The New York Herald Newspaper, March 18, 1853, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. § GORDON BENNETT, Fe sor RIGTOR AND EDMOR, @rr10n X. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASBAU S78. Fe ae Pre create nn tera @LL LETTERS by mail, iptions, or with Adver deements, to be nou iar the postage will be deducted from ENCE, containing impor- VOL’ "4RY CORRESPOND! POP contaleier nee Sal ie Mieratly void for. “aroun Forman Counasron: REQUESTED TO SEAL ALL Lav- AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Anas anv us Srzap— Dneam at Sea. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Orne.Lo—WHo Beraxs Finer. WABLO’#—Lvoia DI LawmeRmoon, BURTON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—Mraay Wives oe Wixvsoa—Puxwomenon THEATRE, Chatham ‘Baran— eaee bane Rore—Ix Eveaysovy's Mess—Mons. Duowarumeaux. ‘WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Roap ro Ruin —Goop rox Nornine. AMERICAN MUSEUM—Afternoon—ALLow Me To APou- aics—Mv Fuiexp ix ue Stave, Evening—Your Tare’s i Daxoxn—Bive Brann. ST. CHARLES THEATRE, Bowery—Vincimiva—P, P., om rue Man amp rue Tiger. OHRISTY'S OPERA HOUSE, 472 Broadway—Ermoriin Menovizs by Cunisty’s Opera Trove. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood's Musicg! Hall, 444 Broad- ‘wop—Brusoriax MixetReisy. rf 4 CIRCUS, 37 Bowery—Eavapsraus Ewrenraivements, GRORAMA, 586 Broadwoy—Banvann’s Paxonama oF ux Horr Laxp. . BELLEW'S SOIREES MYSTERIEUSES, 539 Broadway. RMBLEY'S THAMES, at 406 Broadway. HOPE CHAPEL—Dr, Vatentmm Wew York, Friday, March 18, 1853, ——————— The News. ‘Yesterday the festival of the patron saint of Ire- Jand, St. Patrick, was celebrated in this city by a wilitary and civic procession, by divine service in the Catholic Cathedral, by sermons appropriate to the occasion, by an oration in the afternoon, and by the festivities of various societies in the evening. Reports in detail of all these proceedings will be found in another part of this sheet, and no doubt will be perused with interest by a large portion of eur readers. It is to be regretted that the tone of one Bociety was not what befitted the republican iastitu- tions of this enlightened and free country. . The friends of peace and good will to mankind will be highly gratified with our advices from Wash- ington to-day. The different parties seem to have cooled off amazingly, after having blown off a full hhead of steam during the few preceding days. By the way, one of our special correspondents thinks there must have been some mistake with regard to the report that the e@binet had been deliberating upon the subject of the British operations against Honduras. He seems to consider the account of the hostile movements of the steamer Devastation as of a rather doubtful character. It is to be sincerely hoped that the intelligence may prove incorrect; but we can ‘assure our correspondent that it came from a source that has hitherto been considered reliable. Besides, ‘New Orleans papers of last Friday confirm the state- ment. But, under any circumstances, no danger of a rupture with England need be apprehended. If the intelligence should be confirmed, the act of the British commander will, without doubt, as in tm wase of the firing into the American brig Jane, at Sen Juan, be repudiathd by his own government. England recently intimated a desire to abandon the Mosquito protectorate, and there is no good reason ‘to believe that such is not really her intention. By weference to our second special despatch from Wash. ington, it will be seen that Minister Crampton is ai- ready reported to have approached the President on the subject, and requested the postponement of any action till he can hear from home. It is also under- stood that he has submitted the outlines of a new treaty, embracing Central America, reciprocity, the fisheries, &c. All is bright and cheering to-day. Let us hope that it will so continue, but that the President will not abate one iota of his watchful- Bess, and be prepared to meet any emergency that May at any moment arise. We shall soon know all about what is going on. At the suggestion of ex-Secretary Everett, the Dnited States Senate yesterday agreed to postpone the further consideration of the Central American question till Monday. Mr. E. announced that he was desirous of making some explanations concerning our relations with South America. A resolution was passed granting mileage and per diem to ex- Senator Yulee, of Florida, for time spent in con- testing the seat that was eventually awarded to Mr. Mallory. At the election of officers for the Senate, enly one change was made—that of Mr. McVair, as Bergeant-at-Arms, in place of Mr. Beale. The re- election of Mr. Asbury Dickens, as Secretary, is a merited compliment. He has now filled Shat station for about seventeen vears. A resolution ‘was passed to preventall persons from entering upon the floor who are not entitled to that privilege. With the acknowledged view of giving the members an opportunity of attending to the wants of their place- hunting friends, after an executive session the Senate adjourned till Monday. Some excitement appears to have been produced among the legislators and other functionaries at Al. bany, in consequence of the announcement that no funds for the Common School tax are forthcoming from this city. As no such tax was levied upon our citizens by the Supervisors last year, some of the Jegislators propose to make up the deficiency by levying double the amouut due this year. Mr. Vanderbilt made a strong speech in support of his proposed constitutional amendment in the State Senate yesterday. The Assembly was princi- pally occupied with the bill relative to the Williams- burg Water Works. The members of both branches of the Legislature are now working very indastrionsly, but it will be impossible for them to get through with all the important work before the close of the session. It is pretty certain that the canal question, among others, will have to go over. An active business in cotton was doing at steady in New Orleans on Wednesday. Fleven thousand bales were disposed of during the day. We elsewhere publish the report of Mr. Arcula- ins, the Commissioner of Streets and