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FROM CALIFORNIA.

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THE RUSSO-AMERICAN CABLE.

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SAN FRANCISCO, October 23. - Sailed, steamer John L. Stephens, for Northwestern Mexican ports, with a cargo valued at $150,000, including $50,000 worth of mining machinery for the Sonora and Sinaloa mines, and spring presses for the Mazatlan and Guyamas Bank.

The steamer George S. Wright, with Colonel Bulkley and party, comprising the Russian telegraph expedition, was at Plover Bay on September 23rd. Winter there is fast coming on, with long nights and little sunshine. The exploration had developed the fact that the Knickpak river was the same as the Fair river, and was navigable for small steamers to English. 

The port of Grantly Harbor has been selected for the landing of the Russo-American cable on the American side. It is a safe harbor, with a hard bottom. There was no timber found in that region of the country.

Colonel Bulkley had sounded across Behring's Straits to St. Lawrence Bay. The soundings were favorable all the way across, the bottom being muddy ground. Ice was first discovered off St. Lawrence Bay, which was not favorable for laying of cable, it being shallow and exposed to southeast gales. Michigan Bay was found full of ice. Package Bay presented a good bottom, and seemed suitable for laying the cable, the Asiatic side being more mountainous than that of the American. The country around was entirely destitute of timber, and the ground was thawed about thirty inches in depth. The Indians on both sides were friendly, and promised to be useful. The Russians had done everything possible to further the enterprise. 

As the steamer with Colonel Bulkley will return to San Francisco in November, Professor Keriment will be left with an exploring party of twelve men at Fort St. Michael, at the mouth of the Knickpak. A small propeller will be left with him to explore the Yaquima.

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