The New York Herald Newspaper, February 9, 1853, Page 4

JauB PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. eee SPP.cy X. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NaSéaU STB eee ee itr HERALD, hoo conte por copy —¥i per an Se eee a — ‘AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Juuvs C.xsan—Ert Car. =~ * BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Beiie’s Sraata- eu— Drvanrspeext—PurmicoaT GOVERNMENT. ‘WIBLO’S—Don ‘PasquaLs. WORTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Panis snp NICKLEBY. MATIONAL THEATRE, Obatham street—Yorxe Scamp O'Neal tRE Gasar. ‘WAILACK’S THEATRE, Brosdway—Livy or Lroxs— ‘Se hive. AMERICAN MUSEUM—Afernoon and Evening—Ow Weums a7 Yous. MINSTRELS, Wood's Musica) Hall, 444 Broad- eng —Ermo rian Misray. SEROUS, 91 Bewery—Equmernan Evrmersrvaeres. GEBORAMA, 656 Broadwoy—Baxvann's PANORAMA OF THR Boar Larv. ‘MUUZER’S SOIREES MYSTERIEUSES—690 Broadway. —OOOO ew York, Wednesday, February 9, 1853. Malls for Europe. HE NEW YORK WEEKLY HERALD. The Cumard steamship Africa, Captain Harrison, will denve tie port.et three-o’clock this afternoon, for Liver- peo). Subscriptions and advertisements, for any edition of the ew Yoru Herat, will be received at the following pines in Europe — Liverrooi—John Hunter, No.2 Paradise street. «+ ‘Whlliam Thomas & Co., 19 Catherine street. Lowpox—Edward Sandford & Co., Gornbill. F Paris—Livingeton, Wells & Co., Rue de la Bourse. B. H. Revoil, No. 17 Rue de la Banque. The European mails will close in thie city at half past ven o'clock, this morning. The Wrrxiy Heratn will be ve published at half-past nine o'clock. Single copies in wrappers, sixpence. | | ‘The News. The reports of the proceedings in-Congress yester- day are possessed of unusual interest. Both houses yeceived a message from the President, transmitting @ report from the Secretary of State relative to re- eent negotiations with Great Britain upon the sub- ject of reciprocity and the fisheries. By this docu- ment we are assured that England is willing, ex- eept in the case of Newfoundland, that the Ameri- ean and colonial fishermen shall enjoy the same privileges, so far as regards the right to take, cure, and dispose of fish in the waters, on the banks and im the markets of both countries. The negotia- tions reciprocity in trade with the Canadas are not to be in a sufficient state of for. ‘wardness to warrant the belief that they will be pre- sented for consideration during the present session of Congress. Senator Seward made a lengthy speech in opposi- tion to the report of the Committee on Foreign Re- jations, respecting the Tehuantepec route. He con- tended that, in the first place, the grant was made to Garay by an irresponsible party; and secondly, that even if the grant had been valid, it was eventually annulled by the parties holding it, through the non- fulfilment of ite stipulations. The bill affording fur- ‘her protection to patentees was passed, and the special committee made a favorable report on the petition grant a right af wos for th- petition for a grant of apd anand line of telegraph from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. Territorial business being the special order of the day, the House concurred in the Senate's amendment te the bill granting lands in certain cases to settlers in Oregon. The bills for the establishment of terri- torial governments in Nebraska and Columbia were debated at great length in Committee of the Whole. ‘At was decided that the name of Washington should be substituted for Columbia, and thus amended the | bill was reported to the House. A great deal of con- fusion prevailed during the evening session, in con- 4 sequence of its being found almost impossible to | gather a quorum. ll sorts of propositions and speeches were made, and after absentees had been brought up, and rendered their excuses for non- attendance, the members dispersed. The Broadway Railroad affair was again the cause of an exciting debate in our State Senate yes- terday. By the report, it will be seen that, instead lef cooling off during the few days interim, various Senators had been merely getting up steam on the bject. Mr. O’Sullivan’s petition has made the mber so hot, that many of the members are ty boiling over. There will be a terrible explo- soon. The Assemblymen appear to have r themselves chiefly with discussing the pro- of holding future sessions either in a lunatic jum or a State prison. The controversy on the rather indicates that the former would be the oper place for some of them. How it may be h the remainder, time will tell. By telegraph from New Orleans we have some er and very important intelligence from Mexico. citizens of Matamoras, having declared in favor | the revolutionists, succeeded, after a battle, in rout- | the government troops. The whole State of aulipas is now in possession of the insurgents. e Mexican Congress has granted to the new Presi- nt, Cevalos, the extraordinary powers asked by refused to President Arista. ‘Two days’ later advices from Havana announce the fire at Cardenas lasted for two days, and the amount of property destroyed was much ger than at first anticipated. 'The Board of Alms House Governors met . There was a large amount of important basi transacted, and the members exhibited m in the discharge of their duties. The Distric Horney submitted a written communication in sap of his former statement with regard to our prison ipline, accommodation, classification of prisoners, the law regarding the execution of condemned pinals. Mr. Blunt suggested that either the City on should be altered, or a place vet a ntiary on Blackwell's Island, so would be strictly private, as intended by The paper was referred to the com n City Prison and Penitentiary. A census of different institutions mnder the control of | Board, showed that five thousand two hun and eighty persons were receiving relief la . The proposed increase of seven thous bundred and twenty dollars, to be added, in ple gums, to the salaries of the various offi remains for action. The resolution of Govern , adopted at a former meeting, to the effect al) work to be done forthe Board which re an outlay of more than $250 should be adver: for, was amended »0 as to read— ‘sum of $500. ture meetings of the Governors will be beld at at the execa- the ers, little paragraph we yesterday inserted respect: intended publication of a statement of the Hes in and about Tammany Hall, seems to aroused consideraile anxiety