The New York Herald Newspaper, January 3, 1844, Page 1

Vol., IX. No. 350 —Whole No. 3572. Further Particulars of the Murder at Staten Island. Port Ricumonp, New Year’s Nic 1. Agreeable to instructions, I started from New York at four o’clock on board the Cinderella, for ~ this place. An hour's steaming brought us to the wharf at New Brighton, and there I had well nigh passed the night. My want of knowledge of the island, never having been here before, led me to suppose that I had arrived at my destination, so far as the steamboat was concerned, so I jumped ashore and made for the hotel, where I learned to my surprise that the steamboat was going to the ve- ry spot. I tried to procure a wagon, but not one was to be had; and while making enquiries, a cir- cumstance occurred which 1 think worthy of note, as showing the state of feeling throughout the island. I called at a house on the hill immediately above the landing, to enquire for the livery stables to which Ihad been directed, but which I could uot for the lite of me_find, as every house appeared alixe—timber and paint—venetian blinds and porti- cos. After ringing the belliwo or three times, a servant came to the hall window, and after recon- noitering, he carefully undid the bolts, opening the door sufficiently wide to admit a single, person [ explained my visit, and while he was giving me a very indefinite sort of direction; I had time to ob- serve that the hall contained several stand of well polished muskets, with bayonets and all complete, ready for immediate service. ‘This was the only peep I had into a private dwelling house, and it sa- tisfied me that the late murder had startled the qui- et Islanders into a state of almost siege, when the musket and the bayonet were needed to guard the wife, the mother, and the child, 1 tried by eve: »! meansto geta horse and wagon togo to Richmond, * which was nine miles distant, and where the pri- soners are confined in the county j il, but most for- tunately I did not succeed, for I ‘ould have had a most uncomfortable jaunt over a rough road, ina cold night, without my overcoat, and without be- ing able to gain as much information as I have in the village of Port Richmond. Finding it needless . to waste any more time at New Brighton, I started 1 on foot for this place, at half past five, and arrived here ataquarter to 6, the distance being three miles. 1 was just in time to sit down tog very substantial supper of good corned beef and fried oysters,while Mrs. Martin, a very good-natured hostess, prepared me a strong cup of tea. I was in excellent appe- tite after my walk, and while discussing the good things ‘spoken of, I found that the brother of the prisonet, Waite, was at the table. \ He spoke very iste about the reports which had ¢ been circulated by the newspapers relative to the participation of his brother in the murder, observ- ing that he could and would prove an albi ; but this [ fear will not avail him anything. —Cir- cumstances are too strong against him to hope even for bail, His brother is so satisfied of his innocence that he has not employed any counsel, ‘This is strange, as both the father and himself are reputed as wealthy. The brother is x waiting to ascertain the result of the examination, which will take place at nine o’clock to-morrow. He applied for permission to visit Waite, but was refused peremptorily, as the sheriff had given positive orders not to allow any person to speak or converse with the prisoners.— ireat praise is due to the District, Attorney, ke, for the skill and experience which he has, unaided, brought to the development of this horri- ble murder. He is a very young man, not over twenty-five years, yet in this matter he has display- ed a knowledge of the human heart and of the world, which few older heads filling the same re- sponsible office can boast of. His suspicions of the guilt, or rather the connection of one of the Houseman family with the murder, was first arous- ed in this wise. On the evening after the Coroner's Inquest had given their verdict, he had some con- wersation with the unfortunate husband relative to offering the reward. It was then agreed that the usband should call on the District Attorney in the morning, to prepare an advertisement to be for- warded to this city by the early boat. The morn- ing caine but instead of the husband, the boy Al- bert, son of Polly Bodine, called to say that the husband was sick, and requesting the District At- ‘jrey to come to the house. He did so, and on * way conversed with the lad Albert, who he nent thought a frank, intelligent lad. At the house ihe ‘family appeared in grier but not of a nature so deep, so nattiral, as a dispensation so awful would produce, He sat down, and in the presence of the family, the husband detailed the description of the property, and jewetlery stolen, Polly Bodine sitting py the side of that husband, and carefully noting f each article as it was written down, That invisi- ’ ble power which gfves birth to thought and leads the mind to reason and arrive at conclusions, fixed and irresistible,told him that there was guilt in that tamily, and he then resolved that another invest- gation'should be held. However, suspicion might have been fixed on Polly Bodine others, up to. that mo- ment the District Attorney did not believe it, and he was joined in this opinion by Dr. Harrison, one of the most upright, intelligent, deep thinking men on the island, ag by many others. But that interview at the house of the Houseman decided the crisig, He felt that he was beneath the same yoof with the actor in the unhallowed tragedy, and he resolved to ferret it out comegyhat would, or ‘be the cost how great. He went the city, put he advertisements in the papers, made his arrange- Agnents at the police office and returned to the island. That sie evening Polly Bodine left her father’s house. ft was in this wise. Just after ‘dusk—she had been sitting with her sister and some relatives beside the kitchen hearth, the subject ot conversation being the blight of their ‘rother’s house—when she arose and went into the + yard, without bonnet or cloak. Not returning very soon, hersister called her, but receiving no answer, the hue and cry was raised The District Attorney hastened to the house, and found her gone. Her mother, in gtief, not over-done, exclaimed—“Oh! know she has drowned herself—she has destroyed hereelf—and all because of this suspicion having been cast upon her. It’s no vse to look for her. » ‘Vil never see her alive again;” and such other sim- % ular expressions. Yet, through the grief there was something wanting, which spoke more than words, that that mother was not sincere, at least, for her return. Fifty messengers were despatched by the District Attorney, and so confident washe that Pro- vidence had pointed out the author of the crime. that he told the messengers if they succeeded in apprehending her they would obtain the reward. Tt was-at this visit that he first became aware ol the existence of a patamour But of the name or man he was ignorant. No dings being obtained, throughout the night, of Polly ine, he starte in the first boat for the city, and gare the alarm. He returned in the eleven o'clock boat; mark the same guide which go fucled him to trace this damnable mystery. On boaid that boat he found athe lad Albert, together with a strange man. Albert ‘was crying, and on the District Attorney approach- ing him, he introduced this man as Mr. Waite, the apothecary, with whom he was employed. ‘The lad was crying for his mother, who he heard had made es with herself. So far the boy was to be pitied. The conduct and the replies of the man . ‘aite so impressed the District Attorney, that— conferring with Judge Little, who was returnin, with him to hold the investigation—he determine to detain him asa witness. ‘They landed, and here the District Attorney learned that Polly Bodine went to the city in the first boat, that morning, from the Quarantine station, a distance of about nine miles from her father’s house, which she had left the preceding evening. Where she passed the night 1s yet to the public a mystery. Waite andAlbert rode to Houseman’s in a carriage and immediately returned to proceed back to the city,and while waiting on the wharf,the subpoena of ~ the District Attorney was served upon him. He made / every sort of excnse to be permitted to visit the sty, promising that he would return the next day | and be examined as to any thing which might be Hi required, and so far did it go,that Dr. Harrison and ; others interfered for him, but while the boat was coming in, it was reported that Polly Bodine had been found. fi Sg u Albert on this news refused to return +o the city, and the officer brought them both to the rouse, where Judge Little andthe District Attorney vere Here theyunderwent an examinationseparatel ind each told the very same story, word for word, as to the movements of Polly Bodine in the city | on the Christmas day, and the day when the mur. j. ‘er was discovered. While the examination was erogressing, Justice Matsell and officer M’Grath { | rrived in seareh of the very man, but he was then ‘a the custody of an officer of this county. The rst question Justice Matsell asked was, whether Vaite had been searched ornot. He was told not; o*he directed officer M’Grath to seareh him, and yen was found the letter, in which was detailed ord for word the story of Polly Bodine’s move- ‘nts in the city as given by ‘Waite and the lad {bert} on their examination. They were accord- gly detained in Spioty, and after the meetin; ready puolished, Matsell and the officer returned » the eity to find out the woman. The arrest, its wular history, and the clue furnished to its ae. omplishment by the onblication of the facts in the erald of Sunday are ali matters of history—! need account of the entire affair. Indeed, the District arrest until he saw it in the Herald, after his return from the city to-day. and surface of the upper portion of the house, and There was no trace of the flame there, so the heat have caused such traces, The smoke had penetrated and an even unclouded shade had been cast upon the walls and white wood work, as though express- the house—the deep, regular smoke walls, ceiling, &c. of the evidences of the effect of a slow fire—nowhere could'you deeper shade. universal, and unequivocal, coals in the stove were burned out, and the stove itself was as cold as though a fire had never been kindled leading to the Granite Village, and is, in fact, a portion of the village, ini t only by a fence and a smal house of her father, —— Houseman, a very com- fortable old man, who has acquired n fortune by the sale ofa farm, for $35,000, to the Staten Island Granite Company, and by a close, penurious appli- vation to business. ‘The house is much larger, with extensive out-buildings, THE NEW YORK HERALD. not recapitulate them. 1 have gone thus far into NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 38, 1844. - Price Two Cents. ry ry * > aT ‘ = CI 3 the previous detail because it is of peculiar inte- rest, The God of the living and the dead ig the avenger. From the moment when the deed was done, he had set his mark upon the murderess, and in the sure and certain accomplishment of his jus- tice and his laws he has delivered her over to punishment. Confessions have been made, but by whom, or what the nature of them are I cannot as yet ascer- tain, But of this the public may rest satisfied ,that the guilty are in the of the law. To-morrow the prisoners undergo an examination at nine o’clock, at this house, and I feel it my duty to re- main until further orders. The examination will, is is said be a private one, lest the ends of justice might be frustrated, as there are some accomplices at yet at large. I shall not fail, however, to press for admittance. Resa This has carried me so far that I fear it will be too much to add anything more. However, Imust tell you that the report published by Beach of the transaction, is so grossly false and unlike the truth, that in the words of one who spake as he felt—‘it is d—d gag, and just shows how little dependence can be placed upon such a fom when anything great happens.” Of course, | need hardly say that the Herald has had the best, most correct, and full Attorney did not know the full particulars of the T understand that the father of Polly Bodine offered to become the bail, for Waite in the sum of $50,000, buty was of course refused. He is represented as very wealthy, but very penurious, in fact miserably so. The minds of the inhabitants seem to have re- ained their calmness and natural travel, now that they feel secure that the deed was not done by a lurking band of assassins,as it was at first supposed. The young folks had a ball to-night, about a half a mile from this. 1 looked in there for a moment ortwo. The dance was in full humour—the girls were as good natured, rosy-cheeked, fat and snarry ascountry lasses usually are. The beaux were al sorts, sizes and descriptions—from the tall fair hair- ed Coe to the low gockey built fisher boy. All were dancing, drinking, hting, kissing, romping, Wo the sount-of Ned Kennedy's fiddle -Heighe, what a world, “From grave to gay.” Turspay, January 2d, 1844. At eight o’clock this morning, I proceeded to the scene of the murder for the purpose of making a sketch of the house, and ascertaining in propria persona: the fullest and most accurate details of the horrible transaction. The sun shone beautifully, even asa spring morn,—the air was bracing and bright, and rose in the distance,the blue hills of Jer- sey were clear and welldefined against the sky. The distance to the spot was about a mile and a quarter from the Inn. On my arrival there, I found quite a number of persons gathered together, examining and each detailiug the circumstances so far as he knew, heard or suspected. T at once proceeded to examine the rooms, and the following is the result of my inspection. The house 1s a very neat, comf@rtable two story cottage, fronting about south-west. It was built by the owner, the husband of the murdered woman, about two years since, and about one year subse- quent to the marriage, which has been so cotta severed by the hand of one—a sister—who had al- ways, through evil and bad report found a shelter and a home beneath the roof and at the table of her brother. The husband and wife lived in this snu; cottage, in the full enjoyment of all that a marrie life can afford—blessed with a beautiful, but, also, unfortunate babe, whose innocent prattle was the delight of the father when he returned from plying his industrious calling, as the owner of an oyster schooner, trading to Virginiaand New York. Like most of the cottages on the.island, it is distant