Los Angeles Star, Volume VI, Number 50, 25 April 1857 — Speech of Hon. J. Lancaster Brent. [ARTICLE]

Speech of Hon. J. Lancaster Brent.

We have received a copy, (in pamphlet form,) of a speech delivered by this Hon. gentleman ii the Assembly of California, on Tuesday, the 17tl of March, published by request of the Hon. E. T Beatty, Speaker, and a large number of the mem bers of the Assembly. The speech is on the sub ject of the " Stamp Act." It is an elucidation o the principles upon which the bill is based—dis eussing the ob ections to the measure, and showing, conclusively and unanswerably, the necssit\ of the plan proposed. Mr. Brent, as -chairman of the committee of Ways and Means, was charged with the duty of providing revenue for carrying on the government of the State, and this bill i> the result of his labors. Of course it had to encounter a violent opposition, but the pamphlet before us contains good and substantial reasom for the measure, and shows conclusively the wisdom and prudence of the course recommended We cannot speak too highly of the importance of the labors of Mr. Breut during the present session. They will act beneficially for the State for year.to come, and should his bill become a law, (which we hope ere this is the case.) we fully agree with him, that " the people will iatify and confirm the action." Wells, Fargo & Co. have our thanks for a file oi he San Francisco Herald; also, for Eastern papers-

Accident to Col. J. J. Warner. —We are exceedingly sorry to have to record a serious accident which occurred to this most estimable gentleman yesterday week. He was stopping at the ranch of Don Felipe Lugo, a few miles from town, where he had a band of horses and mules. When engaged in assisting one of his Indian boys to hold a wild colt, which was jumping and kicking furiously, so great was the strain on his limbs, that the bone of his thigh broke, a little above the knee. It is very singular that such a circumstance should happen, but so it is. The Colonel was not aware ot having made any extraordinary exertion, and could not, when he fell, realize the fact that a fracture had occurred. He fltasif he had been struck by a ball. He was conveyed to the house, and medical attendance obtained. Dr. Griffin was immediately in attendance, and rendered all the aid which science could afford. On the painful circumstance becoming known, Don Juan Padilia of this city, waited on the Colonel and most kindly placed bis house at his service and had him removed to town on Monday last, where he now lies, and is progressing under the attention of the above experienced and skillful gentlemau,as comfortably as possible, under the circumstances. The whole community deeply sympathize in the misfortune of this much esteemed gentleman. Lecture by Dr. T. J. White.—On Thursday evening this gentleman delivered a lecture before the Mechanics' Institute of this city, on the subjfet—" California, its past, present, and future." The ball was crowded to its utmost capacity, being the largest assemblage we have seen within its precincts. A great many ladies were present. The learned gentleman most ably elucidated the subject, by a reference to our past history, more especially referring to matters of local interest, portraying the present improved state of affairs, and what California is destined to become, when her vast resources are developed, as the centre of the great trade between the East and the West The lecturer was frequently greeted, during his discourse, by the applause of the assembly. Mechanics' Institute.—We beg to remind our readers, that ihe regular weekly meeting of this flourishing institution will be held this evening .it half-past seven o'clock. The question for dis. cusBion is—' 1 Is the war now supposed to be raging between the three powers of England, France and the United States on one side, and the Chinese Empire on the other, justifiable ?" Young Men's Social Assembly.—We are much pleased to observe, that an association has been formed, by the yojng men of the city, for the purpose of social enjoyment. The object is an excel lent one, and we have no doubt it will be fully re. alized. The managers have resolved to give the first ball of the season on Tuesday evening nexi ; ind from the preparations now in progress, we! ire satisfied it will be a brilliant affair. Hereafter, it is the intention of the managers to hold monthly soirees. We give up our space to-day to the interesting intelligence from the Atlantic, brought to us h? the arrival of the iSenatoron Wednesday morning. I'he "news" reached San Francisco on the 12th instant, by the Golden Gate. When the Senator was six hours out. she met the Orizaba, (Nicaragua steamer,) going in to San Francisco, but could not obtain any papers. The intelligence brought by this steamer will reach here about the 7th of next month. Quick time, that—and news Iresb. Court op Sessions.—Hon. W. G. Dryden, presiding ; R. Sackett and Wm. B. Osborne, associate Justices. The Court was occupied until Thursday in heaiing aud deciding motions and argument on demurrers. On Thursday, the case of Miguel Blanco, charged with robbing W. W. Twist, was tried, and resulted in the acquittal of the defend" ant. Court adjourned till this alternoon. Earthquake.—On Sunday last, about one o':lock, p. m.. a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in this city. It caused doors and windows to j rattle pretty freely, and some people to run out of their houses, but did not create any general alarm. We may mention, that earthquake shocks are still of frequent occurrence at Fort Tejon, aud of considerable violence. Jack Powers.—This individual, it will be remembered, was arrested on a charge of burglary, illeged to have been comm tted in Los Angel s tounty—taken on habeas corpus before Judge Freelon, who '-efused to discharge him, but admitted him to ba;l ; and subsequently, on another 'inbeas corpus taken before the Supreme Court. Judge Burnett remanded him to the custody of the Chief of Police of this city, with instructions to <end him, as soon as possible, to Los Angeles county.— S. F. Chronicle. Powers arrived here "on Wednesday last by the steamer Senator, accompanied by his lawyer, Col. James, of San Francisco. He was examined yesterday before Justice Mallard, and although a .creat number of witnesses were called, nothing :ould be elicited to connect the accused with the jffence charged. Powers was consequently discharged. Acquitted.—Miguel Blanco, charged with the robbery of Capt. Twist, was acquitted by the jury oelore the Court of Sessions on Thursday; notwithstanding the identification of the prisoner aud ihe direct testimony of Twist to the main facts of the case as regards him. This appears still more •trange. when it is kuown that the prisoner had confessed to the officers his participation in the crime, aud what disposition had been made of the >ooty. But, the confession was not legally before the jury. Rumor.—lt was pretty generally rumored in own during the week, that the notorious Pancho .Janiel had been segn in the neighborhood of the Mission San Gabriel. Another report had it, that ihe famous '• Chino," having squandered large sums of money in Lower California, had also re- i turned, and met his fate at the hands of Pancho. j iforesaid; that his body was hanging at the end of a rope from a tree. This, we think, is too good iews to be true. St. John's, N. F.—The advices brought by the iast English mail, to the effVct that, the English government had entered into a convention with b'rauce to trausler to that power the Newfoundland lisheries. created intense excitement here. A fen oral meeting of all classes was called. On the day >f the mee ing, all the stores, shops and places ot ousiuess were closed. The British flag everywhere was half-mast, union down, and in some places ihe black flag was hoisted. The result ot the meet ing was a determination that the wrong to our people shall not be perpetrated. The Legislature .ind commercial classes are sending petitions to i,he Queen, and delegates are to proceed to England to protest against the measure.