Washington telegraph., 1851-05-14
FROM CALIFORNIA.

By the arrival of the steamship Falcon at New
Orleans OH the 22d ult., dates from California to
the 18th Of March have been received. The
following summary of the news is from the San
Francisco True Standard of the 18th:
The weather still continues very dry, not a
single fall rain worth noting having occurred since
the last mail, and there is now very little hope
entertained that we shall have any rain OF con-
sequence this season. Additional efforts there
fore being made to render the earth dug up IN the
dry diggings available as possible. In addition
to the canals, and other modes adopted to bring
the water to the earth, the miners have now, in
some localities, adopted the plan of carrying the
earth to the water. They have constructed a
new washing machine on the same principle as
that called the "long tom," of three times its d-
mensons, which they call the "frmae TOM"
They then supply themselves with carts and
wagons, and horses and mules, and cant the dirt
distances varying from one TO three miles, to the
banks of the streams, where, by the aid Of this
sfemale tom," they enabled to make from
one to three ounces per day.
Further Information confirms the accounts of
the new diggngs, referred to IN our last summary,
and others are said to have been opened on the
Calaveras; cid localities heretofore indifferenlly
tried, have yielded, to perseverance and energy,
good returns. We continue to hear good accounts
from Scott's and Klamath rivers, aud the quartz
rock mines. Also from the diggings Oh the bay
of odos Santos, in Lower California. Rich Dig
gngs also found 10 exist in localities where it
was not supposed any gold could be found, even
the tops of some hills yielding abundanty The
dredging companies are commencing active opeI-
atons, and SO sanguine the proptietors Of the
STEAMBOATS, fitted up for this purpose, that the
of one propose, in order to enable the boat
to reach particular spot, to build dam SO as to
make slack water navigation.
On the whole the yield of gold in the mines, to
the steady perseveriDg miners, continues 10 be
good, and there does hot seem any prospect OF the
mines being exhausted for long period TO come.
Earth which has been twice washed even, a
third and careful washing, gives excellent results
to those engaged.
Agricultural prospects remain nearly the same
at the departure Of the last mail. The want
Of rain is great drawback aud threatens seriously
to interfere with the prospects of the crops for the
present year. 1t is however said that IL will not
affect them to the extent heretofore feared, and
that the yield will be good. Grain, it is said, will
rpen before the heat and drought of summer
would affect it, and the principal injury caused
by the want of rain will be- that the farmers will
have to be coptent with single crop instead of
having two. as it is very easy to raise two when
there is average quantity OF rain in the winter.
Political matters have received more attention
during the few days past. Both the Wings and
Democrats have held their primary elections in
this city, for the choice Of their General Com
mttees, and busy engaged in perfecting their
organization, and marshalling their forces for the
preliminary contest, to come Oft at the Municipal
election, in the ensuing month. 1t will, no doubt
be vigorously contested, but will, we satisfied
be decided upon other grounds than those of mere
party nominations. The Conduct of the present
Common Council has been such to produce.
conviction in the minds of the public that they
must have good men in office irrespective OF party,
and numbers will vote for the best men in nomi
rol,t.
call themselves.
The Legislature has been, since the reaction
consequent upon the excitement att. nding the at
tempt to elect an U. S. Senator, busily engaged in
forwarding various measures OF Importance TO the
interests of the State, but great progress has not
been made. A bill has been passed to prohibit
the drawing of lotteries within the State, and
imposing heavy penalties on all who shall be in
any wise concerned in getting one up, besides for
feiting the articles put up, and the money paid
for tickets, TO the OF the State. 1t is regarded
as a good aligury for the future, leading to tie
anticipation that the prohibition Of gaming will
follow in due course of time. at present the
Legislature has not got further than 10 provide for
licensing gaming, positively prohibiting some few
games,) bill for that purpose being now pending
before them. Many other bills OF great import
ance to the State and this city are also pending
before the Legislature. Among others, is one
relative to land titles in San Francisco, especially
as regards water lots. The House on Wednesday
passed bill IN relation TO those subjects, which
if it should be concurred in by the Senate, would
create great commotion in this city, as it would
unsettIe more titles than it would settle.
Indian affairs are still in the same unsa sfactory
condition as at the last dates, Detached parties
of Indians visit the camp of the Indian Com
missioners at intervals, but There has been no
general interview nor undersl anding; and in the
meantime there are continual reports Of incur
sons OF the Indians, depredatons upon cattle,
occasional murders, &c. Whether the commits
soners will succeed in making treaty is quite
doubtful. Many persons believe the lndi ms will
procrastnate until the snow mets oil the noun :
tains, that they will then retreat beyond the
Sierra Nevada without making any treaty, and
next wear will again return to make their incur
sons and commit their depredations on the miners
and rancheros. 1t is believed that they will never
make any treaty which they intend to keep until
they are convinced of the power of the whites by
etfectual chastisement. .a..- ,.
Lynch law, we regret to say, has been inflicted
in several instances, since the last mail. In one
case, two men, who were detected on the Cosum-
hes river, steal pg horses, were hanged at hail an
hours notice. They gave THUR names as James
Baxter, of Maine and Charles Simmons, of Mass.
The rancheros and miners possessing property Of
this kind, have become exceedingly exasperated.
In one locality Cthat where these two men were
hanged3 is said that stock has been stolen to the
value of 100000, and no mercy will be shown
to thnse who are detected.
Previous to the execution Of these two men,
another man, named Orville Hamilton, had been
tried before Judge Lynchs court for hoIse stealing,
convicted and sentenced to be hanged the follow
ing morning, but managed TO make his escape IN
the night. A man who was suspected Of aiding
him to escape was sentenced to receive thirty
lashes. On the South Fork Of the Yuba, man
known as Yankee jim, whose name was James
Knowlton, who had been detected stealing stock,
was also hanged, and previous 10 his execution
said he could implicate hundred others but
would not do -, .,l...
Municipal affairs have been proceeding much
in the same manner usual.