Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-30
The California AImond.-We have been

The California AImond.-We have been
shown some beautiful specimens of California
almonds, discovered by that interchangeable natural
list, DR.. Trask, growing wild in the mountains
back Of San Jose. They are at least half again as
large as the imported nut, and are represented 10
be of delicious flavor. The tree upon which they
grew was about nineteen feet high, and loaded
with fruit. The specimens exhibited TO us con-
sisted of a fully ripe almond, and another just
bursting through its green hull, with q branch and
leaves attached. The discovery that this fruit is
indigenous, and grows 10 great perfection in CAL
iiornia, will prove Of interest 10 our agricultural
friends, and may induce the many horticulturists
who are now setting ont gardens and orchards TO
turn their attention 10 its cultivation.-San Fran
cisco Herald.
Niagara ship Canal.-We are glad 10 learn
this great work is 10 be speedily taken hold of in
earnest: A New York paper states that Gen. G.
b.. Stuart, late engineer in chief Of the United
States navy, has been appointed to make the pre-
Iiminary surveys, and that he is now on the ground
for the purpose, with competent assistants.
The design is to make the work commensurate
with our own Sault Ste. Marie canal, capable of
passing ships OF a thousand tons burthen, and the
largest steamers that float upon the lakes. When
these stupendons works are completed, the COM
merce ofthe great west will be no longer depend
ent upon the shallow accommodations Of the Vel
land canal, nor subjectto the capricious e~xactions
Of the Canadian Legislature in discriminating tolls.
Detroit Free Press.
HonorabIy Discharged.-The young men,
Thomas Loyett and Edmund Hackett, who were
recently arrested, charged with passing a fraudu-
lent check for $50, drawn by Mr.. Benthem Fabian,
of 1865 Wall street, on the Suffolk bank, in pay
ment for their bill Ut Gunter's hotel, have been
honorably discharged by Justice Osborn. The
check was genuine, but was given TO them by Mr..
Fabian with the understanding that II should not
be presented at the bank for two or three days after
its date. They parted with il on the day after il
was received by them, without informing the hotel
proprietor of the restriction; and the latter, on
presenting it al the bank, was informed that Mr..
F. had not sufficient funds al that time in the bank
TO meet il; hence the misunderstanding which led
to their arrest.-M y. Mirror.
India.-TERRrBLE MoRTAIIrY.-By way Of Sin
gapore, we have further news from India. A
terrible drought is prevailing, and the people are
in the greatest misery. Cholera and other dis
eases are raging, and there has been a sensible
diminution Of the revenue on account Of the
drought, disease, and mortality. The mortality
from cholera in Calcutta is given at seventy.ive
per day.
There is a loud call among all the Englishmen
in India for a speedy termination of the Burmese
war. An expedition 10 Ava is TO be made with
steam vessels, and 1t is 10 be hoped that, by ener-
getic action, when the time arrives, peace can
soon be made.
A Dead Child found In q barrel Of swill at
the Aston H0use.-The dead body of a female
infant was found secreted in a barrel of swill in
the yard o the Astor House, New York, and yes
terday Coroner Hilton held an inquest upon il,
Of the child was obtained. She is, however, sup
posed to be Ann Farrell, who until recently was a
domestic at the house, and who, about the time
the child was found, left suddenly, taking her bag.
gage with her. The further investigation was
postponed until this morning, on account of the
absence Of some Witnesses.
The Amazon Expedition.-The New York
Tribune has a letter from the Amazon Exploring
Expedition, dated September 18th, al Para. The
expedition, 1t is known, was got up by the Peru
Wan government, and DIR. Joseph Whitmon was
its agent in the United States.
The expedition consists Of two small steamers,
one ninety feet long, and the other one hundred and
three. They We're taken TO pieces after being
built, and put on board the vessel the Star Of the
East, which has taken Them TO Para. The ITt-
bn7e's correspondent writes, that the boats are
being put together al the navy-yard in Para, and
il was intended 10 start up the river in about six
weeks from the date Of his writing. The boats
are intended TO explore all the Peruvian tributa-
ries of the Amazon.
Death from wrong M~edicinc.--In the case
OF the death Of the child of John Crozier, on Mon
day, the coroners jury returned a verdict yester.
day-
THAT in consequence Of wrong medicine hav.
ing been administered TO the deceased during the
eighteen or twenty hours previous 10 her death
the jury find thai the medicine so administered was
put mp by Mr.. William r.. Wright, an apothecary
from a prescription made out by Dr.. Patrick E
Smith, said prescription being quite too unintelligi
bic for an intelligent physician to give, and too
carelessly attended 10 for an experienced arothe.
cary. Akas.
Suit against the New Bedford and Taunton
Railroad COmpany.--We learn from the New
Bedford Sfandard that a suit has been commenced
against the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad
Company, by Mr.. Allen Lucas, Of Bedford, for
injuries received by his wife, al the depot in that
city, from the sudden movement of a train OF cars,
by which she was thrown down, a little more than
two years ago. Mrs. Lucas was compelled to
submit to the amputation of one Of her legs, and
has been a great and constant sufferer. The dam
ages claimed are $4,000.
Value of American Coins.--A letter from
Nassau, N. p, 10 Elwood Walters, secretary of
the New York Board Of Underwriters, says BY
order in council, $50 pieces pass now for $40 90,
and the other gold coins in the same ratio, ex-
cept the one dollar gold piece, which is at two per
cent. discount. The ,ieic American haT dollars
viii not pass except at even greater loss-.i. e. 10
any amount.
Yankees at Valparaiso, 8. A.--The Yankees
have taken hold Of matters at Valparaiso in earn
est. One firm is building a ~breakwater. Another
is erecting q row of bonded warehouses. They
are also furnishing ice, sewing machines, and cabs
for the wondering hidalgos.
Death of Mrs. C0leman.-We are panied TO
announce the death Of Mrs. Robert B. Coleman, of
the Aston house, who expired, with her infant, this
morning AT eight o'clock. She was a true chris
tian woman in all her relations of life, and her loss
will be deeply deplored by a large circle Of rela-
lives and fiends.--M " Mirror, 2Mh.
Death Of a Centenarian.-The Oldest inhab-
liant Of Norwich, CT, Erastns Perkins, esq, died
in that city on Tuesday, 18th instant, al the re-
markable advanced age Of one hundred and one
years and eight months.