The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-04
CALIFORNIA NEWS.

CALIFORNIA NEWS.
The steamship Washington arrived at San
Francisco, July I'd, from New York Nov. It'll
1851
The Fourth was celebrated in San Francisco
and all the surrounding country with an unusual
degree OF display and enthusiasm
Great Ercttement-G cold IN Hfmb0ldt-
Under the above caption, the Humboldt Times
OF the 18th OF June has the following:
our town was thrown into a great uproar
on Monday last by the arrival of Mr.. c. A. Rob
insOn, who lives at the mouth of Eel river. and
has resided in this country for eight wears. with
the news that he had discovered extensive GOLD
diggings somewhere in the south part of the
county. He exhibited a prospect, which he
stated he procured from one pan of dirt. The
prospect amounted to twelve or fifteen cents
de represented that the diggings are extensive
and water convenient. He asked remunera.
ton of 5 900 for his discovery.
The affair has created considerable excite
ment throughout the country, as Mr.. Robin.
sons report and the prospects he exhibited
merely confirmed the already prevailing opinion
that the southern portion of our county is a
gold country"
A SirOccO at Santa Barbara.-Friday last.
the 18th June, says the Gazette, will be long
remembered by the inhabitants of Santa Bar
bara, from the burning, blasting heat expe-
rlenced that day, and the effects thereof: in
Deed 1t Is said that for the space of thirty years
nothing In comparison has been felt in this
county, and, we doubt not, in any other. The
sun rose like bali of fire on that day but,
though quite warm, no Inconvenience was
caused thereby until two o'clock p. NJ. when
suddenly blast of heated air swept through
our streets, followed quickly by others, and
shortly afterwards the atmosphere became SO
intensely heated that no human being could
Withstand Its torce-all sought their dwellings,
and had to shut doors and windows, and remain
for hours confined to their houses. The effect
OF such intense and unparalleled heat was dem
onstrated by the death of calves, rabbits, and
birds; the trees were all blasted, and the fruit.
snch as pears and apples, literally roasted on
the trees ere they fell to the ground, and the
same as if they had been cast on live Goals
but, strange to say, they were only burned on
one slde-that is the direction from whence
came the wind. All kinds of metal became so
heated, that for hours nothing OF the kind could
be touched with the naked hands. The Their.
mometer rose nearly to fever heat in the shade.
but near aa open door, and during the preva-
lence of this properly called sirocco, the streets
were filled with impenetrable clouds of fine dust,
or pulverized clay
Speculation has been rife since to ascertain
the cause Of such terrible phenomenon: but.
though we have heard of many plausible theo,
ries thereon, we have not been fully convinced
yet; however that might be, we see its terrible
effects all around us, in blighted trees, ruined
gardens, blasted fruit, and an almost general
destruction OF the vegetable kingdom. We
hope we shall never see the like again
Since writing the above, we regret to an
nounce that the sirocco was not, as we hoped
local, but that Los Angeles was visited the
same day by similar blasts, and more intense,
If possible, than were experienced here; and
that not only the fruit trees are injured but the
VINEYARDS are reported as nearly DESTROYED
The general opinion that the cause is fire in the
mountains is now abandoned and the belief
is, that there has been a volcanic eruption in
the southern portion of this State
reported Indian Outrdges at Tehama.-The
Red Blaff Beacon, Of June 20, has the follow
ing information concerning the murder of Will
liam Patrick, by Indians, at A ntelope Mills:
Mr.. Patrick left his ranch with load of hay
for the Mill Company, and was overtaken by a
party of Indians, and killed, sealped, had his
throat cut, and his body horribly mutlated, af.
ter which he was hid in the brush. The wagon
was turned over, and the team driven away.
Deceased was native Of England.
A Mr.. Judd, living between Cold Spring Val
ley and Antelope Mills, was attacked by thir-
teen Indians on the day of the murder of Pat.
rick, his cabin plundered of all its contents, and
he shot at two or three times with his own rifle.
They pursued him within half a mile of DIR,
Inskeeps house, where he still lies, very sick
from the effects of his race. He has heretofore,
we are informed considered the Indians his
particular friends, and refused TO take any steps
to chastise them.
DIR. Inskeep writes US that he has Just re-
turned from a trapping expedition beyond Las
sen Butte, and that all the tribes he passed
through expressed determination to combine
and give the whites a general battle. He also
says the roads near the Butte are watched by a
large band Of warlike Noser Indians
Lieut.. Davis arrived OH the steamer Pike, on
Monday, with detachment of forty infantry
soldiers, bound for Fort Crook. He left with
his command for his place of destination i'm
mediately on the arrival OF the boat.
An extensive fire had occurred at San Fran
cisco.
STATE OF JBFFEKsoN.-A Convention to
form Constitution for new State, to be called
g Jefferson" met at Denver city in June last.
This new State will be formed by taking parts
of Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah.
auu Will chDTdtc Tile WdtSIS vi Tue a TkADSdS
and Platte flowing into the Atlantic, and the
Colorado flowing into the Pacific. The address
of the preliminary Convention sets forth the
natural advantages with which the situation is
gifted for a State Government, and points out
the necessity of forming one 1t also says:
We may soon expect the advantage of the
iron horse, and national railroad is no longer
a question. Northern and Southern routes will
no longer be a cause of delay, for nature has
provided by her golden largess an argument
for its location that will be irresistible, and
both roads will become not a disputed issue
but remunerative speculation;
Let us then all unite as one in so great an
o. ect; forgotten be for the time all party creeds
political differences, and, with an eve sole
so glorious o result, let us push forward
ne one point before us, the formation of the
tie of Jefferson.
The Convention, after transacting the bust
ess which called it together, adjourned to re-
ssemble on the lst OF August, when they will
Ike the necessary step towards paving the way
or admission into the Union.
CONVENTION OF CoLoRED People ON THEIR
POLITICAL AND MORAL CONDITIoN-Boston
August IA large and respectable Convention
of colorcd persons assembled here to-day, to
consider the best course to be pursued in the
coming Presidential canvass, and the best
means to promote the moral, social, and politi-
cal elevation of the race. George I. Downing,
of Rhode Island, was made permanent Presi-
dent. Delegates were present from New York,
New Jersey, and other parts of the Union. The
slave Maria, lately taken from Plymouth, was
present. and received congratulations
Miss Bates, the sister of Hon. Edward Bates,
of St. Louis, recently emancipated the last of
thirty-two slaves, who formed part of her inner
itance, and whom she has gradually set free as
they became prepared to take care of them
selves in freedom. Judge Bates emancipated
the Last of his slaves several wars since