The New York Herald Newspaper, April 27, 1852, Page 2

INTERESTING LETTERS. Our Springfield Correspondence. Sraiverrecy, Mass, April 24, 1852, Arrival and Movements of Kossuth in New England. ‘Phe farther north Koesuth advances, the more congenial ‘Gees be find the people, and the more at home does he feel. He does not hike the cold-hearted South, nor does he ‘think mucheven of the West. The Northeast is the soil for him—the hearts of the people are warm, though the cli- mate ie cold. Ie is now in the hotbed of fanaticism of every kind, from red hot abolition to woman's rights. He seems quite happy. But if he imagines that ail who Fan to see him agree in his doctrines, he is sadly mis- taken. The true test is, how much moncy ov material aid do they give him? The great majority are attracted entirely by motives of curiosity, and if the devil appeared ‘with his horns and hoofs, there would be ten té#nes as Many running to sce his reigning satanic mmjesty, as Lie defunct majesty of Hungary. Yon will hear one say to another in the street, “Did you see Kossuth ?""—not * Did you give him a dollar, or five, or ten, or fifty dol- Jars?’ One lady being asked by another, who was out of Dreath running upto the cars at Hartford, if she had ween Kossuth, replied, No; that she had seen the erowd, and that was just as good.” In truth, a Fejee mermaid, a woolly horse, a white negro, Joyee Heth, er an angel in petticoats, like Jenny Lind or Lola Montes, will always bring a crowd, even if the sight costs something. But if any object of curiosity is to be seen “free, gratis. for nothing,’ the number of spectators is sure to be far greater. But the cu- rlosity once gratified, there is an end of all inter- ext. Some, too, are actuated by motives of vani and they want tohaye it to say that they not only sa d were introduced to Koseuth. and shook bim by the effects of the recent tremendous -term, when are so fullef them. Butone or two, whieh oe, teen miles; yet yesterday ~o miles by railway to get to Lowell ‘he railway between the two places is much injured, the foliowing is the route taken :—From Nashua to ton Junction, by the Nashua and Worcester road; i increased five-fold, ‘The Vermont and Massaehusette Ratl- road has lost. utterly, twelve miles of its track, and sus- tained other damage, which I bave heard estimated by competent judges at a quarter of a million of dollars. As the stock of this road has been at $19, this loss will be almost a death blow to it. In many of the eoun- try damage has been «ustained where the effects of spring storms have hitherto been but slightly felt. if at all. The seagon will be long remembered, as one which was a time of almort unprecedented misery, ALGOMA, Our Canadian Correspondence, Quaprc, Apri! 19, 1952. Arrival of Vessels from Sea—The St. Lawrence sill Tee-bound —Scheme for a Permanent Ice Bridge—Montreal Board of Trade—Usury Laws—Tvade Regulations with the United States—Commercial Convention—Differential Dutiee—Dis- tress in the Townships—Musical Doings—Rumor respecting Sir John Harvey's Successor, $c. Spring hae given us an earnest of its approach, in the bape of the arrival of four vessels from sea, The good ships Toronto and Albion made Ponite Levi on the even- ing of the 15th, being the earliest arrivals on record. They have since been followed by the Cambria and Ottawa. Would that I couid add that theee symptoms of return- ing-animation from without were accompanied by a cor- rerponding change within; that I could, with a decent re- gard for troth, quote the hackneyed lines:— Diffugere nives, redeunt jam gramina campis band, but hed their wives i eellency.”” ‘This was the f desire to see Hungary. free, ¢ than Ireland, Italy, Prance. Russia, or other ensiaved nations of Europe, and’ with no faith in the pract ility of Kossuth’s schemes—no approbation of his doctrines of intervention by one nation, to prevent the intervention of another— that ro many people thronged to hear and_ see the M yar in the diferent cits and villages in New England Ubrrough which the cery paseed yesterday, Yet, with his urval logic, be concluded that’ every man, woman, and ehild of there would go all lengths for: his views’ and plans. because they came to see him. At Newark he blerred God for the mud and the unfavorable weather. for it proved that curiosity was not the motive that in- duced the people to come out. He knows little of human naiure, if he dees not know that curiosity is one of the strongest principles ianplanted inthe human breast, But, on his own rhowing. if the bad weather and the mud nents in his favor at Newark, the tine weather y and the beautifal streets of New Liven. act- ed the other way. and led to the conclusion that every one wanted to ree the pomp and ci ? neeted with his exhibition, and di ry enthusia reduced also to his © Ex- d not any particular uaonship with the United States, aon the face of the h. let_me now give yon some of my On leaving the “City of Elms” by a considerable At most of the nd Springfield, of whom no doubt penciHings at three o erewd. who all stopping Ktations bety # crowd rushed around th were enthuriaste, t others w d by euriosit nd more by the hope of fan. At Meriden, some of the vi lngers would have the lion out to hear him roar. A. pot, where they p eld re~ dasa sweet flower thrown in his path by Providence ney ed along. At ltartford, there was a dense crowd who shouted at ‘the top of their v and pressed around the hinder car to sce bim. One Irishman, in order to obtain a good view, got upon the top of the t over Kosstth’s hi which co attracted the at of the crowd and m: them laugh, that Kossuth looked up, joined in the laugh, and shook hands with Pat. “You & 1 Kossuth, “what a fine thing skill in climbing is. my friend above the crowd, quietly enjoying the view yinpathy evineed by this enthe ‘of yours L hope is not for me but for the cause, It shows me that the democruy must have ite will, and, therefore, am I encouraged to press ou without delay to the freedom of my native land, whose democracy Will yet arise, and shake off despotiem like the durt from their garments.” Here the whistle cut short his yarn, and away the cars #ped on their destined course, until they reached pring- field. where a vast crowd were waiting. and preseed into and around the depot, loudly chee theears, By the as made to the the hotel. and get in surrounded it and clamored fo1 out on the balcony ; but for some time did not say any thing. At lengtl he thanked them for their sympattiy for the poor exile, He had received sympathy aud » port in various parte of the countr, of New Jersey. But the & cngland St she came out of S.2n Openin when a rnsh was m: it, whil into those who could not his count weather wa not FO Wari multivude wit! hotel until a la! ing handed to Kossuth he would add. si ordingly he wrote of his suite wrot nik. homeles ulezky. do. etation it me. “pow h which he ix not prob: meaning. which will be writing th down ( homeless.’ ngary. Why he & conscious He used to write b does he not stick to U that it would look \ ery Last evening he got some money him. among whom was Geor, from persons who Merriam and his y. who gave a check of h as “material or rather, I believe. purc bonds to that amount, for Kossuth does not like to be eaile sturdy beggar,” ax some of the V him. ‘and only wonts a loan upon t of Hungary yoon becoming a republ me of ane of the practices of strolling bullad im Koropem cities, who. when vending seditious so: go about the strects with a pack: package of is. erying out “ not Ballad. but I will sell my straw, and bestowmy ba This had a two-fold object: one was (o evade the law, the other to excite curiosity about the seditious nature ef the ballad. which perhaps was not very eeditious after all, Koseuth will not sell his seditious speeches; he wants admission free for the people, but he will sell his bonds, which are about the value of straws, He postponed his speech lust night. after being placard- ed through the city. and bringing crowds of people to the church. and fixed this morning at 9 o'clock for a free yarn in Dr. Orgood's church. Our Boston Correspondence. Bosrow, April 24, 1852 The National Theatre. New Theatre—Politicat Items— Effecis of the Storm, &¢. ‘There seems to be a sort of fatality attendant upon our eld theatrical places. It is not a month since the Tro- mont vanished at the bidding of the fire fiend, and now, at the eame command, the National has gone in the same way. The National was erected by the late William Pelby: who substituted it for the little Warren, in 1836, opeming Ht, at the commencement of the theatrical season of that year, with a capital company. among whom were Harry Smith and bis wife, and W. F. Johnson, who left the Tre- mont to go upon the new boards. The National was to the Tremont what the Bowery used to be to the Park. the place where the b’hoys used most to congregate, and where the code of manners was more remarkable for its nervournces than its elegance, It was of the free and eary school, wad the acting off the stage was frequent): as Fpirited as that om it, and a vast sight more natural The critics of ite pit belonged to tho “kill-him-again- Kirby echocl,” and ured to encore the murder and crime veence with o great deal of gusto, as ifthey believed that all sine “eapital,”” with that eminent socialist, M. Kugene Sue, There was no more sentiment connected with the concern than with » pot of baked beans aud pork Any other large building might bave been burnt up with as much st exeiled by it, Only one thing has given to the conflograticn some geet, I mean a rumor that it was the work of an ineendinry & The burning of the National has caused a great deal of talk about erecting a new the ne that shall be wore thy of the ¢ Such an ment is much needed lure, but i is idle to think that a theatre can be got up nd and the buttend © alrendy explained what was the ul from which you will see, that te with the “upper ten,” would ‘ion as that which our political (Lat shell umtte the west © late caucus of their vd Uaat the © insurmounts yimounted, Others is serious, and much ime Dill math, thoy will g vy no mean portion of the whig party. who y hould perform the part of « conser organisation, aod have no per rf do not hesitate to express their rr state of things, and their hope that be attained, t the exiating ment favor Mr. Thompss ome remurke of Mr, Kanto nt, It rhows the irre roverry that has arive ore persé . nies for yewrs, t betweon the far, hat They have been Tule fi hip cf tne democsacy, io eve ciniins. fo far ar great talents entilic men to Dieu etameing. 1 not thank me for going Into deta'le of Uhe Arboribusque conuo ! Alas! we are still ice-bound, Lake St, Poter is quite aclid; men and carioles are crossing in perfect security at Sorel, and each tide drives fleets of diminutive icebergs past the wharves at Quebec. If isno trifling matter to de- stroy the work of five months steady frost. The Toronto and tne other vessels which are consigned to Montreal, have before them the delightful prospect of lying several days in this port, until fate opens the channel. When the Quebeo and Montreal railroad is built, it is to be pre- sumed tisnt fewer vessels will be consigned to the latter city. Quebec will be the seaport of Canada, and we shall then be less dependent on the state of the temperature above for the comunencement of our commercial year, Next to the tardy appreich of spring on the iake. the greatest drawback from which Quebec suffers, is the im- perfect and insecure means of communication between the two shores of the wrence during the winter sea ul schemes have been proposed to knit to- wo shores. or. at allevents, to enable us to visit our friends on the other side. and the farmers to noe, agreeably di jed with an ocea- wets of floating and running some unmed to death betwoen the larger picces. Captain Boxer. RB, N,, the harbor master. has dreamed of a suspension bridge, with a epan of 1,200 feet; but, after a survey. the project seems to have been’ abandoned, Others seem to think means could be devised for coaxing the ice into a stationary p n opposite the town, so as : A committee which was ap- scheme, has reported that it provided £15.000 were laid h side. and modestly cug- A be requested to con- that little notice will be taken. their hands are full of other . and their pockets will iptied. toan alarm- tent. by the railways, steamers, &e., which they are to set on foot, A paltry sum of £10.00 hus just heen laid out by them in the purchase of Spencer Wood for the G “a resi ‘a picee of prodigality which udice of future applicants. e you a brief outline of the annual re- ebec Board of Trade, The report of the 1 Board has sinee come to hand, and is entitled to heonsideration, It is more practical than jehec bagrd. and places in bold relief many n Which ‘the mercantile community of Mon- eepects tho real reformers of the province ive fellow-comn- for example, ion, of the progress of would be quite pi out in wharves and piers gests that the gover: of the points treal—in man; ly percent in’ Me dd Quebec, ‘anc which fixes that as the maxi as to drive len Lenders on dvanee $1,000, and take a bond for ty below its value, allowing m it at what it is actnally fuets are admitted on ail sides, and yot dian members of the House will not alter ime they do not “1 their charter. to br per cent, corporation of Company. in Upper Canada, antho- ry at cieht per cent. and the building the r worth, The the French Ca the law ruple to per- ight p n ontr the price he nt can en- ent of the a ork; to sell at Mi custom house 6 New York n cost pric can im frontier exported by sessed for duty at jects, such a aloft the Y ‘Three subjects are of all impedi- ». the emigrant ablishiaent of which the govern- ago. have taken in such a discrimination and revision of rgeable on goods imported from sea by fs may conduce to the encou- preference to indirect or foreign This lust. ss you will porceive, is the main sub- Ject which will he laid before the Congress. The question Will be whether it is advisable to put a check on impor- tations via New York and Borton, by assessing them at t to be laid ‘them:—lst tents to emigration. by whi meant to be unde -monthly line tim w cha: the duties no St. Law oft routes, the St, Lawrence, Tuken at the present moment, when the reciprocity scheme is still before Congreas. this threat of a now turiff is worthy of attention. I can hardly bring inyself to think that the Kingston and Toronto Boards of Trade would willingly concur in such a measure; but I can readily foresee th the change would be welcomed with delight by the merchants of Quebec and Montreal, I shall keep you informed of the proccedings of the con- vention, or * Commercial Parliament,” as some of the Papers have styled it, Petitions