The New York Herald Newspaper, June 12, 1849, Page 3

~~, a | Mantes Qavstion. the London Timp. May 18.) Rein stated, and we hope with truth, that Lord rston has expre eed his »pproval of the terms lust proposed by the Dauish government for an armistice with the Germanic powers. ‘This propo- gition amounts to a temporary and provisional divi- gion of the Duchy of Seplenwig by a line to be drawn across the peninsula from) Husum to Flensburg. The territory north of this iine would at once revert to the King of Denmark, its sove- Teign, and be occupied % his forces, unless the insurgent# themselves should have sufficieut force to jroioug their resistance by their own re- sources, Whilst the portion of the duchy south of this line, and the whole Duchy of Holsteia would continue to be occupied by he forces of the con fuderation, A truce might be efected on these terms, at least to terannate the disgracetal aad deplorable etiusion of blood ina series of inglo- rious combats, Which can lead to no poiitical re- sult: the blockade of ihe German ports would, of course, be rawed ; Jutluod wouid again be evacu- uted, aud the | nt change which is taking place inthe policy ot the leading Geran courts Way justify a stiong presuimption that this suspen- s.0n of hosniities would speedily be converted ito a definitive ps 7 The vesulis of the campaign, up to the present tune, have strikumily exbivited ike impradence of the Dunieh government in reuewing tae war; aad, w adeition to their lieluck in one instance by sea, they have proved wholly unable to mawtain their positions on the mata laud. in this 4 situation is positively Worse than 4t was at the tume of the conclusion of the arnustice of Malmo, and they have now no reason to put any trast ia the weiive supportot Sweden or Kussia. But, though the events of the war have all beea unfavorable to Denmark, they have not been productive of any cor- Tesponding edvantage to Germunay. The series of successes bus been so inglorious, that the publie journals of Europe have scarcely deigued to record them. Jn such « cause, and wt such inhuman odds, Victory itself 1s tarnished, and few men wall be found hereetter to beast of their achievements in ihe harbor of Eckernforde or under the walls of Colding, Butit has leng been evident that this eoutesi is to be terminated by political rather thaa military mesns. No exploit of aims can extort from the Court of Copenhagen submission to the e Vagunt terms originally suggested by the jeswig Helstein pasty and their wild partisans in the German universiti and although the ex- @itement of last year chanced to place the armies of Prursts und the Contederation at the beck of nat factlou which had made Schieswig- lielstein its wareery, yet that circumstance only indicated the ome te prostration of the govern- ments of Germany, Frankfort and the revolution- @ry party which bad made Frankfort its seat of ein- pire, were the promoters of this tlagitious war; and ail doubt has Jong since vanished trom the mind of every Geiman severeign and statesman us to the real characier of the attack on Denmark. [twill rver be remembered as one ef the most huiniliat- log incidents of last year; for in no instance were the priveiples of international law und the rales of policy more wantonly sacrined to democratic cla- mor. As long as the Court of Berlin felt itself constrained to acknowledge that species ot su- premacy which the Frankfort Assembly had as- semed, it rubmitted to the policy” pursued towaids Denmurk as a part of ‘thé exist- ing policy of Germany, although in both cam- poigns the military chest and the mercantile inte- rests of Prussia have suttered severely without a chance of compensation. But Berlin es now final- jy broken with rankfort. Count Brandenburg’s last repoit to the King, of the Mth instant, declares that in consequence of the late violent and illegal measures of the Frankfort Assembly, the Prussian overfnient can no longer recognize it asthe law- ul representative of the German nation, and that it has abrogated its own commission. In pursue ance of this opinion the King of Prussia ordains that the functions of the Prussian representatives in that Assembly shall cease, and that his subjects shall abstain from ail further part in the proceed- ings of that body. This important resolution is the natural consequence otf the policy adopted since the 23th ot April by the government, and amongst other consequences it removes the prin- cipal impediment to the termmation of the German invasion of the Danish dominions. The govern- ments of Prussia, Hanover, and Saxony have the stroygest possible interest at this crisis in. collect- ing ali their military resources, and in withdraw- ing the fiower of their armies from an expedition undertuken to abet a local insurrection, and to ratify one of the worst caprices or most absurd Sehuaicis of the democratic party. It may, therefore, be said to follow us a matter of political necessity that in the present condi- tion of Germany the invading army will ere Jong retire ; und under these circumstances the Danes have shown moderation in consenting to cede the couthern portion of Schleswig to a tem; rary German occupation. We trust that the Bri- tish government will at once give its eflicient sup- rt to this proposal, in the interests not only of Benmerk, but of Prussia and her German confe- derates. Ii, however, any difliculty were to arise on this pointin Lendon, we have no doubt that a direct negotiation would be opened at Berlin, which would terminate hostiliues, and retrieve, as far at possible, the fulse step in consenting to the wor, originally taken by the Prussian cabinet un- der the pressure of last year’s excitement. As the Frankfort Assembly and government are no longer recognised by Austria or Prussia, or the leading German states, as the representatives of the German. confederation, and the lawfal successors of the Diet, we presume that they must also cease to be recognized as such by foreign powers; and it iv perhaps fortunate that, at this juncture, Lord Cowley is about to return to England. This popular convention (for it is now nothing more) seems threatened with the speedy an total loss of all authority, except that which it may be able to retain in those parts of Badea and the Palatinate which have broken out in open rebellion, and driven away by violence the Grand Duke, who was the most liberal and con- cedmg prince in Germany. Lut the explosion of this bubble, on which so many men had unhappily rested their best hopes of freedoin and good fede- ral government, renders it t ore imperative on the sovereigns and their ministers to proceed in- atantly and efiectually to reorganize the confede- ration at the conferences now opened at Berlin. We have reason to believe that great, progress has actually been made in this essential work; and the straightforward conduct of the Court ot Prussia has entitled it to take the lead in the negotiation. The Emperor of Austria as- sents to the principle of a double league er confe- deration, by the former of which his dominions will be intimately connected with the rest of Germany, and protected by a detensive alliance with the rest of the confederation, whilst the lat- ter will unite the other States of Germany in a closer league, formed with their own free consent. This scheme is neither more nor less than that of the existing commercial league, extended to other purposes of adpunistration, diplomacy, and military power. It will render the union ot the German na- lion moe complete, and satisfy the just desires of the people, by removing the divisions and impedi- ments which subsist between the smaller districts, to the great inconvenience of the public; and at the same time, it will preserve that equality and independence between the members of the con- federation which is essential to the peace of Ger- many. The democratic and republican party, who have been working for 14 mouths to turn this re- volution to their own advantage, and who had at one moment all but succeeded, if the Brandenbur; Ministry had not, stood firm, willof course assat with the utmost fury any settlement which promis- es to secure to Germany constitutional monarchy, tational freedom, and the termination ef the present state of anarchy. We trust they will fail in their desperate attempts, as they have failed at Dresden and elsewhere. But now is the time for the sincere and enlightened friends otf constitutiona liberty vigorously to second and support the govern- ments in their last endeavars to establish a system equally opposed to the absolutism of the past, and the anapey of the present. If this experiment fuile, either by the infatuation of the middle classes, or by an error of judgment, or dissension onthe part of the statesmen and courts of Ger- many, the whole nation will be consigned to the last extremities of military foree and democratic revolution. ‘This last efiort: w.Jl prove whsther or no constitutional monarchy can be established in Germany, and whosoever thwarts or opposes this attempt, helps, not to regemerate his country,but to oall down a tremendous catastrophe. From THE Overvany Emiorants.