The Shasta courier., 1863-03-21

Mosquito Inlet. Expedition boats weut With
the Sycamore to the town of Smyrna, to pro-
pose capturing or destroying vessel loaded
with cotton, when brisk engagement of 20
minutes took place, resulting n the destruc
lion Of the vessel.
. Advices by steamer Union say that the
lebels have erected formidable batteries at
Galveston, mounted with guns taken from
the Harriet Lane and Westfeld. On the
18th, the Q. S. steam frigate Brooklyn threw
q few shells into the fort on Pelican Island,
and also into the town, setting it on 6re,
which was extinguished. The Harriet Lane
is up the river seventy miles, and is being
iron clad.
New York, lSth.-- Sterling exchange l69,
and gold closed at 54. A meeting held at
the Stock Exchange. to-day, subscribed
a, 900 in aid of Atlantic telegraphing.
State Newa
San Francisco, March 16th--The seizure
bf the schooner j. N. Chapman, yesterday
by Custom House authorities, on the charge
of being a rebel pirate. intending to prey on
q. s. commerce, 7S9 TASKS quicksilver,
bread, casks, corks, so cans, drugs, wines,
&c., all Of the value of $33, ,557. A partial
examination Of the vessel was made to-day,
which resulted in finding Is men in the
hold, alro several cases marked machinery,
the contents of which, on the examination,
proved to consist of several brass cannon, and
- quantities of muskets, cutlasses, pis.
Awder, solid and hollow shot, and
-. A Mr.. Magado was arrested on
shore for shipping these arms and munitions
of war, under the pretense of machinery. be
making out invoices Of the same. Magado,
on being araested, denies any knowledge of
their contents. The Government officers
state that they have full proof of the contem-
plated uses of this schooner as a pirate, un-
der the rebel flag. Other parties claim they
were for the Mexican Government.
San francisco, March l7.-Further eyam-
ination Of the pirate schooner Chapman in
creases the evidence against her. The copy
of their oath found requires them to act for
the benefit of the Southern Confederacy by
every means and opportunity, death to be the
punishment to any recreant. Another paper
was found which was to have been published
and circulated secretly among the secession
lists throughout the State. 1t appears tney
were to furnish themselves with arms and
collect in Sacramento at given date. seize
steamer, cut the telegraph wires, go to Bene-
cia and seize the Arsenal and then come
down and take Fort Alcatras and Fort Point
by SURPRISE After this California was to be
declared out Of the Union, and member of
the confederacy. The Chapman's s guns were
two brass II Founders. 20 sea rians,. 80. kegs
powder, 200 loaded shells for hand grenades
or howitzers, 1913 twelve. FOUNDER shells,
small arms, &c. Gen. Wright has ordered
all soldiers absent without leave to report at
military headquarters at San Francisco OF
Fort Vancouver on lst of April
San Francisco, March l9th-H rumor is
prevalent here that Captain Law, of the
Chapman, has turned States evidence, and
disclosed the various particulars of the intend
ed piracy, and also the names of those en-.
gagged.
Sacramento, 19th.-A disgraceful scene
took place in the Senate chamber this after
noon. The Capitol bill was being discussed,
and while the roll was being called on some
question, Perkins insisted on the proper ques-
ton being put. After several interruptions,
the Chair, Mr.. Harvey, ordered him to sit
down. He refused, and the Sergeant at
Arms was ordered to arrest him. Perkins
showed fight, and three or four Senators went
to the aid of the Sergeant-a Arms, and one
or two to help Perkins. He was finally
carried out Of the chamber. Several desks
were overturned during the squabble.