The New York Herald Newspaper, December 24, 1852, Page 7

‘Our Boston Correspondence. : ~ Bowron, Dee. 7, 1852. The @onstitutional Convention— Origin of the Oon- stitution of Massachwasetts—John Adams—The @onvention of 1820— Changes Since Matle—Con- vention called for 1858—State of Parties om ihe ‘Question, Sc. : As account of the causes of the reeent decision of ‘the people of Massachussetts, in favor of the meot- ing ofa convention for the purpose of revising and amending the constitutien of the State, will, per- haps, form an appropriate closing chapter to the sketches that I have furnished you for the last two years of Massachusetts politics. I say closing chap- ter, for I look upon the old parties as dead, and all arrangements under their names aseffote. The old names may, for a while longer, continue to be used, as matters of convenience, just as in England they talk of whigs and tories as living things, though* whigism and toryism are as dead and buried as Fox and Pitt. Out of the chaos that now exists here must, at no distant day, come that order which we call definite political organizations, and which or- ganizations will be moved and governed, respective- Ty, by the two great principles of conservatism and progress, and each having its proper allowance of sordid and selfish place seekers. The constitution of Massachusetts is, as the world goes, a venerable instrument. It dates its origin from the year 1780, and is, therefore, in its seventy- third year, which is beyond the limits set to the age of man. The original government of the colony ‘was under what is called the old charter, which made a sort of aristocracy of the community. This, besanse it left the colony almost entirely indepen: Gent of the crown, was taken away by the Stuarts, in the course of their crusade against the constitutiona; rights of their subjects. When the English revola- tion teok place, the colonists thought they should get back the old charter, especially as they had ac- tually risen against, and overthrown the Stuart gov- ernment, before it was known to them that the game thing had been done ‘‘ at home” as a conse- quence of the invasion of England by William of Orange. But the new English dynasty had no ides of allowing more feeddm than possible to any of its colonial dependencies. It had, in epite of its having had its origin in a» vindication of, not the abstract, but the legal rights of British subjects, the usual feelings of imperial governments. It would not re- atore the colonial charter; but Massachusetts, and Plymouth, and Maine, were granted, as one colony, what is known in history as the new charter, though sometimes called the charter of William and Mary. This charter was granted in 1692, and endured for little more than cighty years. Under it the executive received his appointment from the King of England; and hence Massachusetts became what was called a royal government, and her chicf magistrate was known as a royal governor. The home government, to do it justice, appointed able men to the office of governor, as a general rale Among the royal governors were Sir Wm. Phips, Burnet, Dudley, Shute, Belcher, Shirley, Pownal, and others, all more or ess distinguished for talent, | and, with one or two exceptions, all most merciless- ly badgered by the people and their representa- ves. The Peele of the have got over their anger at the conduct of the Eng- lish government in not restoring to them the old charter. They made it a point to worry and fret the king’s representative, pretty much as the Irish have often served a lord lieutenant. governor, who knew human nature well, and who had an aceurate knowledge of colonial life and politics, joined to an imperturbable temper, contrived, not | only to get along well with the colonists, bus to be- come absolutely popular with them. Such was the ase with Shirley, who occupied the Province Hoase for many years. He is, I believe, the only one of the royal governors who gave a name to apy one of our towns, unless Belehers- town and Bernardstown, be exceptions. He was potemer during the famous expedition against uisburg, an event quite equal to any single oo- eurrence during the war of the Revolutio: which Shirley entered with great spirit. , and into He ia still remembered, and is almost the only one of the royal | governors whose memory is held in respect. Pownal | mands next to him, yet at a great distance ; but he was by far the abler man—indeed, a very superior man, far ahead of his age, and who had the sagacity to see the future of the colonies almost precisely a3 it has occurred. Tl an end in 1774, on the occasi government attem| at the ex of the colonists that had been pur. waed by the Stuarts in the previo vilest government that the world ¢' century. [he er was that of George II., and the people chusetts Would not submit to it. They hed im ve resort to what was afterwards called ‘the sacred right of inzurrection,” but in # manner the most orderly and sober. Allthe violence and irregularity om the side of the party which affected a spec reverence, tyrants and their tools always do, for “law aa order.” Middlesex county had the honor of leading in this matter; and one result was the assembling of the Provincial Con- , Which was neither more nor less than the old General Court, or Legislature. Gen. Gage, then royal governor, had convoked the General Court to meet at Salem, on the 5th of October, 1774, bat dissolved it just a week before that time. The members formed themselves into @ Provincial Con- gtess, which body commanded the public esteem and confidence. This congress Sosreey pplies te the Continental Congress for advice. The advice finally givon was, ‘‘ That representatives be chosen, as formerly, who should elect counsellors, according to the provisions of their charter, and that this bedy act in concert with the House, as a part of tae Jegislature, and, separate'y, as the executive part government. In g this advice, it was as- sumed, that the places o' -overnor, le gover- nor, and counsellors we:- vavated” This recom- mendation was complies -\ca, and for some years the government continu: > go on again under the reyai charter, except t). ne council was the sole di tory of executive juch & government the people of the new * that the Legislature of government;” but House of Representati>: ple to elect deputies with power to form 4 © ral Court did form « ported in January, 177: people; but it was 1 considered, an instrom who framed it, end ; satisfaction had it not ocon formed by the Legisla- lature. The people desired that convention should be called for the specitic purpose of formin; a constitution The absence of a bill of rights, an an alloged inequality in the basis of representation, were the woin charges against it. Ton thousand votes were thrown aguinat it, and but two thousand fer it, while not less than one hundred and twenty towns made norcturns. TheState of Massachusetts Bay, as the commonwealth was thon called, in- c ud-d at thet time the territory that now forms the fine end flourishing State of Maine, but which, in 1778, was, to a large extent, a wilderness. In Bos- ton, where the revolutionary sontiment was then as strong as is now its opposite, the people were unani- mous in their opposition to the new conetitution. They wished for « convention, and thought that the whole matter should be postponed until the rostora- - tion of peace. Early in 1779, the General Court again brough the subject before the people, and the result was a decision in favor of a convention, though one third ofthe towns did not make any returns of votes. Delegates Wero chosen, and the convention met at Cambridge in September. James Bowdoin, after -wards Governor, was chosen president. Having ap