Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-01
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| Ffhe Star of the Wtst arrived, On her out
ward passage, at San Jtan on the morning of tn g
| 18th inst, aud sailed for New York on the NOR
ming of the 18th. She brings 300 passengers,
who report the transit across the lsthmus to be
in excellent condition for travelling.
The San Francisco Times of the stinst. saws
| the amount of treasure to be shipped by the
steamer of the first, for Panama, is 1881 1897,
| the smallest amount sent forward by any one OF
| these steamers for many months. The deficiency
| is believed to be buttemporary, and is mainly to
| be attributable to the difficulty in bringing gold
| from the mines during the present Indictment
| season.
From the Alta California OLA LIST.
The present winter is conceded to be the
most severe experienced in this country since it
| has beer populated by Americans. During the
last fortnight it has been raining and showing
continually in the mountains and vaes, and we
are daily in the receipt of accounts of distress
and suffering in all parts of the State. The wa
! ters have been unusually high and communica.
/ ton through the mining regions almost entirely
cut off, either by snow or ov erhowed streams
| The rivers have been swelled to such an extent
as to inundate all the low lands, causing immense
damage, destroying stock and agricultural pro-
ducts. The whole country between Tehama
| and Sacramento city was emit rely under water,
| whilst Marysvie was partly inundated, and
] though Sacramento city was we'll protected by a
levee the lower portions were submerged. The
waters at the presenttime have subsidized, although
the rains still continue.
On the mountain streams, the loss of mining
impeme nts has been great, and all work for the
present suspended. Bridges have been swept
away, and destroyed, md 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 a
considerable amount destroyed. The bridges on
the Calaveras, Stanslaus, and other streams have
been swept away, and communication with the
mining towns fora while suspended The flood
has been universal, and the waters higher than
in the memorable winter of 1549.
The great scarcity of provisions, and the con-
sequent high price, have occasoned much ruff
fering and distress already, and it is feared that
many will actually die from starvation. Many
miners subsist entirely beef and potatoes,
whilst in other portions of the mines there ase
hundreds who have nothing at all but barley and
potatoes. In portions of Yuba and Sierra county
the already ten feet deep and still fall
ing, and the miners actually reduced to absolute
want In one place they held meeting, and
forced trader to sell what flour he had on hand at
AS cents per pound, and all who able to leave
did so thus leaving the provisions for those who
were unable to find their way through the SHOWS
to the yaies.
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 suffer-
ing and distress, and it is not improbable that
some may perish by starvation.
A man named William K. Jones was hung by
the people few days since, twelve miles
above Sacramento, for the murder of Peter Nc
Gaffgan
LARGE DIAMoND-We were shown, on Tues
day last, large and brilliant stone, which we
learn had been properly tested by several Jewell
lers, and pronounced to be pure and genuine
diamond. We examined it through glass. and
no diamond we had ever seen was more brilliant,
but not being Judge of such things we could
form no correct opinion about it, the weight of
this beautiful diamond if diamond it is, is sew
enteen carrats, and should itprove real diamond
its value will be immense. 1t was found in a
gulch two miles from Columbia and we have no
doubt another can be found in the same gulch
Columbia {Cal.) Gaz.
THE LAND CoMMIssIoN-FREMoNr,s CLAIM
CoNFIRMED.-The claims of F. z. Pacheo and
J. c. Fremont were yesterday morning declared
valid by the Poard Of Commissioners. Colonel
Fremont's grant calls for ten square leagues in
Mariposa county, and it is declared by Judge
Hall, who rendered the opinion OF the Board,
that it does not appear that either under the
Mexican or Spanish rule did the title of the 60
vernment to mineral deposits, within land grant
cd embrace moro than ri ht to demand royal
| ty from the private individuals who worked the
mines; or, in word, that Col. Fremonts
claim to the gold, with the above reservation is
as complete as to any other product OF the soil
comprehended by his grant.
| Four towns included in Mr. Fremont's claim
-Mariposa Aqua Frio, Guadalupe, and Carson's
| Creek, contain an aggregate population of about
$500. In Mariposa, the country seat, there are
many large buildings, and the lots are valuable
In addition to this, there many ranches with
| in this caim:-so that, dependent of the mines
the land, if finally confirmed to Mr.. Fremont by
| the Supreme Court OF the United States, will
make him very wealthy.
| This claim is for more valuable property than
any other in the State, and is tho only one we
believe, that embraces auriferous lands. 1t is this
| fact that gives it special importance.
| Ii Mr.. Fremont gets possession of this es.
tate. the grand stories of his immense wealth,
which made even the millionaries of Europe
stare, will be realised. But getting possession is
the rub The mineral lands of the claim are
mostly occupied by Miners who not likely to
90 off. We have doubt but Mr.. Fremont's
claim is valid, otherwise it would not have been
confirmed by the Commissioners; but the decision
will have to be confirmed by the Supreme Court
of the United States, before Mr.. Fremont and
the claimants under him get possesson-and
they will not get it then except nominally.
CHINESE REBELLION IN THE HARBoR.-The
bark America, bound to Hong Kong, had taken
on board nearly 100 Chinese passengers, and was
all ready to sail on Sunday last. The pilot took
command, and had just given orders to raise the
anchor, when the Chinese gave sort of wa,
whoop and rushed down below in body In
twinkling they came tumbling up, every man
brandishing knife. They made lively attack
on the officers and crew, who, to avoid being
made mince meat of were compelled to beat a
hasty retreat over the sides. None stood ON tho
order of their going but they went quickly
Assistance was soon obtained by the officers, and
they returned, gained possession of the vessel
and sent the rebels ashore. The Chinese. it
seems, were falsely informed by some one, that
the supply of provisions and water on board was
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