--From Mr. Gilmore, a citizen of this county, who returned from the plains on Wednerday last, wo gather a few items of intelligence from the emigrants, Ir. Gilmore was out 140 jmiles, and was on his way to California, but, for rearons best known to himecif, concluded to don the trip. A large number of wagons wore in advance ef him. on his return to this place he met 1.125 wagons, He states that much dissatisfaction ex- iste among the emigrants, owing to the great crowd of ‘wagons on the plains, it being « matter of impossibility for all to get aleng peaceably. A large number of emi- grants had died with the cholera, and disense was still among them, In one encampment over night eight reous died, A number of companies have partially kew up, a portion of the members becoming tired of the Nr taal and anxious to return to their fami- lies, Such a course, they think, is justified byfpradence and a love of life. From w! Mr. Gilmore could learn on his return, he thinks upWards of two hundred emi- grants must have died on the plains—and sickness still among them. Mr. Gilmore remained a few hours with the pack-mule company from this place, A few “of the members had been sick, and ® young man, by the name of Samuel Wilson, formerly n resident of this died with the cholera, Mr. Wilson, we believe, far a brother residing in Oregon, Holt county, Mo. Mr. Ryan and Mr, Andrews had an attack, but were eonsidered out of danger. These gentlemen had pur- ehased a light wagon, with the expeetation of return- ing. ‘The other members of the company were all in good health,— St. Josephs |( Me.) Gazette, May 25, Ruscia. x The follo extraet trom “The Caar, his | Court and People,” ee by John T. Maxwell, La late Secretary of Legation at St, Peteraburg, | will be read with great interest at this time, when all Europe is in commotion. It evinces the clear- sightedness and cerrect views of the author, and his inumate knowledge of the subject which he has +o ably treated:— “Happily for mankind. there is nome who eam esoape the power of this age; and no one can tell how great may be its influence upon the princes and people of the Ressisn empire. The exercise of despotic power has always been preesrious, In ages whieh evuld wot boast the superior intelligence of the nineteenth esentury. ‘The day is past when dexpotiem can contend eu @ertfully agaist the evas oe h ture though almort impere freedom Rusrin of ail porcd to the eyarit of ¢ lamily @f ube Latiens of ( coive fhe ruler und regula geuerally goverued —ivipeat i eouquernble 6) init of intelltye too Vigilant mud too erate iospotionys, 1s mest ex. Tor having eateredsthe vet. phe must finally ree Uae faunly te Phe un- advance, sentinel, passes the whieh will one day ren this spirit peace verumeut in Norway ge aud expaud- | ejoices iv ils mame, | invesintible spirit—the intel- gions :pirit of the age, which weuld fect reform in Hareia It elanore at the por- tals of the | mpire—it tps tor démission to the eoun- cilebamber; a ever addresses the judyment aud the aud begs to be established ben the fowiering aid of hi it would ptary tri- r ihe mame of liberty) bas some tubstance for the yirible erewtion of wn enduring fabri rthy # prest king. and preper for the happ wersof his peeple. it would tell bua, ip the language ot Lord Bacou that "men in Cheir inperations shoud tollow the example of time itself, wineh imnovateta. ereatiy, but gemliy. and by degrees seares to be per- ceived ? It wowld teaeh him to yield up preroga- Just be forecd from hin tnsceseors, It (hat order and tranquillity would Nourish better beneath the civil than the military La fully creating and tu Greve; we vo seem i fog. Until measly all Gere “This is the wpivit Vigent. thougbttul, re tm ph-- not a mere shadow ibat those attuched to Che glebe eould be deelared fre the meu without danger to the Btate; thon, and perfect Keeurity of pe would meke bi fod gravity bis fondest aspirations after fame Whether he will adept suggestions which must have forced themeely on his observation; , whether his Hbicou withstand the appeals of the gil of bis head and heart, it is not for us toeay If however the remainder of the life of eo energetic and capable a prinee is to pass, as heretofore, in combatiog a ciyilizauou which gathers strength with time and cireumstaues. we must look be- yond bis exrver for w -uceessor who may not be go ener- getic or coabte to resist the imperative demands of Teasoa and intwiligence. Vv religious tol ‘a and of property, the eter of the uiueteenth century, t of the Chinese Imperial Minister to the U. S. Ship Plymouth, at Canton, [Frou tie Ghiva Mail, Feb, 22 | On Wednerday, the 14th, at noon, the lmperial Com- mireioner Sea paid a visit to the United States flag- ship Plymouth at Whampoa Ax the coriége, con- sirting Of about thirty boats, bearing the ensigas of the dillerent mandarius, came in eight, Commodore Guirivger dexpatehed bis barge, under command of the Hiag-lieutenant, (Weilk,) with his card aud that of H. E. Commissioner Davis, ® ceremony which was rr ciprocated afier the wandarins bad assembled in Seu’s bargeeulongeide. A Chinese eaiute of three guns | having been fired,u guard of marines drawn up, and the yurds manned, the Chinese fiag flying at the fore, his Excellency and suite came ov board the Plymouth, and were received at the gangway by the Commodore and Mr. Lb: with Mr. Ko:bes and Mr. Bush, the United States Consuls at Cuntou aud Hong Kong—Dr. ‘Ker, the Scerctary of Legation, ucting as interprete: he usual shakings of Lands, bowings, and gracious Jooks among the officials, having been gone through, the Viceroy war conducted att, where the foreign visiters, ecusisting chictly ef American residents at Canton, were severally introduced, wud had the honor | of shaking his Excelieucy’s left band, after the Chinese fashion. \ ‘the principal American und Chinese officials then | rocecded to the cabin, where tea was served, Seu | wing placed between Commodore Geisinger and Com- — mise cner Davis, with Dr, Parker opposite, Four only of the mandarin were seated at the tabl viz: Seu Kwang-tsin, Imperial Commissioner and Governor- General of the two Kwang, « native of the province of Hionan, and a member of Han-lin College; Pih-kwei, Grain Commissioner, having the literary ‘degree of Keu-jin; Kwang show, a military officer, (commanding the Governor General's brigade); Chin k-che, Assist | unt District Magistrate of Nan-hae; Heu-wan-shin, the Towurhip Magistrate of Sha-wan, in the district of Pwan-yu; the firet three, along with Woo-tsung-yaou- lucn-yay, (better known 8 Howqua,) were adinitted to the Fiute cabin— but the cabin was crowded with at- tendants, standing beliind the chairs. Seu appeared to be in excellent spirits, and chatted with an caso and good humor which. we believe, he had not exhibited at the interview with the same parties some months ago. His personal deportinent also impressed us more fevor- ably than we bad been led to expect from those present | ‘on that occasion, and on @ previous one with the Eng- lich Plenipotentiary, He was dressed very plainly, aud, except # button of the first class, with nothing to | indicat his high rank, not even # very dignified or ceurtier-lke bearing. in this respect, at least, he is Keying’s inferior; but it would not be safe to calculate on is being equally behind that eminent personage in statecraft. His features are what would be called plain, but the expression of his face, though when in repose somewhat stern, is not disagrecuble, and indicates con- | siderable intelligence, pertect self possession, and great firmnces, the latter quality being more apparent when the removal of his cap