pitied @ large committee to prepare a constitution, convention was adjourned to the month of Janu -ery,.1780 On re-aseombiing, the convention pro- ceeded with its labors, formed a constitution, and submitted it to the poople, by whom it was adopted by a.vote of two to one. It isa noteworthy fact, that while the people of Boston «upported this oon- stitution, they coupled with that support a strongly expreseed desire for such alterations in it as should de more favorable to ree rights. I do not be- Heve that similar op! would meet with the @mo support here now, after the lapse of three- ters of @ contury. Liberty was worshipped re then by men “who walked erect and looked he stars ut hw is ee! orabipped ie y men who crawl vo the shrine of that foul malevolent. and levelling deity , John Adams was the law.giver from whose hands tho people of Massochuset:s received their constitution (e was @ member of tuo convention, and was one of a committee of thirty appointed to pare ® constitution and a declaration of rights. this largo committee the tark of drafting the eonstitution was devolved ona sub committos, con- [oe of Jobn Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Bowdoin, and the sub-committee, upon Joho Adems alone ry fow and unimportant sitera- gomnilier. ‘The, lange. commtitee hed. previously . The large commit! iy ited Mr. Adame to drofc a declaration of t te“ At the presemt moment,” says Me Adomw’ grandson, (Charles Francis Adams, who, in the third gencration is keeping up the reputa- fenrning,) "ici iropomttle to Seige tha price ox. ¢ is im to defiue the precise ox tent of the modifications made of Mr Adams’ draft ip phe report a6 (pally prosented to the convention. *er. 4 not very likely to suit Tt was at first thoaght ‘id form an ‘instrament September, 1776, tho commended to the peo » noxt General Court, eution. Toe next Gene. jon, which was re- submitted it to the It was, all things litable to those d have given jay Colony seem never to | Sometimes a | government, under the ie charter, came to | on of the imperial pling to play over the same game _ + ty bn thy House, the task; neither did they succeed in from elsewhere, however necessary to the usefulae of their undertaking, until the body of their work had gone to press. it is sufficient for the present urpose, however, to know that in ite leading fea- d in most of its language, the plan of Mr. Adams is preserved in the ty a Even the most marked changes, which, in later life, his recollec- tion im ee the beeen oF i senmaasiee, noe appear, the report, not to have nm meade by em, ry by the convention itself.” Considering these facts, Mr. C.F. Adams, I think, acted properly, in g the constitution of 1780 among his grand- father’s collected works. fees besa pea of 1780, though ope to endure, was not for some years popular, and appoars to have been Mains rather from a belief that nothing better could be had than from a regard for iteclf. Mr. Charles F. Adgms observes:—‘‘The con- stitution adopted by the State of Massachusetts in 1780 did not go into operation without meet- ing serious obstacles in the first fow years. Tho hostility ent towards an independent executive head, and a double legislative de ent, had shown itself very decidedly in the convention, and it rather than » from. disturbed condition of things, and the distress among the people immediately after the Revolution. Com- plaints of the aristocratic character of the Senate, of the Governor’s salary, and of the courts, grow louder and louder, until the year 1786, when they took the shape of armed resistance to the public au- thorities, threatening the entire overthrow of the government.” Yet, in 1795, when an opportunity was afforded for a revision of this constitution, the people refused to touch it. The material prosperity of the country, consequent on the adoption of the federal constitution and the great European wars, had much to do with this change of sentiment. Men were prosperous and contented in 1795, who, in 1786, were poverty stricken and discontented. The pocket and the belly are the places whence come moet revolutions and social disorders. Tt was not until 1820, and after the original con- stitution had been in i epee for forty years, that another constitutio: convention was called. The cause of that convention being called was the separation that had been effected between Massachusetts and Maine. These two States, until 1819, had formed but one community; but in that Pint they were separated. ine had then about 30,000 people, and Massachusetts 400,000. It was thought expedient to have a constitutional conve! tion, as some action with reference to the co: tution was inevitable in consequence of the sepa- ration. Otherwise, itis by no means certain, that there would have been a convention called until this day. On the 16th of June, 1820, a law was passed, in consequence of which, delegates, oqualling in number the House of Representatives, were chosen in the ensuing October. The convention met at the Btate House, in Boston, on the 15th of November, assembling in the r«presentatives chamber, where the members, who were upwards of five hundred in number, found themselves much straightened for room. This convention was perhaps one of the ablest deliberative bodies that ever assembled in the United States. Among its members were Isaac Parker, (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,) Daniel Webster, Lemuel Shaw, (now Chief Justice of our Supreme Court,) John Adams, (ex-Presi- dent of the United States, ) Joseph Story, (late Jus- tice of the United States Supreme Court,) Josiah Quincy, Nathan Dane, J.T. Austin, 8.8. Wilde, (ate Justice of (he Supreme Court,) Leverett Sal- | tonstall, Samuel Hoar, (of Concord. )Joseph B. Var- num, Levi Lincoin, Benjamin Russell, George Bliss, and a number of others, gentlemen of local reputation, but not so well kaown out of the State, as those I have named. When the convention met, it almost unanimously made choice of John Adams, then clehiy ae years old, to preside over its deliberations ir. Adams, after thanking the convention for the honor which it had | conferred upon him, declined the place of President, on the ground that his age would not permit of his | | discharging its duties. The convention then chose Chief Justice Parker to the place. A special seat was assigned to Mr Adams, on the right ofthe Pre- | sident, and when he assumed it, on the second day | Of the session, all the members rose and stood un- covered. The convention sat for fifty-six days, ad- | journing on the 9th of January, 1821 There wa contiderable discussion during its sittings, partisu- larly on the principles of government, for but few changes of consequence were made in the consti tion. The most important change made was tha! by which our present suffrage system was adopted, | whereby all property qualifisations were abolisqed | for electors. The judiciary was made more inde- pendent of the legislature and the people. The for- mation of the House of Representatives gave the convention great trouble, as it will tie next con vention. Im the convention’s address to the peo- le, setting forth its labors, speaking of the equalities of representation that had been unavoidably left, it is said:—*‘We believe that the Progress of population will con- | stantly diminish those inequalities which | may now exist.” It is « tolerably forcible com- mentary om the “‘ wisdom of the wise,” that the inequalities referred to have constantly increased with the progress of Lad setae and form the chief cause of & convention having been called to meet next year. A proposition to change the basis of | the Senate from property to population was lost. | Mr. Webster was in favor of the property