The New York Herald Newspaper, May 1, 1853, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. of the social and political transactions of that " ta of the der lie for the firet three months of repub- | not notice the movemen JAMES GORDON BENNET?, ae eens “er — year. se BTh- | —-- -cere, and will be found readable. PLE. it a Tek og Fee Pn Oss =A , oot Zz mins * hate Satan Conato TICULARLY REQUESTED TO SEAL ALL - 'ACKAGES SERT US. . We do not by mail, NOTICE of mae LT Tes buped fr Sobers. rie dee, 508? G executed with neatnese, cheapness, and VERTISEMENTS renewed every day. * Pokumre KEVIN... .6.0..0ececeee sees seers NOe 120 AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Tux Wire—Tus Srv. BROADWAY THEATRE, Brosdway—Mieerrn. BUP.TON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—Ssnrovs Faw eay—Toopuss. - NATIONAL THEATRE, Chatham stcoet—Txs Davxx- anr—Aamonss or Tvns. ‘WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Youns Quaxar— ‘Youns Scamp. MUSEUM—Afternoon—Boors . Brening—Wiitow Cores. ar THE SF. CHARLES THEATRE, Bowery—Corsicax’s Re- vanes—Eveixax WiLson—DacuaLumeax, CHRISTY’S OPERA HOUSE, 472 Broadway—Erniortam Macopine sy Cunisty’s Oran TRrovre. F WOOD'S MINSTRELS. Wood's Musical Hall, 444 Broad- way—Erwiorian MinePR xray. CIROUS, 37 Bowory—Equesraiaw ExreararvMents, GEORAMA, 586 Brosdway—Banvanv's Pawonama oF wuz Hory Lawn. . HELLER’S SOIREES MYSTERIEUSES, 530 Broadway. OWEN’S ALPINE RAMBLES, 539 Broadway. New York, Sunday, May 1, 1853, Notice to the Public. ‘Thore of our subscribers who are so unfortunate as to ‘be compelled, between now and Tnesday, to move their Deuschold goods, had better leave the street and number af their new places of residence with our clerks. Amidst tbe confusion of a change a newspaper is indispensable. The News. The intelligence elsewhere given, from Washing- ‘ton, will be perused with intense interest, not only Dy politicians, but by all classes who desire to see the various public offices within the gift of the ad- ‘ministration, filled by competent and trustworthy men On reference to the list furnished by one of our special correspondents, it will be seen that three important fereign missions have been disposed of, and that the general work of rotation is progressing vigorously, but, let us hope, with proper discrimina- tion. That whig incumbents must give place to democrats, all know—it is manifest destiny ; yet, at the same time, every right thinking man would re- gret the displacing of a good officer merely for the ake of rewarding an ardent, though incapable par- tizan. Judging from the time spent, it is inferred that none of the appointments mentioned have been made until after due consideration of the qualifica- tions of applicants. ‘Let us see by whom we are to be represented in the courts abroad. General Dix, the newly appoint- ed Sub-treasurer of this port, has been decided upon for Minister to France. This is considered a marked compliment to the General, who was not an appli- cant for the post; but, then, it leaves our Sub-trea- suaryship vacant, and may consequently renew the turmoil and confusion between the now apparently quiescent hard and soft shells of this city. Gover nor Seymour, of Connecticut, an old and well tried auxiliary of the President on the battlefields of Mexico, is to be invested with the mission to Russia. But while General Pierce thus remembers the achievements and abilities of those who served their sountry under his personal observation, he does not forget those who were distinguished among the friends of General Jackson. General Gadsden, of South Carolina, who was an aid of the old hero, dar- ing the last war with Great Britain, and afterwards eceupied several high military stations, has been fixed upon as the successor of Judge Conkling in Mexico. We are assured by a special correspondent, that we were perfectly correct in our expression, the other @ay, that Gov. Lane's proeeedings in New Mexico would not be sanctioned by the President—the Washington Union, the supposed organ of the Ad- ministration, to the contrary nevertheless. The government coincides in and approves the conduct of the officers of the army who refused to join Gov. Lane, for the reason that he had uothing whatever to do with the boundary line of the territory—that being a question to be settled by Mexico and the Dnited States, through their duly authorized repre- sentatives. The Governor's movement is considered so ill-advised that his early removal is deemed ne- eossary. His successor will be appointed immediate- ly. Apropos—read the communication from Col. Graham, and accompanying official instractions from the late Secretary of the Interior, concerning the Mexican boundary survey. Hon. Charles J. Faulkner ia reported to have been | re-nominated for Congress by the democrats, in the Eighth district of Virginia. Mr. F. was elected to and served in the last Congress, as a whig. Although the Union democrats of Georgia have weturned to the regular ranks of their party, the -whigs of that class appear determined upon keeping ap their organization. A Union Whig Convention of Georgia is to be held on the 22d of next menth. ‘Old clerks are to vacate and new ones to come into our Custom Houre to-morrow. A despatch from Boston mentions that no changes will take place in