The New York Herald Newspaper, October 22, 1847, Page 1

eqn Vol, XIII, No. 289..Whole No. 4836, The Protestant Episcopal Convention..The House of Delegates. POURTERNTH Day. After the usual preliminary religious services, the minutes of yesterday's proceedings were read apd ap- proved. Mr. Wxarton would like to have his honorable col- league state whether the principle involved in his frst Propesition was not jy the same as that of the anon proposed yester: by the gentleman from Ver- wont? Ito, would it not be better to call up the canon? Mr. Ixoensout replied in the affirmative. Kev. Dr Forpes leave to be allowed the privi- lego of offering a few remarks. A point of order was here raised, upon which the chair stated that the minutes were in error, and that the pro- sition of the gentlemen from Maryland, (Judge Cham- 78.) waa properly before the house. Am esrage was received from the house of bishops stating they had passed a resolution that evidence of the election of the missionary bishop of the Northwest Terri- tory to the Episcopate of Wisconsin huving been laid be- Tore them, they concurred in the same and gave it their acceptance. f= Algo, that this convention, the house of deputies con- curring, would adjourn sine die on Wednesday, the 27th of Oct. inst, Rev. Dr, Foxues then proceeded. He thanked the gentleman who spoke yesterday for bringing the case of the diocere of New York directly before the house. He concurred with him in regarding this matter asthe great business before the convention. He rose to respond to the proposition of the gentleman from Penn- sylvania, IIe hoped rome course would be adopted which would bring the question directly to a vote. The diocese of New York feit that they were in peculiarly trying circumstances, It would be presumption in an; one to suppose that they could hit upona plan whic! would meet the views of all. He submitted his proposi- tion not without somo misgivings; but it was a manly roposition, and represented the views of a large num- Ber of the clergy of the diocese of New York. He pro- ceeded to ahow that the diocese was not vacant. They had in the church three modes of punishment—admo- nition, suspension, and degredation. Degradution un- questionably stripped the bishop of ail his powers. But did suspension do the same? If 80, they had two identi- cal modes of punishment. It was contrary to all rules of common sense, reason, and law, to have two modes of punishment precisely identical. Suspension in ite very term, he contended. precluded the idea that it voided jurisdiction. He know that the ancient canon law of the church would be brought forward to prove the con- trary; but the cafes referred to under the ancient oanon law contemplated a Perpetua susyensio, amount- fng, in fact, to degradation. He believed that the dio- cesa of New York was not vacant. ‘This being conoe: the sentence upon the bishop was null and void. Court of Bishops simply declared him “ suspended, without qualification or Imitation. Besides. no removin; ower existed. He had been told that it wasa univers: fee everywhere that such s suspension, without limita- tion or reversary power. was null and void. He was aware that he should be told that there were cases in modera times of suspension voiding jurisdiction. Such cases were always qualided as “indetinite,”’ or “limited,” as in the other case alluded to. The Bishop of Rome ‘was x source of complete power. They bad no such authority in the Episcopal Church. Hence there w: no naulogy batween cases in the church of Romo an the Episcopal church. He could bring ferward abun- dance of cases of suapension, but they were always quali. fied. If cnses shoal found apparently difficult, apprehended that they would be found to be civil, diva, bilities and penalties, meaning not to de; le, but dis- place from office. They had no such civil power in this country. He cuncluded, therefore. that there were no proper powers in this country which could pronounce such a sentence as had been pronounced upon the Bish- op of New York, and he believed that if the bishop had seen fit, notwithstanding tho sentence which been passed upon him, to continue in the full discharge ot his dutles, that the great body of the clergy would havo supported him in so doing. The point to whiok he desired to bring the matter was this—that it ‘was properly and fairly a question of compromise. His proposition might possibly meet the difllcutty. He ‘would now state it, It wus, that in the present. and in all future cases of @ like nature—cases of suspension un- limived by time, and independent upon any condition— such suspension should expire after a period of three years, or at tne meeting of bel ind convention next subsequent to the passing of said sentence. He would not be the instrument of bringing before tho house auch & proposition if be did not believe it to be jut and ap- eg to ail cases which might arise in after time. ‘as not three years’ suspension long enough? Suspen: sion was intended not to degrade, but to reform the man. Such being its object, ke eontended that three years were long enough —long eneugh for humiliation aud repentance It was long enough for an: durevuch # weight of shame and degradation. It waa Jong enough for any man in this short life of theirs, es- pecially for one in the decline of his years. The prope- sition had the sanction of the anolent church, and he believud, if adopted, would bring rulfef to the diocese of New York and thelr suffering bishop He knew that some raid their confidence in the bishop was gone, and that his influence was destroyed. He was not among thoxe who believed the bishop innocent; but he must be guided by some principle, and he could find no better principls to guide him than that of the church to which he belonged. ‘The latter clause of his proposition wax {otroduced as a conciliatory measure Ho would only, before reading the proposition, commend it to the favor- able consideration of the members of this house. He then read as follows: Resolved, as the sense of this house, that in all oases of sentence of suspension from the office of bishop, or from the performances of any episcopal or ministerial duty—if the judgment or order of the court or tribunal does not appoint @ time, or specify conditions for the termination of the suspension, it shall, as well in the cage of any sentence at present in force asin the case of! fature sentonces, be deemed and taken to continue to the end of the seasion of the genoral convention next after passing the same, and no longer. Provided, That a majority of the convention of tho diocese of maid sus pended bishop shall not, at the first ensuing session of that body, disagree to and dissent from the exercise, by such bishop, of his episcopal duties within said diocese. Rev Dr. Hawxs rose to a question of order. He wished to know whether anything was before the house, He feared their business had become confused. They had no lees than four papers now before them. In the first place, they had the abstract proposition of the gen- tleman from Pennsylvania; secondly, they had amend. ments to that proposition. offered by the gentleman feom Maryland; thirdly, they had a canon from the hon, gentleman from Pennsylvania; and fourthly, a canon from the gentleman from New York. Which of these propositions, he would ask, was now before the house? The Crate decided that the substitute of the gentle- man trom Maryledd was before the house, and that the house had allowed the other papers to be read for their information, Dr. Fonnea explained his understanding of the case. He regarded bia own proposition as a substitute to the proposition of the gentleman from Maryland, which had deen offered as an amendment Rew Dr Hawxs.—As a substitute? Dr Forars,.