Lamps, from which some very curious and interesting information may be gleaned. Among other things, we learn that the net expense of cleaning and lighting the city last year amounted to $258,922. The sum paid for sweep- ing and carting the dirt from the streets was $229,138. The remarks of the Commissioner, con- cerning the encumbrance of the thoroughfares with building materials, the laying of water pipes, making of sewers, &c., are worthy of especial attention. The action for libel, tried before the Supreme Court Circuit, at the suit of Mr. Edwin Forrest, the celebrated American tragedian, against Colonel Fuller, proprietor of the Evening Mirror, was sub- mitted to the jury yesterday, and a sealed verdict directed to be returned this morning. The Board of Aldermen met last evening, and adjourned for the session. A large number of re- ports were adop'ed, several of them recommending new sewers. The report of the Chief of Police was received from the Mayor, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. That portion of the City Ingpector’s report respecting safety in putting up public buildings was taken up, and referred to the Corporation Counsel for his op'nion. The message from the Governors of the Almshouse was als, taken up, and a resolution to spply to the Legisla- ture for power to raise s loan of $75,000, for build- ing purposes, was (after debate) lest for want of a constitutional majority, and laid upon the table. Celia Connington, aged fifty, and her grand-chil- dren, James and John Ryan, lost their lives on Wednesday night, by fire, in the house No. 146 West Thirty-fifth street. The woman had been smoking @ pipe, and set a bed in flames, when she was burned te death and the children suffocated. This makes up the number of six persons who have lost their lives by fire in the city sinee Wednesday eve- ning. Three from the effect of the camphene explosion in Oj e street, and three from this de- plorable fire. A seaman, named James Nolan, was killed yester- day morning, by falling from the masthead of the ship Saratoga to the deck. He was a native of Pennsylvania. In addition to much other interesting matter, to which we haye no room to refer particularly, we have telegraphic despatches announcing great ex- citement concerning the approaching municipal election at Cincinnati, the defeat of an opposition telegraphic scheme by the Nova Seotia Legislature, the Gardnertrial, &c. Also, will be found on the in” side pages, a letter from Albany, result of the New Hampshire Election, Financial, Commercial and Theatrical information, &c. The Sandy Hook telegraph reported the steamship Obio to have been crossing the bar at six o’clock last evening, but she had not arrived at her dock at the time this sheet was sent to press. She was probably detained below by the fog. No tidings have yet been received of the arrival of the Cunard steamer Canada at Halifax. She is now in her thirteenth day from Liverpool. The screw steamer Andes, bound from Liverpool to this port, via Boston, is now in her sixteenth day. The War, Against the Aldermen—Terrible ‘Times Ahead. Never, in the antecedent history of this city or country, has such a determined and exterminating onslaught been made on any sect, party, corporation, or individual, as that which has recently been inaugurated against the conscript fathers of the muni- cipality. Even the Britishers metless” uni- versal hostility during the Revolutionary era. The courts of justice, the legislative bodies of the State, the press, and the people at large, join in the modern crusade against these devoted aldermen. We cannot sum up the variety of charges lavished wholesale against them, nor the multifarious ordeals through which their guilt or innocence is to be tested. The hundred-handed Briareus would seem to have been specially engaged against the representatives of the city; and if they pass unscathed through the net work of furnaces in which their purity is to be tested,they must have possessed a degree of virtue hardly to be expected from any body of men in this corrupt money-getting age. The first movement originated against them was by the honorable judges of our courts, In- junctions were fulminated from the bench, re- straining them from further proceedings in the matter of the Broadway and other rail roads; and when they had the boldness or rashness to disregard the stern mandates of the law, they found that that venerable institution was too strong for them, and that they would have to make reparation for treating it so cavalierly. Then came the indictments of a body of citizens denominated the grand jury, who had taken the liberty of call- ing in question the probity of the city gov- ernment, and instituting an inquiry into their conduct, which resulted in the indictment of two of its members for specific charges of mal- versation in office. and a polite requisition to Recorder Tillou to continue the investigations they had entered upon. The was not enough; but, as if all the elements of society had con- spired against the fallen, the Senate of the State took it into its head to intermeddle in the movement, by introducing a bill to remodel the railroad law, as it applies to cities—a law general in its terms, but specially directed against the Common Council of New York. Nor was it enough that the judges, the Grand Jury, and the Legislature, should thus coalesce in this modern crusade, but the vox populi must also make their thunder heard, and the mass meeting at Metropolitan Hall was a good sam- ple of the sentiment pervading the masses. Then the committee appointed at this mecting must also carry out the resolutions, by present- ing themselves at Albany, and demanding from the Legislature a remodelling and amendment of the city charter. Nor were party operations quiescant. The Young Men’s Democratic Union Club has come in to swell the numbers of the opposing host, and to appoint a vigilance com- mittee to look after city affairs, and, if ne- cessary, to summon another mass meeting. But we are not yet done with our enumera- tion of the ordeals through which the Common Council have had, or aré, tu pass. The Board of Assistant Aldermen, alarmed at the dangers surrounding them, and