basis, and it was in course of a speech on this question that he said, ‘ It would seem to be the part of poli- tical wisdom to found government on property,” words destined to be often quoted against him in after years. Some other gentlemen also made use of language calculated to injure them in the popular estimation, and, in eommon parlance, they were | “laid out” accordingly The vote on the acceptance of the amendments of 1820 was very small, another proof that the psople cared but little about the matter Since that time | there havo been several amendments made, accord- ing tothe provision contained in the constitution it- eelf for that purpore—the Legislature has twics in succession to make certain ehanges, which the people have te accept All these amendments, however, s0 far as they have related to representation, and no matter what their intent, have tended to the in- create of ae inequalities which have always existed here. The consequence been, that the wer of the government is fast acsumulating itself in a few places, most of which are always of whig politics, and the remainder generally so. Of late years the quoation of constitutional reform has as- sumed almost a bach party character, and it, has been found utterly impossible to get any changes effected that have the chance of decreasing the power of the whigs, for it requires the votes ef tw thirds of the House of hint ems hed two yoars in succession, to make an alteration in the constitu- tion. Even the coalition Legislature, when it con- tained fifty anti-whig majority, could not carry an amendment implying a certain degree of political change Every year and decennial census sees the pha of the State falling more decidedly into the | ands of the few men who control great centres of wealth. As an amusing instance of the tenacity with which the dominant class hold on to power, and will not furnish even the most innecent prece- dent for change, it may be mentioned, that, when a few years since, Congress passed a law making the election of Presidential electors to come inall the States on the same day, our Senate stubbornly re- wed to conour with the House in a change of tho | constitution necessary to alter qur State election day from the second Monday to the first Monday of November; the consequence of which has -been, | that we have, every fourth year, two elections in | the course of sevendays. Yet Yankees are thought to be shrewd, and, above all things, economical in the matter ef time. All attemps to effect changes by legislative ac- tion having of late years failed, a bill was passed by the legislature of 1851 calling a convention. When submitted to the people, it was defeated by somo five thousand majority A similar bill was passed by the legistature of 1852, quite a number of whigs supporting it. At the revent State election, the verdict was changed, and the action of the Le- gitlature ratified. On the first Monday of Meroh next, delegates, te the number of 433, are to be chosen, in th © manner that town reprogenta- tives now are, the convention will assemble in the State House, in Boston, on the first Wednosday | of Mey. The opinion has been expressed that dele- gateé can be chosen to this convention in the samo | way that members are chosen to the British House ef Commons—that is to say, that any town can elect a delegate or delegates from any other town; but Loan find no authority for this ia the act oall- ing the convention. It would bo well for the reform | party if it were so, for under any other circam- | stances whig talent mast largely Prepon derate in the convention. Tho loss of the State, too, by tho coulition, has increased the chances of the whige | controlling the convention. The huokers and rum- | mies will not improbably unite with the whigs, to 4ffeot the choice of mca just as they aid to ahoose representatives. it ia a 6; commoenta- YP, on the stupidity of no email number of the coa- ionists, that under, circumstances so eminent: free ed to ser ara nye og he Ne jaarrel over 80 ridiculous a piece o' lon as the Maine law ‘es An event that has ocourred since the pooplo de- . cided upon having a convention shows its necessity in a very striking manner. Tho whigs, with » po: | pu'ar majority pfaians them of 14,000, have ob tained control of the State. This follows from thoir having olected 149 sentatives, vhile the other 8 towns haviay already exhausted their right to sond botween 185 & fall House, therafore, Ge membei iy the Last year, when the: they had forty | ir of twenty or Seenty 80. It will elect, or aid esting, 0" cause | provides, “ That | with the Surve | intperfect, and would farnis! Ths torty up the Senate ry » or, and nine Councillors fr all other elections or appoi upon or connected with the State government to be made from the minority. All thisis p1 enough, so long as the people choose to keep such nonsensi- cal proceedings constitutional; but to plain men it seems that a change of the constitution, that should allow towns to elect their sentatives by a plu- rality on second trials, would have a cy to keep the Legislature from degenerating into a mere factious caucus. The statement that the next Legislature will, be- cause of its majority being whiggish in character, pet the law calling a convention, is all moonshine. e Legislature has not the power to do go, in the first place ; and, secondly, not afew whigs, now that a convention has been oalled, and there isa good chance of their party controlling it, are desir- ous that it should meet, in the hope and expectation of being enabled to form one of those centralizing constitutions which give such sacetente to a wealthy party holdjng the’ power where both capi- tal and intellect are caressed Thero will be a nice battle, let the result be what it may. Thave only touched upon the question of towa representation, and must defer what I have to say upon it to some other opportunity. It lies at the bottom of the whole of this matter, and is the one point that will give the convention more trouble to settle, than all others combined. Our government is based upon the existence of these little commun- ties, and pretty much all that is good in it is at- tributable to the existence of towns. They aro the decentralizing element of the country, and as such, cur people are strongly o| to any attempts to reduce their importance by the introduction here of the district system of representation. ALGOMA. Message of the Governor of Florida, Governor Brown transmitted his m e to the Legislature of Florida, on the 22d ult. The most important part of the document is urging upon the Legislature some action in relation to the scheme of internal improvement, by which the entire State would be benefitted. The Governor adheres to the Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad as the most im- portant work to be accomplished, and thinks the restrictions which have been placed upon the char- ter are iil-judged, and caloulated to weigh down the enterprise. In a general view of the_resources of the State, the Governor says :— “Tt is a melancholy reflection, that while the spirit of improvement is oer every other Btate, opening new sources of wealth and comfort, an stimulating human industry in all its varied dee partments, Florida alone, who buried his talent, seems well nigh content with inaction and repose on this vital subject. Wedo not transcend the limits of truth when we claim | for her natural advantages, resources, and capabi- lities for improvement, unsurpossed by those of an; other State of the Union. Sho is the fifth in terri- torial area, the third in health, with some 1,200 miles Atlantic and Gulf sea-board, a fruitful soil, a vee climate, extending within the tropics of jancer, and a range