The New York Herald Newspaper, January 31, 1848, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. Whole No. 4996 Brusseis, Dec. 26, 1847, ‘The Superior Advantages Offered by Antwerp for a Line of Ocean Steamers to the United States —How Antwerp has a Direct Railroad Commu- nication with every part of Europe, and chief part of Asia—Cotton Goods Cheaper in Ghent than in Manchester—Belgian Views of the War in Mexico—Operatie and Artistical Gossip. I take, with pleasure, the first opportunity which offers, of writing to you, since I have learnt by the New York Herald, that you have returned to the United States I have given this letter, together with the official statement of the ‘‘Con- gress of Economists,” held at Brussels last Sep- temiber, to the care of Mr. Hy. C. Meade, of Albany, New York, whois at this moment re- turning to the United States. Ever since [ left you at the latter end of last May, one of my principal engagements has been the constant en- deavor to prepare the means of establishing a re- ular steamboat mail line between the ports of Kitwerp and New York. At the time when [| last had the pleasure of seeing you at Paris, we had already made some progress towards a solu- tion of this business but at that period the go- vernment stood in rather a precarious situation on account of the approaching elections. an while waiting for the result of this national ma. nifestation was fearful of entering upon any great undertakiog. It was indeed. perfectly right, for it so happened that the 8th of June last brought out results so much opposed to the gov- erament of that day, that the ministry, over- whelmed by the force of public opinion, was obliged immediately to resign. I was in conse- uence of this, under the necessity of waiting for the formation of a new administration, to be able to pursue any further measures towards making the necessary arrangements with the government. Now, however, the a train towards accomplishment, notwithstanding that the commercial crisis which has raged in our couatry, as it has inall ‘the manufacturing ef Europe, has hitherto been an obstacle pregress. When, you were at Paris, I had the honor of placing in your hands a mémoire upen the establishment of a steam packet line between Antwerp and New York, trom which you may have been able to perceive the great superiority of Antwerp over a!) the other harbors of Lurepe, as a port of communication with the United States. Antwerp is in facta terminus eabord opposite peelaad, to the whole em of the railreads of Europe—one might say, of the world You may travel by railread frem Autwerp, without stopping,or with- out interruption— upon the Ist. Ei To Poland, Hanover, Berlin, Ham- burg, and Stettin upon the Baltic Sea. Thus Antwerp, in fast, the shortest route for communication from America to Belgium, to Prussia, to Denmark, to ‘Saxony, to Poland, and to Russia. From Stettin there is asteambonat lineto St. Petersburg One cau, at the | sg day, go in six days from Antwerp to St. Peters- urg. 24. Towards the south-east: You may go by rail- road from Antwerp to a (in Austria), to Pri arg, to Pr on to Trieste upon Adriatic Gulf ' From Vienna there sre steamboats upon the river aeross Wungary and Turkey, as far as Constantineple, to Odessa, to Sebastepol, &o. ko. From Trieste there is a communication by steamers with Egypt, Greece, and the East Indies (overland). It onl, takes three days anda half to go from Antwerp to Vi- en ad four aud a half to goto Trieste ‘hd Cologne and the Rhine, on which river, as you know, there are a great many steamers, you may arrive at Frankfort em the Meine in less than twenty-four hours, sad the Grand Dutehy of Baden, Alsace and Switzerland in less than forty-eight hours. 4th. Southward: rca Aatwerp has a direct communiestion with Paris aud Lyons. It isthe port moat tayorably situated to export at the cheapest rate to the United States, the woollen cloth ef Rheims, the rib- i of Switzerland, the linens ef Flanders, and thesilks of Lyons Sthiy Antwerp hats. communication by rail road with Ghent, a cif Seer ine cate. wi f cottem factories, and which might rival Manchester for the low price of its goods, if the manufacturers would avail themeelves of the extreme low price of labor am.d the peor population of Flanders. More frequent com- maunication with the United States would open anew career to the manufacturers ef this city, who at present restrain themselves to the production only of a supply tor the wants ef the domestic market, in which they are Bietected by high duties from competition from abroad, ‘here are two lines of railroad which give # commani- cation between Antwerp and Ghent, and the river Scheldt also connects the two cities, s river which is na- vigablefor steambeats as far aa Ghent. Gihly Antwerp is the door of Fianders, a countr where the best and finest woollen cloth in the world ie manufaetured, and where it is cheapest At Antwerp iteel!, and Slerre, ailk stuffe are manufactured which, by their quality, may be and often are supposed to come frem Lyons.’ At Liege, there is the largest manufactory in Europe of fire-arms. Tthly Antwerp connects daily by cteamers with Rot- terdaim, from whence there is a railroad to the Hazue d Amsterdam Stbhly. Lastiy, Antwerp communicates everyday with Londen, either directly by steamers, or indirectly by Ostend passage soross tho Chananel takes only from 12 to 18 hours. 3 ‘Theretore, Antwerp is the true spot for the es- tablishment ofa line of steamboats. Besides, it gives 48 hours less of sea navigation than is re- quired to get to Bremen. The steamers wouid come into dock in the heart of the city itselt, while the line to Bremen is obliged to stop at Bremen Haven, some distance from the city it- self. The on government hus very advan- tageous postal-treaty relauons with England, France and Germany; it has already adopted a reduction of postage, and will, there is no doubt, soon adopt the cheap postags system of England. Hence, letters from ajl parts of Europe will find an advantage by being sent to this port, rather than to any other. As to merchaudize, our go- vernment only a few days ago signed a con- vention by which cargoes of merchandize of all kinds may be carried freely through France and the Zollverein, without being visited by the Cas tom House, and without any other cost or charge than simply the cost of carrying them. All these advantages, of which I have only present- ed you a summary, are not sufficiently known in the United States. No doubt they have been re- peatedly pointed out to his government by the able and active Charge d’Aftlairs of the United States at Brussels, Mr. T. C. Clemson, but in your country the public, as well as the govern- ment, must be informed. in_order to ebtain any results. [or my own part, I am persuaded that a line established at Antwerp would be superior to one running to any other port of the continent ot Europe, in the superior advantages it would have, as the country and the government will al- ways be disposed to give every comreercial ta- cility which ceuld tend to augment the business connection between the two countries. All ef us here are looking out for news con- cerning the war in Mexico, as you are doing in New York, though we have only an