Urspringen, the 16th of January, 1854 

Beloved and precious son, Sigmund!

We received your dear letter of the 28th of November, 1853, on the 7th of this month at night as we were all sitting together and talking about you and Seligmann and wishing we would again hear from you. Your letter was especially pleasing to us in that it assured us all was well with you in America. Beloved son, your principles that you expressed to us in your letter give us much joy. Honesty, diligence, and thriftiness constitute the foundation of success everywhere, not the impulsive striving after quick riches. Such impetuous – striving is an essential part of ill-founded fortune, especially if one thoughtlessly throws away what money he has seeking to get rich quick.

Perhaps, that is not the reason that our good Seligmann, who is so good, so talented and noble, has not yet found success, while others less talented have through greater caution, within the same amount of time, established for themselves a solid existence. My strongest desire, therefore, is that you absolutely do not go to your brother in California, but rather that you convince him that he should come to you. You should together establish yourselves somewhere in a city on this side of the straits of Panama. You must not seek your fortune in dangerous, golden California. You can find success in Eastern America like thousands of others have done. I will also write Seligmann and tell him this. You must encourage him to come to you. Also, I do not like the cowardly and childish fear he has of his former debtors. That is a long forgotten, insignificant affair. Dear Sigmund, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate your innocent, open, and cheerful manner of writing to us. You are always very truthful in your letters and that, unfortunately, is something we miss in Seligmann's letters. Oh, remain as innocent, uncomplicated, and open as you now are. Children should never hide the truth from their parents. You can remain in your present location as long as you feel it is to your advantage. As soon as a better situation comes along, you will surely know what is best for you to do. You both must decide what is best for you. Further, I cannot tell you what to do.

Concerning us, we are all still very well. I have not heard from Seligmann since the 4th of August. Thank God, you received a letter from him. We are deeply concerned about him in that distant and unsafe Land. I sent Seligmann a Shofar  in September. I have not heard if he received it. What you write to us about him goes no further. Now, of home I have nothing of interest to tell you, except that everything is very expensive and Jewish youth have little prospect in Bavaria. We are, therefore, very happy you are in America, although we miss you so very much. As far as our business is concerned, things are quite slow as usual, but we cannot complain. In your next letter, write us somewhat more about your circumstances. Namely, whether you are employed in a shop, or if you are perhaps peddling in the city, or if you are doing some kind of manual labor. How do you do support yourself and what do you do with what you have left over? To parents everything their children do is interesting. -Now back to Seligman. Write him regularly and inform him of my wished and what I consider best for both of you. I naturally am not familiar with circumstances in America and even less familiar with his, but I still think it best for both of you to come together in one of the Eastern states and establish a business, even if it is small to begin with. The Waldauers, and the Freudenreichs, like so many others, have become wealthy without California. 

I must close and leave room for your dear mother and your brothers and sisters. So be well and in eight days send us another thick letter.

Your loving father,
A. Heilner

Please convey my greetings to A. Freudenreich.

My beloved son, Sigmund!

Your dear letter brought us much joy, especially since we could see you are well and satisfied, thank God, and that you are so childlike and open in your letters. Remain true to your good and honorable principles and the Lord will certainly help you. Beloved Sigmund, it is not my will that you go to Seligmann, for the father away you go from us, the less the hope is that we will see you again. At least you are not that far away now and in a few years the connection between us and America will be somewhat easier. At that time you will also have a few hundred Thaler you can use to visit us. Perhaps when you have that much money, you can start a small business and out dear Seligmann will be convinced, through your constant writing to him, to come and join you in an area that is not so far away and so dangerous. It does not have to happen immediately.

We cannot receive any greater joy from you than knowing you will remain true and honest with us and constantly protect the good name of Heilner. Do not keep us waiting too long between letters. Write Seligman and tell him to write us more often. It has been quite a long time since you told us about Seligman’s health. Write us each time about what he writes to you. Otherwise, I have nothing more to tell you, for you have already had some experience in the world and have always pleased us. Pay attention to your health. Also, pay attention to your clothes and all important matters that concern you. Live well. I greet and kiss you most heartily. Your loving mother,

Nanni Heilner 

My much-loved brother, Sigmund!

I shed tears of you when I read your letter and saw that you are well and have such noble principles. Remain true to these principles and the Lord will always stand by you. Dear brother, you cannot give us greater joy than through writing us often. Do not ever leave us wondering where you are and what you are doing. Pay attention to your health. There are the wishes of your eternally adoring sister,  

Regina 

Precious brother!

Your lovely letter brought me much joy, in that I could see you are well and healthy. You cannot imagine how much I miss you. I only wish your letters were a little longer. Remain as choice as you are and the Lord will greatly bless you. Live well. Fondest greetings from your loving sister, 

Caroline 

Beloved brother!

One of my most pleasant tasks is writing to you. I take the pen in hand with great joy and tell you what happiness I received from your dear letter. You are now in Washington, the Capital of America. That must be extremely satisfying to you, especially since you are living with acquaintances of ours. My one big wish is that you and our dear brother, Sel, will, in time, establish a large firm. This space is too short. Please write often. Fondest greetings.  

Your brother, Max 

Dear brother Sigmund!

Father tells me I look just like you. That makes me so happy, for I love you very much. I want to be a wealthy businessman when I grow up and be in business with you.

Your brother, David

Sophie sends her sweet kisses to you.