Democratic banner., 1850-03-18
From the New Orleans Picayuns of the esth ult.
LATE FROM CALIFORNIA,
ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMSHIP ALABAMA.

~se = .oVu ut nCT0WSH0 CAy---IntnefISe
| Destruction Of -DestitutiOn of til,
l'ah0bitants---Placer Intelligence, sc.
The steamship Alabama, Capt. Wright, from
lChagres, the 9th inst, arrived here yesterday
Iafternoon, bringing dates from San Francisco "a
lthe l4th January, and from Panama TO the 9Th
inst. We have received the San Francisco Alta
california of tIe former, and the Panama Echo
and Star to the latter date.
A deplorabie catastrophe has befallen the in.
|habitants Of Sacramento City, by the overflow of
the river Of that name, which has caused an i'm
mense destruction Of property. II appears that
a violent gale Of wind from the northeast occur.
red on the 9Th Of January, accompanied by tor
rents Of rain, which increased the volume of the
river to such an extent that an inundation took
place, and the wind and rain continuing, by the
llth almost the whole Of the city of Sacramento
was submerged. A spectator thus describes a
portion Of the scene in letter to the Alta Cali
lfornia:
A brief time only elapsed before the waters
began to increase upon all sides the slo1ghs
above and the sIoughs below bore into the city
the rising food. Soon tie earth became soft,
and tents, sheds and buildings, not permanently
and securely fastened, were undermined, swept
away, and borne along with the rapid current.
Long before noon hundreds Of boats were cross
ling every street, far and near, and bearing to the
several vessels, that lay at the rivers bank, wo-
men and children, the sick and the feeble; and
as they arrived, the owners Of the vessels were
ready to offer them prompt aid and every COM
fort in their power; and when they were safely
landed upon the deck, shouts of joy went up to
heaven in loud cheers from those who landed
them, for their safety, and these shouts were
echoed back by the hundreds Of voices that were
in tie surrounding boats, end within hearing Of
the response. During the entire dsy and until
might this work of humanity and mercy went on.
The loss Of properly must be very great-it must
be over million Of dollars.
Far as the eye could reaci, the scene had now
become one of wild and fearful import-foating
timber, bales and cases Of goods, boxes and bar.
rels, tents and small houses were floating in eve.
ry direction. The poor and suffering beasts were
in pitiable condition, and called forth the SYM
Ipathy OF all, and what could be done was done
TO save them. Hundreds of horses, mules and
oxen were wandering about seeking places Of Sc
curity and food. Some gained places Of safety
by swimming mile or more to the high bluff
back Of the city. 1t was indeed sad 10 hear the
low and plaintive believing, as It told Of their
approaching death by cold and starvation; some
were fed by warm-hearted and humane as they
came.
| The steamer Senator, which was on the river, +,
received large number of unfortunate people
who were thus washed out Of their houses and
rendered destitute. The same letter writer says:
| TIE Senator remained nearly two hours be-
yond her time to accommodate those who were
desirous to take passage. She came down the
river very rapidly, yet steadily and safely, and
lrnded her passengers at five o'clock, P. NJ, ac.
complishing her trip in eight hours. As we
came down we could see all along the banks for
twenty miles, clustering groups Of cattle and
deer, gathering upon the highest points Of land,
hopiug to escape the almost certain death that
awaited them. Here, too, were seen houses and
tents, floating amid the trees and drift, deserted
by their occupants; and where but few weeks
since they stood upon high banks, that bade us
look upward as we sailed up this wonderful riv-
er. Altogether the scenes witnessed are strange
as they are wonderful and sad as they are strange
no such food having occurred for nearly thirty
years.
As near as can be estimated the rise of waters
is six feet within the city, and the river has rs-
en- twenty-five to thirty feet. The loss of prop.
erty is very great, taking the all Of many. Sew
eral merchants are veryheavy sufferers, losing
in merchandise and buildings and loss ofbusiness
fron ten to thirty thousand dollars each. Added
Ito this is the personal suffering 10 health, and the
consequent sickness and death that must ensue
from the dreadful exposure ofthe sick and feeble
during the floods.
In reference to this disaster, the Alta California
of the 18th says that postscript to private
letter Just received, and which was written at
IL p. NJ, on the 18th January, gives less glOo-
my account of the flood, finishing with the fol-
, lowing: .tf -#
The lower floor Of the Sutter Hotel is still a.
'lbove water board $8 per day. Boatmen char
ging from $40 to $l5 an hour.
lWe.are happy to observe that there is no record
here Of any loss Of life. In addition to the above
,lthe Alta California gives the following:
sI When the Senator left the entire city was un-
,der water, boats were navigating the staeets and
ylcarrying passengers from the second stories Of
houses. The only means Of getting about was
Iby boats, and every imaginable craft was enga.
!; eed in navigating the streets. The ridge of
6ieh land about two miles in the rear Of the city
twas literally studied with tents, and human be-
Iings were mingled with afrighted animals, wRe
-ihsd also taken refuge upon terra 6rma. Sutter'
vile was oyerHowed, but the fort was still dry
, Numbers Of small tenements had been washed