The New York Herald Newspaper, March 10, 1851, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. OUBLE SHEET. | i INTERESTING FROM CUBA. NINE BAYS LATER INTELLIGENCE. OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE, The stearaship Georgia, Capt. Porter, anived on Saturday night from Havana, whence she sailed on the 2d inet. We gave yesterday a few items of ateiligence. To-day we are enabled to give our correspondence. Our Havana Correspondence. Havana, March 1, 1851. ‘Spanish Population of Cuba— Restrictions upon Intercourse with Foreigners—Increated Visits of Amervan Steamers--Creole Intelligence--Neces- sary Improvement of the Masses--Elements for a Revolution—Ignorance of Commercral Advan- tages—Neutralizing Natural Advantages—In- creased Export Duty om Sugar—How the Tarif? imporitions Work—Moral tendency—The dread of Visits from American Steamers—Change of Religrom Necessary to a Long Residence--Tie Franciscan Convent and Commerce--General Conc!a’s Liberality—The Abuse of the Dearie, and its Effects--The Currency. The Spenish population here is of two classes. “Dhere are those who,coming yearsago,and entering “he shops, warehouses, and trades, have amassed ortunes ; yet, owing to their early want of instruc- tion, to prejudices, and the confinement of their faculnes to money getting, these, body, are only partially intelligent. Many of these return to Spain to spend their money. There are others of thia class who are only in the firat stages. Ge- nerally uneducated, prejudiced in religion and all other matters—as the Creoles will tell you—ex- ceedingly clanish, as soon as this industrious po- pulation have accumulated a little money, they in- vest it in some shop, or other business, on their own account. Formerly, a favorite investment was in an expedition to the African coast for slaves— the slave trade, when profitable, paying very large profits. When their business augments eo that they need assistance, they send to Spaia, never empleying a Creole. Another and more intelli- gent class of the Spanish here, is composed of those who are sent from Spaia to occupy official positions, civil and military—many of which were purchased of the Spanish government for a price. ‘These are indisposed, from their self iaterest, to favor the bringing about of any change in the ex- “sting order of things. In another respect than those treated of in pre- vious letters, let us see how Spain deals with this sland. intercourse with other people is hampered to an extraordinary degree. The traveller from the United States, finds his vessel off the Moro just after sunset. It is not permitted to enter the har- for, and jaust beat about in the rough sea until after sunrise the next morning. Then, being per- mitted to enter, he finds that certain (and often- times very uncertain) formalities must be gone through with. He has purchased for a high prices & passport of the Spanish Consul at his port of de- verture. ‘I'his is not found to be sufficient. A per- mit has to be procured and paid for. About noon, he finds himself permitted to goon shore. His lug- hae, however, to be sent to the Custom House or examination. On the following day, perhaps, he get it; next, he must procure surety for his og behavior while on the island. If he changes is residence, he is tracked, and the change re- corded. Then his permit must be registered, and « large fee is exacted. Within a week the secu- rity has been relinquished, but expenses are not eped. He wishes to visit the interior. A per- mit has to be sought at some office, for which an- other large fee is exacted. Well, he returas from the interio! would now leave the island. He muet ugaia seek the office, and, at agreat expense of some six to eight dollars, he procures permission to bid adieu to this inhorpitable country. He goes, shaking the dust from his feet. Aecustomed to the freedom andthe countess bleetings of his own country, which he now feels that he has never before sufficiently ap- i recie’ embittered by these aad ost of minor nnoyences—armong others, a consciousness of ‘eing the subject of a constant espionage—embit- sored wgainst the governing power, he goes resolv. ing not soon to make another visit, not until there shall exist another order of government here; aad bis fervent prayer is, thet that time may not be far listen Js not Spain overreaching herself by the stringency of her measures ? Prot the first of April next, ali the steamers, of all the lines from New York to New Orleans and Shagres, will put into this port, ia passing to “ro, thes doubling the preseat steam communica tion between the two countries, and the numbers | of visiting Americans. Can Spain devise ao more hospitable mode of treatment for her neighbors? Surely, the United States govern t, in their conduct respecting two ill-advised schemes of ad- ventuious invasion, have merited the hig! respectful consideration of Spain. She iy can not fear through that chanzel any act of violeace to her rights But on this poiat [ have spoken be- ore. Something she does tear. | After all the annoyaaces of passports, permite, | miliary eepionage, &c., that iung him unfavora- bly with respect to this countr ratified to tind existing a deg’ Hderality of sentiment, an a rinciples of commercial iree his observations and experience ia many othe! <pects. For his annoyances, he finds hi suaily indebted to Spain’s manoer of govern he country. What he observes with pleasure, he ssually fiads existing among the creoles. Yet the m f the cree: those living through- p istand, comprising the clas anal far tere, aod following other occupations, weer the effect of the manner in Which they have been go- verned Awed and ignorant, they chaife, and without understanding anything more of the an- nexation ery than t t denotes a change and | hberty—of the advantages end eat responsi- | bilities of which they have but » ideas—they t ope ‘Theretore, it is cessful revolution, sucee “vent of acompiete going over to the American | em, are not ripe here. Triamphe would be collowed by bianders, blunders by cissens: As to the Spanish population, we have seen that some are too ignorant and pr dito uaderatand what would be the tenden * liberal com- mercial poley; and othe igeat, wre too wofitably employed any innovations, | as they regard th rtunately, | s A be awake to the i} | ciation of the true | at variance with advant not the domi vetue to thi would result in a great impro by means of which they make fortunes and live It is alike the interest of Spaniards and Creoles here, e it is the mterest of Spai the gilte which a vountifal Providence has liberally bestowed upon | bis island, should be em ployed