—As an amendment to the proposition of the xentleman from Pennsylvania. The Cua enid they could not entertain two substi- tutes to the eame propositions Jadge C nens waa willing to have his proposition considered as an amendment Mr Mexoscrn wae jeulous of the rights of the house, and explained hia view of the matter Hon, Mr_Rives thought it wasa mere matter of tech- nicality When they came to vote, all tl precedency would he ratiafactorily dispo At tha request of Mr Devaxo of Ohio, Dr. Forbes then withdrew his proposition for the preseng, to enable the Dr to present the following amendment to the pro- position previonsly b fore the honse:— Wheras a canonically constituted Court of Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal church, convened under the authority of ovnon Ill, 1944. of general convention of sald church for the trial of the Rt Rev, Banjamin T Onderdonk then bishop of the diocese of New York, upow certain ebarges and specifications duly and cano- nienlly made and presented, did upon the third day of Jawnary, 1845 find the said aroused guilty of certain charges and specifications contained in said presentment; and. whereas, suid Court of Bishops, on the day Inst wfrranvid. did determine that the rentence of suspension should be prononnced against such aceured, inthe flowing words, to wit :—“Itie hereby ordered and deelered. that the sentence of this court upon the sayondent. is susoension from the office ofa bishop in hureh of God nnd feom all the fanctions of the sa- cred intnietry; end this court do hereby solemnly pro- nowee and deolare that the Rt. Rv Benjamin Tread- will Ondertonk {# euepended from all exercise of his Episeooal and ministerial fanctions?? Therefors, Rexoiged. That tho Eniroopal connection between the Rt Rev BT Onderdonk and the diocese of New York, by the presentment, tril, conviction and sentence aforesaid, w « dissolved, and of right, said diocese may proceed to elect a bishop. Rev Dr Fornes then renewed his proposition as a substitute for the whole matter, Mr Devano then withdrew his proposition for the pre- sont with the view of renswiug it im a different shape, A motion wax then made to print all the propositions before the Hause ‘The Carn was about to put the question, when Rev, Dr Oariny enquired what would be the effect of that motion A Memarn —Delay, ‘Thy Seenwrany agreed that delay of one day would be ocensioned After some further cenversation, the question was put and decided in the negative. Hon. Mr. Rives then prooeeded with his remarks. He presumed thatin the multiplicity of propositions that had been brought before the hours, the peouliar charac- ter of the one which he had the henor to offer yeater- day, had been forgotten. If gentlemen would examine it, they would find that {t brought relief to the diocese of New York — Every dios ad 8 right to @ bishop— to its own bishop. hat then was the condition of the dioeess of New York? [t was virtually, at least, without a bishop ‘The worthy gentleman from the dlo- cose of New York. said that it was time that the voice of New York chould tteelf be beard. He had all respect for the voice of the disceae of New York, and that voice had been heard frem the highest authority; he asked the gentleman from New York by what authority the standing committee of the diocese of New York had for three yeors been acting with full plenipotentiary powers, while the canons of the church provided that tho standing committee should act tans only when there was no bishop’ Was not the presumption then clear, that they had no bishop? ‘The very title of the act put this con- struction upon that canon- Was not this virtually a ve- SS NEW YORK, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 22. 1847. cant diocese then’ tlemen forgotten a fundamen- tal provision Ip the vory article ofthe constitution? Was it not there declared thatevery bishop should episcopal duti-s in his.own proper diocese, ed to perform duties in another diocese’ Yet those bi- shops had not hesitated to come forward at t! ofthe standing committee of the diocesa of New York, and perform duties. He knew that rome men had had scruples on the subject, but the great body of the clergy had entertained none. The whole ofthis question came the last general convention; and by an almost unanimous vote. the proceedings of the standing com- mittee, which could have been justified only on the as- sumption tl the’ diocese of New York was vaca t, were approved, There had, therefore. not only been a solemn decision by the cating authority of the diocese, but it bad been ratified by a higher power. The diocess of New York had spoken—she had declared herself to bea diocese without abishop. It was and impera- tively incumbent upon the high | church to take some means by which the vacant diocese might be filled. If he waa not mistaken,the ee of a bishop to a vacant diocese without delay, had been com- sidered so important at an early period in the history of the church, that a canon existed, affixing a severe pen- alty to the metropolitan who should be guilty of neglact in the case. He doubted not that there were considera- tions of sympathy for their afflicted bishop, which led to the course which the diocese of New York had taken, from the very commencement of the present session of the general convention. The course which they had taken was worthylofthem; it was consonant with true Christian ter Now after waiting pationtly for three setre they bad come and asked relief at thelr hinds. Bhoula they turn and give them a stone! What el head ‘the report of the joint commmittee ‘amet Nothing, in tity deference, he submitted. As had been said, every diooecc had a right to a bishop. This right being granted—and it could not be denied—this diocese had a it to ask—nay, more, to demand a bishop. Ancient canon law provided, that if a bishop, temporarily invited by a diocese, should at- tempt to fix himerlf best y-ray sjinte! he should be subject to censure. One of the measures which had been proposed, was in effect, that a provisional bishop should be appointed, who should retain his position un- til the suspended bishop should be restored; that might be till doomsday. Such a proposition was, in hs view, contrary to the spirit and law of the church He hoped it would not prevail. There were but two modes of pro- cedure. then, loft for them: they must restore, direotly or indirectly. a suspended bishop, er they must autho- rize the diocese of New York to appoint « bishop. ‘These were the two alternatives. They must bo confronted, face to face. There was no intermediste ground He hardly supposed any gentleman would rise up and pro pose, in due form, a restoration ofthe bishop. ‘They must all be aware that hia restoration would inflict a blow up- on the church, from which she would not soon recover. He_ believes the only alteraative, opposition to the reso- lution, ja the restoration of the bishop, and that he thought would be the greatest calamity that could befall the church. A great deal has been said of penitence and repentance, all of which he would concur in, but they plead nothing for his restoration. They may obtain for him the sympathy of his fellow men; they may avail to blot out his transgressions before an Omnipotent God, but they never can avail to restore him to the sacred of- fice from which he has baen euspended. Let his pe- nance be what it may,yet the fact of his trial and verdict, the performance of penance-—that isin a technical sense, it is a fandamental principle in that penance is an obsta- cle to hiselevation inthe churoh. It isa principle of common vent It is declared that an individual who has done penance. may be restored to conciliation, but never to an offioe in the church. He would say th t it would be detrimental tothe interest of the church to restore a person to office who has been declared guilty of of a crime conira bonus mores. He holds, therefore, that a restoration will not be proposed directly, but the sume thing is proposed indirectly. He was surprised at tho language used to show that the sentence was void. Ho considers the legality of the sentence so plain, that he wonders how apy one think otherwise. Toe sentence is in the very word of the canon; suspen- sion simple and absolute; there can be no ques- tion about that. The ouly question is to the effect of it. He ventures to say, that according to the funda- mental principles of the church, that 2 deposed or de- graded minister cannot be restored, and on the first bal- lot it is well known @ majority of the court were in !avor of deposition. Derosition forbids restoration totally, but suspension implies a possibility of restoration. The authorities agree in defining suspension, that it may be limited or perpetual—it may be from the living, or ‘tom the benefice, or from both. ‘This sentence is one simple and absolute. without qualification of time—and has all the force of de “per and under our canons he cannot be restored. It is said by the gentleman from New York a even admitting that unlimited suspension is same %s deposition, it cannot be considered as Hh, unless it is made so in express terms. He then re- ferred to an ecclesiastical authority to prove, that when jitetion is not fixed in a sentence of suspen: i J intents and purposes, an absolate susper has been asked ifthe bisshop has