of agricultural products of un- surpaesed variety and value She has noble rivers, spacious harbors, inexhaustible supplies of timbor. Around her floats, in endless succession, a large portion of the commercial marine of the civilized world, and she lies in the direct line of travel and transportation between the great marts of the northeast and southwest—the Atlantic, the (iulf, and the Pacific coasts. With all these advantages, her progress, if it deserves the name, has no paral tel witbin the limits of the Union in feebleness and in- significance. Colonized three hundred years ago, she isetill weak in numbers, with very little greator comparative public or private wealth than less fa- vored sections, and the broad bosom of millions of her acres, susceptible of profitable tillage, is yot un- | disturbed by the hand of agricultural labor. The following is the Governor’s own words in re- lation to the railroad referred to in the introduc- ion :— “T beg leave to suggest particularly such amend- ments of the act passed at your last session, incor- rating the Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad jompany, a8 may in your judgment harmonize therewith and subserve the pablic interests. cilities for rapid, easy and cheap intercommunica- tion and transportation, which snall invite immi- | gration, stimulate private enterprise, arouse public | spirit and energy, and harmonize our population, are pre eminently the wants of Florida at this time; and for one, fellow-citizens, I despair of any great or lasting improvement of any kind, in our con- | dition, until we shake off sloth and betake ourselves manfully to the supply of these wants. A large rtion of our people must remain .comparatively lestituté of even schools and other means of mental and moral improvement, until population thickens around them; and never will private energy de- velope itself, until our State counsels and covers ment manifest some Wpsprees tokens of a publi spirit. Let the State, if ete wishes the character of a State and the place of a State in the hearts of her people, display eome enlarged purpose and design, | and some executive vigor, in behalf of the people and hereelf. The reclaiming of the swamp lands of Florida claims @ good portion of the Governor’s attention. He says:—‘‘ In accordance with the act of the last General Assembly, ‘*To secure the Swanpand Over- flowed Lands,” approved 24th January, 1851, which quested to take such measures as to him may seem expedient and most to the interest of this State, in securing and classifying the lands lately ranted to this State, designated as Swamp or Overflowed Lands,” Iopened a correspondence on the subject ‘or General ot Florida, and the Com- missioner of the General Land Qffice. I regret to say that but little progress has been made. It will be seen by a report of the Commissioner of the Gen- eral Land Office, that only 514,483 acres have as yet been confirmed to the State. Understanding that the field notes in the nee General’s offive were very inadequate infor- mation in regard to the quality of lands which pro- perly shot belong to the State, by vir tue of the act of Congress of the 28th Sep- tember, 1850, making the grant of the ‘‘ swamp or ,overflowed lands” in the State, and that the | interest of the State rendered it absolutely neces- ary that some agent, competent and well ac- uainted with the land surveys in Flerida, should appointed on the part of the State to protect its rights, I made acontract with Mr. Henry Wells and Dr. Arthur M. Randolph, as general State agents | Both of these gentlemen have for | for this purpose. many years been engaged in the execution of large contracis for the survey of the public lands in Florida, and from their capacity and high charac- ter are particularly well qualified for the perform- nce of thisduty. It will be seen by the contract, that they are, when necessary, to make examina- tions in persoi—te ran out tho lines, and to farnish a complete set of maps for the State, for eight mills : poy on all the lands reported and confirmed to 0 State larger portion of the lands which will aecrue to the State under the grant of Congress, are yet uosur- | veyed, and consequently cannot he seleeted and sot apart to the State. Upon this subject I invite the attention of the General Assembly to the opinions intimated by the Department of the Interior and the Genoral Land office, in certain letters responsive | Topositio n to survey the country oocnpiod by | to m the Indians, which are herewith transmitted. ‘The Seminole Indians are referred to, and the Go- vernor seems to have misgivings in relation to the romise of Billy Bowlegs to remove from the State. le says that ® oo operation with Gen. Blake was particulsrly urged, which led to the interview that took place between Gen Hopkins and Billy Bowlegs in August last, and the visit of the latter, with his party, to see the President at Washington city, terminating in am agreement to use their in- fluence to get their people to emigrate as soon as | T must confeas, however, that I look for | sible. To beneficial results from this negotiation; aud, in- deed, it is surprising that, with a full knowledge of the faithlees character of these Indiens, the yma ment beng have thought it soe pray commit to paper an ent”’ in which no time is stipulated for ‘fe fuldimeat. Common rumor has underteken to mupply. this imporsant | omission, and to assign March next as the tan in which the emigration may be expected; | t better testimony—that of Bewlegs himeelf—de clares, asa voluntary act on the Boles, it will never take place. that chief since his return from Washington, wl in a state of inebriety, and removed from his habi- | tual cunning and caution, shows that the mont and all its concomitants sre but another of his tem- eed expedients to gain time arfi the means of | le! fence, when force is resorted to, or at best, to delay the period of its tion. Under these ciroum- stances, it will be for the General Assembly to deter | mine what measures shall be adopted to comps) ® | removal, and the time for their licacion, | should our anticipations as to failure of shis new attempt at negotiation prove well foraded. Imrontant Dxctstow.—A case of interest to travellers and tramsportation oom| was decided on the = inst., by Judge Andrews, ince od suit was it ‘passe! ir e ie Worecovel the Taine of 8 ir ad Ita Gontonts, contain: the beat, ing the Fhe trunk oye and Judge Andrews jury that if it apenas, oy A! Mad se that m be'ag transported yarposes of future yeetmwent a0 ‘2 part of it Intended to. be used like the slothful.ervant | Fa: | e Governor is authorized and re- | They are engeged in the work, andhave | made considerable progress, and Mr. Wells isnow in | Washington city upom this subject. But by far the | of the Semi- | he fact that de- | clarations to this effect have been often made by | Instructions to Merchant Captains, James Gorpon Bawnerr, Esq — Having returned from = voyage performed ac cording to “written instructions,” and the event proving unprofitable to the owners of the ship, as well as unpleasant to myself, I feel constrained to ask your permission to lay before the commercial public a few words on the subject of “tying down,” by ‘‘letters of instructions,” masters of ships, es- pecially those of freighting ships. In place of ar- gument to prove the folly, in » pecuniary point of view, of “tying up” masters of vessels, in whom owners have confidence, by ‘‘ instructions,” I will give two instances, in the first of which, being left to do the best I could, I profited by the tying up of another by his owners, and in the other case where I myself was a victim of “ instructions,” with what effect you will see. A year or so ago, I was at Havana with my ship, seeking froight, which was middling at the time. ‘The British bark Medora, Captain MeNiel, (0 shrewd little bluenese,) lay alongside, having arrived ten days before me. He had engaged freight the day before my arrival, (not being tied up at the time,) to Cowes, for orders, for £3 10s.