The Nevada journal. [volume], December 23, 1853, Image 1

About The Nevada journal. [volume] (Nevada City, Calif.) 1851-18??

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THE NEVADA JOURNAL.
VOL. 3. —NO. 35.
THE JOURNAL,
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING BY
BUBD 8l SARGENT,
Office on Bf>»l street, opposite the Court House, Nevada.
TERMS.
For one year, In advance, $7 00
For six months, 4 00
three months 3 00
J*ingl<- copies, 23
Legal Blanks 01 all hinds for sale nt this office,
lob Work in all it* variotleg, promptly ai>dfn«Atiy
executed, at reasonable rates.
Advertisements inserted at low retro
L. P. Fisher is onr only authorized agent at Ban
"■rancisco. lie may b© found nt his deek at the Merchants’
Exchange.
A Delano, Wells, Fargo ft Co.’a office. t« rmr an
fhorlzadagent at Grass Valley.
Per Adams !f Co.
ARRIVAL OF THE JNO.L. STEPHENS.
FIFTEEN DAYS LATER FROM THE EAST.
Dates New York, Nov. 21, New Orleans, Dec. 1
Europe, Liverpool and London, Nov. 5.
THE TURKISH QUESTION.
ACTUAL COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.
The steamer John L. Stephens arrived
at San Francisco, Dec. 16th, in 11 days and
22 hours passage—the quickest ever made.
The following items of States news are
from the telegraphic dispatches of the Ma
rysville Evening Herald.
A destructive storm has prevailed thro’-
out New England, and upon the coast, car
rying away bridges, wrecking ships, and
attended with loss of lives.
J. Baker Esq. of the house of Baring fy
Bro., is said to be the person selected as um
pire by the commissioners, to settle claims
between Great Britain and the U- S. The
account of sickness and deaths on emigrant
vessels from Europe to the United States
is fearful. In two days, no less than 287
deaths were reported at New York, out of
1113 passengers.
The democrats and free soilers of Mass
achusetts have formed a coalition for the
coming state elections. They spurned all
dictation, whether coming from Caleb
Cushing or any body else.
Much concern is felt with regard to the
Oceansteamcrlir.es, as the secretary of
the Navy is resolved on asking for n heavy
appropriation for Naval steamships which
will probably be met by a corresponding
reduction in the mail service-
We understand that Messrs Little, Mc-
Jinsy and Hoyt, gentlemen pretty well
known ia Wall street, made an application
a few days since, for the confiscation of the
steamers running in the line of the Nicar
agua transit company. Mr. J. S. White
appeared for tho amends and exhibited all
proper documents, legalizing the sale, fyc.
It was decided by the collector and survey
or of the pass, that there were no grounds
for action and they stated that they could
not interpose, cither in furtherance or bin
derance of stock speculations.
The ship Rhine arrived at New York
Nor. 2 f Jth. Left Hamburg with two hun
dred and fire passengers, of which number
40 died before the vessel reached port-
Several of the banks ef New \ ork city
have lately suffered in the way of defalca
tions. Some of them have lost nearly 10
per cent cl i. eir capital- Most of this large
amount L.-o been lost in fancy stock spec
ulation.
Destructive Fires is N. Y. City.—
Two fires occurred in New York on Nov.
•15th, destroying a large amount of proper
ty, and throwing over 1000 mechanics out
of employment.
The new Mail steamship San Francisco
was to have sailed for New York on the
23d November.
A neat merchants steamship, under the
command of Capt. Whiting, is to be called
Sacramento, and will sail for Panama from
New York in February.
A dispatch from Natches states that the
Yellow Fever had again made its appear
ance in that city, and that a number had
died of it.
Martin Kossuth sailed from Smyrna on
Oct. 25th., on board brig Smyrna, Captain
Watson, for Boston.
The U. S. revenue cutters Wm. L.
Marcy, and Jefferson Davis sailed from
New York on the 14th. Nov., for the west
coast of America.
There was no election of Governor at
the election in Massachusetts. The new
constitution was rejected.
Washington, Nov. 18.—Hon. Lyman
Basil is here aspiring to the Speakership
again. He will be a favorable candidate.
James Adams, of Mass , Consul to San
gapor, has resigned.
Volney E- Howard has resigned the
Government Law Agency for tho Califor
nia Land Commission.
