Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-04-13
CALIFORNIA NEWS.

transpired since the sailing OF the last steamer
is the confagration of Downeville. This oc-
Cured on the 2ist of February. The fire broke
out about IL ~ o'clock at night, and spread
with such rapidity as soon to reduce the town
to ashes. Fortunately, the largest warehouses
were located in the suburbs, which were saved.
The loss is estimated to exceed 100000.
The politicians of both parties have been ac-
lively at work within the past two weeks, mar
shalling their forces and making preliminary ar
engagements for the Presidential contest in No
vember.
The Legislature has done nothing of import
ance during the fortnight. The bill reported by
nine out Of eleven members OF the Committee
to call a State Convention to amend the Consti-
tuition is warmly pressed, but no vote has yet
been taken upon the question.
Perfect quiet now reigns in the southern coun-
Try. The Indians are beginning to come into
the settlements, Mr. Bartlett, of the Boundary
Commission, who arrived in San Diego after a
severe journey across the desert, losing all his
animals, is now in this city. The Mormon set
Element at San Bernadino is very prosperous.
A severe hail storm recently visited San Isabel.
The halt lay on the ground to the depth OF
foot an unusual occurrence.
The Anniversary of Washington's birthday
WAS CcleDTbttO VII Tic AOu Gu, III tulo WIN
much splendor and enthusiasm, by the Fire De-
partment and few societies and associations
Never has our city witnessed such magnificent
parade of her firemen.
Crime has alarmingly increased in this city
within the past month. Hardly night passed
but that the most daring burgaries are perpe-
trated in some part of the city, and nowithstan-
ding the violence of public opinion against the
rnhhorc opA tho carfoinfu that If oounht in their
acts, the rascals would in all probability meet
with instant death, they seem to grow more en-
boldened as they continue successful
A sad affair occurred in house Of ill-fame on
the night Of the 22d of Feb, in this city. An
alteration ensued between two men, one nam
ed Mcdonald and another Carroll, who died from
the effects Of his wound q few days after. Nc
Donald has been arrested, and committed to a.
wait his trial.
An atrocious murder was committed at Span
ish Bar, on the 10Th Feb. Mr.. Chas. Fl. Dexter
and Capt Daniels were found cut to pieces in
their beds. The murderers were supposed to
have been Mexicans no arrests have been made.
The victims were generally esteemed.
A regular line of clipper ships has been estab-
lished between this port and Boston.
Considerable defalcations have lately come to
light in the accounts of some of our public offi-
GERS. The Treasurer of Calavares County is
said to have absconded with 100000 of the pub
lie money; the Treasurer of Tuolumne with
another very large sum; and the Treasurer of
Sacramento is accused of similar offense.-
The securities Of some, if not all of these men,
are represented to be men Of straw. These acts
of dishonesty, however,cause little establishment
to those acquainted with the incumbents in the
public offices in California, consisting as they do,
to large extent, of the hackneyed and unprin-
ciple politicians from all the States Of the Un-
ion.
Crime throughout the interior has somewhat
diminished, although rencontres, occasionally
ending fatally have been frequent.
Two Sydney men, supposed to have been con-
nected with an organized band of villains, CON-
mitted daring robbery at Murphy's Diggngs,
in Calaveras Co., on the Goth of February. They
were arrested by the people, and promptly hung
on the spot. In this city burglaries have been
of almost nightly occurrence, and thus far the
criminals have escaped without detection.
The miners are complaining of the great lack
of water. On this account, the product of their
labors has not been as large as usual.
Among the passengers by the Golden Gate
is Col. Ladisaus Barzencsy, the chief, next to
Kossuth, of the Hungarian exiles brought of
by the U. S. frigate Mississippi from the domin-
ions of the Sultan. This gentleman, whose his
tory, in connection with the noble struggle, of
Hungary, is well known, together with his sub
sequent exile and his reception in the United
States, is at present on his way to China, with
the purpose of seeking out in the interior of
that country a nation, believed to be the
source from whence spring the people of Hun
gary.
Madame Biscaccianti is expected here soon and
will be well received. Her business agent, Mr..
George Loder, well know as a composer and
musician, arrived few days since, in the Gold
en- Gate, and is making preparations for series
of operate Concerts, which she contempates
giving after her arrival.
Apprehensions are entertained for the safety
of the propeller Monumental City. She left Pa
mama some time in JAM, arrived at Acapulco on
the I'd ult., and departed thence the same day.
Since then she has not been heard from. She
had on board q number passengers land among
them many returning Californians with their
families.
The weather for the past two weeks, like that
of the whole winter, has been delightful, and
until the past two days, uninterruptedly clear.
On the 29th of February, however, slight rain
fell, which was repeated on the following day.
The Indications are now that we shall have fur
Their rains before the setting in of the dry sea-
son. San Francisco papers.
Mr. ]. Bayard Taylor, of New York, who is