indirect in- terestin it. Wecentinue to give accounts of the affairs of your country in the journals, ia such a way as to leave it to the readers themselves to form their owa judgmenis upon passing affairs. Many people here, who have uo conception of the strength existing in a nation which manages its owa business itself, imagined that your army would be overwhelmed and stifled im the midst of (he Mexican population, so soon as it should remove into the interior and leave the sea-coast. Generals, who were engaged with the French 10 their mvesion of Spain, predicted for your army the same fate as that which befel the armies of Napoleen. But we, on the contrary, si “ ‘The Yankees carry liberty and pro: rity to They will be well received there, if ly, yet at least by the active part of the population.” Besides this, an army,which numbers in ite ranks printers and editors, who are permitted to carry out with the pen what has been begun with the sword, must necessarily ob- tain far different resuits from an army even much stronger, which invades a country only to plun- der and to absorb it, as was the case with the invasion of Spain. The only fear which the friends of the United States entertain here, is the apprehension lest a long war may lead to the creation of military influences and interests among you, asisthe case in Europe; interests which swallow up the substance of the p ple, aud ure the chief cause of the pauperism which is preying upon us. On this account, notwithstanding our European prejudices in favor of war, glory and conquest, (the three follies with which for five theusand years kings have been working upon the peeple,) we earvestly desire that a peace, honorable to both countries, may be brought to pass whereby to put am end to the dispute, and vive to Mexico a permanent, stable and civilizing government e hope that when this war is ended, the Uni- ted States willsheathe her mighty sword, dis- band her armies, and begin again with fresh and renewed TAY je work of civilization, by means of the liberty which she has pursued so loriously since her declaration of indepen- ence. a As for me, who am acquainted with the Uni- ted States, and have lived, or travelled, in ali Mexico. NEW YORK, MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 31, 1848. SST: the States, I take as much interest in all that can be useful or favorable to them, as if it were my own ceuntry. What always me the strongest confidence in your succe fe that notwithstanding the deep divisions which exist among you, between the two parties of whigs and démocrats, still everybody is a pa- triot, every one of you is American, and you are ail attached to the wise and progressive form of government which the illustrious Washington has left you as a legacy. i Permit me, before I quit the subject of business and politics, to beg of you, who are as well ac- quainted with Europe as myself, to examine what I have stated relative to Antwerp, and see if what has been stated is so or not, and become a bleader for us before the American public, as I ons one for the United States before the Belgian uplic. tT wishJ had some interesting news to commu- nicate; but what can you expect from a man who is more occupied with business affairs than with things which are going on about him? All that I can say which will interest you is, that the Royal Academy of Music (grand opera) at Paris has been completely re-moddled afresh, and that Madame Alboni has obtained there such a suc- cess as one might almost have despaired of seeing in this age of iron roads and suspension of pay- ments. The ‘ Theatre Italien” is in a good train of success, and Arnol had an attack of apoplexy as he was playing in a little farce. P Since we have left Paris we have opened in concurrence with Mabille, the Randagh, the Chateau Rouge, (Red Palace) and the Jardin des Fleurs (Garden of Flowers) which latter is said to surpass all terrestrial wonders. i _ At Brussels we have had a magnificent exhibi- tion of the predact ons of national industry. I regret you For three months past id not see it. we have had a poor wretched Doctor here who has been endeavoring to guide balloons in the air, but as yet he has only succeeded in guiding the money out of the pockets of his creditors. But really, | am trespassing upon your valua- ble time. I hope, if some day or other you can spare only a few minutes, you will favor me with an answer. I beg of you, tocommand me and my serviess in any matter whatsoever which may be_useful or agreeable to you, here or at Paris. Now that I learn you are at New York, I hope to have the privilege of writing to you now and hen, so as to keep you informed of what is doin, —or rather of what is not doing, by our goo old woman here—Madame Europe. se # ** Sketch of the bife of the Ex.Empress Muria Louisa, the last Wife of Napoleon. (From the London Times, Deo. 27.] : Of the Empress, Maria Louisa, it may be said, that nothing io her life became her like the leav- ing it; and with a view to the completion of the arrangements recently made in certain portions of territory distributed among the Italian princes, the demise of the archduchess of Parma is at least opportune. She had lived to be very nearly the longest reigning sovereign in Europe, for nearly thirty-four years have elapsed since she exchanged, for the portion of an archduchess, her share 1n the throne of the French.empire.— In that peried, she has done little more than in- dulge the obscure passions and narrow feelings which formed a singular contrast to the glare ef transitory splendor thrown over her, marriage, and her French reign. There is nothing in the life or character of Maria Louisa to detain for instant the curiosity or sympathy of posterity. But the most worthless objects may sometimes be displayed in such vivid and changing lights that the accidents .and circumstances about them dwell upon the eye, and almost interest the mind by the splendor of a delusion, orthe variety of @ contrast. Of all such dreams of human greatness, suddenly thrust by the caprice of for- tune upon a youthful*peincess, none certainly was ever more gorgeous or surprising than that which made Maria Louisa, then in her nine- teenth year, the bride of the great soldier of for- tune, who seemed to be not only the sovereign paramount of France, but the master of continen- tar Europe. twee ia 1810, when the military glories ot the Empire had ripened into att thes conquest and luxury could bestow, Paris was the capital ofan European empire. The spoils ot all nations, save one,were collected in her halls; the princes of all nations, save one, fermed the circle of the imperial court. And within 16 years of that fatal and atrocious day when the innocent blood of Marie Antoinette had flowed on the Place de la Revolution, amidst the infuriated cries of the French papulace, another Austrian Archduchess past that spot, hailed by the acclamations of that same people asthe bride of Napoleon, and the future mother of a race of Emperors. A year elapsed, andthe heir of these great hopes, the child of ambition, “soaring in its pride of place,” was born. Every & it of fortune seemed to have been bestowed. They were bestowed even to exhaustion. Those feverish years were spent im unbounded