been depri office, how can he be restored to it? Now how can a man be restored to any thing of which he has uot been de- prived? Is holds, therefore, that the direct and indi- rect restoration of the bishop is impossible. He next re- ferred to the qustion, how far we are authorized to fill the vacancy. He holds, as he said, before that indetinite emapecainns bie depoutiion.. Take ihe-cane of & suspen- sion for a limited time, say threo years. ‘This leaves a reversion to the suspended officer. Compare that case with the case before us, where there is no limitation. What left? It takes away the of- fice wholly, without a reversion, except a remote possibi- lity of restoration, which he holds in this case is not powsible. Ifgentlemen can persuade themselves that a remote and impossible contingency can attach him to the office even by the smallest tie, the oflice is neverthe. leas vacant during the suspension. ‘To be sure, the in- dividual may have the title of bishop, but that isall. Ho may be technical bishop, but the eplecopate is vacant to all intents and purposes. Ho disputes uot ‘at all about possibilities, and if it be assumed that the bishop is to be called the techaical bishop, he has no objection to it,but he holds that while the sentence is in force, the office is vacant. He now comes to another view, which is, tha in one respect, there is # total deprivation of the bi charge over the diocese of New York ‘There are prin- ciples of common sense which can be brought to bear on this case. The relation between the bishop and his dio- cone is one of contract —privileges on one hand and ser- vices on the other ‘This is a principle of commen sense, which cannot bo resisted Mr. Rives then referred to Blackstone and other celebrated legal writers, to prove this at length. Now, ia it possible when it is laid down by this great writer. that when @ grant of office is made, thore is seoret understanding that the grantee shall duly execute the business of his office, and in case of his not doing 0, the grantor can lawtully oust the holder of it, and put another in place of him? Again, an office may be forfeited by misuser orn on-user. Nor can it De said that there hias not been both misuser, and non user in this case. ‘T'here has been both ; and, therefore, it is lawful for the diocese of New York’ to declare the diocese vacant. He would go further, and say that thir principle has been acknowledged by one of the highest legal wuchorities in England, who, {t is well known. cared but little for technicalities—he meant Lord Mansfield, who, in a case before him of clerical appointment, ap: plied this principle, which he conteuded was as strongly applicable to the diocese of New York. A question arose in that case that the curate was not duly qualified to act Lord Mansicld sald if after reasonable notice he did not qu ‘lify himself, the emoluments of the office might be withheld. Now hes a suspended bishop the qualitica- ? and if he has not, he is not entitled to the privileges. No, says Lord Mansfield, for the qualifications entitie him to the privileges—the one grows out of the other. Mr. Rives then relerred to the case of the minister in the Dutch church in Albany, few years since, which was auulogous to this, ia one re- spect atlest, intemperauce. The minister, in that case, wassuspended for six months, and then. depossd. He brought aa actiou for the recovery of his salary during the time of his suspension. By the terms of his cou- tract, he was to receive salary us long as he was minist-r of the church, and the decision of the court was, that he was not entitled to his salary -not being @ minister with- in the meaning of the covenant, when he was ander suspension. Apply the same principle to this case, und the suspended bishop is not a bishop —- On these principles, which apply directly in this case. if the bishop is incapable of performing hia office, it is competent for the grantors to dvclare the office vacant, and appoint auother. He believed, too, that the person ‘sppointed in this way could hold the office despite th+ restoration of the suspended bishop; hut he denies that there is anything more than a poaelbility, remove indeed, of the restoration of Bishop Onderdonk tering into detaiiv, hy has taken « geueral ase, and he would be happy if the gentle York will prove to him the absurdity of guments be hus used, If the sevtence is null. why has not the bishop stated #6. and demanded hia ealary, in- stead of receiving ey er $2600? Why did he not. follow the example of the Datch church minister, and have the mattur decided upon by tho highest tribunaly in the State” [is solemn conviction ia, that if the gen- tiemen wish to restore peace and harmony to the churob, they should come forward and settle the matter definitively by deolari diocese vacant \ plored gentlemen to come forward and settle this humi- linting controveray, which has rent in twain the bosom of the church. Rev. Mr. Forors said @ few words in explanation of what he had uiready stated. Ile applied the word “ ab- surd” to the confounding of the terms “ suspension’ and “ degradation,” Mr. Evans remarked, it appeared to him that the ar- gument of the gentleman from Virginia is full of fallacy He agreed with him, however, that the diccese of New York is vacant, or it is not. It must be established. how- ever, that the diocese is vacant, before another bishop can be elected. He was much surprised that the gen- tleman did vot aflirm that position ; that the diocess was as vacant as it would be in the case of the natural death of the bishop. If the diocese be Galy temporarily vaoant, be should show us the right we have to elect another bishop. A bishop cannot be consecrated pro tempore. Then we are cailed upon to affirm that in con- sequence of a temporary vacancy, we are authorised to appoint a bishop to act permanently, would not argue that question, but he would one whether tha dio- cose was vacant. The gentleman has dilated much on suspension and degradation. The gentleman does not assert that the bishop is both # ded and deposed, but be makes « distinction between suspension JSicto and ab officio, which are separate and dist where will the gentler find a word in about suspension, ab bencficio. The suspension was from office (reads the sentence.) The second part declares the bishop is suspended from his functions. It fojlows that he is net deprived of the office, but merely suspend. ed from the exercise of his daties for an uvlimited time. As tothe jurisdiction of the bishop, the suspension, ab beneficio, the bishops said not a word in the sentence,— He maintained that it was not @ taking away of the of- Without en rvey of the in from New ny of the ar- — floe, but # taking away of th eright toexercisa the duties of that office; that he is still bishop of New York, but incompetent to perform his functions—the office remains to him. He canvot, therefore, hold that the diocese is absolutely vacant. It may be virtu- ally vacant, but there isa distiuetion between the two. Suspension and deposition are not the same thing. position vacates the diocese, but the question is, will unlimited suspension vacate it’? The geutleman fro Virginia seya that limited suspension does not vaca‘ the diocese. There is another class of suspensions. those which end by some eovnanan There can be no vested reversions in them. at is indefinite suspension’ it is that which is to determine on the occurrence of some act; but it is not depositio It deprives the holder of the office, until some period rives when it may be restored to him. Again, here there ism possibility; no matter how remote it may be; it is still a right that is left in him, by the sentence of the court. Now thrre remains a hope—it may be @ misera- ble hope—and what right have we to cut off a hope? It may be said the good of the church requires it; but the church requires no wrong to be done for its good; it will suffer rather than do wrong. contends therv is right left to the bishop. The gentleman told us the was a distinction between suspension ab heneficio a ab officio—and again he told us there was not#uch « dis tinction. The decision of our courts and of the Eng- ligh courts are all on the same footing; but in connection with the law of the church, he considers them as no- thing. Blackstone does not attempt to decide this question, Does he -say that a sentence can be pushed beyond its legitimate limit’? The case of the curate referred to, the gentleman will not apply in this case, because the curate never was a curate He could