displayed a skull towering up- wards to the crown, and lighted ey, with a clear full ye, which, very rare in @ Chinese, is not black, but hazel. He stated bis age to be fifty-three, and mere- over that he has a wife and four sons in the city, and is himrelf a native of Houan province. | Cn leaving the cabin, the party proceeded to the gun- | deck, which was in beautiful order, aud would have at- | tracted attention efrom persons more accustomed to | such sights than the viceroy and his attendants. He, | as bis countrymen generally do, made minute inquiries | bout the weight and calibre of the guns, and expr ¢ surprise when informed that ao fine # vessel was uly a fourth or fifth rate. The commodore requested Dr. Varker to ray that if his Excellency desired it, he would be glad to show him the effect of a shell thrown upon the opposite shore; but this was at once declined. en the ground that in exploding, the sbell might kill acme one, or do damage to property This was u grati- fying proof that Seu is not so cruel and regardless of | life ashe bas sometimes been represented to be by thore who only know that he shows no merey to crimi- | nuis, having ordered more executions during his one year of office than ret haky did in four. Amongst his countrymen he bears the character of a severe but just ruler; und if we may judge from the present instance, | we should infer that, ro far from being reckless, he is really more considerate than his distinguished prede- cesvor, who upon one occasion, on board an English | man-of wa while witnessing the firing of the guns, perceived they were not shotted, and re- quested they might be loaded with ball, and fired to- wards the shore; but the officer respectfully declined, forthe very rame reason as that assigned by Sou. ‘That he bad no especial dislike to the smell of gun- | powder, or the thunder of the guns, was evinced when, | shortly afterwards, hesat down under the halt-deck, | by the companion, to witness the practice of the guns, | "the report of the largest made several of the specta- | tors start, and hold their ears, but Seu neither winced nor winked, nor seemed in the slightest degree moved, — butcontinued to chat as unconcernedly as if it bad | been the warbling of #lady’s lute. When the smoke | became 60 dense as te be disagreeable, the party pro- | ceeded to the spar-deck to witness various mancurres, | uch ax boarding the enemy, repelling boarders, quenching fire, &e. A shell was exhibited, aud ex- plained by Mr. Page, the first lieutenant, which seemed to excite considerable interest in his Excellency, and | more in some of his suite. The party then returned to the cabin and parteok of a handsome entertainment, the Chinese using knives and forks in the English fashion, d after smoking on | the gun deck, they rose to take leave, and were again | conducted to the gangway by the Amer ffi Seu having expressed himself much gratified by his visit, obrerving that he Lad selectedalucky day for it, ceparted under a ralute of seventeen guys, and pro- eevded on his way to the Boge, to meet Mr. Bon ou the Saturday following. The conference between Seu and Mr. Bonham was conducted with the utmost attention to secrecy on the part of the latter,no others being present except Mr, Gutsiaff and Mr. T. 7. Mea- dows, as interpreters. The Imperial Commissioner was | not ruffered to have any one with him at the confe- , Tenceand every precaution bas since been taken against | the proceedings or result becoming known, Notwith- standing, we Believe we have pretty accurate informa- | tion on the rubject. and hope before the despatch of the mail to learn still more about it. Nothing farther occurred worthy of note, unless it be the manner in which the imperial commissioner blew his nose ; and lest any one should turn up his own at this, we beg to arsure him that the subject is one which has attracted attention in even @ greater persouage than the imperial commissioner; for we remember on the occasion of George the Fourth visiting edinburgh, | the newrpapers would bave it that his Majesty’s repu- | tation of being the “ first gentleman in Europe,” lost | nothing from the manner in which he performed the | operation; although, a we can testify, it was gone through j vine d like those of his auljects wi ould bonst @ handkerchief, which, having been use returned to the pocket whence it was taken; afer which his sacred bre ge replenished his nasal organ with a pinch of enuff, wiping his fingers on bis thigh with more eare than grace. Galt, in one of bis tales, makes & west of Scotland man give the preference over King George to the King Crispin of his native town, who dis- eneed with the handkerchief, making use of his fore- nger and thumb only. The palm, however, we conecive must be yielded to the Chinese high official, who re- ceived from an attendant a pi'e of soft paper about six inchos square, and baving separated three or four lay- ers, he applied them to the sides of his nose with his two hands, and after wiping, he finished off by twisting a corner into s point, and therewithal “did recreate his nostrils.” The unused portion of the paper he folded together and shoved into the top of his wide boots, pre- cisely as we have seen & French postilion do with a roll of bread, which washanded up to him for provend by the way, ashe daehed through the pretty village of Fleuri, worthy of the name. In taking swuff, too, Seu rather improved upon King George; for he drew from hie pocket @ pretty little bottle of jade-stone. took out a supply with the small spoon attached to the etopple, and having laid the snuff on the flat side of the bottle, he took it up with his forefinger, and ,¢0 applied it to his nose, Several of the foreigners were gratified with a pinch, and were arsured by an attendant that the nufl was very old and very dear, costing upwards of one hundred dol pound, It amelt @ little sour, and had lost much of its pungency, but was not dis agreeable. & Domestic Miscellany, There were 130 deaths in Vhiladelphie for the week ending the (th instant, of which three were ef eholera, and 14 of consumption. Among those who George Lyane, formerly # printer of in Texas, of this cholera, was ity, | uve dealers, ver ‘Tne African Siave Trade. U.S, Sa Err, Porto Praya, November, 1348. It appears to have been the custom iu most primi- ve countries, to regard slaves as among the moet desirable and chief epeils of war. It is ee in Africa. The following 1s the system observed in the parti- tion of captives. In case the war is earried on by asingle chief, then the prisoners are considered as hie property, ard at his exclusive disposal. A few females may be bestowed on his own officers and those of the etipendiary tribe. When wars are prosecuted by allied chiefs, each hoad man takes whut his cwn people may have captured. privaies very rare Cy y 13 Bure 1encercd to the chiefs, The other property taken in warmthe pilluge of the vi shared by the army et large. ; 1 have, thus far, recited cirenmstantially the man.er in which pereons may become elaves, aud jees inte the hands of native dealers, who drive, them to the coust, sometimes as the bearers of produce, and thus bring themin a famisled and Woy-wern condition to the marts, where they finally pars inte the bands of the white slaver, Rething can exeeed the barbarous treatment of slaves by the African masters, nor can it be imwgined, except by thore who huve witnessed the atiocities and exactions imposed upon these nuserable victims. A Fouluh, or « Mendingo chief, never dreunis of feeding or clothing his slave. He willeven deprive hum of the trait or game which have painfolly procured to satiety his own Ifa slave were to cat a fith without hav- g first offered it to his master, he wouid forfeit hus lite, “I have seen,” says the slaver, ‘a kouluh chief draw his kuufe, and in the act of cut- ting his slave’s throat, for the value of two flints. Nothing but my energy saved the poor tellow, It huppened in my yard, or 1 could not have iater- fered. It is my epmton, that « slave transported to the colonies, gains new life in escaping the in- tolerable tusks and atrocious cruelty of the African maeter.” Slaves are brought from the interior to the marts upon the rivers and coast, not merely as the ob- fect of traffic in their own persons, but also as the earers of saleable produce, ‘This 18 especially noted as being the custom of the