1155. Wells & Co. (San Francisco, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
September 15, 1850
Location
San Francisco, California (37.780, -122.419)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
5ee70a95

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: Suspension appears driven by losses from recent San Francisco fires and by returned/dishonored Boston acceptances; there is mention of a planned resumption in June (temporary suspension).

Description

Newspaper accounts show an initial panic/run in Sept 1850 that drew on Wells & Co. but they paid out and remained open. In 1851 Wells & Co. temporarily suspended after losses from the great fires and pressures from creditors; contemporaneous reports state they made an assignment for creditors and issued a notice of intended resumption (resumption to take effect June 10, 1851). Therefore the sequence is run → suspension → reopening. Bank appears to be a private/banking-house (Boston & San Francisco banking house). Dates are taken from article text (Sept 1850 run; suspension in early June 1851 with resumption June 10, 1851).

Events (3)

1. September 15, 1850 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Panic and multiple assignments/closures of other San Francisco banking houses (Naglee, James King, Burgoyne & Co.) triggered heavy withdrawals from Wells & Co.
Measures
Paid out large amounts to depositors; converted staff into paying tellers; kept open to meet demands
Newspaper Excerpt
This, in connection with the other stoppages and assignments which have recently been made, caused quite panic yesterday, and there was general run upon all those having money on deposit.
Source
newspapers
2. June 2, 1851 Suspension
Cause
Local Shock
Cause Details
Losses from the recent great fires (destruction of records and business losses) and creditor pressure for immediate payment led to suspension and an assignment for benefit of creditors.
Newspaper Excerpt
The banking house of Wells & Co., at San Francisco, suspended on the 2d ult., occasioned by losses at the late fires.
Source
newspapers
3. June 10, 1851 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
a notice of their intended resumption, to take effect on the 10th June, after having made an assignment of all their effects for the benefit of creditors, which assignment was occasioned by a few restless creditors having become alarmed ... and a determination on their part to force Wells & Co. to pay back their deposits instanter, which they could not do ... .
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (8)

