The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-12-24

he fires we're produced shows n precorce1teC plot.
In the hotels, the bed clothes aud soEe trunks. etc,
were found covered with phosphorus; matches we're
=iso scattered in the beds, the fires we're then set, and
the rooms locked.
EARTHQUAKES on VANCOUVER TsIASp-The Bri-
fish COtoHlSt, commenting upon the earthquake that
was felt at Victoria, '. l., on Saturday, the Doth
October last, remarks
In conversation with 8 gentleman who was resided
on Vancouver Island FOR 10 years, we learn that slight
earthquakes have occurred anuullay with one or two
exceptions during the entire period. Only on one
occasion (IS5S) does he remember experiencing 8
a shock at all approaching IN severity that of Satur-
day morning. The oscillation as % this last occasion
has almost invariably been from west to east, and he
accounts torsthis by supposing that the Internal con.
yulsICu OF the earth beneath has 10 End vent in the
crater OF Mount Baker situated 20 the east Of US.
This volcano has not had any visible eruption for
several years. On the lastocCasion II sent up a dense
volume Of smoke, and occasionally q bright fame
was seen to issue from the sery faruace. Another
old resident informs US that the appearance Of the
summit OF Mount Baker has undergone a material
change within late years, giving room for the con-
lecture that large portions have crumb!ei away and
descended into the yawning abyss OF the crater which
lies between the two highest peaks.
The following are the facts about the seizure Of the
steamer IN Lake Erie by rebels from British soil
The Island Queen left Sandusky at 8 P NJ, on the
18th, stopped at Kely's Island for thirty or forty
soldiers, aud passed to Middle Bosis Island, where
she found the Parsons in possession of pirates. who
at once seized the Island Queen. The soldiers were
parOled as Confederate prisoners, and the other
passengers sworn TO secrecy for twenty-fOur hours.
The Island Queen was then dashed to the Parsons,
and the two started for Sandusky. When out five
miles the water cock Of the Island Queens pony
engine was broken Oft, opening q hole in her side,
and she was cast of and left 10 sink. The Parsons
passed on to the mouth of Sandusky Bay, and after
lowering about some time. apparently signaling to
those inside. started for the Detroit river, arriving at
Fighting Island, on the Canada side, about s O'Clock
this morning, where Capt. Orr, his clelk and en-
gineer were landed, and the steamer burned, as pre-
parations were made for that object. The Captain
has 10 doubt that the seizure of the United States
steamer Michigan and the liberation Of the john
sons Island prisoners were the objects Of the plot.
Both steamers were stripped Of vaiuables.-.E Y.
Tribune.
Russia -INCENDIARY FIRES THROUGHOUT RUSSIA.
The Moscow Gazette publishes a ~frightful list of
fires which, since April last, have taken place in diff
ferent parts OF Russia, and it adds, that the account
of the principal disasters is not complete. The work
Of incendiaries commenced at the end of April, in
the Government of kalonea, by the destruction of
fGty-four houses; next at Okhansk, two hundred and
four houses were burnt; at S~erdobok. four-htths Of
the town was destroyed; at Mozir, one half OF the
houses; at Mologa, more than two hundred; and at
the fair OF Mini Novgorod, fifteen hundred booths
and one hundred and iorty-eight houses; ut Patrotsk
there were six fires in June. and entire quarters Of
the town were consumed. The powder magazine OF
NaZan and that of Okhta, near Petersburg, were
blown up. At Riga two fires occurred, the anne at
Tunien, where the finest quarters of the town were
consumed. At Orenburg six hundred houses were
burnt, ana bakl Is II heap or ruins. fOuf cohnaSfa-
tons took place at St. Petersburg, six at Simbirsk, n
town which, rs well as Yaroslavi, are now in ruins.
Previous to April two imperial cannon foundries
were laid waste. Fresh disasters are apprehended,
and the Russian Government is called upon to adopt
prompt and rigorous measures.
SITUATION OF THINGS AT RICHMOND.-The New
York Herald gives the following opinion
Gen. Grant at present stands between Lee and
Hood; but Lee, by the evacuation of Richmond. may
in q single days march get in between Sherman and
Grant. The moral effect Of the loss Of Richmond we
know would be fatal to the socaled 90 Confederacy,"
but it would not be so speedily fatal as a decisive de-
feat of Lees army, involving the loss of Richmond.
The question before long will be determined by q
stealthy evacuation or By the bloodiest struggle of the
war. General Grant is preparing himself at all
points for this latter alternative; but We do not aban~
don the idea that from the strength and completeness
OF his preparations he Will yet secure the rebel CAPT
tai without another genera! engagement The alter
native, We believe, will soon be made apparent to
Jeg Davis. If it be net now, that lie must abandon
Richmond TO save Lees army, or sacrifice that army
in d vain struggle TO hold the city.