—a good lay; but before commencing taking in, he received PeERAP tory insteuctions from his owners to got a freight for London direct, and on no account to take a freight for orders ee pe came on board and kindly me my shi the offer of his freight, which, I assure you, I accepted, not under instructions. He stated to me # fact w! I had not bad experience enough to have learned, that from the quality of the sugar he was as certain as he could be of anything that it was destined even- tually for the London market, but his orders be’ remptory, he was determined to obey them; e knew he would have to waic a week or two for direct freight, and then, perhaps, take £2, or less, which proved to be true, for he onl; got, £2 for London. I sailed about two weeks before him, Ia; at Cowes ten days, was ordered up 50 London, and, in five days after my arrival in k, the Medora arrived. ‘Tho difference on the voyage, in a pecu- niary point of view, of the instructed and unin- structed master, can readily be calculated. The instructed master, though all but certain of tho destination of the freight he had engaged, had to give it up for the positive certainty of a broken yoyage and discontented owners. Mr. Hditor, would not such a state of things gall you? . And another case, my own, “under instructions.” | My orders were, “Proceed to Porto Rico for a | freight at £2 10s. and 5 per cent; lay four days | after discharging. If molasses can be bought at | $12, buy and come home; if not, proceed to Havana, | and’ advise with J C. Burnham & Co.” Well, I went to Porto Rioo, discharged; molasses could not be had less than $12 75; could not buy; lay four days trying for £2 10s.; was offered £2 and 5 por cent, could not take it; had also a good offer for a load of molasses to New York, but that was notin | | instructions. Proceeded next to Havana; on ar- | rival advised with J. C Burnham & Co. Advice | | received was to lay awhile for a rise; freight scarce | and dull; lay eeven weeks, and finally got £2 10s and 5 per cent, to Cowes for orders. After arrival | at Cowes, lay five days, and was then ordered to | Riga. Had a long passage, and could get no return freight to United States; accepted one to Liver; 001 at a low rate, (the first I suspect evor so carried in an American bottom) On arrival at Liverpool, I found a letter at Cannon & Co.’s for me, from owners, which was to have been despatched to Riga, but hearing of my engagement thence for Liverpool, they retained it till my arrival. This letter cen- | sured me for not waiting at Porto Rico longer, as in | a week after I left freights rese, (could not help it, | had to go in four days); I laid too long in Havana, (did s0 by advice of the house I was ordered to ad- | vise with); that in two weeks after I left Havana, froights wore active at an advance, (could not help that, was not there then, and got a blowing up for staying there so long); winding up with that even if 1 had given $13 at Porto Rico for molasses, it would have paid, and ending with giving me ‘‘fits” generally. Now see the difference. If I had been left to “‘do the best J could” on this voyage for my owners, I should have paid $12 75 for,molases, and this would have left $1,900 profit om the voyage to New York. Then taken a freight for Havana of what the owners could get; and after arriving at Havana and dis- | charging, would have been on the berth for freight, | at just the ‘two weeks after I left,” to take ‘tone of the active freights at_an advance,” and this | $1,900, and the freight to Havana, would have been | earned while the ship lay ialo at Havana. I might give you unnumbered instance of tho ill | effects of owners ‘‘tying up” masters of vessels If they have not confidence in th better dis- charge them at once; but if they have, especially in freighttog bhi) Bs OL will seo that a master is apt to do better without than with in ons. A man | iid on the tenter hooke all the while; the ship is | 01D; bad, his owners will grumble, and he knows | | that it is their own fault, and he thus pursues the | voyage disagreeably; everything goes bad; ho geta | crusty, and sometimes surly, and in the ship, as on shere, the ‘‘devil’s to pay all round,” and which ‘was not mended when, on my return from the voy- age alluded to, I was told that, under the circum- stances, I might have strained the instructions a little, so a8 so give the $1275 for molasses. Very | food but suppose J had, and made a bad thing of ty what then? Yours respectfully, | Carraln oF 4 FREIGHTING Burr. The First Locomotive West of the Misstssippl. | [From the 8t Leuis Republican, Deo. 3.) The ‘* iron horse” has been harnessed on the west | side of the Missile and yesterday morning, at | eeven o’clock, his it loud and shrill whistle was heard. It yas cheering sound to those who, for | years, have desired to see 9 commencement in ‘‘in- | tornal improvements” in Missouri. Long and eagerly | have they looked for this period, and at last it has | come. Probably we entertain a more lively feeling in regard to the event than others; but to every well-wisher of our country—to every one who de- | sires to cee the wealth of our State developed, and | our city rise to the importance and eminence which } it is dertined to bane Ue occasion will be one | of rejoicing and gratification. only a commencement; but it is the ‘ beat an end” which we cannot foresee or foretell. The Pacific Railroad has been commencod, and | has so far progressed that the locomotives, with burden and freight trains, are running upon it. | True, only a few miles are yet in use, but who @@n | predict how long or short the period when the lovo- | motive will start from tho Mississippi and ter- minate ite flight on the shores of the Pacific? Yesterday morning, a beautiful, and we trust a fa- yorable omen, was presented at the starting of the train. The locomotive, with the tender, had been | backed down nearly to Fourteenth street, and after three heavily-laden cars of iron end ties had been attached—just as the shrill whistle announced an onward movement—the sun, Paes invisible from the mist that hung over the horizon, mddenly burst forth, showing hia full, round disc through a smoky atmosphere. At ‘be moment, a facetious friend remarked, ‘ Old Sol is disposed to give us a race for the Pacific—we can’t beat him to day, for eur track is not in order; but we will give him = | tight show for it ip a short time.” 1 ‘he opening of # short distance of this road, go | far as any immediate result is involed, is unimp6r- tant, but it affords gratification from the fact that | | it is the first railroad with a locomotivo running on it, west of the Mississippi. It ia the opening of a new era, not only in our city and State, but to th vast territory which lies west of the Father of Wa. ters. Imagination is lost and bewildered in e' attempt to Jook into the future of which this is but the pioneor movement. We could indulge in man; pleasing speculations on the consummation, but it | ig not necessary. There are those now in active life, and who were startled from their slumbers yes- | terday morning, by the clear, shrill whistle of the locomotive, who will live to see all the hopes and ex. tations of the most sanguine among us, realized in a railway communication between St. Louis | and the Pacific ocean. | The starting of the first locomotive, on a new and untried track, requires caro, aud froedgm from