among the We have sin x statement. The two <locuue in their way. They are the regul ad each faction, and will be fred off ir ce received anothe ‘Boards of Common Couno!! met las: eve transpired wortity of note beyond ov Peport, save The presentalicy of a compen, vn | and by showi | of five refer eleewhere ia this day's impression. Two men, named John Brown and Robert Reid, ‘died very euddenly in this city yesterdsy morning. “The Coroners investigated the causes, which were shown to be the result of diseases previously ex- The body of a male inf ant was found dead in the garret of a house in Varick street. The medica; testimony showed that it was born alive, but the jury could not find how or by whom it was placed there. Subjoined is a list of the contents of the inside pages of ‘this edition :—Review of Interesting Docu- ments Relative to the Fisheries ; Late News from Ja- maica and Texas ; The Resignation of Bishop Ives ; Report of the Women’s Temperance Convention at Metropolitan Hall ; Proceedings of the Board of Su- pervisors, Common Council, and Chamber of Com- merce ; Challenge to the World, and the rest of Man- kind, by'the New York Yacht Club; Theatrical, Fi- nancial and Commercial Affairs, &c. We have in type another lecture by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher on “the Conservative and the Pro gressive,” which, together with much other local matter, we are obliged to omit for want of room. Our Intercourse, with China—Opening of the Yangtse Keang. A few days:ago ourcolumns contained an ac- count of the visit of a native Chinese to this office. He was, as we stated, a member of the troupe of jugglers recently performing at the Broadway, and exhibited a fair average of the Chinaman whom social intercourse with Eu- ropeans and Americans had divested of the more striking peculiarities of his race. Assam had freely associated with English merchants at Canton, had resided for some time in California, and spoke our language, if not fluently, at aly events with sufficient accuracy to be readily understood. Intercourse with the barbarians had worn off the contempt which his country men are said to feel for foreigners ; and Assam was ready to acknowledge that his native land might learn much from us in the way of rail- roads, steamers, telegraphs, and labor-saving machinery. The avowal is significant. He who admits that he is ignorant, is not likely to re- main so long; those only are incurable who refuse to confess their need of a doctor. When Ascam returns to China, laden with the fruit of intelligent travel, he will not quietly submit to be deprived of the many conveniences he has enjoyed in thiscountry. Many a wondering fellcw-countryman will listen, open mouthed, to his tales of the wondrous machines by which the barbarian traverses space as swiftly as the swal- low flies, and the ingenious devices by the aid of which one American performs the work of half-a-dozen Chinese. Nor will he be alone in the task. Fifty thousand Chinamen, for whom a life of constant toil would barely have secured the means of subsistence at home, are at this moment employed as laborers in California, and will shortly return home with an ample provision for their families. They, too, will have seen the folly of the exclusive principle on which their laws are based; and will disseminate through the length and breadth of the Celestial Empire stirring ec”. eounts of the marvels of American science. For the firet time. the three hundred and fifty mil- lions of people who inhabit China will hear of inventions and discoveries by which life is ren- dered more agreeable, locomotion facilitated, man’s power over matter increased. Coming from the lips of a countryman, the description of these wonderful proofs of the genius of man wily not be received with the distrust which would await similar communications from a foreigner Every year will bring fresh confirmations of the statement, from the latest arrivals of Mhinoco fom Caliteruta; wud te conviction will gradu- ally prevail that more is lost than is gained by the exclusion of foreigners from the empire. Together with the knowledge of American machinery, the Chinese laborers who have re- sided two or three years under our flag, will car- ry home new notions of liberty and the rights ofman. After enjoying the blessings of freedom under our constitution, the returned Chinaman will not readily relapse into his former serfdom, At all events, he will have learnt te know the power of the people, and will feel keenly that if his interests and those of his fellow-countrymen would be advanced by the relaxation of the laws which now prohibit foreigners from penetrating the interior of the coun- try, the narrow prejudices of the court ought not to stand in the way ofa reform. This sentiment will be shared by many thousands of men. When we bear in mind the low price of labor in China, and the high wages paid in Cali- fornia, we shall be rather under than over the mark if we estimate that the annual stream of emigration to and from San Francisco will, in a short time, exceed fifty thousand men. Thus, jn a very few years, there will be hundreds of thousands of intelligent Chinese scattered over the empire, clamorous for free intercourse with foreigners and the introduction of their machi- nery, and possessing by their numbers sufficient strength to prove a formidable rival to the State. Intelligent as the people of China are known to be, the ranks of the reform party will be swelled by thousands of proselytes; and the emperor will discover that, if he persist in maintaining the fundamental laws of the realm, he will have to contend against a far more formi. dable foe than the most resolute of the pretenders to the imperial throne. Even now, while we ite, the agitation has begun; the nucleus of he anti-exelusive party among the Chinese has heen formed—a short while hence, and it will e ripe for action. This is the time, then, to review our relations with China, and examine whether we cannot usefully co-operate with the Chinese emigrants n obtaining a reform which would be not less beneficial to us thanto them. We are suf- fered by the existing laws of the empire to buy and sell with China at five ports on the sea coast; and at these ports our vessels receive some seven millions of Chinese produce, and discharge about a million a quarter of American goods, Such an insignificant trade between two countries containing. between them, about half the population of the