New York, Nov. loth- 1853. —Felix La
Goste, French Consul at this port, died
here yesterday.
N. Y. Election, Nov. Dth. — Tho re
turns of the election have been received
sufficient to show that the whole Whig
State ticket has been elected except for
Judges of the Court of Appeals, by an
average of 50,000 majority. The Legis
lature is whig.
The news from the seat of war is a little
conflicting, and we give copious extracts,
that our readers may have opportunity
to form a fair judgment. A proposition
for an armistice has been made to the Porte,
and he had consented to prolong the inter
val of peace till the Ist of Nov., provided
hostilities had not already commenced.---
The basis for the proposed settlement is
the Vienna Note, deprived of the objec
tionable parages, which remodeled, render
NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 23, 1853.
the modifications .superfluous, and being
agreeable to the Olmutz concessions, will
satisfy Russia. The present armistice has
been obtained in connection therewith.—
Turkey is expected to accept the terms,
and if so, Russia.
The news from the seat of war however
indicates the probability of a pitched battle
soon to be fought between the Turks and
Russians, on the left bank of the Danube,
the Turks having crossed the river from
Widdin between twenty and thirty thou
sand strong, and taken position at Kalafat,
on tha Western border of Wallachia,
whither the Russians were concentrating
their forces. This movement appears to
have been made at a moment when the
strongest anticipations of peace had been
encouraged, by a new psoposition of set
tlement from the mediating Powers as
stated above believed to be satisfactory to
both the hostile parties.
The following is from the London Chron
icle ;
Some time since Omar Pacha sent notice to
the Russian commander that, if armed Russian
vessels approached too near the Turkish bat
teries they should be fired into. To this mes
sage Gortschakoflf returned for answer that, if
the Russian vessels were fired into they would
return the fire. Accordingly, on the 22d ult., a
Russian flotilla, consisting of the two armed
steamers, towing eight gun boats, attempted to
ascend tho river, from the Sulina bason to a
higher point of (he river, tho declaration of
war by Turkey, and the avowed intention of
Omar Pasha to cross the Danube, having ren
dered their presence necessary in order to sup
port the main body of the Russians.
On coming abrea-t of tho Turkish battery,
they were summoned to stop, but not heeding
the summons, wore promptly fired into and as
promptly returned the compliment. Some ten
or fifteen Russians were killed, and fifty more
wounded. The Turkish loss is not stated, but
was probably few or none, although a stray
shell set fire to the fort. The steamers crowded
on steam, and badly damaged, managed to make
their way up the river beyond the range of the
Turkish missies.
The London Times of Nov. Ist, Las the fol
lowing interesting resume of the aspects of
a flairs :
The intelligence of the armistice between
the Turkish and Russian forces has been sub
stantially confirmed, and the event appears to
be of precisely of the character which we yes
terday delineated. The interval assigned by
Omar Pasha for the evacuation of the Dannbl
an Principalities was to expire on the 24th
ult., but although the reply of Prince Gort
schakoff to the Ottoman summons has been
considered at Constantinople as equivalent to a
refusal, the Porte had consented, at the request I
of the ambassadors of tho four powers, to pro
long the term of preliminary peace until this
day, the Ist of November. We have reason
to believe, as we before stated, that this move
ment of the European representatives was not
made without well grounded expectations of a
beneficial result, and, as the assent of the Porte
to the proposition bespeaks in itself a desire to
avoid extremities, wo have good ground for
confidence that this last effort in the cause of
peace will prove successful.
These steps, however, were taken before the
collision between tho contending armies had
occurred, and it is not impossible that so un
toward an affair may exercise its influence on
the course of events. Nevertheless, we continue
to be of opinion that such a result is unlikely.
! v r the encounter, it is plain, was no premedi
tated signal of hostilities, and, in so far as it
produced any effect, it appears to have been
unfavorable to that party which is least likely
to be exasperated by the circumstance. The
scene of the affray was not exactly the scene of
the expected war. The hostile armies of the
Russians and Turks arc stationed in the prov
inces of Wailachia and Bulgaria respectively,
with the waters of tho Danube between them.
Further down the stream, that is to say, from
the point of the confluence of the Pruth, —the
left bank of the Danube becomes Russian ter
ritory, the opposite bank being formed by the
northernmost angle of Bulgaria.
