Passengers arriving at the Port of San Francisco
SS John L. Stephens
Arrive San Francisco
July 2, 1854
SS John L. Stephens
Captain R. H. Pearson
From Panama
Passage
The P. M. steamer John L. Stephens, R. H. Pearson, Commander, arrived at 3 o'clock this morning, bringing dates from New York to the 5th of June, New Orleans 6th, and from Liverpool and London to the 20th May.
Her news is of the highest importance.
Among the arrivals by the Stephens are Col. Henley Postmaster in this city; Hon. John H. Baird, John A. Morrison, Esq., with his lady. Edward Toby, Purser Geo. H. Davis, and other well known citizens of California. M. Strakosch, the celebrated pianist and composer, also arrived by the Stephens.
Memoranda
P. M. steamer John L. Stephens, R. H. Pearson, Commander, left San Francisco for Panama on Thursday, June 1st, and 7 o'clock P.M. 21, at 1 a.m., passed steamer Sierra Nevada for San Juan; 4th off Cerros Island, lost sight of her astern. 5th at 2 P.M., arrived off the harbor of Acapulco, were boarded by a boat from the Mexican man-of-war Santa Anna, and were informed that the blockade being again in force, we could not enter the port; detained four hours while communicating with this vessel, and proceeded on the voyage at 6 P.M. Not being able to enter Acapulco to obtain a supply of coal, the Stephens did not make her usual time thence to Panama. Arrived at Panama at 7 A.M., on the 14th; found in port steamer Yankee Balde, arrived four hours previously, she having passed Acapulco during the detention of the Stephens.
Left Panama, with the mails and 565 passengers on Saturday, June 17th at 3:30 P.M. Left in port steamer Yankee Blade, receiving her passengers, to sail in about two hours. The health of the Isthmus continues good. The Railroad is completed to within two miles of the Summit, and on this side nearly to the Cardenas River.
On the 23d at 6:30 A.M., arrived at Acapulco. Found in port U.S. ship Portsmouth, which arrived from Mazatlan on the 6th. Upon the appearance, on the 8th, of the Mexican blockading vessel, Capt. Dornin went outside and requested the commander to permit the steamers to enter the port for coal and provisions. On this being refused, he gave notice that the Portsmouth would convoy all American steamers in and out of Acapulco. The next day, the Mexican left for Mazatlan.
Acapulco again Blockaded
It will be seen by the following memoranda from Purser Goddard that the port of Acapulco is again blockaded by the naval forces of Santa Anna: