Location: Santa Margarita. Jose Ortega writes to his brother in-law, former Governor of California Pio Pico. Original inventory number, 2/13.

Transcription, by Patricia Prestinary and Adolfo Prieto:

Sr. Don Pío Pico Santa Margarita Julio 15 de 1855

Querido cuñado: la causa de haber demorado el herradero hasta el (primero?) Junio era por ver si venía Andrés, a causa de haberme dicho que venía, más viendo ya que no venía los (verifiqué?) herrando de Ud. 613 becerros y de Andrés 369, no habiendo herrado la caballada porque es mucho el gusano que hay, y espero que pase un poco, para ver con (chirrlo?), y permitirle una noticia general de un todo para ver su conocimiento.

Por fin cuñado llegó el día triste y (pesado?) para mi, verificando Refugio su (salida?) para ver Los Ángeles con el objeto de asisitir (a sus?) chiquitos al presentarlos en la escuela, por no tener quien se los cuide como Ud. no lo ignora, y lo que más me aflige es el no tener como poderle dar siquiera 50 (pesos?) para ver lo que se le ofrezca por no tener en lo absoluto de que hechar mano como Ud. no lo ignora, y por lo mismo espero de Ud. lo vea con alguna consideración como siempre lo ha hecho a pesar de conocer los compromisos en que Ud. se haya yo por de una no tengo más con que (correr?) (pone?) darle que mi mal trabajo si lo considera útil en cuales quiera tiempo. (Antonio?) María va con objeto de curarse por que a cada paso se me ve aquí bastante malo, y para ver el efecto le escribo al (Sr.?) Grifin quien creo podrá guiarlo mucho cuñado uno quisiera entender pero yo no puedo, y solo le digo que reciba expresiones de (memoria?) y el corazón de su desgraciado cuñado que de veras lo ama y S. M. B.

José Joaquín Ortega

English (via Google Translate): Dear brother-in-law, the cause of having delayed the blacksmith until (first?) June was to see if Andrés was coming, because he told me he was coming, more seeing since the (I checked?) Not coming from you. 613 calves and of Andrés 369, not having herded the horse because there is a lot of the worm there, and I hope it happens a little, to see with (squeak?), and allow him a general news of a whole to see his knowledge.

Finally brother-in-law came the sad and (heavy?) Day for me, checking Shelter his (departure?) To see Los Angeles in order to attend (his?) Little ones when presenting them at school, for not having anyone to take care of them as you do not ignore it, and what ails me most is not having the ability to give you even 50 (pesos?) to see what is offered to you by not having at all that helping out as you do not ignore it, and for that reason I hope you see it with some consideration as it has always done in spite of knowing the commitments in which you have made me for one I have no more to (run?) (put?) give it to me Bad work if you find it useful at any time. (Antonio?) Maria goes to cure himself because at every step I see myself here quite bad, and to see the effect I write to (Mr.?) Grifin who I think can guide him a lot brother-in-law one would like to understand but I can not, and I only tell him to receive expressions of (memory?) and the heart of his unfortunate brother-in-law who really loves him and SMB