Urspringen, the 15th of August, 1854

Beloved Son, Seligmann!

A few days ago, we received your letter of the 24th of June and were very happy to learn of your good health. We are also, thank God, all well. You will probably receive two letter from us before you receive this one, since we sent them to Sigmund first and told him to send them on to you.

In the first letter that we sent to Sigmund, I answered your last letter in which you asked if Sigmund could come to you and if I would send 500f to him to buy his ticket, Perhaps you can already imagine my answer to this request in consideration of the present demands on our finances. In spite of your noble and good desire, I still have not made up my mind as to whether I should give my permission to Sigmund to come to you. There is so much danger associated with going to such a strange land and I am not sure it would be an improvement in Sigmund's chances to do well. I do not want to make any final conclusions, and, in fact, I am partially convinced because of your zeal, however, even you tell us in your letters how difficult it is to live in California and your circumstances certainly are not the most enviable. The one thing that bothers me the most, is that you never tell me completely what your circumstances are. Being the loyal son that you are, you should have no reason to keep anything secret from your parents. How often I have written to you and asked you to give me a full account of what you are doing, what is your business, what you earn, etc? What do I read in your letters? Nothing more than general impressions of meaningless information. The only way I can know of your circumstances, is by reading in between the lines. Your letters are, for the most part, empty. It seems to me that when a son has not written to his parents in several months, that the letter he finally writes would not contain enough paper to tell everything there was to say. I tell you, I wish the time would come when I could talk with you eye to eye, I wish I had wings so that I could fly to you in that far, distant land, I am truly frustrated by your letters. Dear son, could you not simply write me the plain and simple truth about your circumstances? Tell me the good and the bad experiences. Everything is of interest to your parents when it concerns their distant son.

Perhaps you think we are only interested in your letters if they contain money? Believe me, our love for such a noble and good son is not based on such common things as money. Righteous parents and faithful children do not build a relationship on material things. As nice as it is, from time to time to receive financial assistance from their children, that is not important in order for parents to love and be concerned about their children. You know that as long as I am healthy, I do not need help and support from my children, even though my income is very modest. We live, as you know, very simply. We save what we can and especially our dear Mother is so efficient in this. I can assure you, I would like very much to financially help you and Sigmund, but at present, I must be concerned about our Regina. Her situation rests very heavily on my heart. All of her friends are either married or engaged. Ricka Fränkel has been married two years and is living in Laudenbach. Karoline Schloss is engaged to Lob Fränkel. Marle Kola has been married quite some time. Regina must get married soon, but for this, much money is needed. Dear Sigmund knows how much I worry about this. He wrote me in his last letter that although his entire savings consist of only 100f, he wants to give it all to me for Regina. I hope you will also help me if you are in a position that you can.

You know how I feel about Sigmund coming to you. I will certainly insist that if he does come, it will not be before a considerable length of time. His circumstances must be adequate and you must improve yours. You tell me that you could pay your brother $60.00 a month. Anyone that can pay someone else that much money in one month must be wealthy. In two months, that is more than I make in one year. I would feel much better if you would leave California and go to the States on this side of Panama and, united with your brother, establish a business. We would also feel that the possibility of seeing you once again was more a reality. I am constantly thinking about you and your future. Your well-being lies close to my heart.

Now, something concerning our family. Your good Mother is concerned as always, about all of us and especially her two sons in America. If she could, she would even wash your clothes. She often asks, “I wonder what my Seligmann is doing today?” Our two older girls have grown into beautiful women. Their toiletry needs are making a strong demand on our budget. Max will probably become a salesman, since teaching offers so little. Two years in the Seminar costs so much, he thinks he will go to Würzburg and become an apprentice salesman. David and Sophie speak often of their brother in California, although they do not know him. David is a wild-spirited little boy. Sophie is a very charming little girl. They are both sad that you did not send them a special greeting in your letter.

I already wrote you about the terrible fire we had on the 24th of April. Fifty buildings burned and now lay in ashes. We were completely spared from the fire, thank God. The middle of Urspringen is completely burned out. Oscherle von Thungen has gone to America with his whole family.

In your next letter, in which you are to take plenty of time in writing, I expect much more information. What kind of a place is Crescent City? Who are your companions? How much money do you have? What are your prospects for the future? I want a picture of you. Sometimes people come here from California and J want to show them your picture and see if they know you. I send my fondest embrace.

Your dear, concerned father,

Aron Heilner

My beloved son, Seligmann!

Your Father has already written you everything of interest. He leaves me little to say. Dear son, how much I long to see you once again. How much we have to say to each other. If Sigmund were with you, he could tell you so much about us. Even though you are so far away, do not ever think we love you any less. We have such a tenderness and love for you and why should it not be so? You are a noble and good man. I know the Lord will make you happy and successful. I repeat my former wish, that I wish you were closer so you could come to see us. As far as we are concerned, I am not working as much as I used to. I wish we could find a man for Regina to marry. I am sure God will help us. Sigmund writes us often and seems happy. He is not earning very much yet, but then, he cannot speak English very well yet. He does not complain. I send my love and kisses to you with all my heart.

Your loving mother,

Nanni Heilner

Beloved brother Seligmann!

I am not happy with you this time, dear brother, since you wrote such a short letter. There is no excuse for that since you are so far away from your sister. Since you have promised to write us a long letter next time, I will forgive you. Our parents have written everything new, so I will just s end you my tender love and kisses. I remain your true and loving sister,

Regina

Dear Brother!

Your letter brought us all much joy, in that we could see you are well. How are you? I think often of you. Do you think of me? I wish I could see you again. Write me soon a very long letter.

I love you,

Caroline

My beloved brother!

As always, I was so very happy to read your letter, especially since I could see that you are well. I am sorry it has been so long since you received a letter from us. Also, we are sad not to receive a letter from you more often. We only receive a short letter from you every half year. Please write more often and in more detail.

I greet you, your loving brother,

Max Heilner

[page 4 (sheet 2, right-hand side), postscript, in handwriting of Aron Heilner:]

I send a greeting and kiss from your dear brother, David.

P.S. Write us how much you have to pay extra when you receive a letter from us. They only cost us 22pf to send when we send them through Bremen,

[/page 4 (sheet 2, right-hand side), postscript]