The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-29

distress, and it Is not improbable that some may
perish by starvation.
The United States Land Commissioners have re
gumed their session ia ths city, and rendered several
opinions and decrees Of final confirmation. Among
the most important is one confirming the claim OF
Col John G. Fremont to Las MaripOsas, containing
ten square leagues, bounded on the north by the
Sierra Nevada the east by the river Chuachilles,
on the south by the San Joaquin, and west by the
the MERGED The grant was made in 1874 by Gov.
Mcheltoena to Juan b. Alvarado, ia consideration
OF important services rendered.
A man named William X. Jones was hung by the
people few days since, twelve miles above Sacra-
mento for the murder OF Peter McGaffigan.
The Supreme Court OF this State has rendered an
important decision in relation 10 the validity oil hexl-
can grants. Tie opinion is an able one and was de-
lyered by Justice Heydenieldt, in the case OF Van
dersiice and Clarl1son VS.. Julien Hanks. This dec-
sion greatly affects much of the landed interest IN TINS
State. They have also delivered an OPINION, decar
ing that j. Caleb Smith ex-Iudge OF the Superior
Court was entitled to his salary as justice OF that
court for three years from the time he was elected.
The court was re-organzed with but one Justice in
stead of three and at the election held in 1851 JUS
tice Satterlee was elected. The decision gives Judge
Smith salary until April next, when the term for
which he was elected by the Legislature will expire.
The New England Society celebrated the two hun
bred and thirtysecond anniversary Of the Landing Of
the Pilgrims in this city, in fine style. An GRAFTON
was delivered at the American theatre, and spen-
did dinner served up at Wilson's Exchange.
few days since, we were visited with terrible
light tenements were blown down. and some injury
done to the shipping in the harbor. For day or
two, communication by stage with San Jose was cut
off, owing to the sudden rise of the intermediate
streams.
The members of the next Legislature rapidly
congregating in this city, preparatory to their meet
ing at Vallejo on Monday next 1t is very uncertain
whether the seat Of government will remain there
during the winter In the event OF its removal, Be-
necia will probably be selected.
contract has been made by the Common Council
with Mr.. j. p. NJ. Crooks to light the city within
thirty days the contract to remain in full force until
Donahues gas contract goes into operation.
Miss Cathariue Hayes has given twelve concerts
in this city, with great success. Her last concerts
have been given in San Francisco Hail.
Signora Biscaccianti will commence her concerts
In San Francisco Hall in few days.
We have three theatres at present, all apparently
6Ourishng. At the American, Mr.. James Stark is
giving tragic delineations; at the Adelphi Nr. aud
Mrs. Baker are still managing that establishments
and the San Francisco theatre has recently been
opened by Mr. J. b. Booth, lady, and the Chapman
family.
We have dates from Oregon to Dec. 4th. There
was much ice running in the Columbia river, and
the bark Ocean Bird and brig Hodgdon were frozen
in near the mouth The Legislature were in session.
but were doing nothing OF importance. The mes
sage Of the Governor had been voted out of the Lee
pislatlre by q majority OF two votes