It was at this part of the river that the
engagement occurred. A Russian flotilla, con
sisting of two steamers with gunboats in tow,
was proceeding to ascend the stream, when it
was fired upon from the foot of Isaktchi, on
the Turkish bank. The object of the Russians
was, doubtless, to establish a communication
between the Black Sea and their army of oc
cupation, in Wailachia, but cither they ap
proached too closely to the Ottoman guns, or
the Turks had resolved to oppose the expedition.
It will be clearly discerned, however, that
though the Russians were indeed “ forcing a
passage ” up the river, and were attacked in
the attempt, the operation in no degree resem
bles a movement of the Russian troops across
the river against tho Turkish forces.
A movement of this decisive kind, if made at
all, will be made in all probability from the op
posite bank and by the opposite army.
Though no one fancies that Turkey can cope
with Russia in a prolonged contest, yet the
chances of success for the Czar are materially
lessened by the certainty that the first reverse
of his antagonist will bring to the succor of the
vanquished the fleets, and perhaps other forces
of two nations, each able to contend with Rus
sia single handed. The state of affairs in the
Caucassus, where it is bow certain that the Rus
sians have met with great reverses, and the
weakness of the army of occupation in the Prin
cipalities, decimated by disease and dispirited
by inaction, may also nave had some share in
bringing the Emperor Nicholas to a better
frame of mind.”
London, Nov. 2.1653.
The Times states in the leading article, that
there is no reason to doubt, that on the 27th
October, 3,000 Turkish infantry, and 2,400 cav
alry, crossed the Danube, and occupied Kalafat.
and that a large number of troops were still
passing over in barges, when this news was dis
patched.
The Russians were gathering on the point at
tacked, and it was expected that a collision
would take place on the 28th. For the mo
ment, here is an end to notes and diplomatic
conference. Omar Pacha’s movement appears
the extremity of rashness, but he is probably
forced to leave in order to preserve the sem
blance of command. After the ferocity of the
hostile nations is satisfied by the sanguinary of
fering of a useless and objectless battle, it may
be possible to re-assert the claims of justice and
humanity. Whatever may be the result of this
contest, it cannot alter the duty of the Western
powers in this emergency.
Whether Omar Pacha be successful, or whe
ther he be driven back, we are equally bound to
maintain the rights of Turkey. Let the war go
as it will, England and France can never per
mit Russia to reap the fruits of her duplicity
and violence.
B®. The New York Tribune ba3 the fol
lowing bit of satire:
A Strange Visitor at the City Hall.—
About 11 o’clock yesterday morning, the carved
eagles upon the City Hall received an illustri
ous visitor. One of the original birds of the
forest—some say a hawk, others an eagle—
came down from the woods to pay his wooden
prototypes upon the flag-staffs of the Hall a
friendly visit. He first lighted upon the stall’
over the north-west corner, and sat for some
minutes, peering down into the Supreme court
room, apparently looking for some bigger ras
cal than his own thieving self. Not being able
to look quite down to the basement, he lifted
up his wings and went over to the south-west
corner, made his perch upon the back of that
eagle, and settled himself down very quietly,
with a complaisant flap of the wings, as much
as to say, “Ha, ha, I have found them at last.”
And then he looked down with an eagle eye in
to the chamber of the Hoard of Aldermen,
and through that into the Chief of Police’s Of
fice. After a while he got up, shook himself
with an air of contempt, and then remarked to
the crowd below, who stood agape with stupid
wonder: “I will go now back to the woods,
and steel a few more lambs and chickens with
a tolerable clear conscience, since I have seen
how much greater thieves than me are honored
in the city.”
THE MERCHANT.
Tare and Tret,
Gross and net,
Hox and hogshead, dry and wet,
Ready made,
Of every grade,
Wholesale, retail, will you trade ?
Goods for sale,
Roll or bale,
Ell or quarter, yard or nail,
Every dye,
Will you buy ?
None can sell as cheap as 1!
Thus each day
Wears away,
And his hair is turning gray!
O'er his books,
Still he looks,
Counts his gain and bolts his locks.
Hy and by
He will die—
Hut the ledger book on high
Shall unfold
How he sold,
How he got and used his gold !