crowd. To test the track and now machinery, as | Well as to avoid the postibility of accident, no pub- licity wae given to ‘the event But yesterday morn: ing, at seven o’clock, the ‘*Pacific No. 3” locomo- | tive gave the first whist/e, and soon after was in motion This wag the first losomotive landed in | our city, and until tte night Jp aa no water had | been placed in hee boilers. At the appoiated hour, | however, she was ready and impstient for the trial. | | Ino fow days the road will be opened to Chelten- bam, or Salphur Springs, and passenger oars placed upon the track for the accommodation of passen- | gers, Ina few more weeks it will be opened tho entire distance of line now under contrast, and cars will run regularly every day. The amount of labor and money expended will greatly astonish those who | have not visited the road, in the erection of machine | shops, station houses, & ; and yet thisis but the | beg! ~ * Yesterday must have boon a gratifying | day to the President of the company. he has | not ecen all his hopes realized, he has at loast wit- nessed @ commencement of the work, upon rue no has labored with an energy and judgmont w are deserving of the highest commendation. | ing of | DARING ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE A JUDICIAL | Orricen.—On Friday afternoon, Joseph McDougal, Esq., sppeared at Justice Bell’s cifice, on Court street, as de- fendant in ® civil suit. Mr. M demanded a jury | det security for the costa in the | ‘ drew hi i throst es the iinrcot of Neduslice, Taek and knife failed, by sev: ana before it be raised the atrormey, MeVou- gal was coul ye rou, ejected from the office, No steps he been 1 for his apprehension.— Cincinnati coe | manslaughter, murder, or any other crime. | Tt istrue that itis | | acquittal by » | eourts, until reversed by ao Our W Correspondence. ‘ABHINGTON, Dee. 22, 1852. New Post Road to New York. Mr. Doty, of Wisconsin, is about to introduce pill in the House of Representatives, ‘to establish a post road, upom an air line, from Washington, by the cities of Baltimore and Philadelphia, to tho city of New York, and to provide for the oconstruo- tion of a railway upon the said line;” and having been favored with a perusal of the proposed law, I send you a summary of its enactments. The first section establishes tho above line as a post road. The second enacts that it shall be the duty of the Postmaster General to cause such road to be surveyed and marked, and to construct there- = - railway, bes CG eae se double Ae and for yurpose to employ the topogra, engineers of the army to cho such marvice under his direo- tion, and to employ such force inthe construction of such ra ilway and depots, as may be requisite. Section tl provides that if the owner of sa land on the route shall object to the location of suc! railway or Sey his land may be taken in the manner prescribed by the Jaws of the State in which the same is situated, and compensation therefer os be made from the Treasury of the United es. Beotion fourth provides, that the railway and its fixtures shall be constructed on contracts, to be let Lhe Colonel of the Topographical Engineers, and who is to employ a sufficient number of the officers of said corps, in superintending the work, to insure ite faithful execution. Section Fifth—When the railway is completed, it may be leased by the Postmaster General, for aterm |. not exceeding —— years. to such persons as shall stock engines and cars, and to run them as prescribed, and also to carry all mails, troops and munitions of war of the United States thereon, free of charge, and who shalt keep the road in re- pair; and on failure to perform the contract, tho railway shall be resumed, and again be let, subject to the same conditions as before : Section sixth, and last, provides that the sum of five hundred thousand dellars shall be appropriated out of the treasury of the United States, towards defraying the expenses te be inourred in the exccu- tion of the provisions of the act. Mr. Doty intends referring the bill to the Commit- tee on Post Offices and Post Roads; and from eon- versations among members, I should infer that the oposition will be favorably entertained be the louse. i The Case of Clark and Sullivan, 10 THE PUBLIC. _ Desirous at all times of avoiding a public disous sion of matters purely of a legal nature, except bo- fore that forum which the constitution and the laws have provided for the hearing and settlement of such questions, Lam compelled by a gense of duty to that community whose servant Iam, to correct the many mieapprehensions which have beon indus- triously circulated, (growing out of the recent cases of Clark and Seen in regard tothe law allow- ing writs of error to the people in criminal cases. By one paper, of high and acknowledged respacta: bility, it has been designated ‘‘ a very crue! and im- proper law”’—a law *‘ giving the right to the prose- iting attorney to appeal from the verdict of a jury which bad acquitted a man aftor a eigen tb is epoken of as having been “‘ smuggled through the Legislature,” as being utterly anomalous—having no precedent in any code of jurisprudencé that has obtained among civilized nations ” It is also in the same journal represented as having been ‘* passed not only after the commission of the crime, but after the judgment of the Supreme Court granted the prisoners new trials ” In another paper of equal character, it is called a ‘‘most extraordinary” act, and in the published opinion of one of the Juiges of the Supreme Court, itvis classed asin the nature of an ex post facio law. The law itself furnishes tho best refutation to a portion of these charges, and the history of its origin, and the causes which led thereto, may not | be uninteresting The law is as follows:— Writs of error to review any judgment rendered in favor ot any defendant upon any indictment for any criminal offence, except where such defendant shail have been acquitted by a jury, may be brought on behalf of the people of this State by the district attorney of the county where such judgment shall be rendered, upon the fame being allowed by @ Justice of the Supreme Court; and the Court of Appeals shall have full power to review, by writ of error in behalf cf the people, any sueh judg: ment rendered in the Supreme Courtin favor of any defendant charged with a criminal offence. A draft of this law was prepared some time in December, 1851, before Judge Roosevelt had taken his seat on the bench, without the slightest refer- ence to the cases of Clark and Sullivan, which, in fact. were vot argued until the February term, 1852, and was forwarded to Albany in January, shortly after the meeting of the Legislature. Is was | firet presented in the Senate pursuant to previous motice, by Mr. Yaber, of Albany, (than whom a purer and more benevolent man is not to be found.) on the 21st February, was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary Onthe 25th Feb ruary, Judge Vanderbilt, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported in favor of its passage, and it was committed to the Committee of the Whole There it remained until the 6th of March, when, b: unanimous conseat, it was ordered to a third read- | ing. On the 8th of March, it was reported by Mr. Clark as correctly engrossed; and on the 13th of March, it was read a third time, and unanimously passed the Senate. On the 20th of March, by unanimous congent, it was taken up in the House, unanimously amended and ordered to a third read- ing, read a third time, and returned to the Senate. On tho 22d of March, it was again taken up in the Senate, the amendment unanimously conourred in, and the bill returned to the Assembly, and having received the Governor's signature, became