to advantage and * not rendered null. I have, in @ previous | said, that not more than two-thirds of the eugar e ates pay enough, beyond the hire of the negro mployed, to yield more than interest oa the other apital invested. No proiit is, therefore, on one- third of the estates, made out of this capital, no tura of compensation for the planter's attention and risk of crop. Allthe advantages that should he derived from the favorable soil and climate are ost. In short, the gifts of Providence are neutral. zed fons of $9 duty per barrel on flour, of *7) cents export duty per box on sugar, Wc., new ralize thove advantages of eoil end climate, which, f permitted, would yield the planter a profit ena- | low him to defy competion. ‘The neutralizing of | he gifta Providence has bountitully bestowed on ne country ie a loss toall other countries, who, by reely exchanging their own peculiarly favored pro- vetions for those of that country, might partici+ ate in its advantages, as it would in tara partici- ate in theirs. Of late the government have incre: he sugar exported, without any dim * sich an im- of the island as nent of that trade | | po the im received in exchang ny on sugar wae for 374 cents ¢w imposition is of itional 56 cents sew duty has been farmed out for rnvm, by the government. The cial returns | combined military and church despotism, have | of his liberali | More to the sp | thing 1s theught pessible that is not do | upon the who pays $750,000 for the privilege of collectiag it jose anything. Certainly not. He well knows that the actual emount exported will be nearer 2,500,000 boxes then 1,200,000. The contractor and the exporters have, it will readily be seen, @ z joint interest in defrauding the government. 1s not considered 68 a frand here, inasmuch asthe go- veroment has openly made its bargain relinguishi: the chances of getting even less than it has leosived from him, knowing well that i i of duties make it the interest of all parties to cheat government when it attempts to collect those im- positions Putting also but slight confidence in the honesty of those officers it employs, it seeks to avoid the risk of cheatery at their hands, through their receipt of bribes that would cause to diminish materially the amount of exports (and of imports wo,) returned. Well, the contractors and export- ers have, we will say, a joint interest in making money out of this bargain government has made with its eyes open. The contractor wishes the amount returne otictally. as exported, to be less than it actually 1s, in order that government and others may not know his profits by the contract. The exporter wishes to be relieved from a portion of his burden of duties to pay. For an exportation of 3,000 boxes he will perhaps enter 2,000. For the 1,000 he compromises with the contractor, by pay ing half rates. The customs official is perhaps si- lenced by a doceur, which is clear profit to him. So is it with importations: a Vea entered, say one-half. The officer 1s verbally informed of the pre- sence of the remaining portion of the merchandise. This, of course, is open to arrangement. That ar- rapgeiment has become asettled ragtter. Ofthe duty on that portion, one-third is withheld by the con- signee, one-third is paid over by him to the cus- toma officer, and one-third is retained by the cus- tom- house broker, through whose hands all this business of entering goods is done, as it is, toa great extent, in New York. tis no uncommon thing to see these custom house ingpectors, and custom house brokers, living in a style involving an expeaditure of $5,000 or $6,000 a year, while inspector’s salaries are leas than one theusand, and the brokers’ regular com- miseions certainly not much more. {n the case of this contract for the export duty on sugar, and in reepect to exportations and im- portations generally, it may appear that, by the system practised, a portion of the duty is saved, and thus, indirectly, the burthen of the tanff im- positions lightened. But see the moral ten- dency of this neutralization—these tariff bur- hens. If Spain permits any advantage, it is not openly given in acknowledgment of, and obedience to, correct principles, but matters are so arranged that it must be obtained by fraud, if at all; and thus, for fraud, bribery, and corruption, she opens the door with her own hand, and invites her subjects to enter. Indeed it appet to be the quality attaching to almost every law, act, and regulation, by means of whioh Spain governs this island, to encourage the immoral, and to operate entirely through the viler passions and tendencies of human nature. Nothing appears to be based upon a supposition of the ex- istence of integrity, virtue, or intelli in Spaniards, creoles, or foreigners. Not is ar- ranged so as to have the slightest influence toward creating or animeting those qnalities; but everything seems calculated for the eflect of crushing, extin- guishing, and forever destroying them. This is strong language, but truly I must that, without the slightest desire or intention of saying aught offensive toward the Spanish govern- ment, 80 much has forced itself upon my obser- vation, not the tithe of which have I pretended to detail in these letters—so many abuses, merely to catalogue which would exceed my limits and dis- = your readers, that I could not sy lees, without oing violence to my respect for truth—to my love for the principles ot free trade. Nevertheless, it does not follow that revolution 1s the only panacea yet left for these ills. The elements for a radical change by annexation do not exist—facts stated, and to be stated, combine with this to show that there may be an interval during which Cuba can remain attached to Spait even if she does not remain Pre omnes attached. And if detached, it may be done by peaceable pur- chese—because Spain is bankrupt. I said that something Spain doee fear—a fear of the visits of the American steamers covering an invading party—a dread lest their ious holds may hide bedies of armed troops. iculous as it may appear to Americans, such a fear is seriously entertained by the government here—so seriously that the question is now under debate how to ac- camplish the object of securing themselves against this bugbear, without violation of treaties--so apxiousiy, that it is proposed to limi: the stay of the steamers in the port of Havana to three hours. One must needs smile, and one recolleets that when a finger is put upon the teakettle’s spout, the steam will burn that finger, and further than that, the lid of the kettle will rise An American gentleman, who has extended his visit to the island to three mon‘hs, informs me that