excesses. The limits of lite and nature, the laws of the world, and of the seasons, seemed to be forgotten. Yet, amidst these preternatural and extravagant demenstra- tions of mighty power and of insatiable desires, it was scarcely possible to conceive that three short years would dissipate this meteoric vapor, and place the darkest lesson of human mutabili- ty.so close to the most aheine efforts of humun pride. The recklessness with which tiese gifts were throwa away was equal to the boldacss by which they had been won. | ee The personal share of Marie Louisa in these extraordinary scenes was, indeed, that of a pas- sive instrument, rather than a voluntary agent, and little of the glory or shame ot that period attaches to herself. It cannot, however, be forgotten, that her marriage was the imme- diate consequence, if not the cause, of the scandalous and ungrateful repudiation of Josephine; and the Austrian Princess knew that the rights and dignities she assumed as a wife and an empress, were unlawtully pluadered from another. Nor willit bs less remembered that the marriage which decked the daughier of Francis in these trappings, covered the house from which she sprang with humiliation; that her inauspicious nuptials were preceded by the defeat of the land of her birth, and followed by the defeat of that of her adoption; and that the marriage itself was designed to be the link which should rivet the policy of Austria to the ascen- dancy of France. These considerations might, indeed, have been disguised from an inexperi- enced Princess, and it would be unjust to judge her in prosperity by avery strict standard of du- . But in adversity there are no disguises; and if she had been possessed of any feeling of digni- ty or generosity, the abrupt changes which pressed upon her gave her ample occasions for the display of higher virtues than those which surrounded her throne. She seems, on the con- trary, never to have excited the respect or the eumpassion of any one in Europe. The allied sovereigns themselves, on reaching Paris, mark- ed their consideration for Josephine by their visit to Malmaison; but Maria Louisa sought not even to share the fortunes of her husband in the mild basishment of Elba. Her son became a hostagetn the hands of ner father, and every tie was broken which connected Maria Louisa with the greatness or the misfortunes of him who had shared with her his selt-won throne. A strange insensibility t» the past, a selfish nature, und an ignoble second marriage, completed the bathos of her unequal life, which ended as if the sole pur- pose for which she had everexisted was to dwell atease in the little Court of Parma, and to obey the Italian policy of Prince Metternich. Her ad- ministration of these principalities was of course Austrian. But she had introduced many of, the institutions which have proved most beneficial in Lombardy, and her subjects were at least free from onerous coatributions to the finances of the empire. . _ The change in dynasty which now takes place in Parma is, however, a matter of great interest to Italy, because the consolidation of the Italian Customs’ league would be much advanced by the addition of that rich and important territory which lies between the troatiers of Piedmont and the Romagna. In describing the nature of the arrangements between the Italian Duchies, Upon the abdication ot the Duke of Lucca, we re- cently had occasion to quote the precise nature of the provision made for the Empress Maria Louisa during herlife. Upon her demise, Par- ma, Piacenza and Guastalla devolve upon the cé- devant Duke of Lucca, who has thus not been long deprived of the exercise of sovereign pow- er. We sincerely hope that in assuming the go- vernment of these fine countries, he will disp ay the same moderation and firmness which has marked the policy of many other Italian Princes, and more than he himself displayed in his former dominions. In exchanging Lucca for Parma, this offset of the Spanish Bourbons no doubt con- 1 nrg itself on the greater proximity of the ustrian forces, and the probability that Austri- ascendancy, north of th Apennines, wiil lo survive the authority (which, indeed, it has al- ready lost) south of that chain. But the courts of Modena and Parma will not be able with sate- ty w offer a wilful and suicidal resistance to the national interest and moderate demands of the Italian people; and they will hesitate before they give the signal of a contest which might convulae the peninsula. Their rights must be respected. The only influence to which their governments can be subjected is that of the opinion and ex- ample of the neighboring States. But, on the other hand, if then sbould unhappily invoke the aid of foreiga armies to Pron up the abuses of their old system, the peril will recoil on their own heads. In the somewhat delicate affair of the transfer of certain enclaves, or outlaying portions of the duchies of Tuscany and Lucea, consequent upon the late change, and annexed to that change by an article of the Treaty of Vienna, a satisfactory adjustment has been made by the diplomatists of these Italian courts alone, who very proper! te tled a matter which exclusively concerned them- selves. The stipulated fragments of territory are ceded to Modena; but Pontremoli remains in the hands of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Pontremoli is by far the most important part of the question in a strategical point of view, be- cause it commands the only pass in the Apen- nines through which an army can conveniently descend into Lower Italy at, all seasons of the year. A further agreement is likewise under- stood to have been made in order to give a neu- tral character to Massa and Carrara, so that the great line of communication between Piedmont and the Papal States will be free from all custom house restrictions along the coast. In all these changes and improvements, so full of promise for the future welfare of Italy, it can never be forgotten that the whole tate of that interestin; country depends on the moderation of parties an the maintenance of peace. Austria wants but a slight pretext for an armed irruption over the whole peninsula ; but we hope she will find ao such pretext in the disunion of the Italian princes or the impatience of the Italian people. Interesting Scene in the Spanish Cortes—.Mo- narchy In Mexico, &c. &c. The debate which took place onthe 16th of December, in Congress, was by far the most im- portant which has occurred since the opening the session. A motion had been signed by Sa+ gasti, San Miguel, Lujan, and other leading members of the opposition, for an official list the payments made by the treasury of the Ha- vana since 1844, to government orders, and of the persons in favor of whom such orders had been given. This was the signal fora tremen- dous party-battle. Sagasti’s motion bela aimed at the Queen mother, the majority rushed to the defence of their idol, assailing the Duke of Vie- toria by way of retaliation. So, under these two names, as standards, the conflicting hosts fell to work, tooth and nail, keeping up the com- bat till half-past eight—three hours beyond the usual time—when a strong craving for din making itself generally felt, and hostilities flag- ging as stomachs