Chandler writes of his struggles against claim jumpers, who are a "real Murder and Robber party" and a lawsuit that resulted in a hung jury. Chandler finds legal justice difficult, writing that "It is hard to get justice in Cala [California], except to shoot or hang the raskals [sic].” Chandler also promises Jane that if she would come to California he would “make some permanent location for the time we stayed as soon as possible.” Chandler writes that Jane “would like mining first rate as the women do generally I think." He warns that "it is dangerous for a man to have his wife here, for they often leave their husbands and join the wicked world in the cities or villages and show off in silks + velvets for a season but that class of people come from the South and Western states and are generally quite an Ignorant class of beings." Chandler also praises the healthy climate of California by writing, "almost all who are declining receive [sic] their health in this country." Notations in pencil on the first page at the top read: “Claim Jumpers.” Pencil marks highlight certain parts of the text pertaining to the title.
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