San Francisco, Cal. Feb. 24th, 1855.
Dear Agatha,
I am well, and am very fleshy, I am now keeping house with E. who is in usual health. I am prospered and blessed in all things, and am so happy in having a home once more, although it is a very humble dwelling, and only 12 dollars per month. All the banks are breaking here, and treasures are becoming slippery indeed, goods are often sacrificed. We can now purchase ribbons and some other goods for less than half the usual prices here. We are purchasing some articles for your trade, but have not much cash to do with. I would gladly express my love to you face to face, but when that day will come I know not. Perhaps next autumn. As to those little “darlints”, give every one of them a “beseta” per me and I will pay you four fold when I see you, unless you will forgive me the debt sooner than be bothered with such useless trash. The weather here has everedged eaqual to the brightest May-day in Utah, all through the winter. Little or no fire is needed in the house, flowers are in bloom and all nature smiles. I daily look for an arrival of books here from Liverpool. They have been shiped near six months, around Cape Horn. I also expect to receive a press type and paper for printing here in about 50 days. Perhaps I shall then print a periodical, called the “Mormon Herald”. I hope to start a company for home on the first of May, but there does not seem to be many ready to go.
There are but few in this country who feel interested in the Gospel, and but few to obey it.
And of those few, how many are easily drawn away,
By the world, the flesh and satan, to wander far astray.
Dear Agatha, what shall I say? I have both time and space now, to write love, but it refuses to be written. Well, I will have to come and bring it, and deliver it myself in the most feeling manner possible, or you will have to do without it, or borrow of your neighbours. If you borrow, let it be of your own sex; that is, if I have it to pay; for I do not like to love a man, [page break ] and judging you by myself, I think it is so with you, likewise, isn’t it, Love? However, you can please yourself. As to me I am just as I always was—only a little more so. I have love enough to make you happy to all eternity, and lots to spare!
I send all I can get in this letter, and if there is more than you care to be bothered with just turn it over to Hannah and Sarah, and tell them I have not forgotten them but as they don’t write to me I have not much to write to them, only my blessings. I always remember them and their children with the rest and will pray for them always. Remember me kindly to Phebe, and to Keziah, and Belinda and Mary, and to Parly and all the children. My respects to your sister and husband and child; tell them to call it Parly.
Excuse me, I cannot stand it to write more.
Write often, and freely.
P. P. Pratt.
[Transcribed by Walt Morrell, Mauri Pratt, and Suzanne Taysom, Feb. 2014]
P. P. Pratt to Agatha [Agatha Ann Walker Pratt], transcribed letter, 24 February 1855; MS 278, online images, Church History Catalog, Ann Agatha W. Pratt Reminiscences and Letters, 1847-1907 (https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE2090355&usedforsort=MS_278_f0001 : January 2014), file 1, document 14, page 1-2; Church History Library, Salt Lake City.