Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05
THE NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA.

California is furnished by the San Francisco M nor.
OF the LIST January: - -
The present winter is conceded to be the most sewers
experienced in this country since 1t has been populated
by Americans. During the last fortnight It has bsen
raining and showing continually in the mountains and
valleys and daily in the receipt Of accounts !,
distress and suffering in all parts Of the State The
waters have been unusually high and communicates
through the mining regions almost entirely cut off either
by snow or overfowed streams The rivers have been
sweed to such extent nundate all the low lands
causing immense damage destroying stock and
raj products.
The whole country between Tehama and Sacramento
city was entirely under water whilst Marysvlle was
partly inundated and though Sacramento city was well
projected by evee the lower portions submerged
The waters at the present time have subsded though the
rains still continue.
On the mountain streams the loss Of mining implements
has been great and all work for the present suspended
Bridges have been swept away and ferries DESTROYED and
some few lives lost The southern portion of the mining
district has suffered equally with the northern Stockton
has been inundated partially and property to consider
able extent destroyed The bridges on the Caayeras
Stanisaus and other streams have been swept away and
communication with the mining towns for while sus
pended The food has been universal and the waters
higher than in the memorable winter Of 1S49
The great scarcity Of provisions and the consequent
high price has accustomed much suffering and distress al
ready and it is feared that many will actually die from
starvation Many miners subsist entirely ON beef and
potatoes whilst in other portions of the mines there
are hundreds who have nothing all but barley and DO
tatoes In portions of Ypba and Sierra county snow was
already ten deep ands falling and miners actual
reduced to absolute want In place they
ing and forced trader sell what -four he had on hand
ut 40 cents per pound and all who able to leave did
so thus leaving the provisions for those who were una
BILE to find their way through the the valleys
In some places cabins entirely covered with snow and
the roofs of many have been crushed in thus cutting off
the last chance of protection.
The accounts received may be greatly exaggerated
nevertheless there is much suffering and Distress and it
is not improbable that may perish by arvation
Several important decisions have been rendered in our
courts recognising the right of native claimants of land
to the summary remedy of eectment where they are
turbed by squatters This applies to parties who are
possession of their claims and relieves them from what
by previous decision of the court was necessity that
they should incur first the expensive process Of writ Of
right in order to prove their title.
The Land Commission making considerable pro-
gress in the adjudication of claims OF these the most
important, perhaps, is that of Mr. FREMONT to large
tract of land the headwaters of the Marposa river
The commission recognise his claim to the land but do
not undertake to decide upon his title to the mineral
wealth, which, is well known, is embraced within the
limits Of the grant.
Farmers getting their lands ready for the crops of
the next year, and it is understood that considerable
quantities Of wheat will be sown. Preparations also
being made for the erection of grist mills and it is not
likely another will find dependant upon foreign
supply for breadstufs.
The shock Of an earthquake experienced at San
Diego on the 26th Of last month.
There considerable excitement in the early part Of
h. ;,~lt
article has been very and high for some past
and the exorbitant rates it commanded attributed
in great measure to organized effort to force up
prices. Indignation meetings held in the interior
and in this city several of the public prints have endeay
ored to expose the supposed plots Of spectators The
timely arrival, however, Of cargoes from Chill and else
where have caused decnation and the excitement on
the subject has consequently in a measure abated.
FAMINE AT THE MINES
The accounts received from the mining districts are
really heartrending Death by cold and starvation has
visited many poor unfortunate while as yet the tale Of
horrors is but half told feared that intelli-
gence should be received from the mountains we shall
have to record the sad fate of many more.
From divers sections learn of the departure to the
larger towns of the robust and hardy population,
leaving the Indian and the females to exc out scanty
subsistence from the bare stocks of provisions left to
them.
Supplies throughout all portions Of the mines ex-
remey meagre and the necessitous high prices of freight
added to the first cost have put up all articles Of subs
tence in many instances to famine rates.
Some judgment may be formed Of the severity of the
suffering among the miners from statement which we
notice in Of papers that -four selling at Downe
vile at two dollars pound nearly four hundred dollars
barrel Fifty to sevenyfve cents appears to be about
the ordinary price per pound throughout the mining
gions The Sacramento Transcript Of the LIST instant
remarks:
report is prevalent in Stockton that some miners re-
Gently attacked train Of wagons in Mariposa county,
and red them Of all the provisions they contained This
says the Journal not be wondered at strong
ly condemned il is the spur Of starvation that drives
TO such crimes Their lives depended the stake,
and viii resort any extreme to satisfy the demands
OF nature.
From other quarters the record is equally dscouagng
but particularly from Calaveras county where the
deprivation is most heartrending.
The Stockton Journal is advocating the dispatch Of sup
plies to the mines by small boats which in the present
high state Of the water is practicable by the San Joaquin,
Merced and Tuolumne rivers.
EARTHQUAKES AT FORT YUMA.
letter dated at Fort Yuma the 9th Of December
says;
We have had two important events the past week
One, the earthquake, presume, itself The
first shock was felt here the 10Th November at 20
minutes past IL clock II quite severe, and follow
- 81 <hopo An1an In