10th. The Ohio arrived, bringing from Chagres $500,000 in gold. 12th. Lieut. Beale, of the navy, arrived as the bearer of despatches to the government from San Francisco, and bringing with him a copy of the constitution of California.

This is the gentleman who, when pursued by the Indians, so generously gave up his horse to a soldier who begged him to save his life for the sake of his wife and children, and thus apparently surrendered up all hope of preserving his own life; but was providentially rescued.

14th. The Capitol of Alabama.-This beautiful edifice was destroyed by fire. The archives of State were all saved.

The mercury at St. Paul's, Minesota, was 20° below Zero.

15th. The Fair for all Nations.-This grand assemblage proposed by Prince Albert is to be held at a future day, yet to be named. In a recent paper we find this notice:-"A large and highly respectable meeting, presided over by the Lord Mayor, took place at Egyptian Hall, London, relative to the proposed exhibition of the industry of all nations in that city, during the ensuing year. The best feeling was evinced towards the plan of the projectors, and it was proposed to raise by subscription the sum of £20,000 to distribute in premiums. All nations are invited, without distinction or preference, and the promoters of the design feel no misgiving of the possibility of raising £100,000 or more for the general expenses of the exhibition."

16th. The Hungarian Exiles.-Ladislaus Ujhazy, the Ex-Civil Governor of Comorn, and his companions, arrived in New Yorkamong them were several distinguished officers, and the celebrated Mademoiselle Apolonia Jagella, who so heroically devoted herself to the care of the wounded, during the struggles and battles in Hungary. Previously to leaving Europe, Gov. Ujhazy addressed a letter to the President of the United States announcing the determination of the exiles, "to seek a permanent resting-place for themselves, their wives and children, upon the friendly shores of America."-And asking from the citizens of the United States, "nothing but that hospitality which they are always ready to extend to the unfortunate victims of despotism, and which it would be their first duty to deserve at their hands." After their arrival, he received the following response from Gen. Taylor.

"SIR-I have duly received your letter of Nov. 2d, from London, announcing the determination of yourself and comrades to seek an asylum in America.

The people of this republic have deeply sympathized with the Hungarians in their recent struggle for constitutional freedom, and in the calamities which have befallen their unhappy land; and I am sure that I but speak the universal sentiment of my countrymen, in

bidding you and your associates a cordial welcome to our soil, the natural asylum of the oppressed from every clime. We offer you protection and a free participation in the benefits of our institutions and our laws, and trust that you may find in America a second

home.

I am, with high respect, your sincere friend,

LADISLAUS UJHAZI.

Late Governor of Comorn, in Hungary.

Z. TAYLOR.

17th. California,-State Organization, &c.—By the arrival of the steamer Empire City in New York, which brought $2,000,000 in gold, we have recent news from California. On the 17th December the legislature was fully organized, and on the 20th, the governor, Peter H. Burnet, was inaugurated, the oath of office being administered by the Chief Justice.

The constitution had been adopted by the people of California by a vote of 12,061 out of 15,000, the whole number of votes polled. The election took place in the rainy season, and great numbers of voters could not reach the polls.

The message of the governor was sent to both houses on the 21st, and 10,000 copies in English, and 2,000 in Spanis a, were ordered to be printed.

An election of United States senators, and of representatives in Congress, took place immediately after the organization of the house, and resulted in the choice of Col. J. C. Fremont, and Dr. Wm. M. Gwinn, as senators, and of George W. Wright, and Edward Gilbert, as representatives in Congress. The following are the State officers:

Governor-Peter H. Burnet. Lieut. Governor-John M'Dougal. Secretary of State-William Van Voorhies. Treasurer-Richard Roman. Comptroller-J. S. Houston. Attorney General-Edward J. C. Kewen. Surveyor General-Charles J. Whiting. Chief Justice S. C. Hastings. Associate Justices-H. A. Lyon, Nathaniel Bennett,

Thus this new state seems to be completely organized, and ready for admission into the Union, and its senators and representatives either on the way to or at the seat of the general government, before the question of its admission has been decided by Congress.

The accounts state that a very destructive fire had occurred at San Francisco on the 24th, causing the destruction of property to the amount of a million and a half of dollars. A fire had also, on the same date, broken out at Stockton, and caused the loss of $150,000 worth of property.

A party of armed Chilenos, numbering 200, had attacked a few Americans in the diggings, killing three, and severely wounding VOL. III.-DEC., 1849.

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others. A party of Americans had started from Stockton to revenge the injury, and it was feared it might lead to a serious outbreak.

A large number of persons having disputed the title of John A. Sutter to the lands which he holds under Mexican grants, have actually seized and "squatted" upon lots in Sacramento city.

The mines are nearly abandoned for the present, owing to the heavy falls of rain and snow.

18th. News received of the destruction of a formidable fleet of pirate junks on the coast of Borneo by Sir James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak, and 400 men killed.