have been received by the government from the Eastern townships, praying relief from the distress {m Which the new settlers have beon involved in consequence of the early frost last fall. which destroyed the crops, The scenes of suffering and famine ate raid to be heart: Tending. and are the more to be deplomed as the victims are chiefly new emigrants. who were little prepared, under any ciretimstances. for the rigors of a Canadian winter. Similar accounts of distress and want have been received from the Saguenay, Among the novelties which summer is to bsing us is Mrs. Bostwick. the American songstress, who lus been Proncunced equal to Madame Cinti Damoreatix. She is expected in Montreal ina few days, and will probably pay us a visit, if the steamers are running. ihe Ger. manians. too, are to give a few concerts in Canada. in the month of May. Tt is rumored that Sir Edmund Head, Governor of New Brunswick, is to succeed the late Sir Joba Harvey, in Nova Scot eae ia STADACONA. Our Albany Correspondenge. Aubany, April 17, 1852. The Thing called a Legislature—lts Deeds and Misdeds—Is Ignorance and Impotency—Neces- sity for a Different Order of Men—Corruptions in and abcut the Capitol—Members Cheating Bocksellers, §c.— The Comptroller Vindicated. That body of men recognized under the constitu, tion as the Legislature of the State of New York, who have occupied the Capitol during the last three months, have left the city, and returned to the places from whence they came. What benefit has the State derived from their action? Has the prosperity of the people been advanced, their interests pro- tected, their treasury guarded, the advancement of art aud science fostered, the great cause of educa- tion stimulated, our public works progressed, or the public weul regarded? We emphatically declare that not ina single instance worthy of note, has any of those important matters been accomplished. What benefit, then, will the tax paying people de- rive from the legislation of 18522 Who can inform them? Who will undertake the task? Nobody; because it is absolutely out of the power of man, or angels, or devils, to point out y law, worthy of note, which has been adopted. This promiscuous assemblage of stupidity, ignorance and impotonce— this infirm, waspish, and putid thing of « Legisla- ture, controlled in almost every step by the appli- «neea of the most corrupt aad putid lobby ever known—bas es a blot upon the eseutcheon of New York which will place its honor in an equivo- cal position before the eyes of its sister States of this confederacy. What has been done? They have placed 407 more enaciments upou the statute books, not half a dozen ef which are of the least importance to the people; indeed, it is extremely questionable whether a single one has been signed by the Gover- nor of any necessity or public utility whatever. In order to exhibit a kind of supervision over those sub- mitted to him, he has returned four or five, rendore DE #8 @ reovon that the vhject sought to be attained can be prooured under rome general laws. The Whole session hae been epent in subservience © the lobby. The list of acts which bave been pob- higher rates than those levixble om goods imported via | yishedas hi 5 eonclusively corroborate tli vatament. tty them are mew amendments of vate eharters eretofore obtained; a large num- r are in relation to streets, cf , and bridges; confirming the of justices of the , Whote ignorance of duty and of {aw throw the community into eonvulsion and disorder; authoriz- ing towns and villages to borrow money for pretend- ed public improvements, for the lobby cormorants to waste and plunder; to enable aliens to hold real estate; to chunge the names of persons who, in most instances, had rendered their pate: eognomen in- famous by some deed of Jaasing disgrace; in remov- ing toll gates on turnpike pad pee roads; for the ‘payment of more claims for damages than the revenues of half a dozen years can extinguish; be- sides hundreds of acts too ridieulous to claim a mo- ment’s consideration from sensible men, such as le- gislators should be, and certainly too Insignificant to claim @ line of attention in the Henan. The time has been spent in wrangling about tho Maine law, banking and insurance trust com- pani Uberia, bps and free ney 0e8, special an ws, appropriations to colleges, including the MoGrawvilie in Cortland, the cana! bill, its Ghost ete S hardpan, quicksand, shale and , canal Serigs commissioners, au- ditors, contractors, and the roundelay there- unto uppertaining. In justice it should be stated that there were a few leaders in both braaches, who set their faces sternly againet improvident, careless, useless, and expensive legislation, and endeavored, with their might and power, to resist the torrent. A few of 1, of bridges were carried away by the floods, and cat- tle, horses, &., drowned. Rain was anxiously Jooked for, and we got that rather tooliberally. An immense quantity of earth was in readiness to be washed for months previously, and the miners were almost despairing of ever being able to gather the reward of their toils. The conse- quence was, that business of every kind was depressed throughout the State, and the merchants of San Franciseo and.other cities were in the worst spirits. ‘The miners had no money to hase goods. Sinee the rain set ii "Balas tide! a a 1 sess recom- menced; not that the miners haye come in with their dust, but that accounts havo been received of their getting it out in large quantities. All that was needed to bring a stream of gold into this city from the mines, of a volume greater and larger than ever, was rain. We have had it, and you may therefore expect larger imports of gold dust than ever, in New York. according to all appearances, and according to the most reliable in- formation, the yield of gold dust this year will astonish the-world. It is now demonstrated to a certainty, that the mines already discovered are inex- haustible; and there is good reason to belieye that one-half, or one-tenth part, of the mineral resources CLIMATB—S801L—WATER—AND MINERAL RESOURCES. The north line of the territory of Nebraska cor- reeponds in latitude with the central portions of the State of New York, and its south line with that of the central portions of Delaware and Maryland, and the northern part of the State of Virginia; and that part.of the territory in which settlements are now about to be made corresponds in latitude with the southern portion of Pennsylvania, and the central parts of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Llinois, and lies directly west of the northern part of the State of Missouri. Hence the climate of Nobraska is a favorable one, and the territory is even moro agreeable for a residence than any of the sections of continent upon the same line of latitude, The atmosphere is remarkably pure, and fogs are of seldom occurrence. In the eastern part of the territory the winters are open, and accompanied with but little snow, and are of several weeks’ less dura- tion than are the winters of those sections of the At- lantic States in corresponding latitudes. From the 2d to the Ch ay 1851, the writer encamped out upon the prairies lying north of the Nebraska river, and between the Elkhorn and Mis- of California are yet 5 now engaging the Several important subjects are attention of the Legislature. The first I shail men- tion is a bill “To onforee