The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-07-26
THE DAILY DISPATCH
CALIFORNIA NEWS.

CALIFORNIA NEWS.
The San Francisco Wing. says:-aThe Cd
iamity that has SO long been feared has a
length come upon Us. Sonora, the chief cit
in the Southern mines. which has for SO LON
q time enjoyed impunity, while confagrafio
was raging all over the country, Is at 1engtl
laid in ruins. There is nc need to ..particula
rize-to give details in regard TO who are burn
out and who are not all, all is gone.
The FIRE commenced on Friday morning
18th inst, a little after o'clock. Il broke ou
in The building on the plaza called the Hote
de France, occupied by Mad. Landreau, ant
facing upon Washington street. From the ncs
u spread in southerly direction, until it had
swept every building that had any connection
with its neighbors, including the whole of the
centre block. and both sides of East and Wes
w ashington street. The Masonic Hail. the
last building on East Washington street, was
entirely gutted, the adobe walls alone remain.
ing.
But the whole northern end Of the city,
from the place of commencement up to the
Barnum House on Main street has been con
sumed. The wind soon took a turn to the
northward, and the FIRE spread rapidly from
house to house. Great efforts were made by
the citizens TO stop the flames. but all were
unavailing.
The intensely infamable nature of the ma.
terial, dried up thoroughly, as il had been, by
months continued hot weather, combined
with the scarcity OF water, rendered it an i'm
possibility TO effect any substantial good, the
consequence Is that the whole city has been
consumed, with the exception of a few scat
tered buildings on the outskirts, together with
Ia great portion Of the suburb Of Sonorita.
Loss oflife was not wanting to make it
more severe. On visiting the charred ruins
this morning, we saw the more than half con-
Hsumed remains of one human body lying in the
| house where the fire originated. 1t was a
most horrd spectacle, and was really piteous
| to look upon. He was native of Switzer-
land, named Francis Mollier, and was 3S eai 8
Iof age.
The San Francisco papers are occupied
with particulars of the murder of Col. Craig,
j by two deserters, on the 9th of June at o.
clock.
On the 18th June, the murderers were deliv-
cred up TO the Colonel at the Mission of San
1Dego, by Pablito Apiz, chief of Temecula,
10 whom he had sent orders. They were heavi,
ly ironed, and confined in strong and separate
Icells.
Their muskets and knife belonging to
sergeant Bales were also delivered up by the
3Chief. He first bought their muskets and paid
for them, then asked to look at their only revol-
yer; and having got possession of it, coolly told
them they were his prisoners. Upon showing
Ia disposition to resist fifteen Indians sprang
! up from "parts unknown" and drawing their
bows threatened instant death, whereupon they
were put in stocks by Pablito, and delivered
D. up the next day, as above stated.
Col Craig was riding with two sergeants in
toff ho at ~ Of
Ider, and not wishing TO use force, continued to
follow them for several miles, talking and ad.
yising them to return. The deserters at length
came TO halt, and said the thing must be de.
cded without going farther. Col. c. then threw
aside his sabre and handing his pistol to
one of the sergeapts, advanced unarmed to-
wards them. When within q very few feet,
thew 1.-THE deserters) fired, one at Col. c., the
other at the sergeant, who was further Off The
Colonelfell without a word, and died in ten
minutes-he was shot through the stomach
The sergeant was wounded ~ the leg, the same
shot killing his horse, which fell with him, thus
placing him also in their power. The other
sergeant, was catching the Colonels mule,
which had strayed. After shooting the Colo~
and FIRST sergeant they commenced firing on
.him. He seeing how matters were, turned his
mule toward the train, leaving Col. C!.s mule
to be caught by the murderers He overlook
one or two of the wagons, and changing his
animal, came into camp with the news. A par
ty was sent back Immediately, with a wagon,
who brought up the Colonel's RENAME, also
the wounded sergeant.
The San Francisco Wing says that Horace
aCole, ESQ.,, and other San Francisco merchants
.contemplate fitting oui an expedition to Japan.
| For this purpose they will purchase and fit out
an elegant clipper vessel, and at once sail for
Il .t,a IN, a.
time as the American squadron, under COM
mand of Commodore Aulick, shall proceed in
accordance with instructions, TO the port ol
7Jeddo, for the purpose of opening CONNER
7cial intercourse with the Japanese govern
4ment, and in the event of making commercial
treaties, be the first under the protection of the
iAmerican flag to take advantage of the newly
Iopened field of commerce. The time cannot
lbe far distant when Japan will cease to be an
unknown land: when her ports shall open
their rich commerce TO the enterprise of the
lAmerican merchant. We hope the men OF
San Francisco will be the first TO explore this
new field, and the first to reap any advantage
atherefrom. Success 10 MIR. Cole and his as
lseciates.
PRoLIFIC.-A few weeks ago ranchoro
lin lone Valley set hen u:on thirteen eggs,
which at the expiration OF the requisite pei
lteen little chickens, and one unmatched egg|
left in the nest. "The mother and little ones|
are doing as we'll as could be expected"
FIsH.-The Chinese of this city have with
lin the past few days turned their attention to|
Catching fish, with which our harbor LITERAL,
swarms: The singula,i1y Of M their mode oi| y
interest. They have mesh about fifteen feel
liza circumference, which is kept stretched ou'|
|by means Of pieces Of bamboo, placed cross.
wise. The whole apparatus is then fastened
|to the end of long pole, and, by means OIL
weights placed in the net, il is allowed 10 fall
pear to be very saccessfal-Repabf'ean.
MINNIE NEws.-Many Of the gulches inI
Mariposa county, are now abandoned for the
Of The water in hs h;sh s.ees a and
sno.sssS.i mining ia their waters; whilst inI
|siarinosa. Chouchilla, and FreDzo rivers, ihel
miners are ali doing we'll. On Maxweifs|
Greek. Sherlock's. Whi,lock's: and Se5ton's'
and =, Marble Springs, Spangle Gold Gulch. !
|snd Coarse and Fine Gold Guiches, the mincrs|
f6x<-r ~