grew imperious, the house di- ee for the motion, the votes were 29; against it, 141. Senor Sagasti, atter prefacing his matter with remarks upon the sacredness of the obligation. under ail representative monarchies, contracte by the government to present a public statement of the expenditure of the nation, keeping no item back, but faithfully entering into all de- tails, without mystery, proceeded to observe that he had lately read much in the newspapers about sums which had been paid by way of arrears to the widow of Ferdinand Vil , now Duchess of Rianzarés and Monmorot; also of a considerable sum that had been entrusted to the Spanish rt sentative at Meaico, for thé purpose of 7“ ishing a monarchy in that republic ; also, of 12 millions that had been spent upon the unfortunate expedition to Equador. lf the documents for whieh he called accredited the delivery of the sums men- tioned to :the Duchess of Rianzares, he would like to know what right any minister had to dis- pose of sums which were notset down in the es- timates? Was the money to be roe her as being the widow of Ferdinand ViI.? Every- body knew that that illustrious lady had con- tracted a second marriage. ‘as it ws queen-re- gent and gobernadora of Spifn? But she had voluntarily ren theregency, in i In bringing torward this motion, he wanted toBee” whether the majority were actuated by the mo- rality to which they pretended, or by a spirit of vengeance, in calling for documents upon which. to found an accusation age net the two preced: ministries. Bertrand de Minister of Marine, said the government had no objection to Senor Sagasti’s, motion being taken into consideration by the house. ‘ It being agreed by Congress that the motion should not pass to the sections, the debate open- 1og, Mon left the President’s chair to take his seat among the deputies on the right, and Rios- osas, Vice-president, took his place. Bertran e Lis admitted that, by a decree of “44, the Queen mother’s pension had been re-established; and the arrears of the pension, from the time when it was suspended by the regent duke of Victoria, had been paid up, What right had th Tregeat to suspend the pension? It was not only illegal to do so ; it was an infraction of an arti- cle of the coustitution. Tne arrears had been paid out of the Havana treasury. Nothing was more just or proper. The Duke of Victoria’s arrears had been lately paid also. The govern- ment would oppose the motion, as disrespectful to the throne, and inexpedient for the nation. Then Mon rose. He read the decree of the regent, by which the pension of Christina had been suspended, and taxed the Duke of Victoria with ingratitude, for robbing his benefactor, who had covered him with honors. (The noise ws tremendous at this part of Senor Mon’s speech.) He made an elequent eulogy of his financial ad- ministration; and denied that a single penny had been given by the government towards the Equador expedition of Gen. Flores. 4 Sagasti returned to the charge, saying that the (Queen-mother had been abundantly recompensed for the services which she had rendered to the State by the blood which had been shed in de- fence of her daughter’s throue. (The uproar here was tremendous. All the deputies stood up and demanded the right of speaking at the same time. The Hon. deputy’s words were taken down by the secretaries.) Sagasti, aller a hearing had been obtained, proceeded. There wasadocument in acertain ministerial office, which he wanted to see, in which the motives for suspending the pension of Donna Maria Chris- tina had been consigned. Senor Sagasti then explained his words, which had been taken down, which, so far from being disrespectful, were in the highest degree decorous; and he was as ready as anybody to shed his biood for the Queen und the Queen’s mother. Concern- ing the conduct of General Espartero, while he was at the head of the army, he had been minis- ter during that time ; and during all that period, he had observed that ministries had been set up and pulled down at his nod, and the most impor- tant arrangements of the governinent had been entirel7 subjected to him, and altered according to his fancy. | R Bravo Murillo, in a most servile speech, which reminded his hearers that he had been a friar, lauded to the skies the Queen-mother, und pro- mised the government’s strenuous opposition to the enquiry proposed. _ Sagasti, after explaining the words of eh of- speech which had caused so much disorder fered to withdraw his motion. But con: agreed to go on with the debate, each purty being ina high state of excitement. Pidal spoke next. He used Espartero worse than any of his predecessors; but his speech was manly and straighttorward, No doubt, he said, the regent and his ministers had acted illeyally and unconstitutionally in suspending a pension which was consecrated in the marriage capitula- tions of Christina with Ferdinand VII. The re- ent was said to be irresponsible as the Queen. hat was not true. But was not the mother of the Queen an irresponsible person? And witat served her responsibility before the man whom the minority proposed to them asa model? How did he behave towards the mother of the Queen? Why, being at the head of all the armies of Spain, the commander of even the royal guard, heallow- ed a miserable mob of 300 raffians to tear trou her side the ministers who possessed the conti- dence of the crown and parliament. And when the Queen called upon this general for succor he refused it. This general refused to obey his Queen. He did more. He printed his retusal: he distributed his printed rerusal over all Spain to inflame the people. He was ata logs to account for the hostility which Senor Sagasti had shown now, and in preceding parliaments, against the Queen-mother. The resentmentgot the opposi- tion had gone to the length that they deprived her of the the title of Reiaa-Gobernadora, call- ing her by names of inferior rank—a poor and unworthy mode of showing spite. They could not, by suppressing her title, wipe out the re- membrance ot her benefits, Senor Infante spoke next, and was replied to by the Duke of Valencia, who, in answer to an expression which had fallen from the last speak- er, that, in the Duke of Victoria’s place, any ral would have acted in the way he had gene! done, said that that general had no right what- | “Am Important Incident In the Last War with ever to intermeddle in public affairs, discipline and subverting the order whic to prevail J y fter a rejoinder from Infante, Mon (speaking 1n rectification) said that Signor Sugasti had men- tioned a secret document drawn up with the pur- pose of justifying the suspension of the Queen- mother’s pension. Such a document, if it had been drawn up, which he believed it had not, ought to have been presented to the Cortes, since any secresy or mystery concerning personages of such high dignity was highly improper. The Duke of Sotomayor said that in the Fo- reign-office there was no such document as had been mentioned by Senores Segasti and Infante. After a speech from Senor Rubio, Senor Lujan said he was sorry to perceive the disposition that reigned among the deputies opposite to stifle the voice of the minority. He had signed the mo- tion with the best faith inthe world. The house