the charges and suspi- cions entertained against their virtue, appoint- eda committee of their own number, to hold a strictly private investigation into the truth or falsehood of the statements made to the preju- dice of the body, and to select the black sheep from the fold. if, on inspection, any were found te have lost their purity. This committce isin session, and the public are watching with the greatest interest, mingled with some suspicion, for the results of their investigation. Put the end is not yet. Complications thick- enand surround the accused with an almost impenetrable net; and if none are caught within its meshes, then our representatives will be fit subjects for canonization. The Courier and En- quirer, a few days since, supplied, by special re- quest, for the edification of the public, and for the satisfaction of one of the editors of the Journal of Commerce in particular, a certain affidavit. verified by Alderman Barr, distinctly charging the immaculate reformer of the Journal with an attempt to induce the aforesaid Alderman to deviate from the strict path of propriety by voting for a certain project, in which he was concerned, for a consideration. The gentleman thus charged responds in his paper of yesterday as follows Cec mess Hari, ALBANY, March 16, 1853. T received, yesterday, a telegraphic communiea- tion announcing that in the New York Courier an/ Enquirer, there was an affidavit of Thomas J. Barr, now an Alderman of the city of New York, endeav- oring to sustain the charge made by that print, that Thad attempted to bribe one of the present alder- men of the city; but I did not see the affidavit until the New York Henatp was received to-day. I find in the Herat the preceding (the affidavit) from the Courier. T intend to give this subject the fullest and prompt- est attention. It will be seen that the alleged time ia not more artieularly fixed than doring the years i850 and Rast: that the subject under consideration is not mentioned, and that the alleged bribe is not in any manner specified. Indeed, the only matter clearly stated in the affidavit is the assertion that Alderman Barr had the opportunity to receive a bribe and de clined. Before showing, a8 I shall most conclusively, that any charge of that description is utterly false and malicious, I demaud to know, through the columns of the New York Courier and Enquirer, which made the charge, and has now more completely as sumed its grave responsibility, when, particulayly, hey allege that the bribe was offered, what sum they charge was offered, and what subject they allege es ES cee Out of this little episode we may, not unnat- urally. expect an interesting action for libel be- tween the editors of the two Wall street blan- kets ; and we suppose that, according to the ju- dicial rule in the Forrest divorce case, nothing in the slightest degree pertinent to the matter at issue will be excluded from the evidence. We have a stirring and deeply interesting time ahead. Nothing that ever transpired in this metropolis produced one-tenth the sensa- tion that will attach to these legal investiga- tions—the number of which cannot yet be esti- mated with anything like accuracy. The jadg- ment, and sentences of fine and imprisonment, recently pronounced against the two Boards, for contempt of court, is to be brought up to- wards the end of the month for argument be- fore the Court of Appeals in Albany; the in- dictments already preferred against two of the Aldermen will be heard before the Criminal Courts ; the Recorder has further investigations to make, in compliance with the requisition of the Grand Jury; and the great libel cause of Butler versus Webb, is to come to supply still more piquancy to the aldermanic persecution. It is almost unnecessary for us to promise to our readers full reports of all these highly in- teresting matters, Alas, for the decay of civic glories! Graprators anp Staves—ArtFuL DopcE oF THE Hon. Joun P. Hate.—Never was anything more true than what we have asserted again and again in this journal: that the abolition treason, though it may appear to subside after a defeat, is never dead—it merely sleeps, and that with its eyes open, like the hare. Aftera brief pause, it arouses from its slumber, like a giant refreshed with new wine, and it goes to work again with greater energy than before. Though the anti-slavery sentiment received, ap- parently, a mortal blow in the last Presidential election, in the person of John P. Hale, the free soil candidate for the chief magistracy, yet “the snake was scotched, not killed,” and now we find it rearing its crest as boldly and fiercely as if it never received a wound. John Coch- rane, a local free soil leader, recently furnished evidence of this ina speech delivered at a meet- ing of the Prison Association. On Wednesday evening the New Hampshire Senator, the fore- most man of the party, under pretence of giv- ing a lecture on the gladiatorial exhibitions of ancient Rome, came out flat-footed for aboli- tion, at the Tabernacle. The ingenious device was to draw an audience to listen to a lecture upon an attractive subject of ancient classic literature, and, having accomplished that ob- ject, then to give a stab to the constitution un- der the fifth rib, Though the sting of the lecture was reserved for the end, the object appeared before he was half through, insomuch that some of the audience laughed outright at the hoax, while others, more seriously inclined, heartily applauded, and others as cordially hissed. The argument drawn from the last gladia- torial exhibition at Rome, in favor of the aboli- tion of negroslavery, will not hold water. To give it any strength,it was necessary to show some analogy between the condition of Ameri- can slaves and Roman gladiators—to demon- strate that one ‘abolition was as practicable as the other, and that, if practicable, the emanci- pation of the African race on this continent would be for the benefit of the American people orthe negroes themselves. This he failed to do, and his whole argument therefore falls to the ground. What analogy is there between the brutal, barbarous, and bloody spectacles of the gladiators killing each other for public sport, and the