not be a curate without the license of the bishop, and not beings curate he could uot perform the stipulated services. ‘As tar as the centloman admits & distinction between suspension ad officio und suapen- sion ab bene(icio—and that one can exist without the other—his argument talls to the ground. Again, as to entieman that the episcopate is a Toit the argument of the matter of contract (this isin his opinion fallacious) for jurisdiction arises by consecration. The case of the Dutch minister will not apply either, because there was especial contract. He did not get his jurisdiction by consecration, but by contruct. The people here are not rantors, and therefore they cannot be revokers. ‘The fret ie, the ‘whole of these Principles that are assumed here by the opponents of the bishop, are disrespectful to the house of bishops, who, it it seems best to them to re- move the disability under which Bishop Onderdonk la- bors, can do so; and the people should be satisfied with their decision. ev. Dr. Ouituy, of New Jersey—The great question is, does suspension vacate jurisdiction,or dovs it not? He has been relieved of the necessity of speaking to some of the points raised by the gentleman from Virginia, by the remarks of the gentleman who last spoke, and for that he is duly thankful He would admit that the dioc+so of New York had no right to give the prerogative used by the standing committee during the last three years! but if wrong has done in that case, is that # reason that we should do wrong? Will two wrongs make one right? He would give the gentleman the benefit of this—it benefit it can be called; for the di- ocess has completely neutralised ite effect by the posi- tion which it has assumed before this house. ‘The great question is, what is suspension—what are its limits and Operation? And before discussing it, he would claim the whole benefit ofa principle on which be will have the copeurrence of the house—that in all criminal law, the very striotest construction is incumbent. and that we cannot depart from the letter of the seutenee without perpetratiag a wropg. He would take his ground on the tentenee, which he has a right, as « legislator, to take in- to consiucration ‘Thut sentence he is convinced works no vacancy,ind if he were to speak the sentiments of mind, he would say that it was nullity. He then p ceeded to explain the ground on which Te arrived at his conclusions. ‘The question turns on canon law, which we received from the mother church in Englat that he will go back for the definition of our Our jurists go to English law, and our eocl entitled todo the same. In so doing he finds several different penalties prescribed by that canon law. The tuet is admonition—next suspension. Now let us see the effect, and the operation of suspension, He would quote from Burn’s Keclesiastical law, and under the article of suspension, we are told there are two sorts of suspension—one for the clergy and the other for the laity. That referring to the clergy, is suspen- sion from office and suspension from benefice. A person suspended, is one suspended of both, Yor a time, bat not forever. He woutd mnsintain, then, that the idea ofa limit, whether of time, or provided for by a contingen- cy—that this ides of a limit enters into the suspension, and without it you have no suspension. It will be ‘said that it is implied the bishops may limit this suspension; but he will not say that the bishops could remit a sen- tence without power being granted to them to do so. Now we must interpret the sentence in the strictest manner. If it says suspended jor three mouths, or any other time, it is a limit; but, ifit ieaves out what he is suspended of,it isa nullity He would contend—first,that Suspousion having no limit, is not a legal sentence; qut, if it be sentence of suspension, that, ag it does not vary it, isa sion from benefice; that it does not so sus- pend, and, therefore, at the most, the benefice is there, aotwithstaading all the civil courts in the land decided to the contrary. The benefice remaining, jurisdiction remains with it, and is in the bishop. Mr. Piitiy Wiitiams said the attention of the house had not been cailed to the substance and consequence of the remgrks of che gentleman from New York. It was virtually’ with the consent of the convention of the diocese of New York, to restore the bishop of that diocese to the full exercise of all his powers from and after the 3d day of January next. Should the bishop be restored he asked, without having the sentence removed from him—branded a4 he had been by the court of bishops! If he could not when restored exercise the functions of his office without detriment to the church, as he (the bishop) himself admittod, then he called upon every oue to weigh well th bject before voting in favor of such arestorstion. He would refer to the epistle of St. Paul, which speaks of what a bishop should be—*A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wile,” &c., Kc., and in the testimonials which they must sign, they declared that he was ‘ void of evil report,” &c., yet when the bishop had proved not to be such # man as the laws of God required, would they restore him with this sentence resting upon him’ He trusted not. But they were called upon to restore him with the proviso, tliat the diocuse of New York did not object He would add, did not the reverend gentleman who had spoken of a bene- fice, know ti ere was no such thing as a benefice in the United States’ Dr. Oaituy, (to whem he referred.) wished to correct the gentioman, but he would wait till be had done. Mr. Wititams continued :—Thero was no bensfice attached to tue office of a bishop here as in England, as he proceeded to show. The bishop's salary stood upon just the samy footiog as the priest's salary. Did the ‘bishop get his salary by divine right, es some wuld? If so, why make him dependent on the church? He knew the Scripture said, “They must not muzasle the ox that treadeth out the corn,” but the ox muss tread out the cora first. How, now, did they propose to answer the call of the diocese of New York! He believed that they ought to ma! rovision for the diocese ; but he would inake full provision for them, and not tho partial supply contemplated by the report of the joint commut- tee. ‘They needed a bishop. specially for the diocese of New York, not a bishop dividing his services between them and wnother diocese. Without entering at large into the discussinn of the principles of the proposition he was about to submit, he would lay it down as a propo- sition, and he defied refutation, that as a uni- versal principle of ethics und jurisprudence. that @ party to a contract must perform the duties of the contract before he could havea right to tho remuneration stipulated. Gentlemen must admit that this wasa general principle of right, and they must show that the present case was an exception to this gem eral principle, before they could make their case good ‘The local jurisdiction of the bishop was not derived from the House of Bishops. He cared not by what nama they called him; while thie sentence remained the bishop had ho power of performing tne functions of the episcopacy This beiog conceded, what was to become of the church? Were her hauds so tied that she could do nothing’ If #0, he contended that it was a disgrace to her, Tho dio- cese, he argued, had a right to choose a bishop What did gentlemen mean by jurisdiction? He believed that no two gentlemen who had used the term, would agree on a definition. He considered it simply the power to perform the duties of hix office. Now if the bishop was suspended from the per. formance of these duties, where way his jurisdiction? He had none manifestly. Gentlemen had said, that if this diocese was not vacant, their sexteace was « nulli- ty. This was nons nse, in bia view. jNow he asked, had this convention # right to pass upon the sentence of the Court of Bishops’ Me insisted that they bad no such right. ‘They had no power to pronoun’s the judicial wentence of the Court of Bishops,in the case of the bishop of Now York, muli nud void Whwt did suspen- sion mean? The very nature of the term snowed that it bad refereuce to some specitic time. ‘There could be no such thing as suspension, without limit. He wikhod the solemn and deliberative attention of this house to be called to the act which they had been called upon to perform, by the gentleman from New York, that without any decision by a judicial, tribuaal they should say that from and after the 3d day of Janaury next, the bishop