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^[[San Francisco Oct 23 1865 ]] [[line]] LOCAL MATTERS. [[line]] The Russian Telegraph Expedition. [[line]] Advices to the 23rd of September-News from the "Shenandoah." [[line]] The bark [[italics]] Palmetto [[/italics]], Capt. Anderson, arrived here last evening, bringing the first news from the Russian Telegraph expedition. The [[italics]] Palmetto [[/italics]] took up a cargo of coal to the expedition, and left Plover Bay, Behring Straits, on her return, the 23rd of September, having been just one month on the voyage. From the letters of Col. Bulkley, commanding the expedition, and from a young man who has been employed as his clerk, and who returned in the [[italics]] Palmetto [[/italics]], we gather the following facts relating to the expedition: The steamer [[italics]] Geo. S. Wright [[/italics]], with Col. Bulkley and his party, was at Plover Bay when the [[italics]] Palmetto [[/italics]] left. In a private letter written by the Colonel to Mr. Gamble, Agent of the Telegraph Company in this city, dated September 23d, he says: "We have had a gale from the eastward, with snow, for the last two days, and this morning a keen, cold wind is piping out of the northwest. Ice is making at the head of the bay, and winter is fast coming with long nights and but little sunshine." The explorations thus far have developed the fact that the Kinchpak river is the same as the Yukon, and is navigable for small steamers up to English Fort Prof Kennicut, who is connected with the Smithsonian Institute, and his exploring party of 12 men were left at Fort St. Michaels at the mouth of the Kinchpak. A small propeller was left with him with which to explore the Yukon. Grantby Harbor was found to be the best harbor for landing the cable on the American side. It is a safe harbor with a mud bottom. There is no timber in that region; the country is rolling and broken, but not rough; the ground is thawed to an average depth of 10 inches; below this it is frozen hard. Col. Bulkley had sounded across Behring Straits to the entrance of the St. Lawrence Bay. The latter was found favorable all the way across-it being formed of mud and gravel. Ice was first discovered off St. Lawrence Bay. The Bay is not favorable for laying the cable, being shallow and exposed to southeast gales. Michigne Bay was found full of ice. The Asiatic side is more mountainous than the American and is entirely destitute of timber. The ground there is thawed to the depth of 30 inches. Paikagu Bay presents a good harbor and is every way suited to the laying of the cable. All the Indians whom the party have thus far met are friendly and well disposed and can be made useful in future operations. The Russians have done everything in their power to further the enterprise. The steamer [[italics]] George S. Wright [[/italics]], with Col. Bulkley, will return to San Francisco in November. THE "SHENANDOAH." The expedition learned from the Indians that a few days before their arrival there the rebel pirate Shenandoah had made her appearance in those waters and had destroyed several vessels. Three of the crew of the vessels were left on shore with the Indians, one of whom was serving on the [[italics]] George S. Wright [[/italics]]. The last seen of the pirate she was steering south. These were probably the same whalers of whose destruction we have already had the particulars. [[line]]