about ten or twelve feet from the road. ‘The white painted wooden pailing, fronting on the road and surrounding the premises, wasof good workmanship and displayedamuch taste. In front and in recr the windows were supplied with green painted shut- ters, except. the second story looking toward the road, all of which were securely fastened at the moment the fire was discovered. ‘A verandah, or, supported by six wooden more familiarly, paingp, r 6 ‘ i illars,ran in front of the building, which elevated | not possible, itis likely that before news can rom the ground on brickwork to the height offreach the city. to-day, she will have given about two feet and a half. On the first floor there were but two rooins—the one the parlor, having two windows, the other the every day room or kitchen room, where the murder was committed, it also having two small windows, divided by the door, which door was the only one not fastened either by lock or bolt, but simply by the brass knob catch, which could be opened by any person. A hall divided the two rooms, the staircase fronting the hall door. The bedstead, a small four turned-posted one, was against the partition, the foot being oppo- site the window next the hall door. The second story consisted of three rooms, two of which were small closets immediately over the kitchen, and from which they were entered. The third room was the principal bedroom, and over the parlor.— This waslocked and uninjured, A. stoop similar to the front one ran partially along the rear of the building as far as the door leading from the hall.— Both stoops were provided with neat green vene- tian blinds to protect them from the rain, snow or wind. The ‘ast was furnished with every requi- site—a back kitchen, in keeping with the house—a well, covered in—a good carriage house or wood shed, &c., anda nice plot of ground fora kitchen garden. tna word, the cottage altogether was one of the most, convenient, neat, comfortable dwel- lings to be found ina country village. The kitchen, or rather the murder room, was completely blackened, and |; ge blisters were raised on all the wi work of the doors, windows, closets and fire-board. The floor, at the spot on which the bed had stood, was cut away for about three feet, in order to gain® access to the cellar un- derneath—and the spot on which the bodies rested was charred, and in one place asmall hole was burned through that portion of the floor on which the corpse of the woman actually rested, not being cote’ by the blaze; and here it is proper to state, that when the body was examined, the hip and a portion of the side near the breast, ind touching the floor, was not blackened—thus showing conclusively, that the body had not fallen tnrough the burning bed, but had been placed there previous to the firing of the premises. The parti- tion next the stair case was burned through, and four of the upper steps were eaten half away—the upright stanchions or posts of the rear side of the room and atthe head of the bed were also very much burned, and a small opening was made by the fire into the bed-room immediately above the spot. This latter, room and the kitchen were the only ones materially injured. ‘ The fire was first discovered by Isaac Kruizer, a small farmer living inthe neighborhood, whofraised the alarm. The smoke was then issuing from the windows in the rear. The door was burst in by Abraham Muller and Daniel Cochran. Kruizer was the first person to discover the body. was raking up the embers of the bed when the ‘bar struck something underneath. He stooped down and pulled the woman out, saying, “Chere is the corpse,” and_then, rushed out of the house, nor did he return into it until the corpse was borne out. The hall door resisted for a long time the blows of the axe,it was locked so strongly. Ona careful examination of the several locks, &Xe.,the following result was arrived at:—That eve- ty door was locked and the bolts shot-to except the tront door, which was neither locked or bolted. The window shutters were all tightly closed, and from this became satisfied that the actors in this tragedy must have escaped from the house in the dead of the night of Sunday, the 2tth, and thatthe fire had been slowly burning from that time until it was perceived. pansy had the heat pene- trated through the house,that the resin in the doors in the garret floor, had oozed out, and, where it was possible, had flowed or dropped upon the floor. musthave been gradual and of long continuance to coloured. The appearance of the upper part of lye on the itchen, were conclusive rreeive the trace of asudden burst, ora The color throughout was uniform, Again, when the entrance was effected, the in it. ‘ The house is on the right hand side of the road, Adjoining, and separated patch of garden, is the Tsaw him walking greet notice of the persons examining the heuse ofhis son. Almost in front of the cottage is ano- ther house and farther down, about two hundred yards, is a cluster of houses; in one of which re- sides her sister, Mrs. O’Rourk, the widow, who s stated that she saw Mrs. Houseman sweeping ff the back stoop on the morning of Christmas ay. But this the jury are satisfied was an im- possibility. I took a hasty sketch of the house, sufficiently clear for a woodcut for the paper. i I then returned to the Inn, to be ready for the examination. The prisoners had been sent_ for, and had not arrived on my return. Crowds of per- sons flocked to the spot in wagwons, carriages, on horseback, and on foot, and by the time the light waggon, with Waite and Albert Bodine, arrived, upwards of two or three hundred people were ga- thered there. The excitement, while it was not very violent, was yet of that fixed, unmistakeable character, that I could perceive how deeply each man felt, and how surely they were determined that the guilty should not escape the just vengeance of the law. bgt?) I now ascertained that the examination was to be a private one, so I wrote a note, ye admit- tance, but the District Attorney and Mr. Commis- sioner Phelps, respectfully but firmly declined to admit any one, no matter from what paper or from what quarter, unless the witnesses, officers and the committee of investigation. 1 further understood, but I do not vouch for its correctness, that an oath of secresy had been impose } oh each person on entering the room, not to divulge the proceedings. Thad now nothing to do but to ‘listen to the disap- pointed crowd. The expression of dissatisfaction was general, at the closeted proceedings before the Commissioner, but there being no help for it, some started to inspect the house again—some to talk politics—and some to talk and tell, and listen to, the history of the murder for the ten thousandth time. Much anxiety was manifested to hear from the city—but the meagre extras which reached us did not satisfy the excited eet until a single number of the Extra Hetald was obtained, and this was eagerly devoured. The crowd then became satisfied that nothing more could be heard from the ls until the next day, , paid a second visit to the house, and it was a matter of much surprise to see the string of car- riages, &c., lining the road in front of it: even wo- men and children flocked to look upon the place where a wontan arid a child had been sacrifi to Mammon, by the hand of a woman—a sister. Deep indeed 1s the feeling against the murderess, One