In early January, 1848, James W. Marshall visits General John A. Sutter
in his drawing rooms to show him some small pieces of god he has secreted
in a handkerchief. The Indians have also brought him small flakes and
nuggets of god, found in the tail race amongst the gravel and the loose
stones. Left alone that evening, Sutter broods on the future, correctly
prognosticating that no good can come of this discovery.