Washington sentinel., 1853-11-12
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From the Alta Californian, October 10.
CALIFORNIA NEWS.

CALIFORNIA NEWS.
The city of Sonora was again burned to the
ground on the night Of the third instant. Loss
estimated at 100000.
The affair of the Arrow, an English brig, seized
on the Both of September, has attracted great
deal of attention during the last fortnight IL was
taken in possession by the United States troops
The matter then carried into the State courts,
and the sheriff took possession under writ OIL
replevin. The captain of the vessel was arrested,
but has been let out on habeas corpus writ The
leader of the expedition is William Walker, esq
He alleges that the expedition is peaceable IN ITS
intentions and has for its purpose the working OF
the mines of Sonora. Walker has sued General
Hitchcock for damages caused by the seizure. II
is said an expedition of five or six hundred men
was to have been sent by land TO meet the Arrow
at Guayamas.
The new board of United States land commits
sion rendered the first decision on the 18TH They
decided four claims. They confirmed two, rejected
one, and confirmed another, the celebrated "Pul-
gas ranch" thirty-six miles from the city, TO part
Of the land claimed, The news of the latter deci-
sion creaied great excitement, and number of
persons Immediately got horses and rode out to
squat upon beautiful valley declared TO be United
States land.
The news from all parts of the mines is encour-
aging, and large amounts of dust are coming into
the market every day. number of good sized
nuggets have been fonnd during the fortnight, but
none Of extraordinary weight.
"A private expedition has gone out from Stock
ton to survey Tulare valley, east of the lake, for
the purpose of colonization.
Three persons, two Sonorians and one Cali
fornan, accused of murder and robbery,
hung by Lynch law on the 9th instant, at San Luis
Obspo. They were arrested, tried, and convicted
by the citizens of Los Angeles, but the Spanish
citizens outnumbered in the meeting the Ameri-
cans, who wished to hang the prisoners. The
meeting determined 10 send the prisoners TO San
Luis Obspo, where the crimes were committed.
The prisoners were accordingly sent by the steam
er Goliah 10 that place, and Immediately upon
their arrival they were seized and hung by party
Of Americans who were the beach.
The work of turning the San Diego river has
been commenced under the direction of Lieuten-
ant Derby, and is energetcally prosecuted.
On the 9Th instant Lieutenant Beales, Superin-
tendent of Indian Affairs in the State, had talk
with about twenty chiefs in Grass Valley The
tribes represented number one thousand. Lieut..
Beale proposed to transfer them to a reservation
in Tuare Valley. They hesitated 10 remove, but
agreed TO send some of their young men TO see the
reservation, and live on il awhile.
Recent observations seem TO establish the fact
that the coast about the bay is rising from volcanic
action
The steamer Sea-Brd cast away on this coast
some months since, has been raised and brought
into the harbor.
An affecting death occurred in this city on the
10th instant. A Spanish mother missed her child,
only year old She supposed that il had lost IT,
self in the street, and advertised for it, but could
learn nothing. On the 18th she had occasion TO
open her camphor-wood trunk, aud there lay her
child dead Il had fallen into the trunk, and in
trying to get out had pulled down the lid, which
closed with spring, and fitted closely that the
child had smothered to death.
From the Sonora Herald Extra, Oct A.
We have to record another terrible conhagra-
ton. About halfpast three o'clock, this morning,
the cry of fire was heard A candle had been
carelessy left upon stand in the rear of Labe-
toures building, between the two arroyos which
set fire TO some curtains. In few minutes the
whole building was flame man saw it in
time TO stop the fire; but in spite Of his earnest
entreaty, no would render any assistance in
furnishing water. He begged of certain parties
in an adjoining gambling saloon to leave their
game and help 10 save the town. But they were
100 much absorbed in their game. If any one
needs evidence of the evil Of gambling, this fire
furnished sufficient TO satisfy all doubts The
game was of more importance than the salvation
of the city, and the fire was left to do its work. Ii
spread by rods, and not by feet, for the buildings
We're OF wood or canvass.
Thanks TO Messrs. Lame md Groom and hun
dred others working on the south side, and to the
Sonora hook and ladder company, and the So
nora hose company working on the north side, the
fire was stopped on both sides while it was burn
ing with the greatest fury. The force pump in
the City Hotel was put to work by hands that did
not tire and played upon all the adjoining build
ngs. 1t was by this and the active exertions of
numerous friends that the fire was stopped on the
south at the Clay Hotel, opposite our Office, and
at Mr.. Lanes new building next adjoining our OF.
flee. The heat was SO intense that the hands of
the printers were blistered in carrying out the
cases oftype. But the pump kept up a continual
stream upon the roof and sides of our building,
which, in addition to a few pailfuls Of water
dashed upon the rear, saved us.
On the north the fire was stopped at Jackson
street by the hook and ladder company, in connec-
tion with the hose company The livery stable Of
Cooper & Mccarthy is thoroughly scorched but
every effort was made TO save it, and we are happy
TO state, with ultimate success. A building was
torn down on the opposite side of Washington
street. next door but one south of the Sonora drug
store. The hose from the water works was here
brought to play upon the flames, and by judicious
and energetic work, the fire was arrested. The
adjoining building was completely on fire, but was
saved by the hose company.
The courthouse, Placer hotel, Jail, and
Empire livery stables, are all saved. Also, the
fre-proof building Of Wolf & Brothers, which was
saved, with all its valuable contents, while all
around it was burned. The handsome adobe fire.
proof building formerly occupied by Mr.. Ham
mond, was destroyed except the bare walls. The
iron doors in the rear had been simply pushed to,
without being fastened, and the intense heat from
the adjoining building warped them open. Had
they been properly closed, there is no doubt the
building would have stood the fiery ordeal
Adams & Co., and Wells, Fargo q Co, have
both lost their buildings, but their vaults stand,
and their books and treasure are all safe.
The loss of property is estimated at $500 600.
We are panied to record, in addition, the loss of
human life. f. B. Lundy, Canadian by birth,
and late from Placer county, was sleeping in the
rear of Hollands Saloon, and was burned. The
remains identified by pistol, which had been
loaned TO him by friend. He was often called
Jim Lundy in consequence of having brother Of
that name, for whom he was frequently taken
II is said the fire originated from a stove-pipe
filled with SCOT, which carelessly thrust
through the covering of the back kitchen. II was
heard roaring by person in the next house, and
the noise was so great he mistook il for the rumb-
ling Of the stage coach. In about ten minutes aE
forwards the cry of fire was heard. II then spread
so rapidly that persons living in the vicinity of
where the fire commenced had scarcely time to
escape.
From the San Francisco Herald, October 10.
John Mitchell, the Irish exile, whose escape from
Van Dieman's Land is noticed elsewhere arrived
here on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by
his wife and children and snow lodging at Jones's
Hotel No words of ours can express the delight