--
Capt. Patrick, of
South Carolina,
Major Means, and
Mr. J. M. Steward, of
Virginia, arrived in New Orleans on the 8th inst., from
California.
The
Delta says:
‘
They informed us that the most intense feeling of sympathy for the
Confederacy, and of opposition to the
Northern despotism, exists among the Southerners residing in
California.
This feeling has been intensified by the persecution to which they are subjected.
Many have been arrested, and all are closely watched.
Were it not for the vigilant system of espionage which is maintained by the authorities, there would be a general exodus of Southerners from the country.
It is gratifying to know that the spirit of opposition to the
North and of sympathy for the
South is general among the Southerners.
There are no divisions — all, whether Marylanders,
Virginians, Kentuckians Missourians, or citizens of the
Cotton States, are united in sentiment.
Nothing could keep any of them to
California but the extreme difficulty of escaping.
The gentlemen who arrived here yesterday managed to elude detection by pretending that they were going on an expedition to work the silver mines of
Sonora. --They came down to
Mazatlan on the steamer, and thence traveled across
Northern Mexico to the
Rio Grande.
The journey was made on mules, in company, for a portion of the distance, with a merchant's train.
The route lay through a difficult and dangerous country, in which they were beset with perils of various kinds; having often to encounter bands of banditti, which now roam the country at will — and sometimes the ferocious
Apaches and
Lipaus.
They came through the several States of
Sonora,
Durango, New Leon, and
Tama plisas taking in the towns of
Durango, Parras, Stitillo,
Monterey, Serralvo and Mier, in their route, and finally crossing the
Rio Grande at
Roma.
Their overland journey extended to a distance of 1,700 miles. They left
San Francisco on the 5th of December, and arrived here yesterday, having been at days on the road.
We believe it is the desire of these gentlemen to enter the
Confederate service.
’