Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-28
INTERESTING NEWS FROM CALL
FORNIA

FORNIA.
The steamer George Law arrived at New
York on the 25th with million and a half in
gold, and papers from San Francisco to the LIST
instant.
Some excitement was created in San Fran
cisco on the 25th ultimo by the issuing of q
writ of habeas corpus to discharge the Rus
sian prisoners 1.-TWO only confined on board
the Sitka, one Of the vessels recently captured
by the Pacific Allied feet at Petropolowski.
The writ was served by the deputy sheriff
upon the commander of the Sitka, and the
prisoners were ordered before the court on the
9th ultimo. On Sunday, the 10Th, at daylight
the Sitka hoisted anchor and sailed out of the
harbor for Vancouver. Preliminary steps were
taken before the court on the following morn
ing for issuing attachments against the officers
in command of the Sitka, should they again
come within the jurisdiction of the court.
Speaking of this affair the San Francisco
Times intimates that the departure of the prize
ship may have been resolved upon before the
service Of the writ, and that If she had re-
manned it is probable that the district Judge
would have decided that he had no jurisdiction
in the matter. The treaty of 1894, between
the United States and Great Britaia, guaran
ties to each power the right of bringing their
prizes into each others ports, and protects
them from search or interference of any kind
during reasonable length of time. Under
this treaty it would seem that the Sitka would
have been secure from interference.
THE CASE OF THE RUSSIAN PRISONERS COW
ERNMENT AFFAIR.
TWELFTH DISTRICT CoURT-Before Judge
Norton.-Nov 27.-At the sitting of this court
Mr.. Randolph said that he had learned, from
the newspapers, that the Sitka had sailed, after
the writ of habeas corpus had been served, on
Saturday afternoon. He wished the court to
take judicial notice of the contempt, and he
suggested that an attachment should be issued
and the proper return made on it by the officer
to enable the court to certify to the disobedi-
ence of its process by the officers of the Sitka
The court said that it did not think the is
suance of an attachment necessary, but that it
| would take judicial notice Of the departure of
the Sitka on the proper proofs being pre-
scented.
The intention Of the judicial notice was un-
derstood to be to submit the matter to the Elk
ecutiye at Washington, for settlement be-
tween the two governments.
The Alta Californian remarks as follows on
this case:
If the Russian prisoners on board the Sitka
were entitled to their discharge at all, it was
upon mere technically that they were So
and one of which we consider that we should
not have taken advantage. 1t is but too plain
| that there is spirit abroad in this city which
would embroil US, if possible, in difficulties
with nations with which we are now at peace
and upon the most unimportant and frivolous
pretences. The vexatious WORKINGS which,
| through the medium of the United States Dis
| trict Court have been inflicted upon Consul
Dillon, seemed to have been caused by some
such desire; and, although we cannot believe
that the parties who have been prominent in
this habeas corpus matter have permitted such
motives to influence them directly, we still be.
lieye that the existence of this feeling has been
manifested to certain degree by the action
which has been taken.
Commander Buchanan, Of the steam frigate
Susquehannah, was taken before Recorder
Waller, on the 18th ultimo, OH a charge of
false imprisonment preferred against him by
one of the crew named Joseph S. Chapman,
who charged that he was wilfully and ma
liciously imprisoned on board the Susauehan-
nah without authority. He had been convicted
OF dereliction OF duty by courtmartial, whilst
! the ship was in the China seas, and sentenced
to confinement until the vessel should touch at
an American port This sentence having been
approved by Commodore Perry, the recorder
declined to interfere and dismissed the case.
But as soon as this Judgment was pronounced
second warrant, issued by Justice Rix, was
served on Commander Buchanan for an assault
and battery on one Of the musicians belonging
to the ship. The band had been ashore by the
permission Of the commander, and the COM
plainant, with several others, failed to return
L. n -
next morning, and the commander, irritated at
his conduct, slapped him in the face. Justice
Rix fined the defendant $780,
The pilot boat Dancing Feather had return
ed from the wreck Of the steamer Yankee
Blade, and reported that she had succeeded in
raising four boxes Of treasure from the sunken
vessel, amounting to $4,000. The roughness
OF the weather prevented her from recovering
all the treasure lost by this wreck and she was
to make another effort to obtain the remainder
A fire occurred at Happy Valley on the Both
November, by which thirty houses were de-
stroyed.
The editor Of the Stockton Argus mentions
remarkable lump of quartz gold that had
been exhibited to him. II is described as
weighing 1904 pounds. 1t was taken out
about fifteen feet below the surface, in Calave-
ras county. 1t is estimated that the lump con-
tains at least eighty per cent. of pure gold,
which, at Sl7 per ounce, amounts to the sum
of $26,262. 1t was found by company of
five men, one Of whom states that they have
larger lump still. They refused to give names
or the locality from which the gold is taken.
More definite information concerning these
nuggets" is necessary before the incredu-
lous will believe the story.
The United States Boundary Surveying
party, organized for running the new boundary
line under the Gadsden treaty, left San Diego
on the 10th ultimo. The following are the
names of the party: Lieutenant N. Michler:
A. Q. Won Schott, Geologist and Botanist; E.
A. Phillips, j. 0'Donoghue, T. Cozzens, and
G. Michler, assistants.
Senator Gwin and part Of his family had
been on visit TO Los Angeles, where he was
handsomely entertained.
There are rumors Of another 6llibusterinp
expedition, having for its object the overthrow
Of Melendez, in Lower California. A Senior
Chayis, who appears to be the chief instrument
in the movement, was endeavoring to raise