The Washington union., 1857-05-30
FULL DETAILS OF THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT
NEWS by THE STEAMSHIP ILLINOIS.

According to promise we lay before readers this
evening the subioned details of the highly important
news from the Pacific and Central America received by
the steamship Illinois, which arrived at New York from
Aspinwan on Thursday last The mails by the Illinois
reached this city yesterday morning.
CALIFORNIA NEWS.
The Alta California gives the following summary of the
news for the fortnight ending May 8
During the two weeks which have elapsed since the
departure of the Golden Age little Of than ordinary
interest has tspred within the borders of the Pacific
State
The eighth legislature adjourned die at meridian of
the 3Oth ultimo after session of four months Although
two hundred and eighty bills passed but very few
of them of general character, and fewer still
will prove of ultimate benefit to the State The most
important those submitting TO the people
the question of voting for against convention to
wise the constitution and the act the election
OF two United States senator's the impeachment and
vction of Henry Bates late State the impeach
ment and acquttal of G.. w Whitman, comptroller of
the State up pretty much all Of other than ordinary
Legislative business.
The accounts received from the mining section of the
State continue to be favorable ever and guam
titles of gold shipped to the seaboa The supply of
water generally abundant this spring than usual
owing to the extraordinary amount of snow lying the
mountains. The quartz mills in the central counties
doing better than The cumbersome machinery in
at first is rapidly being suppanted by that of more
suitable character and there also appears to be much
system IN the management of these quartz enter
prises than formerly Owing to the unprecedented height
of the streams the will be far advanced before min
ing in the drained channels be proftably
fully carried and to the present have heard Of
no contemplated damming or tiurning operations.
Agricultural prospects not encouraging mi
ming Grains and fruits far advanced but the former
suffering much from the drought which prevails all
the State In some portions of the southern border
counties the wheat and nat crops already nearly
ruined and in Yolo and other adjacent counties
the farmers bitterly complaining and focboding the
entire destruction OF their cereal products There is
doubt that the injuries from this overated but
if rain falls speedily an incacuabe amount of dam
age is inevitable. Much attention than be-
fore has been paid during the last to the growing
of fruit trees and the prospects faering for large
yield. Peaches apples and grapes grow in great prof
sion all the State, and require less careful culture
than in the Atlantic States. Strawberries already
ripe and our markets present specimens OF mammoth pro-
portions, and of delicious flavor Cherries too, have
made their appearance but very and high.
Early spring vegetables abundant and green peas
new potatoes, asparagus ettice beans, and cauowers
can be had, nice and cheap
Business in the interior has somewhat improved and
considerable freight is daily left on our docks awaiting
shipment. The California Steam Navigation Company
have been compelled to put extra boat the Sacra
mento route during the fortnight, and reaping rich
harvest from their business they have opposition
to contend against Efforts being made by this
pany in conjunction with the citizens of oove to i'm
prove the navigation of Feather river and if the enter
prise prove successful great and profitable trade will
spring up with that fourishng inland place.
The inroa1s of the timber into the wharf piles of
harbor gradually destroying the foundations of
many of our best wharves On Friday, the Gath April
portion OF the wharf Drumm street. between Clay
and Washington, about 60 feet long and 20 feet wide
cayed in precptating 900 sacks of potatoes into
the bay.
destructive fire. destroying fourteen buildings and
causing aggregate loss of about $40 O00 occurred on
the 9th u 1t broke out in q small frame tenement
the of Dupont street and Broadway and the
neighborhood being built of combustibe materials the
flames very quickly spread The principal loss the
buildings
The various interior counties lying contiguous to the
Sierra Nevada beginning to awaken to the import
ance OF transmontane communication with their neigh
bors in Carson valley. Wagon-road conventions have
either been held called in a number of those coun-
ties desirous OF the construction wagon road
mountains to connect with the government road.
The San Jose Tribune says: stWe have read letter
from gentleman of reliability, written to friend in
this city, announcing to him the return to the Atlantic
States OF two brothers named Cess with the snug sum of
$50 000 the proceeds of their claim at Logtown near
Mud Springs, in FL Dorado county He adds that they
took out piece of pure gold of the weight of rs
pounds.
SALT LAKE.
We take the following from an extra of the Caaveras
Chronicle published at Mokelumne Hill dated Monday
April 20
Yesterday Sunday morning 10th inst. Mr. Thomp
son. the daring and intrepid Carson valley expressman
arrived at Mokelumne H via Murphy's and the Big
Tree road from Carson valley
He reports the the mountains from four to
Six feet deep from Hope valley to the Big meadows and
thinks this is three feet less than now on the johnson
cutoff This is his first trip the Big Tree road and
ne it is great odds the best natural road the
mountains. Mr. Thompson says that So, 900 udiciousy
expended will make it equal any stage roads in this
State The most of the labor will be required at the
forks of the Mokelumne.
The miners of Gold cahon are doing very fine bust
ness and have made very good wages during the past
winter. The average, he says is from ss to $40 per
day.
An expedition is organizing in the valley for a pros
pectng tour to Walkers river it win start about the
10th of May Walkers river is $50 miles south of Car
son rising in the Sierra Nevadas opposite Marposa and
flowing eastward it sinks in the sands of the Great
Basin.
From private letters received from Salt Lake Mr.
Thompson learned that the schism the Mormon Church
has assumed formidable character. The Gaddenites
or aposates from the Simon Pure faith as ennciated by
Brigham and his adherents have of late wonderfully in
creased their numbers, and grown rebeous that the
prophet is forced environ himself with rsty guard
of the faithful The letters state that his house guard
ed night and day by his friends and that bitter are his
enemies against him that he afraid to show himself in
public. He has deserted the Tabernacle.
The Mormons of Carson valley, account of difficult
ties apprehended with their Gentle ncighbos had been
peremptory ordered to Salt Lake by the prophet but
thinking easier to negotiate peace than sacrifice
their homes they have shaken hands with the Amckies
and buried the toinahawk.
Mr. Thompson has crossed the Sierra Nevada thry-one
times during the winter months generally shoes
this trip however they not necessary the crust
the snow being strong enough to sustain him in his ord
nary shoes He carries blanket or other covering
save common suit of winter clothing