The Placer herald., 1858-04-10
San Francisco Correspondence.

and near 81, ,7OO,O 900 in treasure Both cabins
were full to overAowing, and l am told that
most of the berths are engaged in the next
steamer. The steerage was about half full.
About 60 disappointed persons took passage
in the Senator for San Diego, with the in
tenton of taking the land route through the
Gadsden Purchase.
This last opposition experiment ought to
convince the people of California that it is
folly to expect any material increase in our
population through the agency of ocean
steamers for the immense cost and expense
of running line of these vessels will always
prevent any permanent reduction in the
price of passage. | know that the cost of
sending one of the Pacific Mail Steamship
Co.'s steamers to Panama and back ranges
from $65,OOO to 100000 for current expen-
penses, for coal, provisions, wages, &c. About
once in three trips they are laid up, and from
$4,000 to 900 is expended in repairing
them. The best proof of the tallacy Of the
idea, that the prices which have heretofore
ruled have been so very profitable, is the fact
that their (the p. M. S. Co.'s) stock, only
brings 81 1-2 per cent in the New York
market while California rs are SO 1-2. There
are plenty of shrewd capitalists in New York
who would be delighted to build and run
line Of steamers to California if they could
be convinced that it would pay, but they
know we'll that it would not; the experiment
backed by ample capital, having been salts
factorily tested several times, aciM a most an
satisfactory pecuniary result; those who fond
y cherish the idea that any person or per-
sons will run steamers at a loss, 'pro bono
publico," should give it up at once and for
ever. AS capitalists always have and always
will, work 'pro bono their own pocketo."
Much the largest and 'permanency con-
sidered," decidedly the best portion of our
population have come "the plains across,"
and those who wish we'll for California should
urge the sic dy comp'eion and adequate
protection of these routes of travel, which
done, our population will increase quite as
rapidly as is desirable and with class of
emigrants too, who bring with them their
families, stock, farming implements, and upon
arrival are ready for immediate usefulness;
presenting most striking and favorable con-
trast to the crowd of roughs, lunch eaters
and bumme~s who arrive every two weeks
by the steamers. Of course | do not mean
all (came that way myself) but very con-
siderable percentage of them are no advan-
tage to any community.
On the night before the steamer left. Sam
Brannan, who hal taken passage, was circu-
lating around town, nlulgng in one of his
not untrequent Hqhts, accompanied 10y DIR.
llayder, and as they 'went rambling down
the street." met man named b. f. Moulton.
whose presence evidently did net excite plea
surahle feelings The evidence efore that
same old Coon," the Police Judge, WAS very
contlicling-witness charging the first assault
on both parties-hut there was no doubt
who struck last and heaviest 1t was nomi
nally two to one, but in reality ten to two
l}rannaN and the Doctor may be very good
fighters, but they are very bad judges of men,
or they would rever have tried it on with
Ben Mou'ton. who is Il quiet man if YOU 1T
him alone. but evidently has no respect fer
persons if they don't, as he made the richest
man in California and his confrere 'lie the
dust" in a twinkIing. Both parties were dis
charged
Mr.. John Nugent, of the San Francisco
Herald, was among the passengers by the
Stephens, and The Globe of the same dav in
noticing the circumstance, indulg lged in short
biographical sketch of his editorial and poll
tical career in California, remarkng as pre-
cedent that it was merely following the ex-
ample that, the subject of the biography had
himself set on many previous occasions, in
stancing Judge Ogden Hoffman, as one. who
had gone to the States on visit with the
pleasant accompaniment of a scorchno da
tribe from the forciLle pen of the gentleman
in question. If the charge is true, and
have seen no denial, however reprehensible
the practice, still no one who has been guilty,
has any right to complain, when the same
course is pursued towards themselves. Mr..
Nugents friends, who are many and warm,
were very much aggreved, and one Of them
published card emphaticaly denying the
truth OF the statements, and expressing a
strong desire to ascertain the author of the
article; but as should think, took a very
strange way to ascertain it, as by enquirne
at the Globe office he would probably have
obtained the desired information. 1t was
really thought that fight would come of
it, but has amounted to nothing so far unless
an obscure hint in the Globe about kickinq
somebody ont of the office yesterday, has
something to do with it.
The Archy case will be soon decided, the
evidence is closed, and Mr.. Hardy spoke for
the plaintiff and Tompkins for the defense
yesterday. To-day Col. Baker is hammering
away for the darkey, to be followed by Mr..
Whelan, for his owner. 1t seems to be the
prevailing opinion that the decision will be
in favor of Archy; but believe it is mere
rumor, as | do not believe the Commissioner
has yet made up his mind on the subject,
and will probably be week before delivering
his decision after the arguments are closed.
The gold discoveries on Fraziers River
seem to be pretty well authenticated, but l
imagine that it will be very unsafe mining
there, the Indians are both numerous and
warlike, and although apparently friendly