patriarchal institution of slavery in the South, by which the negro race owing service are trained to habits of in- dustry, earn their bread by agricultural and other pursuits, enrich their masters, advance the interests of the whole republic, while they contribute to the sustenance of Europeans, and add to the commercial wealth of the most civi- lized nations of the world? In return for this they are clothed, fed, housed, protected and taken care of, from childhood till death, under the guarantees and sanctions of the law of the land. Their lot is enviable, compared with the condition of millions of white men who boast that they are free, but have as little idea of the true nature of republican liberty, and as little aspiration for it,as any sleek, well-fed negro that ever basked in the sunshine of an Alabama plantation. The best argument for the unfitness of the negro population for every other civilization than that which they enjoy under the authority and protection of masters, is to be found in the degraded and miserable condition of the great mass of the men of tolor who are free. So Much do the slaves despise them that they will not associate with them, and look upon them as aclacs beneath themselves. To abolish the gladiatorial exhibitions was to prevent the wholesale slaughter of human beings, and to remove the brutalizing, hardening effects upon the population, while it left the gladiators free to pursue some honest calling; and, being white men, of the Caucasian type, there was every probability that a large majority of them would be successful. But to set the negro population loose upon the country would he to destroy them, and drive thém from the country. The manner in which Mr. Hale “pointed the moral” of the heroism of Telemachus, in inter- posing between the combatants, to the sacrifice of his own life, in order to effect the abolition of the gladiatorial exhibitions, is strongly sug- gestive of the course the orator desires to be pursued by all free soilers and abolitionists. In the opinion of Mr. Hale they are not sufficiently bold and self-sacrificing. and have not enough of the faith that removes mountains. They onght, like the Roman patriot, to throw them- selves between the fugitive slave and his mas- ter, if their own lives should be the forfeit, and they ought not to delay a moment, Now is the appointed time—now is the day of salvation— this isthe hour to strike the blow for negro emancipation. This folly has been tried already, and we have seen with how little success. Perhaps if the honorable Senator himself, being a great man, would offer himself as the next victim, vietory might crown the sacrifice. Let him practise what he preaches. and no longer say, “Go as sheep to the slaughter,” but “Come and follow me.” But we don't think the gentleman has the slightest notion of any such thing. however his refined inflammatory appeals may tend to drive fools and fanatics to their own destruction and, however calculated his doctrines may be to stir up the passions of American citizens against each other, and to embroil this Union in a per- nicious agitation, that can haye no other termi- . nation than «fatal one if not suppressed and crushed in time by the overwhelming weight of public opinion. Hale, and Seward, and Ray- mond, and Greeley, and other anti-slavery leaders, are very valorous behind their desks, on the floor of the Senate chamber, or on the ros- trum at an abolition gathering, and they may hurry on to their doom weakminded, excitable men, both black and white; but ao one will ever see these heroes leading a mob to rescue a fugitive slave, or taking any other practical step that will endanger life or limb. They will be sure to take of themselves, whatever may happen to their dupes. Tar Cavrcn Lanps mv Canapa.—Thongh the Legislature of Canada has now been nearly a month in session, its proceedings have attracted but little notice here. Even the telegraph oper- ators have been ata loss for materials for a paragraph from Quebec. We were told at first that the fact was owing to the thin attendance of members; but the presence of a quorum does not seem to have produced any very marked change. With the exception of the bill to repeal the usury laws, and that to modify the repre- sentation, most of the topics which have occu- pied the attention of the House have been mat- ters of mere local interest. Religious bodies have been incorporated by the dozen, and empowered to hold real estate. This is an ingenious device of our neighbors ot keep themselves behind the rest of the world They want active, enterprising settlers, who will improve land, sell it to others, and establish a traffic in real estate; and in order to obtain this, they are for ever erecting a Bishop into a “body politic and corporate,” with perpetual succession, &c., &., and so locking up the most valuable sections of the country, and perpetu- ating the backwardness of the agricultural and manufacturing interests. The church is now in possession of the finest portions of Lower Canada. They hold half the cities of Quebec and Montreal, and ever so many wealthy parishes and seigniories in other parts of the province. They will neither sell an acre of their property, nor go to the expense of any improvements beyond those of the most ob- vious necessity. What the rich Catholic com- munautés do with their money it is impossible to say. With revenues of hundreds of thousands, their expenditure is characterized by the most niggardly economy. Here and there a huge church is built, with a snug parsonage ; but the yearly income of the wealthier religious bodies would build churches in every parish in the pro- vince. While the Catholic clergy are obtaining act after act to increase their landed wealth, and consolidate their temporal power, the last blow is being struck at the root of the established Protestant churches. It may be within the re- collection of some of our readers that, under the reign of George III, certain tracts of land were set apart by the British government for the sup- port of a Protestant clergy in Canada. These lands, which were then of little value, have par- ticipated in the general rise of property, and now produce a very