contracts mado without the State, for tho performance of labor within the those should be kept from the category of the reck- less and extravagant, and are, in the House, Mr. Stillwell, dem. Me whig; Mr. A. Smith, whig; Mr. Hurlbut, whigs r. Milliner, whig; Mr. Wath, dem.; Mr. Van ‘alkenburg, whig ir. Van Santvoord, dem.; Mr. J. Rose, dem.; Mr. Hatfield, dem.; Mr. King, dem., and half a dozen others; and, in the Senate, Mossrs. Babcock, Morgan, Ward, whigs, and Messrs. Pierce, Cooley, and Cornell, democrats. With these men the lobby loafers had no influonce, and scarcely approached them. Among the most important acts, and which many consider as the only one of not general importance, is the ono reducing the half mill State tax toa quarter mill. This bill produced considerable politi- eal finesse. Each party believing it would be Pope lar with the opie, strove for the leadership. Mr. Morgan, of the nate, (whig) introduced a bill for this object, proposing that it should take effect a year hence, which remained in committee of the whele. Mr. McMurray, (dem.) being on the alert, reported one of the same character, which, as soon as introduced, was placedin a condition for a third reading, thus overriding the first one. It has subso- quently been passed into a law. Mr. Morgan’s bill remains among the lost receptacles of the Senate. The Steam Ship bill was another of a political character. This distinction was first givon to them by Taber. He wanted to ineorporate two special lines of Galway steameys, for the purpose of bring- ing the Irmh to our shores cheaply. He intended the whigs to 50 for that measaro as a part; advantage which would thereby be gained, but Babcock and Van Schoonhoven refused to fol- low in his lead. “Mr. Cooley, dem., led off in tho other direction. He went for a general law, free trade in ocean navigation, because then a compe- tition would be created by which Irish emigrants could be brought hither at a much cheaper rate than by chartered monopolies—so thought the Sen- ate—so thought the Assembly—so thought Gov. Hunt—and xo believe the Irish who are anxious that their countrymen should become Americanized, upon the cheapest possible plan, * y In animadverting upon the inability and impo- tence of the present Legislature, we do not intend to impugn the people for sending such men. In re- ality, the public are not in fault; the difficulty lies in the constitution. The reward allowed members for their services is altogether too inadequate. No man, fit {er legislation, can devote his time and tal- ents, for three months in the year, for the small rittance of three hundred dollars. Itis a well known tact, that a great deterioration has taken place—and has been p ding lower and lower every year since the adoption ot the present constitution. “The consequence is, that the men who are qualified for proper and disereet legislation will not devote themselves to public duties upon such a meager al- lowance, and the people are therefure compelled to descend in their selections low enough in the seale of society where persons can be found to go to th capital for three dollars nd ran the ch for black m This i 3 of men, destitute of the requisite qu tion, gencrulty irresponsi bie of themselves, indifferent as to the welfare of others, or of the dignity and prosperity of the State, who are sent to muke our laws. Such are the men always held in leading strings by aradroit, rienced lobby; such are the men fdovn leaders in the Legislature can any time, and generally do, When occasion sequires t, hol in the hollow of their hand, One good result, One leak in thle tr been stopped—i tiv «f members ve his has been invegue now some six ye t the part cfth nythe House went oa the s:mo reer. of eatiavagance and recklessuess which ¢ e and resolved to hi ferent kinds of valuable id all they thought they had to do was to revert to the ‘contingent fund.” The bills were sent to the Comptroler for paymont—he “moantel i tride his nose,” thoughifully argue rin his own mind, called to his aid his con- fidential deputy, overhauled all the laws made and provided for dvawing money from the treazury, and for the life of him, he could not. with the most la- borious exertion, during several hours, discover that 1 thing existed in his office or under his con- aga “coutingent fund” of any amount, largo all, out of which those books could be paid He instantly communicated this important to the solons of the Assembly, who, swelling up, “swore terribly in Flanders.” Here was a dileinma—they had purchased booksto the amount of $5,000, and the Comptroller would not pay for them! Some became very indignant, and offered to pay for these they received—others believed their dignity would be compromised by poving for them —others again, caring nothing about dignity, or be- ing willing to penetrate their own pockets, threw themselves behind the resolution, leaving the booksellers to get pay in the best mode, or in any manner they could. Thus matters remained until the supply bill was brought in on the day of adjournment, when it was found that the money to pay for the books was ed theroin. It slipped through the House with unanimity and ao- clamation. The Senate struck out the books prompt- ly, and sent the bill as amended back to the Assem- bly. This was insulting, as the Lower House in- sisted. Another attempt was made. The Senate stood their ground, like the heroes before Chapulte- pec. Another repulse given to the lower branch, and all in hours between midnight and morning. Their clamor, threatenings, and deeperation, became predominant. They never would consent to pass the supply bill unless the books were in—they’d adjourn first—they never would “‘cave,” no, not they. The bill was again returned to the Senate. Instead of capitulating or sending a flag of truce, the Senate sont Messrs. Pierce and Beekman with a message, that the “Upper House” were ready to adjourn sine die. The House then discover that they muet either yield, or the bill must fall. O, then, what a caving in. Se the leader, and ten minutes previous the most boisterous and deter- mined, was the first to trail his flag ; Col. Monroe, who never was kgown to surrender to any man be- fore, also showed the ‘‘white feather.” All wore astonished at this, as heretofore his courage stood unimpeached, and was acknowledged as the Napo- leon of the House. Upon counting the votes, ono more Was necessary, en Van Santvoord, the Kin- derhook pcny, came to the rescue, eating his own words uttered ten minutes yeti | and voted against his own oft declared intentions. His com- misseration for the booksellers vanishod in a mo- ment. Thus, after the hardest struggle ever wit- nessed in this or any other Legislature, or even in Congress, was the bill by 65 votes, the exact number required—the Senate came off victo- rious, and the Comptroller completely vindicated. This significant rebuke will teach men, in future, sitting inthe halls of the Capitol, that it will not be prudent to draw from beoksellers, under a simple resolution, some four thousand dollars worth of books, send them home, and then sneak home them- selves without payment. What a model Legisla- ture. The State should immediately issue pro- posals to have its legislation performed y contract, the job to be given to the ‘‘lowest responsible bid- der,” including hardpan, quicksand, books and all. ae trol, or smi for! Our