the same department there antil the 9th instant. We give to-day some additional particulars of the late accident on the Mishigan Southern railroad, together with the evidence which was brought out before the coroner's inquest which was held over the unfortunate victims of the disaster. The people of Chicago were in the highest state of excitement when the dead bodies were brought into the city, end immediately demanded of the Mayor to call a meeting of the inhabitants, that the most searching investigation might be instituted in regard to the cause of the aceident. According to the Chicago papers, they were clamorous to know whether the engineers of the respective trains were competent, and whether they were drank or sober; which of the two trains had the right of way; what were the fegulations of the two roads iu regard to crosaings ; and why the Southern road did not get a locomotive to the wreck sooner thaa they did, after hearing of the accident. The meeting was called, and the people were admonished to come together as one man. The result of the mecting, together with the verdict of the coroner's jury, we pablieh eleewbe: ‘The political and gossiping letters from our Loa- | don and Paris correspondents, which we publish to-day, together with mach other European intelli gence, will be found highly entertaining and ia structive with regard to the general state of affairs in the Old World. The Collins steamship Baltic is now due at this port, with four days’ later adviees. ‘We anticipate being able to spread her news before g@ur readers to-morrow morning. A reward of five hundred dollars has been offered for the recovery, living or dead, of Mr. J. B. Pierce, who k'as not been heard from at his home in Provi dence, Since the 19th ult. He was last seen in this | city, at which time he had considerable money in | bis possess ‘on. ‘The different lines of telegraph have supplied us | with accounts of fires nd accidents, maritime items, | late news front Jamai#, &e., to all which the | reader's attention is dire's#ed without farther col Toqny. The communications from Ver *#aela, to be found LD anotber page, suse Very ine" eoounls - candle makers held a st evening, at Hermitage Hall. The report of & committee appointed to confer with the employers was read, and its general tenor was discouraging a3 © the prospect of apy immediate advance in wage. The Court of Special Sessions met yesterday, pur suant to adjournment. Several fanny scenes oc- curred in court, for a report of which see another column. The Court adjourned until Tuesday n° Tn connection with many colamne of very 4 ing reading already adverted to, Our ot, agy contain a report of the proceeding® “6 the Legisla- tive Council of Canada, relative, +, the Beresford Divorce Case; the news © oueht by the steamer Merlin from the West IP" sos; Letter from Boston ; Statisties of the Lak’¢ Trade ; Father Gavazzi's Lec- ture on the “faine Liquor Law, and other matters ; graphic description of the Trotting Contesgover the Union Course last Thursday ; a variety of Religious, Political, Commercial, Maritime, and Miscellaneous Intelligence, &c.—ihe whole forming a sufficient fund of instructive amusement to occupy attention during the entire portion of the day that is not de- voted to prayer and church-going. The Rise of the Newspaper Press—Glory to whom Glory ts Due. The editors of a morning cotemporary, in alluding, a few days ago, to the prominent inci- dents of their career as journalists, took occa- sion to pay themselves some well turned com- pliments on their public usefulness, and to claim, on their own behalf, the lion’s share of the improvements which the last fifteen or twenty years have effected in American jour- nalism. Far"be it from us to say anything which could cast a shadow on their innocent gratification. That their paper has fre- quently exhibited evidence of talent and enterprise we should not be backward in acknowledging, at the proper time and in the proper place. We should, ere this, have con- gratulated its proprietors on the bold stake they have recently adventured in the game for popu- larity, had we considered that newspaper changes possessed sufficient public interest to justify the distinction of a special notice. But we cannot, in justice to the absent. suffer them to crown themselves the founders or even the restorers of American journalism, without a word in behalf of one whose claims they seem to have entirely overlooked. In our opinion, and we cannot help thinking | in that also of every unprejudiced person, no one can so justly claim the credit of raising New York journalism to its present standard, as James Gordon Bennett. If any one will take the trouble to compare the leading newspapers of 1835 with those of to-day, and note each par- | ticular in which we moderns excel our prede- cessors, he will find that, with one or two ex- ceptions, each individual reform or improve- ment was first projected by Mr. Bennett, and first carried out in the Heratp. We do not grudge to our cotemporaries a very consider- able share of credit for their prompt apprecia- tion and judicious adoption of Mr. Bennett’s measures; but common justice should induce a frank acknowledgment from them that nearly all the attractive features of their journals were borrowed, in the