of the diocese of New York should be restored to the full powers and functions of bis office, It this pro position should puss, then, indeed, might the church hang her harp on the willows, But if this proposi tion should not pass, as he most devoutly prayed, how wan the diocese of New York to be provided for’ He could see no other course for them than to say to her that if sho thought proper she might elect a bishop It being now past three o'clock, it was moved that the house adjourn to the usual hour. A member moved that they adjourn to 7 o'clock, this evening. Another suggested eight o'clock, to-morrow morning Mr, Hager and others, thought they could not get their breakfast early enough for that. Several members expressed a strong desire to get through with the business of the convention as m a8 possible, as they should be compelled to leave for their homes in a ai ‘The Secretary on fagatry of Dr. Taylor that the house could not be Nghted this evening, but that it could be lighted to-morrow evening, Mr. Wharton conceived that they did not come thore to sve each other, but to uct. He believed they could see well enough with twenty candies. Dr. Hawks insisted upon hia right as a mem- ber of that house, and in conformity with the notice which he gave yesterday, moved that the house adjourn | to7 0 this evening. Several members intimated that the Board of Missions had important business to transact this evening, which would require the attention of many of the eonvention, The chair put the question of immediate adjournment, which was loat—84 to 68, Hon. Mr, Rives moved that after to-day the house holds 8 ression, to commence at 7 o'clock in the evening. At the instance of the secretary this motion was modified, 60 a6 to make it @ reoess from 3 to 7 FP. M., and passed, ERS THE NEW YORK HERALD. Dr. Hawke then renewed his motion in the form of a re- | gees, which was carricd, and;the house took a recess un- [The proceedings of the Convention, last evenivg, are erowded out by the important war news } The Dreadful Explosion of a Powder Maga- wine in Nashville, ,Tennessee—The Whole uty Da: ed. (From the Nashville Orthopoliten. Oct. 13.) Early thio morning we were upon the ground—the soone of the-dreadjul disaster of yesterday, and after laboring for several hours in endeavoring to ascertain the extent of the damage and the loss of life,we are able to report the following particulars, which we believe in- oludes all the houses in the vicinity of the disaster. It will be seen that we have commenced with the west portion of the ground and worked towards the oity:— Brick house of Joseph Lecke, badly injured. Mr. 1. is » great sufferer by the disaster. Frame house owned and occupied by Mr. Shivers entirely destroyed. Frame house occupied by Mr. Dickson entirely ed — Dickson bey, hurt. Frame house occupied by Mr. Harrison and Mr. Armutro0g destroyed; Mrs. B. had her arm broke House occupied by Ww. Peach nearly destroyed—Mrs. Peach injured. Frame house owned by James King, entirely destroyed— unoccupied at the time. House oocupied by Mrs, Scott, greatly injured. Wil- liams’s carpenter shop demolished. Wviltiamns? briek house very much injured. Brick house occupied by Mr Davismuch damsged House occupiad by Mr. Simpkins, much injured. Brick house occupied by a negro man, not known, demolished, family injured” Frame house occupied by Mr. Cleveland ‘badly demolished. Brick house occupied by Mr. Williams. destroyed. Mrs. W., son and daughtér badly hurt. Frame heure occupied by Mrs. Perry destroyed—Alfred Dobson badly hurt, and & negro woman supposed mortally. Frame house oo cupied by A. Johusou, destroyed—Mra. J. injured slightly. Frame house ovoupied ty A C. Gower, des- troyed. Double frame house occupied by negro families destroyed—a negro mun was badly hurt. Frame house dewolished—J. Parrish occupied it up to within an hour or two of the catastrophe. jouse ocoupied by two families, greatly injured. Frame house occupied by E.G Murden, foreman in this office, destroyed—Mrs. M. and three children narrowly escaped. Brick house occupied by Joseph Brownlow, entirely destroyed. A daughter of Mr. B. had gone to a neighbor's, and was there killed—the whole family hurt Frame hous weoupled by Spencer Chandler, entirely demolished family slightly hurt, Frame house occupied end owned by A: B. Shankland, totally demolished—Mer. 8.’s faiily had a most "miraculous escape. Frame house and store occupied by J. Stevens, and owned by Mr. Denning —very badly injured. Mr. Stephens was badly hurt Thera are several buildings below, on the same side, all more or less dainaged. ‘The names of several persons in this vicinity we did not learn. Frame house occupied Frame by Rey. Mr, Hinkle—very much damaged. Several brick Moore,- dwellings on Spruce street, owned by Robert L and occupied. by Wherry, Beil, and other jured. A framé house owned by Mr: cupied by herself aud a widow woman, fauwily escaped. Brick houav of C. Nic! occupied bs W. G. Robertsou—child and negro gial much injured, house and contents ruined. C. Nichols "framed heuse, occupied by Messrs. Marlon and Caldwell—Mrs. M. killed instantly, Mr. C. since died. C, Nichols’ brick house occupied by Merers. Cobbs and Sykes, ruined. Brick, owoed by Mra K es, {no dangerous situation, liable to fall—family still in it. Kitehen, &e., demolished. Mr ‘Trimball’s brick much shattered; little girl much in- jured, Log tenement of Mr. Ray demolished—Mrs. Ray hurt. Log tenement of Mr. Lee, much shattered— duughter’s jaw badly hurt. Loghouse of Mr. Simpson, occupied by three families—house a total wreck, A house occupied by a colored fumily, thrown from its foundation—none injured. A framy house occupied by two tamilies—one person seriously injured. The frame houses of Messrs. King aud Brown—whole front blown in. John Beards large frame, occupied by three families, much shattered—one lady badly hurt. Sraver Srr Grocery of Mr, Denning—broad- side thrown out at least twelve inches, otherwise much injured Brick house occupied by Mr. Cole—his son not expected to survive. Frame house occupied by Mr Beach—much shattered. Frame house occupied by Mrs. McClelland, house filled with-rocks of all sizes—Mrw. McC. and a young infant had a remarkable escape Frame ef Mr. Jones, much injured. Frame occupied by Mr, Street, totalruin. Brick owned and ocoupied by M. Taylor, very much injured; a rock of fifty pounds blown through thi ; Mr. Shas been a criple tor some time and his his loss will be severe. New Methodist. church much shattered. Brick, of Mr. Bang much damaged. Double brick of Mr. Paul's very much damaged —completely rifted with rooks. Hian strext.—A atone weighing about thirty pounds was blown from the magazine, and falling on the eaves trough on the house of J. H. Shepard, literally cutting it in two part«, and falling to the ground in front of the house. We also let that the Orphan Asylum is ren- dered untenable ¢ numerous churches In the city, are ali seriously injured. We have thus endeavored to give an outline of the destruction which we beheld on every side, but to describe the reelity is beyond the ken of human power. ‘There is scarcely a tenement, (if any) in the city, but is more or lees injured, while we venture the assertion, that thore is not, in the Stute of Teuneasee glass enough to supply the place of that which is broken. ‘The suffervring, and distruction of life and limb, is much to be deplored, and although much has been done by our citizens to alleviate the distress, consequent upon the disaster, remuins a field,open for the exercise of charity in the form of provisions, &c., which we hope the bene- volent of our city will not overlook. In our walks this morning, we entered many places which we supposed un- inhabited, but found in the baeements, many who bad not the means of procuring @ single meal, nor a fit place for the sick to reat their beads, Our heart is sick! We will not contine the dismal tale. Friends of humanity, look to it! Ktuiev.—A daughter of Joseph Brownlow, was killed instantly; Mrs. Samuel Marien, do; Mr. Caldwell, was mortally injured and died this morning; Helen Clark. negro girl, was killed fostantly; a child whese nam did noc learn was also killed. Insone.