a lav. So much for the mode and manner in which the law was “ bel din through the Legislature.” Of tho causes which led to its passage, I proceed to speak Prior to the decision of the Court of Appeals, in the case of the People vs. Corning, (2 Coms. p. 1,) the right io bring wi of error in behalf of the people in criminal cases had always been ex- ercised in thie State, since the Revised Statutes of People vs. Adams, (1 Coms. p. 173,) had them- scives sanctioned the practicé by affirming a judg- ment of the Supreme Court, reversing, at the in- | gcnelude wilh @ ballet divertisement atance of the people. was ent in favor of the defendant, in tho New York Sessions. hed repeatedly been exercised in England, and I believe was never there questioned In Corn- bl case, however, the question was distinctly raiged, both in the Supreme art aod in the Court of Appeals—the former sustaining the right; and the latter, after twenty years practice to the contrary, determining against the right. Such be- ing the decision of the court of last resort, it was apparent that unless legislative aid was furnished, the public, in matters of the most vital importanoo, were at the mercy of courts of limited and infe- rior jurisdiction; and however erron of law their decisions might be, if ageinst the people, there was no remedy. This was strikingly illustrated in the case of the People vs. Phelps, indicted in the Ontario County Sessions for forgery, in parsing counterfeit notes of some of the as- sociated banker, the indictmen: being demurred to on the ground that the act axthorising these banks was unconstitutional—and, on argument, the de- Mmurrer was tustained—thus determining it was no crime jn that oounty to pass counterfeit notes of the banks incorporated under the general law. Carefully framed so as to preclude the slightest constitutional objection, not even conferring upon the people the right to # ** bill of exceptions,” and specially excepting from its visions cases of we this much abured law was parsed on the of March, 1852. In the month of Febrnary preceding, the cases of Clark and Sulli- van were argued, but not decided until May term, nae two months after the passage of the law. Will any lawyer of fair repute ‘inform me what veeted right the prisoner acquired before the judgmen: of the Supreme Court was pronounced. Jp to that moment the judgment of the Oyer and Terminer was ia full force and effect, the execu- tion of the sentenee alone being stayed As to its being en ex port facto law, I oan on!> cay the’ un- til the definition ef thosé words as furnished by Blaskstono, and expounded by the Supreme Court of the United States, shall be altered by somo | more competent authority, I shall not attempt to defend the law in question from this imputation. Nor was the law retroactive, but the reverse ; and althongh tho right to puss retroactive laws is fully settled as within the power of the State Legisla- tures to pass, if they please, I am one of those who, admitting the power, dowbt the propriety of “puoh i plate, wnvarnished bintory uch is a jy Un of the law in reastion. the ty, constitutionality, and application of which to the caves of Clark and Sul- were fully discussed before and decided by the bras Appeals,on a motion to dismiss the write error. Of the necessity of some t tribunal, — the power to finally determine what the w is, amid the conflicting decisions of courts of concurrent jurisdiction, I leave your readers and the public to determine. I have myself boon trained to with deference to the decisions of our commend to thore ape up ie, their owa ion against igment of eonsti- tuted bribunala ofthe lane! ths appodite resueteee De fide et ofc judicis mom recinitur questio: etd de seer, ta sive evvor sit juris aut, No question is to be made of the honor and duty of « er he ts mistaken a6 judge: but of his knowledge, wheth N. Bowprrcn Buuyr. to law or fact of the ease, it may The editors of the Hagrisburg Democrat, Mount, Werarzr and Orth have been Beld to ballin te sum ot ~4 enewer charge publish! @ libel om Mr. George Bergner. “ 830, and the Court of Appeals, in the case of the | The right | in point | } Foureelves, Xoure to determine there | ma called | Holman will amg the tevorite bailed for the plaintiff, Judge Daly proceeded to charge the harged the defendant Aik committing adultery. end ube baviog. dented tbe eccusation, this court bas directed thet the parties tions which embody the matter in issue. The judge them Yead them, and the answers being returned by the j At is left for the court to make such ® of matter as the law enacts and justice ands. The evidence adduced on the pact of the plaintiif ls of twe rect and circumstantial; direct aa to the Teged adulterous intercourse with Coates; djreot cireumstantial a» to the alleged intercourse of fendant with Barton Wallace swearing positively that he sew them in thet guilt; tion, and the witness Mary Carrel testifying t! she saw them together im the room adjoining and communs- cating with the chamber of the defendant, at ors hour of five in the m both being but Ee the witness dressed; and in respect to alleged interqoursev Radican, the testimony !# ciroumstantal. you believe that the witnesses and W who have testified that they saw the parties m.1 guilty act, have sworn wo the truth, o” elt ef m have, it is your duty to “ interrogations according your Of coune, the best evidence of @ faet is the sate of ‘a witness who swears he sae it. Ut ts direct, penre Butthe weight to be attached to suck testimony dependa altogether upon the character of the person who gives it, Ifthere is nothing in hi- mannrr to create suspicion, nothing improbable in the account or narrative he gives, and his character for veracity stamis ee ed, such testimony is ordinarily enti ‘te belief, though Hable to be overcome, and. therefore byno meang ‘as conclusive in certain case us circumstantial evidence. It iscomparatively easy for a dishonest witness, who finds ‘no restraint in his own con-ctense, nor in thepains and penalties with whieh the law visits perjury, to swear to @ state of facts and circumstances, as ex- clusively within his own knowladge, #0 his view alone, wi no one was present to gainsay ef contradict him. But it is very different wheres number Of witnesses establish o chain of facts and cireumstances, that, when taken together lead to but ome conelusiom, and to that slone. No power of combination, so exercise of human ingenuity by s pumoer of persons, oan edly arrange an ag ation of facts which, after bei subjected to, sifted and ‘ested by, the orcs exa nation of the witnesses. fit ther #0 exact- ly as to present s conristent harmonious and compact structure er statement. When ciroumstaz. tial tertimony amount to this, it is the highest kind of evidence, the most conclusive and satisfac . The attainment of the exact trath. where it is sought to be elicited by the testimony of witnesses, is, im any gives cage, dificult or imporsibie. bus this is perhaps the near- est approach to it atiainable by humain investigation, The circumstance mainly relie? upon as shaking the tes- timony of Whitney. is the contradictory ements he has given of the position of the partica his stating when ex»mined; now, that he «aw them inthe act of com nection, and his statement when examined before, that they were sitting on the side of the bed and, im re ot te Wallace, the improbability of = woman intending to commit uch an act, entering the chamber of two mem, and deporting herself in such « manner towards Voates, im the presence of Wallace. as would naturally excite his suspicion as toher intention How far these clrcum- stances or considerations affect he credibility of their statement, how far the oiroumstances