Article from The New York Herald, October 19, 1850

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Article Text

'tement in California. Monetary Exc tornia Sept. 8.] From the Alta Can day must contain We regret that our columns n of Henry M the announcement of the assignment in Naglee, one of the oldest of our bankers. This, connection with the other stoppages and assignments which have recently been made, caused quite panic yesterday, and there was general run upon all those having money OR deposit The first run commenced on Thursday, and was confined almost entirely to the banking house of James King of William The drafts on that ban were very heavy on that day On Friday, very little was drawn from him, the tide having set against Messrs. Burgoyne & Co. and Henry M Naglee, and continued all that day On Saturday morning, at 6 o'clock, Mr Naglee's doors remained closed, while the other houses opened. He had suspended The consequence was an immediate rush to Burgoyne & Co., James King of Villiam. and Wells& Co. Depesitors very freely from the two for mer, who paid out as fast as possible, converting all hands into paying tellers There was not large call or Wells& Co., though large amount was paid out by them. It being the third day probation of Mr King, the crowd with him was not so great as might have been expected At Burgoyne & Co.'s there was large crowd the whole day, resembling more the gathering at the Post Office on the arrival of mail steamer, than anything else we can compare it to. Mr Plume acted like man, and a banker who understood his business. de-posted up a notice that he would keep open to accommodate the public until six o'clock, (an hour later than usual,) and also that his bank would be open on Sunday We admire the spunk which dietated these offers Mr Plume repeatedly requested those in the crowd not having checks, togive way to those who had. We noticed a number of women about Burgoyne & Co 's doors The exciteme nt was confined to no sex We heard a number of people congratulating M: King on the perfect nonchalance with which he met all demands. It was amusing to stand by and hear the excuses made for with awing dedosits. Some were going to Panama and some to Humboldt: one man had purchased a drove of sheep, and another a drove of horses. While standing at Mr King counter, taking notes, we heard one of his depositore making a long ex cuse for withdrawing Really, sir, said Mr. King I have net time to listen to you You have your money and it belongs to you. Excuses are entirely out of place don ask you to let your money remain Certainly, sir if you have not confidence in me, don't deal with me At such a time, favors are not asked for We understand that when Mr Plume announced his intention to keep open on Sunday, to accommodate depositore, that he received the cheers of the crowd. Notwi ithstanding the excitement, the amount deposited with Burgoyne & Co., yesterday, was quite large The crisis' then has come Only one banker has closed The others have met the emergency promptly And they will continue so to do. We will venture the remark that Messrs Burgoyne & Co James King of William, and Wells & Co., wi reap an abundant harvest from this trial. Two or three days will suffice to allay the excitement, which will have its good effects, as it has had its inconveniences It will tell who's " thar Mr King paid over about $130 000. Burgoyne & Co paid much larger amount, but we did not learn the precise total Such state of things is not to be coveted at any time, but we think this will place our bankers in most enviable position A "run' on banker here, tries him much more severely than one upon a bank of issue at home The latter has grace; the former none It would be impossible to get together all the notes of any New y York or Boston bank, and present the at the counter in one, two or even three days So long as notes are in circulation, the bank has the use of the funds received for them. But our bankers issue no notes, and depositors come upon then without warning, and they must be prepared Therefore, we say, our bankers. in sustaining themselves, deserve all credit. Notwithstanding the temptation to loan money, at the large rates of interest here prevailing, we could name bankers W who have all along beer prepared to pay all depositors at any moment. They had coin amply sufficient to meet any draft which could be drawn This is right and proper; for, no matter how good the security may be, the banker, if he lends out his depositors money, may find himself, at such time as the present, in embarrassed circumstances Neither houses nor lands will meet the call. Nothing short of the hard cash We are notaltogether certain that the effect upon our own business community will be beneficial but we are much distressed at the result the recent frequent stoppages will necessarily cause abroad We think still, however, as we expressed yesterday, that the present tight state of money matters cannot continue, and the present embarr assment will soon be over That such may be the case, we most earnestly hope, for is a most distressin thing to see that the toil and enterprise of years should avail Rought [From the Alta California Sept 15.1 The recent assignments which have been made in Sacramento and Sank rancisco have caused much excitement and a good deal of nervous apprehension among business men Some of the most tentive firms have, when least expected, assigned all their property for the benefit of their creditoreexhibiting, in almost every case, a large amount of indebtedness In some instances it has been confidently asserted that all the liabilities would be satisfied, and surplus left on hand; but in othe there have been no hopes of such a result. We cannot but regard financial matters at the present time as in a very unsettled state, and confidence has been impaired to very considerable extent We must attribute the present pressure in the money market,and the unsettled state of business generally to the losses arising from the three great fires with which we have been visited, and in the unconquerable spirit of speculation hich has been carried on vast an extent in our community within the past year Real estate operations have produced very general mbarrassme nt. and in the present unsettled state of California affairs we cannot at all wonder that such has been the case But we have every hope that this will not last, and that our merchants will recover from the present depression, and rise again triump hant They must, however exercise more caution in their operations of all sorts than heretofore, and will doubtless see the necessity of doing business less loosely than has been the custom of the last year. We look for a very general revival of business throughout the country during the latter part of the present month and with confidence that we shall not be doomed to disappointment [From the California Courier Sept 14.] Since the sailing of the last steamer. our money market has been much depressed, and some of the oldest houses have been compelled to succumb To say that this state of affairs has been brought about by over-trading, is only to what is in every one mouth ulsions of this sort always occur in places of rapid growth, and although there may be cases of individual detriment, much to be deplored, the result 18, upon the whole. beneficial The evil soon corrects itself. The prudent and solvent sustain the shock. and are brought into position where their grave judgments and stability are rendered more available to themselves and others, while those who, in the eager pursuit of wealth, embark in wild speculations, and grasp at more than they have strength to carry, must of course be prestrated The state of trade for some time past has been quite unsatisfactory Since the failure of Barton, Lee & Co., and one or two other firms of lesser note, engaged in the same business. at Sacramento, feeling of distrust towards banking houses has been very enerally prevalent throughout the country This feeling has been favored by many absurd and mischievous rumore, circulated in the interior, and even published in some of the country prints, with little judgment, and less decency, a course to be reprobated by every good citizen, and productive only of evil


