49 letters from John W.H. Baker to his wife and children date Aug. 17, 1853-Apr. 13, 1855 and comprise a complete set of letters by every steamer during his time in Calif. Baker describes his journey via Jamaica on the steamer Illinois, the Isthmus of Panama, and the voyage on the steamer Winfield Scott via Acapulco, San Diego, and Monterey. Baker's letters contain detailed descriptions and appear not to shield his wife from the harsh realities of frontier life. Constrained to his office much of the time, Baker's situation gave him ample opportunity to write about the gold rush town around him. Segments written to his children are remarkable in describing details often overlooked as commonplace. Most of the themes mentioned come up repeatedly through the correspondence. The collection ends with Baker's preparations to come home with what he hopes is enough savings to accomplish his goals. Topics relating to medicine include unskilled frontier doctors, medical books, giving testimony in court, and details of his practice including the office and property, finances, patients, specific treatments and prescriptions, and how much he is paid for each. He details his medical equipment and its costs, and mentions equipment he wishes for. Relating to New Hampshire he writes about named people in the community, the sum he needs to establish himself, the heavy weight of even small debt and the good status of a man who has no debt there, elections, and politics. He also writes about his practice in Meriden, compares payment for medical services in both places, and considers an invitation from the citizens of Meriden to return as their physician. His descriptions of ethnic groups include women, children, and men, and cover Chinese, Chileans, Indians, Spaniards, Blacks, Irish, Jews who share his store space in Jackson, and prejudice against non-Americans, especially in punishment for crimes. He describes the landscape, and wishes he had more time to identify wildflowers. About himself he reports on his health, depressions, and changes in appearance. Other topics address Calif. as a poor place for families and fortune-seekers. He writes of the difficulty of maintaining a family, the high expense to make them comfortable, and the immoral environment: profane language and bad influences. He repeats his conviction that despite the pain of separation, they should stay at home. He also advises friends not to come to Calif. to seek their fortunes unless they have capital and skills, as there is little profit for general laborers. He mentions women's life, the amount earned by sewing, and emerging society. Relating to the mail he writes of presents sent home, instructions for sending him mail, sending money, and how fast express gets to her vs. mail. He reports on his finances and the small portion of his debts on which he expects to be able to collect. Other subjects are Calif. bank failures, miners and mining, lack of rain causing economic difficulties, court cases at the county seat, rebuilding 'The Hill' after the 1854 fire, an auction and entertainments such as gambling, music, theater, and a circus. Locations described are Mokelumne Hill, Sacramento, Jesus Maria and Oliver's trading post, San Francisco, Campo Seco, McKinney's Humbug, and Jackson, where he ran a second medical office. With these letters is a letter about this collection from Baker's grandson, Norman M. Baker of Oakland, to Mr. Parker.
