The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-05-11
MEXICO AND CALIFORNIA.

HldHLf lMfOhTANT INTELLIGENCE,
BY THE STEAMER GEORGE Law.
In our telegraphic summary yesterday, brief al
lusion was made to the blockade of Acapulco, by
Santa Anna. The following report is furnished by
the purser of the mail steamship John l.. Stephens
which left San Francisco on Saturday, April as
BLOCKADE OF ACAPULCO.
On the 22d, at ga, NJ, saw ship In ManzaniIla
Bay. Same day, at P. M, arrived OFF the harbor
of Acapulco saw two vessels, showing what ap.
peared to be French colors, laying off the main en-
trance each of which fred gun as the Stephens
approached through the north channel and soon af
forwards fired shot which fell short OF us. The
engine was Immediately stopped, and the helm put
to starboard. The ship forereaching came in full
view of fort, which appeared to be crowded with
men, The steamer then losing her steeraee way
and drifting towards the rocks on the north shore
of the bay, the engine was started ahead to bring
her round head to wind and tide when the shin and
schooner coming up under lee in point blank range
fired two shots close over us. The engine was
again stopped boat lowered, and the first officer
sent to inquire the cause of their firing into He
was not allowed to board the ship but was met by
an officer in the ships boat who informed him that
thep port was blockaded, and that we must immedi-
atey leave the harbor, or he would sink US If he
could.
Captain Pearson himself then boarded the shin
and was Immediately informed by the commander
that his orders were imperative from Santa Anna,
to allow vessels to pass, and that we attempted
1t he would FIRE Into US. Having sufficient coal to
reach San Juan the ship was put on her course at
or NJ, and orders given to the chief engineer to
use all possible economy.
26th-The engineer reported sufficient coal TO
reach Panama, and the ship was accordingly put on
her course for that port
27th, P. NJ, spoke schooner FIVE days out from
Panama.
During the detention ofthe Stephens at Acapulco,
shots were frequently exchanged between the two
vessels and the fort and without effect ON either
aide Santa Anna with n n nl
ed at from three TO five thousand men, was encarnp-
ed In the neighborhood, and it was expected that
be would make an attack on the town during the
night
2Sth, at 9P NJ. arrived st Panama with barely suf
heient fuel to reach the anchorage.
TERRIBLE STEAMBOAT EXPLOSION. II
The George Law brings an extra from the Office
of the San Francisco Commercial Advertiser, H.
sued just previous to the sailing Of the John L. Ste
phens, giving intelligence Of aturibls stesmboat
explosion in the bay of San Francisce. The par
ticulars are ~ follows:
This morning about 10 O'Clock, the steamers Sec
refary and Nevada LEFT from Pacific wharf, bound ior
Pst,luma A 1a oclk. preesely vhIls crossiss - s.n
Pablo bay, the Secretary burs her boiler, cefIy.
Ing death and destruction In every part q tno Dols
tothe passeugers, Of whom . large number were
% board, So CREST was the forceof me mo
that the boat was literally blown @ pScsi -.
dercd every pOssible assistance 5nc 'mmouass1!
put shout after caring for the Survivors ana eueud
Ing to the dead. Many pcvsons wese o,q~n ~ eyer ever'
do arrived Il san Francisco 4 O'Clock, With The
survivors and the bodies q fnose recovolo ~
learn from Cspt. Tsavers, cf The secresary snaf
The scene on board aisw The explos.gs ~ s.su,--
- nsssssions 6 1 sSoss -Sas hiads ~srs Ion. bsing
THs % 5siiesiue q ! eoprsst i1tof ths killed and
nissing. = far = sscessaaled