DAWN AND THE DONS 146
of Monterey, and within these limits there was no appeal from his decisions.” Colton kept a diary, remarkable alike for its fine literary quality and for its faithful picture of Monterey, its people and customs, during the years 1846, 1847 and
1848. A glimpse at the chivalrous standards and social ethics of these early Californians may be had through an entry of July 28, 1846, just three weeks after Commodore Sloat raised the American flag over the Custom House at Monterey. Says Colton, “Though a quasi war exists, all the amenities and courtesies of life are preserved. Your person, life and liberty are as sacred at the hearth of the Californian as they would be at your own fireside. He will never betray you; the rights of hospitality, in his generous judgment, require him to peril his own life in defense of yours. He may fight you on the field, but in his family you may dance with his daughters and he will himself wake the waltzing string.” Nine months later, Colton again strikes the same note. Under date of March 6, 1847, is the following entry: “I have never been in a community that rivals Monterey in its spirit of hospitality and generous regard. Such is the welcome to the privileges of the private hearth that a public hotel has never been able to maintain itself. You are not expected to wait for a particular invitation, but to come without the slightest ceremony, make youreslf entirely at home, and tarry as long as it suits your inclination, be it for a day or for a month. You create nov flutter in the family,
awaken
no
apologies,
and
are
