Washington sentinel., 1854-03-31
California Intelligence.

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California Intelligence.
A friend has handed us a private letter from
a correspondent in California, from which we
make the following extracts
SAN Francisco, February II, 1854.
eve have now no lack of entertainments.
Concerts, theatricals lectures, &C., are nightly
given by distinguished d'tistes and sacans.
Among the galaxy will name for your en-
lghtenment Madame Anna Bishop and Signor
Bochsa Madame Anna Thillon, Messrs. Hud-
son and Leach, in the musical way; Miss M.
Heron, Ian actress who has carried the town by
Storm Mrs. (Forrest) Sinclair, Mrs. G. r.
Thorne, Nessrs. Murdoch, Thorne, and Ryce,
in the theatrical line and in ballet, &C., the
Rousset family, the Montplaisirs, and French
troupe. The Irish patriot, Meagher, has re-
turned from lecturing tour of the State, and
is to give series Of evenings" here before
his departure for the States next month Be-
sides these, occasional Entertainments have been
given to the lately-arrived distinguished states
man, ex-governor Foote, and the military hero,
General Wool.
"There is good deal Of conjecture as to the
chief object of Governor Foote'S advent here.
lie SAYS he came to practise his profession of
the law. "A good many think that he might
place himself in the lists for United States SEN
ator next year, if no election is held this win
ter.n
You will learn from the papers Of the fate
of the filibuster republic of Sonora. The
United States war vessel Portsmouth went down
there and drove them all away. Walker fed
in rather an unsoldierlike manner, leaving his
sick and wounded at the mercy Of the pursuers.
This result is, you will note, just as predicted
to you in former letter. Slamm was on the
Portsmouth. A few of the flibusters begged
to be brought back here, and arrived in forlorn
condition. Several travelled afoet to San Di.
ego, about one hundred and fifty miles, and
there they remain, not having the means to
reach here. What will become of the iNustri-
ous president Walker, Heaven knows"
aGreat depression was felt throughout the
city upon the intelligence Of the loss Of the fine
steamship San Francisco. The coincidence,
too, was singular, that just the week before the
new clipper-ship San Francisco, on her first
voyage from New York, was totally wrecked,
lust at the entrance to the harbor, inside the
Heads and directly opposite on Fort Point,
(the Presidio,) at the same time the schooner
Sacramento lay in hopeless condition on q
reef of rocks. Thus were crowded upon us
within week the news of the total loss of
three vessels bearing the names of two of Cal
ifornia's largest cities. Another singular fea-
ture in the case is that the larger vessel repre-
sented the larger city, and the smaller vessel
represented the smaller city. Since then the
fine brig Col. Fremont was wrecked on Anno
Nueva, or New Years Point; the vessel and
cargo total loss
"The reduction in prices of passage to the
States has had the tendency to induce many to
leave within a few months; still / think the
balance stands in our favor, in point Of mum.
ber; and it certainly does in regard to the abil-
ity and responsibility of the arrivals. Nearly
two hundred ladies came by the last two mail
steamers In another year we will have as
creditable society as any Of your Atlantic
cities"
"The senatorial question is yet the chief
topic in political circles; indeed, it may be
said to have reached its eliminating point.
BY vote Of both houses of the Legislature,
the action upon a bill, fixing the time of cleo
ton for next winter was postponed until the
9th of March, when it is to be the special order
of the day. Consequently, meetings have
been gotten up throughout the State to ascer-
tain the views Of the democracy on the subject.
Flaming and lengthy addresses are being daily
circulated; /; wire-workers and public speakers
are packed off to bring about results pro and
con, and every effort brought to bear by both
parties to insure response to their respective
sentiments. So far, the voice Of the people
has been almost unanimous in declaring ad-
verse to an election this session"
X n ~" X
~ wrote to you some time ago about new
line of coast steamers that we're to ply between
the chief ports Of the Central American
States and New Grenada, of which Captain
Thomas Wright, formerly Of New York city,
was protector and proprietor. Already has
the pioneer steamer been placed on the route
She is called the El Plmero, and is we'll
adapted for the trade. Her capacity is some
800 to 400 TONS"
The resident Englishmen, at some of the
ports, had long endeavored to procure the right
which Captain Wright has succeeded in getting
but without avail. He will in two months
place new and large vessel on the line, and
his two steamers will then make alternate
semi.monthly trips.
The Chinese population seem to grow
worse continually, or else we are only now dis
covering their true characteristics. Suicides
occur every week, chiefly among the females !;
while larcenies, low swindlings, and other
petty felonies are daily noticed in the papers
They are vile race, and the community is
rapidly changing the good opinion once enter
tanned Of them"
n \ X
"Money is tight on the street, at per cent.
per month; to per cent. on good secured
property.
Business Of every class is dull The stock
of goods in bond 'and in store-houses is sufi.
cient for six months consumption, and still we
are in constant receipt Of heavy shipments
from abroad. Many are unable to pay freight
at heavy expense and risk"
aon Saturday last . grand banquet was