considerable annual rental. Till 1840 they were monopolized by the Church of England. In that year an act was passed in the British Parliament, effecting a redistribu- tion of the Clergy Reserves, as they are called, and admitting the other Protestant sects and cer- tain secular bodies to a share of the spoils, The Canadians have not been satisfied with this. They are of opinion that each denomination should support its own clergy, and that there should be no such thing as a State endowment. With the view of carrying out this notion, they have,applied to the British government for au- thority to dispose of the reserves, and notwith- standing the opposition of a few bigoted church- men, will certainly obtain it. As soon as the property is once fairly under the control of the Canadian Legislature, it will be applied to educational purposes. Such is the state of the Clergy Reserve war. To our thinking, there can be but one opinion on the subject. State endowments cannot exist on this continent. It shocks the notions of every American—be he a native of Canada or a native of the United States—to be taxed, however indirectly, for the support of a church to which he does not be- long. As to the preliminary question relating to the conflicting rights of the colony and the mother country, no one who is not blinded by prejudice or self-interest can fail to see that the quasi independence granted and guaranteed by Great Britain to Canada would be a mere de- lusion if the control of so important a matter as State endowments were withheld from the Provincial Legislature. The Aberdeen minis- try have taken the right view of the matter. Tue Wongn’s Movement Comte To a Prac- Ticat Issve—The strong-minded ladies and the weak-headed ‘gentlemen of Massachusetts, are now presenting the first real practical issue to the movement in favor of women’s civil, social and political rights. The time is favorable, The constitution of the Old Bay State is about to undergo some reformatory process, and the occasion is seized upon to press, with all the power which can be brought to their support, the claims of the fairest half of creation to the enjoyment of their inalienable rights to life, lib- erty, and the pursuit of happiness. The con- vention of the people is to assemble in Boston a few wecks hence, for the purpose of revising and reforming their State constitution; and a movement has been commenced with the object of having the women of the State then and there represented. For this purpose, an address has been prepared and published, setting forth the claims of lovely woman to the free exercise of the franchise, and all other civil and political rights, and calling upon all friends of freedom to sign the following petition :— To the Convention assembled to revise the consti- tution of the Commonwealth :—The undersigned, citizens of Massachusetts, respectfully ask that you will report an amendment to the constitution, striking ont the word “ male,” wherever it occurs in that in- stroment. This is the way to put to the test the sinceri- ty of those who professed to aid the “women’s movement.” Now, gentlemen reformers of Maseachusetts, ye who desire to see women de- graded into politicians, office-seekers, caucussers and horse-marines, go forward and sign this petition. Yaname SoxtaG will close her magnificent series of operas at Niblo's on Monday nightnext. Sheappoars this evening in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” and on Monday as Amina, in “La Sonnambula.’’ She then proceeds to Phi Iadelphia and Boston. Personal Intelligence. Mr. De Orma, Peruvian Minister; ex-Governor Charles Paine, Vermont; Hon. A L. Miner, do., and J. C. Gockran, Kentucky, arrived yesterday at the Metropolitan Hotel. Superior Court. Before bon. Judge Hosworth. Mancn 15 —Douglas MeIntyre and John Young vs. Jotoph Whitfield —This was an action for $225, the value of w horse killed, and harness damaged, by the falling of a wall adjoining a stable, 67 Fifth avenue. The defence set up ia, thet the accident was occasioned by the violence of a storm, and not through any dofect in the building. Seal- ed verdict. March 16—Verdiet for plaintiff for amount claimed. Tak tn ‘The cotton market was excited }, Owing to late advices from the South, and males of 6,000 bales were made, at 3(¢. advance. Breadstuffs were unchanged. Freights were active, and closed with au upward tendency in rates. ‘The opinion was expressed that the country suffered from over legislation. The great diffieulty seemed to be to let good laws alone, to mend the bad, and adopt new ones, when clearly demanded for the public good. Mere tinkering legislation was condemned. To “let well enough alone” seems tobe a hard lesson for political men to set upon. Scarcely # session of Congress or of the Legislature passes that the members do not follow the course condemned by Scripture, ¢. ¢, ‘Do those things they should not, and leave undone those things they should do.”” Merchants complain that the interest of commerce is too much overlooked, and that its close connection with our agricultural and manufacturing interests should give it equal claims to regard. They consider that $150 pet head for each emigrant passenger landing bere is amply sufficient; and that, were the money thus collected judi- ciously expended, there would be no necessity for raising the sum to $2 per head. Supposing the number of emigrants to continue to ar- rive at the rate of about 200,000 per annum, which, at $150 per head, would be $300,000, or at $2 per head would amount to $400,000. Now. supposing the commutation fee at $1 50 a head, to produce the former sum, it was be- Heved that it would be amply sufficient to protect the emigrants against becoming a charge to the city, and to relieve and protect the sick and infirm. ll sums gathered beyond that Amount weuld prove a tax upon the shipping interest, which is coincident with the city’s or country’s welfare. It was asked bya merchant whether, in restoring the physician to the government of Quarantine affairs, it was proposed to reinstate the perquisites of his wash house, which were formerly very large. The horrible and deadly practice of over crowding the Pacific steamers leaving