California Correspondence, Sax Francisco, March 14, 1852. The Floed in Sacramento and MarysvilleAmount of Damage—Proposed Constitutional Convention —Introduction of Chinese Labor— Foreign Crimi- nals—Intelligence from the Mines, &., &¢. The mails, which will leave here at an early hour to-morrow moming, will convey to you the intelli- gence of the overflow of Sacramento, Marysville, Stockton, Nevada, and other places in the interior. You wa hear various statements in regard to the amount of damage that has been done, but few of them are to be relied upon. The greatest loss took place in Marysville, and even there it does not ex- eocd $150,000; while in Sacramento it was com- paratively trifling. This is explained by the fact that the water rose gradually ; and, with the expe- rience of the last inundation before the people, they limits thereof.” At present, labor of every kind is so high in California that it retards very much the wth and prosperity of the State. Houses cannot fe built, roads made, docks constructed, or, in fact, any kind of work done, except at a ruinous outlay for labor. The object of the sropaea meagzure is to enable persons here to proceed to China, and there contract with the natives for the performance of labor here. with the protection by law that the Inborors shall not run away, or leave the parties who incur the expense of taking them from China to California. This measure is opposed by some, on the ground that it will, in effect, be the introduction of peonism into California—whero it never existed under Mex- ico—and by others, because they sup) it is in- tended merely as an entering wedge toslavery. You will pereins therefore, that we have free soilers and abolitionists in California, as well as elsewhere. There is no doubt of the passage of the bill. Another important measure now on the tapis, is the holding of a convention for the revision of the constitution. There is no question that this instrument is imper- fect, and but ill adapted to the wants and necessities of the State. The proposition, however, to amend it, is opposed on the same ground that the other is. The free soilers think that it is put forth for the urpose of dividing the State, so that slavery malt te introduced into Southern California. It has passed ono house, and will no doubt be sanctioned yy the other, and the question be sabmitted to the people at the next election, asto whether or not such a convention shall be held. a At the timo of the leaving of tho last mail, it was communicated privately to some members of the Vi- ‘ilance Committee, that some forty or fifty notorious felons had arrived from France in a certain ship, and that a great many more were on their way to San Francisco. A meeting of the committee was im- mediately held, and a sub-committce Sppoitted to investigate the matter. On conferring with the con- signees, however, and the French Consul, it was dis- covered that no such parties had arrived here. But there wassome ground forit. Three of the engers by a French vessel had been in the galleys, but they had reformed, and readily produced a certificate of good character, signed by the Prefect of Police, in Baris. Of course the matter dropped here. The Vigilance Committee are not, a3 might be supposed in the east, dissolved. On the contrary, they con- tinue their organization, and are ready at any mo- ment to act. About ten days ago, several burgla- ries occurred, and they were becoming so numerous, that the Committee resolved to ‘string up” the first burglar whom they caught in the act. The rogues, no doubt, heard of these doings, for since then they haye been comparatively quict. Indeed, the city is vay quiet at present, and it will probably continue so, as an ordinance has just been passed by the Common Council, authorizing citizens to enrol themselves as police, and giving them the same powers as are conferred on the regular police force. The rapidity with which improvements are goin; on here is astonishing. Piers are ged constructe of a quarter of a mile—yes, half a mile in length. Hills are being levelled and valleys filled up in, every direction. Real estate maintains its extraordina- rily high value, but it does not change hands very freely, in consequence of the difficulty there is in regard to titles. A great proportion of the building lots within the limits of the corporation are claimed by persons who possess no other title than what they acquired by squatting. Almost all of the early adventurers took a squat, as they term it. and acelebrated gentleman named Colton, condueted this kind of business on a wholesale plan. Ho seized ucre upon acre, and disposed of them witha Perfect looseness at so much per lot. The holders of these Colton grants, as they are termed, keep possession. You will sce, therefore, that under such a state of things, no capitalist will invest in real estate, for he cannot be certain of getting an indisputable title. A few days since, in a debate in the Legislature, Mr. David © Broderick, one of the members, made some reflections on ex-Judge Smith. Judge Smith’s son took the matter uP, and denounced Mr. Broderick in language which I shall not repeat. It wits ef such a character, however, as to leave no hope for a settlement. Both parties are now here in the city. Both are armed, and a terrible fight is expected. In fact, there isno doubt that one or the other will be killed, perhaps both.” Our Washingtow Correspondence. Wasuincton, April 24, 1852. The Clay Mcdal Committee, and Governor Tones, of Tennessee—Kossuth and the Ladies in the Om- nibus— Theatrical on the Tapis, §c., §c., The New York eommittee, with the duplicate Clay medal, has arrived here, and will present the medal to the old chief at the earliest opportunity. The arrival of Mr. Ullmann and his friends, re- minds me of the rumor that these gentlemen had, with a laudable degree of patsiotism, hit upon a plan by which they fondly hope all difficulties will be cleared away in selecting a whig nomince at the convention. It is no less than to throw all the threo candidates overboard, and unite upon Governor Jones, of Tennessee. The Governor's recent visit to New York threw him into the way of many of the Presi- dent makers in Gotham, and the plan is progressing very nicely. Perhaps, however, these gentlemen were not aware that there is a feud between Mr. Jones anda large body of Tennessee whigs, which would inevitably lose the vote of that State; and not only so, but create a bad feeling generally, which would place his chances of success in a more than doubtful point of view elsewhere. Try again, gon- tlemen, and when you make up your minds to aban- don your friends, who depend upon you, do it for a man who has some chance of success. Kossuth’s sojeurn here created not the slightest excitement. He called upon several Senaters, and pad his respects. He occupied one cis only, and If a dozon sleeping reoms, at the National, which had not even a flag hung out to tell of the greatness within. At Richmond, the omnibus which conveyed poste ers to the depot, happened to have a} few ladies it, when Kossuth made his appearance. He insisted upon the ladies being turned out, de- claring he ired an omnibue for himself; but upon lagen ect eres. to go yd ce at length gotin. He then again rudely cal upon the driver to tun the es out, when the Jena ended his importunity by declaring that if he did not remain quict