umstance of
all the earth containing gold down to the bottom rock, which is struck
at a depth of four feet. The gold is found in coarse grams, interspersed
with large lumps. An extensive emigration had already set towards the
new placer. The Volcano diggings continue to give large returns; while
there is no diminution in the yield of the old localities on the
American Fork, the Stanislaus and the Mariposa. The quartz veins on the
latter river and in the neighborhood of Nevada City, give proof of
astonishing richness; but the gold is generally found in such fine
particles, that not more than half of it can be collected by any
machinery which has yet been brought into use. Veins of silver ore,
which promise to be very rich, have been discovered on Carson's Creek.

The Californian Legislature adjourned on the last day of April, after a
session of four months. Among its last acts was the passage of a law,
exempting homesteads and other property from forced sale in certain
cases. It also passed a Usury Law, fixing interest at ten per cent., and
allowing eighteen per cent. by special agreement. Party politics have
attained a height scarcely known in the older States at present. The
City election in San Francisco was very hotly contested, but finally
resulted in the choice of all the Whig candidates, except two. Both
parties are marshalling their forces for the coming State election. The
prominent candidates for Governor, are Major Roman, the present State
Treasurer, with the Democrats, and Major Pearson B. Redding with the
Whigs.

A body of Indians have been committing depredations on the Salinas
Plains, near Monterey. They have killed three persons near the town of
San Luis Obispo, robbed all the ranches, and driven away the horses from
San Antonio to San Miguel. According to the treaty made with the Nevada
Indians by the U. S. Commissioners, six tribes, numbering in all 1500
persons, have been removed to a tract of land twelve miles square,
between the Merced and Tuolomne Rivers, which is secured to them for
ever. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, the tribes still continue their
depredations. Lynch law still remains in force in all the mining
districts. A band of five Mexicans, who had been detected stealing
cattle on the San Joaquin River, were tried in a summary manner, and all
executed.

A project has been started to supply San Francisco with water from a
lake called "Mountain Lake," a few miles from the city. It is des