Panams for San Fran- cisco, was severely condemned. It was considered inhuman, and the constant recurrenee of mortality to a fearful extent called aloud for the interposition of some effectual remedy. ‘The war declaimers and alarmists at Washington found no sympathy on 'Change. Police Intelligenec. THE BROADWAY POST OFFICE LETTER SNATCHING AFFAIR—EVIDENCE OF EX-JUDGE WATERBURY, BE- FORE JUSTICE OSBORN. On Tuesday afternoon a further examination was gone into before the magistrate, respecting the snatching of letters from the Broadway Post Office. The first witness, and the only one, who appeared, was ex-Jndge Water- bury, whose affidavit was taken in the matter by the Jns- tice. The following is the testimony:— Nelson J. Waterbury, of No. 170 Broadway, being sworn, says:—I am a counsellor at Jaw. Question. Did you write the letter marked ‘‘B,”’ (referring to the letter sent by Peter Cooper to the Grand Jury, ) now shown you, which is signed by Peter Cooper? A. I did, sir. Q. Have you any pereonal knowledge of the facts con- tained in said letter? A. I knew that the circulars were deposited with Mr. Harriott for delivery; that they were prepared in the manner stated in the said letter; I have no personal iowledge of the sober the facts stated as to Mr. Harriott’s declarations, which were made in my presence, are also true. Q. Were you nt at the office of Mr. Harriott on the evening of the 30th of October last? A. I think I was there at between 6 and 7 o'clock P. M. Q. Did you, at any time previous to the sending of the letters, by Mr. Cooper, to the Grand Jury, of the February term, make complaint to any magistrate, or send to any Grand Jury any complaint, against the de- fendant, in relation tothe matter now case investiga- tion? A. I did not, sir. Q. Has Mr. Harriott ever made any complaint to you of any trespass upon his premises, or of any violence to his person? A. He has, several times. Q. How soon after the 30th of October last? A. He did between 11 and 12 that night, also Monday evening following, and at other times. Q. Did you deposit the circulars spoken of in Mr. Har- riott’s office? A. They were deposited to my knowledge, and under my tion. Q. Did you address these circulars to any individuals? A. Under my direction envelepes were directed to every wale person whore name the city directory for the current year, except non-residents and colored persons; eireulars were enclosed in these envelopes. Q. Do you know that Mr. Harriott has refused to make complaint in relation to this matter? A. He told me he was not going to make any complaint in the matter, but Peites 8h institute a private suit against Mr. Sickles for damages. Q. Can you tell the substance of the lines erased from the letter of Mr. Cooper? A. Yes, sir; it was to the pur- per es, port that there was a report that money had been paid it. the investigation to Mr. Harriott not to make any com: ‘The m te yesterday postpor until a future day, im consequence of the absence of Mr. Sickles. Burglary in |The tailoring establishment of Lyman Der! situated at Ne. 262 Breadway, up stairs, was burglarionsly entered on Wednesday night, from which the burglars carried off silks, vestings. satins, and made clothing, valued in all at about two thousand dollars. The rogues entered the premises by boring through the door, and unfastening the belt. No arrest. , 4 ape Gainey —Yesterday, sues Se , of the lower arrested 8 young woman toe! appear- ance, named Rosanna Meaney, ona aon of itenlia chain worth $26, ene dismend finger ring waleed at $26, one pee of silk valued at $12, one lace cet handkerchief worth $15, one gold watch and chain val- ued at $25, and some under ents worth $5, valued in all at $107, the property of Mrs. Sarah Solomons, residing at No. 20 Gity Hall place, It seems that, the’ prisoaee bala Meg employ = Se Jem and during sueh wer e managed to 6 pro) above named, at different times. On her arrest ee coknoneaana to the effieer her guilt, and accompanied him to various places in the city where she had deposited the stolen arti- cles. They were all recovered, and the accused taken lee Osborn, who committed her to prison for Charge of Stealing Siz Hundred Dollars, on Board the Steamship Cherokee.—Two men, named Andrew Carroll and John Smith, firemen on board the steamship Cherokee, from California, were arrested by officer Armstrong, of the Third ward, on a charge of cutting a belt from one of the passengers, and stealing therefrom six hundred dol- lars in gold. Tho two prisoners were taken betore Justice Osborne; butas the larceny oceurred while the ship was on the oeean, the case came under the jurisdiction ef the United States Court, to which the matter was referred by the magistrate. Supreme Court.—Special Term. Decision by Hon. Judge Morris. Mance 15,—Rufus Khng vs. Elisabeth King and others,— ‘The trust in the will is void as rds property in this State, by reason of the number of lives in being at the time of the testator’s death, being more than ten. De- eree accordingly. Obituary. Revolutionary soldier, died at Wituam Browx, Sr. 28d ult., aged 04 years. Elberton, Georgia, on th Capt. £amcxt Hanscom, Jr., the well known ship buil- der of Portsmouth, N. H., died at his late residence in Elliott, Me., om the 11th inst . of consumption, about forty-eight years. Mr. Hanscom was builder of the famons clipper ship bh reas ior which recently wen 8 wager of $12,000 against the best ship on the English shore. Hon. Morcan W. Brown, Jndge of the Nashville circuit, died at his residence in that city on the {th inst. The deceased was for along time a leading member of his rofession, and for several years the judge of the circuit. Ke held a high position for his legal attainments and moral worth, dnd his death ereates a yacuurm among his numerous friends which will be loug felt. Judge Brown leaves behind him a wife and several children to mourn their irreparable affliction. Professor Witt1aM E. Horver died in Philadelphia on the 18th inst. Dr. Horner was widely known as Profes- sor of Anatomy in tho University of Pennsylvania, as well as in connection with several other of our public institutions. Although for some time in delicate health, he was enabled till