he yesterduy sought to procure from the au- thorities a letter of domiciliation. He was required to declare himes!f Catholic, Ap lic, and Roman. Not being able to s r conscientiously that his religion was Koman Catholic, the letter was re- fused, and he was obliged (having been here three mogths) at once to apply for his passport of de- yarture. Failing to leave the island within three months from the date of his ernval would subject the foreigner to a fine ef from tifty to one thousand pilars, at the dis: its. when ciliation, all privilege: ght of seeking redress from his own cow venereal Concha is, 1 understand, sme colleciing information, for the purpose of intelli- gently eflecting various reforms in the government of the island, Under euch circumstances, his office will certainly be no sinecure. My steps often lead me past the massive walls of @ building that, from Its imporing appearance, at once attracts the atten- ton. Its grates, its celis, its belfry, d&c., declare its encient uses. It was @ Frencisean convent But # change has come over this mass of stone and iron. The widely opened doors, the rolling in and out of caske, bales und boxes, the sound of active voices proclaim its new use as a warehouse for the storege of merchandise. The powers that he recognire in thie atype of the light y wealth that a free commerce and its concomitaats may here substitute for the darkness, the inactivity, the bendage and their corruptions that, uader a way fettered the minds and bodies of Cubens. Powerful commerce will make its way in Cuba as else- where. General Concha must not forget com- merce and 1's interests, if he would reform suc- cessfully. Every day furnishes some new mstance and determination to conform urit of the age than has been the habit of preceding Captains-General. It he has wisdom enough to eee and act upon the necessit of this conformity to its full extent, he will merit the esteem of Christendom. The propositionema- nating from him that Spain will permi: the election of the Havana corporation to be made here, is an instance illustrative of his views. Toe s1¢gestion Gres his lipe) that the ruins of the old theatre oa the Alemeda be removed tomake room tor a hotel for strangers visiting Havane, has «ite a strangely liberal sount, as comiog from a Captain-General of Cuba. The prompt manner in which he re- cently ordered the punishment of a seatry who had insolently raised the butt of hia gun toward an American gentleman, is quite refreshiogly pleasant But the manner in wiiich the Duarte of th permitted daily to vomit forth its filthy ever is American, whilst a strict censorsh'p caste out whatever of @ more favorable character might eppear in the Faro, the liberal paper here, is stale and disagreeable. The evil efivet of this is, that foreigners are led to doubt the sincerity ot General Voncha’s professions ; and Americans, in spite of themeelves, will find their favorable im ione growing out of his liberal acts, neu- | ed by the unfavorad'e efiect of this permitted | ebuee of the Duarte. And thus Americans are aggravated into a state of feeling that hails every token of invasion and revolution with delight, when perheps another course would permit them to occupy a neutral and more coneerva:ive ground. | In consequence of the low rate of exchange and | scarcity of current coin, the question of receiving foreign coin is still agitated. Here, where all | metters, political, economice!, social, and religions, | hove long bren reguleted by government, and no- | vader its monopoly grants, decrees, &e, vo idea of any other method than by means of a political decree | would suggest itself to this people. The sounder | econemics! princitles would teach them that the propet course is to permit the legal nder to reat ec of the & bh mintage, where it | interference find its limit the nd le asein the volame of enrrency to be efiectod through the action of the | bosiness community, with whom it should reat, to receive ard pay out the foreign coin non a com. mon vnderstandiog, as their disposition may favor A disposition th the channe!s of trade, is al- ways subeervient to the business needs. ‘If the Now repose Havana, Mareh 3, 1851. Amertcam Coin and Cuban Currency--Salvr’s En- gagement--The Opera Season--Engagements-- The Steamer Georgia—Monwment to Colon-- Last of the Carnival, &c., &c. There seems to be but one theme in the whole of this city, at this time, and that is whether or not American gold coin shall be allowed to pass current here. The adverse state of exchanges makes it desirable that there should be some other corrector of the fluctuations in these, and it has been seriously proposed that government should declare the American and English gold coin as currency. Nearly all of the papers are advocating its admission ia one way or another, and many bankers, merchants, and traders are already admit- ting it in their transactions. There seems to be not the slightest doubt that, within a month, it will be current here, at least by public consent,when some good operations will be made in exchanges by remitting American eagles, and purchasing bills at five per cent discount, which is to day the cur- rent rate on your city. From what I see and hear, I believe it is only the scarcity of the coin now that circulation. The planters are all rabidly of it, because they hope it will improve the prices of sugar, which, doubtless, it will have a tendency to do. The opera season is over, and the em giving a few extra performances, in o} sario is to bring out * Robert le Diable,”’ which is to be performed on Thursday next. Salvi, our “gran tenore,” goes to Eu! in the next direct steamer. I am told that he has made an arrangement with Bar- num, to sing in London twenty nights with Jenny Lind, for : 000, and that there is aclause in the contract, by which he 1s ebliged to go to your city in case the “ Nightingale” should not cross the Atlantic next summer. So, there is very little doubt that you will have the benefit of him 1a New York. Great prognostications are made, with re- spect to the coming troupe for the next two sea- sons. Ste! has been engaged; Marini can have an engagement, should he choose, with the understanding that another ‘basso profundo asao- luto”’ will be procured also, and that no money will be spared to get one of the first rank—Bosio leaves here—Ciee ali, “ baritone,” is Te-engaged. The Ravels are performing, on the off nignis, to crowded houses. The Georgia arrived two days since and was announced to leave, as usual, yesterday at three o'clock, and is still in port. After several hours’ delay, thoee of her passengers wno chose to pay a dollar, were