globe snot worth mentioning: but it cannot be ma- terially increased so long as we are confined to the The inhabitants of the wealthy pre the Yang-tse- Keang are probs of the faet that seaboard, inces watered t there nterc S$ any E pire and thise: must carry as lestia them we and to ol our 8 to their door sion to do £0. ought to be ware the aim of our government. The British picked an China about six the the quarrel with i cases of opium. which authorities lad very properly destroyed; gained the entry m of th ¢ their teeth rts and the posse: island of He ig. W demand the f th more re d for justice we 2 nay f the 1 of the Yang tiation was properly 0 obtain it. Backed elled portion of the should soon overcome nego! ild not fa Ipere corr nity, we opening of this one river. We must leave them to compute for themselves what would be the demand for American tures and ma- chinery smong three hi and fifty millions of people, who have hitherte made everything by hand. and whose conception of labor-saving implements does not extend beyond a wheel- barrow. : Serie Rea Esrare ror Tue Taxes—! PORTANT AMENDMENT.—One of the most impor- tant matters, affecting the interests of our city, now before the Legislature, is an act in refer- ence to sales for arrears of taxes, assessments, and water rents, for which there are now three separate cales of some thousand parcels of real estate, in each year. This practice is destruc- tive of security in the posseasion of property. Through many causes, a notice of arrears may fail to reach the owners, and it is necessary to search for it through so many different offices, that it is.a very difficult matter for or- dinary persons to arrive at the fact; while those whom sickness, old age, or the death of protec- tors, render liable to overlook, or fail toreceive a notice of assessment, through misdirection, or to omit a tax or water rent, are precisely those who are most likely to lose their property, thus weakening one of the strongest motives to vir- tuous habits of industry and frugality in a com- munity, namely, that arising from the natural desire of all to obtain possession of a home which ehall be secure to themselves when loss ofhealth or old age comes, and to their fami- lies after their death. The amendment hasbeen applied for by the Corporation, and by the most distinguished citizens of all parties, and, having no opposition, will, we trust, be- come a law. It modifies the summary manner of selling. forbids fictitious num- bers in assessments, secures more perfectly a notice of arrears, provides a method of ascer. taining all liens therefor, and does away entire- ly with the sales for water rents, by merging the arrears into the tax for the next year. Another amendment would be desirable. The present advertisement for sales for assessments to take place in April next, comprises, in pam- phlet form, in forty-nine pages, about three thousand pieces of property, not arranged in the order of locality. but so that every property holder in the city must carefully examine the location of every piece, or he cannot know that his own is not included in the sale. They should be arranged in the order of streets and avenues, referring to the assessments which now govern the order of arrangement, by a simple column of numbers designating them—thus twenty or thirty thousand property owners could see at a glance that which takes each of them hours to study out, with great liability to error. The bill. with this addition. would be a real boon to the citizens of New York. Licntine Tue Srreets.-An elaborate and highly interesting communication was presented to the Board of Aldermen last evening, by Mr. Henry Arcularius, Commissioner of Streets and Lamps, being his report on the Bureau of Lamps and Gas for the year 1852. It is alto- gether a highly creditable production, and shows, in a gratifying manner, the rapid growth and improvement in our flourishing city. It rp ate ate ee 269,068 91 soccer eeeesoeee $631 09 The whole number of gas posts put up was 749—making the whole number of lamps now burning 8.884; whole number of city lamps, 15,007; and we have a continuous line of thirteen and three-quarter miles of oil and gas, running from the Battery to Kingsbridge. The total amount of mains laid in the city is two hundred and twenty-nine miles, and those laid last year are competent to supply 1,400 lamps more than are now burning. With all this, much remains to be done, and resolutions for lighting streets, churches, &c. have accumulated far beyond the appropriations made. The report contains much information, jina tangible shape, on the terms of the contracts now existing. and valuable statistics are given as to cost, &c., of gas, not only in the cities of the Union, but of Europe. which must have been compiled with much care and research, and on which estimates are founded of the expenses of burning the lamps ali night. The details con- tain a great many facts of interest—much more so than would be supposed on a superficial view of the nature of the document. The subject is, moreover. one which calls for immediate attention. as the present contract with the New York Gas Company expires on the 12th May next, and our citizens ought to be enlightened by the production of this report, in more ways than one. Tne Caxapian Fisueries anp Reciprocity. —The important questions embraced in the draft of the treaty between Messrs. Crampton and Everett, are now in various shapes before both branches of Congress. In the House the whole matter has been referred to the Com- mittee on Commerce, of which Mr. Seymour is Chairman. and it is expected that the report of the committee will be a very complicated and elaborate document, owing to the effort to tack the question of reciprocal trade with Canada on to the other simple one of regulating the pro- vincial fisheries. In the Senate, the plan which meets with most favor, and which is expected to be acted on, is that of Mr. Davis, who proposes to deal exclu- sively with the matter of the fisheries, and to settle that definitively, by agreeing. in exchange for the free right of Americans to fish in the for- bidden waters, to relieve the Canadians from the tax of twenty per cent imposed on the fish imported by them into our ports. This sugges- tion is favorably received by all concerned, and will, as we have said, be probably carried out. The reciprocity of trade is a more serious and important question. which must not be cou- founded and mixed up with that of the fisheries. In connection with these several matters, we place before our readers this morning an ab- stract of various documents bearing upon the tions which have been submitted to the Legislature of Nova Scotia. This abstract is of much interest and importance, as indicating the views taken by or recommended to the colonial government, and as such, it is worthy of a place in the consideration of the entire question, Tur Fr Warenovse.