knew that the budget of Cuba was not presented before congress. It was of the highest impor- tance to the public to know what became of the considerable revenues of that island, and of the Philippines Therefore, under a preceding go- vernment, (that of Senor Mon), he had asserted the right of the nation to look into those ac- counts. He regretted that the question had been ‘Transferred to a purely personal ground. Senor Arrazola said that if he were the Dake of Victoria he should look twice before coming to Spain, and entered into some explanations in answer to Infante and Lujan, speaking with much passion. When he sat down the house proceeded to divide ling in fh onght ‘The Mosquidian Territory. x {From the Jamaica Times. } Any information upon this subject cannot fail at the present moment to have a peculiar interest to our readers. We have, therefore, much plea- sure in annexing the following sketeh, which may be be relied on, we believe, in all its par- ticulars :— The country, of Mosquitia forms that north- eastern projection of Central America, which lies between the 11th and 16:h degrees of north latitude, and the 83d and 86ch degrees of west longitude (from Greenwich) ; and extends itself from the mouth of Roman River (exactly in 15 deg. 5 min. 5 sec. north latitude, and 85 deg. 40 min. west longitude; 19 English, or 4] geographi- cal miles eastward trom Cape Honduras) along the Carribean Lakes, or the Antilles Sea, to Punta Gorda or the Roman River (exactly in 11 deg. 30 min. 7 sec. north latitude, and 83 deg. 47 sec. west longitude) x The King of Mosquitia lays claims besides these to the territory between Punta Gorda and Chiriqui Lagoun, and also the Corn Islands. The Mosguitian territory is divided from the republics of Costa Rica and of Nicaragua, by a chain of mountains which extends from the con- fines of Veragua, almost in the centre of the Isthmus, north-westvardly to the vicinity of the Nicaragua.Sea; then northerly froin the Ares! falls of Saint Quan tothe springs of the Blue- fields River, aud from these north-westerly to the neighborlicod of Comalapa and Matugalpa towns, belonging to the state of Nicaragua, pass- ing these to the Legovia River, and trom this point north-wesierly to the Guayapa River, from which latter point the bousdary runs towards Honduras, in « direction from north-east by north, to the embouchures 01 tue Roman River. Those territories which lie between the Punta Gorda and the Cheriqui Lagoon, and also the Corn Islands, have been hitherto contested by the States of Cosia Kica and Nicaragua, and the King of ee poorer a the Indian races of the Valienties and Ramas, who inhabit these shores, have, since very ancieat times, paid him yearly tribute. The settling these differences and arrangement of the claims of the Mosquitian King, had, by the mediation of England,been attempted in 1841; for which purpose the late deceased King of Mos- quitia, Robert Chaties Frederick, accompanied by the then Governor of Belize, Colonel Me- Donald, went into the contested country on board of the English frigate the Tweed, where negoti- ations were carried on with the then comman- dantof Quaa rete Ron Quijano. The dit- ferences do not appear {6 Nive been~yet eettled, but the arrangement of them at present is con- fined to Mr. Patrick Walker, Sepeinied in May, 1842, British consul general and political agent, and accredited as such in the kingdom of Mos- quitia. % Setting aside these contested parts, if we take the southern boundary at Punta Gorda, the Mos- quitia territory contains a surface of 26,000 Eng- lish square miles, or 1662} geographical square miles; but if the contested parts are included, the superficial contents would amount to about 34,000 English square miles. Affairs in the West Indies. (From the Bermudian, Jan. 12.) The legislature of Grenada was in session; an adjournment had taken place until the 16th of February, when an act to repeal the imperial duties would be introduced into the Assembly. Trade was much depressed, and according to the Chronicle, the prospect of every interest was never more gloomy. The Demerara Royal Gazette, of December 18, says:—At present, we are in the midst, at all events the beginaing of a severe money crisis. Our two local banks, the British Guiana and Colonial, perceiving the signs of the times, have restricted their discounts within the last fort- night, to an extent which, while absolutely ne- cessary for their own security, cannot fail to be exceedingly embarrassing, not only to the plan- ters, but to almost every individual engaged in trade. Soon aiter the arrival of the news of the failure of the West India Bank in Barbadoes, a run took place on both banks for silver. Fortu- nately, their coffers were well garnished with that valuable commodity. All demands were promptly met, and the run has, consequently, subsided. > The want of money, at St. Vincent, to pay the laboring classes employed on the sugar estates, was pressing with great severity upoa the plan- ters. Cultivation throughout the Island of Antigua, exhibited a fine condition, but it was feared the yam crop would prove a Mens indifferent one.— The Autigua branch of the West India Bank had suspended specie paymeats under instructions from Barbadoes; this event had not ealy led to some commercial embarrassment, but had caused a large number of estates to discontinue agricul- tural operations. rt 4 A meeting of the inhabitants of Turk’s Island, Was to be convened on the 18th ult., at which communications from the Secretary of State were to be submitted respecting the question of a lo- eal government. The Gazette of those Islands states the proposed arrangement to be—a sepa- Tate government to be administered by a Presi- dent and Council, under the superintendence of the Captain-General of Jamaica. The ous from Jamaica, down to the last week of December, continue to represent, in un- disguised language, the failing prosperity of the colony. The close of the year finds, in many instances, the proprietors of estates, without the “means to cake the crop off the ground, to manu- facture the canes into sugar and rum.” Mr. Borthwick, M. P., (who is on a visit to Jamaica for the purpose of acquiring on the spot a tho- rough knowiedge of ner affuirs,) fervently re- commended at a public assembly of merchants aod tn on the 20th December, that all should unite in calling upou the home govern- ment “for an almost total abolition of the duvies upon sugar and coflee,” the growth of Jamaica; this to be backed up by @ transference of the blockade from the coast of Africa to the ports of the slave countries of Cuba, Porto Rico, and Bra- atl; and an immediate and extensive system ot African emigration. Mr. Borthwick purposes on his retura to England, to urge in his place in the House of Commons, these propositions upon the atiention ot her majesty’s ministers. Trade at Kingston was dull. Mortauity 1x Sr. Louis purine 1847.