The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-30

EARTHQUAKE IN CALFoRNIA.-The San Francisco
Heratd Nov. 9th, thus describes the earthquake
felt in that city on the 26th
At twenty-seven minutes before one o'clock YES
terday morning, our city visited by one of the
most violent shocks of earthquake that has been
experienced since California came into American
possession. 1t was preceded by a deep rumbling
noise coming from the northeast, which sounded as
if heavily loaded teams of wagons were being drv-
en- turiously through our streets This was imme-
diately succeeded by premo onitory shock instantly
followed by still heavier one, which lasted about
ten or twelve seconds. An intermissiOn of some
five or six seconds ensued, when third shock
much heavier and more prolonged than the second
succeeded, raising the fears of our citizens to a
painful degree. The motion was undulating, and
from northeast to southwest, and the solid earth
moved as if suddenly converted into ocean waves
The alarm universal, and anxiety was depicted
on every face, to know whether Nature would con-
tinue in convusion, or sink back to her usual
rest.
The effect the tenants of our large hotels and
tall brick buildings was electrical, and those estab-
lishments disgOrged their contents rapidly the
stomach of a sea sick man. Ladies and gentlemen
hurriedly rushed from their beds and without wait
ing for ineypressibles crinoline ran franticaly
into the entries and passage ways, crowding the
different modes of egress. Dogs barked with fear,
and even the horses in the stables exhibited unmis
taxable symptoms of dread. In most residences the
bells were violently rung, while the erockery and
glassware kept up lively Gathering; clocks sud-
denly stood STILL the regular motion of their pen
dulums being rudely interfered with, and articles
of furniture seemed as if inspired by Terpsichore
After careful inquiry have been unable to
learn of any serious damage except that occasoned
through excessive fear, although quite number of
little incidents occurred indicating in sort the
strength of the shock. A considerable portion of
the cornice and plaster in the United States Dstri
Court room was thrown down, and many other
buildings suffered in the same way. The City Hall
was violently shaken, and some of the plaster
knocked down. Cracks and rents of considssahle
SIy hnua yOaHa ihnIr in .nf
our large brick buildings, but, beyond these Incl
dents, learn of serious disaster. The repeat
ed vsitations of this kind to which subject,
would seem to indicate more prudent method of
building than that which has been pursued. Brick
houses should not exceed two stories in height and
should have broad foundations, and thick we'll ce-
mented walls. The Sacramento Union of yesterday
says:
"About o'clock this morning a slight shock of
an earthquake felt in this city. The vibrations
very distinctly felt for few seconds but were
not sufficiently powerful to disturb the of
human events"
At Stockton and Petalume the shocks were more
severe than any ever experienced by the citizens
From the Rast Goftar, Nor ~
NATIVE INDIAN JOURNALISTS OPINION OF THE
ROYAL PROCLAMATION. The Royal Proclamation,
announcing the assumption, by the Queen of Eng
land, of the government of India read to the pub
lie, on Monday last has been pronounced charter
of the civil and religious rights and liberties Of the
people OF lnula; ana Sucn q cnarter 1t would pre-
emnently be, if carried out with that earnestness
and that sincerity in which it appears to have been
framed. Amongst promises of good government,
and faithful discharge of the obligations of duty
incumbent on the State it guarantees five specific
things to the princes and people of India, which,
IN plain language, may be enumerated fol-
lows:
l. The treaties and engagements which were
binding on the East India Company will be
rigidly and scrupulously observed by the Queen
2. The spoliation of native chiefs and princes will
no longer be permitted.
8. The religious beliefs of the people will not be
intertered with
4. The natives will be admitted to offices of trust
and emOluments equally with the Europeans with
out distinction of cast or color
The odious process of the resumption of the
alterations of the public revenue will be put stop
to.
Now it will be perceived that these are no new
concessions; and, if we hail the royal manifesto as
the harbinger Of good for the people of India it is
expectation we have been led to form of their being
earnestly and sincerely carried out under a fresh
and vigorous regime. The Importance of the pro-
clamaton lies not in the professions it makes, but
in the hope the time has come when they may be
realized. Similar professions, in some shape or
other, were from time to time made by the East
India Company and its officers, but in most instan-
ces they remained on paper, and some were posi-
lively set aside. Even for unjust acts good and
weighty reasons were made out and recorded
Dahouise made spoliation for which moral
obligation political necessity, a philanthropic
desire for betterng the condition of the people
not pointed out ehope such policy has passed
away, and that the new regime has brought along
with it earnestness of action sincerity of purpose,
and political honesty. And it is with this hope,
and in this sense, that attach Importance to the
Queens proclamation.