The Placer herald., 1858-05-15
From Our Regular Correspondent.
SAN FRANc1sco, May 18th, 1858


SAN Francisco, May 18th, 1858.
FRIEND MITCHELL:
For years the people Of this city have felt
a just pride in the promptness and efficiency
of her Firemen. Scarce was the alarm SCUM
ded before they were on the ground, and the
destructive element arrested, before it had
got fairly under way; whilst in other cities
the Department was disgraced by continually
recurring fights, here perfect harmony pre-
vailed, and the only contest they indulged in,
was noble rivalry which should do the
most "Pro bono Publico" But livery much
fear that, for the future, even the >embance
of harmony is at an end. The i'll feeling
engendered among those who occupied diff
terent sides of the Vigilance question, instead
of dying out by the lapse Of time, seems on
the contrary TO gain strength, 1t was ex-
hibited in the contest for the Chief Engineer
ship between the successful candidate Whit
ney, (Vigilante) and huffman Law and
Order,) the opposition. the vote was SO near
a tie that the Board of Delegates would not
give a certificate Of election to either, and it
was finally referred to the Board of Super
visors, who after hearing the testimony de-
hand in favor of Whitney. This was con
sidercd an act Of injustice by Nuttmans
friends, and believe, with considerable show
Of reason; as there WAS strong reason to sus
pect that frauds had been committed. They
should have called a new election, which
would probably have made much more
definite ard satisfactory settlement of the
matter. No better evidence need be pro-
duced, tha. public opinion was against their
decision than the fact that ten companies out
of seventeen are opposed to Whitney and
have protested against his continuing to ex-
er,ise the authority conferred by the position;
fuse to obey his orders on the grounds that
he has no right to the position, expressing at
the same time, their perfect willingness to
obey the command of the assistant engineers.
In carrying out this determinations at a fire
on Sunday night last, certain parties who dis
obeyed the orders of Whitney were arrested,
and when the come to be tried for the Of
fence will plead, that they do not ack owl
edge him to be legally elected; but whether
this will bling the merits of the case to a
test, is more than can tell The whole af
fair is one that cannot be two much regret
ted and if satisfactory settlement is not
come at speedily, it is very much to be feared
that Fremens fights will be the order Of
the day in this unfortunate city.
The steamer Commodore, (ate Bro. Jon
athan) left yesterday for Puget's Sound, with
quite moderate number of passengers,
principally Frenchmen. They have an idea
that those who speak that language will be
treated in more friendly manner than
Americans, as most of the employees Of the
Iiudson's Bay Company are Canadian French
learn that the negro delegation was rereiveJ
in tie most distinguished manner by Gov.
Done'as, at Victoria; he WAS quite delighted
to receive them, ard will be most happy to
sell them land sat S5 per acre, one fourth
down and the ba ance in four Years. Nine
months residence gives them the right to
vote. They can 90 to the IN ines and dig as
much gold as they like without paying any
license. Now if Mr.. Darlley is not satisfied
with that he is hard to please; only hope
the inaucement will be sufficient to induce
general stampede from California to IA
country where they are evidently considered
ted to an equality, for which they are doubt
less perfectly adapted both in habits and ed
ucatlon
Frazier's River was pronounced mpassable
for canoes, having risen 60 feet; high water
in the mines was also interfering with the
miners, who were said to be making IS and
$40 per day, which at the high price Of pro-
visions would not have been much more than
grub money. On the Oregon route, 10y the
DaIles ard Fort WalIa WalIa, to the mines,
they are expecting an Indian war similar to
the one not long since closed, AMI according
to their usual custom they have commenced
stealing stock both from the Government
and private Individuals The people of Ore
gon are considerably alarmed about it; the
Indians on the Reservations had become very
much dissatisfied, and stampede was ex-
expected every night. The presumption is
that those who have lived among them so
long should be able to make a close coniec-
TUE as to the meaning of their movements,
and their decided opinion is, that a war has
been decided upon, and that there viii be a
combined action of all the tribes In that
event the miners at the new dggings
will be in rather tight place.
Brother Brigham after all his blowing,
has weakened at last. Information from
both the San Bernardino and Carson Valley
routes, direct from Salt Lake, confirm the
fact. AS soon as information was received that
Johnston's command was actually marching
to Salt Lake, Brigham had one of his visions,
in which he was commanded to 90 with his
people to the south. They were deserving
their cities ecithout destroying them, as they
had threatened to do. AS long as the win
ter SHOWS prevented the approach of the
troops they were very valiant but as soon as
fighting time really approaches, their cow
ardly legs run away with their heroic hearts.
The result Of this "cave in" will be the dis