The Shasta courier., 1862-03-01
Local Items.

We dispatched our city news man, Mr..
jenkins, on a secret embassy through this
city, to procure all the current bits of news
that might be afoat in the community. Mr..
Jenkins was furnished with secret instruc-
tions by US, which were not to be opened un-
til he reached Crate Hopper's. The instruc-
tions furnished our reporter were full, and
covered the following points:
l. He was to inquire in regard to all cam
phene explosions. 2. He was to institute
careful and judicious investigation respecting
the number of births in this vicinage during
the week, covering, in the same connection,
statistics relative to the number that may be
looked for in the next three months. 8. Run
away horses attached to wagons. 4. The
views of eminent local secessonists ON the
fight at Fort Donelson, the evacuation Of
Bowling Green, the capture of Savannah and
Gov. Harris proclamation. 5. Dog fights.
6. Miscellaneous items, not embraced in the
foregoing. Superadded to these ample in
structions, was one personal to Mr.. Jenkins
alone, to the effect that he was at all times,
during his embassy, to abstain from strong
drink
Previous to his departure, Mr.. j. requested
of us the loan of four bits. which we declined
furnishing, as it might lead to an infraction
of the last instruction mentioned above. At
7:20 this morning we were laced in rosses-
sion of his interesting report, which, it is
needless to say, that Notwithstanding the un-
satisfactory character of its details, reflects
the highest credit on the perseverance of our
local editor. We subjoin only part
In accordance with your instructions. l
went forth upon my mission, with a determi-
nation to furnish the six or seven hundred of
your readers, who take the COURIER and paw
for 1t, as well as the two or three thousand
who read it, and don't, with all the curl ent
intelligence calculated to amuse or instruct.
The position of local reporter is a response.
BILE one, and his duties are four-fold. thus
(The six pages following we reluctantly omit.
We shall send them to the Era.-ED. lst
In relation to camphene explosions. | am
not able to furnish any information. For the
paucity of intelligence in this department,
the general reasons may be assigned, that the
growing use of coal Oil, or as it was called in
the scientific association of which | was once
corresponding secretary. petroleum, has di-
minshed, very perceptibly. casualties arising
from the unexpected ignition of camphene.-
inasmuch as coal oil, or petroleum, is now
being extensively aduiterated with camphene
pura, (either Latin or Spanish,) it is to be
hoped that the number of distressing acc-
dents from this cause will soon reach the le-
gitimate and proper figure. To this will
add, that the camphene now imported is gen
orally so adulterated with unexplosive mix
lures. that it will not explode
, As to the number of births. | am
gricved, and. [ may add, astonished, to re-
port that have none to record. As to the
second branch of your inquiry under this
head, | must be permitted to say, that though
| have compiled much valu bile information.
considerations of public policy y''-if may
be permitted to quote the words Of so august
a parsonage as President Davis, when as
signing his reasons for n9t advancing on
Washington-are alone sufficient to deter me
from Withholding such intelligence as | have,
with some trouble, and much delicacy, pro-
cured. For this. refractory reticence" Ia
word which, it is but just to say, was first
nTouSut W my dttcutiou ny lic Gan rsfNclScO
Herald) on my part, let me express the hope
that you will not feel called upon to scvcr the
pleasing business relations that now so hap
PLY exist between us.
3. OF runaways have nothing to report.
1. Concerning the opinions of secession
lists, as to the capture, by the Genius of
American Liberty, by the aid of that san
culinary fowl, the Eagle. of the places you in
dicate can only say that, if yon bad exhib-
tied that refulgent forethought which is one
of your greatest characteristics, yoa would
have classed that branch of your instructions
under the aforcnamed head of - camphene
explosions As you are already aware, l
am of a religious turn of mind, and expect
shortly to be the head of family, from
which you will perceive, that blasphemy, un-
der any of its forms, is repulsive to my nat
ural instincts.
Passing to the more important head of
dog fights, can only say that the CANNES
of this town are lameutahly peaceable, pass
ing and repassing each other, with only the
ordinary interchange of civiities