—Mr, Dickinson was so badly injured that his life is dispaired of; a Mrs. Armstrong had her right arm shattered acd broken badly; Mr. Stephens severely injured. Affairs In Venezuela, Purnro Canetuo, Sept. 25, 1847, Venezuela enjoys a state of peace and harmony thanks to the conciliatory measures of the actual president General Monagas, who seems to be desirous of uniting the different parties ‘The present administration mani- fests a determination to eflect all within its power for the benefit of the whole country. With feelings of deep regret, we are obliged to inform you of a bitier hostility mauifested by the people of Ve uezuela towards the United States,ia consequence of the Mexivan war, which shows itself notin puolic acts of the authorities. but on the part of the people of all classes, in acts not to be mistaken. Much is to be attri- buted to certain illibesal and malignnat foreigaers, resi- dents iu this couatry, who make it their principal busi- ness to utter falsehoods and misrepresentations regard- ing the United States, for the purpose of yuining popu- larity among the natives of this couatry. It 18 sincerely to be hoped that the United States will have effected a peace with Mexico ere this, upoa hoaor- able terms to both countries, otherwise let them be pro- perly castigated until they cry enough, which will afford wa example of what the United States can do in case of necessity, Our new consul at this port, Southy Grinalds, Faq, arrived here a few moathes sinc ‘his yeotieman will un- doubtedly discharge the duties of the oflfce with efficacy; and if evergy should be required in the due exereise of his consular functions, we feel perfectly satisfied that the dignity of the United states will uot suffer at his hands Business is dull in every branch. Coffee—there ia none whatever in the market; ghe crop is over. The new coffee crop will commence in December and January; bac the buik of it will not come in until February and Marvh. Iudigo7 # 7'4 r#, por lb. F waked; from 250 & 300 ceroous in the city for sale. No sates effected Intely. Ox and cow hides 734 47% per lb, and in good demand for the U aited States —come in freely from the interior, Cotton 1234 a 13c per lb; of the most superior quality; coco $12 # $20 per 110 Ib, according to class. Auwany, Oct, 20, 1947, The Position of the Legislative Business, $c. $c. Action upon several of the most important bills before the Legislature continues to be delayed. The perti- nacity with which the house adheres to its deterinina- tion to exclude all personal liability from the general manufacturing law will probably, for the present, pre, vent the passage of that important enactment, The in. Vestment of willions of capital is being daayed until the passage of thts bill, The general law for the incorporation of inau rance companies will, it is stated, be defeated on account of the inability of the two houses to agree pon the question whether the personal liability clanse shall vv incorporated into it. Action has be delayed upon other important bills, and the tim: generally occupied oy this Legislature in the elaborate discussion ot matters not invested with interest. We do not expect that an impetus will be given to legis. Intive affairs until the election has passed, the result of the election, ® profound and general in- terent is felt Deputies of the central factions are perambulating the State and arousing the people. In a tow days, the radical section of the democratic party will hold xtraordinary convention at the village of Herkimer, which is situated at @ little distance esst of the city of Utica. That convention has probably, been oalled with the view of putting Mr. Martin Van Buren, of Lindenwald, ia nomination as the candidate of the radical democrate for the Presidency. A bill compelling all the banks of this State to redeem their notes at inthe cities of New York and Albany, was amended by the Senate to-day so as to compel them to redeem thelr notes at par in the city of New York, aod at no other place except their own counters Mall Failures. We recvived by mation Saturday morning a slip from the Cleveland Herald containing the news from Mexico, ‘The same news was ht to this city by private con- Yeyance in an extralip from the Cleveland office on Thursday morning previous. By priv ste conveyance we received Frida: jetroit paper of Wednenday y evening a morning. The Mail of Saturday brought us rence of nearly 3 paper of Monday, making » di ye ‘tween Detroit and this place in favor of private con- veyanos,— Milwaukie Sentinel and Gazette, A inst, INTENSELY INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE. The Details of Some oF THE TREMENDOUS BATTLES BEFORE THE OITY OF MEXI00. THE GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Additional Lists oF THE HILLED AND WOUNDED. THE EXRCUTION OF THE DESERTERS, Be, Be Ke, (Fxtract ofa Letter from # Foreigner } Mexico, Sept. 25, 1847, On the 6th the armistice waa suddenly broken off, in consequence of General Scott having considered it’ in- fringed, aud he therefore demanded un apology, or that hostilities should commence on the 7th at 12 o'clock. But nothing was done until the 8th, when « battle commen- ced in front of Chapultepeo, which was warmly contes! ed by both parties. The Ameriouns had to retire with lone of 800 or 1,009 men; the Mexican loss was also oon- siderable, but you well know the difoulty of ascertain- ing correctly. “They lost General Leon, of Oajaca, and General Balderas, both brave citizen soldiers; they died heroically, leading on their troops, The battle was fought principally by the National Guard, the regular army having fied in the early part of the action; and in truth,in all the affairs, up to the abandoning of the city, they have shown themselves perfectly worthless. On the 12th, at break of day, the Americans com- menced cannonading Chapultepec, which continued the whole day. On the 13th, they commenced firing again, and kept itup from 6 till'9 AM.; then they succeeded in taking the castle, and immediately followed up their victory to the garitas of the city, where they were met by a most obstinate resistance, and did not enter that night; but on the morning of the 14th the American ar- my commenced entering the city, and at 7 their flag was waving over the palace, or what the Yankees have called the “Halls of the Montezumas,”” At 12 o'clock. the previous night, Santa Anna with all his troops left the city, leaving the inhabitants at the mercy of tho in- vading army, and before daylight the place was entirely plundered by the leperos and prisoners of the ex-Acoor- dada who had escaped or been let loose. At 7 o'clock partial shots were heard in the city, fired by the inhabitants on the American army as it was on- tering. It soon became @ brisk fire, and continued pretty severe during the day. The Americans fought most bravely, and plundered the houses trom which the shots proceeded, or from which they fancied they came, a It will not be tho first time he has done this Since | commenced this letter, | been out endea- voring to obtain « full list of the tite snd w , but, #0 far, have bea: ns and f ptrecr fa comparison. What to be, no one knows, but it is thought tacked immediately. the next is movement it the oity will be at- Tacuwara, Sept. 9, 1847 Thave been enabled to afall list the killed and wounded officers in Gen. Worth’s the great battle of the Moline del ’ im Major Sumner’s command wallader’s loss | will obtain before I ‘The list which follows may be relied "aS sone wt pate ist in complete an much diffloulty in obtaining it, as nearly all sergeants and executive offcers have been killed wounded. ‘The conduct of all the officers has been gallant aod most conspicuous, several of them behaved so nobly that have recommended for immediate promotion to Gen. Their names are Sergernte Benson, Wilson and Robia- son, of the vd artillery; Ser; it Heck, of the 3d arti. lery; Sergeants Updegrsff, Farmer, Archer and the Sth infantry; Sergeant Major Thompson of jofantry; Sergeant Major Fink of the 8th infantry. 