—An stigation hes been ordered by the govern- ment into the cireumstances of the recent fire atthe Bonded Warehouse in Broadway. The investigation has taken place. We should like to know the result. and the public would like it 400. What is it? qu even- ing was performed, for the first time in the season, at Nfolo’s, Donisetti’s charming comic opera of ‘Don Pas- quale’’—so full of fun and mirth and incident, and inter- spersed with so many sparkling gems of melody. The house was as crowded to overflowing as on any previous eveniig; and, on looking at the brilliant and fashionable audience, we could not help exclaiming, ‘How Madame Sontag draws!” Night after night the theatre is filled at two dollar and one dollar prices—or at an average of about a dollar and seventy-five cents for each individual—e de- gree of success in opera without # precedent in this city. Madame Sontag has been eminently successful in all that she has touched—in tragic, in semi-serious, and in comic opera. Whether in ‘‘Lucrezia Borgia,’’ ‘‘Son- nambula,”’ or the ‘Daughter of the Regiment,” she has been equally happy, proving herself the great dramatic artiste and the exquisite singer. Comedy, however, is her peculiar vein; and much as she had delighted her au- dience in every previous comic rdle, she so excelled her- self on Monday evening that the house was alternately in raptures of applause and roars of laughter, from the rising to the fall of the curtain. As Rosina, in “The Barber,’’ she is excellent; but in that opera, Figaroand Dr. Bartolo have more to do than Resins, and it is mot by any means a part that calls forth all her powers, nor one in which the prima donna is very prominent, though she is continally on the stage. The part of Norina, on the contrary, #0 stirring and so animated, seems as if it were expressly made for her— written and composed to give a full idea of what Madame Sontag is in comic opera. On Monday night, for the first time, a New York audience realised the perfection of her dramatic talent, and they showed their appreciation of it by the most enthusiastic demonstrations of delight. Norina is undoubtedly the chef d’auvre of the great Ger- man artiste, whose portraiture is so true to the character that it seems to be nature itself. The manner in which she delineated the piquant, lively widow—at first assum- ing the air of a bashful, simple maiden, till she is wed, then putting on a dignified hauteur, and then coming out as a terrible termagant, a dashing coquette, and appa- rently something worse, revelling in all kinds of extra- ‘vagance and gaiety, but commanding, at the same time, the most cool and provoking self-possession, till at last she makes the antiquated bachelor glad to get rid of her, and consent to let his love-sick nephew have her asa precious bad bargain—was as fine a piece of acting as we ever witnessed on any stage. There was combined with truthfulness, an elegance and a grace that showed the perfect lady in every attitude, gesture, word, and tone. In the songs she was very successful—particularly in those beautiful runs, chains of trills, and cadences delicately fine, for which she is so distinguished. Badiall, as Dr. Malatesta, Rocco, as Don Pasquale, and Pozzolini, as Ernesto, all acquitted themselves admirably, The latter sung the solo in the garden scene—Com’ e’ gentil—with much sweetness and feeling. It is a gem, but rather difficult of execution. The chorus was excellent, and the piece was put on the stage in the very best manner. Altogether it was a splendid and triumphant performance. This evening ‘Don Pasquale’ will be repeated, and will, no doubt, draw another crowded house. ‘Miss FirzPATRICK, THE COMEDIENNE, AND THE FRENCH Baier Trovre.—Miss Emma Fitzpatrick, the celebrated comedienne, and the French ballet troupe, consisting of Miles. Octaive De Melisse, Leontine, Pougaud, C. La- vigne, C. Leeder and Drouet, and M. Mege, made their first appearance at the Broadway theatre, on Monday evening. Miss Fitzpatrick performed the character of Letitia Hardy, in the fine old English comedy of the ‘Belle’s Stratagem,” and realized to the fullest our early impres- sions of that favorite part. It isa character which is, in many respeets well suited to her, and she performed it with an ease, an archfulness, and a graceful buoyancy, which defy the critic to point out an impropriety or sug- gest an improvement. Misa Fitzpatrick is a very charm- ing woman; she dressed with exceeding great taste and elegance, and looked Letitia Hardy to the life, The other characters were well sustained by the talentel members of the stock company. At the end of the comedy the star of the night was loudly called for, and being led for- ward by Mr. Conway, received the warm plaudits of the whole audience. ‘The comedy was followed by two grand divertisements, in which all the artists acquitted them. selves admirably; but Miles. De Melisse and Pougaud won fresh laurels, and elicited the marked spprobation of the audience. In the Pas de la Sylphidé with M. Mege, Mile. Pougaud displayed great artistic talent and grace- ful agility. ‘The sylphlike elegance and grace of De Me- ligse in the Pas de Quatre Nations, was a decided triumph of terpsichorean art, and was rewarded with bouquets and a beautiful wreath of flowers. This young lady 28 C@Stineu w vecume um estAUNsNed Tavorite with us. Miss Fitzpatrick sustained the sweet character of Con- stance, in the ‘Love Chase,”’ last evening, with great fe- licity and unequivocal success. Owing to the rapturous applause with which she was greeted on Monday night, the manager announces her fora repetition of Letitia Hardy, one of her best characters, this evening. But there is another attraction in the bill of entertainments— Mile. Soto, the celebrated Spanish danseuse, is to make her first appearance at this theatre to-night, in addition to Miles. De Melisse, Pougaud, and the other graceful members of the French ballet company. City Politics. THE WHIG COMMITTEES AND EX-GOVERNOR HUNT. Last evening the two Whig