detailed by the other witnesses tend to support or weakem it, it is, of couree, for you to determine [a respeet tothe alleged intercourse with Radican. you will pursue the same course, distinguishing #hether ths circumstances adduced are sufliciently strong, either by them- selves, or in connection with the other facts in the case, to induce you to believe that it existed. [ Lagi sent an analysis of the testimony but omit doing so thd you may be left entirely to the Impression it has mad§ upon you in the course of the cause. The views it gerts, either for or against the defendant. have been mi the subject ofa very lengthy comment by two very a’ counsel, snd being purrly question of fact, you slen must determine. I could not go over it and comme upon it without affording some indication of the imp! sion made upon the mind of the Court, whereas, in a cate like this, I think it more @rirable that the matter should be left for it« solution to a comparison of the impressions made upon the minds of the twelve men that compone the jury, and to the result ‘to which that comparisom may lead, than that they should be inflaenc their determination by the judge ent y one mam. however great may be his experience. or disinterested his motives, It is very natura', gentlemen to desire to esoape from the responsibility of determining a matter in which we have no perronal interest if it can be done for us by ame- ther, in whose experience disinterestednoss and integrity we have confidence Jurors are very apt to rest the re sponsibility of determining a disputed question of fact upon the. indications they reerive of the impressions of the Court respecting it Tn the present case it is desira- ble that no such considerations should have influence with you. but that you should determine the matter for questions with- but taking into consideration wnat may ve “"*ellzet apom either of the parties of the goswers you may return ve these questions. There is always mixed up with a case hike this collateral considerations, that tend to direot or draw off the mind from the ‘rue poiut of inquiry, that beget a consideration of comsbquences with which the jury have nothingto do You are not here. therefore, | geritlemen. tovey what would be the best disposition of this case for these parties, You are to inquire layly ag to facts, You ere to ray whether the defendant has hea illicit connection with the parties charged. After a care- ful eonsideration of the facts, you are to take up these questions, and answer them upon your censsience and upon your oath Dec. 24.—The jury this morning rendered @ sealed ver- dict for the defendant, thereby acquitting Mrs. Pugh the several acts of alleged infidelity. Theatric 1 and Musteal, Bowrny Tueatne ~The operatic drama ealled t “ Bohemian Gitl” which ia ubly cast, and in whict variety of beautiful bellads will be introduded,s commence the performances this evening. Mr. Stevé is a capital Devilshoof and Miss ‘liffert renders herso4 very emectly. The nex: feature will be the drama of “Trish Lion,” with Mr Eddy as Tim Moore. The enter- tainments will terminate with the drama called the “Smugglers of the Mill’ Mr Hambiia and his able stage manager offer very attractive entertainments for Chrismag By. Broapway Tiratne —The amurements announced for tonight are very attractive. The commencing feature willbe the opera calied the * Postillon of Loojameau’? in which Miss Richings and Mr _ Bishop will sustain the principal charscters This will be followed by the now and beautiful operatle fairy spectacle by Mr Maeder, called the *' Peri,” which ts put upon the stage in a very superb manner. The receipts are for the bemetit of Miss Richings, and it his hoped she will have # crowded houre. Nino's Ganvex —Madame Anna Thillon, the favorite and faccinating uctrese, and whose vocal abilities are exe cellent, makes ber tas ‘ht previous to leaving for the Bouto, where she has'several engagements tofuifil. The besutiful opera called the “ Child of the Regiment ” is the one selected for the occasion, the receipts being for her benetit The entertainments will There oan be little doubt but that «he will have a crowded house to greet her at her departure, Bunton’s Tuxatae.--The laughable and eccentric dra- js and Londow.” which is every night drawing large audiene 4 the pertormancee! which gives unmixed pi delight to the visiters, will commenee ibe ente Ail Bare ton’s exeelient comp: The or- obestra will exccute porkas. waltzes, &e. Mrs, Katy Darling.” and the new and origina: farce ealled the * Work of Artiet,”’ will terminate the amusements Natiowat Trearee —The programme for this ovenir Is very good. and frou its variety must ensure # large, semblage The performances commence with the joa of the Manise’’ Me Jove «8 Micoael,and Mes Niebr as Mery Woodward Miss Defore-t will sing @ favor ‘ical drame of ‘ Landsha The entertatam-1 original holiday p: Mystic Lilly” the scenery of whieh tq entirely new and beanii'ul. A variety of voosl and im struments! music wii be mtroduead in the piece, Warrack’s Teatee —Tais well managed and flourish ing ertablisbment eumounces « fine programme ef enter. tainment for this eveni»g Bualwer's comedy of “ Money! with sll the tering comedians— Lester, Walcot, Reynolds, Brougham Rea Miss Laura Keene, Mrs ballad; after woich the and Ser other eminent wtists—1n uv cast, The entertainments will terminate with the farce of * Born to Good Luck.” To moarow evening two «ww pieces willbe presemted— one ia sn origins! farce criled My Christmas Dinner,’ and the otber a tale of magic entitled “ Mysterious Rap- pings.” in whieh Bake and other «tars will appear. The Production of two mew pieces on one night is of rare oe- currence, but Wallack re-ms determined im this age of competition, that he bail not be bebind any theatre im attraction Writer's Tavatre or Veareriee,—The ove of Christmas will be celebrated at this e-tablishment by the cepresen- tation of tbe drama entitind tan in Paris,” the come- dietta cf mont” and the very lai farce of ity Jt ail of which are wall coast. an. frau ip ® great addition to ths theatre, as also Miss Rose Merrifield Mise Albertixe ani Mr. Davenport, Anxnican Museum.—-G-noral Tom Thumb isas popw lar as ever—the leotuse room being crowded every day. The piece selected for this afternoon is the excellent comedy ot the “ Maid of Mun-ter.” and for the eveniog, the pop of the“ Forty Thieves.” The Mu- seum is now ir ery ruchessful career. Cincus The equertrien amusements announced for this evening are of an exocedingly attractive ehecncter, and embody all the leading equestrians. Great prepara- tions are belzg made for Obristmas, in the produgtion of suitable amusements Cuniery 6 Oreaa Hovse.—Ohristy's Minstrels give am exoellent programme fer this evening. They snnounee au afternoon and evening performance for to-morrow. Theee, no doubt, will attract large audiences. Woon’s Mixetagus have ided a very attractive on- tertaipment for to-night oer give twe ° of songs, to morrow afternoon choruses, and instrument: we Hovy Lanp is attracti very ‘ght to. the Clescaime, Nee '” palotiog is benutifully executed, Bonent Herren, the great magician, contiawess> ped soirées Cetin Great success. = offerat of bid bet neoromantic Kom: Mune. Tourstane, the ovebcated equestrian, andy full and efficient SF es acentrha Tastibche, Meokaty of perfosmances eommensing this evening. concert last evening im Waal of Paut Julien. the Mapame Sonrsc gave ® ington, for the benefit violinist. ‘The pacty will leave for New York to-day. Mo.ie Canorive Lauman bas been engaged to singat ‘a concert in Newburyport. Paw: ancon| An cagie. «lo half tips werthot om one of the tall ret Leon ‘neat Balaeny street, Watertown, Mass , op the 18th inst LL