Article from The Daily Union, October 22, 1850

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demands. It was amusing to stand by and hear the OK cases made for withdrawing the de posites. Some were going to Panama and some to Humboldt; one had purchased a drove of sheep and another of horses. While standing at the counter, we heard a depositor making a long excuse for withdrawing. Really, sir,' said Mr. King. I have not time to listen to you. You have your money and it belongs to you. Excuses are entirely out of place. don't ask you to le your money remain Certainly, sir, If you have not confidence in me, do not deal with me. At . such a time favors are not asked tor.' 'The ' crisis,' then, has come. Only one banker has closed. The others have met the emergency promptly, and they will continue so to do. We will venture the remark that Messrs. Burgoyne & Co., James King of William, and Wells & Co, will reap an abundant harvest from this trial. Two or three days will suffice to allay the excitement, which will have its good effect as it has had its inconvenieuces It will tell who's 'thar.' Mr. King paid over $130,000 Burgoyne & Co. paid a much larger amount, but we did not le+rn the precise total. " Notwithstanding the temptation to loan money at the large rates of interest here prevailing, We could name bankers who have all along been prepared 10 pay all depositors at any moment They had coin amply sufficient to meet any draft that could be drawn"


Article from Eastern Times, October 24, 1850

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Arrival of the Crescent City. ANOTHER MILLION IN GOLD. FROM CALIFORNIA AND THE ISTHMUS. Steamer Crescent city, from Chagres Fri- Oct. at New York at 4 on with $72,500 in 342 passengers, who are 8, day arrived morning, supposed o'clock frieght, to have and a million in goid dust. She does not bring the California mails. At Cruces and Panama it is healthy.The Isthmus roads to Craces are in better condition. The Gorgona road is also better. last No cases of cholera have occured for the two weeks at Chagres. The Philadelphia arrived at Chagres on The Tennessee arrived at Panama the 7th. 4th with one million dollars on frieght She on the passengers, and the U. S. mails. Equador 250 San Francisco the 15th. The left day with 60 passengers. the left mus same was to sail from San Francisco on 20th. The history of the failures is given in the Alia California of Sept. 9:'We regret that our columns to day must the announcement of the assignment of our contain of M. Naglee, one of the oldest other This, in connection reand assignments bankers. stoppages Henry which with panic have the yesbeen made, caused quite, a all cently and there was a general run The upon first terday, having money on deposit. colthose commenced on Thursday, and was house of rut almost entirely 10 the banking that fined of William. The drafts on were very heavy on that little was drawn from set against Messrs. banker Jas. Friday, side having King, very continued Burgoyne day. him, the On all & and Henry M. Nagle, and o'clock Co., day. On Saturday morning, at while that Naglee's doors remained closed, the Mr. other houses opened. He had suspended. The consequence was an immediate William rush & Co., James King, of drew very to Burgoyne Wells & Co. Depositors out as and from the two former, who paid into fast as possible converting not so large a freely There was all hands tellers. amount paying call on Wells & Co. though a large the third paid out by them. It being crowd with was days probation of Mr. King, the been exhim was not so great as might have pected. Burgoyne & Co.'s there was a large the the whole day, at the post office on we gathering crowd At resembling the else arrival more can of mail steamer than anything like a man a Mr. Plums acted banker who understood keep and compare it to. a his would business. o'He up a notice that he six to accommodate the public and also open hour later than clock, posted (an usual) until Sunday.his bank would be open on these that We admire the spunk which dietated offers. The 'erisis' then has come. Only have met one has closed. The others will conbanker emergency promptly, and they the remark the to do. We will venture King, tinue Messrs. so Burgoyne & Co., James an that William, and Wells & Co., will Mr. reap King of harvest from this trial. paid abundant paid over $130, 000. Burgoyne & Co. a much larger amount. The Alta California of the 15th, says,- country shipment of gold from this that The the month of August exceeds of the of other month since the incredibly any amount is almost This during The discovery dollars. mines. verging on three million and is large, has been regulariy manifested, through by sum of the parcels carried exhibits the f exclusive private hands. The following August 15. per amount by $150,000; each steamer;- per Columbus, $350,000; per Carolina, 31, per Oregon, $1,500,000; $2,339,124. Northerner, August $339,124 Total the accounts the mines generally rapidFrom Improvements were business h are ly going satisfactory. on in San Francisco, The and city treasassuming a better love. ury was would SOON be replenished. f had failen at San Francisco, which Stock- indiRain San Jose and other places, at hand. ton, that the rainy season is near cates DIGGING< News from the MarMARIPOSA the parties engaged i in miniposa represents the quariz rock, as meeting with rock great has ing in A large quantity of the success. taken out, broken up ever been surpasses any the yield It is proved by and actual thing separated, workand of. an averdreamed that the quariz pays better of on the whole ing, than the richest washings mining age. region. Stockton Journal. HORRIBLE MURDER. Mr. Geo. Work, that our sheriff, has just informed us near an active horrible murder was committed Tuesday other ranch on the Merced, on the bodies Water's On the evening of that day were last. Baldwin and his companion, state, their of Major horribly mutilated with skulls found having in a been completely smashed rocks. THE MARYSVILLE Last MURDER. Saturday Says after- the Herald, of Marysville ; man named John W. Mills, of noon, a shot down in New York young United city, was States Hotel, by the a few sec- person street, near the John Keiger,and lived heart. but a They difnamed onds. He was shot to the of $87. due Keiger fered goods. about the Keiger payment was taken to Sacramento and committed for trial. TranA GOLD Rock. We says which the weighed cript,a gold rock,las 13 lbs., and evening, by a careful experi- of a trifle over ascertained 10 contain upwards up' at ment was gold. It was 'dug man Johnson. nine the Fork lhs. of of pure the North Yuba, by a named BRICKLAYERS' STRIKE The made Bricklayers a 'strike' in San Francisco, recently They were receiving $12 ers for higher and wages. demanded $14. Their employ- terms. per are day, said to bave acceded to their