General Committees met at the Broadway House, where there was a full muster, the object being to wait on ex Governor Hunt, and to -pay him their respects. The two committees, after their meetings were organized, proceeded to the St. Nicholas Hotel, where Mr. Hunt has been staying for some time; and hada private audience with him. Mr. Janes Kerry, as chairman of the Od Men’s Com- mittee, first addressed him, giving a sketch of his politi- cal career, and adverting particularly to his admirable conduet in the various whig conventions, and to his pat- riotic course in Congress. He did not regard the whig party as by any means destroyed by the recent victory of the opposite party. The whig party was still alive an? kicking, and would be on hand to do battle again. There were some of the most active and energetic whigs of the city now before him, who were true to the cause, and would prove true tothelast. Mr. Kelly then introduced the members of the committee, with whom Mr. Hunt shook hands. Mr. Erastus Brooxs then followed, as chairman of the Young Men’s Committee. He said .they all knew the eareer of Gov. Hunt, both in and out of Congress. Poth there and in ‘he gubernatorial chair he carried out the policy of one of edecessors in reference to the enlargement of the canals and the commercial interests of this city and State. When famine was decimating the inhabitants of Ireland, he was the man to introduce a measure in Congress for the relief of that oppressed peo- ple. (Applause) Mr. Brooks then introduced the several members of the Young eae Committee to Mr. Hunt, who shook them by the hand. ‘The ex-Govenyon then briefly replied to both commit- tees together. After thanking them for the honor they had done him by this cordial greeting, which was but one of many similar occasions, he proceeded, without refer- ring to his own career, to expound whig principles, and to exhort the committees against despondency onaceount of the defeat in the Presidential election. Let them not be chilled or dampened by that result. The administra. tion of the affairs of the nation devolved upon their po- litical opponents, who were now alone responsible. ‘Ihe whigs had duties to perform, notwithstanding that disaster. The whig party was not and never should be a coalition of politicians for mercenary purposes, for if it were, all further efforts would be useless. The whig party were actuated by high and patriotic principles—a liberal policy—adequate protection for American enterprise and industry—extension of intercourse between al) parts of the Union, reachingfrom the Atlantic to the Pacific, and thus drawing the most remote extremities of the coun- try nearer and nearer together—the maintenance of the Union and of the federal relations to the several Statec—the freedom of the public lands, and the fulfilment of our treaty stipulations, These were the glorious principles ‘of the whigs of the revolu- lion, and, notwithetanding the recent defeat, their principles’ still lived, and the whig party also lived. Party was necessary, and party names were as imperish- able'as the undying name of Webster; and as for him, (Mr. Hunt,) he would adhere to the well-defined pur- pores and principles of thegreat whig party. It was their only hope. Nil desperandum was their motto. Let them never say fail. Did the heroic spirit of Henry be | ever fail? No, it never failed, but, on the contrary, it rose sti] higher and more buoyant by obstacles and reverses of fortune. Would the whig party fail now? No; their canse wi good one. He looked to the future with hope and confidence, for they stood on great and noble princl- ples. There had been, to be sure, collateral issues on which the whigs differed among ‘themselves. But his voice had always been for peace, and he would continue to invoke the spirit of harmony for the whig party in every section ofthe Union. ‘The time, he’ trusted, had now come—the day was at hand—when they would be come one and inseparable. He asked them to accept his heartfelt thanks. He did not expect anything of this 1. He was only afew days here, to enjoy a little re m, before retiring to the country. They had his © wishes for their happiness and prosperity ie committees then withdrew. It is said that Mr. Hunt will shortly proceed to Earope. Personal Intelligence, Fx President Van Buren is in town, on a visit to his von, the Hon. John Van Buren, at bis residence, No. 276 Fourth street, Alderman Tieman, of the Twelfth ward, having arrived by the Atlantic from his late tour In Europe, appeared last evening in his place in the Board. was absent on aceount of a serious accident in hisfamily, and Mr. Draper from illness. ‘The chair was taken by Governor West. ‘The minutes of the last meeting were read by the clerk, and spproved. The usual requisitions for supplies of food, clothing, medicine, and other articles necessary for the use of the inmates of the various institutions in charge of the Governors, were read, examined, and the necessary orders made thereon. Some of the demands from the medical offices were referred to a committee, to report upon the quantities of the articles asked for. ‘The reading of the requisitions was suspended, in order to take up 8 communication from N. B. Blunt, Exq , Dis- trict Attorney, relative to the different prisons in the city—their condition, the classification of prisoners con- fined in them, the discipline observed, and the startling evils resul from the unavoidable admixture of hard- ened criminais with persons confined, but innocent of the charges ferred against them, ‘The document con- cluded with a recommendation to the Governors to set apart acell, or cells, in the penitentiary, for the confine- ment of criminals condemned to capital punishment, in order that they might commune with their God apart from the ribald jeats of other prisoners. If a place were not had within the walls of the penitentiary, the City Prison might be so arranged as to carry out the intent of the law. We give some extracts from the document:— Therricr ATTORNEY’Ss Orrics, Feb. 8, 1853. Guymzmex—In accordance with the ‘suggestions of some of your members at your last m I have the honor to submitin writing my views in tion to the City Prison, and the pro el of location for the execution of criminals, The jon system of this city constitutes an anomaly in our State jurispru- dence. "It is fullof defecte, and devoid of ony, effi- ciency, and propriety in its administration, conduct, and discipline. [Here