—The following list shows the mortolity in St. Louis for the yeur 1847, with the number of deaths from each di , Viz: —Pathis pulmonalis, 206; pneumonia bron- chitis and pleurites, 163; typous, typhoid, and nervous fevers, 179; billous and congestive fevers, 126; intermil- tent and romittent do, 42;,yellow fever, 2; roariatins and malignant sore throat, 167, rubvola, 70; variola and va- rioloid, 12; pertussis, 54; cholera infantum, 265; diarrbas (aoute and chrouia), 129; dysentery, do, 199; cynanche trashenlie, 66; diseases of liver, spleen, and kidneys, 23; mvalsions and spasms, 147; marasmus and tabes me. nterioa, 96; inf. and con of brain and meninges, 143; {1 born and premature birtha, 101; perivenitesand obild birth, 30; mania s potu, 25; diseases of the heart, 18; Asetten and general dropay, 59; old age and decline, 67; hemorrhage, 4; cramps and cholera morbus, 60; epilepsy, hysteria ‘and tetanus, i) oa and cbel 1% pio- mun, 7; cancer and spinal affections, 9; erysipelas, 4; hydrocephalus, 15; suicide 5; casualties, 62; unknown, ; total, 2826 Avsornenr Victim to Law.—Poor Fremont is cer- talnly to be pitied. Not only is he nyected to Pal ‘martial ww, but i) from father-ia-law,—¥e John Donkey. poise Great Britain,” We have received the following interesting communication from Daniel J. Carroll, descrip- tive of an incident which occurred during the last war with Great Britain :— To tue Evitor or rue Herarp : Having, from obvious censiderations, deferred any re- marks upon the subject, while the Louisiana elections for Congresemen, just terminated, were pending, | now take the opportanity of noticing # letter signed Jacob Barker, dated nt New Orleans, March 27, 1847, in reply to R GL Depeyster, Esq.; and » communication from the latter gentleman, dated West Port, Connecticut, April 26th, 1847, ascompanying that letter, called » “Narrative,” published in your paper of June 13th, oc- cupying two columns, aud in the New York Express, with an editorial paragraph purporting to give “some of the unwritten foury of an important incident in the last war with Great Britain.” The professed object of Be pablones, was to do jus- t'ce to the venerable Mra. Madison; but the most super- ficial observer could not fail to perceive, that while cre- dit Is awarded to that venerable lady, much more is claimed for Mr. Jacob Barker himself, for whose benefit the correspondence and the 40 called “narrative” was published; I shonld not feel warranted in noticing the efforts of that distinguished flaancier and politician, in the field of historical labors, were it not that, in his ef- forts to commemorate his own brilliant services as a pa- triot, he has done injustice to others. While concurringin his deserved eulogy of the patriet- ism of Mi jadison, and of those who truly assisted in (not, however, what he calls) “ the preservation of the original portrait of Washington, by Stuart,” from the disgraceful conflagration of the Presidemt’s mansion, by the British, [ hope you will excuse m; Ay obrrecting ‘an error into which the writerof that to have unwittingly fullen, in omitting en mention or allusion even to the name of the gent \ whose presence of mind’” alone, in reality, portrait”—the very man wh: Mr B. has mistaken, or more unaccountabdly forgotten, if saved the porti the Capitel, on the night of August 24th, story which had been told him, vis., that General Mason took it down and restored it after the President's retura, may be partially true; yot he had not any band im pre- serving the portrait; and eny attempt to filoh the merit of that act from mn, is fraud on ipt of your me (Mr. B.) the first informa- 4 been in circulation, or such don General Jackson, who ( t an imposition pract saxely tells us)" was not at the ti Now, with ail deference, it | m dation of this mystery, assuredlf the so called narra- tive itself “may be partially true,” and may be only spooryphal, but is, in mo possible point of vi in any respect impartial or faithful hist Jesuitical (being part only of the correspondence red to), whatever the object of its publication may have been in relation to ead ition of the author as a candidate to represent the Crescent City; it would pear, possibly, to ride into Congress on the picture of ‘Washington. ' For, supposing Mr. B. to have buen there ircumstances as narrated, ce is irresistible thet in g such ® statement, aceording to his own acount, he certainly must or should hay nown who it was that took down that portrait, the very removal of which, im fact, was obviously tbe achi and the first object manifestly of the geutleman who did taxe it down, aud who was on the spot, attending, at the time, to the commands of the President, whose guest he then most opporiunely happened to be—an act doudt- less the iinpulss of the moment-—was a suggestion that might naturally strike any right minded Americun, sould not escape a patrist and « citizen—oue born and reared ight of out Veracn, on the very soll of his ‘at once any other solution of the » tle betug there, fortunately, he time, this pluture caught his eye, mtuitively, as ic were, almost as the ulero wan given, that so m ously caused its preservation § It | Seay be tatrly que-tiozed if's (hought of th» picture at taat tims ever occurred to apy ocher permou ¢xoopt thi eontleman bu: for whom, in all human probebility, it fea there remained iv the frame where it hung, aud ‘would uave fallen into the hands of the enemy or been eousumed with tae balidiag Yet in the sacred uame of lison, + iter of the narrative now 4: be had just heard. aftor tae Ispse of more thi of a century, of a0 lmposition, now discovere: been prantised on Gen, Jaokeun, forsooth ! of ali men the least likely to be impotsd upoa—though by whom it was practised does not appear; unhappily, in that field of spe- ulation where by a compromise of the prinoipls of truth, he is enabled us easily to suppose one thing as aaoth he makes a “flourish” under the specious pretext of ren- @eriug to «lady tne credit of originating whut more conveniently served a8 # sdivid, behind which with affected horror of any attempt to flch from ber, tough coming in at the eleventh hour, he now modestly claims for himself, 1: fact, the lion’s share of that merit 0 clearly belonging to another. Such palpable irjustioe and rhodomontade,so deliberate ® perpetration of sophisiry for hisiwry, cannot be suffered to pass under! inasmuch as history politely so called may be romance. ‘The narrator, with @ disingenuousness 80 character- istic of himseif, and which 1s peouliarly perspicucus throughout his letter, informs us, though avowediy not Present, oc knowing (apparently) who took down th picture,“ that several persons arsisted; the most acti was the venerabie Mr. Carroll, of Duddington ” The us rator may have innocently mistakea Mr Carroll,of Du dingto Tor Mr. Carroll, of Ballevue, although from subs quent events.and circumstances conneoted with the thi Secretary of War and Mr. B., loads mv to suppose that @ mistake could not innceently bave been made; theless, the letter is not less remarkable as show! utter inefficiency or apathy at the head ot the war de- partment, (whom Mx. 8. still iabors to vindicate) in the neglect of uli preparation, and the consequent panic which prevailed, as well as the disasters that followed permission, therefore, I will now simply state tory”? of the picture, as | have often heard it od by my father, Charles Carroll, of Bellevue, to the eredit of that e: justly and properly due. in the disirict at the time, were as follow! morning of the 24th, with Mr. Monroe, my father