Mandinges, Se- lows, Fouluhs, and other triber, who resort to the Rio Pongo, as the head-quarters of their traffic, Gold, ivory, wax, rice, hides, cattle, are transported from the interior by caravans of several hundred slaves, each laden to the amount of his capacity. They are sometimes two or three months on the way; their food is scanty, and of the poorest quality, conrieting chietly of roots. The beurer T! he | sud his burden are alike the subjects of barter and eale. If such carriers were not to be procured, the preduce of the interior would probably never reach the coast. No beast of burden could be so cheaply ucquired, or sustain so protracted and toul- some & march, threading the narrow foot-paths of the denee mangrove and mazes of the ever-grown forests, or pursuing their weary way over parched westes stretched unmeasurably along, with an in- credibly small supply of water and food. Cattle without burdens droop and die, where the humen carner, with a heavy load upon his head, lives to reach his destination, so that the slave in Airica 18 not only regaided as a commodity, butas a favorite beast of value. Where slaves ure found in ubundance, burdens are generally trans- ported on their persons in preterence to the mule or the dray. In Rio Janeiro, cofive bags are car- ried tothe shipping by negroes in gangs, who run through the etreets to the time of « cheerful song. ‘The custom prevails universally on the coast of Af- nes, und the neighboring ielands, almost to the en- hire exclusion of beasts of burden. ‘The slaver states, that when slaves have reach- ed the coast in this famished and jaded condition, before they have had time to recruit under the euty life and politic nursing of the barracoons they have been captured by foals cruisers, and this has given mee to an undeserved scandal upon the white elave factor, which belongs solely to the native African dealer. i Slaves are not always driven from the interior with loads.on their heads. Sometimes they are led by asniull rope round their necks, or are driven with their hands fastened behind them, or secured by whoop of rattan round the waists; the refrac- tory are fastened to a jong pole with a throng of nde about their necks, one end of which reeves uircugh the pole, and the other is held by the drivers—the conductor, by a single twist, chokes the rebel into submission. E * When a slave arrives at the factories, Roligw suggests a better ueatment. He is washed and shaved, and a new suip of cloth is given him. He sserved with a sufficient quantity of wholesome food. Ifhe is a strong man, he is secured to another of nearly his own eize, and irons are placed on his feet. fhe becomes noisy or troublesome, hand- cufls are put en. All day he is made to wit under the shelter of a shed. At night he is locked in a strong house separate from the women. Young men are secured in gangs of ten by a chain round the neck. Women uid girls are treated much in the same way us the men, only they are made to do such household work as sweeping, washing and cook- ing. All are washed daily; the sick are prescribed for every morning; their mouths are sponged daily, and their finger nails pared dat week. Order and silence are strictly enjoined. But dancing, asa cheertul and invigorating mode ef exercise, 1s al- lowed, and even enforced, in the cool of the after- noon, Such are the precautions against disease, and such the life of the slave, at the baracoons, or slave pevs, where they remain until an opportunity offe of sending them on board the slave ehip. It is desir- able to embark the slaves as early as possible after their arrival at the factories, as they invariably dicop, or become afiected with scurvy, if kept for a long tume in irons in the baracoons. "This strict confinement, even for a short time, always en- hances the mortality of the middle passage. It of- ten happens that a slave dies afier his arrival at the factories, trom wounds or blows received dur- ing his march to the sea side, and others from dis eases, Which were the cause of their being sold Purchasers not acquainted with the tricks of the na- often have sickly negroes imposed uponthem. ‘The natives have a drug which, ina short time, swells a negro to un apparently robust appearance atthe time of sale; but the unfortunate subject of the experiment never lives a week after being thus tampered with. The embarkation of ne- | Bi on board the slave vessels is eflected in dif- ferent ways, depending upon the situation of the factory, und the chance of eluding the vigi- lance’ of the cruisers. Vessels go up the river and tuke slaves from the factories at Rio Pongo, end Nunez. At Gallewas they are shipped over the bar in large canoes, car- Tying #)xty to seventy each. At New Sestos they are embarxed from the beach through a heavy surf in Kroo canoes, conveying three or four each, the veesels laying off and on to receive them. ‘Two fofour hours are sufficient to put a cargo ever so numerous on board. ‘The male slaves are general- ly shipped on board the slaver with irons on their feel, und are retained in irons until land is made. ‘Women and boys are not kept in irons. Daring the whole night they ere confined below decks, but are released during the day, and enjoy the open uir under awnings on deck. The space between decks varies with the size of the vessel. Schooners have rarely more than thirty-six inches between their decks, often much less. The size of the hatches also depends upon the size of the veesel;*they are kept open night and day, und ure as large and commodious as possible. ‘The apartments of the women are divided from the men’s by strong bulkheads. For security against the rieing of the slaves, the watch at night is al- ways armed; but the necessity of wearing arms dunng the day is obviated by the whole crew_ be- ing on duty. | Lvery man, however, wears a long kuite at bis side. Slaves do not otten rise, unless indulged in too much license. Great propr: of conduct 18 expected of the captain and officers; the cruel and neglectful are never permitted to muke a second voyage. | 5 Stores of the best quality are provided in great abundance. Rice is the principal constituent of the slave’s ration; beef, pork, rum, peppers, &c., are served out as the health of the slaves may ap- pear to require. Palm oilis to the African a ne- ceseury of life, and is therefore abundantly furnish- ed. The daily allowance of each slave 18 one gal- lon of water, und one and a half pounds of rice. ‘This allowance is ample. Our squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, during a portion of the Mexican war, and for some time antecedent, were served with only three quarts of water, The passage 18 caiculated from forty to sixty days, and the vessel is turnished with supplies for seventy days, so that there is always plenty of pro- visions. Vessels which are delayed on the coast of Africa may sufier on their return for the want of provisions. In such cases the quality of the pro- visions always deteriorates. Biscuit, flour, ype, &c., will not keep sound on the coast of Affica below decks, for more than three months. + After passing a fortmight upon the ocean, the hearts of the olaven begin to fail them. They fan- cy that they have taken their last leave of the land. Asthey press farther and farther into the ocean, they believe that the white men have no land, no home but the eea; and that they will finally devour them as tood. No expostulation or argument can aweken hope; but the sight of land 18 at once the harbinger of a bitter lot. With remarkable keen- ness of vision, they discover land at a great dis- tance; they recognise the plantain and other familiar trees before they can be made eut with the tele- scope. On nearing port, nothing can exceed their wild delight. The whole crew are unable to con- trol their extravagant trapepertes or satisfy their innumerable inquiries. They thank every one with tears of joy, for having brought them safely over, and wildly strewh their hands to heaven, with enthusiastic expressions of joy and gratitude: In thie day of jubilee, the negro torgets every sul- len or hostile purpore he may have entertained du- ting the psesuge. ‘The slaver may dare to relax bis precaution and vigilance; the feters are re- moved from the hands and feet, a general amnesty is proclaimed, and punishments of every kind cense. The loss of eight or ten per cent Guring the pas- sage, is regarded as a small mortality; the loss of fifty per cent is a large mortality; and such a num- ber of deaths implying sicknesé_ among those who tuivive, will absorb all the profits of the voyage. and the proceeds barely covering the outfit aad s, the voyage, in common parlanee, be broken one. ‘Ihe mertality at the baracoons and on the pas- sage is occusioned by a variety of causes; dui baal re generally to be reterred to the crow ed and filthy state of the vee: Yontagions dis e us the emall pox, sometimes make their ep P » and commit frighttal ravages. Many guith und die fiem despondency, oceasiened by ervel treatment, or by the loss of vision, whic plunges them into so deep a gloom that they rai survive it, J. H. U. 8. Sm Erie, é Porto Praya, November, 1848. The inereased vigilince of cruisers has compel led slavers to be more ¢ Jin their stowage than formerly; and to employ vessels of less cay terspecd. ‘The capacity of a vessel ed by the quantity of water she will A schooner of 70 tons, stowing 70. pipes of ¢r, £0 08 to leave {rom 27 to 35 ches between ks, will be crowded with 300 to 350 negroes! 