New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-22
CALIFORNIA.
San Frnncisco-The FIre-Decrease OF the
Cholera Business Panic-New Paper-Sen-
atOrship-Snn Francisco Enterprise-socie-
ty-The Roman Catholic Bishop Terrible
Gale ON the PacInc-Sickness on the Isthmus

Gale on the Pacinc-Sickness on the Istnmus
Correspondence OF the Tribune.
On BOARD THE STEAMSHIP CHEROKEE, I
Silky miles of Sandy Hook, Jan 90 2. Ms
To me Editor Of the Tribune:
An hour ago or better we took pilot on board
and eagerly gathered the latest news we could
learn from him of New. York-the port Of destina-
ton of all, and the home of many Of US. The
speedy close which we now anticipate of an ar
duous journey over sea and land has given new
life and spirits to all on ard, and in return for
brought by the pilot, has afforded, l give you
herewith synopsis Of the latest tidings from
San Francisco, which place left with the great
er number of my fellow passengers in the steamer
California, on the evening of the 9Th of Deem
Der ult.
The most important occurrence Of the two pre-.
ceding weeks, was a fire of some magnitude
which broke out about o'clock on the evening be-
fore we left San Francisco.
1t commenced in a new building, just finished,
which, though filed with goods, was said not to
be actually occupied at the time by any one, and
the fire was therefore supposed to be the work OF
an incendisry. 1t was situated on Sacramento st
in the block bounded by that street and by Cali
fornia, Montgomery and Leidesdorf sts.; and by
great and almost incredible exeTtions, on the part
of the Fremen and citizens assisting, the fire was
entirely subdued in less than three hours, and
confined in its course to the building in which it
originated and four or five Others of less value.
| have seen many fires in New. York and some
other cities, and / must say | never saw fire
fought with more daring energy, and skill, and
success than on this occasion The Fire Depart
ment of San francisco has forts Chief Engineer,
L d Kohler, of New York, and when fully prov-
ded and equipped, as it is sure soon to be, do
not believe it will be exceled any where. I'm
less there should be very improbable concurrence
of most untOward circumstances, Tires as dlsas
trous as those of June or May last, or at all ap-
preaching in extentor Importance to those appa-
ing vsitations, will be henceforward as rare in
San Francisco as they are in other cities The
loss by this fire may be estimated xaeskQm fifty to
seveDty-ive thousand dollars.
The CHOLERA had not wholly disapf sNFed, but was
still confined as it had been from the time OF its frat
appearance in October in San Francisco, to persons
who had been debilitated by previous sickness,
by diarrhea or dysenteric affections OF long stand
ing, or who by some Incorporate course of life,
had rendered disease inevitable. | am entirely
convinced that the Cholera has never been an epI-
denaic in San Francisco. In every instance its &C.
currence could be seen clearly as the lD1neda0te
effect of some gross irregularity or negligence and
| believe that whenever it appears there It Will be
only under similar circumstances. In the District
about the junction of the Sacramento with the
American River this disease appeared in its most
malignant and fatal form; but even from that 10
cnlity it had almost entirely disappeared, and 1t
was source of much satisfaction that 1t had not
visited the regular mining districts and is not like
~ to do so in consequence of their elevation and
extremely pure and healthy atmosphere
BUSINESS had been effected by the disturbance
which the Cholera had caused in Sacramento and
the apprehensions which its first appearance in
San Francisco had excited And although this
depressing influence was removed, yet such an
overwhelming amount Of goods had arrived from
the Atlantic ; ates during the latter part OF No
vember and the early part OF December that there
was a sort of panic among business men who
feared that the spectators OF the asst were about
to elut the market now with merchandise as they
bad done in the preceding season, with lumber
Goods in the last two weeks were being daily sold
at auction in San Francisco at prices below their
cost in the Atlantic cities. These were, prlncl-
pay sales of goods sent out upon speculation
not the property of the regular merchants and
traders of San Francisco but still the effect for
the time being was the same those injudclous
speculations proved an utter loss TO the parties
! who so reckessly made them, while they broke
| down the market and rendered sales OF goods at
a profit by the resident merchant almost an I'M
possibility The effect of this will be felt for some
time ,altho ugh the regularly established merchants
! have been experimenting and preparing as well as
they could for such turn of events.
There have been but few incidents worthy OF
note Of miscellaneO Gus character. new daily
morning newspaper, IHe Public Balance has
been added to the list of those already published
in San Francisco, and Judging from the evidence
which it has already exhibited of talent and gener
al ability it cannot fail soon TO be the leading jour
nal of the State Its steamer paper prepared for
the departure of the California of which you will
doubtless receive copy, is especially IN It's Com.
mercial Department, prominently the best and
most reliable paper issued In San Francisco.
n polifics tho m pDOrOggiDO the
expected meeting of the Legislature in January
and the election of l nited States Senator to
succeed JOHN c. FREMONT. That gentleman,
who is a candidate for reelection, is supposed by
some to have fair prospect OF receiving the ap-
pointment, although so little can be certainly
known of the opinions personal orpolitcal, OF the
new Legislature until it meets, that speculation
on the subject is entirely idle. The most promi-
nent of Mr.. F.s competitors are Col Collier, late
Collector of the port on the Wing side, and COL
Weller of the Opposition party.
Themunicipa affairs fSan Francisco continued
to be mismanaged, as they have been from the
start, by its present Common Council. With not
more than two or three exceptions, every man OF
! both Boards has had some personal scheme, Tor
the accomplishment Of which he has sought and
obtained and has used the Office TO the detriment
| OF the city. But, nevertheless such have been
the almost exhaustless energies and resources OF
that remarkable community, that the advances
which they have made during the past year IN
general prosperity and the works which they
have achieved in the improvement OF the city, It's
streets whsrves, &c under difficulties and disas-
tiers that would have annihilated almost any other
people, are nearly incredible. Many OF the prn,
cipal streets were az the time | left well graded
and psnked and severed, and the work was still
progressing, and whsrves were multiplying and
being extended 80 that soon all the shipping could
load and discharge at regular piers, instead OF de-
pending, az heretofore on the slow and enormously
expensive system of Tightening goods to and from
the landng.places The city is heavily in debt
for all this far more than she need TO be or would
have been under an honest administration Of her
affairs; but il will be all met and reputation