Rocklin (CA) Placer Herald, "From Our Regular Correspondent," May 15, 1858

    From Our Regular Correspondent.

         SAN FRANCISCO, May 12th, 1858.

FRIEND MITCHELL:

   For years the people of this city have felt a just pride in the promptness and efficiency of her Firemen. Scarce was the alarm sounded before they were on the ground, and the destructive element arrested, before it had got fairly under way; whilst in other cities the Department was disgraced by continually recurring fights, here perfect harmony prevailed, and the only contest they indulged in, was a noble rivalry which should do the most "Pro bono Publico." But I very much fear that, for the future, even the semblance of harmony is at an end. The ill feeling engendered among those who occupied different sides of the Vigilance question, instead of dying out by the lapse of time, seems on the contrary to gain strength. It was exhibited in the contest for the Chief Engineership, between the successful candidate Whitney, (Vigilante) and Nuttman (Law and Order,) the opposition, the vote was so near a tie that the Board of Delegates would not give a certificate of election to either, and it was finally referred to the Board of Supervisors, who after hearing the testimony decided as every one knew they would beforehand in favor of Whitney. This was considered an act of injustice by Nuttman's friends, and I believe, with considerable show of reason; as there was strong reason tons suspect that frauds had been committed. They should have called a new election, which would probably have made a much more definite and satisfactory settlement of the matter. No better evidence need by produced, that public opinion was against their decision than the fact that ten companies out of seventeen are opposed to Whitney and have protested against his continuing to exercise the authority conferred by the position; and they do not stop here, but absolutely refuse to obey his orders on the grounds that he has no right to the position, expressing at the same time, their perfect willingness to obey the command of the assistant engineers. In carrying out this determination, at a fire on Sunday night last, certain parties who disobeyed the orders of Whitney were arrested, and when the come to be tried for the offense will plead, that they do not acknowledge him to be legally elected; but whether this will bring the merits of the case to a test, is more than I can tell. The whole affair is one that cannot be two [too] much regretted, and if a satisfactory settlement is not come at speedily, it is very much to be feared that Firemens fights will be the order of the day in this unfortunate city.

   The steamer Commodore, (late Bro. Jonathan) left yesterday for Puget's Sound, with quite a moderate number of passengers, principally Frenchmen. They have an idea that those who speak that language will be treated in a more friendly manner than Americans, as most of the employees of the Hudson's Bay Company are Canadian Frenchmen. By late advices from the Sound, I learn that the negro delegation was received in the most distinguished manner by Gov. Douglas, at Victoria; he was quite delighted to receive them, and will be most happy to sell them land at $5 per acre, one fourth down and the balance in four years. Nine months residence gives them the right to vote. They can go to the mines and dig as much gold as they like without paying any license. Now if Mr. Darkey is not satisfied with that he is hard to please; I only hope the inducement will be sufficient to induce a general stampede from California to a country, where they are evidently considered better than white men, and will be admitted to an equality, for which they are doubtless perfectly adapted both in habits and education.

   Frazier's River was pronounced impassable for canoes, having risen 60 feet; high water in the mines was also interfering with the miners, who were said to be making $5 and $10 per day, which at the high price of provisions would not have been much more than grub money. On the Oregon route, by the Dalles and Fort Walla Walla, to the mines, they are expecting an Indian war similar to the one not long since closed, and according to their usual custom they have commenced stealing stock, both from the Government and private individuals. The people of Oregon are considerably alarmed about it; the Indians on the Reservations had become very much dissatisfied, and a stampede was expected every night. The presumption is that those who have lived among them so long should be able to make a close conjecture as to the meaning of their movements, and their decided opinion is, that a war has been decided upon, and that there will be a combine action of all the tribes. In that event the miners at the new diggings will be in rather a tight place.

   Brother Brigham after all his blowing, has weakened at last. Information from both the San Bernardino and Carson Valley routes, direct from Salt Lake, confirm the fact. As soon as information was received that Johnston's command was actually marching to Salt Lake, Brigham and one of his visions, in which he was commanded to go with his people to the south. They were deserting their cities without destroying them, as they had threatened to do. As long as the winter snows prevented the approach of the troops they were very valiant, but as soon as fighting time really approaches, their cowardly legs run away with their heroic hearts. The result of this "cave in" will be the disorganization of a large portion of their members, who will prefer to remain where they are, instead of following the wanderings of the Saints to their next resting place. The amount of the matter is that, Brigham found that he could not rely on the great body of the people, and saw clearly that his only chance to retain his position, as the head of the church, is to move off, with all who will stick by him, to look for some new place far from their persecutors. Where they will go, is clouded in considerable obscurity; the present intelligence, indicates that it will be to the south; but their determination will be made at the council they hold at Parowan. Heretofore it has been supposed that they would go north, to the British Possession, in order to get out of the reach of the United States, but if they go into Sonora, they surely will not attain their object, as they cannot fail to see that before five years we will have possession of all northern Mexico. 

   Quite a number of Mormons, who sold out so cheap and left San Bernardino, in such a hurry last fall, have returned and are quite anxious to repurchase the homes they left. They have doubtless found that they themselves had been sold by Brigham at a much cheaper rate than they had disposed of their property. The movement will have one good effect so far as regards that fine valley, as the few Mormons who are left, or who may come back will have to conform to the ways and customs of the white population who are now largely in the majority. Lieut. Ives expedition is returning. I have mentioned before that he had succeeded in navigating the Colorado 525 miles above Fort Yuma, with a boat drawing 3 feet during the lowest stage of the River and that it was only six hundred miles form the head of navigation on the Colorado to the same point on the Arkansas, and in the intervening space there was only one place where Lieut. Beale had to double team, and that he represented not to be a very steep hill but was one that could be easily graded. They found the banks of the River rich int he ores of copper, silver and other metals, which the convenience of navigation will render doubly valuable. I consider the discoveries made by this expedition, second to none that have been made on this coast; the navigation of the River will be an immense convenience to the Salt Lake county.

   The Board of Supervisors met this morning and have ordered by a vote of nine to one that companies, No. 1 J.E. Nutmeg, Foreman, and Knickerbocker No. 5 David Scannel, Fereman, at once deliver up their engines and Engine Houses to the authority. These are the companies that refused to obey Whitney at the fire on Sunday night, as above mentioned. A fight is expected, they refuse to deliver up the machines.*

   This morning Mons. Galley of the firm Leascheux Galley & Co., of this city, was stabbed by a woman named Girand––Cause jealousy. He is supposed to be mortally wounded.           Yours truly,

                        OMIKRON.

   *The Chief Engineer and the Police succeeded in obtaining the houses and engines by breaking open the doors. No forcible resistance was made.––[Ed.