The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-11-16
HIGHLY INTERESTING ITEMS PROM
..---..- CALIFORNIA.

York with California adyices to October
l6. The news is ofuncommon interest
IFrom the San Francisco Herald, Oct. I1l
THE MEees' FoseERrEs.
On, Saturday, the 7th inst, the city was
throws into the greatest excitement in con-
sequencesof the circulation OF a rumor that
Henry Meiggs. late a member of the Board
of Aldermen, and one of the most exten.
sive lumber merchants in the State, had
failed for $500, ,0o0--that several forgeries
had been discoyered-that Meiggs had pur-
chased the bark American, fitted it up in
splendid style, and taking with him his
family and his brother, John G. Meiggs,
recently elected Controller, and large a.
mount oftreasure, set sail "for ports in the
Pacific" The greatest excitement pre-
vailed for two or three days, and for some
time no extent could be formed as to the
extent of the forgeries. The matter has
been pretty extensively investigated since,
and tho following is probably not very far
from the true amount of the loss sustained
by Meiggs's operations:
Amount OF failure OeOoOO0
Controllers Warrants forged, 100000
SAlifomia Lumber Company forged, 100000
Forgerios on Sundry aruS, 10000
Total, slysOO,OOO.
The warrants were generally made out
in favor Of Jesse L. Wetmore, end in sums
from 5000 to $1,000. At first it was
thought that the plate, as well as the sigma
lures, were counterfeit. but is now conceded
that the former was genuine, and SO admir-
Iably were the latter executed that the May
or and Controller each pronounced them
their own writing. In addition to the a.
bove, tits believed that some S300,00 or
S40o. 900 Of the forged Controllers Wsr-
rants have been hypothecated in N. York.
AN ALLEGED EMBEzzLEMENT.
On Saturday, the 18th inst, great deal
ofexcitement was caused in the city by the
circulation of a rumor that Mr.. Smith
Clark, Secretary Of the late Mayor, had
been arrested on charge of embezzling
S3o3. .oooin notes and City and State scrip,
deposited in his hands as Secretary of the
Committee on Land Claims, and received
from the purchasers of the Slip Property.
On investigation, il was found that the ru-
NOR, so far as the allegations were con
eerned, was correct, and that Mr.. Clark
was in custody. One hundred and ninety
thousand dollars Of the above amount were
in notes drawn to the order of the late May
or, and were deposited at Bacon, Page q
Co.'S, and were not negotiable. The re-
manning $4,000 were in City and State
scrip; and Mr.. Clark. it is alleged, when re-
quested TO give an account of the numbers
and amounts, returned an eyasive answer.
The Recorder having fixed the bail $685.
900, Mr.. Clark, on Saturday night, de-
manded an immediate trial, but the appli-
cation was denied, inasmuch as the case
had been postponed previously, at the re-
quest Of the defendant, to Monday, and in
consequence Of that postponement the pros
ecution were unable to go on with the trial.
TRIAL OF COL. WILLIAM WALKER.
The trial OF Col. William Walker, Ex-
President of Sonora, for a violation of the
neutrality laws, was commenced on Thurs
day last in the United States District Court.
After the Jury had been impanneled, the
counsel for the defense demanded subpe-
ma for Mr.. Dillon, French Consul, as a
witness. The point was ably argued. and
the Judge (J. s. R. ogier) reserved his de-
cision on tho point 10 this morning. 1t
will be recollected that similar applica-
ton on the trial of Del Vale. Mexican
Consul, created good deal of excitement,
in consequence Of Judge Hoffman having
one day decided that Mr.. Dillon was sub
ject to the process of the Court, and issued
an attachment for him, and next day when
he was brought into Court confessed that
his previous opinion was wrong. having
been hastily given, and that Mr.. Dillon was
exempt under the Convention.
LOSS CT THE YANKEE BLADE.
This fine s:came, left our port on the 3otl
Of Sept. for Panama, ard when rs hours
out struck on Point Aquii.os, about IL
miles to the norlhward and westward ol
Point Conception. The Yankee E:ade