Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-12
CALIFORNIA NEWS.

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CALIFORNIA NEWS.
We publish this morning interesting infor-
nation from the Pacific coast. The particu-
lars Of the wreck of the steamer Yankee Blade
will be read with absorbing interest. Owing
to timely succor the loss of life by this melan-
choly casualty was not equal to that occa-
stoned by the wreck of the Arctic. Public in
dignation was excited by the desertion Of the
Arctic's crew, but that desertion would at least
put in the plea of cowardly fear. The atrocious
conduct of portion of those on board the
Yankee Blade, having no excuse, cannot be
properly stigmatized.
The ship had hardly struck before band Of
plunderers seemed to have been organized, and
armed with Bowie-knives and revolvers. The
surrounding perils-the sight of women and
children perishing in the surf-nothing could
restrain the passions of the base ruffians.
They continued their violent proceedings on
shore, and with the assistance of portion Of
the 6remen of the ship, they seized upon every
thing almost, and forced the naked and fam
ished sufferers to pay for food and raiment. In
the midst of the perils of sudden shipwreck,
it is not unnatural for men to exhibit intense
Misunderstanding every sentiment of humani-
ty, in order to preserve their own lives; but we
have never known, under similar circumstances,
such an exhibition of the basest passions as
that furnished by the plunderers of the Yankee
Blade.
The California papers also bring the par
ticulars of the greatest fraud which has ever
been committed on the Pacific coast 1t al
most, if it does not quite, rival the railroad
fraud in New York, which was of such an ex-
tensive character as to exert serious in6u-
ence over the money market of our CONNER
cial emporium. 1t is perfectly clear that
Meiggs did not enter upon his forging career
as desperate, temporary expedient to meet
pressing pecuniary embarrassment. Hisschemes
were laid with deliberation. They were the re-
suits of cold generalization; and they were
formed, not for the purpose Of meeting liabili-
ties, but for the purpose of obtaining large
sum Of money to be enjoyed in princely style
in some foreign country. 1t was believed that
John Meiggs, the younger brother of the
forger, was engaged in the fraudulent transac-
tons. He had been very recently elected
comptroller.
The Placer Times, published at San Francis
co, says that Henry Meiggs is man Of, per
'haps, forty-three or forty-fve years of age.
He came o-..California from Williamsburg,
New York, in the year lS49. In manner he
is mild, retiring, and extremely plausible. He
has been professor of religion, and has al
ways manifested great deal of public spirit.
He has done more to improve North Beach
than any other man in that vicinity. AS a
matter Of private enterprise he built that
wharf, as well as the extensive Musical Hall on
Bush street, which goes by his name. The i'm
mense saw mill at Mendocino is also the result
of his enterprise. Until within the last year,
he has been acknowledged by universal acclaim
to be one of the most upright men in the
community as he has been one of the most
popular. Twice has he been elected alderman
for the First ward, and previous to the last
election he aspired to the mayorality. The in
vcstigations instituted by the press into the
affairs of the city excited serious suspicious
among those who made them yourselves in
cluded) as to his honesty but no facts could
be obtained in form sufficiently reliable to base
a charge upon. He has been believed to be
largely interested in street contracts, and the
character of his forgeries prove that the belief
was not unfounded.
John Meiggs is younger than his brother,
and is doubtless a participation in his crime.
He, too, was popular man, and was elected
comptroller at the last election by an over.
whelming majority. The great anxiety mani.
tested by him to procure the Office of city
comptroller, shows conclusively that he was
looking forward to this position for the fulfill
ment Of the scheme which has now been car.
ried out. To secure this Office, he obtained
the nominations Of two conventions and of the
Know.nothings. Had he entered upon the
discharge of his official duties, he might have
covered the forgeries for some time longer
and It is supposed that through his agency the
blank impressions were procured. 1t is sur
missed that other parties remaining in the city
have been participants in the affair." r. l.
Hyde, from whom the warrants FIRST detected
. were obtained, was arrested but subsequently
discharged-as it was apparent he acted only
rs the agent Of others. But the end is mo-
yet"