overcome all his reluctance and now he is very glad that he went. He says that their works has so far been battle work but that they find a charm and even a fascination in it.

It is a great trial to my mother to give her only son to go so far from her, when her hold on life is so very frail, yet she was the first member of the family to give consent to it. She wishes to say to you that she rejoices that out of five sons she has had one spared to consecrated to this work. She has suffered a good deal during the first autumn but just now she thinks her health is better than it has been for the last two years.

As to the sons of our friends and neighbors for your school, I should be very glad to send you one hundred if I only could and if such a number would prove acceptable but we have an Academy in Westfield which furnished education to all our lads excepting those who go to college. Among our relatives the only ones that I could think of that would prove at all eligible were the sons of my deceased uncle Lorenzo [Lorenzo Dow Bird]. I have written to my Aunt [Annie Sprigg Bird] about it and she replies that as there is no good school there for the boys at present she teaches them herself as far as education goes, she is well qualified for the office of instructor. She did not say decidedly whether she would send them or not, but said that in her next letter she would speak more of her plans for the children. She contemplates coming to reside somewhere near us, in that case I will try to persuade her to send them to you.

About Nevada, I believe I have shown the dark side and have forgotten to show the bright one also. They found there a few warm hearted Christians, who in the midst of every discouragement and temptation, were trying to lead just and upright lives. They have organized churches in Virgina City and Gold Hill and expected soon to have one at Silver City situated about two miles further down the cañon. The services on the sabbath were attended by a crowded attentive audience and the prayer meetings were well attended and an intense interest manifested by those present.

It would be a great favor to us if you would write again and tell us about your family both at Hartford and in Syria. My father [Stephen B Macomber] desires to be remembered to you. My mother [Julia Bird Macomber] says she would not have kept you waiting so many years for an account of her missionary life had it not been almost physically impossible for her to endure the fatigue of writing. She says she would have cheerfully gratified one who had spent all the years of his early manhood in striving to be the means of saving those who dwelt in the very land where the Savior had died for them. I now regret that I had not written for her before but it is too late to remedy that. She says that she sends her best tenderest love to all the Hartford and Syrian Birds and that she often thinks of them with much and very intense interest. I hope we may soon hear good news from them all. I unite with my mother in sending love to all your family and yourself.

yours aff'ly
E. B. Macomber

Emily Bird Macomber Correspondence