acoompanied set out to seo General Winder, and to r enemy, &c.; that on their way towards Bladensburg, the President’s horse (or Mr. Monroe's) becoming sud- @enly lame, he exchanged with my facher, who return- ed to the city, and by invitation of Mr. Madison, stop- ped to dine, en famille, with,Mrs, Madison, which he did, and they were sitting at table alone, afier dinner, when the President's ser ant entering, announced the battle and the defeat—that Mrs Madison must imme- diately make hor escape over to Maj. Carroll s, (my fa- ther’s house in Georgetown,) and thence with the family out tohis farm—that on the instant, orderiog Mrs. Madisoo’s carriage, wad rising from the table, taking down the picture, he, with his penknife, cutout or de- tached (in some way separating) froin the frame in which it bung, the original portrait of Washington, and himself saved that portrait.” It is possible it may have been afterwards placed inthe hands of Mr. B. ana others, who, in the general melee ‘and confusion, joined the party; ud as he somewhat ro- m&ntically telle us, after parading it through the streets, left it; and the preservation thereof for six weeks, at a widow's house some miles off in the woods, and was sub- sequently reclaimed, reinstated, ko. The narrative con- tinues :—“Mr. Carroll left with the President, and the others ull left before the retreating army reached the city, excepting you (Mr. R. G. L. D) andimyselt !” assurance, on the part of the historian, whatever mo- tive, or however significant of his presence of mind, who, if not the most active in assisting, was, it seems, not inactive, in “saving the eagles and other valuables,”’ ail of which may or may not be true, but unfortunately for his narrative, does not in any way change the fact as regards the saving of the picture, since Mr. Carroll did uot ieave the portrait hanging there exposed, as he originally found it, nor leave the ground until after he had thorougbly effected his object of wresting it from lous position, and beyondall doubt, so saved cured the portrait, when trusting it in other that it was not captured, mutilated or destroyed, teemingly, was no fault of Mr, Barker It is weil known that Mr. Charles Carroll, of Bellevue, remained that night, and at bis piace in George- town when the British barned the captiol, aad at the same time, @ home kaown a# Temlinson’s hotel, fronting on the enst equare adjoiniug, velovg- ing to himself and his brother, from which General Rosa’s horse was killed by the enly shot fired, and that C., of Bellevue, was deputed, next morning, to jeg to Admiral’ Cockburn and the commanding val, to know if it wes the intention of the enemy to deatroy the city and private property, ko, which tay they viclated, by de intog him througn the day @ pri- foner, during which he was mate to witners their barba- rities in the buraing of the public buildings, their de- secration and warfare upon the libraries, arcbives and other public property, comprising many works of the the menumente of & nation’s genius; aker whieh, although indignantly remonsirating agatwst the barbarity of his condaot, he was at length saffered © dopart by the British Adwiral To avoid misapprehension, it may not irrelevant or uainteresting bere to explain—for the beuefit of Mr. Barker, if he is really iguorant of the fact—that the truly ‘venerable Mr. (Daniel) Carroll, the aame of his patrimonia! manor, tol stands, now in his 65th year, empbaticaily the p arch of Washington, ant the only surviving b not present at the scene related by Mr. B., be easily referred to if neveerary, an may wlso Gen Mason, aud likewise Mra. Madison, to wuich I might add, an inepection of the portrait itself. His brotner, Mir. Charies Carroll of Bellevue, (the name of bis patrimonial estateia contradistinotion to Lis namesake of Carroll/on, a collaters! branc!i) the warm Personal friead both of Mr. Madison sud Mr. Monroe, of the same politics, and @n ardent supporter of the war, was present, as is well kaown to the writer of that letter, who may possibly remember him as a friend, too, at tue same time of Gen, Wiikiuson, which may be the secret | at the bottom of all the duplicity, retervation, and dis- ‘8 fow years ago, entitled “ Vindication of the late Gene- ral Atmatrong, Secretary of War,” whose singular and publicly alleged * treasonable” conduct was openly de- Wriee Two Cente, atthe moment General Armstrong, om his return to Washington, rode up, — him and gyre | hands with some of the members of the bimet, aad before the troops there assembled in the field, who refused longer to acknowledge or obey him (General Armatrong) ‘on that memorabie oacasion, when Mr. Charies roll, of Bellevue, with an exclamation ef patriotic indigas- tion, it seems not yet forgotten, refusing General Arm- strong’s proffered hand, said to him “No, sir! I don’t koow you, sir,nor do [ mean to; until you have ex- Plained your condust, and shall clear up your character, Major Carroll eannot take the haud of General Arm- strong Look around you, sir! on your bleeding coum - 4 your country of your in- not be the iast to do you ‘an imoident, whieh it was very generally un- derstood and believed, precipitated (oneral Ari "8 resignation or prompt dismissal by tl Trosddent, whe immediately left the ground followed by General Arm- strong, and that the latter very District, I believe, is well known. At home, matters, my father, who had nothiog vindieti would say-he would be first, whenever General Arm ig should purge his eharacter from ita foulnoss, to do him justice. DANIEL J. CARROLL ‘ork, Deo. Ist, 1847. The Fourth Ball of the Continentals, The fourth annual ball of this corps took place on Tuesday night, at the Apollo and Minerva rooms, which were connected by a@ hall, con- structed expressly for the occasion; and it was, truly, a most magnificent affair. Atan early hour, the company began to assem- ble, and when, at nine o’clock, the clarion sounded all things ready, a simultaneous entrée was made into both rooms; and it was a most beautiful sight to behold six hurdred of the fair- est and most beautiful of creation, moving grace- fully round the room. Wallace’s cotillion bands were present, and during the entrée, discoursed a soul-stirring air. The floor was then cleared, and about four hundred quadrille sets were ready to glide off in the happy dance. The la- dies all looked handsomely, and it was difficult to determine who were most conspicuous, each seeming to have taken great pains to appear more lovely than the rest. Miss L., of Goerck street graceful carriage by heavy dark bro: dressed in pure white, with bright sparkling eyes, overhung and_an intellectual forehead, was grace in dancing, ry dance. ton- street, was, indeed, w very pretty tired in @ baroge with satin stripe, am and attracted consider- able attention. Miss B., of Spring stroct, was dressed in « beautiful book-muslin skirt, with pink aatin wrist, the which were looped up with delicate rosettes, dress was a wreath of beautiful flowers ; most expressive ; her large bluo eyes and were beautiful ;'indeed, her whole contour was sueb, satin, over w tarlton skirt, of beautiful texture, whieh was testefally caught up with rosettes, from which hung atroamars of blue satin ribbon ; the