Nubia to Frederick Douglass, January 14, 1856

blame him. If he can save the State from bankruptcy, he will have proved himself an excellent Governor. The Address is brief— very brief; but then it is in keeping with the Governor; he has had but a brief existence— being about twenty-eight years old. He is a brief lawyer—having commenced the study of law in California. But I was mistaken in calling him a "brief lawyer," as he never had one. His career as Governor is destined to be as brief as it can be—i. e., two years.

The colored people (that is a small portion of the entire number) are circulating petitions for the repeal of the statute prohibiting the testimony of a colored person in any court in which a white person is a party. This petition is altogether different from those that have preceeded it. It does not emanate, from its face, from the colored people. Its form is, " 'We, the undersigned' petitioners, humbly pray your Honorable bodies to repeal," &c., &c.; and the signatures being those of voters, (white men,) the Legislature will find it out of their power to treat this petition in the way its predecessors were treated. This is the best of policy on the part of the colored people, and is an evidence of their improvement in political science. The petition is being signed by numerous representations of the wealth and talent of the State; but I regret to say that there are hundreds of colored people in this State who are either opposed to, or are indifferent about the efforts which a few of us are making for the betterance of our condition. Such people deserve consignment to some sugar or cotton plantation, with no prospect of liberty.

Cora, the man accused of murdering General Richardson, is being tried. This trial is the most important one that has yet taken place

For Frederick Douglass' Paper.

FROM OUR SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENT.

MR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:— I avail myself of a few hours' leisure, to give you and your numerous readers a "hasty sketch" of sayings and doings in this land of gold and crime.

New Year's day, for the first time since I have been in California, was strictly observed by all classes. Business of all kinds was laid aside; and gentlemen, according to custom, called on the ladies, who were abundantly prepared to receive them. The day was one of the most beautiful for the season of the year, that I ever beheld. Every body was pleased with every body. The fire eating Southerner suddenly remembered that black men, abolitionists, and eastern men, were men, and not wild beasts and slaves. The bigot forgot his bigotry; the broker his stocks; and all gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the day, with a zest that looked strangely in California, where every sentiment and feeling is suppressed that conflicts with a dishonest acquisition of gain. Absolute poverty—a great blessing in this part of the world—is beginning to stare us in the face; and this brings into exercise our better and purer nature. No one is so well prepared to feel for the poverty-stricken, as one who has felt its bitter sting.

The Legislature is in session; but as yet have not succeeded, in the Senate, in electing a Speaker.

Our new Governor, J. N. Johnson, has delivered his Inaugural Address. It is said to be an eminently practical document. It seems to me he has taken that position of Gov. Bigler's Address which advises retrenchment in every department of the State—adopted it entire— and closed his Message. But for this I do not

in the State. The peculiar circumstances of the killing—the wealth of the friends of either party—the number and ability of counsel on either side—the organization of a lynching committee—and the general excitement renders it a trial intensely interesting. The jury are constantly in the custody of the Sheriff—also the witnesses—that they may not be tampered with. Cora is an Italian by birth, but has lived in the United States since he was young. He is loved by a woman who has assumed his name, Belle Cora. She is quite wealthy, and is rapidly expending her fortune in endeavoring to have him acquitted. Gen. Richardson was a Texan, and is represented to have been a very desperate man. He was, at the time of his death, U. S. Marshal for the Northern District of the State.

The election of a Senator, in place of Dr. Gwin, will soon occupy the attention of the Legislature. The aspirants are numerous; the most prominent are, Gov. Foote, David Broderick, and H. Crabbe. Foote is Know Nothing; Broderick, Dem., (Tammany;) Crabbe, Whig, and the author of the (so-called) "Fugitive Slave Law" of this State. A "nigger" to him is an absolute necessity, when he wishes to shave or wants his boots blacked; but if found at the same table eating, he would instantly become a perfect nuisance. A negro is never disgusting because he is a negro; you can take the most disgusting familiarities with the most fastidious, if you are a negro servant, barber, or body servant. But if you are a negro gentleman, oh! oh! " 'tis absolutely unendurable, the impertinence of these niggers."

But I must close this hastily written letter.

Respectfully,

NUBIA.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 1856.