5 I dec ‘This will illustrate one ot the ways in which the presenteystem of breaking up the slave trade on the coust of Africa, has had the efleet to aggravate ities. 1t has caused smaller vessels not only employed, but it has also had a tendency to irh the comforts of those insufficient, vessels. Versels are liable to capture if they afford any suspicion of being equipped for the slave trade, even if they have not committed any overt act. "The consequence is, that the hatebes, instead of being made as large’ and commodious as possible, are left the usual size of merchant vessels, 60 a8 to avoid suspicion, Many other changes which might be made to add to the comfort of the slave, ure carefully avoided, for fear of their being con- strued into evidence against the vessel. ‘The average profits of successful voyages are about 200 percent. That is, if a vessel, fitted out at an expense of $20,000, returns with 850 slaves, (which weuld be considered a good cargo,) she would meke 200 per cent. on the voyage of four months. ‘The value of the outfit for a Voyage ot four months is thus’estimated by the slave dealer. * Vettel (sebooner of 70 tons) and outfit. $1u0 + ++ 10,000 of crew, commissions, duties, de- pots for tluven, clothing, Kes... . 4s. 7,000 Pay of captain, supercargo, and factor on BOTE. veecer secre serene eee ence M $26,000 Value of vessel cn herreturn—say G50 tlaves at SUL each... se... cee Profit... .. * See note, C1 course the profits of one successful voyage at a very moderate estimate, will cover the total loss cf two or more versels. An the interior of Atrica, the price of slaves is trifling. An adult man or woman may be bought fora bushel of salt. The price of a slave varies nearer the beach, from $20 to ¢60—never exceed- ing the latter sun. In the neighborhood of the grim coart the elave is bartered for the following articles, v 1 musket 10 ibs. tobi 6 pieces o1 cloth. . : 10 pipes. 2 basins, 2 mugs, 20 fints, bar. 1 iron pot... 6 gallons brandy. .. i $34 00 In the* equipments of slavers, arms are shipped only in limited quantities, for the protection of the versel—generally a musket and cutlass for each of the crew, and a corresponding amount of powder. de vaporing Captains have called for cannon, as a part of their outfit, but more from bravado than from a eerious intention of contending with armed cruisers. Large guns and swivels are, indeed, romeumes provided; but they are, only used to re- pulse urmed boats in # calm, which may,be, and, in several instances, has been accomplished. English cruiser gave chase to a Portuguese slaver; it fell calm, and the cruiser got out her boats, in which were embarked the greater porto of her cers and crew, commanded by the capt in person. On approaching the slaver, it was discovered that she was more than a match for the English boat force, and that she had mede preparations for an obstinate and vigo- rous defence. The English captuin was duly warned to degist from his attempt; he was in- formed that upon every reasonable calculation an assault must eventuate in the destruction of his bouts and men. He faltered sufliciently long to complete his reconnoisance, and then resolved upon a desperate attack, more from the impulse of piotessional pride and honor, than the hope of capturing his antagonist. After a severe strug- gle, he was repulsed, his boats cut to pieces, an many of his menkilled. At this juncture, a breeze eprang up, and the slaver, knowing ser must have parted with most oF her men, re- solved to bear down and capture her while un- manned, before the boats could regain and de- fend their vessel. ‘The slaver would have unquestionably succeeded in this bold measure, if hie design’ had not been anticipated by the master of a merchant vessel in company, who at once threw part of his crew on board the ‘cruiser, made sail, and, in view of a long chase, compelle: the slaver to give up his project, as likely to take him out of his course and bieete too much time. Many similar instances might be mentioned, in which bout expeditions have been frustrated in their attempts on slavers, sometimes after severe engagements. Several Lnglish captains have won their promotion in consequence of the gallantry dis- played in successful contests with slavers. Expe- rience must, however, have convinced those who fit out slavers of the fruitlessness of attempting to match theirversels to cruisers in force. The expedi- ents for deceiving and eluding cruisers will change from ume to time, but it is not likely that the prose- cuuon of the slave trade will ever resolve itself into ‘a question of simple force. It was some years ago reported, and currently believed, that there was an armed vessel, under Spanish colors, command- ed by a former officer of the Royal Navy; but know of nothing which has ever occurred to con- firm the rumor. very claes of veseels has been employed in the slave wade. From the light clipper, which, wath her cargo once on board, could bid defiance to the fleetert of the cruisers, to heavy and dull barks, which cecaped suspicion, and being considered as utterly unfitted tor the slave trade, passed by the cruiger unchased and unmolested. ‘To mention all the devices for diverting suspicion, and eluding the chase, would be to exhaust the whole subject cf maritime strategy. “One of the most recent and ingenious, is to fitout two vessels—one for the tlave traffic, and the other for the ordinary and in- nocent mercantile trade of the coast. They sail in company and enter port together; and as soon as the cargo of eaves tian been shipped on board the preper vessel, they putto sea. If they chance to fall in with a cruiser, the slaver, to divert suspi- cion willheave to, or pursue her course under easy suil and appear to invite search. The inno- cent veseel, on the other hand, will crowd sail, change her course, and apparently make every ex- ertion to escape. ‘The cruiser is thus bafiled. " She cannot overhaul both, and she chooses the most surpicious, Which, when overtaken after a long chure, proves to be the innocent vessel. In the meantime, the slaver has pursued her steady course and escaped. When the trick is under- stood, the order of proceeding is changed—the in- nocent vessel heaves to in the way of the cruiser, and the slaveg spreads her sails, so that the cruiser, in the exereire of his discernment may, or may not piteh upen the right one. ‘The insurance upon slave vessola against cap- ture, o8 wellas the risks of the ocean, varies from 20 to & per cent, according to the port to which they may be bound on the coast of Kiviea From this an idea aay be formed of the proportionate loss of cargoes by capture or otherwise. It is not, however, easy to find responsible insurance, which cannot at any rate be recovered by law. On this account slayers do not often insure their vessels.