Article from Indiana State Sentinel, November 7, 1850

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NO. 23. California News. The Crescent City arrived at New York from Chagres on the 18th inst. She brings two hundred and forty-three passengers and over one million dollars in gold dust. We have dates from California up to the 15th of September. The over-land emigrants were arriving in great numbers; but many of them in a very destitute condition. There has been great suffering among these emigrants, for want of provisions for themselves and grass for their animals. The late riots at Sacramento, which were followed by the failure of several large banking houses, created quite a panic throughout the State, and has produced a general monetary revulsion. Several large banking houses in San Francisco have closed. The Alta California thus describes the excitement: MONETARY EXCITEMENT.-We regret that our columns to-day must contain the announcement of the assignment of Henry M. Naglee, one of the oldest of our bankers. This, in connection with the other stoppages and assignments which have recently been made, caused quite a panic yesterday, and there was general run upon all those having money on deposit. The first run commenced on Thursday, and was confined almost entirely to the banking house of Jas. King, of William. The drafts on that banker were very heavy on that day. On Friday, very little was drawn from him, the tide having set against Messrs. Burgoyne & Co., and Henry M. Naglee, and continued all that day. On Sat. urday morning, at 6 o'clock, Mr. Naglee's doors remained closed, while the other houses opened. He had suspended. The consequence was an immediate rush to Burgoyne & Co., James King, of William, and Wells & Co. De. positors drew very freely from the two former, who paid oth as fast as possible, converting all hands into paying tellers. There was not so large a call upon Wells & Co., though a large amount was paid out by them. It being the third day's probation of Mr. King, the crowd with him was not so great as might have been expeeted. At Burgoyne & Co.'s there was a large crowd the whole day, resembling more the gathering at the Post Office on the arrival of a mail steamer than anything else we can compare to it. Mr. Plums acted like a man and a banker who understood his business. He posted up a notice that he would keep open to accommodate the public until six o'clock, (an hour later than usual, ) and also that his bank would be open on Sunday. We admire the spunk which dietated these offers. We heard a number of people congratulating Mr. King on the perfect nonchalence with which he met all demands. The " erisis" then has come. Only one banker has closed. The others have met the emergency promptly, and they will continue so to do. We will venture the remark that Messrs. Burgoyne & Co., James King of William, and Wells & Co., will reap an abundant harvest from this trial. Two or three days will suffice to allay the excitement, which will have its good effects, as it has had its inconveniences. It will tell who's " thar. " Mr. King paid over $130,000. Burgoyne & Co. paid a much larger amount, but we did not learn the precise total." Mr. King, who is the brother of our respected towns. man, Francis King, Esq., was for many years teller in the banking house of Coreoran & Riggs, Washington. He is one of the very best business men in the country.