Somebody says—“never marry a wid
ow (unless her first husband was hanged) or she
will always be drawing unpleasant compari
sons.’’
Mon scorn to kiss among themselves.
And scarce will kiss a brother ;
Women often want to kiss so bad,
They smack and kiss each other.
If dull weather affects you, marry a
warm hearted girl, and make a sunshine for
yourselves. Bachelors will find this far supe
rior to either billiards or Burgundy.
An enterprising young statesman says
he can steer the ship of state in perfect safety
if he can only keep his hand on the “tiller of
the soil.”
It is rumored that a celebrated phre
nologist has been invited to examine the "head
of navigation.”
It is calculated that electricity travels
through copper 190,000 miles in a second.
Giving a Reason. —The keeper of a museum
exhibiting a skull as that of Oliver Cromwell,
concerning which a lady observed that she
could not have expected Cromwell's skull to
have been so small, the learned conductor re
plied, that it was Oliver’s skull when he was
young !
Carpet f<>r the President's House. —lt is
stated that a gorgeous carpet has just been
finished at Glasgow, Scotland, for the white
house at Washington. It measures 80 feet
long by 10 feet broad, the portion being woven
in a loom without a scam, being 72 by 31 feet;
and the remainder consists of a handsome bor
der sewn on. The filliug-in of the carpet is a
ruby and crimson damask, with three tasteful
medallions <yi the centre, and a rich corner
piece to correspond. The medallions are filled
up with boijuets of flowers, designed and exe
cuted with magnificent taste. The entire piece
weighs upwards of a tun, and is valued at 32,-
500.
It is said that Ole Bull is now prepar
ing to transplant his colony to California, and
will make arrangements to that effect previous
to his leaving for this city with StrakOsch,
which would positively be on the Ist of De
cember. The colony consists of twelve hun
dred Norwegians.— Chronicle.
Nullification. —A number of merchants in
Stockton have associated together, and deter
mined not to pay the license tax, unless com
pelled by a due course of law.
B®, An exchange paper says that a conspi
racy to destroy the life of Cassius M. Clay, has
been discovered, and thwarted in Kentucky.
Indian Depredations. —The Jackson
ville (Oregon) correspondent of the Yreka
Herald , writing on the 28th ult, says ;
“The Indians on Applegate creek are ex
ceedingly troublesome ; they are constant
ly stealing stock from the settlers, as well
as from these on Cottonwood.
Melancthon was denounced by some one,
for changing views on a certain subject.
He replied—“Do you think I have been
studying, assiduously, for thirty years,
without learning anything ?”
“Mr, Smith, don’t you think Mr. Skee
sicks is a young man of parts “Deci
dedly so, Miss Brown ; he is part numb
skull. part knave and part fool.”
Terrible Shipwreck bn the Hebrides!
One of the most terrible disasters byjsea
of which we have any record, is the wreck
of the ship “Annie Jane,” Capt. Mason,
from Liverpool, for Quebec, which was
driven ashore on the night of the 28th ult,
on the Barra Island, one of the Hebrides.
No less than three hundred and forty-eight
emigrant passengers, men, women and
children, met w : th a watery grave. At
the moment the ship struck, most of the
passengers were below in their births We
copy from the narrative in the London pa
pers in continuation, as follows :
Many rushed on deck in a state of na
kedness ; wives clung to their husbands,
and children clung to both, some mute from
terror,and others uttering appalling screams
and eagerly shrieking “ Is there no hope ?”
The scene is described by the survivors
as the most agonizing which it could enter
into the heart of man to conceive. After
the first shock was over, the passengers
rushed to the boats, three of which were
placed between the mizzen mast and the
poop, and the fourth lay on the top of the i
cooking house forward. The light boat
had already been lost. But the boats
were of no earthly use, for they were all
fixed down and secured, or lay bottom up.
While the passengers were thus clustered
round the boats, and within a very few
minutes after the ship had grounded, she
was struck by a sea of frightful potency,
which instantly carried away the dense
mass of human beings into the watery
waste, and boats and bulwarks went along
with them. At least one hundred of our
fellow creatures perished by this fell swoop.
The wild wail of the sufferers was heard
for a moment, and then all was still.
The great majority of the women and
children, as well as some of the male pas
sengers, remained below, either paralyzed
by terror, or afraid that they would be
washed away in the event of their- coming
upon deck. But their time also had come.
