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103 and feel quite contented - our whole increases its discount - to $10 - $12 - $16 - perhaps $20.00 and we are stimulated greatly. It falls off again - we linger on - and finally quit in disgust. If a place pays but $5 or $6.00 - miners turn up their noses at it - and declare they would sooner lie idle then mine so worthless a place. How an offer of this amount pr day would start exertion in the States 'Yea I am sorely wearied with this days exertion. The spirit of strength is gone. Were it not for the little pile of gold I see before me - I should be tempted to curse California and leave. But labor has its rest - its appetite and sweet sleep. Never in my life have I enjoyed these creature comforts as now. Success is a great stimulus to exertion. How my rocker pulls and my dipper if I think that the dirt yields poorly - but if I open the cradle and see plenty of little flakes - peering at me - my rocker flies and my dipper flies - right merrily. 'Tis no trouble. Ah! the profit - the profit - it engages the mind - nor lets it heed the toiling body. My attention was drawn to the Sanctity of the Sabbath. This day is devoted to trading - the miners laying in their stores for the week - it is therefore about the only day - when goods can be disposed of. Is it right to sell our surplus articles on the Sabbath? At home it would be sinful - is it not so here? Can circumstances affect morality? Can a thing be right at one time - and wrong at another. Circumstances do affect the lawfulness or unlawfulness of an action. I am unable as yet to declare what observance of the Sabbath is obligatory. Were I to leave it to my feelings - I should not be strict.
Friday February 14 1850.
This day is famous in the annals of Natoma - as election day. An alcalde and Sheriff were the offices run for. 'Twas thought mining - would preponderate over election interest - but even in this early stage of settlement - California politics - sways strongly the popular mind. Three candidates run for the Alcardeship - two for the Sheriff's office. Señor was put by his friends - but being brought on late - stood no chance