he would put him out of the omnibus eltogether. The ex-Governor, upen this, put up with the indignity of riding in the same om- nibus with American Jadies. This incident is vouched for by a highly respectable gentleman, who witnessed it. The Seguins have been playing at the theatre for a couple of weeks with less success than their merits deserve—principally, however, in consequence of the bad weather. Quite an amusing scene took ee on Tharsday evevii After the operatic allet of the ‘‘Bayadere,” a long intermission oo- curred, sorely trying the patience of the parquette. At length the curtain rose, and the manager came forward, very much agitated, and declared to the astonished eudicnce, that in consequence ofa cir- cumstancé he could not explain, the performances must abrupRy terminate. Immediately after Mr. Fleming’s disay rance, Mr. George Jordan, an excellent actor and a great favorite here, rushed out breathless and pale, and declared that tho ‘base attack” was levelled at him—that he wae to play in the farce, which was a genteel petite comedy, and that in order to do it justice, the carpet was neces- sary; but the manager and the prompter combined to refuse to let the carpet go down, and he would not play unless it was. During this speech, the drop | was hastily lowered, and Jordan found himself shat off the stage. The ladies look frightened, and made their escape as rapidly as possible. Meantime, cheers were given ir Jordan, and groans for the manager, until at length the gas being shut off, ail parties adjourned fora drink. Great complainte are made about the manage- ment, and the want of courtesy too often displayed atthe bex office. I merely allude to it, feeling cor- tain that the excellent lessee will atvond to the hint hefore it is too late. Appointments by the President. removed all perishable property, or all that nright sustain damage from water, to hi ground, beyond the reach of the wotery element. The greatest dumoge was doue to the country, where @ number ith theadvice und consent of the Senaie, ike tn te iee to ve Consul of the United States at Zurich, im Switzerland, 70 to be a Justice of the Peace in the coun- ty or Workington, i= ‘the District of Columbia, souri rivers, and suffered no inconvenience from the cold. prairies were then covered with the early flowers of spring, and the trees of the groves were beginning to put forth their foliage, ‘and in spots restate from the winds and irrigated by springs and brooks, the grass was so far grown as to afford some food for animals. But it is not until about the first ofthe month of May that the grass of the prairies becomes sufficiently grown to offer full zing for cattle. : White but little snow falls during tho winter, tho summer brings with it a considerable amount of rain. At times during the winter seasonjhe winds sweep the prairies with much forces and the warmest season of the year is rendered agroeablo by the gentle breezes which continually come over the prairies. Cold comes with the wind from the north- west even in summer; and in the winter warm weather ie brought by a south wind. Proceeding westward from the Missouri river nnd approaching the region of the Rocky Mountains, the changes of the atmosphere from heat to cold become more fre- quent, and are felt in greater extremes than in that portion of the territory which lies along the Mis- souririver. But the prairies of Nebraska are at no time.swept by vinds so coldand violent as are those of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the north- ern parts of Illinois and Indiana; and blows from the Rocky Mountains are mild indeed when com- ared with those which come off from the great jakes of the north. The tract of country breasting on the Missouri river and extending in breadth west two hundred miles or more, and from the Kansas river up to tho forty-third degree of north latitude, is equal toany lands on the continent of America in the fertility of its soil. Let any person thread the provinces, States, and territories spread out between the rug- ged granite hills lying north of the St. Lawrence river, and the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and he shall find no lands as_productive as those of the castern section of the territory of Nebraska, nor lands out of which the means of subsistence can be obtained with so emall an amout of labor. The soil of the lands in Nebraska, in its prime- val state, was of sand and clay. At the present day the component parts of the soil are sand, cla ashes, carbon, (or charcoal, which gives it a bla color), and decomposed vegetable matter; and these five ingredients compose a soil which has a dopth measuring from three to fifteen feet—a black and rich mould, which covers every rood of the length and breadth of the eastern ie of the territory. The bottom lands which lie along the rivers, with a level and plain like face, are alluvial, and in the composition of the soil thero is a larger amount of decomposed vegetable mattor than that which exists in the soil of the rolling prairio and table lands, and a Joss amount of matter having the Propartise of alkaliis found in the soil of the bottom ja At several points along the Nebraska river there are what are termed first and second bottoms. These also exist in some few places on the Missouri_ river, and they are prevalent along the Grand Nemaha and Blue rivers. The second bottoms commence at some distance from the channel of the river, and run ack to the bluffs. Thexare raised one or more feet above the first bottoms, which form the imme- diate shore of the river. Many of the first bottoms have comparatively a thin soil, and that rests upon a bed of sand, while the seeond bottoms have ex- treme depth of soil, and are of the greatest degree of fertility. Stagnant pools of water exist nowhere in Ne- braska, except upon some of the large bottoms ly- ing along the Missouri river. Swamps and mo- rasses are not to be found in the territory. The water which, in the eastern part of the torritory is eee itself in numerous springs and brooks, and it is always pure and limpid—the soil, of which sand, ashes and charcoal are ingredients, forming an admirable filterer for it. There is no better water to be obtained anywhere. Al- though there is considerable limestome deposited throughout the territory, it is seldom found only in strata, and lying deep under the soil, with strata of sand and clay, and sometimes with another of ravel above it; hence the water is not much af- fected with lime. Wherever springs and brooks are not convenient, water of a good qnality can uniformly be obtained by digging a few feet into the earth below the seil. Such being the quality of the water, the territory could not fail to afford general health to a white population, and it has been demonstrated to bo a country offering to settlers the extreme of good health, by a number of families who have been domiciled and continue to reside near the missionary establishments in the territory. The mteral resources of Nebraska, although not yet developed, are estimated to be various and of reat extent. Iron ore is known to exist in abun- lant quantities on the north side of the Nebraska river, and it is believed that the like may be found in the southern and western portions of the terri- tory. Coal, of the semi-bituminous class, has beeu dis- covered at various ates on the south side of the Nebraska