Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-01
TO the Editors ofhe Sentinel:

SAN FRANcIsco, October 81, 1853
Since my last letter. the only very celebrated
event with us has been the complimentary din
ner to John Mitchell, the Irish patriot. 1t was
the most distinguished gathering of the kind
ever held here. Mitchell made speech, which
| cordially recommend for your perusal. 1t is
the most sarcastic paper have ever read. He
is certainly wonderful man. You will see
him before long to judge for yourself, as he
leaves, with his family, for New York to-mor-
row.
The marshaling of forces for the United
States senatorial contest is stealthly and stead
lily progressing. There are three candidates in
the feld-Gwin, Broderick, and j. A. McDou-
gall, present M. G. The two formidable OPP
ponents are Gwin and Broderick. The greater
struggle will be to bring on the election the
coming session by Broderick; by OWNS friends
to prevent it. Should it come off this year,
believe Broderick will get the election. He
is now travelling in the interior, arranging his
forces and conciliating his opponents David
is certainly master hand at political intrigue.
Walbridge went away without giving any
one notice. He told me he would wait for
the steamer of the lst, only two days before
he sailed. wished to give him letters to you.
However, am to correspond with him, at his
request He created quite sensation here.
We are having the most remarkable weather
ever known here. For the past ten days, in
stead of having cold, damp, fogy, windy wea-
Their, the climate has been astonishingly de.
lightfu. The whole of the days and evenings
are calm and warm. Indeed, the midday tenn
perature is too warm, the thermometer raising
to 780 and 99o, and on two days to $50. The
old native Californians predict earthquakes, 1.-THE
comet has scared this into their minds,) and
~ Il, A
cuar evidence is given, by the wild ducks and
geese, that something unusual is to come about.
This year, contrary to all precedent, they are
flying north instead Of south. 1t may be they
are actuated by a national benevolenoe, and
have gone in quest of Sir John Franklin. At
any rate, their strange movement has put fear
in many heart that woe is sure to us in new
shape.
The old st. Francis hotel has gone at last
1t took FIRE on the 22d inst, and burned down.
poor wretch of a gambling printer was burn
ed in it. Strange to tell, the fremen prevent
ed the flames from reaching the adjoining
houses, which were all wooden, and directly
connected with the hotel. As l have before
written to you, we have the most effective fire
department in the world. They scarcely allow
q wooden house to burn entirely down nova.
days. Charley Duane or, as you know him,
Dutch Charley, is chief engineer, and very
good one he makes. He is a reformed man,
and conducts himself very well.
Trade is very very dull. The immense
quantity of goods already in market is daily
heavily increased by arrivals from all parts of
the globe. Consequently, low prices prevail
and loss TO the shipper is inevitable. Brick
stores and handsome dwellings, are in course of
erection all over the city; yet building mate.
rails seems to be above the demand. Rents
keep up real estate is every day enhancing in
value, and the money market is aourishing.
The ruling rates are from three to six per cent.
for money, according to the security rendered.
The magnetic telegraph has its clothes lines
put up pretty generally throughout the State,
and those that never before Witnessed such i'm
provement are lost in wonderment at Its mar
vellous capabilities.
The mountain streams are lower than ever
before known, and the miners in many local..
ties have been compelled to stop labor from lack
of water. Still the supply of gold is equal to
the average of the corresponding months last
year.
new coast steam route is to be commenced
on the lst January, between San Juan del
Nicaragua and Ecuador, touching at oil the
chief ports intermediate. The proprietor and
protector of this is Thomas Wright, a son Of j.
L. Wright formerly owner of the steamer New
York, and pioneer of the New York and Texas
steam line Mr.. Wright is young man of sur
prising energy Of character, and is sure to sue.
coed in this new enterprise
A very extensive coal region has been re-