liceneed to land. The vexations of permit, delays, &c., attendin; that few have a themselves of the “ permis- It is somewhat surprising that the owners and agents of this line should not make some effort to have these annoyances to their passengers removed. It certainly prevents many from coming po hag will prevent many more, as it becomes nown. A plan is on foot to erect a magnificent monu- ment, worthy of the Queen of the Antilles, to Cristobal Colon. No place could be more ap- propriate. Here, where his ashes rest, should the marble raise its head to his honor. The propoeed site is the present “Campo Marte,” ona yar of which it is intended to build a magnificent theatre. Yesterday was the last day of the carnival, anda more perfect pandemonium than wae this city last night, can ecarcely be conceived. he Ohho has not yet arrived. this are 80 great, Our Peruvian Correspondence. Cattao, Feb. 9, 1351. Insurrection among the Slaves— The Deaths of Pur- ser Storer and his Wtfe—Amerwan Vessels— The Presidentral Election. There has been a rising of the slaves on the farms near Truxillo, a town to the north of this place, which has caused considerable sensation, as they, ia number about 500, are all armed, and took possession of the town. The cause of this is, that a law was published in 1824 giving freedom to all progeny of slaves, born after that daie, after twenty-one years service, which law has not been complied with. Troops are going down to the north in order to quel this movement. Mr. L:dward Storer, a purserin the U. 3. Navy, embarked with his wite, in Panama, for this place; but from some cause unkaown, both died within two days of each other; but nothing positive is known, both bodies having been buried at sea. Great numbers of American vesgels are arriving at this port, in ballest, from San Francisco and Panama, all seeking freights; and as there is nothing offering but guano, the rates are very low, say $12 per ton, and £3 5s. to Cork, for orders. An extraordinary Congress has been called, to meetin March, for the Eeess of electing a Pre- sident. UD. Rufino Echenique is the candidate most likely to be elected, although there are others, viz , D. Domingo Elias, General Vivanco, General San Roman, Generel Bermudez, and others The railwsy between this port and Lima is pro- | gressing rapidly, and will be eoacluded probably in April. = Nothing else of interest. y Correspondence, Aunany, Mareh 6, 1851, Superintendent of the Banking Department When the General Banking law went into opera: tion, some ten or twelve years ago, it was inade the duty of the Compiroller of the State to superintend its operations. Not only was he required to attend 'o the organization of the free banke, and the issu- ‘ng of bills to them, but he was enjoined also by the law to take under his charge all the so-called safety fund banks, which had previously been un- der the supervision of the Bank Commissioners When this additional duty was thrown upon the Comptroller, it was remarked by many who aatici- pated what has cecurred, that it was a burthen with which that officer should not have imposed oa him: These responsibilities having increased to such an | exient, in the multiplication of banks under the pre- sent system, that the Comptroller has been com- He ask a deliverance from them. According- f, a Fill has been submitted in the House of Assem- bly by Mr. Underwood, from Cayuga, creati an officer,” to be deer dent of the Banking n provides for disconnecting the eflurs of the banks | entirely from the Comptroller's office, and creating, es they sey in Congress, another, * because of tne government.” All parties acknowledge the neces- sity of this errangement, and that it should be | seperate and distinct from the Comptroller's office, | and made independent of all others, and placed in 4 position of equal importance with any ovher of the State offices. To this opinion ail have arrived; but | as the bill purposely contains strong political features, it cannot be adopted into a law, unless forced through by a political vote, which will ren- | der it obnoxious to one if of the people. The Oar au | feature to which | aliude 1s the section which pro- vides that the Superintendent shall be chosen and eppointed by the Governor and Senate. This pro- ject is certainly @ retrograde movement. Every other State offices is chosen by the people, and why thie important officer should be singled out, to be propelled by # political engine, is eomewhat surpris- ing, when the fact is teken into consideration that | the present party in power generally concede to the people the right to elect all the public officers which it 18 practicable to do. Irreapecti of ite political bearing, there is enother reason why the power of ointment shovld pot be confided in the hands of a single in- dividual, or ina mojority of seventeen Senators. Under the benking law, aperintendrnt must be extremely guarded in his dealings with the hordes of men who are daily forming asaociations | under the law. Certain stocks are to be deposited in the depertment as a security for circulating peper; all the plates are therein deposited, and bilis engraved under the direction of the Superintendent Aud from whet hes heretofore happened, it may be readily tnferred similar transactions may ain occur. [tis well enough known that tem of appointments, influences wer beer which could not be resieted, which ope: on ‘the appointing power to the manifest deirim ofthe public service And it may be so again: will be on easy matter for a combination of bankers, etpecially of the Icading ones tof the State, so to eflect end secure the appointment of aman whom = cheeen bnsiners community eeree to rocept the foreign coin es enrreney, the volame will expand and treet with the flow of trade and movement of chenece, more of the foreign coin being need w or 1850 will show about 1,200,000 boxes exported, +s | learn from what should be good au . At le tote imposed, thie new duty would the 11 Ye.nment about $600,000, Does the contractor theee create a deme eas when the dema folleeff In this way a great princip's that limite the interference of goveraments wich commerce end curreney, Will escape violation, Leon be so framed asto divest it of as much polit possible, it will pr to make it ncee nteadent should be chosen be neat November election, hia t placed Of the rame ticket with tne o officcs#, thea to be ghowen, a bial tae peay | tory, no search was me they desire, without creating among the peowle the | ce it Heoét suspicion that a favorite of their's had been | notericns pirate chief) men; that he (ibe eaptein) | burgh Jew The object ian laudable one, and if the