river; and it is believed to exist in large deposites throughout a vast portion of the territory. A vein of coal has been opencd near Fort Leaven- worth, on the Missouri river, forty or fifty miles above the mouth of the Kansas. This vein has been worked to some extent for the use of the troops serving on the station. Between the two Nemaha rivers another vein has been opened, from which quantities are annually taken by blacksmiths and other persons who reside upon the opposite shore of the Missouri river. A vein of coal also exhibits itself in the bluffs, at a distance of about fifteen miles below Table Creek. This was discovered by the writer, who took from it 9 small quantity, which he burned, and found to be ofa good quality. Veins of coal have also beon discovered at different points on the Blue river, and there are evidences upon which to found the belief that coal deposits exist in the territory north of the Nebraska river. In the sluices formed along the shores of the Nebraska and Missouri rivers, when the water is in alow stage, specimens of coal are often found; and the like have been picked up in the sands of the Bikhorn and Niobrara rivers. In almost every section of the territory, clay of a good quality for the purposes of brick can be ob- tained in almost any desirable quantities. Lime- stone exists without limit, and other varietics of stone, fit for the purposes of building, are to be had in abundance at almost ev lace within that por- tion of the territory which will be subjected to early settlement. On tho north side of the Nebraska river, there have been discovered veins or strata of sandstone, very similar in quality to the sandstone found in tho valley of the Ohio. At several places along the bluffs, on tho Mis- souri river, there are shown considerable quantities of the same description of clay which is foundin the hills along the Ohio river, and which is there used for the manufacture of pater and firebrick. The opposite shores of the Missouri river, included within the States oflowa and Missouri, are without limestone, or etone of any other kind, in any con- ciderable quantities; and there, neither salt springs, nor stata of coal are known to exist. Upon these facts, it is claimed for the territory of Nebraska that its mineral resources are far greater than those of the northwestern part of the State of Missouri and the western part of Iowa. Exceution of Reed and Clemens. obeyed the order with alacrity, and ascended the steps leading to the scaffold with firmness. Cle- mens followed, with aslower, though not less steady step. After reaching tho platform, the unh convicts were exhorted by the priests tog their trust in God. Preparations were then for the execution. The hands of both convicts were tied, caps were drawn over their faces, and the cords ad- justed about their necks. The platforin was then cleared—the trigger which supported it was drawn, and in a moment the unfortunate men were launched into eternity. Reed died apparently, without a struggle. Clemens struggled a moment or so, his frame underwent one or two convulsive throes, and then life became extinct. After hanging the allot- ted time, the convicts were cut down and interred. . Throughout the whole painful ceremonies preced- ing the execution, the unfortunate criminals evinced the utmost fortitude. Each met his fate with firm- ness and resignation. From the time thoy srearge from the prison, to the awful moment preceding their execution, neither gave evidence of the slightest degree of unmanly fear. uring the Lids eae of the melancholy procession up the vulloy to the place of execution, the mani- festations of popular sympathy in behalf of the un- fortunate convicts were general and hoartfelt; but here, as well as at the gallows, the utmost order peeraesy all bowing with the greatest respect to he majesty of the law. Immediately precedin, the execation, an incident occurred near the scaffold, which produced a momentary panic. A spirited horse became mnmaceesable, and gave evidence of a desire to pitch his rider upon the heads of the mass of human beings wedged in between the mili- tary on one side, and Bacon’s Quartor Branch on the other. Whilst the horse was rearing and el ing, a rush was made by the crowd to get beyond the reach of his hoofs. Many persons were forced into the Branch, and tho pressure created.a_ moment confusion amongst a section of one of the volunteer corps, one or two members of which were forced out of the ranks. The confusion, however, was only momentary, and no one sustained serious injury, etonel we hear one or two persons fell into the ranch, TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. I obeerved in your paper, a few days since, that the President had refused—and I think very properly—to pardon Thomas Reed and Edward: Clements, the two sea- men executed yesterday, at Richmond, Virginia, for piracy and murder, committed on board the sehr. J. R. Lindsey, near the Island of Trinidad, port of Spain, as I am in possession of all the particulars. I think they were guilty of one of the most deliberate and cold-blooded anurders ever committed on the high seas, The murder ‘was premeditated, and they laid their plans before the versel sailed from Trinidad. It was their intention, when at sea, to murder the captain, mate, cook, and passen- ger; to take the vessel somewhere on the Spanish main, scuttle her, and, as they supposed the captain had all the money for his cargo, which he had sold at Trinidad, to take that, and go toCaiifornia. On the first evening after sailing from Trinidod, they killed the mate and pussen- ger, Walker, who were on deck at the time; and as the captain came out of the cabin. they both fired a horse pistol at his head, one of the balls taking effect on his throat, The captain then went into the cabin. told the boy, the cook, that he was wounded, and loaded his pis- tols. 1 Cfemonts iad gone forward to reload theirs ; after which they came aft, when Reed fired his pistol again at the in. while in the eabin, the eap- tain, at the same time. fired his pistol at Reed, who was on deck. by the cabin door. the ball striking Reed on the side of tho nose. and passing into his mouth, knocking him down, It was this shot that saved the life of the captain and cook. Reed end Clements afterwards cut the rigging. and attempted to scuttle the schooner, when. they made their escape in the boxt. When the vessel ar- rived at St. Thomas, she presented a painfally agonizin, scene. After learning the particulars of the murder, offered a reward for the offenders, who were taken shortly afterwards, near Laguayra, on the Spanish main, Commo dore Parker. Captain Lowndes, Mr, Steel, U. 8, Charge at Caracas; Louis Baker, Ei: Consul at Laguayra; and Captain Etchberger, of Burk El Dorado, Balti- more, are dexeeving of all praise, for the assistance they rendered in bringing the offenders to justice, Poor Wolker, he struggled hard for his life, but was overpower- ed, and dreadfully massacred. his coat pockets eut out, and his body thrown into the deep blue sea, and as it sunk beneath the wavo, the vessel rode on her way, leay- ing him to be sepulchcred in his coral grave, the seaweed! for his winding sheet. and the moaning winds to whistle| his funeral notes. When the curtain which hides us| from eternity shall be rolled up, then, and then alone, will} be seen how many unfortunate beings have