Article from Richmond Daily Times, July 9, 1851

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CALIFORNIA INTELLIGENCE, Many of the buildings now in progress of erection in San Francisco are to be made fire proof without regard to expense. Of Adams & Co.'s new house, the Alta Californian saysThe building in process of erection by Messrs. Adams & Co., upon their old site opposite the former custom house, should another fire ever occur in this city, wil! test the question whether there can be such a thing as a fire-proof building or not, for if that cannot resist the action of the devouring element, nothing can. The walls are at least two feet in thickness, of brick, and it is intended that no wood work should be exposed. We fancy that Messrs. Adams & Co. may feel perfectly safe from fire when their new building is completed. Adams & Co. shipped $230,000 by the steamer Tennessee, one of the largest shipments yet made by any single house from California. During the month of May 400 emigrants, from China arrived at San Francisco. Respecting matters of business we have the following items in a letter to the New York Journal of Commerce, dated SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, 1851. Since the departure of the last mailsteamer, business of all kinds has been fearfully depressed, amounting to a perfect stagnation in trade generally, and prices have fallen off to a point, even below those current before the fire. The auction rooms are filled with the choicest goods. At Middleton's large room, on Monday last, there was on the catalogue nearly 800 "lots" of assorted merchandize. The average prices obtained for boots and clothing was fully 20 per cent. below New York cost prices. The goods offered were generally seasonable, and in perfect condition. Most of them were specially adapted to the pre ent wants and prevailing tastes of the people. Still jobbers have no money, no confidence, no disposition to purche goods at any price. The fact is, that our merchants as a body are used up, and what little cash means they have left, is all being absorbed in paying heavy monthly rents, a d still heavier freight bills on the enormous stocks of goods arriving by the clipper ships from New York. We have had no failures among the trading community; but such a feeling of despondency and general depression among all cla: es was probably never before witnessed in any city on the Pacific coast; and where it will end none can tell. That goods must adval ce eventually, is evident to any ob. erving mind, but when that time will arrive, none can predict. There are a vast many ships yet to arrive. The fleet of merchantmen which sailed from the Atlantic ports in December, Jan. and Feb. , are yet to come in. All are filled to their utmost capacity with good goods at high rates of freight, to consume the life blood which yet remains to our merchants-all to be sent home by the return steamers in gold dust, which is now and has been almost a drug in our market for the fortnight past, at $16 per ounce, for pure clean dust. Exchange has fallen to par on the principal Atlantic cities, while gold of California coinage is a drug at 7 to 10 per cent. discount, owing to the fact of the destruction by fire, and necessarv temporary suspension of the United States Assay Otfice. The amount of building going on in this city is truly enormous. I'll venture the assertion that there are today more buildings now erected and tenantable in the city of San Francisco than there were on the 3d of May last, prior to the late conflagration. It is true that the burnt district is not all built upon, but new sites and new locations have been occupied, and the work of erecting more "fire brands" goes bravely on.A great number of vacant stores to let" are to be seen in all parts of the city, and not a few eligibly located gaping for occupants, to the asking tune of $250 to $500 per month rent-a sum which few are able to pay. The average cost of the stores and tenements erecting will not exceed $2,000 each, and it is expected that they will pay for themselves in less than a year, if not burned down in the interim. Our carpenters and mechanics generally are reaping a rich harvest, realizing as they do their $8 per day; day laborers $5 per day, while their board is but $10 to $12 per week; leaving the former a clear $40 per week, for remittance home to their families, which is sure to go, as things are now constituted. At least two-thirds of the money received for labor is remitted by the first steamer after earned, and that is estimated at about one hundred thousand dollars per day. So that between the mechanics and ship owners, we are made to disgorge some Two Millions of Dollars once every fortnight, to say nothing of the drain for goods consumed and sold at auction, and few are sold otherwise at prec ent. This steamer conveys intelligence of the temporary suspension of the banking house of Wells& Co., and a notice of their intended resumption, to take effect on the 10th June, after having made an assignment of all their effects for the benefit of creditors, which ass gnment was occasioned by a few restless creditors having be= come alarmed at their nonpayment immediately after the fire, and a determination on their part to force Wells & Co. to pay back their deposits instanter, which they could not do, owing to the precarious situation of Mr. Wells' health, occasioned by the severity of his burns; as was also the case with his bookkeeper, to sav nothing of the destruction of their principal books or account belonging to the bank.


