CALIFORNIA. [From the Sydney Empire.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 767, 8 December 1852, Page 3

CALIFORNIA. [From the Sydney Empire.]

By the Pactolus, which arrived yesterday, wef have received files of Californian papers to thff 3rd of September. Owing to the great scarcity of paper the pro* prietor of the Alta California had been compelled to reduce the size of his journal to that of common foolscap. In its present form it consists of two sheets. The political excitement occasioned by tha Presidential elections still continued. Meeting* were being held in rapid succession in all part* of Ihe States. The Winfield Scott, steamer, which left Sd» Francisco ou the Ist September for Pananu, took 627 passengers, and the California,, which

left on the same day, took 328, making 955 in all. The shipment of gold dust by the latter vessel was 2,132,847 dollars. Tbe total amount shipped during the month of August was 3,718,847 dollars. Hostilities with the Indians were still as serU ous as ever, and numerous diaboiical crimes were constantly being committed. The Alia California congratulates the public on the great improvement which has taken place since the appointment of the Vigilance Cotamiitee. New and- rich diggings had been discovered at Shasta and elsewhere, but in many instances ruining operations had been retarded from the want of rain. We subjoin a few items of interest from the papers before us :—: —

A Big Lump. — We mentioned a week or two since, that a piece of gold worth 1,003 dollars, was taken out by some sailor lads. The same hoys, eight in number, have again taken out a lamp, " what is a lump." On Monday last they took out a piece that is nearly all gold, weighing 25 lbs. avoirdupois weight, valued at from 4,000 to 6000 dollars. On the same day, these boys took out 25 ounces besides. — Mountain Echo.

Seizure op the " Winfield Scott.' — This steamer was seized yesterday afternoon upon a libel filed against her by the U.S. District Attorney, for carrying an excess of passengers over the number allowed by the act of Congress for her admeasurement, on her trips between this city and Panama. Bonds were given for her release to the amount of 27,500 dollars, within an hour's time after the seizure, so that she will not be detained in her departure this morning. — Alia California, September 1.

Indian War in Durango. — Dorsogo has been the scene of another conflict with the Indians. The latter appeared in the environs of Cerro Gordo, on the 23rd of July, and were met by the Commandant, Genero Perez, with 38 men — of whom 6 were officers — and two small artillery pieces. The latter proved useless, and most of the soldiers took to flight. Those who remained engaged in a hand to hand fight with the Indians, and with the exception of two who escaped wounded, were all killed. The number of these included the commander and six other officers, three sergeants and two musicians. Forty-eight hours after receipt of this intelligence, the commander-in-chief, Morett, started in pursuit of the Indians with 300 area, having organised his expedition by means of a forced loan of 20,000 dollars. The Indians are said to have numbered 700 at first, but afrerwards divided their forces to penetrate into the interior of the State. — Ibid, September 3.

Mining. — Within eight or ten days several new claims have been taken up not raore than three or four hundred yards from our office, and are generally paying well. It is our opinion more gold will be taken out in and about Downieville in the next six mouths than has ever before been taken out in the same time. Places that never before were thought of are now being dug, and with good results. — Mountain Echo.

Big Lick. — We are informed that five sailor chaps at Gold Bluff, three miles above town, took oat, yesterday, over 5000 dollars. This is onefof the best licks of the season. That campany have been making money for a long time, but nothing like the present strike. lbid.

The Telegraph Enterprise. — A notice for a meeting of the stockholders of the " Alta California Telegraph Company," and all other citizens who feel interested in the enterprise, to be held to-night at the Missouri Hotel; has been standing in our columns for several days. We are informed by the agent that, during his tour to the mountains, he has received subscriptions for a sufficient amount of the stock to justify the immediate commencement of the work. It is therefore, reduced to a certainty that Sacramento will soon be in telegraphic connection with all the leading points in the mines. It is in contemplation to begin putting up the posts next week. Sacramento, we trust will respond liberally to the call to take stock. We hope to see a full meeting to-night. — Sacramento Union, September 1.

New York Bar still retains its pre-eminence as the richest on the North Fork. The company, comprising seven men, commenced washing dirt ten days since, and up to Saturday night last, bad taken out of tbeir claim three thousand and seventy dollars. The River has been dammed at New York Bar successively for the last four years. — Ibid.

* Carrying "Deadly Weapons. — The Mayor -of Sonora has recommended to the Council of that city the passing of an ordinance prohibiting the carrying of deadly weapons under the most severe penalties. A similar ordinance in this city, we apprehend, would have a beneficial effect, if strictly enforced.- San Francisco Wliig. Exportation of Melons.— « The quantities of water melons and cantelopes shipped from this place daily to Benecia and San Francisco, are pnormous. We are informed that the steamer ■New World alone has carried down, on a single trip, ten tons of this delightful fruit. The great bulk of melons consumed here or shipped elsewhere, are grown in the immediate vicinity of town, on the banks of the American river, and in Yolo county. — Sacramento Union. -

Banner Presentation by the Ladies of SAn Francisco to the Young Men's Whig Club, — The presentation of the beautiful banner prepared by tbe ladies of San Francisco for the Young Men's Whig Club, takes place this •evening, at 8 o'clock, on the cornejr of California and Dupont streets. The banner is one of tbe most chaste and exquisite pieces of embroidery we have ever spen. Appropriate mottoes are ■worked in silver and gold upon white satin and blue ; the whole is surrounded with rich and heavy fringe of gold and' silver. It is most creditable to the ladies who have designed and executed it, and will be a most acceptable gift to the young Whigs "of- this city. The various Whig clubs of the city meet at their respective club bouses in the different wards at an early Lour of tbe evening, from whence they will form arid march to the' Whig head quarters on Kearney-streetj where a band of music will be in attendance to escort them to the residence of Colonel Kinzer, from which place, the presentation willtake place. Every consideration of gallantry, patriotism and party spirit, admonishes !all Whfgsto'bein attendance. After thepresen-

tation of the banner, the procession will proceed to the Plaza, where speeches will he delivered by some of our prominent orators. — San Francisco Whig, September 1.

Cramm's Patent Amalgamator.— We have been shown, a day or two since, a valuable machine* io vented by Captain Cramm, for the purpose of saving all the fine gold in quartz crushing j mills and in surface diggings. • It is so consiruct'ed that it will save the finest gold, and in fact save it all. We have been shown certificates from practical miners, of high reputation, who have used it, and who speak of its usefulness in the highest terms of praise.' The machine can be seeD by calling at Mr. Mancow's office in Meigg's building on the corner of Montgomery and Wasbiugton-streets. Captain Craram will take pleasure in explaining its operation and uses. It is "well worth the attention of all interested in mining operations. — Alta California, August 23.

Decision of the Supreme Court in the CASE OF THE SiAVE PERKINS, ET At. Owing to the lateness of the hour at which we received this decision we are unable to give even a summary of the case, without doing injustice to it as a whole. Carter Perkins was brought from Mississippi to California before her admission, and had, upon demand, refused to return. The Supreme Court have decided in favour of the Fugilive Slave Act of this Slate, and remanded the petitioner into the custody of the owner. This has been the fust decision under the Fugitive' Slave law of this State passed by the last , Legislature. The right of the master to remove slaves brought into the country before its ad- j mission as a State has been determined. There are many slaves now resident in this country liable to be removed under this law. We shall refer to this case again more at length. — San Francisco Whig.