* The crew of a elaver is generally large—it is regu- lated by the number of slaves the vessel carries. A schooner which can stow 400 negroes has from 25 to 2 men all told. Smaller vessels are, however, better manned in proportion. The crew are spent at random from the fondas (grog shops) of javana, und are generally indiflereot sailors and bad men, No recommendation is demanded, and no security is required for wages advanced. Itis not unusual to find in a crew of thirty men five difierentnations. About half of the crew may be reckoned as Spaniards, the rest are French, Itwlians, Portuguese, Greeks, Sclavonians, Maltese, or Gibra)tarians, occasionally an American, never an Enghebman. These last would never agree with the habits and useage of the Spaniards, and as very few Americans OF etiglialt speak the Spanish language, they would not be as serviceable as others from the ehores of the Mediterranean. The officers are fcnerally Spaniards, seldom French or Italian ; all hands receive large wages, at least three or four times as much as other vessels pay. Theee remaiks with regard to the manning of vessels apply mainly to the trade with Havana and Porto Rico under Spanish celors. © JH. * It hae been found more profitable to fit out of Jai capacity. Many of the above remarks apply trade as it was from 140 to 1844, Some of ich have been captured, as the bark Pons, nce, had nine hundred slaves on board, whese value would be $270.00, leaving @ clear prefit of hae oe if the voyage should be suecessful, @ bark rons was, | believe, about 400 tons measurement More recently, steamers have heen introduced, Tho Commeree of Behring’s Straits, and the | ‘Whale Fisheries. | Wasuinaton, May 19, 1849. | An intelligent gentleman, who has epent many yearsin eommercial pursuits, and in travels for the | collection of commercial information, is now in this city, under the encouragement of the admi- nietration, compiling eommercial statietics, parti- eularly of China, Japan and Asiatic Russia, for the use of the government. He has kindly furnished | us, for the readers of the Herald, the following | statement of the commerce of the Arctic tribes near Behring’s Staite, and of ite importance to our whale ships—au importance which is vastly augmented since the acquisition of Cal- fornia. RENEWAL OF THE CHARTER OF THE IMPERIAL RUS+ NY—OPENING OF COMMER CIAL INTERCOURSE WITH JAPAN, Information has been received by the last steamer, that the Emperor of Kussia, in a late ukaae, had re. uewed the privileges of the Imperial Russian American Coopavy, which was originally chartered in 1797, and is verted with the administration of the Russian por sersions on the norihweat coast of America, Alea- tica and Kurube isinnds, Kamtechatka, & The govervor of the company resides at Sitka. where its chicf tuctory is establiehed In the renewed charter, » clawe is introduced expressly stipulating that the company ebaell ertablieh factories in both Americas, to meet (he wants of Hursian commerce. It also imposes — upon the company the establishment of @ transatlan- | tic ling of steamers, towards which it has received from the imperial treasury « subvention of 4.000.000 roubles, | ‘The anticipated opening by the Cuar, at no distant duy, of the ports within the jurisdiction of the com- pany. and in the Gulf of Okotrk, to foreign commerce; the privilege accorded by Ching to Russia in 1s47, for the free navigation of the great Manchuuan river Amur; the oceupation. by the British, during the rame yeur, of Quelpoert’s Island, lying uear the southern coast of Coren, ad @ military aud naval station. com- manding the northern coasts of China and the Japao Seas; together with the large fleet of several huadrs of American whalers now actively employed in the pursuit of their gigantic game off the counts of J) 2 and its northern dependencies, sre events calculal to have an important bearing upon the Jupane fovernment, and must necessarily compel it, ere long, to abandon its exclusive system of isolation and evclu- sion from the rest of the world. ‘The visit of the American whale ship Manhattan, Captain Mercator Cooper, to the Bay of Jedo, in 1845, to return twenty two Japenese inariners whom he had rescued from a sinking junk and desert island, coupled with the moderation, forbearance and courtesy which | characterized the conduct of Commodore Biddle and the officers of the American squadron, during their | short virit to the rame bay in 1546, have inspired both | the imperial government and the Japanese people with | the highest epinion of our country, aud have favorably | dixpored them towards it. When Captain Sir Kdward Belcher, of H.B. M. ship | Semarang, touched at Nargaraki in 1845, di reientitic voyage in the Eastern Seas, he was | kindly received and permitted tc tand on ‘an island | in the harbor. to make his magnetical observations unmolested. No edict was issued. as is customary | forbiding his return; but, on the contrary, his promi to revisit that port, was received witn apparent satis- faction; and the chief, who came on hoard, including several young men of family. expressed the hope that | they might be able to show him theiz houses, and in- | troduce him to their families. They assured him of the friendly disposition of the chiefs and great people | of Nagaraski towards the English; and their hope, that on his return, the “ High Couneellors” at Jedo, would consent to his admission’ freely; “that it was within their power entirely. and not ihe Sixgocd’s (mperor) that Kindly expressions had transpired amongst the “great chiefs’ about Nargaraski, aud they were ge- nerally precursors of good. Cuptain Belcher states, that they have # college at Nargaraski, where the youth, in addition to general acquirements, are taught foreign languages, including the English and Dute Among the visiters to the ship, were several Japanese, who understood both lan- guages. Accounts from China, by the last overland mail,state that a Britieb man-of-war and steamer left Hong Koug about the 26uh February, for Japan. In this auspicious state of things, we are encouraged that the crui-" to hope that the secluded and mysterious Empire of Japan will, at no distant day, be opened to American commerce, We bear, op reliable authority, that the memorials which have recently been addressed to Pre- trident Taylor, by the merchants of New York and Bal- timore, recommending the early opening of Ainerican commercial intercourre with Persia, Burmab, Cochin China, the Indian Archipelugo, and Japan, and also for 4 revision of our treaty with Siam, in order to place our trade upon e proper footing with that kingdom, aod stipulate for the residence of an Aierican eousul at Bankok, will receive from the present patriotic and enlightened administration the prompt attention and conridcration due to subjects of such vast importance to the commereial, navigation, industrial, and agricul- tural interests of these United States, and our rising territories of Orego: id California, on the Pacific. SIFERIAN FAIR OF OSTROWNOYE—TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE TSHUKISCHES AND NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES ON BEHRING’S STRAITS. Ontrewnoye is situated in 68 deg north latitude, and 196 deg. 10 ree. eart longitude, on an island in the Lesser Aviny, whieh falls into the Greater Auiay and Kevymu, the latter having its eubochure in the Arctic Oceun, A fair is held at this place annually, in Feb- Tuary, Berides the natives of the district, itis attwnd- ed by Rureian traders, the Tshukisches, Tukajirs, Samoovts, Tungousis, Koriaks, and T'chuwanzi The trade between north-eastern Asia and north- western America is un extremely profitable one to the Russiaus and the Tebuktsches ‘The latter are, truth, oniy the carriers, ay they buy the furs und other articles With Russian tobacco, hardware, aud beads They give half a pood of tobacco to the American natives for furs. which they sell to the Russian trader tor two poods of the same tobaceo, and he sells the furs bought therewith ut » clear profit of more than 60 percent. The furs consist chiefly of biack and silver grey fox, atone fox, lynx, wolvaine, river otter, beaver, and tex of martin unknown in Siberia, et remark- able bewuty, und resembling the suble. in the nature wud color of the fur, Besides these, the Tshuktaches bring from America bear ekins, strings of wolves’ tkins, and # quantity of wolves’ teeth They add no- thing of their own except whalebone, sledge roaders, and # large quantity of clothing, made by thenselves from the ekins of their reindeer, and # kind of beg, of seal rkin. in which they pack the Americun furs ‘The Ruesian warex given in exchange, consist chiefly of tobeceo grown in the southern provinces of Russia, and a kind of iron an ich as kettles, hatehets, knives, &c., and beuds of various colors, By a wire and benificent regulation of the Russian