liw | | porions we wes Comin enh MORNING EDITION----MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1851. have aa opportunity of canvassing his merits, qualificatione, and worthiness,for the important station. In such an event, there will be no danger of the influence of banks—there will be no delega- tions of interested speculators imploring the execu- tive for the reconsideration, nor any lobbying around the Senate chamber to feel the pulses of senators. Let the people take the matier in hand, and they will select an individual in whom implicit confidence can be reposed. Itis already threatened, by the democrats that ifthe whigs force the bill through as it now stands, that they will make an issue at the polls; and if the political character of the next Legislature shail be reversed, they will make effortto repeal the law. Political legis! ation never ensues to the benefit of either party. Axuany, March 8, 1851. Slow Progress in the Leguslature—Public Plun- der—General Laws which shoud be Passed— Whigs Repentong for Keeping Mr. Schoonmaker 1m his Seat. Both Houses of the Legislature adjourned over from yesterday until Monday. This practice has been followed quite regularly during the session ‘hus far; out as it draws to a close it may be abandoned. The opening of the river has afforded members an epportunity to visit their homes, and nearly all those residing in the city of New York, Long Island, Staten Island and the river counties, are absent from the city to-day. Maay of them have not previously visited their families since leaving for the capital, on the first of January. It is remarkable, that so much time is always spent in useless harangues, and unprofitable speeches merely for buncombe. Already more than two thirds of the time allotted has been con- sumed; and notaswingle transaction of public im” Portance has been accomplished. All the time, thus far, has been spent in the consideration of pri- vate and personal matters, for the especial benefit of a crowded, insolent and unscrupulous lobby, in constant apnoyance. The lobby has been well re- presented, as usual, by hordes'of,canal contractors, who succeed, during every winter, in obtaining the passsege of bills amounting to several thousands ot dollars, for alleged damages which they have sus- tained in their contracts. ,This system of plunder- ing the treasury has been in operation ever since the stoppege of the public works, in 1812. Millions upon millions have thus been drawn from the trea- sury; and althopgh the members of the Legislature of every session, are fully aware of the many impo- sitions, still every succeeding Legislature are per- suaded to follow in the “footsteps of their predeces- sors.” The applicants for canal damages now be- fore the Legislature, are as numerous as at say previous one, and they will be equally successful. There are onty a few public laws which ought to be adopted. The School bill stands first on the list, and although it has undergone several days discussion in the House, there is yet no prospect of a speedy settlement of the question. The cities are arrayed on one side, in maintaining the present law, and the rural districts on the other, in favor of a new law, which shall tax the whole property of the State for the support of common schools. This fact was fully developed at the last election, whea the votes of the cities sustained the present law, and overbalanced the country votes. The bill to equalize assessments throughout the State, is also one of much importance. It has been in the hands of a Committee of the House for seve- ral weeks, butas yet no agreement has been made upon a bill. The Committee are vigilantly inves- uga the subject, und endeavoring to devise a method whereby many millions of heretofore un- taxed property can be effectually reached. {t 18 as- serted that upon an average, one quarter of the per- sonal property in the State, annually eecapes taxa- tion. It should be brought to light. The bills fer regulating the tolls on raihoads, and for establishing the rate of mterest, and in relation to usury, aiso ofa character which should be speedily acted upen; but ae private matters take ference, i at either of the pubdlic ills will be reached during the session. Within the last three days a question ras arisen among the whigs, as to whether the majority in the Senate acted wieely in voting to retain Mr. Schoon- makerin his seat, he having beenelected to Congress. It is declared, we some whose opinions are worth regarding, that his remaining in the Senate, after the fourth of March, is a virtual declension of his seat in Copgress. A protest will be sent to Wash- ington to meet him in December next, claimin: that a vacancy exists in the tenth Congressional district of this State, and the fact of his beiag re- tained in the Senate by a strict whig,vote, will have great weight with a democratic House of Represen- ss aR magistrates, they had a meeting to inquire into the a . The next day after they had met, the vea- sel departed, the captain saying he waa going to seek for his frend, but that he would soon be back, and that if on his return they would not allow him to dig, he would force them. The day following, about 300 men end boys went to dig with hoes, spades, &c., but without euccess. However, two men at George Town, who were in possession of the “‘seeret,”” but had not assisted at the general digging, went together early in the morning of the 4th of February to see if they could discover any traces of the hidden treasure. After they had dug for some time, they discovered three large stones, two laying edgeways, and the other on the top, marked in large letters, MY x P. They dug to a depth of about four feet, and then, from some un- known cauges, suddenly left off. The custos has, in the meantime, decreed that they should remain inactive until the return of the American, when they purpose dividing the money, if found. Seve- ral parties have been digging at the east end of the island, but they have only found several skulls, and the skeleton of a man upon some rocks. People here are mostly engaged in digging and telling their dreams, &c. Tabular View of the Asteroids. Cuarteston (S. C.) Onservatory, Feb. 12, 1851. The course of Astronomical discovery for the last five years has been so rapid, that it is difficult to keep pace with it if the attention be but for a short time averted. The enumeration merely, of all the members of the solar system now known, can be accomplished§by ping Sli In the last year alone three new ones have been added. Fixing our attention, for the present, on the Asteroids only, we propose presenting to those interested in