followed an enumeration of ali the prisons in a, eo county.) The. communication ‘went on to say :—The City Prison was intended by law to be devoted exclusively to the confinement of persons charged with criminal) offences, and awaiting trial, andto the Legeenenens of those convicted of or who might be sentenced thereto. * * oe It never was intended, that persons under sentence for felony or any other crime, and not sentenced to that prison, should be confined while waiting the execution of their sentence, with those who until conviction are pre- sumed to be innocent, and in a large number of cases are really 50. It is at variance with the true spirit of our prison sys- tem, and repulsive to feeling of morality and humanity. Its effects are visible in the overcrowded state of the priron, the intermingling of all classes of criminals andof all ages, and the exposure of the innocent and the young to the corrupting influences of the hardened felon and depraved criminal, ‘The report recommended that a place be ect apart at the penitentiary for the execution of criminals, and con- cluded thus:— The whole island, (Blackwell’s,) is within the control of the Board, and if danger should be apprehended of any attempt to land, by those whoare not so authorized to do, let an ample police force be stationed around to prevent intrusion; let all the prisoners be confined to their cells upon the day of execution; and if unauthorized persons should land upon the island itself, it does not follow that they can procure admission to the prison. Thus, while on the one hand it simply relieves the prisoners from work upon the day of execution, on the other it removes from the heart of the city, and the observation of the citizens, the great moral evil complained of, and fully carries Out the law in its spirit and intent. i have thus frankly placed before you my views upon these important subjects. To the department of which you are the head Iknow! may come, appl; - all -7 rae ur power to grant. Very eopetta ly, i NT. To the Foard of Alms House Governors. Mr. Bront said—Gentlemen, with regard to this com- munication, I have to remark, that the law says the ex- ecution of criminals convicted of capital crimes shall be private—that it shall take place within thewalls of a rison in the county. The law demands this; but it has Tena Jatterly violated in this city, in one respect, that is: by granting permits to to witness the execution, in the capacity of pieelal oonstahing of the Sheriff. This is clearly contrary to law. Ido not think it will occur again. e entire prison system here is an anomaly. ‘our city prison is merely one room, with a number cells. I would suggest that it be at once relieved, by throwing a screen across 0 as to separate persons con- fined as witnesses, upon civil process, prisonars convicted, and those sentenced, from each other. The Ten Gover- nors have power to erect a building upon some of the grounds under their jurisdiction, provided the expense do not exceed five thousand dollars. I would recommend that you avail yourselves of your legal authority, and build a prison in which persons about to uncergo capital punishment can be confined and executed. Iam aware that you will do all you can; but I feel it so strongly my duty with regard to this matter, that I will find it necee- rary to apply for a legislative enactment, in order that reputable citizens ad not be eee the outpou: of all that is vile degraded in society, upon suc! soleron and melancholy occasions. Ido not wish tobe ‘understood as throwing blame upon any officer or person in connection with the prisons, as I am awate that the evils which I have alluded to have grown to sucha height that they can now be removed only by a change of the system. | Utter a few sense, Shere a hat eyed and Pukey, the consideration jeation wee xe ferred to the Cormmisteve upon tue Cty Prison and Peni- Jantin wy “ht ard thanked Mr. Blunt for his letter and at- The da of the requisitions was then concluded. ittee upon Randall's Island reported upon the subject of erecting water-closeta in the children’s sleeping apartments, as referred to them at last | The committee reported in favor of putting up one build- | ing, as a test, at a cost not Men Bie . If that suc- | ceeded, the members recommend it others be imme- eae seaaetae pted, and ution adopted in e ‘Was acce] ands resol jon ado} accordance with the recom tion. 4 Mr. DuGRo seggested that the work be duly advertised for. Mr. Surrn said that anevil would result from advertis- ing in this matter. Some member should attend, to ex- plain to all persons sending in proposals, the nature of the work, the plans, and specifications. The Mtter should also be pald for. If you get a good, reliable man to do the work, at ,a fixed sum, the saving will be more than any which would result from adv here. There is the expense and trouble also of going up to the place. Mr. Prvxyry said he was in favor vert in every cave; but he agreed with the committee that the cost of pre] plans and 9 cations would be more than ny, saving which would accrue from competition. ir. TOWNSEND said that the want of the water closets was a very serious matter to the health of the inmates. The crowded state of the rooms rendered the effiuvia most prejudicial to children. ir. Sire said that, in his opinion, the Board should reconsider the resolution of last meeting, fixing $250 as the maximum at which all expenditure to be incurred | should be advertised for. The reconsideration was deferred for a time, and the | = adopted. e Finance Committee reported that they had effected [ator tea upon the stores at Randall’s and Blackwell's slands. #& number of ‘communications from wardens and officers, relative to the purchase of prison clothing, plank, and other necessaries, were read and referred, or acted upon immediately, as deemed prudent. ‘A communication was read, from Dr. J. R. Wood, Chair- man of the Executive Commitee at the Bellevue Hos- pital, relative to the examination of medical men for the bmg Junior Assistants in that institution. Ordered on file. The reports of the wardens and officers of the institu- tion were read, showing the state of each up to the end of last week, and ordered upon file. The following table shows the population of each on last Saturday night, vizi— Bellevue Hospital. 607 Small Pox Hospital... 16 Lunatic Asylum 528 Randall’s Island, 1,115 Almehouse,... 1,847 Do, Hospital... 