within a few weeks to fulfil fhe du- ties of his chair. Gerrit MARCEILUS, a soldier of the Revolution, died re- cently in Lewis county, N. Y., aged ninety-three years. He was in many of the severest battles, and, near Fort Ftanwix, was captured by the Indians, taken to Quebec, and there suffered all the horrors of a protracted impris- onment. Hosea MERRELL, Lepage: died in the town of Pittsfield, Mass., on the inst., aged ninety three years. The deeeased, when only sixteen years of age, thouldered his musket and earried it manfully through many hard fought battles, and served his coun try until the war closed. He was one of the individuals detailed to guard Major Andre, after his capture and conviction, and performed the duty as such on the night previous to his execution. He was not only 4 tried pa- triot, but an energetic and esteemed citizen. Naval Intelligence. U.S. steamer John Hancock, left the Charleston navy yard on Wednesday, and proceeded down the harbor on ‘an experimental trip. DesrrceettvE Fire is Axpany.—About 11 o'clock, on Monday evening, a fire was discovered in the store No. 78 State strect, oscupied by Ar-Showe, the Chinese tea merchant, F. G. Peobles, hat store, and Joseph Davis & Co.,a8 a paint store. The flames extended into Davis & Co's. paint store, doing con- siderable damage, and completely destroying the stock and fixtures in the tea store, where the fire firat originated. The fire is sup sed to have originated near the stove, around which ‘a number of newly pasted paper bags had been placed todry. About 2 A.M. the flames again burst forth, and the remain- ing floors were destroyed, the roof burned off, and the building pretty effectually used up, so far as the in- ternal arrangement was concerned. Judge Hill, U. §. Commissioner, saved most of his law library and pers. E. S. Willett saved his account books, which were in an iron safe, but his law books and pal were badly injared by water and fire. Mr. Peobles also occupied an upper room as @ hat finishing room. His entire stock was lost. Fully ingared. The agent of the tea company is insured for $1,000 in the Mohawk Valley Company. The building, which teneee to gh yeas ot ra. beni was insured for $3,000 in the Albany Insurance Company. been on fire three times within the year—Albany rgus, March 16, OFFICIAL. Btated Session. Boaxp or Awpexman, March 17, 1853, Present—Richard T. Compton Easq., President; AMers men Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Boyes, Barr, Tweed, Bris- ‘The minutes of the last meeting were read and ap+ Proved, PETITIONS. By Alderman Pacx—Bill of Dr. McDonald, for medical services at the Twentieth ward station house. To Com- mittee on Police. Alderman Doneerr—Petition of Peter C. Maile and hydrant tn Nineteonth srt T0 toe on Croton, rohan ees tee on Public Health. Clerk can, according to law, tax the bill of costs in the matter of street . Ado} By phate in, Wea ag That . and he hereby is, appointed a Goumatastoase of eet te Theodore Hart, resigned.” Referred to” Gouaaitee’ co lor L Salaries and Offices. -_ Alderman Tixmann moved to take up the report of the Committee on Almshouse o favor of ‘ture for a law to raise $75, application to the for the erection of the sou'n wing of the Workhouse on , Blackwell's. After discussion thereon the same was laid, on the table. A messaj transmit' Police, en directed to be pi ‘MESAAGE FROM THE MAYOR, was received from his honor the Mayor,’ the semi annual re} of the of Dec. 81, 1852. id on the table and rinted. COMMUNICATIONS, From the Commissioner of Re) 9 6nd Be (oe—Rela- tive to the requisite length of hose reqi for the use of ag Fire Department. To Committee on Fire Depart~ ment. . snd tnertlogmont of Assexament aS we matter of build- a sewer in bween "8000! and Thirty sixth atrects, Adopted, slsdisata ‘MOTION. Alderman TrsMAnw moved to take up the resolution front the Buard of Assistant Aldermen, on the table Marck. 16, relative to referring assessment lists back to the As- sessors of the Street Department. Carried. Referred ta: Committee on Assessments. Resolution—Fizing the salary of the Clerk of ution—} ut; the Board of Assistant ‘Alderrace, for he et year, ae $600 per annum. Concurred in by the fof Affirmative—Aldermen Moore, ee, Barr,’ ‘Tweed, the President, Aldermen Yranels’ ewan, Ward, Denman, Cornell, Alverd, Doherty, Peck—14. Report of Committee on Sewers—In favor of building = sewer in 118th street, between Third ayenue and Harlem river. To Committee on Sewers. Report of Committee on Finance—In favor of remitting taxes of John W. Mitchell To on Finance. Report of Committee on Croton Aqueduct Depart- ment—With reselution relative to proposed new reser= voir. To Committee on Croton Aqueduct Department. Report of Committee on Finance—Im favor of remit~ ting assessment on St. Lawrence Church in cre Fourthand Fifthavenues, To on ce, REPORTS. Of Committee om Repairs and Eerie a favor of Leer a house for En; Company No. 16, Hose Com- ny No, y No. 4, the Chief . 14, Hook and Ladder Eaear and Fire Wardens, at Nos. 19 ant 21 Elizabeth Boyce, Barr, street. Adopted on a division, viz :— Affirmative—Aldermen Moore, Haley, ‘Tweed, the President, Aldermen Brisley, Francis, Tie- ee es Denman, Cornell, Alvord, Doherty, "et . Of Committee on Markets—To cencur to alter the Bers s foot of Catharine street, Adopted on a di- iom, viz :— Affirmative—aldermen Moere, Hale: oe, Barr,’ tweed, the Proaldests Aldermen Francis; Namaan, Word? Denman, Cornell, Alvord, Doherty, Peck—14, Of Committee on ‘Assesamente—Non-eoneurring to builda sewer in Duane street, from the sewer in City Hall place to s point near Chatham street. A‘ Of Committee on Assessmente—In favor of itting ar assessment against Rebecca Martin for building a sewer ir Madison street. Adopted. Of Committee on Sewers—In favor of building a sewer in Third avenue, from Fifty-sixth to Sixty-first street. Referred to Committee on Roads. Of Committee on Sewers—In favor of building a sewer in Mott street, from Pell to Walker street. and in favor of concurring with the Board of Assistants. Concurred in ona division, vis:— Afirmative—Ald. Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, 5 Ald. Franeis, Tie-, , Tweed, the President, i, iggy ma ese Ward, Denman, Cornell, Alyord, Doherty, Of Committee on Lamps and Gas—In favor of coneur- ring to pay claims of Curtis, Mitchell & Co., for loss of oil. Referred to the Counsel to the Corporation, to ascertain. the liability of the uA in the matter. . Of Committee on Sewers—In favor of concurring to build a sewer in Thirty-seventh street, from Madison ta Fourth avenue. Ado; on a division, viz:— Affirmative—Ald. , Sturtevant, pores +, Tweed, the President, a Francis, = , Brisley. , wann, man, Cornell, Alvord, pokey, a Of Committee on Sewers—In favor ‘building &@ sewer in Mercer street, between Amity and-Bleecker streets. Adopted ona division, viz.:— irmative—Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Boyce, Bar, Tweed, the President, rmen 4 Frapels, ann, Ward, Denman, Cornell, i Doherty, — Of same committee—In favor of building a sewer in Mott street, between Chatham and Pell streets. Adopt- re bro mean Me Haley, Sturtevant, irmative—; en Moor # rant, Boyce, Par, Tweed. the President, aldermen Brisley, Francis, Tiemann, Denman, Cornell, Alvord, Doherty, —15. Of same committee—In favor of building a sewer in Fifty fourth etreet, between Third and Fourth avenues. ‘Adopted on a division, viz.:— Affirmative—Aldermen Moore. ley, Sturtevant, Boyce, Barr, the President, Aldermen Brisley, Francis, ; Denman, Cornell, Aivord, Doherty, 14. Of same committee—in favor of building a sewer im Forty-fourth street, from near Sixth avenue, through ries Eo beth to Forty-second street. Adopted on a divi- sion, viz. :— Affirmative—Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Boyce, the President, Aldermen Brisiey, Francis, Tiemann, = man, Cornell.’Alvord, Doherty, Peck—13. Of Committee on Sewers—Iin favor of concurring with the Board of Assistants to build a sewer in Hester street, ee Essex to Eldridge street. Adopted ona division, viz :— Affirmative—The President, Aldermen Moore, Haley, Sturtevant, Boyce, Barr, Brisley, Tiemann, Denman, Cor- nell, Alvord, Doherty, Peck—13. Negative—Alderman Francia—1, Of Committee on Finance—In favor of John P, Cummings $20,196 24, for filling in lots m Tenth and Eleventh avenues, and Forty ard Forty-second streets. Referred back. Of Committee on Fire Department—To eoneur to re- pair house of hose company No. 39. Adopted. Of Committee on Police—In favor of appointing two doormen to the office of the Chief of Police. To Com- mittee on Ordinances. On motion, the Board then adjourned until the first. Monday in April next, at 5 0’clock P. M. D. T. VALENTINE, Clerk. Debates in the Common Council. BOARD OF ALDERMEN. [From our Special Reporter.] FILLING UP SUNKEN LOT3—A COOL DERATE AND WARM DEBATE. Alderman Denatan called up a report of the Finance Committee, authorising the Comptroller to pay $20,196 24, with interest from 1850, to Jobn P. Cummings, for filling in lots between Tenth and Eleventh avenues and Fortieth and Forty-second streets. Alderman Stcxrevant moved to amend the resolution; as the work had been done by contract the Comptroller was fully authorized to pay for tt, and the resolution ought to direct him to do so. Heé'would ask how it hap- pened that it came before that Board at all, and how the committee came to report upon it. Alderman Dourrty (Nineteenth ward) asked with whom these contracts had been made; whether there was any explanation of the claim given by affidavit or otherwise. Alderman Boyce (Fifth ward) called for the reading. Alderman Denman—That report is not so full as it ought to be. The simple history of this matter is, that in that portion of the city there were large tracts ee eeeoer ty which were worth nothing until they were filled in. In 1849 the cholera raged in that region very extensively, and the Common Council passed an erdinance ordering it be filled up and the mud hole covered over. Mr. Lindsey was the fee holder of the real estate there, and the com- mittee was petitioned to have it withdrawn from the as- sessment sale, as he had paid a large sum of money on ac- count of it, and was unable at that time to pa he bal- ance. The committee deemed it a matter “Fostioe tor have it withdrawn one year, thus giving him time, which was the reason this claim'had not beem paid before. I am generallg opposed to withholding property from an assessment gale, but I think, in such a case, no injusti was done wf city, as it was bringing int what did not exist before; and we deei ita right and justiee to him. ‘Alderman Dowrrty (Nineteenth ward) thought that report had one merit—that it was, in common phrase- ology, a very cool report—the ¢ olest demand that was ever presented to that Hoard for twenty thousand dollara —the most naked, Se ar and hh ae report he had ever seen. There was nothing in it to justify reporting for one farthing. It was based upon no founda- tion. It did not appear to be sustained even by the ap- plication of Mr. Cummings There was no affidayit—no communication from the City Inspector. They had no knowledge how much was duc, or how the amount was created—no knowledge whatever on the subject from those papers—and he supposed the Board ought not to- quietly vote away twenty thousand dollars, It was, at least, very unusual, considering the regularity with which all the reports were considered. Alderman Boyer aa one of the committee, here rose, but Alderman Doherty would not give way for any ex- planation. The Alderman of the Fifth, our reporter understood, would like to have it referred back to the committee. Alderman Donerty continued. He wished to make a few remarks more. It was extremely unusual for such « report to pass the scrutiny of the gentleman of the Six- teenth, (Alderman Denman ) There was another thing about ‘this twenty thousand dollars, It looked to him like a magnificent sygmdle (genration,) Some years ago it had been the om ice to give City Inspeetor eat power as to filling sunken lots, and he (Alderman 5 had lived in that neighborhood, and had known per. sons to charge « dollar a yard for filling In under the City Inspector. He had taken occasion before to ee te one these reports, ig the slight, delicate clause, to the effect that it be done without the ufual adverti- sing, and he believed this had been done without the