astro: nomical studies, a tabular view of the chief facts telating to these bodi The numbers of the known Asterotds, or small plapete, whose orbits lie between those of Mara and Jupiter, now amount to thirteen. The following table gives their names 1n order of discovery, date of discovery, name ai residence of discoverer, and their mean distances from the Sun, that of the Earth being called 1:— Names, Date, Discow'r, Plice. M dist 1. Ceres 1801, Jan 1 Piazzi | Paermo 2766 2 Pallas 1802, Mar28 Olbers Bremen 9,774 3. Juno 1804, Sept 1 Harding Lilienthal 2671 4 Vesta 1807, Marz? Olbera Bremen 2,361 5. Asti 1845, Dec, 8 Hencke Driessen 2 6. Hi 1847, July 1 Hencke Driessen 7. Tris 1847, Augl3 Hind London 5 8. Flors 1847,0ot 18 Hind London 2 22 9 Metis 1848, Apr 25 Graham Markree 2388 10. Hygela 1849, Apr12 Gasparis Naples 3,122 11. Parthnope 3850,May11 Gasparis Naples 2410 12 Clo 1860, Septi3 Hind = London 2.330 13. not named 1850, Nov. 2 Gasparis Naples uok'n The following table exhibits thei in the order of mean distances from the with the greatest and least distances from that luminary, which each at- teins during {the revolution in its elliptic orbit ; their periodic times in days; the iachuutions of their orbits to that of the earth; the longitude of the nodes, or position on the earth’s orbit; of the line in which the plane of the orbit of each inter- secta that of the earth: the place of the perihelion, or point of least dis‘ance from the euna; nd lastly, the eccentricity in decimal parts of mean distance. The inclination, place of node, and place of perihe- lion, are expressed in degrees and minutes:— PRICE TWO ——— CENTs. ADDITIONAL CALIFORNIA NEWS. The following ietter was received at San Fran» cisco on the Ist ult., by the steamer Chesapeake, and is the very latest from the (old Bluff. [¢ came to Messrs. Gregory & Co :— Taisipsn: Jan. 2¢, 1851. Since the Gold Bluff excitement broke out, there have arrived here five vessels, bringing in all five hun- dred paesengers and a large amount of freight. Thit is without doubt to be # permanent ond growing Place. The Klamath mines are richer and more ex- tensive than any other in Califormia, and nearer and more accessible from this point than aay ether. ‘There are large numbers leaving daily for the mines. Pack mules are wanted here. and demand a be rice two to three hundred dollars. The Gol \uite ‘ked for many years. are inexhaustible, and will be wor! By the way, several men who have come down from there to-day, are offering large pri Pacific Mining Company's buildi up rapidly here. Several large hotel the soil here is immensely rich, being from three to four fast Seep ot venet ble formation. settlipg ray aroun , “— W. LINSLEY, Acext or Grecour's Brenna. Mews from the Gold Bluffs, {irom (he Alta California, Feb. 1.) Herewith we give the account of our reporter, whom we sent upon the Chesapeake for the gpe- cial purpose of seeing and reporting the facts re- specting that region, which has caused so much excitement lately. He has been and returned, and gre the public the result of his observations. He a8 no object in coloring his account, and hed he, we are certain would not doso. His reports here- tofore have always stoed the This much we say, having imp! faith in his statement of tacta this, as in his previous repo} The steamer Chesapeake arrived from Gold Blufis this mort ing, with about fihy passengers. The accounts from the Gold Bluffs, through au- thentic eources, confirm the previous reports of tne auriferous nature of that region. Having seen the yee mer, we are prepared to speak positively on the subject. The Biuils are about thirty miles north of Trini- dad, and to reach them is a matter of no slight fatigue. High hills and deep gulches are quite a relief after travelling twenty mules ancle deep in beach sand. A The Gold Bluffs present to the ocean a perpen- dicular front ot from one to four hundred feet im height, and extend a distance of about six miles. At the base there is an abundance of talcose slate mixed with quartz, and we were shown specimens of quartz gold, though in very small quantities. At times the ocean breaks against the bluffs, rendering travelling along the beacha very hazardous matter, 1 ays tegether ; but in ordinary weather r the toot of the bluffs is from twenty to fifty yards in width. The beach is a mixture of grey and black sand. In some places the black sand covers the surface to the depth of an eighth of an inch, and can be casily gathered, t h we must say that during our stay at the blufia, the ex- hibitions of black sand in any great abundance were rare. It is found mixed with scales of gold, very y ordiaary fine,--so fine that it cannot be separated by washing. The beach changes with every tide, and occasionally uo biack sand is to be seen upon the surface. In diggin into the beach, the grey and black sand is found mixed together, the grey largely predominating. In the rilis which trickle down the bluffs, the gold 1s to be found in quanti- lies perheps greater Unan im the black sand. The Chesapeake landed several tons of Lo a 2 © F te ee a ee oe ee: 586 2547 1,193 5.53 110.18 $2.00 0.157 ‘Sia 7803 und 833 tis goto & 27 16) 2.573 1/825 7.00 303.25 250.47 0.039 $4 2935 1,342 5 BK 25948 414! O ZI O83 2681 LMG 5.8 OBZ 7033 O.119 87 208 USI) MAT 138.30 14 SL 0 2 2218 2,602 1,392 439 125.37 316.05 0. U9 094 S061 BLL 6.19 141.25 135.21 0 Ths aT We 47.46 0.07 2:08 31438 1687 34.88 172 44 121-22 0.200 24 2539 8405 2015 8.47 257.56 296.40 0.091 The iast discovered planet is not found in this table, as no computations of the elements of the orbit have yet reached us, though the discovery dates more than three months snce; so slowly does scientific intelhgence from the continent of Europe reach this city. Of the thirteen asteroids, three have been dis- covered by Hind, of London, three by Gasparia, of Naples, two encke, of Driessen, two by O1 of Bremen, while Piazzi, of Palermo, Harding, o} Lilienthal, and Graham, of Markree, have each discovered one . With regard to the inclinations of the orbits, eight out of twelve have an inclination of less than 10 deg., and are therefore nearly within the limi of the inclinations of the larger planets; the other four, Ceres, Juno, Hebe, and Pallas, have inclina- tions of 10, 13, 14 and 34 degrees respectively. The nodes of Hebe and Astra approach coin- cidence within 3 deg.; those of Junoand Pallas ap- proximate soll more closely ; while the ascending node of Ceres is within 1 deg. of the descending lative and as the question as to his being a me ber of Con, ress was decided in the negative by his a friends in the Senate of this State, it nite ikely that the