197 Penitentiary 924 City Prison... es) Penitentiary Hospital 329 = MOM ciec vache cassdtecs Webs WN etivtviveets ses OME Upon motion of Governor Swimm, the resolution passed at the last meeting, to the offect that cach outlay ex ceeding two hundred and fifty dollars should be adver- tised for, was amended so as to read, “exceeding five hundred dollars, without the sanction of the Board. Mr. Townsenp offered a resolution for the ent of two watchmen—one for night and one for Ran- dall’s Island. He said the salaries were to be fixed by the Board. Inhis opinion a watch was necessary, in order co guard against fire and to protect property. Mr. Finkyey said the man appointed to the office should bemore than an ordinary man. He should pos- sess prudence and judgment, as well as stamina and courage. Mr. Herrick never was aware that the warden recom- mended the appointment of these watchmen. I will move that a committee wait upon the Mayor, or that a letter be addressed to him, requesting him to detail two policemen upon the Island, the Governors furnishing them with board while so engaged. Mr. DveRro would appoint four men. Mr. Wrst felt very strongly upon the subject, from the dreadful consequences which must ensue if a fire broke out upon the Island. The reflection disturbed his sleep. The amendment'to appoint four men was lost. A reso- lution for the appointment of two was carried. Mr. Hxanick offered a resolution to the effect that a committee be appointed to wait upon the Mayor, relative to the detailing of one or two policemen for the duty. Adopted. After the reading of many other resolutions of little im portance, Mr. Hernick moved that the future mectings of the Board be held at five o’clock in the evening, instead of four. Carried. The question of an increase of salaries to the officers hey gh by the Board was further considered. ‘The general sense of the Board seemed to be in favor of a postponement until Governors Williams and Draper were present, ‘The Cuamman suggested that the increase to be given to Mersrs. Corwin and Phillips, chief clerks in the osice, be now considered. Mr. tarsi said, if that were to be voted, he would move that Mr. Spéllman’s case be included, and that all three be now acted upon. Mr. MeLavcniin was in favor of a further postpone- ment. It had been said, and often repeated, that no poll- ties were permitted to enter into the conncils of this Board; but that party considerations did influence the + members there was no doubt in the mind of any person. Thie matter of salaries shows it plainly. How does the case stand? [I'll tell you inaminute. “The amount of the increase proposed to be given is $7,420, Of this eum you give to your whig officers $5,260. The democrats are to get $2,170. In this fair? Is'it just? In my opinion it is not. Taking all the persons einployed under this Board, | the per centage of pay in favor of the whigs is nearly the samé all through. The Governor here read a paper to show the number of officers employed, their politics and as } pay, with the amount of the Jatfer,’and concluded by saying'—The salaries paid ast year amounted to Tinenvie Marine Affairs. | $76,272 48, if yon increase this amount by $7,420, you EPARTURE OF THE AxDES.—The Britieh screw scenmsh'p | wil) pay away in salaries $83,692 48, and if it ia given to Andes, for Liyerpoo), left yerterd ay morning. ‘ whign (p (he preportion J haye shown, then politics pre- ‘my vote was — “gd present es, ir. McI.AvGHIIN.—You can beat “ tongue trash- ing,’ but lean know what's ri npeeye sh a good officer should not be meddled with for his polities, still mane sone fellow will walk out on the 4th of March. t's all fair. The subject of salaries was left for special considera! and the Board adjourned. me The Freshets, cc. BRIDGES AND RAILROADS INJURED IN XEW HAMPSHIRE. ‘The following despatch, dated Concord, Feb. 7th, has been received in Boston :— ‘There is a severe ice freshet in the Merrimack and Con toocook rivers, the latter of which empties into the former at Fisherville, about six miles from here. Theice in both rivers has commenced moving. ‘The Northern Railroad bridge at Fisherville, is said to be in danger; another bridge on that road, four miles above here, had been raised about —- inches this forenoon, and is also threatened. ¢ downward trains over the Northern his afternoon,are reported to have arrived at Frank ‘teen miles above here, only twenty minutes behind time ; consequently the freshet is not severe above there. The ‘upward trains from Boston for the northern roads still remain here, and a locomotive has up to examine the track. There are immense b) of ice above each of the four bridges across the Mer- vimack. It is piled up among the Federal and Mon- treal bridges, one mile north of here, so that the water pours down over the intervale, emptying again into the . river opposite the State Heuse. The ice is nearly up to the floor timbers of the free bridge. A bri on the Northern road, at West Concord, has and the trains cannot pass. A culvert has been shed out where it crosses Horseshoe Pond, half e mile from here. A car with twenty workmen ran into it and tipped up. A loco- motive was behind only a few minutes. The workmen escaped with only a severe fheccan 9 The trains of the Montreal road have arrived in due time this afternoon. I hear of no damage there yet. Five o’clock. The river continues to rise fast, and the jee L seedy nears the Northern road has opened a conmunioation (or, pamsengers, carrying them a mile on the Concord an Careoont Reitrosd, thence a few rods to the Northern again. « TELEGRAPHIC. TRE FRESHET IN MERRIMAC RIVER. Coxconp, N. H., Feb. 8, 1868. The flood in the Merrimac is receding, and the damage to the railroad has not been very serious. The culvert and fifty feet of the embankment at Horse Shoe Pond, were washed away, and a bridge at Sewell’s island was started. from its foundation. The trains now pass regularly. All the ice for thirty miles was swept down, covering the in- terval lands for three miles above and below Concord. THE FRESHET AND THE HUDSON RIVER RAILROAD. Ainayy, Feb, 8, 1853. ‘The track of the Hudson River Railroad has been so far cleared as to permit the trains to connect by passengers walking about one hundred rods over the da axed bride and track at Schodack. eastern and sou! mei are all in, and the water is slowly subsiding. Obituary. Mr. James Tappan, the old schoolmaster of the late Daniel Webster, died at Gloucester, Mass., on the 6th inst., from injuries received a short time since by falling upon the ice. He was upwards of eighty years of age. A num- ber of contributions were gocony made by benevolent. citizens of Boston, te comfort the old schoolmaster in his declining years, which have now so eaey Closed upon: him, andlaid him beside his Gites Ma pupil, in the krave. It will be recollected that Mr. Webster abouta year previous to his death, wrote a very affectionate let- ter to his old ‘ master,”’ in which he touchingly recurred to the scenes of his school boy days, and enclosed fifty dollars for the old gentleman’s ce, 28 8 token of his regard, and as an evidence that he held him fresh in. his memory. Court Calendar—This Day. ‘Ussrep Stats Disraicr Court.