1 must and hope that General Soott will at once promote these brave fellows. More than half the officers in Gen. Worth’s division have been struck down, either killed or vounded, in the actions of Churubusco and El Moline lel Rey, and many of the companies have absolutely no me to command then. Of our wounded officers | cannot learn that one of them hus received mortal injury, althoug three or four ‘ro in 4 dangerous situation. The wound of Majer Waite, although severe, will not keep him long from ‘uty. ‘The satne may be said of Captain Mason ead Lieut. Foster, of the engineers, Major Wright was struck in the stomach by @ partially spent oh while tallantly leading the storming party of five hundred Hleked men, but is now recovering from the effect’ I shall make further enquries in relation to the wounded rMficers before | close this letter. Noless than nineteen of the deserters ca od by Gens. Twiggs and Shields at Churubusco, have been found fully guilty, and are to be huvg to-morrow morn- ing. The miscreant Riley, who commanded them, es- capes the punishment of death, as he proved that he dererted before the war. Ile has been sentenced,how- ever, to be severely whipped, to be branded as well, and to wear a ball and chain in front of the army during the war! A deserter taken among the prisoners at Mo- lino, on the Sth, was summarily dealt with, It seems that he deserted from Monterey, last fall, and » comrade who recoguised him. to save the treuble of # court mar- tial, at once pitched him into the mill flume, and he was crushed to pieces by the wheel. Another bateh of de- serters, who have been undergoing a trial here in Taou- baya, will be hung in a day or two it is said. Most rieh- ly do they deserve their fate. The following lint of the officers killed and woundedin Gen, Cadwallader’s brigade, I believe to be nearly oor- rect. If there is any inscouracy in it, { will correct it. It so happened in the order of battle that the 11th regi- Soott. if so that many innocent people suffered in person and he troops were much exasperated, and I can scarcely blame them. The following day firing ceased, although some partial excesses were committed On the 16th things were a little restored to peace, and up to to-day have become still more tranquil. On Mon- day, the 20th, a few of the shops opeued, yet most of the principal ones are still closed, as the want of vonfl- dence is great. Tho Mexican population are far from being satisfied, and there is every reason to suspecta re-action will take place. Gen. Scott is taking greut precaution to prevent outrages; and I must say, fo the credit of the Ameri- cana, that they have behaved with much more prudence than could have been expected under existing circum- stances and the inhospitable receptron thry met with. It is @ pretty well known fact with us that the Mmerican army have lost since they left Puebla, in killed, wounded and death from fatigue, and other causes, about 4000 men and upwards of 170 commissioned officers.yet their veal lose I sannot positively state Assassinations are committed in the barries (suburbs) on the strag- gling soldiers. ~At8o’elock at night all is quiet, and there ia not a soul to be seen in the streets; windows and doors are shut and barricaded, and the ladies keep in both night and day, and, our once merry rE wears # sombre as- pect; the trail of the serpent {s evidently, over it General Soott has declared martial law, and enforces it strictly. In relation to the Mexican army, | can merely give you the rumors. Some say they have gone to Que- retaro, under the command of Herrera, where the o- vernment will form itself, Santa Anna is thought to be in the neighborhood of Puebla with 2000 cavalry, and It is said Gov. Childs has fortified himself on the heights of Loretto, which you know commands the city. There are many other rum+rs, which may be true, but they are too vague and indefinite to trouble you with. One thing, however. is certain; we ure evidently in a most critical result, and God only knows what will be the re- sult. 1 have a good opportunity of knowing the feelings of the people, and my opinion is that we are farther off from peace than ever. [Correspo: e of the New Orleans Picayune } ‘Lacumaya, Sept. 8, 1847—10 o'clock A. M. I have just returned from anothor battle field—one on which the victory of the American arms wus compicte, aud on which our troops contended against an enem immensely superior in number and strongly poste: Gen. Worth commenoed the attack at early daylight, 4 in less than two hours every point was carried, all the cannon of the enemy were in our possession, an immense quantity of ammunition captured, and nearly 1,000 men, among them 53 officers, taken prisoners. For more than an hour the battle raged with a vio- lence not surpassed since the Mexican war commenced. ‘and #0 great the odds cpp that for some time the result was doubtful. The force of the enemy has been estimated at from 12,000 to 15,000, strongly posted be- hind breastworks, and to attack them our small force of scarcely 8,000 was obliged to approach on an open plain and without the least cover; but their dauntleas courage carried them over every obstacle, and notwithstanding the Mexicans fought with @ valor rare for them, they were finally routed from one point or another, until all were driven and dispersed. The defeat was total But to gain this vietory our own loss has been uncom- monly severe—it has been purchased with the blood of some of the most gallant spirits of the army. The 6th Infantry bas suffered the most, This regiment, along with the 6th and Sth, was engaged in the attack upon 4 strong work ou the enemy's right, aud was opposed to such euperior numbers, that it was compelicd to re- tire along with the others The celebrated Col, Martin Scott was killed in this uttack, along with Lieuts. Bur- well and Strong, while Col. Mcintosh and many other officers were badly wounded. The worse than savage miscreants in thé fort, after our men retired, set up a yell, and came out and massacred such of our wounded us were unable to get off. In this way poor Burwell lost his life. Fully were they avenged, however; for within half an hour Duncan’s battery, aided by the fall of another of their works, drove the dastardly wretches in fall flight across the fields. Noone kaew or oven sur- mised the strength of the place; it was an old fort, con- structed long since, and was one of the main defences of the line of works On tho enemy's left, and nearer Chapultepec, our loss was also great, although not as severe. It was here that Col. Wm. M. Grahaw, as brave a spirit as ever lived, was killed; Captains Merrill and Ayres also fell in this part of the Meld ‘The wonder now is how any one could come out safe under such a terrible fire as the enemy poured from his entire line of works, Nothing but the daring and impetuosity of our men, #ho rushed onward while their comrades were falling thick around them. gained the victory—had they onoe faltered all would have been lost, ‘The broken ground on the right of the enemy, cut up by deep ravines, saved many of Santa Annas troops in their flight; yet as it was, our dragoons killed and captured many of the fugitives Large bodiea of the Mexican cavairy approached the scune of strife several times, but they were driven like sheep by Duncan's bat- wor} ‘he Mexican loss has been even more severe than our own. Gen Balderas, Gen. Leon, and inany other off cers are numbered among the dead, while the interior of their works, the tops of the houses from which they fought, and the ground over which they fled are etrewn with lfeless bodies, “Such was, the panic that many of our officers say that afew fresh troops might have taken Chapultepec itself almost without a struggle; but other than a few shots fired at that point from some of the cap- tured canon, no demonstration was made After the buttle was over, Gen Soott came out, arcom panied by his staff, and also by Mr. Trist. The Mexi- cans at the time were throwing shells at some of the wagons General Worth had sent out to pick up the dead and wounded. They had placed « howitrer in position on Chapultepec at the clore of the action, and now nee. ing the enemy within reach, the cowardly wretches opened upon the ambulances and those who were gath. ering the bodies of their wounded and lifeless comragen On seeing tuls worse than *avage outrage, one of our officers, with a sarcastic expreasion of countenance, ask- ed whether Mr. Trist had any new peace propositians in hia pocket, Mackintosh did not come out after the bat- tw to gain more time for his friend Santa Anna, nor warm our fresh intelligence of the. strength and move- ments of our army. in order that he might be of service to the Mexicans by communicating it. ‘The Mexican prisoners say that Santa Anna himarif was on the ground in the rear of their works, but left at the commencement of the rout. They admit that their entire force was 15,000; it a certain that, including kill- ed, wounded, prisoners, and dispersed, their loss has been near 5,000. Many of them were lara, the 1ith and 12th infantry regiments suffering the The com- mander of the latter, Colonel Tenorio, Prisoner in our hands; some 14 officers belonging to the former are also prisoners, but the commander, General Perez, es- foundry, in which several moulds for casting can- id oth ‘Spparatas, were found, waa entirely de- molished; and after ascertaining this, General Scott, not wishing to hold the position, ordered all the forces to retire, The whole affair, asa military movement, is se- verely criticised by many of our offloers. They coutend that no result has been gained commensurate with the immense loss we have sustained in the battle. This isa matter I do not feel myself qualified to discuss, but it must be certain that thy morale upon the Mexicans, of « defeat so disgraceful and so disastrous, must be im por- tant. They have now (it is 5 o’clook in the afternoon) returned to their positions; and if Sante Anns was on the ground, aa is stated, and can find no one to lay the blame upon, he may twist the whole affair into o victory ment immediately en The . Piorce was called into action towards the close of the battle. Ho lost afew men, but! learn that no offieers were killed. Both Gcns. Cadwallader and Pieree bebsav- ed with the greatest alacrity and try om the occe- sion. Mere is tee list of the killed and wonnded in the brigade of the former. ‘The loss of non-commissioned officers and privates in this brigade I have not yet ascertained; it will not ex- coved 100 The loss in Major Sumuer's command, whieh ceusiated of 280 men, was 6 killed and 33 wounded. Of horses he had 27 killed and 78 wounded. Nearly every offlcer had s horse shot under him. I may possibly send this letter off to-night by a Mext- can, but it will depend upon whether there is t of another battle to-morrow or day. tera are mistake im not en- tering the capital on the night of the 20th, when the Mexicans were perfeotly panic stricken and in full flight, is hourly isting ied itself. The great sacrifice of life, hughes Ao joan of #0 many gallant spirite—has all on owing to the cessation of hostilities and the armis tice which followed, and an awful responsibility rests either with the government or with Gen, Soott and Mr Trist. The iustructions will show, but I am of the opinion that the former is mostly to biame. The latter are oen- surable for placing faith in Mackintosh, in giving Senta Anna so wuch time, or even in having any reliance upon bis power and ability to make }, under all the cir- cumstances, however much he might have desired it soually. 1 will say nothing of the bril —that dark wide of the picture is undouotedly the work of the ex- ceedingly wise men at Washington. Bad advisers have been bury, both here and at home, in recommending measures to bring about a peace, and their counsels have prevailed to the exclusion of the epiniens of men who might have been listened to with profit. I trust the e« perience of the past may prove @ lesson for the future, and that by this time our rulers must see aod feel that jer to bring ubeut « peace with the Mexicans, they must use bard biows, instead of soft words. Tacunaya, Sept. 10, 1947, We have accounts from Mexico, brought in by French- men and other foreigners. to the effect that Santa Anna's loss at El Molino was much more severe than any onehere had anticipated. They say that during the afternoon of the Sth no less than 1500 wounded men came into the city, while the number of killed was over 600. ‘The slaughter from the batteries of Col. Duncan and Captain Dram must have been terrific. Santa Anna, it is said, would have laid all the blame of the defeat upon Gen Leon, but that officer, unfortu- nately for him, died. He has since torn the epaulettes from the shoulders of Col. Miguel Andrade, commander of the celebrated regiment of Hussars, accuses him of every thing, bas thrown bim into prison, and denied him ‘sll communication. He mest have some one to break out upon. Everything looks quiet to-day, but the Mexicans are busily employed in fortifying at every point. At Cha- it work, while are also El Molino and other points On the Piedad road they have it the Nino Perdido and San "antonio Abed, city they are also fortitying with the Gen. Pillow’s division, as also Col. ‘ttached to that of Gen. Twiggs, ocoupy La Piedad and neighborhood,in plain sight, and in fact under the guns of the enemy. Gen. Worth remains here in Tacubaya, but he is sending all his sick and wounded to Mixcoae, out of the range of the guns of Chapultepec. No one knows what point will be first attacked, but this question will soon be determined. ‘The next blow struck will be hard, and allhope decisive. It must read strange, the story that some 7,000 or 8,000 mon have set themselves down be- fore a strongly fortitied city of over 200,000 inhabitants with an army of at least 25,000 men to defend it; but the tale isu true one and the proud capital of Mexico must fall, works, whil entrances to atest vizor. Riley's brigade, the village of Tacunava, Sept. 11. 1847. A smal party of us have just retur: from a ride over to La Piedad, the headquarters of Gen. Pillow. Gen. Scott was there,as also were some of his principal officers, holding a council as to the best inode and point of at- tack. ‘The result of their deliberations ix not known, but it is thought that the infantry will have some respite af- ter their hard labors, and that all the heavier recently captured from the Mexicans, will be employed in sending their own balls back at them. With thelr own guns, and those brought us by Gen. Scott, at least fifty pieces of heavy calibre can be opened at any one point—enough to demolish any work the Mexicans have constructed in time incredibly short, and give thema lesson they will not soon forget, From the Puebla del Hermite, which has been destroy- od by the Mexicans, they can plainly be seen at work on several fortifications between the roads of San Angel and San Antonio de Abad. These works are but little more than half @ mile from the city, which is also in view. Shortly after we left, th of their heavy guns upon our pi continued the fire for near an hour. they did any injury. On our return to Tacubaya, we found that Siajor Sumuer and Colonel Duncan had but a little beush with the enemy's lancers near the battle ground of El Molino Captain Ruff, with his company of mounted riflemen, drew w large party of the Mexioun cavalry immediately withio the range of one of Duncan's guns, when one or two discharges sent them scampering Off in every direo- Oaly one man was wouaded on our side, but it Ie known that the enemy lost several ia the skirmish They opened with the heavy gun from Chapultepec on our men, but did no harm other than frightening the inhabi- tanta of this place half out of their wits, Lieut Burban: 10 Was mortally wounded at El Mo lino, died yesterday, and Capt. &. Kirby Smith this af ternoou, of wounds received at the mame time. Lieut. Col Dickinson, shot badly in the ankle at Churubusco, iwalsodead All were gallant officers, and their loss is much regretted | bave already mentioned the exeoution of nineteen of the deserters captured on the 20th August, at Churu buseo. Gen. Scott has just signed the death warrant of th rty others, taken at the same time, aod they will suf er the same fate in the course of a day or two. From various movements, there is certainly strong reasons to believe that Gen. Scott will open a heavy fire upon Chapultepec to-morrow moralng from not only his own siege guns but from thore captured from the enemy. Whether it is « feint to draw the Mexicans to that potn' and weaken other defences, le not known, Teevmara, yt 12, 1947, At early daylight this mornings heatp coor sae was opened bs) the stronghold of Chapultepec, was increased during the day as additional siege guns wore placed ia position The Mexicaus returned the fire with great spirit at intervals duriog the day, but with little effect other them dismounting one of our guna—! vt learn elit on tae killed at any of the tories. evi while fy em with the enemy's tharpelonies alee foot of C! ° tepec, ae but none of them severely. Inch mortar was opened upon the during the afternoon, and as several shells hat Sees tome to fall 4 explode diree'ly within the enemy's workssit is cer- tein that great damage has been caused. A firing of heavy guos bas also been heard in the direction of La Piedad, showing that the Mexicans have been diverted in that quarter. At dusk this evening several loads of scaling ladders wore sent down towards the foot of Chapuitepecand the movements of our infantry and other light works would indicate that the strong works upon the crest are to be stormed early to-morrow. [From the New Orleans Delta, Oot. 14 } The American prisoners who were sent from the olty of Mexico to Toluca, on the approach of General Scott to