The frightful thumping of the great ship,
taken in connection with her cargo of
railway iron, must have immediately beaten
the bottom out of her; and while her fab
ric was in this weakened state, another
dreadful sea broke on board and literally
crushed that part of the deck situated be
tween the mainmast and the mizzenmast,
down upon the berths below, which were
occupied by terror-stricken women and
sleeping children. They ware killed rather
than drowned as was fully evinced by the
naked, mutilated, and gashed bodies which
were afterwards cast on shore. The main
and mizzenmast went at the same moment.
This second branch of the catastrophe
took place within a very few minutes
after the passengers and part of the crew
had been swept away from the decks,
along with the boats.
The most of the remaining seamen and
passengers now took refuge on the poop,
which was a very high one, and each suc
ceeding assault of the sea carried away its
victim or victims. In short, wi'hm one
hour after the Annie Jane struck, the
remaining stumps of her masts went by
the board, and she broke into three pieces.
An additional number perished at this dis
ruption; and all the survivors remained
on the poop, with the exception of seven
men, who had secured themselves on the
topgallant forecastle. The poop fortunate
ly floated well, and, as it was about high
water, the wreck was drifted inwards by
the wind and each heave of the sea, when
it finally grounded about 4 o’clock A. M.
The forecastle, with the seven men, came
ashore much about the same time.
The wreck had been observed from the
island almost as soon as the day broke ;
and, in the first instance, seven or eight of
the Barra men came down to render such
aid as might be in their power. The re
mains of the mizzenmast were still at
tached by the shrouds to the wreck of the
poop, and by the help of the islanders it
was placed so as to form a sort of bridge
or ladder between the poop and the shallow
water; and, as the tide had now fully
ebbed, all the survivors got oft shore with
out much difficulty by seven in the morn
ing. When mastered the survivors were
found to number a total of 102, of whom
one was a child, 12 were women, and 28
belonged to the crew, exclusive of the cap
tain, who was alio saved- When the poop
was drifted ashore he secured himself upon
its skylight. The beach was literally lined
by the dead bodies, as well as by innumer
able fragments of the ship, and the light
part of her cargo. None of the survivors
estimate the loss of life at less than 300,
and consider it close upon 400 souls. At
daylight the bay was strewn with dead
bodies to the number of nearly 300, greatly
disfigured, many of them without limbs
and head, and nearly all naked, thereby
showing how instant must have been their
death, and the fearful strength of the
waters, which in so short a time made such
havoc. Only one child was saved. It
belonged to an humble Irish woman, who
with her two children, was abont to join
her husband in America. She struggled
j hard to preserve them both, one on her
back, and grasping the other in her arms;
but when the ship parted, the latter was
dashed into the sea, and the other remained.
The New Flag.— Recruiting officers
for the new Republic, have hoisted their
flag at the corner of Sacramento and
Kearny streets, San Franciseo. Who’ll
join ?
His First Appearance.— Jack Frost
arrived in the city yesterday morning. Our
devil saw him at 7 o’clock, a. M.,on Broad
way, where the consequential gentleman
appropriated the entire sidewalk.— Com,
Jdv*. IGth . .. _ . . _
The Stats Prison. — A correspondent
of the Evening News give the following de
scription of this building
“About dusk I arrived at the landing at
the mouth of Corta Madera Creek. In
front, and within two or three hundred
yards of the shore, was situated the keep
er’s house, and on the verge of the water,
lay the works of the company who have
leased the keeping of the prisoners from
the State for the period of ten years.
These works consist of a steam brick
making machine, grist and saw mill, to
gether with all the apparatus for manufac
turing bricks and hewing stone. A fine
quarry has recently been opened at the
point jutting out into the bay, just in front
of the keeper’s house, and quite a large
number of the prisoners are daily employ
ed in blasting the rock and putting it into
proper shape.