—Nos. 33 to 42. Supreme Covrt.—General Term—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9.13, 14, 16 to 22. Cireuit—Nos. 101, 64, 66, 91, 11, 1124, 1290, 321 to 128. Common Preas.—Nos. 7, 75, 76, 99, 148, 9, 215, 221, 226, 267, 295, 207, 816, 828, 860, 868, 380. 297" S80" B01, SUE, 906, S00" 100" 08,84, 38,200, 300% S62, Se oe 362 415) 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 423, 423, 425, 426, 427, 428, 4, 1051, 430, 431, 482, 483, 494, 435, 436, 497, 438, 499, Office of the Association for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, No. 58 Broadway, New York, Feb. —Notice is hereby given that board of directors have resolved to increase the of 1 dred thousand do! the limit originally ‘contemplated iby the charter ; and Sinciod gk tier muatieee share tee ates etal iecee yu at the rat one for five to the stockholders on the books of the corpo- ration, at 2 P.M. of , the 16th February; vided that, on or before the 10th day of ¢ February, they pay per cent u) 9; but Be'traction of a share will be The transfer books will be closed from 2 P. M. of the 15th Feb. until 10A. M. of the8th March, the day after that appointed for the annual election “WAL, WHETTEN, Treseever Notice.—_Removal.—Gurney’s old established daguerreian gallery, No. 189 Broadway, is removed to his new and magnificent gallery, No. Broadway, corner of Leonard street. ‘Twenty per cent Reduction in Ready-madc clothing. “Elegant Talmas, $10 each; beautiful paletots, $12; French cassimere pants, $5; plush silk vests, $3; A few white eatin embroidered nuptial vests, $5: French cassimere business coats, latest style, $4; black frock and drecs coats, $10. To jobbers in clothing this isa rare chance. GEORGE L 380 Broadway, corner of White street. . Spring Clothing made up m the most Fash- jonable and durable manner possible, and materials selected from a very desirable asortment of goode, can at all times be procured on advantageous for ash, af HL. "S$ clothing estal it, Cortlandt street. Ministers, Consuls, and @ Affaires of the United States and foreign countries, resident in the United States, can have their seals of office Seat by the Pe igivetoregt at rhe pt No. 302 way, COr- ner of Duane street. 10, elegant card engraving and printing, heraldry engraving, &c. . Hints to Gentlemen.—You will find at GREEN'S, No. 1 Astor House, what youhave, for years, sought in vain. His shirts, shaped ‘by the new plan of measurement invented by Green, are true to every curve of the frame. Excelsior.—Beebe & Co., Fashionable Hat- ters, 156 Broadway. The spring fashion for gentlemen's hats will be introduced on Saturday, the 12th of February. The Last Week of Wet Goods.—As this is sitively the Inst week of the sale of wet goode at Colum- jan Hall, 281 Grand street, we would advise house- keepers, and others interested, to make their purchases without delay. In connection with a large assortment of wet but not damaged linens, is our new invoice of rich silks, containing some 200 pieces of black Grode Rhin, and plain chamelion silks, intended for the spri trade. Also, fifteen cases of the newest spring st: sof barege de leines, chists colors, together with 400 righ crape shawls’ (plain and embroidered, all of which are warranted free from stain or blemish. the above silke, the in- voice cost ranges from 90c. to $1 25 per yard, and will be offered at prices from 50c. to 75e. per yard. Rieh eraj shawls, warranted perfect and witaout stain, will offered from $6 to $12, richl Barage de laines, chinte colors, invoiced at 26¢. a 40e., will be sold at 18¢. per yard, and in all cases goods may be returned if damaged in the least degree. worth double the money. The next time you are invited to “take # drink,”’ try Charles’s London cordial gin. It is delicions, differing in taste from all other gins, and possesses medi-~ cal qualition which acquired fort the endareement of the entire medical faculty, Office No 7 Park place. Portable Dressing Cases.—The most complete and elegant article now manufactured, having every re- quisite for a gentleman’s toilet, and asa travelling com aoe invaluable. For sale by G. SAUNDERS & SON, No. Astor House and 387 Broadw: Rasolr Lacoultre.— These Razors have no equal in their extreme durability and keenness of edge. Can be obtained, genuine, at SAUNDERS’, No. 7 Astor House and 387 Broadwa; Comb Factory, No. 387 Broadway, where can be seen a choice selection of tortoise shell and buffa~ lo dress combs, of the newest patterns. Combs repaire!, Articles of the toilet, of the finest quality. ‘A. & J. SAUNDERS, 387 Broadway. Great Discovery—Deafnces and Blindnese cured at 80 Prince street. —Deafness, noises in and dis- charges from the ears, cured in a’ short time, without risk or pain; also, partial or total blindness cured, and near, weak, and imperfect sight restored. The number and hature of the cures effected, in the very worst kind of deafness and blindness, by Dr. LUTENER’S newly dis- covered treatment, ix entirely unprecedented. Office 80 Prince street, second house cast of Broadway. Hours from 10 till 4. All lotters must be prepaid, and contain $1 fee, to insure attention. Are you Troubled with Neuralgia, Rheu- matism, or any nervous affection? If you are, it is your own fault, for WATTS’ Nervous Antidote certain and speedy cure for all nervous complaints. Call at the agency, 38 Ann street, and see the certificates of hun dreds of our most respectable citizens. $1 per bottle; $9 per dozen. The Happy Family can be seen dally, (free,) at COSTAR'S rat, mouse, cockroach, ant, &., ex- terminator depot, 448 Broadway. Harvey & Wallace's Office, for the remo~ vai of birth marke, polypus, scirrhous eancers, tumore, moles, &e., by » ‘painless external application, No. 192 Secoud ayenue, corner Twelfth street.