AMERICAN NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1165, 26 September 1865, Page 5

AMERICAN NEWS.

We are indebted to Captain Duncan, of the bargee Prospector, for California papers to the 14th July. We extract the following from the Alia Californiu :— EXTENSIVE FIRE AND GREAT LOSS OF LIFE IN MARY3VILLK. Makysville, IHh July. About 2 o'clock this morning a fire broke out in the extensive feed an:3 sale stables of Joshua Davis, corner of A and Fourth streets. .When discovered the fire had gained such headway it was impossible to save anything besides the building. The following contents were destroyed :— 2000 bushels of grain, 50 tons hay, 14 horses, 20 mules, 4 eight-mule waggons, 2 of which were loaded with goods for the interior, and one with lumber, together with several small waggons and butrgies. The entire loss will approximate 50,000 dols; there was an insurance upon the building of 20,000 dols. During the progress of the fire, while men were endeavoring to rescue some articles, the east wjrfl of the building fell, burying several persons who stood underneath. The following are the casuakies : John W. Kay, employe of the California Express, killed; Isaac Ellis, wool and hide dealer, killed; Wm. Johnston, teamster, severely injured, will probably die; Walter Otis, a young man, back broken, will probably die; \Vm. Smith, stige proprietor between Oroville and Quittcy, leg broken, Several others received greater or less injuries.

THE CONSPIRACY TRIAL Is now nearly over; after a five weeks* siege several witnesses have been examined. Some days must elapse before the finding of the Military Court is known. The evidence does not show one of those strong cases of conspiracy, on the part of the accused, which the government expected to prove. Of the eight, one ouly had the rutfian nerve to carry out his understanding with Booth—the latter to kill the President, and the former to slay the S.crctary of State. Atzerot's victim, in the programme, being Andrew Johnson, but (as was shown in the evidence) he had the character among his intimate associates of being a coward; and therefore did not attempt to strike,

The testimony against the others is more circumstantial than real; and although there is enough to damage reputation, there is not sufficient to hang them. But the investigation has brought out more important facts against leading rebels than against the miserable creatures now arraigned. It shows, first, that persons regularly commissioned by the late Rebel Government undertook to scatter c'othing infected with yellow fever and small pox, both among civilians of the principal cities and the soldiers. Secondly, a system of city burning—arson on a stupendous scale, tiie destruction of shipping and the defl ignition of steamboats on the western water.-*, being a p-rt of the policy. The tremendous explosion at City Point la;t August, by which vessels were blown into atoms end many persons killed, was the result of an infernal machine, and it is plain that there was a plan to capture " Old Abe," as he was called. Hovi far Jeff. Davis himself is implicate'! does not appear. There is nothing to show that he actually aided the assassination, although he and his Government advisers did not — so far as the evidence shows— discourage poisoning, burning, and stealing.

We give the following from the San Francisco News Letter: —

The loss of population by land and sea' does not fall much, if any, short of GOOO for the first six months oi' this year—looo a month !

On the evening of 3rd July, a perfect rainbow, unusually vivid in its hues, spanned the eastern sky. This phenomenon is so rare in. San Francisco, that the papers have spoken of it as something supernatural. The Alt'i, of the 4th, says: —" May we not be pardoned for indulging in the belief that this unusual manifestation has in it an unusual significance, heralding forth to our people the assurance that the day of our National tribulation has passed, that the storm-clouds are breaking away from our horizon, and that the deluge of fire and blood which has just swept over our land, shall return no more for ever ?" The celebration of

the "Fourth" in this city was marred by the discontent occasioned in many quarter?, on account of the invitation extended to the negroes to join in the procession. Several Irish organisations, Engine Companies, and others, refused to parade. The Italian Garibaldi Association, after appearing on the ground and being assigned their place in the line, refused to take it, because they were to be immediately followed by the negroes, and inarched oIF the ground. —The exercises in the theatre were well attended. John W. Dwindle, E?q., a lawyer, residing in Oakland, delivered the oration, and C. W. Weudte read a poem in blank verse, written by Mrs W. H. Stephens. An elaborate " Triumphal Arch," at the corner of California and Montgomery streets, was the great feature, co far at decoration is concerned. It was designed by M. F. Butler, an architect of this city. During tha exercises at the theatre, Speaker Colfax being loudly called for, was compelled to make a Epeech, apparently much against hi 3 inclination.— During the march of the procession, the negroes were at several points greeted by white ladies in the windows and balconies with waving handkerchiefs. IntheSalvator pirate case, which has led to so much discussion in reference to " the duties of advocates in criminal cases," a General Order (No. 52) has been issued, sentencing "T. E. Hogg, E. A. Swain, John S. Hiddie, W. L. Black, T. J. Grady, R. B. Lyon and Joseph Higgin, to be hanged by the neck until they are dead, at such time and place as the proper authorities may direct, twothirds of the Commission concurring therein." This sentence of death has been mitigated by General M'Dawal to the following: "To confinement in the State Penitentiary, at San Quentin, California, T. E. Hogg, the leader, for the term of his natural life, and, E. A. Swain, John S. Hiddie, W. L. BUok, T. J. Grady, R. B. Lyon, and Joseph. Higgin, each for the term of ten years." A movement for the adoption of a greenback currency in this State seems about to be inaugurated^ A '' Union Convention " in Placer County, has adopted the following resolution:— " Resolved, That the loyal citizens of this County look forward with anxiety to the I adoption of the National .Currency Notes [as a. circulating medium." The same

" Convention" adopted another resolution, which seems to squint towards a revival of " Native Americanism." It is as follows : " Resolved, That henceforth the watchword of American patriotism will be ' America for Americans, and by Americans,' which includes all men born oa native or foreign soil, who accept in their hearts our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our laws, and who are inspired by the spirit of American liberty; while it rigidly excludes all, both native and foreign, in whose hearts there ia avowed sympathy with domestic traitors or foreign foes." The "colored people" of California are talking about holding a Convention, to consider how they can best advance their interests.