The weekly Placer herald., 1854-06-10
Atlantic Items.

Placer. MOUN AIN SPROUI.
Atlantic Items.
The LATEST WoNDER-'The London
correspondent of the New York CONNER
cia Advertiser says that engines of 5000
horse power are now heing manufactured
at Birmingham, for a new paddle and
screw iron steamer Of $4,000 tons, in
course of construction by the Eastern
Steam Navigation Company, which is
expected to be capable of performing the
passage to India IN thirty days.
CANNON FOR CALIFoRNIA.-The Boston
Traveller of the 26th ult., says:
Workmen have been employed during
the past week in removing from the gun
yard, at City Point, South Boston, eight
large cannon, of eight inch bore, known
as the "Coumbiads." These guns were
made at AIgier's Foundry, weigh $500
pounds each, and have been stored some
time. They are now to be taken to Cali
fornia and used in the harbor for defensive
service.
Cyrus, Alger & Co., have also in process
of construction, at their foundry on Foun-
dry street, South Boston, twenty, ten and
eight inch CoIumbads, to be also taken to
California. The ten inch guns weigh
$1,000 pounds, and are the heaviest in use
in any service. About twelve tons of
iron is melted for the pouring of each,
the gun being cast solid and then bored
out. The process of boring and finishing
occupies about three weeks for each gun.
The COLLIER CASE The trial of this
action against Colonel James Collier, to
recover from him balance of certain
sums Of money which came into his hands
as Collector of the port of San Francisco,
was to commence in the U. S. Circuit
Court, New York, on the Oath instant.
, The Commercial Advertiser says:
The claim was originally for alleged
deficiency of payments, or defalcation for
the sum of $24l 900, and suit was brought
on two bonds, with suretes of 900
each, given by Mr.. Collier-but sl1S, 1000
was subsequently paid, part ia satisfac-
ton for the bonds, and the suit was with
drawn as to them, and the present is an
action of debt against Mr.. Collier, Col
lector, personally, for the balance, being
as above stated He alleges in answer,
that he is not indebted to the Govern
ment.
The WARD TR1AL-We learn from
the Elizabethtown correspondence of the
Louisville papers, that the testimony in
the Ward case was gotten through with
at noon on the 2lst ult. The defence
introduced but two or three witnesses,
much of the time having been occupied
in discussing the competency of r. }.
Ward, jr., who was indicted as partaceps
! cyinliaais, as witness for the defence.
| He took the stand, and underwent very
severe and searching cross examination.
After recess, the argument was opened
by Mr.. Carpenter, of Covington, for the
Commonwealth, who addressed the Court
for four hours. Being unwelI, he asked
the Court to adjourn-whch was agreed
to.
On the ED Mr.. Carpenter spoke four
hours, and then concluded,
After a recess of two hours, Thomas f.
Marshal commenced his argument for
the defence. He spoke three hours, and
then the Court adjourned to next day
Six more speeches were to be delivered
by counsel, viz: Messrs. Allen, Harris,
and Gibson, for the Commonwealth; and
Messrs. w ofe, Crittenden and Helen,
for the defence. Mr.. Marshall's speech
is spoken of as a brilliant effort
N. o. Delta.
BRITISH FLEETS IN THE BALTIC AND
BLACK SEAs.-The London Times, of the
18th of April, gives the following com
parative statement Of the strength, &C., Of
the two English fleets in the Baltic and
Black Seas:
Vessels Guns. Men Tons.
Baltic fleet, SO 1864 1S,640 81 525
Black Sea fleet, 81 1874 1854 1892
Total, 81 3,l4s 81 2s4 .ll7 sly
The Baltic fleet will shortly be increas-
ed by three ships of war of 81 suns each,
one of "a, one of Al, and several smaller
voSSnlS