woman. declared that “if the law would gi her up to the women of the Island they would hang her without judge or jury.” 1 do not believe that the case ean be tried on Staten Island. The people have to a man expressed their opinions as ‘to the guilt of Polly Bodine, and not A} angel Gabriel himself could now persuade them to the contrary. Every old musket on the island hasbeen put into order, and firearms ver ceerinaan have risen a hundred per cent since this fearful murder. A man who seemed to be a constable, observed, that he never knew what it was to: take a pistol or any other weapon to protect himself while on duty or away from home. He said he had even one among them Jrish and them Dutch, without ei the least scared, but. now he feltas if he could not move without a pistol or something of the kind, and as for the old woman, she was afear- ed every time the door was opened after dark. “Ex uno, disce omnes.” What strange fancies possess some of the human race. I, to-day, observed one tall, fair-haired gen- tleman_ possess himself of the bible, which had been the inl of the murdered woman, and which had been partially damaged by the fire: He seemed to consider it as quite a relic. 2 Another possessed himself of a shoe which had been worn by the infant ; a third, of a cotton pock- et Raiierihiats a fourth, of a piece of the calico frock of the mother, while’a fifth essayed to carry off the unburnt end of one of the bedposts! It put me in mind of the erazy Canadians, after the eva- cuation of Navy Island by the Patriots, when a cannon shot brought $5—a_piece of a bomb-shell $3—a cannister shot $1, and so on! The woman Bodine, was not brought from the jail. It appears that she was apprehensive of a pre- mature delivery-the dovtots were sent for, and they having ‘consulted, agreed that her removal was hi ry di birth to an illicit offspring. She has pronounced Waite as the father, and has also stated that he was about to marry her in ashort time, Sheis net so firm and nerved as when she was first arrested. and it is probable that in the pangs of travail, she may disclose the eh of this horrible affair. Justice Merritt on New Year's dey inst paying his customary visits, devoted himself. a! gether to ferreting out this transaction, He visited the several pawnbroker’s shops, and at Levi’s in East Broadway, he found the gold chai in Chatham street, he found the six table spoons, and at Davis’s, Chatham street, he further disco- vered the sugar tongs and two dessert spoons. T'o- day he came down witit the articles recovered, and brought with him the clerks of these pawnbro- kers, for the purpose of identifying Polly Bodine. When the spoons, &c. were shown to her, she was very much agitated, but recognized them as being the property of her unhappy brother, Capt. House- ‘an, and as constituting a portion of the silver ware of his family. The pawnbrokers were ad- mitted to her, and without reel tacion declared her to be the woman who had pledged them. The clerk of Hart, even betore he entered, recognized hervoice, _ All these articles were pled ed in the name of “ E, Henderson, Bergen, N. J,; and here is ano- ther instance of the cunning of the wicked one.— The spoons, &c. were marked “G & E. H.,” these being the initials of Captain Houseman and his murdered wife. But Providence has defeated the plans of the guilty woman, and where she most hoped for safety she has been overthrown. Thus is itever with the cunning one. | Eliza Bodine, her daughier, an interesting girl of aoout 16 years of age, on her examination recog- nized the watch, spoons, Xc., asthe property of her uncle, Captain Houseman. She also recognized the handwriting of her miserable mother in the let- ter found on the person. of Waite—in which she had concocted the story they and she told on their primary examinations. This letter was partly de- aced, but the Distr ttorney brought it to the city, and by the aid of a Mr. Campbell, an adept in such things, the erased portions have been deci- phered. ‘This is highly important testimony, and eee stamps upon the woman the damning guilt. ie There are thousands of silly, ill-founded rumors, as to confessions, sayings, &c., but | do not think them entitled to notice in the Herald. Other papers may insert them to swell a report, but the public know where to look for the correct one. So far I have avoided giving any thing but-what I know or receive from credible authority. Snocxtnc Munpers ann Torat. Derraviry.— We have received by yesterday’s mails, the follow- ing particulars of recent murders in different parts of this continent. The first that comes under the head is a most dreadful affair, perpetrated near Providence last Sunday. {From the Providence Journal, Jan. 1.) It is with the deepest pain we have to record the awfnl death of Amasa Sprague, Eeq., of Cranston, senior partner in the extensive manufacturing houre of A. and W Sprague, who was wilfully and cruelly murdered on his farm yesterday afternoon. He left his house about three o'clock to fro to a portion of his form lying in Johnston, for the purpose of looking to the proper ehelter of his ent. tle ; and at about five o'clock he was found prostrated on the earth dead. Upon examination, a ball was found to have entered the front and passed out of the back of his head. A pistot was found some distan and under such circumstances as to I ‘a hasty attempt was made to conceal it, It was reported that he had received another wound inthe body, but when our informant left, the Coroner's verdict had not been rendered, and we cannot, therefore, state it ax & fact, This announcement cannot fai) to create great excitement in our community, Though not an actual resident of our city, his immense business relations led him to be regard. el as one of our own citizens. In all the requisites of an sticcessful merchant, he had no superior among us; and however many may have differed from him in other respects, his character for unquestionable probity and honor as'a merchant was never questioned. — His age was abont forty-five. This deplorable event will undoubtedly cause the Hon, William Sprague, brether of the deceased, to immediately resign his seat in the United States Senate. {From other Papers, alled Aaron, was killed ingUpper Marl- londay last, by another slave named ‘Tom A negro slay boro, Md., on \ Chew. James Munson, a seam: 19th ult., with whom he hi The Body of a res tably resxed man, apparently about thirty years old, was found in the street in New Orleans on the 22d ult., pierced with wounds, by some sharp instrument. Two of the thrusts had penetrated through the lungs to the heart. It was supposed that he was killed by some runaway negroes, as his business was that of pursuing such property. ' Hix name was I, Thomas, On the 2st, a fireman on board the steamboat Wing on board the brig Linden at > Ramey Hignett, on the a fight, f}canbe no longer cajoled by it. On Saturday, the 16th ultimo, George Kettering, and Samuel Dixon, both of New Alexandria, Penusylva- nia, gut enraged in’ quarrel in the course of which, the former received a wound in the head from a two pound weight, and one in the side, from a four pound weight thrown at him by the latter, which in afew days caused his death. ‘The later hax been lodged in jailto await his trial. The Baltimore Sun says :— Jacob D. Hare, coro- ner, was yesterday culled on to hold