Chapter 7

So great was the shock to public confidence, that men slept on their money, and would not loan it for ten per cent. a week, on any security whatever–even on mint certificates, which were as good as gold, and only required about ten days to be paid in coin by the United States Mint. I then rode up to Hammond's house, on Rincon Hill, and found him there. I explained to him exactly Smiley's affairs, and only asked him to pay one of his acceptances.

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