But the most notable object that Strikes
the beholder, is the southern wing of the
the main Prison, which is now very near
comp’eted. It is two stories in height, and
is built of heavy squared ruble stone. The
contract under which it was erected requir
ed only rough'stone, but the company, (for
the first time perhaps in the history of Gov
ernment works) have built a much more
expensive and really beautiful structure,
than called for by the specifications. More
than one half of the stone used has been
cut, and thus instead of presenting a rough
irregular exterior, the Prison really ap
pears handsome and ornamental. It is
about 138 feet in length by 10 in width,
and the upper story contains 48 cells, 24
opening upon each front. Each cell will
accommodate four prisoners, and the venti
lation has been so admirably contrived,
that the fresh air will sweep through each
cell continually, when comfort requires it.
The first siory is occupied entirely as a
long and splendid arched dining saloon
The massive pillars sustaining the arches
are of stone octagonly cut, and the arches
themselves are certainly better proportion
ed and more securely and handsomely
built, than any other specimen of architec
ture in the State.
For the Journal.
Home, and the Miner*
BV JUVKSItfeB.
Home ! Oh what a thought to a lonely,
disconsolate, disheartened miner, who has
toiled for years in the gulches and ravines
of the California mountains, and has met
with bitter disappointment in all his labors.
The very thoughts of “home” sink down
deep into his soul. They prey upon his
mind as a cankerworm. They give him
rest neither day or night. Oh how he
would like to hear the murmer of tho gen
tle rivulet that warbles past his cottage door
at “home.” Oh, how he would like to see
once more (he partner of his bosom, who
(while he returned from the labors of the
fields at home,) would fly with open arms
to embrace him, and do all in her power
to make him comfortable and happy at
home ; and how his little children at home
would cling around him to be dandled on
fathers knee, and receive with grateful lit
tle hearts a father’s smile and father’s kiss.
But while amongst the foot hills l of the
Sierra Nevada, no such sounds or pleasures
greet him on his return from ransacking
the bowels of the earth. With light pock
ets and a heavy heart, perhaps he may be
enfolded in the arms of a “grizzly” or his
legs be encircled by the poisonous snake.
Horae, sweet home, with all thy peaceful
charms, how he longs to see thee and never
roam from thy pleasant shades again.
Send a paper home to your friends. It
will not only let them know your wherea
bouts, but give them a better idea of this
country. California papers are valuable
ih the States.— Yreka Herald.
A true bill. California papers are read
in the States with great avidity, and are
regarded by thousands, who do not receive
them , as nearly as precious as gold.— H.
Y. Express Messenger.
Game. —The Placerville Republican
says :—“Wild game is abundant in our
market ; we saw a wagon-load of deer in
the street, on Tuesday, that had been kill
ed about fifteen miles east of this place.
The snow in the mountains is driving the
game to the valleys.”
John Van Buren's Advice as to the JFu- \
gitive Slave Laio. —John Van Buren was
heard to get off a rich noteat the late State
Convention. When the resolution con
cerning the Fugitive Slave Law and com
promise measures was read, a free soil com
panion told John his conscientious scruples
in regard to it, pronounced it in oppositon
to their speeches and all their previous dec
larations and feelings, and finally ended
by declaring that he (the objector) could
not and would not swallow it “Oh damn
it, man,” replied John, “ swallow it now,
and puke it up at the first gutter you come
to !”
Smithers says that, when a man can’t I
marry his grandmother, or his aunt, or
wife’* mother, the law makes an
ass of itself, for when a man marries, |
now-a-days, he marries, the whole family.,
Some one, we know not who, very
shrewdly defines money to be admirably
adapted for taking stains out of character.
“Broomers” is a name which the New I
York Journal of Commence gives to the
ladies’ long dresses, which sweep the side
i walks of the city, vs. the “Bloomers” wore
by those ladies who put on short
i and pantaloons. It is said th^‘ c SeTera i
fashionable ladies have undertaken to sweep
I the sidewalks of Broadway with the trains
Of* CX * aro —_
WHOLE NO. 174.
The Pacific Rati.road Survkyiko Party
•' The San Diego correspondent of the Altu
furnishes the following interesting intelligence
"U o have some account of the movements o
the Pacific rail road surveying party, the eaeor
to which, under Lieut. George Stoneman, arri
ved on Sunday last, and encamped at the Mis
sion, San Diego. The dragoons, 40 in num
her, who form the escort, arc in excellent health
and their animals all in fine condition. Tin
escort left two parties in the field who have me?
nearly completed their labors. One under I,t
Williamson, commanding the survey, is now a
the Colorado river, and mar be expected to ar
rive litre about the Jst.h ; while that under tin
direction of Lieut. Parke, is engaged in a sur
vcy of the San Luis river from its source.
