CALIFORNIA.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 738, 11 May 1853, Page 3

CALIFORNIA.

SYMPATHY FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. (From the “San Francisco Whig.”) The recent exciting occurrences which have taken place in rapid succession in the political world, have somewhat abated the discussion of the continued search for the navigator and his companions. The deaths of Clay, ‘Wellington, and Webster—the establishment of the Empire in France, and the Presidential election in our own country, seemed to have absorbed the general attention of the world to the exclusion of all other topics. But though comparatively little has been said of late by the press of England and America, there is yet among the savans of both countries a longing desire to prosecute further search for the expedition, and hopes are still entertained ol its ultimate discovery. By the arrival of the Prince Albert at London, it appears that thex-e is “ open water” in. Wellington Channel, and every bosom has become animated with the’ renewed hope of solving the mystery which hangs about the kite of the “ Erebus” and “ Terror.” The numerous expeditions, public and private, which have been despatched to the icebound regions of the North, have as jet been unsuccessful; but their failure among other almost insurmountable difficulties, was partially owing to the uncertainty in the minds of nai i—gators as to the passage of the Wellington Channel. J3y the latest advices, we find that Sir Edward Belcher, in command of the Arctic Exploring Expedition, was vigorously pushing his way up the channel with every expectation of proceeding without material interruption. "W hen the Prince Albert left, lie was still proceeding north, and would probably winter at Port Leopold.

Skal of fise Citv of Sax Fbaxclsco. — An impression of liie new seal of our city, as adopted hy dio Lite Common Council, is lying on our (ahie. The design is exceedingly appropriate—the seal presenting a view of the Golden Gate in tiie hack-ground, with a Phoenix arising from flames in (ho foreground. The Wand of Tlercury, the Anciior of Hope, and the Trident of Iho God of the Ocean are lying at (he feet of the Phoenix, and the whole is surrounded by the words “Seal of the City of San Francisco/' It was designed hy Mr. Brooks of the firm of Brooks and McCracken, and engraved by Mr. Kuner.

[From the “San Francisco Herald,'' March Ist.] The news from the Interior has been of unusual interest. I lie Indians on Diy Cicek have kept the neighbourhood, in a high state ot excitement and alarm on account of their bold robberies and evident, hostility. Some brisk fighting has occurred between them and parties of the whites sent out to chastise them. In these encounters the Indians behaved with great courage ; several of the whites were killed, and on one occasion were compelled to retreat, leaving the enemy masters of the field. Reports from the San Joaquin Valley are to the effect that Fort Miller has been attacked, and that several persons are missing in that vicinity. The Indians think that the Government ot the United States has not acted in (mod faith with them in failing to carry out the°stipulations of the treaty, and they complain that the Americans have cut off their supplies and reduced them to a state bordering on actual starvation. Many murders have been committed, throughout the mining regions, and daih accounts are received of outrage and robbery. 1 here has been great excitement in Calaveras county’, and a general expulsion of the Mexicans. A hand of Mexican marauders have infested the neighbourhood, committing all manner ot enoimities. The robber Joaquin is at the head of these desperadoes and has become the terror of the country far around. The miners have assembled in force and commenced a systematic search. Joaquin ha i eluded all attempts to capture him ; several of his gang have been taken and hung. The entire Mexican population has been driven from San Andreas and the Forks of the Calaveras- Mass meetings have been held and resolutions passed approving of the work of extermination. The utmost consternation prevails amongst all foreigners. The weather throughout the mines has been generally delightful, and the miners are mostly doing well. The small pox has been prevalent in some parts of the State. Very extensive canalling operations are going on for the purpose of supplying the gold region