an inquest on the body of James Gray, a negro,about 21 years of age, who had died from the effects of a violent assault. It up- pany with two other colored youths of the same three white boys, about 18 or 19 years of age, passed, in afew minutes returned with bricks in their hands — The deceased having hie back to them, did not observa their approach, whilst his companions fied, and one brick struck him on the head, fracturing his scull. New Orleans. (Correspondence of the Herald.) New Orveans, 22d Dec., 1843. Revolution in’New Orleans—Fall of the Old Factions —Young America in Motion—Papers—Cotton. Dear Bennertr— Our election for a representative in the State’Le- gislature took place on Monday, 18th inst., and re- sulted in the choice of James P. Freret, the candidate, by the small majority of 56 votes. Thisis rather a poor show for a city that boasted 1000 whig majority in the Harrison campaign. The member elect is a brother to our present Mayor, and is a worthy and respectable citizen, who med- dles but little with polities—his unsuccessful com- petitor, Peter K. Wagner, familiarly known as “Greasy Pete,” is an “Old Hunker” of the best sort, and cannot command the votes of his own party, or at least the respectable portion of it. He is now editor of the “ Courier of Louisiana,” pub- lished here ; and would be a pretty fair writer if his effusions Were not so much tinctured with old- hunkerism. _ Pete and his confreres are making sad lamenta- tions over his defeat, and vociferate the hacknied charges of “frand,” bribery,” “corruption.” They are determined to contest the election on the ground that some two hundred foreigners were not allowed to vote upon informal certificates of natu- ation, granted by u Judge in an adjoining parish. ng the summer some of the locofoco ‘ old hunkers” made an arrangement with this Judge. to naturalise all the foreigners that they sent to him, he doing the job for about one-tenth of the amount of the usual fee, Having provided himself with the requisite forms, he would fill in the names of the applicants as they presented themselves, without administering an oath, or ever asking a.question relative to regidence or any of the requisite quali- fications for citizenship. And because this man’s certificates were rejected at the polls, the unprinci- pled, hypocritical and rotten old pee hacks, turn up the whites of their eyes, and lament, in piteous tones, the disregarded rights of ‘the dear people.” Out upon such barefaced humbugge: ry; the people i *Tis more than probable that this Judge, who has so disgraced his office, will be kicked out of it by the legislature, and it 1s to be hoped that our legislature will evince sufficignt patriotism and self-respect to visit with prompt punishment such shameful conduct of of- ficial influenoe, The ** Old Hunkers,” who assume the manage- ment of party tactics on both sides, have by their falsehood, corruption, hypocrisy, baseness, and utter moral degradation, so disgusted a great portion of the people, that little interest manifested by many honest and industrious indi- viduals at the success or defeat of either of their parties, A striking Prone of this indifference was manifested at the last election. For weeks prior to the election the papers teemed with appeals to their respective partizans, denouncing, beseeching, entreating, and leaving no means untried to create citement,but allin vain! ‘The vote was unusu: 1; not two-thirds of the voters of the exercised their right, for reasons as set forth above. ‘The time is fast approaching when the unprincipled demagogues of bot i i tive ol city parties must sink into their na- arity A movement has occurred in your t will revolutionize the politics of this coun- Whe two old factions are fast falling to ves from their own internal rottennesss, and will, beyond question; soon, be swept from the political arena to make ce for the pure and patri- otic party, the aucleus of which has already formed in your city. Lallude to the *‘American Republi can Party,” with which your journal has made us acquainted here. Apropos of your valuable paper. “Tis the only medium through which we learn of all the new movements in politics, religion, fashion, and the passing events of the age. This great city can boast of but one newspaper conducted with any degree of ability, and that pa- “Tropic,” which displays talent, judg- and manliness in its management. The Bulletin is a mere advertising sheet, a circulatin, catalogue of sales, steamboat departures, an merchants’ cards. The Bee isa dull, prosy organ of “Old Hunkerism.” The Picayune is much in the style of a circus clown, being the vehicle of second hand jokes, and antediluvian puns. The Crescent City and Herald are blackguard affairs, conducted by fellows who ate devoid allke of de- cency or brains. The latter is now under the charge of a lawyer'who cannot make his salt at the bar, and has turned editor asa ‘‘dernier” resort, forgetting that it requires skill, tact, talent, and judgment to ensure success in that line. The weather for some time past has been such as to cause an almost entire suspension of out-door business. The incessant rains for some weeks past have materially injured the cotton crop, which you know wasgreatly shortened by previous disaster. — ‘The crop is variously estimated here at 1,500,000 to 1,700,000 bales; and will probably range between those numbers, but no rational person believes it. will exe the highest cf these figures.— The receipts at this port are about 60,000 bales less than at the corresponding period last year, and those most conversant with the subject estimate the receipts into this port for the year up to the lst September next at less than 700,000 bales. This sey appear a low estimate, but it will not materially vary from the result, for this has certain- ly beds aresibe of unparalleled disaster to the cotton crop. The factors here ate Holding on, and will not submit to low prices in the face of a short crop. They are mostly easy, particularly the medium houses, whose busi is compact, and who can hold their cotton until prices come upto their vie’ ‘The market is now firm, with a tendency upwards, and must continue to improve. Nothing can pre- vent a decided advance in the price of cotton, and the most favorable time for purchasing is the pre- sent, for toward spring a very material enhance ment in prices must oceur. Cotton, of “middling” quality, we quote at 9 cents, dling fair 9 1-2 cts. fair 10 cents. American Rervenican. Philadephia. (Correspondence of the Herald ) Purapenrenta, Dee. 30, 1843. Sir i— The excitement during the holidays has been, and is unprecedented for Quakerdelphia. ‘Merrie Christmas” has bloffed off the wry face ot hard times—for its season at least. The beams of bean- ty and hilarious dispositions reiga dominant ; and, may it so, continue ‘till the year “44 as@ends the throne of time, disseminating his smiles till ’45. It isto be hoped that he will not play with our af- fections, and so deceive us, as Nero, the deformed of all liyman sensibility, did the poor simple Ko- mans, « The declination of Mr. Buchanan from the list of Presidential candidates, has imparted fresh ener- gies to the friends of old Tecumseh in our State. The old ‘Hero of the Thames” run alinost to a treshet through the Pennsylvania valleys, if the head springs continue thus to rise. The verdure id ever green foliage of little Van,will hardly veil his brilliant meandering through the key stone meadows and arch. There are Tecumseh clobs forming all over the State ; and ere the day for the Baltimore Convention shall have arrived, the “Hero of the Thames” will float from nearly every newspaper turret outside of our Clayey city. The sun has dried our muddy streets, and the cold weather has again made pleasant promenading. The rainy spell and foggy atmosphere has mad our wonted cleanly city shockingly disagreeable for the last fortnight. ‘The strings of the theatrical harp seems to jangle out of tune here ; the Walnat opens to-night with the Chestnut theatre corps. The latter theatre (which is only patronised by the beau monde) is thrown Hors de combat. Nothing realized by Macready, but indifferent houses. Mur. shall has repudiated the equestrians. Te should never have transplanted his walnut shrubs and flowers to the Chestnut beds, which are bet adapted to exotic plants.