Article from The Republic, November 6, 1851

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Arrival of the Ohio. Later from California - The Prometheus Safe-More Gold, &c. NEW YORK, November 5-3 p. m.-The - steamer Ohio has just arrived from Chagres, with Havana dates to the 31st. The Prometheus, with four days' later intelligence from California, arrived at Havana on the 31st short of coal. The news from California is unimportant. The Ohio brings $30,000 in specie, and about one hundred passengers. The steamer New Grenada, from Valparaiso, wasat Panama, with $800,000 in gold. The fund for the benefit of the families of the killed and wounded soldiers amounted to $119,000, and was rapidly increasing. The Diario Marino comments severely on the rumored removal of Consul Owen. It saya that it is the univereal feeling in Cuba that he is the victim of demagogical clamor. His removal is looked upon and asserted to be a new proof of the weakness of the American Government. The banking-house of Wells & Co., at San Francisco, which has a branch in Boston, suspended on the 2d ult., occasioned by losses at the late fires. Troops Sent to the Rio Grande-Cotton-Arrival of the Georgia, &+c. NEW ORLEANS, November 4.-On receipt of the news from Northern Mexico, of the partial success of the revolutionists in the capture of Matamoros, orders were issued for two companies of artillery to prepare to proceed immediately to the Río Grande. Cotton has not been materially affected by the Franklin's news. The steamship Georgia, from Chagres, arrived here yesterday, but she brings nothing later than you have already received. Departure of the Niagara. NEW YORK, November 5-3 p. m.-The steamer Niagara sailed to-day for Liverpool, with twentynine passengers and $945,398 in specie. Markets. Stocks are active. Sales of Canton at 66 and Erie 86. Flour is unchanged. Sales of 6,000 bbls. at $3 75 a $3 814 for State. Rye flour, $3 371. Cornmeal, $3 37 a $3 50. Wheat is declining. Sales of 3,500 bushels Michigan white at 87 cts. Sales of 10,000 bushels mixed cornat 58 a 59 cts. Rye, 75 cts. Provisions and groceries are without alteration. Cotton is heavy. Whisky 22 cents.


Article from Richmond Daily Times, November 7, 1851

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LATER FROM CHAGRES. ARRIVAL OF STEAMER PROMETHEUS. NEW YORK, Nov. 6, P. M. The steamship Prometheus has arrived here, with 500 passengers and $600.000 in gold. FROM CALIFORNIA. By this arrival we have dates a day or two later from San Francisco The Herald of that city, of the 4th inst. states that Judges Parsons of the District court, and Bennet of the Supreme court, contemplate resigning office. Joseph Thompson, a Baptist Preacher, committed suicide at Navina recently. The assets of Wells & Co., Bankers, who have been forced to suspend business in consequence of their Boston acceptances being returned dishonored, will probably secure depositors, but it is believed that the bills of exchange drawn by the house will not be fully met.


Article from The Democratic Sentinel and Harrison County Farmer, November 12, 1851

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Later From California. The steamship Ohio arrived at New York on the 5th inst., bringing dates from Havana to the evening of the 31st ult. The prometheus, with four days later news from California, had arrived at Havana,short of coal News has little interest. The Boston and San Francisco Banking house of Wells & Co., suspended in Francisco on the 7th, in consequence of losses by the late fire. The Ohio brings $30,000 and about 100 passengers.