Dear Kiril,
May this letter find you well. I am writing as there have
been stories that Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov visited Fort Ross. The news was that
he found many with scurvy and malnutrition. Please send word of your current
condition as your Papa and I are very worried for you.
We are also sad to share the next news. Upon Nikolai's return
to Russia, he came down with a very bad fever. On his way to see the Tzar Peter
the Great, he fell off his horse and then died a few days later. The country is
in great mourning.
We also heard news, that the area you are in has been over
hunted and the otter population has severely declined. To be honest with you,
our country prefers the otter pelts from Alaska. Alaskan otters are superior to
those in the 'Americas'.
How has your ship building going? Do you have enough food and
supplies? Oh how we miss you Kiril!
May God watch over you and bless you,
Momma, Pappa, and Sister Emily
Dearest Karl,
How much we miss you! It has been a cold cold winter at home!
Mama caught cold in her chest and we thought we would lose her but finally all
is well. the peasants are hungry in the streets and Papa is feeding many every
night. you are I our prayers every day. May you find fortune and prosper in the
hands of our good Lord. I hope the Company is good to you and generous.
Greetings to our uncle Juan from all.
All our Love,
Your sister Misha and the family
Dear Leontii,
I know that if your mother could see you and all that you have accomplished she would be very happy and proud of you. How was your trip on the ship? How do you like Settlement Ross? I bet you are working hard.
I am proud that you are a blacksmith, even though that must be a lot of work. Are you living in the barracks? I hope that you are getting enough to eat.
When your work is done at the settlement I suggest that you return to Alaska to start a family. I know that someday you will have a large family of sons to help you with your work.
I hope that this letter finds you in good health and much happiness. Things are going well for me and your Uncle Petra who has arrived from Irkutsk. There is much work to do and I have been given many responsibilities so I keep very busy.
Please take good care of yourself.
I hope that we will see you before too many years pass.
Your father,
Fedor
Dearest Efim,
It was so good to receive your letter from the last ship’s arrival. It has been so long since I’ve seen you; I almost forget what you look like.
How is it for you living at Colony Ross? I wonder if life is hard or easy for you as a ship builder and farmer. Have your crops been plentiful? How is your crew? Do they work hard for you?
And how is your beautiful family? Do the children like living in that faraway land? I miss them so much. I hope your wife is happy at Colony Ross. I hope she has many friends and does not have to work too hard. That is all for now, Efim. Please write back soon.
I love you very
much. Mother.