democratic majority in the House of Representatives wil take that decision as a kind of precedent, when they shall be called upon, as they will be, to pass tinal judgment ia his case. fact will bear heavily aga and that is, that every member of the New York | Senate, who has heretofore been elected to Con- vees—ihree in all—has promptly vacwted his seat , in the Senate, considering himseif constitutionally dieqwalified to remain after the third of March. Mr. Schoonmeker being denied a se: gress, Governor Hunt will order a spe: to fill the vacancy; the whigs will re-nominate Mr. Schoonmaker. he district is composed of the counties of Ulster and Delaware, ordinarilya strong democratic district, but gave him a majority of 716 Jost fall, on account of his professions of anti- rentiam. When the time for that special election arrives, the democracy of the district and of the whole State, will be prepared for action. That party has @ great ipterest at stake, aud it being of such great meguitude and importance to them, that they will not tuflera defeat, let happen what may. The next Presidential election is approachiog, and the probabilities now are that the chair for President and Vice President will devolve upon the next Houre of Representatives. Had Mr. rermained a member of Coogrese, York, empire as she would no voice in that election, be her Congressioual repre- But in the event of in Con- | us: sentatives are equally divided. another election in the Tenth district, and the de- mocrats should elect their man, the State of New York will vote at Washington for a President, and very likely her vote would make a choice Such are the facts and considerations upon which the leading whigs are beginning to reflect. If it Was important in a party point of view to have Mr. Schoonmakei’s vote for the purpose of carrying throvgh the Legislature a few party bills here, how much more important would his vote have been to the whig party in preventing the election of a demeo- eretic President of the United States? Many dis- creet whig polilicisos begin to think they will not be able to poy * Peter for the robbery of ia Searcuine ror ‘Treasvre--FRom rie CayMa nas --The following particulars of a recent search fer buried treasures, w it was alleged bid been the work of some pirates my years ago, at the Cay manas, were promised to be supphed to us, says the Kiogston (Jam ) Jewrnal of the but the promise not having been rede have aveiled ourselves of them as they appear in the columns © ure interesting, but on account of the preposterous- ness of the whole affair, which none but the Cay- mans people woul believe, and waste eo much of their time in searching, as they did, for the $500,- 000 in doubloona :-- On the 10th Dee. last, an American schooner, of about twenty tons burthen, called the Elm ne to George Town, Grand Cayimanas, and th reported to the health officer, T. S. Waite that the vessel was from New Orleans, with patehes to a commercia! howse in Kingston, being short of water, he had called ia to get a sup- ply. The schooner remained in Georgo Town six days, and then removed to an inlet, used as a shel- ter for veesels in bad weather. Persons resident in Georgetown gave information to the aushorities there to the eflect that the evlooner had on board arme, ammunition, &c., and that they etrongly suspected the crew to be buccaneers. The Captain was thereupon questioned as to the correctness of e deport, but he ssid he had oxly half a dozen je on beard, and the same aumber of guns a swords; sven explanation b el satiate renvaia hh time the in the cove wotil Chris a nt why Captein communicated # secret to two persons, ut as, al the seme time ewearing thei not to divulge it, He soid that they hed come for the purpose up money at ® certain er nt of vs; that the captain was one of “Gibbs's” (the end four others had » sited thie mopey at the spot allad 0 dep’ athe had aly He thea Iorge trea which w rvlace, but he weve toll tha 4 them T . BtCCO betug Diouyat wader tae cogais sac v tak One | Vesta, 7 degrees asunder, inst him at Washington, | of Hygeia between them. election | martkable approximations or i 4 contemporary, not because they | Me | end coon communicate: tigaing | forts of the firemen failed in saving the eburch Jace in the island, to the | ond it is now a mase of ruins, anked and blacke 500,090 ia doubloons and other gold | ed walle slone remaining f his com: | node of Iris, and at nearly equal distances of 25 deg. Ftom this point, on each side, lie the descend- | ng node of Cho, and the ascending node of Vest: 4, the ascending node of Metis being also included | between the descending nodes of Irisand Clio. [a | enother group lie the ascending nodes of Flora and | with the descending node | The node of Parthe- | nope lies between the first and laet mentioned groups. | Asa result of this distribution of the nodeg and | inclinations, no two of the orbits, when all are | traced on a celestial! globe or — ere, approach | very near coincidence, yet re are several re- | ersect of three or more in certain regions. The orbits of Hebe, | Ceres, and Pallas, thus traced, intersect the one, the other near a point whose celestial longitude is | about 188 degrees, and north latitude 11 degrees, ro that they Would each pass through a circle of | about one degree in diameter described about that | point es acentre. At 190 of longitude, and LI of | north latitude, a circle of two degrees diameter | would inelude portions of each of their orbits. The orbits of Flora, Vesta, Metis, Parthenope, Asticea and Juno, approach so near each other «bout longitude 197 and north latitude 5, that they would intersect a circle about 3 degrees in diame- ter deseribed about that point. At 190 of longitude and 5 north latitude, a cirele of about 1 degrees would be required. The remaining three whose orbits are kaown, Clio, Ins and Hygeia, would intersect a circle a degree and a halt in diameter described about a pomt in longitude 214, south latitude 3deg. At 19 of longitude and 5 of south latitude, a circle of | three deg. would include a portion of each orbit Hence it will be seen that at 190 deg. of longitude | occurs a remarkable grouping of the orbits. They are all there included in a zone of about 18 degs. in breadth, distributed in three groups, the ex- treme ones (three in each), 5 and 10 degs. dis‘ant the middle group of 6 orbits, and the two northern groups, containing 9 orbits, are in- din # zone about 8 degs. in breadth. An r point of remarkable grouping, is in longitude vorth lati 5, the orbits of Flora, Vesta, Par- | thenope, Astrova and Ceres, would here each in- | tereect a circle of about a degree