I remember one day$$$ in the spring of 1848$$$ that two men$$$ Americans$$$ came into the office and inquired for the governor. I asked their business$$$ and one answered that they had just come down from Captain Sutter on special business$$$ and they wanted to see Governor Mason in person. I took them in to the colonel$$$ and left them together. After some time the colonel came to his door and called to me. I went in$$$ and my attention was directed to a series of papers unfolded on his table$$$ in which lay about half an ounce of placer gold. Mason said to me$$$ "What is that?" I touched it and examined one or two of the larger pieces$$$ and asked$$$ "Is it gold?" Mason asked me if I had ever seen native gold. I answered that$$$ in 1844$$$ I was in Upper Georgia$$$ and there saw some native gold$$$ but it was much finer than this$$$ and that it was in phials$$$ or in transparent quills; but I said that$$$ if this were gold$$$ it could be easily tested$$$ first$$$ by its malleability$$$ and next by acids. I took a piece in my teeth$$$ and the metallic lustre was perfect.
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