CALIFORNIA.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 757, 16 July 1853, Page 2 (Supplement)

CALIFORNIA.

(From tlie Syddey Herald, June 23.)

We have received San Francisco journals to tbe 12th April, being 13 days later than our last advices: Tbe total loss of the steamship Lewis, of the Nicaragua line, in Bolinos Bay (having on board 400 passengers, whose lives, however, were providentially saved) end tbe explosion of tbe steaner Jenny Linn, on ber way from Alviso to San Francisco, with the loss of 20 passengers killed and 36 severely scalded and otherwise injured,, bad caused a great sensationr The Placer Times of the 12th of April, in giving an account of the latter catastrophe, which occurred within two days of rhe former, gays—

*•' Tbe message of Governor Bigler, which appears in another column, gives some insight into the mysteries of the military government maintained in California, for some time prior to her admission into the Union. It appears, amongst other things, that the Civil Fund was pretty extensively drawn upon in those days by certain officers of the army and navy ; and the Govennn6"nt thinks that a thorough investigation will establish tbe fact that but a small portion of this fnnd was expended in the administration of the temporary government.— How it was expended he does not intimate, but certain documents attached to the message open up this branch of the subject beautifully. Peehaps the investigation now going on may bring to light some very important facts connected with the financial history of California." By the steam ship John L. Stephen, which arrived at San Francisco on the Bth of April, copies of tbe inaugural address of General Pierce, the new President of the United States had been received, and which be had delivered at Washington in the presence of upwards of 40,000 people. Our Ameriaan contemporaries are in extacies at tbe address. The correspondent of the San Francisco Daily Whig says : " The sentiments—tbe tone of the address—the earnest manner in which it was spoken—his beautiful action—his manly, erect appearance—bis pale cast of countenance, in which intellect and courage were the predominating featares—and hi- clear loud voice, distinotly heard by tbe remotest of bis audience, alll combined to make a deep impression in favour of General Pierce; and many asserted that this was the best inaugural address ever drlivered on that spot. He is undoubtedly a ve.y effective speaker. He remained with his hat off until the close of the proceedings. The ladies were in extacies, and so anxious were some who happened to be in the rear, to see and hear him, that they climbed upon the pediments of tne columns of the Capital, to jneir no small danger. All through it was a glorious spectacle of sublime majesty, casting into the shade the idle pomp and unmeaning pageantry of the coronation of kings and emperors.''