Bloody Affrays.-Had we room and inclination to do so, we might chronicle a number of murderous conflicts which have occurred in broad day-light in the streets of our cities and towns within the current quarter. Bound, however, to exhibit the evil with the good, that we may present true pictures of the times, we take two of the first that come to hand as specimens of the revolting scenes that have been enacted within the quarter.

At St. Louis, two persons, Wimer and Thomas, both men of respectable standing, quarrelled, and meeting in the street, drew revolvers and fired at each other, and then closed in a hand to hand struggle. Wimer being the strongest, obtained the advantage, and beat his antagonist over the head with a pistol. Thomas, whilst held down, drew a small pistol and shot Wimer through the body, who fell, exclaiming "I am killed." He died that night. This affair happened in the afternoon, and many persons by.

At Shreveport, La., Dr. Green and Mr. Hester, who had previously been on an intimate footing, met at the hotel; the latter immediately struck the former, and was about drawing a knife, when Dr. Green exclaimed that he was not armed. He was told to go and arm himself, and they separated. For a day or two, hostile messages passed between them, when Mr. Hester, without notifying any person, so far as known, went to the back door of Dr. Green's room, pushed it open, and instantly fired twice at the doctor, one of the shots taking effect in his side. Dr. Green sprang to his feet, pistol in hand, and fired at Mr. Hester, the shot taking effect also in his side. He then threw his pistol, striking Mr. H. on the head, drew a bowie knife, stabbed him four or five times-once in the breast, and Mr. Hester fell and immediately expired. Dr. Green lived till 2 o'clock that night.

The Mission of Peace and Good Will.-In contrast with such bloody conflicts, and as another part of the picture, we record an account received at the same time of the labours of a worthy missionary in New England, performed in the spirit of Christian philanthropy, who has, during the past year, looked after hundreds of sick sailors, seen that the destitute were clothed, assisted many a poor boy

with means to return to his almost broken-hearted mother and put on board our whale ships 382 Bibles, 1,148 testaments, and about 10,000 tracts and pamphlets.

At Onondagua Castle, Oneida county, N. Y., the pagan Indians still residing there celebrated the rite of sacrificing the White Dog. The customary victim was immolated on the flaming altar, with all the formality and circumstance of ancient usage among the Iroquois, in presence of the pagan portion of the nation, and of a numerous body of white persons, spectators!

21st. The British steamer Hecate, came up the Potomac to Washington, having on board Sir Henry L. Bulwer, the British minister, and his family.

About the same time Mr. Donelson, late minister to the Germanic confederation, arrived at Washington.

22d. Woolsey & Co.'s sugar refinery was destroyed by fire in New York. The loss on the sugar was $200,000-on the machinery $300,000-on the buildings $50,000-total, as estimated, $600,000, only a small portion of which was insured, as the company had lately let a policy of $250,000 on the property run out. Nearly five hundred hands are thrown out of employment by this calamity.

In Cincinnati, the pork house of Pugh & Co. was destroyed by fire, with the loss of $100,000. There was $70,000 worth of lard

in the buildings, and 3000 hogs uncut.

The Convention in Kentucky for the revision of the constitution, finished its labours. The new instrument provides for the election of judges by the people; and the right of the owner to the slave is declared "as inviolable as the right to any other property."

In the House of Representatives of the United States a Speaker was chosen, after a struggle of nearly three weeks between the contending parties, by the adoption of the plurality rule, as proposed by Mr. Stanton of Tennessee. On the sixty-third vote, Mr. Howell Cobb, of Georgia, received 102 votes, and Mr. Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, 100 votes, when the former was declared duly elected Speaker; and on being conducted to the chair by Messrs. Winthrop and M'Dowell, addressed the House as follows: Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

It would be useless to disguise the fact that I feel deeply embarrassed in taking this chair under the circumstances attending my

election.

I am conscious of the difficulties by which this position is surrounded at the present time.

The peculiar organization of this body, as exhibited in our proceedings since we first met-the nature and character of the various

important and exciting questions of public policy which will engage our attention during the present session of Congress, conspire to render the duties of the office peculiarly embarrassing, onerous, and responsible.

I may be permitted, therefore, to ask in advance your generous aid and support in the effort I shall make firmly, faithfully, and impartially to discharge its duties.

The country has been looking with anxiety to our efforts to effect an organization. The people will continue to regard with intense interest every step we take in our legislative course. Our duties will be laborious, our responsibilities great. Let us, then, in view of these considerations, invoke, in the discharge of these duties, a patriotism as broad as the Union, and as comprehensive as the nature and character of her various interests and institutions. Guided by this spirit, under the blessing of Heaven, our action will result in the continued prosperity of our common country.

Accept, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgments for the honour you have conferred on me in selecting me as your presiding officer during the present Congress.

24th. Both houses of Congress being now organized for the transaction of business, the President, at a quarter past one o'clock, transmitted by the hands of his private secretary, Col. Bliss, his annual message.

The 229th anniversary of the landing of the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock was celebrated in New York.

25th. The steamer Empire City arrived from Chagres at New York with nearly half a million of dollars in California gold.