—The Arch street the tre in_ which it is located. Wemyss and Oxley seem to’go ahead pretty fair- ly on the variety system, at least during the holt- dapectia Ellsler Brothers made quite ahit. This house has paid, it is said, all the back salaries off, One of the unfortunate wights belonging to this corps was lost in the ‘King of the Mist,” in one of the foggy scenes, and has just been found. Amalgamation in amusements seems to be com- ing the order of the day. We had a Concert last night at the Museum, wherein Frank Johnson, the Watsons, Kosina Shaw, and others took part. 1 fancy, we shall have it extended to the drama soon —a hona fide Othello, with a fair Desdemona—No- velty isall the go. “O! Day and Night, but this is wondrous strange.” Give us some more biographical sketches of American Republican orators—it takes. Hvpipras. Petersburg, Va. (Correspondence of the Herald.) Perensevra, Dec.*29th, 1843. Drak Sin :— ss i Believing that any thing bytes to the move- ments of the celebrated Ole Bull will be received by you with much pleasure, I am induced to ac- quaint you of his success in the ‘‘Metropolis” and “Cockade” of Virginia. In Richmond the “Metro- polis” his appointment happened on the same might as did the soiree of Artot and Damoreau; yet, not- withstanding the deserved popularity with which these are ever surrounded, Ole Bull outstripped them both—his audience was twice as large, and the applause with which he was greeted three time as hearty ; and so well was he likrd,so intense was the enthusiasm which pervaded the citizens of Richmond, that it was with difficulty he was able to perform in Petersburg at all; and T believe he would never have come to the cockade at all, unless he had promised them certainly to be among them again the next night. The locofocos of the Virginia Legislature,at their last session, imposed a disgraceful tax of sixty dollars on musical enter- tainments ; and persons who came to this State to give entertainments of the kind, got over the rous, inexpedient, and disgraceful” tax, by g! out that it was not a concert but a musical lecture. It was proposed to Ole Bull to do this, but he in- dignantly retused, aan toe y the whole tax, though he said it was “‘ mig} ny unny.” In Peters burg as well as in Richmond, he was enthusiasti- cally received with thunders of applause and a great deal of money. Vive la Paginini -Vive la Ole Bull. Nighy Sat A Tur Learriate Drama av Last.—We find the following in the Buffalo ‘Commercial Advertiser,” which will, no doubt, be very gratifying intelli- gence to the Park Theatre, and the patrons of the legitimate drama. Antelope will beat Macready and Forrest all to pieces—whozknows % Tae Invr at THe Tueatne.—A delegation of Fox Indians, including two Pot nies, on their way to Washington, under the guidance of Mr. C. R. Hopkins, from South Bend, Indiana, arrived ii yesterday, Forthe purpose of defray: the journey which are not, as usual, paid by the ment, the Indians give exhibitions of their dancing and singing. It was hardly to be expected that here in the vicinity of three different tribes, with whom our citizens are familiar, that much curiosity would be felt; yet the theatre was crowded to the galleries. ; On raising the curtain, a front scene with a thick wood back ground, was presented. In the open front stood two deer skin wigwams made with poles, withed at the top, and their lower ends placed on a circle of some six feet diameter, the whole representing aregular Indian encamp- ment for the night. Before the curtain began to rise, a Jow, wild and thrilling chaunt was heard, and as the cur- tain receded, the sound which at first seamed wafted from afar, became louder,the tapping of their drum more distinct, till, rising gradually to a full and strong*chorus, termina- ted hat wild and savage y which even there in the utmost stcurity made the “ hair stand on end.” Then all was silent again—and again commenced the low wild chaunt ‘ibed, which fost egaén end terminated in the mingled yells of What seemed an hiindred savages, but really from only eight or nine. ‘Their dances were, first, each Indian came forth in turn fi the wigwams, tod in pantomime and dance gave a brief history of his exploits, commencing with the youngest--during which all the others sang and beat time tothe dram with their war clubs—they then grouped before the wigwams, and sang till the spirit seemed to move, when they arose, and went through the war dance, with all those gestures and con- tortions of body which can only be remembered, not de- scribed. Next the medicine dance—practised for propi- tiating the Great Spirit towards sick persons, ‘There is but little diversity in these dances to those who do not understand the pantomiine which accompanies them, but every gesture and movement have their meaning tothe Indian. In the course of the evening several speeches were made and interpreted, in which the objects of their mis- sion were set forth; the Fox war-chief Antelope represen- ted himself to be commander of 4000 warriors—that there are two orders of chiets—the war chiefs and the council chiefs—an elective and hip—that th war chiefs attend to matter ‘ouncil chiefs manage the political, finance! matters of their respective tribes, and those of the nation are settled in a grand council of all the chiefs of the nat Thia ‘Antelope was elected a chief by the rule,after having per- formed the prescribed fasts, (which in some cases are eight days) and taken ten Sioux scalps—and had by his rowess become head war chief of the Fox He closed is speech with the declaration that asystem of organi- zation was in progress, by which about twenty different tribes would in afew years be united, when they intended to exterminate the Si ation, While Antelope w king the thunder of the theatre was put in motion, whose two or three claps died away ip that low distant rumbling which tells of the storm ap- proaching or past, and produced as much signs of surprise as the real Indian ever allows himself to manifest, but the old chief said subsequetitly, ite man great man— makes fire, waggon and thunder Tus Mvsicat Manta 1x Ricnmonp—Tue Rivar Concents—Ote Butt, Tarumrnant.—Ole Bull car- ries all before him in Richmond, o+erthrowing all rivalry by the electricity of his genius. Hear what the Richniond Star of Saturday say: Tne Concents.