sleoves, which were of the richest las semely, She moved greeefully dance, and, in waitsing, attracted general attention. Mine R., of Washington street, was dressed in a neat mull muslin dress, with white satin such. Her head was ted with s string of pearls, surmounted by » Iver comb. Her carriage wan eusy and greos- er dancing was marked with beauty. ef Thirteenth strest, {a a pretty ings She eased in & rio eabroi ter wiss mutila dress, from the bosom of which shone » broach of sparkling brilliants She danosd gracefully, and evemed partiou- lariy to attract the attention of Mr. T.., who, in ula ad- miration, sought her hand fer almont every dance. lane of extraordinary ja embroluered Swiss d brow was encircled ina leaves, Inthe Spanish wreath of green an’ danees, she was a «reat favorite, The Mises B. of Grand atree: nowe Inewes, #0 uo alike that it was almost impossible for one te distinguish the one from theother. They bad sperkling black eyes, which almost spoke the in- ward fesling of t ‘aris. Their dress was of white satin, over which hung, im rich folds, # handsome pink tarlion skirt Milas G. of Euacbeth street, was one of the handsomest in the room, with dark brown eyes, and hair of silken texture, which hung in graceful proiusiun baster neok and shoulde ich were of per indeed @ mod uite ® centre of attract! saters, are very hand- white satin ribbon, which was fastened by # broach of y precious stones The wlisses R., of William street, are quite hamdsome, ert OF Beet Senre They wera neatly dressed im ullrouslia dresses, the rlesvos of which were toyed ith white ratio tibbov.eud white satin sash. Th of their dresses were hung with rioh ino capes. They danced very gracefully, amd many sought thelr fairy hands in the dances Their head divasus were alike, reath of white roses, from one end of at feather. skirt of which was trimmed with pretty rosettes; her head dross wasa wreath of silver leek roses, surmounted by a silver comb of richest workmanship. Miss R, of Eldridge street, was dressed in « blue tariton skirt, with white satin spencer; the neck was hung with heavy folds of rich ince, the head was neatly d with white rosettes. Hor tiny feet, enclosed in white satin slippers,were beautiful, and she moved like @ fairy over the floor. She is w very pretty young lady, with black, sparkling eyes, and note of the (recian order, while her mouth is studded with teeth like the nd lips of nectar sweetness i, there were several hundred the brilliancy of planets of d a more perfect display of and good order, in the arrangement of their costumes, could not be possible At eleven o'clock there was an imtermission of ncing for fifteen minutes, doring which the la- ¢ served with refreshments. © clock, the doors of the spaeious supper rooms were thrown open, and the ladies entered. A more beau- tiful sight could not be witnessed than was here pre- sented” Six hundred of the beautiful daughters ot New York, partaking from tuble which togroan un- der the weight of ite luxuries. ‘(heir eyes sparkled like starein the cons’ jous. It was feast enough to be bisssed' with such @ govne, waking up all the dormant feelings of the soul, which could not be restrained, but burst forth iv all the admiring nature of the pure gi ings of the soul After the ladies retired, there were @ number of gentlemen, who partook of the luxuries of the festive board, and when they had flaished there was 8 great profusion of bone fowl. At two o’cloek, the company having re-entered the rooms, the beautifal air of the “ Coutinentel quick- step” was played by the bands, to the entiregratification of all. The dancing then went on, and continued until five o’olock, when the company retired, n0 one one single cause to regret having thus spent 4 ing so pleasantly, The Continentals ate a noble corps, and such a demonstration cannot fail of awarding to them all the praise which is due them ‘The Second Annual Balt of the New York Jourmeymen Shipwrighw’ and Caalkers’ Benevolent Soelety. The second annual bail of this society came off at Tammany Hail on Tuesday night, und was certainly a very plestant one, The room was appropriately and handsomely decorated with the models and representa- tions of a number of the principal vessels built in thie city, the emblems of the craft The hall was crowded to overflowing at an early hour, and the ladies, numbering about three hundred and fifty, were handsome and woil dressed. Miss F-——~, of Madison street, waa the belle of the room, She was dressed in an embroidered Swiss muslin, the skirt of which was handsomely trimmed with rosettes, while trom the waist hung a blue satin sash. Her features were very reguiar and handsome; ber hair, of raven hue, hung in gracetal ringlets over her flasly- tucoed shoulders, while ber bead bore a wreath of pretty rotws. She danced most gracefully. Miss M , of Pike street, wad a very baudsome young lady, rather above the ordi- nary height, with asyiph like figure, encased in hand- somely embroidered Swiss robe, tastily trimmed with } while from her head flowed @ beautiful feather, ounted by awreath of flowers. Her carriage in the itxing was remarkably gracefnl Miss B, of East Broadway, was a very pretty little girl, below t ry sigs, but graceful and winning in her Versation, She danced prettily, and w: Miss W , of Delanc binck eatin dress, turned up with erm dress was a wreath of delicate flowers, while a rich laee orape coyered her handsome neck shoulders, which were ornamented with a massive gold cobain. Mites H., of Rutgers street, was crersed {n ® handsome plaid silk, with laoe sleeves, looped with bandseme white satin ribbon kaots, She moved like @ taity through the ‘a very personification of grace aud beauty, Miss L , of Oliver stre Jressed in 8 plaia but ty neat book muslin d er fave was remarkably handsome, and her person wae without feult. She was by far the moet graceful daoseure in the room, and was taxed for every set Her unassuming mien won for her the admiration of all who saw her. Miss C , of Market it, was dressed in a pink satin, over which was & of white tarlton, besutifally caught up by pretty rosettes in front. Her dark auburn hats hung in gracetul curls over her snow-white shoul- ders, and her perton seemed as if moulded after the style of Venus, Her dark, penetrating ey+s looked from b ba forehead which bespoke sn intelieat of ordor, while her playfal smile foretold the tnene of her dispo mn. She danced but litt eemed by her sweet smiles aut | happy sround he: geners! rush made for the supper room, each ring on his arm one of (hy Dewutiful fair ones who bad most effectually pleroed his heart with Cupia’s arrow. The table wes richly Isden with ® profusion of delicacies, which were parteken of with 2-90 that acknowledged pertect satisfaction. The company reparated at five o’ctock, mot a single cirow ncehaviog transpired to mar, the harmony ‘This society deserves great credit for the perseverenc manifested in getting up one of the pleasanteat so.rees favorite. nounced by Mr. Charles Carroll, of Bellevue, at their , which tock place soon atter the enemy had city, ia presence cf the President himself, of the seasoa; sud they who with the broad-axe, form / the gevat beams of oe ener a noble hearted ost of men, praise of all, | /