, 1858-12-17
Matters-LOcal and NeighbOring

We had no mail from Oregon on Monday last The
mail carrier from the Cowltz reports the Columbia
river frozen over, and that when be left Monticello,
the mail from Raner failed to connect in consequence
Of ice in the river. Hence we have no late adyces
from Oregon.
The p N. S. 8. Co.'s steamer Panama arrived at
BRowN's wharf, Olympia, on Tuesday at l2i o'clock,
having been detained several days after schedule
time, owing to the accumulation of ice in the Coum-
bia river. The Panama brought the mails and con
siderable amount of freight for this place. ard started
on her return trip to San Francisco on the same day.
We are indebted to Mr.. T. NJ. REED Agent at this
place, for Wells, Fargo Co.'s Express for late files
of Atlantic city and San Francisco papers-the news,
however as will elsewhere DO observed, has been an.
Hcipated.
The Oregon Times, of Dec. Ith, contains the vale
dictory Of E. C. HIBBEN who has been editor Of that
paper for the past eighteen months His successor is
not announced. Mr.. H. is a strong and ready writer.
He took passage on the Panama. and is now on his
way to Washington City. We hope his future busi-
ness relations will be TO him more profitable, and less
thankless and annoying than that Of editing political
newspaper.
We learn that Mr.. A. ]. CAM, recently appointed
an Indian Agent for tho Territory of Washington has
been assigned, temporarily, his District, all that
region of country between the mouth Of the Columbia
along the coast to Cape Flattery and outside the Dis
trict Of Puget Sound, west of the Cascades.
As an object Of remark, three steamers lay along
side Of Olympia wharf Sunday last-the Santa
CTuz, the Consultation and the Ranger
Private advices from Frazer represent that the river
is blocked up with ice for considerable distance from
its mouth that the miners have been leaving that re-
gon in swarms by every conveyance possible for Vic
toria and elsewhere, and that much destitution and
suffering is expected to await all those who remain in
the diggings during the winter months.
To Purser WYMAN.ef the steamer Santa Cruz, we
indebted for files of the Victoria Gasee up to the
9th inst. From the paper of that date we learn thai
very severe storm visited Fuca Straits and the Gull
of Georgia. the 4th inst. According TO that paper
the vessels that have arrived at Victoria since thai
time report having experienced the greatest hard
ships, aud narrowly escaped wreeking. 1t is alst
known that two schoQners at least have been lost
the a. Y. Irdsk and the John Siepens-both small
craft, and engaged in trading between Victoria and
ports on the Sound in produce, ETC. The Stereni
went to pieces upon beaching on Dunginess Spit
abreast of the lighthouse, with a loss of cargo
amounting to about 50 900. The 4. y. Tfdsk wa
wrecked on Protection Island, twelve miles from
W AuNAoohus A9 lat rs huoMu no lives were lOat
For the present. navigation appears to be at an enc
on Frazer river. The steamer Maria Is aground on
bar below the mouth OF Harrison river and as a con
sequence, canoes cannot proceed up.
i The Gzttte estimates that over 81 900 900 in goli
duet has been added to the wealth Of the world from
the Frazer river gold mines, since April last.
We find the following in the Puget Sound Hsralc
Of the 10th inst:
SUICIDE.-An Indian came into town last evening
post haste from the residence of L. A. Smith at Mucl
in ths county, and reported that Mr. Smith had sho
himself The Coroner, Mr. Daniel Collins Immediately
summoned jury and started for the scene Of thu
melancholy affair. Up to the time OF going TO pres
the Coroner has not returned. We shall publish th
particular next week.
Washington correspondent, writing under date 0
Nov. lth, says;
'abir. Rankin OF Philadelphia, personal friend o
the President and much esteemed, will probably e
out by the next steamer Register OF the Land OF
fee at Olympia. Gov Stevens struggled to procur,
the appointment Of a citizen Of the Territory anC
doubtless would have succeeded but for the persona
wishes Of Old Buck himself"
We may publish the letter Of our correspondent in
full next week.