with water. There is every reason to suppose that the approaching season will enable the miners to make amends tor their late inactivity. Measures are being taken to construct a plank road from Marysville to Nevada, and improvements of every description are being effected. Some beautiful specimens of rubies and emeralds have been found in the interior, and also a magnificent diamond of the first water. The murderers of the lamented Lt. Col. Craig were executed at San Diego on the 81st January. The celebrated Yubal warrior Pasqual was present. Benicia has been finally fixed upon as the Capital of tiie State. Phillips’ Fire Annihilator has been tested in San Francisco with unequivocal success. The Governor’s recommendation of an extension of the city front, has met with the entire condemnation of the municipal government and of the citizens at large. A committee has been appointed by the Legislature to investigate the matter, and evidence is now being gathered upon the subject. The Common Council of San Francisco adopted a resolution adjoining the (Commissioners of the Funded Debt from disposing of city property. The Mayor withheld his approval. The weather in San Franc 'sco during the last two weeks has been delightful in the extreme. Miss Catherine Hayes is ahent for the present on a tour through the interioi. The prize ticket for her first concert at Sacramento sold for SI2OO. Misker Hauser, the celebrated violinist, is giving concerts at San Francisco Hall. Theatricals promise to be well patronized during the ensuing season. The talented American tragedian, Mr. James Stark, is about to undertake a journey to Australia, together with his lady. The second anniversary of the San Francisco Orphan Asylum was celebrated with interesting exercises. The association is in a prosperous condition and very ably conducted. The California Methodist Conference closed its session on Tuesday last. A Frenchman named Lemantour has applied to the Land Commissioners to be confirmed in his claim of an immense tract of land, comprising within its limits a goodly portion of the city of San Francisco. News or the Fortnight. The items of local or mining intelligence which the Oregon or Winfield Scott will carry off on the Ist of March are not strictly of importance, though they are of some interest. Since the sailing of the mail of the 15th, we have had no occurrence to disturb the political quiet or the social equanimity of the State. The Legislature is still in session at Benecia, enacting and repealing—undoing that which was done last year, and making laws to be repealed next year. Among other acts of that body, instructions have been forwarded to the representatives in Congress for the establishment of mail routes in the northern and southern portions of the State. A bill has also passed providing for the appointment of a Port Warden. The Monopoly Bill of Mr. Hubbs was ridiculed out of the lower house, and the committee discharged. The united population of San Francisco turned out en masse on the occasion of the anniversary of Washington’s birth-day. The military and civic display, and that of the firemen with their apparatus, was elaborate and imposing. There was no business transacted during the day. The members of the press of San Francisco met on the receipt of the intelligence of the death of Wm. C. Hamilton, Esq., and adopted resolutions expressive of their feelings upon the sad event.

Our last advices from Oregon are down to the 19th of February, and represent the mines in the vicinity of the Oregon settlements as exceedingly rich. Ina affairs of the Territory are progressing favorably, and agriculture receiving proper attention. News from Vancouver’s reach the 12th. One or two English ships from Liverpool arrived m January, with a large number of emigrants. A severe shock of an earthquake was felt at San Luis Obispo on the 6th inst. The P.M. Company have increased their number of steamers on the Oregon route, The subject of the division of the State is still an important one before the people, though its advocates at present are quiet. The bill providing for a Convention will no doubt have an uphill course through the Legislature. The Superior Court of San Francisco was abolished by the unanimous vote of the Assembly, on the 23th inst. The first intelligence received through the new Mexican route via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, reached this city on the 16th, thirty-eight drysfrom New lork. The weather in San Francisco and through the interior, up to the 23rd, continued exceedingly fine; since then there have been occasional showers of rain, retarding business slightly. The roads are still good to the mining districts, and business in gradually improving. The arrivals during the past ten or twelve days include the following vessels from the Atlantic ports, viz: Abby Pratt, Juliett, Adelaide, Gen. Washington, Ansliss, Geo. Raynes, St. Patrick, Harvard, Napoleon, Petrea , Northern Light, Trade Wind, Constant , and Colchis. The importations of these vessels were large, and consequently reduced asking prices without affecting materially the extent of operations. The splendid clipper Trade Wind , on the 4th of Dec. caught fire between decks, originating from the galley. After eight hours of hard lobour, it was extinguished with but trifling damage to some parcels of merchandize in the vicinity of the fire. Two companies have been formed for the construction of plank roads between Sacramento and Nevada, and Marysville and Nevada. A difficulty occurred a few days since at Grass Valley, betwtea some Englishmen and Irishmen, who had taken possession of claims previously purchased by one or two companies of Americans. It was feared at one stage of the proceedings that there would be bloodshed, but the matter was finally left to adjudication by the Court. Our advices from all quarters of the State are favourable to the miners. There appears to be a well organized band of Mexican robbers in the Southern mines, headed by a desperate character called Joaquin, plundering and butchering every American found unprotected. Parties have been in pursuit and rewards have been offered for Joaquin’s head, but he basso far eluded them. A lump of gold, weighing 247 ounces, was picked up at Yankee Hill, in the vicinity or Sonora, last week —valued at about 4,250 dol. News from England to the Bth of January, by the English steamer at Vera Cruz, reached us on the 19th. Our latest intelligence from the Sandwich Islands is to the 2d February, and from Oregon to the 19th. The Sansomo Fire Engine Company of this city contributed to the Washington Monument Fund the sura of One Thousand Dollars. It was presented to the agent on the 22d February. Nine hundred and fifty tons of ice arrived here on the 18th from Boston in the ship Geo. Raynes News from the Valley of the Great Salt Lake reached us on the 25th, dating back to the Ist of January. Nothing of importance is reported. The weather was severe. The steam-propeller Monumental City sailed for Sydney, New South Wales, on the 16th with two hundred passengers. The steamer New Orleans follows on the sth of March. During the past fortnight we have had three or four alarms of fire, but no actual conflagration.