Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-10
Wasbiugtuu Sentinel,
CALIFORNIA ITEMS.
From late San Francisco papers.

From late San Francisco papers.
Considerable excitement exists in the ranks
OF the democratic factions in relation to their
State convention, which meets at Sacramento
on the 18th instant. Both sections claim
majority, and two sets of delegates from many
of the counties will claim seats in the conven-
ton. As the Broderickites are much the best
political managers, it is thought they wall OBJ
tain the majority by the contested seats.
The wings are to hold their State convention
at Sacramento on the 25th of July, for the NOM
ination of State officers, members of Congress,
&c.
The immigration over the plains has begun
to come in. Several large droves of horses,
cattle, sheep, and other stock, have reached
Sacramento, and are offered for SALE From
what we hear, we judge that the prices are low,
and that stock will not pay as large profit the
present season as in former years. Cattle and
sheep from the south, we understand, are offer
ed al very low rates, with few buyers.
The board of aldermen of this city at a late
sitting, voted the sum of 100000 to meet the
city's expenses for the year ending June, 1855.
Among the items is 100000 for common
schools
On the 4th and 9TH of July, the mercury
stood at 104o in the shade at Shasta, Sierra
county. At Columbia, loo on the 9Th.
The news from Los Angeles is highly inie
resting. The town is rapidly improving, and
property is rising in value. This is the great
fruit section of California. Grapes, pears, and
many other kinds Of fruit are very promising,
and large quantities will soon be shipped to
this city for sale. The Mormons at San Ber-
nardino, in the Los Angeles district, are highly
prosperous, and the members increasing rapid
ly. They recently lost 400 acres of wheat by
fire, but this will not injure them, because their
crops have been very large, and they have all
the necessaries of life in abundance. The
greatest harmony and good feeling prevail
among them. The Indians at the TETON Res
ervation are also in fourishing condition.
They have recently harvested $4,000 bushels Of
wheat, and all accounts represent them as con-
tented and progressing rapidly towards civil
lied life.
ARRIvALs.-The total arrivals for the past
fortnight, from Atlantic ports, are clipper ships
s. S. Bishop, from Richmond, Va, with gov
eminent stores, and Viking, Fleetwing, and
Starlight, with assorted cargoes, from Boston.
U. ). COAST SURVEYING BRIG FAUYTLERoY.-
The U. S. coast surveying brig II. II. Fauntle-
roy under charge Of Assistant Geo. Davidson,
sailed yesterday morning for the survey of the
islands and channels between the south east
end of Vancouver's Island and the main land
OF Washington Territory.
SALE OF THE ANERIcA.-The steamship
America was sold yesterday for the sum OF
ninety-fve thousand dollars. Lucas, Turner
Co. were the purchasers.
PoTAToEs OF THE CRoP OF lS53.-In the
last number of the California Farmer, the
editor, describing recent trip to San Jose
valley, says: "We venture to assert that the
potatoes that will lie upon the ground and rot
In the San Jose valley the present year, will
count in bushels by millions. We saw one pile
that was the length Of eighty rails of fence,
(ninety-six feet about thirty feet WIDE and
some two feet above the fence, seemingly
enough to supply the State. These, with vast
quantities all over the county, and other coun-
ties also, will be lost, unless some plan is de-
vised for using Them"
HANDSOME DTvIDENp.-The telegraph com.
pany have declared dividend of four and a.
half per cent. on their capital stock for the
six weeks ending on the 30th June, ult. 1t is
made payably at the Office of the company on
and after the 18th instant.
DEPARTURE OF Miss CATHARIYE HAYES
This lady, accompanied by her mother, Mr..
Bushnell, her agent, and Mr.. Coulon, will leave
for Australia this evening, on the bark Fanny
Major. The ship lies at the dock.
The accounts from the mining districts con-
tinue favorable. AS this is the dry season,
there are not so many persons at work as usu-
al; but from all that we hear we judge that the
miners, as a whole, are doing exceedingly well.
The improved facilities for obtaining gold are
so numerous, that many districts, which have
heretofore been considered almost valueless,
are now worked TO great advantage. Those
who have learned the business Of mining and
nre content to stay in one place and work and
save their money, generally do well.
The accounts Of the crops and the harvest
from all parts of the State are highly favorable.
We have everything in the shape of eatables in
ions, such as beef -four, and vegetables, are
plenty and cheap. The difficulty now with the
farmers is that we raise too much. Many Of
the farmers on this account will do little more
than make their living the present year.
Wheat, barley, and all the grains will be sold
at low rates, the country having produced all
that is necessary for home consumption.
TRoUT FfsHrSG.-A party Of gentlemen
few days since went out Oh fishing excursion,
some twenty miles from this city, in the noun.
tains near San Isabel, and caught during their
stay about fifteen hundred trout.-lSdn Jose
Tribune.
ARRIVAL FROM SALT LAKE CITY.-The train
OF Messrs. Livingston & Kincaid, merchants Of
Eve years standing at Salt Lake, arrived in our
city yesterday afternoon, having crossed Bear
river on the 18th Of May last. The train con.
sists of 50 wagons, l,OiG cattle, 40 horses, "a
mules, ponies, IA families, 80 men. por-
ton Of the above stock has been employed in
bringing goods from the States to Salt Lake.
Captain Howard Egan, somewhat noted on the
frontier as guide, brought through this train.
Messrs. i. x KS train came through with.
out breaking a wagon, and with but a triAing
loss Of stock. They met with no snow on the
first summit, and but little on the second. The
most Of the families design settling in this
valley. The stock will be driven TO the Buena
Vista ranch, some thirty miles from this city
on the San Joaquin river, TO herd.-Stockfon