govern- Be nt, the tale of ardent spirits is strictly prohibited at the fair Ortrownoye ix about 700 miles from Bohring’s Straits. ‘The fuir usually laste about three days. The Ishukteches bring with them their women and children, their arms, household goods, and their moveable houres of reindeer skins; all conveyed on sledges drawn by reta- Before the fair begins, the prineipal persona on both rides arvemble to fix m tariff for the different wares. Any ene who is known to sellat less than the rates #0 established, is made to pay a fine, and lores the right of treficing during the remainder of the fair ‘The country of the Tehuktsches extends from Bebr- ing’s S&treite to the country of the Koriaks. between the 07th Flst parallels, in Siberia. ‘The tribes in- hubiting the country to the nerth of the river Oradyr are a brave, indomitable ruce. and have defended them- selves with valor and success ayaingt the Rassiaus and pay no tribute, The Koriaks inhabit the country be- tween the Oradyr and the peninsula of Kawachatka, They ave sul sfia, and pay en annual tribute. ‘The island of St, Lawrence, or Pchouback, inbabited by Tehouhacks, on account of its proximity to the ‘Asiatic coast, may be considered as a geographical de- pendency of Siberia The Diomeda group or Gwordef Islands, are composed of several islands and inlets—th ‘goat of which are Krurenstern and Ratmonoff. The small rocky isiet of Fairway is an excellent guide to the eastern, the widest and best channel between the Arctic ocean and the seu of Bebring ‘The island of Iwaklit, one of the Diomedas, is the chief mart for the traffic between the Tehukteches, and the natives of the two small islands called King’s Islet, or Cokiook, and Isiak or Ajak, erpecially those of the last mentioned island, who dispose of the Russian goods which are obtained from the Teluktsches along the coast of America, as far north as the peninsula of Aliagka, and would carry them still fartherto the east if the settlements of the Mg ido Russian American Company did not provide the tribes in those purts, with such artieles. The Tchuktscher cross Behring’s strait in their boy- dare, bringing tobacco, iron utensils, ead other articles, to lwaklit, which they exchange with the natives of the Island for furs and moore turks. The American tribes which inhabit the country north of Cape Prince of as far as ley Cape, also visit the island to obtain Russian goods. ARTICLES OF BARTER BY THE NATIVES INHADITING oy AMNRICAN COAST OF BEHRING’S STRAIT. Bkivs of # ;, the common and muskrat, martin, beaver, three varieties of ermine, one white, one with » light brown back and yellow belly, and the, third, with a grey back spotted white and yellow; the American otter, the white bare, the ‘Their Polar bear, the wolf, the deer, aud the badger. fish are salmon and herring. Their implement, either of stone or walrus teeth, fixed to the wooden stafl; harpocus precisely similar to the miaux, arrows and bills. re pole red ochre, with which the gram yoydars, or boats, are constructed. ‘obacce, blue beads, cutlery, and buttons, are articles in great re. quert among them, and with which Capt. Barclay, of H. B.M. surveying ‘ship Blossom, found that alinost anything they had might have been purchased. NEW WHALE FISHERY IN BEHRING’S STRAIT AND THE ARCTIC OCEAN, The American whaling bark Superior, Capt. Royce, entered the Artic ocean about the middle of July, 1548, d from continent to eontiment, going a4 high es Jat. 70 deg.,and eaw whales wherever be went—cut- ting in bis last whale on the 22d of August, and return- edthrough Bebring’s Strait om the 25th of the Fame month, Onaccount of powerful currents, thick fogs, the near vicinity of land and ice combined with the imperfection of charts and want of imformation rea. pecting this region, Capt. Royce found it both diffiealt and dangerous to get oil, although there were plenty ofwhales, During the entire period of the cruise, no ice war seen; the weather was ordinarily it, 20 that the men could work in light clothing. Im most parte of the ocean, there was good anchorage from 14 to 85 fatbome, and » part of the time the ey anchor. The whales were quite tame, bet different from any Capt. Royce had taken before, ' He took three dif- ferent species, one of the Yielding 200 Warrele of The first specion mueb rerembied the Uirreniand yielding 16@ or 170 barrel#: the seeciad ware called Polar whale, @ few of which Wave been on the Northwest const the thi peeuliar to the Artie cee The Ameriean eons) has been well explored, and Exqui- Iso tron pyrites, if their OO > and found to be inhabited Capt Royoe discovered that the Aretic eoast was also peopled by numerous tribes of Indians; and he t* of opinion they are supplied with Yaloable furs that could be easily purchased ‘There are BO gooLeharts ofthe Asintic const, except these im the pers y of the Russians On Capt. Noyce entering Behriag’ noes, containing forty men each’ were seen cross frown the Ameriean tothe Asiatic coast. He did on hold any communication with them. his vessel being ly partially armed; and in one instance the natives showed that they were dispored to make him a hostile Visit when becelmed; bata favoreble breoze springi Bp soon carried A beyoud the reach of dang Duties on Sugar and Molasses, ERITED S7aTHR CimoUL © TDI DW. Brune & Senses Wm WH. Marriot, En — following ie an abridged report of a cause decided ped the United States Cireust Court ofthe Uistrict of Mae ryland. It originally appeared in the Bultimore dime vicon, of the 22d of May last. from which { is now dged, ‘the decision in this cane will be found to be greatest imp ce to merchants iu all parts of the Ucion, who are evgaged in importing sugar and meluees. ‘fhe facts seem to be a4 follown:—~The plaintits,{n wed previous to 1847, imported severat Cargore of hese articles to Baltimore, aad apon unled. ing, it was found that considerable toss, had been aus taitied by hakage, Ke, daring the voyage; that the ty actuully received. ax ascertained and certitied veral cargoes, far be- a be The defendant, collsctor of Bultimore, notwith- stauding Susisted. under instructions from the Treas ry bep ou tho invoices should be yatd rdingly paid the duties un- der protont, and brought their suit to recover so ingots ef the mouey we was paid upou that portion of theear- goer Which War loot on the voyage by leakage, &e. OPINION OF THE COURT. The question arixes upon the proviso in the 8th se of the act cf 1h4®, which declares that, unde © taneo, shall the ducy be assessed upon aa amount lees than, the invoiew vaiue, auy law of Con- gree Co the contrary notwithetauding ‘Che question is, whether thin proviso inetudes the quantity as well us the price or value ot the merchaudise mentioned in the invoice, The clunse is eerialaly not free from embiguity. The Secretary of the Treasury, in his circular letter of instructions to the collestors, dated Noy, 26, 1846, took notice of this difficulty, an expressed his opinion thet it did wot repeal the previ- ous law, which authorized allowances for deticienc! damages occurring during the voyage. The same opivion ix more particularly stated in his letter of January 30, 1547, to the Collvetor of the port of New Orleans, and the instructions given in this letter would apply directly to cases like the ous now betore us, aud ranetion the claim made by the plaintifi ‘his instruction was, however, soon after Teculled, and, it reems, wad not afterwards acted upon. Nor are we able to dixcover, from the correspondence before us, the construction finully placed upen this proviso by the department, nor to ascertaim presisely the clatses of cases to which it was supposed te extend --or to Which it was supposed not to apply; we think the constrection first given as above mentioned, is the true one; and that it was not the intention of the act of 1846 to annul the previous laws upon that subjest. ‘The principles of Justice would seum to require that the werchant ehould be charged with duty only upom the merchandise which he actually tutroduces in- to the country, He imports nothiug more, aud bringe iu nothing more for eale or for consumption. He could not protwct himself by insurauce fer ordinary leakage and duinuge,in articles which from their ua } ture ure liable to euch casunities, without paying # pro= vier perhaps than the amount of loss—nor ie {t, ve believe, one of the hazards usually, if ever, ua dertaken