We learn that the survey has been conducted
with the utmost accuracy and fidelity, and that
a new and perfoc f map of the whole country
surveyed and explored, will be constructed to
accompany Lieut. Williamson's report, and
that the measurements were sufficiently mftntOj
to give the profile of every pass and obstacle oni
the route, so that the proper grade of the track
for a railroad can be at once determined. Such
a contribution to the geographical and topo
graphical knowledge of our state and country
is invaluable, even if the coveted railroad is not
built on the southern route. The country be
tween the Tulare valley and the Colorado and
Gila rivers, has never before been thoroughly
explored. and the vicinity of the Mohave river,
hitherto unknown, is now examined and survey
ed from its Source to the coast range, near the
Cajon to its final disappearance in a sand lake
in the desert. ?
Bi.own Down.— Three two storied framoi
buildings on Mission street, San Francis
co, were blown down during the prevalence
of the storm on Friday riight last. No one
was injured.
Horse Kacf.—A race between the hor
ses Yankee and Lark took place on Satur
day last at the San Leandro course, across
the Bay from San Francisco, at which half
the Alta California population of Alameda
county, male and female were present.
Yankee was the favorite of these people,
who backed him largely ; and in retrirft
were given the odds of two, fire and ten by
the friends of Lark. A little before five
o’clock, tho horses started. The race be
ing a single dash of 600 yards, was wion
by Lark, who came in 60 feet ahead. The
San Francisco Herald says that an'lmpetus
was given to the betting by the start, and
that horses, carriages, a stage coach, were
staked—the Owners bet their ear-rings,
breast-pins, finger-rings—in fine, every
thing they possessed worth having. Full
$40,000 changed hands on this race.
Maj. Harvey, special Indian Agent,
has made a reserve north of the Fort
Yuma, on the Colorado, and designs to
erect a house for his own use. He esti
mated the Yumas, at from 6000 to 7000,
who will probably be brought into the
reservation.
A Methodist Episcopal Clmrch is
about to be erected at Rough and Heady,
of which the foundation stone has beer
laid.
Sophistbt may perplex truth, ingendity
may warp the decrees of justice, and ridi
cule may raise an undeserved laugh ; but
where free inquiry prevails, errors will bo
corrected, justice will be revered, and ridi
cule will be retorted on those who hare
abused its influence.
“An, my good fellow, where hare you
been for a week back ?
•‘A week back ! I have not been troub
led with a weak back, I thank you.
“No, no ; where have you been lontr
back ?” b
“Long back ! Don’t call me long back,
you scoundrel !”
Female Patriotism.— There is only
one stone on the Washington Monument
grounds contributed by the fair sex for in
sertion in the column ; and this bears the
inscription, “From the Ladies of Lowell,
Massachusetts :
“Here industry her grai<? r ul tribute payg
To him whose valor won us prosporous'days.”
The slab is of white marble, and the
letters are sunk (and gilded) in the raised
oval sur'ace.
California. —The State of California is
over seven hundred miles in length, from
northwest to southwest, averaging three
hundred in width, with an estimated pop*
ulation of about 850,000. Her gold fields
cover about one-sixth of her whole extent,
and her agricultural vallies contain the
most productive soil in the world.
Capt. McClure. —This gallant officer
who discovered, and sailed through the
Northwest Pass, observed in his expedition
among other Arctic curiosities, smoking
hillocks, volcanoes on a small scale, and
petrified forest. lie was also informed of
the existence of an extensive coalmine.
Americanized. —Some Indians near Los
Angeles found an Indian who had murder
ed another, and liking the custom adopted
by the Americans, imitated their example
and strung the offender lo the limb ol a
tree.
High Rents. —On the subject of hirh
rents in San Francisco, the Herald saye:
“It has tong been supposed that they
would have fallen materially. Such, how
ever, does not appear to be the case. Some
idea of the value of pron- 7 ‘ iy 0n Mo*gora
eay may formed from the fact
that an ince w itb a front of but ten feet,
'l. now renting at four hundred dollars a
month, and would bring five hundred.—
The revenue from this little room would
be a magnificent income for a man and
family in nm n y portions of the (Jnitic