, 1860-05-18

our friend Dan LOWELL for files of Victoria
and San Francisco papers.
The steamer Pacific arrived at Victoria
from San Francisco on the l4th inst, with
dates from California to the Sth.
The Pony Express arrived at San Fran
cisco on the 7th inst, having left st. JO-
seph, Mo-, on the evening Of the 2Sth of
April
We copy the following news from the
Ala California of the 9Th inst:
The National Democratic Convention
met at Charleston Oh the 23d Of April, and
was called to order by Judge Smalley, the
Chairman Of the National Central Com
mittee. Il. B. Flourney, of Arkansas, was
chosen temporary Chairman, and the or
ganization was perfected by the selection
Of Caleb Gushing as TIE permanent presi-
ding officer. 1t appears that the friends of
Stephen A. Douglas, representing New
York, Massachusetts, aud Illinois, and
holding contested seats, were at once ad-
mitted, and it was in regard to their par
ticuar rights and qualifications that the
first contest occurred in the Convention.
A motion to permit their representation OIL
the Committee Oh Platform was negatiyed
by a vote of $50 to A, but finally the Com
miltee on credentials reported in their favor.
The Majority Committee on platform re-
ported anti-Douglas resOlutions~to the fol-
lowing effect
Resolred, That the Platform adopted at
Cincinnati be affirmed, with the following
additional resolutions
Resolrsd, That the National Democracy
Of the United States hold these cardinal
principles-First, that Congress has no
power to abolish slavery in the Terrific
rics second, that the Territorial Legisla-
ture has no power to abolish slavery in
Territories, nor prohibit the introduction Of
slavery therein, nor any power to destroy
it by any legislation whateVeFe
ResoIred, That it is the duty Of the Fed
eral Government to protect, when neces-
sary, the rights of persons and property on
the high seas, and in oil territories, or
wherever its constitutional jurisdiction ex-
tends
Two minority reports were then present
ed, the principal of which affirmed the Gin
cinnati Platform, declared that the rights
in property are judicial in character, and
pledged the Democracy to sustain the de-
cisions of the Supreme Court Of the United
States offered ample protection to citi-
zens, native or natufalized, at home or
abroad approved the acquisition of Cuba
on terms honorable to Spaiu and deter
mined that all State resistance to the Fugi-
tive Slave law is revolutionary and subver-
sive of the Constitution.
The resolutions were. all still under dis
cussion, but it was thought probable that
the principal minority report, as explained
above, would be adopted in which case il
was supposed some five delegations from
the Southern States would Withdraw.
The California delegates appear to have
voted for the platform adopted by the ma
jority Of the Committee, and unfavorably
to the delegations representing New York,
Massachusetts, Illinois, and the two dele
gates from Maryland, who were supposed
to be friendly to Stephen A. Douglas.
A resolution was adopted allowing indi-
vidual members of delegations to vote as
they pleased in the absence of State in
structions. 1t was supposed that this rule
would increase the chances Of Mr.. Douglas,
inasmuch as il was claimed that many
Southern delegates were prepared to favor
his aspirations indeed there is a report iu
the city that the minority platform was, on
Saturday, the 28tb, adopted that nomin-
ations for President were offered, and that
Mr.. Douglas received within twenty of al
two third vote whereupou scene OF great
excitement enSued, resulting in Mr.. Doug
las nomination. What reliance may be
placed in this it is impossible to tell,
During the proceedings Of the Conven-
tion Gov. Robinson, delegate from Yer
mont, died of apOplexy, aud resolutions of
condolence were adopted.
On the Gath, snow fell at Oswego, n. Y,
and cotton and other crops were considera
bly, damaged at the South on the 18th, by
heavy frost.
The Denver City Express, which arrived
at AtchisOn on the 25th, was obliged toI
leave passenger on the mountains, on ac-
count of his being SnOw-blind
John Scuddcr, who killed BIssett, last
year, at Denver, has deliver I'D himself up
1t is thought be would be acquitted.
Col Lander sailed on the steamer of tile
goth for California. lie was Serenaded inI
New York previous to his departure, and
made Il speech.
A collision occurred between two trains
on Iron Mountain Railroad, near st. Louis,
by which John Simons, DR.. Killer, q. w.
ltothie, and boy named James Murray
were killed, and several wounded.
An explosion occurred in powder mill
at Yellow Springs, near Xenia, on the
2Sth, killing two men
Arms was shot dead, few days since, at
Topeka, Kansas, by a man named Ritchie,
while attempting to arrest him for robbing
! the post-oaice.