by the underwriters, And if the duty ts charged upon whatis lost aswell as whatarrives, he will im fact pay in almost every case @ higher duty en hie importation than the law intends to impose, And the proviso would be iucousstent with the other pro- visious and with the spirit of the tariff of 1546, if iv be etrued to exact such duties; tor this law ia wvewealy framed on the most liberal prineiples of cow- werce, and contemplates # reduction of duties upoa articies of this description to a lower staudard, (t would burdly comport with this policy to place im the Jawa provise which, upon articles #0 important 1a commerce as sugar wbd molasses, would in many easce make the duties higher thau they had ever buen be fore—and indecd in almoxt every cargo, make th Digher than the rate speeiéed inthe law. We think the proviro refers to the price stated in the invoiee, and not ihe quantity, and did not repeal the former laws authorizing reductions and sllowances to the importer in the cases mentioned ‘Thwre is another dithealty, however, inthis case, siuce none of the previous laws make wny tpeeific provision fir loss in quantity in su- ear or molasres by leakage om the voyage; mor does appear that (be ‘Treusury Department have formed+ 4py definite opinien on thie parucular question, or erlubiished any settled or uniform rule on the subject ; for we ud Upon examining the correspondence and instructions of the department, aa have already fuid, that diferent instructions were given at different: timer, and fingliy an order was given to make the allowance on molatses, but not on sugar. We do not see how, from the terms of this law, or any previous act of Congress, this distinction can be made ; for the clause in relation to liquors im the law of 1799, ehapt. 22, eee. 69, 1 vol, 672, can hardly be construed to em. bruce molarse It ts, however, evident we think, t! under the act of 1842, wherever the daty was lorem, it was charged only upon the merchandi tually imported or brought in, for the 16th gestion, which reguiates the manuoer of ascertaining and charging the ad valorem duties, directs the ap- praises by all the ways aud’ means in their power to ascer{uip the value in the foreign market, 4nd to chaige tue duty upon that value, ‘They wei not confined ia any case to the invoice; and cons quently, if the goods actually imported Were fauad to Le of Ices vaine than the price stated in the invoi the duties were chargeable only on the value asce tulned by the uppraisers; and whether this diminu- tion in value was occasioned by damage to the qualit on the voyage. or lors in quanuty, could make no dif ference, lor the appraieers caw and appraised only the gods received and imported into the country, wud it wus the vaiue of there gods which they were reqaired to appraise. and upon whieh thy duty was to be asses- red, aud pot upon merchandics which was stated im pur hi the invoice, but had not been actually brought in, ‘The construction of the 16th rection he act of 1b42, in comme e Zist section in the same law, which rovides that where any deficieney in the qu 4 in the invoice found in any pwckuge, ihe iuporter is to be allowed for it tu estimat- ing the dutics. 1t is true that the lauguage in whieh this provieion is made would seem to make it applica- ble only to dry goods. Butitcan hardly be supposed that wily distinction wasintended to be drawn botwees dry goods und goceries, or that a rule deemed just a3 to one, would haye been denicd to the other; on the contrary, it ehows that Congress iatended to impore t! duty only upon the merchandise imported, and th the construction we have given to the 16th seetion is the ove whieh Congress intended it ehould receive. Now, ax this appears to bave been the policy of the go- vernment, unito.miy manifested before the tariff act of 1846, we do not ihink that Lhe provision in relation to the invoice value could have been inteaded to change it, A ditlerent coustraction would make the ja Lot cnly unjust in its principles, bat would in a mulutude of cases be likely to enhance the duties on ugar and molasses above the tartil of 1842, instead of reducing them, The language of the proviso does not require tuch # construction, and it would be opposed y Uie gencral legiriation of Congress, aad more espe- emily to the ¢ al scope and pulley of the wet of Congress in which it is found, Upon the whole, the court is of opinion that the plainuifi are eatitied to recover for (he amount of the deticiency iu the sugar and molaeses by leakage, 4s mentioned in the ease stated; that the reduction ought to be made aveord- ing to the dutiable value of the portion lost; aud that the protest of April 2th, 1847, covers wil cargoes where the euties hud not before been finally assessed wud ad- justed by the collector. American Orirtntat Society.—This society held its annual meeting in Unis cuy on Wednesday | last, at the 100ms of the American Academy, and ap Adjourned meeting at the house of dir . Ww. Greenough. The members present were Hon. E, Bve- rett, President Wooley, Kev. Dr. Jenks, Professors Beck, Feltom, Salisbury, Sears. tdwards. Rev, Messra, C. Kobbins, 1, Parker, 5. B ‘Treat, Messrs. J. E. Wor- eceter. S. Li. Taylor, Chas. Short, Wm. W. Greenough, &. Folsom, J. W, Jenks, and Mr, Harni «The wap object of the society ix to eueourage oriental studies in this country by collecting # library of books and manurcripts, by the publication of important voeabu- rer, ErMMAMATH, eebHyA, ULC, relMting Lo Asia, Afy and the isisuds, by correspondence with distinguished scholars in kurope, with foreign missiousrtes, eve, ‘Lhe rociety has already made ® good beginning in regard to a library, which will probably soon be removed to a room in the now Afhenwum buiiding More thaa 100 Valuable Chinese works baye been given to the Library by Dr. Jenks A volume of the journal of the society his just been completed in pearly 100 pages oo.avo. This has been brought cut mainly by Lie iadelatigabls care of the Corresponding Secretary, Prof. Salisbury, and is well worthy of the attention cf all who are laterested im the jearning and civilization of the east. ‘Phe priu- cipal articics wre (he two addresses of Mr. Pickering und Mr. Salirbury, letters from distinguished orien- tulirts, a treatise On Arabic music by Kev. Ell Sun notes on Arakan by Kev.G. 8. Cematock, comparati se ofthe principal negra dialvets of Africa JL, Wilson, Profestors Gibbs and Salisbury, Zulu language of South Atrica by Kev. J. C. Bryant and Kev. L. Grout; conquest of Persia by the Arabs, translated by Mr. P. Brown of Constantinople, identification of tiie signs of the Pertiun Cuneifoeu Ajphabet by Prof. Salisbury, aud om the present eon- Gition of the medical profession in Syria by Dr. Van Dyck of Beirut. Tbe esays read at the lave ineeting were ag follows:—Kemarks on Bursen's late work ow egypt by Prof. kLdwards of Andover, on the Etrarian auliquities in italy by I'rof Felton, an account of a translation from the Persian by Key. JL. Merriek, of the life aud doctrines of Mohammed by Rey, T- Parker, and the (rauflation of @ chapter of Chinese novel by Mr. Harnies, who resided @ number of years in Ching, ‘The plan of the operations of the society was somewhat eularged £0 6 FO Introduce & Classical section, of whieh Vrof. Beck was appointed Secretary The next meeting ill probably be Leid in New \ ork, in October. —Mesion vaveller, May 1¥, . Hienway Rossery ix Deowam, Mass.—Om Saturday forenoon, Mr. boenezer 5. Prescott, of Charlestown was robbed ip (he true Diek Turpie style. at the top of # bill in Dedhar, sbowt © mile the tcll-houre, Mr Preeeott war wowing siowls in bis chaise. when (he robber ndvecerd upon tim free he wood, slopped the hore drew = pistol, and de- anded Mr V's money, Seimg unarmed Mr PF obeyed Use fummous, by Lending Ube robber his wal- let, conteining $19, iv 7wo keperate solis. The rebber Urb questioned Mz F ebeut bis cireumsteness, and upon earning Leet be War nol & merchant, vor even the owner of the horse snd vebicle he was treveili with be maguanimously handed back to hia (he to “bick coulsined $¥, abd put off. Mr. P. is sure thet be sow the man in the morning, w! be was driving cut to Dedbam, and exchanged some words ebout the Gireetions of the roads. — Boston Peat, June 11, Joseph C. Corwin bas been sentenced to the State prison, by the kseex county court, of N.J., for tom years, for thw murder of Newton Lovejoy,