—-Thursday ‘24 a great oy in Rich. mond, Three such geniuses as Ole Buli, Cinti Damorean i Mons. Artot, are not to be met with in a bunch more once inacentury. The fashionable¢ were ina high fever, and many gentlemen settled their doubts by tossing up a half dollar—herds; Ole Bull—tails, Cinti Damoreau— and sometimes heads got it, and *t others tails were tri- umphant. When the iinportant hour a , hoth places were found to be filled with large audiences of our most fashionable circles—there being probably alarger num- ber out, in the aggregate, than any entertainment ever called together before. By way of getting two bites, one at each of these cherries, we hurried work, and got in in time to hear the Madame and Monsieur once cach, and then mounted “‘shattks’ mare” for the theatre, and heard Bull's last two pieces, Cinti Damoreau is no chicken of the Dutch pattern, nor so beautiful as Hour sented by the poets, but with a plump perso dious voice, whith she manages as weal , as Taylor does his flute She ind very sweet, finished singer, but to our indifferent taste, her voice lacks body, power and billiancy, Artot plays beautifally, with great finish, taste and execution, and seemed to us better with his in- strument than the lady was with her voice. ye Sa superbly, and deserves all the fame he has attained, But Ole Bull, the genius, the artist, the poet. is as far above the usual grade of first rate pe a fiddle is above a jewsharp. There is no m the matter. Ordinary men play like machine: works turned out with machine like precision—bnt Ole Bull has soul, genius, poctry, a wrapt intensity of devo tion, that gives not only anew and novel charm to his performan hi The diffe but delights the listener from sympathy — ce between his playing and that of Nagel, rtot, Ke, is, that they perform beautifully, ex 1y; but still with the air of pupils performing their ; while Ole Bull ys like the master, of whom the fiddle is the obedient and complacent servant. He gives forth such sounds as no instrument ever gave ont before in this region, for he made it weep,mourn,sob,lough,and acold in amanner so perfect that every listener felt the xenti ment ofthe ait, while listening to the sounds. The dam. sels, especially, were greatly tickled at the scolding touch—for every one thought instantly of a domestic scene, We therefore give Ole Bull the palm without a moment's hesitation. He is a good-looking, tall. honest-faced gentleman, who never would be of being agenius. He’ ought to wear his long, let his beard grow, if he has one, or buy and look wild and outlandish. That is the way to bea genius—whereas, Ole Bull only looks like a gentleman 6{ common sense “Tis surprising—extraordinary—remarka- bie. ‘The same evening, (Saturday,) Ole Bull and his army of musicians, says the Star, went over to Petersburg in the cars—there to reap new conquests of fame and money. u . Ciren jt Court. Before Judge Betts. Jax. 2—Trial of Matthews Postponed —A new panel of jurors were summoned to attend this morning for the pur- esa of trying George Matthews, for the piracy and rob- bery of the rchooner Sarah Laviniad The prisoner having been placed at the bar, the Court directed the Clerk to proceed and call the jurors. Sixte © challenged i 1 four for misnomer, wh panel be- e Mr. Nash, the prisone 1, then challenged the four jurors, whose right to sit he ques. tioned for misnomer perempto thus making the sum- moning of a fresh pan rative upon the District At torney, The learned counsel next moved to put off the trial of the , the District Attorney reluctantly the inconvenience whieh n for the prorecution. p Ago Betts informed the bar thet on » the bankruptey business and admiralty eases, His Honor then ad- Journed Jax.2—w Lady sued for Breach of Promise of — Wik lis Cutter vs. Joel 8. Oatman, M. D., and wife.— trial for breach of promise of marriage excited almost as much public curiosity as the case of Van Cott vs. Sharp, for crim. con. The readers of the Herald will remember that the affuir made some noise at the time of the marriage of Dr. O., to the fair widow Coles, it ene been then whispered ubout that the bridegroom and had both subjected themselves to the fangs of the law on account of their prior promises of marriage to other perties. The lady is a handsome woman ol thirty, with ory fas eyes. She appeared in Court accompanied by the Doctor, dressed very ciegantly ina dress of mousseline de laine, white satin hat with drouping feather, looped up with a diamond button of the most recherche kind. Her liege lord, the Doctor, is 4 tall, important,showy person, and quite acon- t to his rival, who is of very vulgar exterior, and was ithal very ill dressed. ‘The damages are laid at $10,000. It apeared in testimony that the lady was the daughter of the late John Pye, who died three months before her mar- riage to Dr. Oatman, g to the lady and hertwo brothers an estate of upwards of $160,000. “In her youth- ful days she wax married to the late Mr. Coles,a dry goods merchant, who failed in business and left her and her two children to wait for the old shoes of their grandj In the spring of 1841 Mrs. Coles resided in one of her houses, at No. 146 Third Avenue, she occupying two rooms and akitchen,ande Mr, and Mra, Cammiff the other portion of the premises, In the spring of that year, sc- cording to the testimony of her lodgers, she became quite intimate with the plaintiff, who visited her every uignt \d beau’d her about to Church and other places, until neighbors looked upon it asa settled match. Mrs. Canniff stated that he came every night and alway into Mrs. Cole’s own room, unless the widow happened to be sewing alovg with her neighbor, in which case he would step into Mrs. Canxif’s appartment and stay until the widow left, when hag retired together to her room—that the widew had often been heard to talk of how she should arrange matters after her marriage with Mr. Cutter, and on one occasion, when the widow intended to be absent from home for some weeks, § if she would permit her to come there to receive the visits of Mr. Cutter. Mrs. C.,was nothing loth to this arrange- ment and the widow did come there to see the cartman,and what was stronger testimony, she used to send word,when she was ready to receive him, by a little Mercury —_— coats Mrs. Canniff’ being asked how the widow and the cartman deported themselves to each other on other occa- sions, replied—‘‘why, just like other people do, under such circumstances.” He would put his brawny arms round the fair widow, and kiss her, and she would say “have done, do! aint you ‘shamed to act so before folks!" Whereupon, the cartman would reply, with a smirk— “why, Harriet, dear, you know you are mine!” To this the widow replied only with a smile. On another occa- sion the widow tuld her neighbor that she might ex to be invited shortly to a wedding. At another time, when he was ill, the widow “she did not go to see him because the old lady, who lived in Cutter’s house, did not like her, but that if he wished to see her she would cer- tainly go.”’ These and other circumstances detailed to the jury were relied upon as strong inferences that the widow intended to confer her hand and heart on the jolly cartman. Michael O'Connor, oneof the executors of the will of Mr. Pye, deposed to the property which devolved on the widow, by the death of her futher, and stated that he spoke to her about the reports which were current, respecting herself and the plaintiff in this suit—told her they would injure her character, She the plafntif’ was a good for nothing fellow, and that the reports were false ; it Mr. had heard them from so ma- ny persons that he thoughtgshe had better see Cutter and compromise the matter with him. ‘This was after the death of her father, but before she was married to the Doctor, which event took eo about three weeks after the ral, the courtship having commenced on the same day as the late Mr. Pye was consigned to the grave. Forthe defence it was set up that the plaintiff wase low bred, vulgar fellow, with but few pretensions to t! character ofa gentleman, and none whatever to the hand and fortune of such a rich prize in the lottery mutrimonial as the fair and rich widow Coles. That the suit was commenced on speculation, to get ane out of the fumily of Mrs. Oatman, and that the plaintiff had not the smallest claim to pecuniary relief, inasmuch as that he himself had got a wife instead of wearing the willow for the loss of the widow. That plaintiff would never have had the least acquaintance with the widow Coles but for a sort of artful dodge which he resorted to, by cal- ling without any introduction to enquire about renting @ house of her father’s. That he turned this introduction to necount in calling upon the widow, but that never gave him’ the least encouragement, and that the leged promise of marriage exis- ted no where but in his imagination, and would never have been brought into a court of justice but for the ease with which a conspiracy of this sort could be concocted, and the difficulty of proving a negative. That the plain- tiff’s habits were not at all congenial to the refined taste of the widow Coles, inasmuch as that he frequented a low porter house called ne Pocahontas,” where they swore sundry coarse oaths snails ed at horrid games of ¢: hi for money and drinks, he was addicted to gam! H bad company, was a tyrant to ti So and drinkin wife, and not at all to be compared in point of personal ap- pearance to the fortunate rival, Dr. Oatman. A number OL Witnesses were introdaced who swore to certain mat- ters which went to sustain all these allegations. ‘The case for the defence was in progress when the Court adjourned. O'Connor told her that h General Sessions. Before Recorder Tallmadge and Aldermen Vandervoort and Purdy. James R, Waitina, Esq., District Attorney. Jax.2—The Court commenced its January term this day, and the Clerk presented the following cases to be disposed of The Calendar. Robbery in the first degree, 2; burgla- grand larceny, 10; petit larceny, 9; Total 28, ‘These were new cases. Old Cases.There were, however, twenty-five oth cases that it was necessary to act upon, one of which was a person previously convicted, twenty-one previously in- dicted, one a witness in confinement, and two cases of abandonment of wife and family; making in all, old and new cases, fifty-three. The Grand [nqueat.—The names of the grand jurors were then called, and the following twenty-two persons appeared and were sworn, viz: William F. Havemeyer, ; William Anderson, Britton Brown, Wii ning, John C. Bayles, Silas Brown, J Chame berlain, James Donaldson, Aaron Dexter, David Feeks, Joseph Jamison, Chandler L,, Ingersoll, Solomon M. Li ingston, Eleazer 8. Larazas, James Murphy, Charles W. May, Lewis K. Osborn, Charles H. Platt, Peter P. Ramsay, Edward J, Swords, William Senn, and Lora Nash. The Charge The Recorder then delivered a brief charge to the Grand Jury, und amongst other remark: led their ‘attention to the crime of _ our care. extremely grateful to upon as regarded the du- ties for which they were called upon to periorm, and was in every respect consolitory. The Grand Inquest then retired and commenced their Case of Mansloughter.—The case of George bisa non indicted’ for manslaughter, in killing James Goodwin in October last, on application of Counsel,was postponed till Friday next, as a material witness wes absent. vial for Grond Larceny.—William Smith, © boy, wes then put on kis trial for grand,jlarceny, in stealing in De- cember last thirty yards of merino cfoth worth as man; dollars, from the store of Mesers. Mabbett & Co. No. 911 Greenwich street. There was no evidence of the lad’s in- tention to steal the goods, and the jury without leaving their seats, found him not guilty. nother Grand Larceny.—Jane McDonald, a female of rather prepossessing appearance was next tried for agrand larceny, in st uit $70 from Joseph Fran- cesas, mate of the! bt ella on the night of the 13th uit., ina house in Courtland street, ala Hoag system, that ofgetting the man in bed, and then ridding his pantaloons pockets of theircontents, The trap door, &c., were de- scribed, and the manner in which the money must have been extracted from his trowsers, the more appropriate ierm for asailors garment. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and thecourt sentenced her to the state prison for Syears and6 months, ault and Battery, with intent to kill.—Joseph Boves, indicted for un attempt to kill Matthew Curry, on the oth of last month, did not apgear when he was called to trial; is bail was therefore foneited, which consisted of Joreph A. Ledon and Francis Salmon, eacn in the sum of $260 to produce him when he was required to take his trial. The Court then adjourned till to-morrow at 11 o'clock, A.M. ies. Oyer and Terminer. Before Judge Kent, Aldermen Woodhull and Emmane Jan. 2.— Trial of Peter Williams Postponed. —The case of the People ve. Peter Williams, indicted for the murder of Daniel Stan! was postponed until Thursday, and tl Court adjourn Court Calendar. Berenson Covnr.—Nos. 1, 3, 4,6, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 1A, 16, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Common Peas. 23, 3, 10, 20, 96498, 22, 96, 37, a2. From rae Ixnian Counts an extract of a letter received in this ci says a New Orleans paper, dated " Boggy das, Nov 2, 18kd:-—To-morrow 1 leave for the Prairie Council, in company with Col. Harney, U. 8. A., and P.M. Butler, Cherokee Agent, who are Com- missioners on the pact of the United States, The escort will consist of 40 men and two pieces of artillery, The cil will be heldon Red River, 100 miles west of Fort place—its object with the Coman- ; y been inimical to their overtures, A great number of Co- manches are expected, and we hope to permade them to bring their buffalo skine to us instead of taking them the Missouri line. We shall return in about two week A correspondent of the Van Buren Intelligencer, writin from Fayetteville, under date of November 20th, say: «The two Starrs and Reese, who are cherged with hav- ing murdered the Wright family, are here in the county il. They will be convicted upon the testimony of fifty ons, Who have heard them frequently boast of having done the deed, It is said that the hapa Jury of this coun- ty have found true bills against the murderers of Ridge ; and also against Jobn Ross, as an accessory. Thin is going to be the cause of great excitement on the line. It will be remembered that Major Ridge was the aged chief who fell a victim to a dreadful conspiracy, on the 22d June, 1843, the same morning on'which his accomplished son, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot, were slain. party sent to kill Major Ridge passed into the State of Arkansas, and hence the indictment.”