been murder- edon the high seas. I trust the dreadful fate of Reed and Clemente will prove a solemn warning to all evil-dis- ‘ed snilors. Most truly the way of the transgressor is ard. HARLES H. DELAVAN, Late United States Commercial Agent for the Island o St. Thomas, W. I. New Yonex, April 24, 1862, The Army and the Deficieney Bill, 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Ina recent debate in the House, upon the Deficiency] bill, grave charges of peculation were preferred, which, i substantiated, should subject the offender to trial bot in military and civil courts, Whatever be the founds. tion, it is due to the army, to justice and right, that pr: per explanations be offered. ‘The yery extraordinary expenditures of the Quarter- master’s Department have taxed the ingenuity of honor. able members to discover the its rolution in necessary disbureen their feelings by most dishonorable cers of the army. To enter into any statement of costs arising from the} great enlargement of our frontiers. greatly inareased land transportation, high prices of provisions and forage. enor mous rates of hire. in erecting buildings for quarters in California and Oregon, would. be resuming upon th blindness of the present Congress; But with due defe rence to their superior comprehension, would it not b justice to look for apparent and plausible causes, rathe: than give publicity in our nattonal councils to statement which, it is believed, connot be verified? If officers of th army are felling government borses, and other govern ment property, in New Mexico. as a private speculation— if till unother has settled into a quiet repose in Oregon with a snug little fortune of onc hundred thousand dol lara, proeceds of fraud on government—it is the duty o- those making these assertions to give their names to th public, that proper steps may be taken to purge the ara of such blots upon its reputation. ‘The high and bonorable tone it has ever been the boas of the army to perpetuate in their relations, both officia and private; animadversions invariably hurled upon th heads of the offending; and the restraints of esprit d corps. are in themselves motives, if none others existed to deter from corruption and knavery. It is not pre tended that eaeh and every member of the class of offt. cers of the United States Army is immuculate nor infa lible; but it is asserted, beyond the fear of contradiction that no party to apy dishonorable transaction can retai his position Without exposure. Having reecutly served in Gregon, the seat ef the nefa rious transaction, as alleged by Mr. Gorman, and tha gentleman having failed to redeem his pledge upon appl: cation, I feel it due both to myself and brother officers t state, that as late as May, 1851. no such instance of frau occurred. If after that period this skilful financierin Was perpetrated, names should be published. ents. quietly relieve retlections upon efi. The Netheriand’s Frigate Prince of Orange. TO THE BDITOR OF THE HERALD. Sir :—I obsorve in your paper of this morning, at extract from the Annapolis Republican of the 24¢ inst., that tho frigate Prince of Orange is called hi Belgian Majesty’s. This is a mistake, asthe Belgi: government have no men-of-war of that class. Hi reyreied the King of the Netherlands frigate Prino of Orange, commanded by the Chevalier Byl de Vro8,, now in Norfolk, rates sixty guns, and is considered te be the finest frigate in tl q from Norfolk on or about the 5th of May next, fo thisport. 1am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. ZAraenwurp, Consul-General of the Netherlands. Monday Morning, April 26, 1852. VISIT OF THE OFFICERS OF THE DUTCH FRIGATE A’ WASHINGTON. pas the Republic, 26th inst } The Dutch frigate “ The Prince of Orange,” car. Wing sixty guns, and one of the finest vessels in th Dute! navy, recently arrived at Annapolis, Md, from which she yesterday sailed for the North, Hei officers wished to bring hor up to this city, but were} bic from #0 doing by her heavy draught. ercommander, Captain Bijl de Vroe, came up te} the city and waited on the Presiden whom, wit several of his officers, he was in ced. Theso| officers express themselves very fav with the courteous reception gi President. They also pnid their vr Sceretary of State and to the seorc They vil! ed tho Capitol, and we number of the members of bo 2 ki the Richmond Times, of the 24th instant.) esterday morning, at 11 o'clock, those un- happy men underwent the extreme penalty of the law. A vast concourse of people—men, women, and children, of all colors, from snowy white to sooty—occupied the valley, in the immediate neigh- borkood of the gallows. ‘The hills on either side, too, were also crowded with an anxious multi- tude, attracted thither by the novelty of a public execution. At9 o'clock A.M., the dragoons, the Grays, the Montgomery Guagds, and the Young Guard paraded; and, after forming, marched to the county jail, for the purpose of guarding the convicts to the place of execution. z e354 At 104 o’clock the prisoners, attired in loese dark colored robes, fitting compactly about the neck, and wearing on their heads dark blue navy caps, made their appearance in an open spring wagou, drawn by two horses. Besides the Sheriff of the county, the Jailer, and the Depnty Marshal, the rouers were attended by two Cath latter being seated by the side of cach of t men. The yilitary having taken up proper positions, the melanclly procession moved up Main street to the Old Market, House, where it filed off to tho right, and proceeded slowly up the vailey to the place of execution During tho whole time veoupied in pase Jol Lie prieoh Wo tie gallows, Lhe eyes of the pri- priests—the e unhappy Bouligny, Assistant Appraiser of Mer- Orloabe vice A. Matay removed. unfortunate convicts appeared riveted oo the Holy Libles, spread before them by their ghostly confes- visited the Na Tom cevived Thero is every will be productive two countrics. to helioy that their vivit te best fee’i 3 between tha Ox Weer Laren rnom New Prov from Naseau, N. P.. tothe 11th inst. Charleston. 8. C,. by the Annie Soph . Among her pas sengers was tho Rev, Dr. Cox. of Be: vklyn, Om the 6th of the Bahama prner. — Advices » been received ab inet., Dr. Cox delivered, ut the insta: Literary Arrcoiat a lecture on “C, vonology as related to History and the Christian Era,” Guardian speaks in the most eulogistic terms of the G ctor's address, and “ubhesitatingly affirms that the mo: phitosophie or lite. rary minde, the savans of Britain or Avoriea, or the most elevated in station anywhere, would lave honored thein- Ti relves—perbaps even poliched their f.celtics a tittle more —at all events, refined thett hearts, by itting fora couple of houre at the feet of (his master in 7 e wover- nor of the Puhamas and family embarked on the 10th inst.. in th oria for Philadelphia, on their way to England. Their departure was attended with considera- ble ceremony. and a procecsion consi-ting of the members of the Assembly, dignitaries of the Island, and citizens generally, escorted them to the vessel. The Nasa Guardian of the 20tb of March rays t Dolphin had been wrecked tho previous week on M Reef, Inagun, eek was bine Hayti to Hamburg, er ceige consisted of about 2.000 Lage of coilwe, oni about 50 of which were saved dry, the vessel heving gus to plecer immediately after she went ashore, Lage Were saved in a damaged condition,