Sherwood Forest
Dec. 20. 1850
My Dear Col:
I lost not a moment in taking steps to secure you the appointment of Collector at San Diego, but your letter reached me too late as the enclosed from Senator Guin will inform you. How deeply I regret this I can scarcely express. If I had known your wishes in due season there would have been, as I verily believe, no difficulty. The fact is that I had not even seen that San Diego had been established as a port of entry. The Collectorship would have been of great value to you and I should have rejoiced in your appointment but the chance is gone, unless indeed the new appointee should fail in giving the necessary lands as in refraining to his post. Should any other thing turn up, do not hesitate to write to me upon the instant. Without bringing myself under obligations to the men in power, I may be able to assist you.
I have been quite unwell for some time past from the effects of a bad cold, but trust that "the merry bells of Christmas, which however they do not ring to the same merry tune as in my youth, will serve to restore one

to my usual health. I wish you most truly a happy Christmas in the true spirit of the old district. Happy Christmas Merry New Year
Pockets full of money and times of good cheer.
Julia is quite well and is as healthy and blooming and every way as young as in times gone by. She complains of some inflammation about her throat which a little [...] by a skillfull hand, will readily remove. Your name sake David Y. grows apace and is the finest boy in creation. Like his uncle he will have his way in most things, but his heart is in the right place,and all will be well with him. Little Alexander is a fine boy, and our Julia is the loveliest child in the world. They are in good health and the two boys are anxiously awaiting the advent of Christmas under expectation of the good things that Santa Claus is to bring them. The newspapers will give you an account of all that is passing in the great world, and of the uneasy condition
of public affairs. We are certainly in great danger of serious collision, but "out of the visible danger one may pluck the flower safety" and there [?] may lead to a long [?] not permanent before.
Such is my prayer. And to yourself health happiness and long life.
John Tyler
Col. D. L. Gardiner

Letter from Ex. Prest
[?] Collectorship at
San Diego, Cal