in diameter; and four others, Clio, Iris, Metis and Hygeia, would intersect a circle of ddegs. with center in same longitude, and in 2deg. south latitade, the whole nine being incloded ina zone 8 degs. in breadth. ‘The orbits of the remaining three, Hebe, Juno and Palla widely from the rest at t The eccentricities oi the orbits are vari in severe] ceses so great, that the orbit of the most distant, Hygeta, does not, 1a dimension, entirely | include all the rest, but only t | nd Parthenope, the great being a little greater than the least distance of Hygeia, and in the orbits of the others the excess | ie still greater. In the case of Juno, the orbit is 80 ecoentne that, although only the nunth in order of mean distance, its least distance is less than that of Vesta, the third in order, and ite greatest distance nearly equal to that of Hygeia, the twelfth in order. | he periodic times follow the same order as the mean distances, sinoe they depend upon them, and vary from 1.200 to 2,000 days, or from three yeara three mouths to five years six months This cketch, imperfect as it is, presents at one view a number of facts and deductions which can be found embodied nowhere else at present. We | may return to the subject ata future time, to pre- | sent a complete table of the components of the solar | system at present known—a table much needed from the W®nerous additions resulting trom late | discoveries | Carron Berxen.—Between one and two o'clock yesteréay morning, (ames were discovered issuing trom the reas of the row of frame buildings oa the cornet of Smithfield and Sixth stre owned by Mr. M. O'C4 The fire sprend v rapidity, the Fifth Presbyterian | The utmost ef church, adjoming on Smithfield. th Putte The church waa wae partially insured nbeut €8 000, snd Wharr Dretaoy ey 50 feet of Fisk's whort, atthe North Br ly knows ag the Kortern Stemmbont whe lift Vast niet, alate ing with 1200 hnevels 1 stores, her of fy A owe at the bluffs, by means of lines extending the amer to the shore, and to which the casks com- taining the goods were attached. The surf ren- dered the landing in boats impracticable. The steamer was anchored nearly half a mile frem the and in sounding, (the lead being greased to witity of the bottom,) several particles of gold were drawn up Steamers in California. (from ube Alia California, Fob. 1.) The wonderful and almost magical growth of California is exhibited, as much ar in other maprer, by the increase of the means of steam Wansportation upon our coast and rivers Welt do we recollect the time, scarcely two years since, when a journey to Sacramento City was a weari- some sail of six or eight days, and the only possi- bility of travelling on our coast was by a transieat vessel that wes proceeding either up or dows, with merchandise. The most enormous r of transportation were charged, and the miners and settlers in the country were of course obliged to pay & corresponding price for goods and provisions. A change came o'er the spirit of the dream of California, One fine day the steamer California came pufling into our harbor, cheered on by the joud huzzes of the people as they crowded the hills that overlook the bay. This was the com- mencement of steam navigation amongst us. Bat one year ago at this time there were three steam- ere, the Oregon, Panama, and Califorota, eng: in transporting passengers and merchandise tween this port and Pana: and the idea of tr: veiling to Oregon in four days was then uabroached. On the still waters of the Sacramento, between here and Sacramento City, two boats, the Senator and McKim, made tri-weekly tripe; and on the Stocktoa route not more than two small boats ram, The jittle iron steamer Pire Fly occasionally made tripe to Senta Clara, when she was able to baflle the strong winds of the bey, and one or two pony powers had penetrated the banks of the Sacra mento and San Joaquin, above Sacramento City and Stockton. ‘The following is a list of the steamers at present engaged in the con ce of passengers and mer- chandise upon our coxet and rivers. Most of thens are fitted up with regard to neatness and comfort— beaatifi ship Company's Line—G many of them witb aa eye to th Pacific Mait 5 Meredith, Tons. JIgent "one. . Pearson, comm der. .. Budd @. . -Whiting, do. Rendall, do, Watkins, do. do. do ry Nicholson, do. a 70. Line— Oliver Chartick, Ag Columbu MoGowen, commander Antelope. . .... Ackley. do Isthmue. -Ottinger, do Republic... ...... Hudson. do. Steamers running between San Francisca and Oregon Gold Hunter. .... Gail, commander. Sen@ull........ Eyre, ao Mail steamers, monthly Stea ing (0 Geld Bluff and Trinidad Ba Cheva: . Pacitic M Gen Warren J ML Tite Goliah, ‘ -Thomas..... Chas. Minturn. Steamers runnirg between San Diego and the Intermediate Ports Constitution... . . Bissell. WO. eee cece « dl 7 New Orleans, Wood Tunt, Benicia. Tehama Steamers vunning between San PF WilsonG. isco and Secramente City Mejor Tompkins. .Moaby Ogden & Hayes New World, . .... Hutchings. Chaa Minturn. Senator .. Van Pel . do HT. Oley. .... . Murray. Thompsou & Co. Wert Point Keleey s,s. +. George H. Reed, Confidence Vassaait & Co Hartford ..... vod Mieke California. . Sieamers run sca and Stockton, Union, ... 7. T Smith Capt. dutter -Jamer Biale. Eldorado... ..... Robertson. ...« Sen Joaquin Moore...... Erastus Corning. . eee Saunders 5 San Jose and Steam ve rumning beeen Santo Clore Coramander Wm Robinsoa. City and Maryse Gov. Dane Pheonix Lawrence Jack Ha, Sacramento «binds Missour: . Fashion. Blar In addition to these, we are daily expecting the arrival of the steamera Colombia and the John © Fremont, both of which belong to or will be under the control of the P. M.S. Company, the former ta ron regularly with the maile ta Oregon, and the jatter with the maiie to San Diego and other rater- mediate porte, thus relieving the forme steamers from the ennoyanee of topping in at these places. Thas we find at the present date forty-three steamboats ruoning upon our rivers aad coast, where one year ago not more than eight or ten : ncilities for travel and trans- € necessarily rede the pri of mong the miners and far mera, news leraare sent with aoced aad aecurity, in California hat ceased tobe an arduous task, There will be room for more hoate, bat nat at present The wild forests of the Stera- trento, Son Joaquin, and their tritutery ore fast Vielding to the stroke of the woodmun's axe, and cites, towne ond villages are springing up on ths | merchandise | papers end |b | and travel! harke of these rivers. As facilities fer travel tne poset ae ne will be mare freq Cale will heeome a land closely tot bords of brotherhood whigh cangot be bgokea.