More Murders and Robberies

Calaveras correspondence of the Union.

Joaquin driven to the South side of the River—More Murders and Robberies—Five Men Murdered and Five Wounded—One Robber Hanged, &c.

Jackson, Feb. 22d, 1853.

Messrs. Editors:—The large parties from this town and vicinity, who have, for the last week, been scouring the country in pursuit of the Mexican robbers, though unsuccessful in capturing but one, (who was hung in Jackson last Tuesday,) have still been the means of expelling them from the north side of the Mokelumne river. Not a murder or robbery has been committed in this vicinity for the last four days.

One of Joaquin’s party, who had been severely wounded in a skirmish a few days ago, was captured near San Andreas on Sunday, and hanged the same day. He made a full confession, and gave an accurate description of Joaquin and thirteen of his party, which will be of much advantage in detecting the others.

Last night Joaquin and his party attacked a Chinese camp, near Forman’s Ranch, killed five Chinamen and wounded five others, some of them mortally, and robbed them of seven thousand dollars. I have just seen a letter from Mr. Allen, of Forman’s, detailing the affair, and calling on the people of San Andreas for assistance, and for surgeons to attend the wounded Chinamen. Several excellent horses were stolen by the same party from the Americans, at Jesu Maria Camp, on Sunday.

The secret of Joaquin’s successful escapes seems to be in his always being well mounted. As soon as his party ride down one set of horses, they immediately procure others. The horses deserted by them are generally used up, and of no value. Probably a hundred horses have been stolen in this county the past month by this band, and at least thirty persons have been murdered.

Large parties are still in pursuit of him, and his escapes seem almost miraculous. When this state of things will end, no one can tell.