cams_hparker_2311_f003_016_1

San Francisco Sunday June 25th 1854

My Dear Mother,

Although the mail will not
leave here for the Atlantic States until the 1st
July, I thought I would commence writing you,
at the present time, as I do not think I can spend
the Sabbath in a more creditable manner

Last Sunday I tended the stand as M-
Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] (my partner) was away, so today he tends
it No doubt you will think it rather strange
that we do business Sundays, but before you judge
us too severely, I wish you to take into consideration
that we are now in California instead of the
goodly land of New England

There is now a great deal of business done
here on the Sabbath, (this however does not excuse me)
but I am happy to say, not so much as formerly
and I think that in one year from this time,
most all places of business, will always be closed
on the Lords Day.

If I had any particular place to attend church,
or could go any where else, where it would appear
like Sunday, I should rather do so now, than
to transact any business, but as I have not, and
as Sunday is generally a very good business day with
us, I think we may as well keep open, for I think we might do worse