first instance, from the Her- aLp. What Mr. Bennett originated they copied; and it is on the strength of the merits of the copy that they now appeal to the public for applause for their past deserts. Lest we should be accused of doing them injustice, let us de- vote a few lines to a contrast between the lead- ing journals of 1835 and those of 1853. In the former the news was brief. scanty, and stale. The arrival of courier from the North or South, or a packet from England, was a god- send; and either event would have monopo- lized the whole available space of the paper. Now, the papers present their readers every morning with a panorama of the United States. Any event of note happening within a radius of two thousand miles, is fully chronicled in New York twenty-four hours, at latest, after its occurrence; and twice or thrice a week the news of Europe, Asia, and the rest, is amply re-pro- duced. Here is astartling progress. Trace it to its origin, and you shall find that before tele- graphs were used Mr. Bennett was the first to | run foreign news expresses from Boston and San- dy Hook. The mercantile community have not forgotten it—nor have our cotemporaries, who ridiculed the prodigal outlay which Mr. Ben- nett incurred fer the purpose. lost all recollec- tion of the sacrifice of amour propre they made, when, after two or three years of constant de- eats, they combined to runa rival express. When telegraph lines were established, Mr. Bennett was the first to avail himself of them. His example was soon followed by the other papers of the city; and in a very short space of time the New York press received over the wires a much larger quantity of matter than the London papers of the present day. They were destined to do still better. When Mr. Calhoun delivered one of his great speeches, Mr. Bennett procured a verbatim report of it by telegraph, at a cost of $250. This was the first Congressional speech that came over the wires verbatim. Ata later period, our cotem- poraries discovered that two or three hundred dollars expended in a telegraphic report of an interesting speech was money well invested, and joined the Heratp in procuring such re- porte. But the example of the practice was set by Mr. Bennett, and whatever credit it reflects on its originator is due to him. Newspapers. in 1835, did not publish reports of lectures or meetings. The most obscure lecturer is now sure of tasking the skill of several stenographers, and figuring at consider- able length in three or four morning journals This improvement is also clearly due to Mr Bennett. He it was who first deputed a re- porter to attend lectures and religious mect- many of our readers can still recollect the a] applause with which his reports of the anniversaries were at first received. The ce has now, however, become universal ; and if there be any who feel grateful for the summary of the previous evening's lectures. “ppears in the morning papers, he is y better entitled to their thanks than those ings— n, Money articles were a new feature in American journalism, when Mr. Bennett first introduced them. The first regular money articles published in America were written by Mr. Bennett for the Herarp. When we look around us, and realize luence that is wielded to-day by the writers of money articles | in the leading journals of New York, we may possibly be excused for owning to « fecling of pride at the consciousness that the sway now exerted by the press over the commercial world, was originally founded by this journal. Nor ig Mr. Bennett less clearly entitled to | the credit of having naturalized independent | journaliem on this continent. The time ia yet within the memory of most of our readers when i Li, wig joartala wouki Lraunc party, even inthe shape of news,“ — zoeratio craticpressobeerved thesame ——, aad the demo- in respect of the whigs: .vsorapulous silence to ace a report of Now, it is not unusuay a whig paper . @ Tammany Hall meeting in edatfull” ~ or a crack speech of a whig print- is as «ength in a_democratic journal. This ant oe ought tobe. The reform, we need not >,» Was forced npon our cotemporaries by Mr. ennett, who, steadily refusing the trammels of party, became, so far as news went, the organ of both, and compelled his rivals to abandon their exclusive system. But the most striking contrast between the newspapers of to-day and those of twenty years ego. is perhaps to be seen in the advertising. Under the old system (which is still fol- lowed by some of our cotemporaries) the price of an advertisement diminished in proportion to the number of insertions: and in many in- stances advertisers were allowed a considerable eredit. The consequences of this were, first, that the advertisements, possessing no attrac- tion in the shape of novelty, were not generwfly read; and secondly, that the profits of the news- paper proprietor were materially diminished by bad debts. Mr. Bennett staked all he was worth to uproot the system, and induce advertisers to renew their advertisements daily, and pay cash for them. How he succeeded our overladen co- lumns abundantly testify. Thus a great victory was gained for the press, and advertisers prac- tically obtained the publicity they sought. Finally, it cannot be disputed that Mr. Ben- nett was the founder of the daily two-cent gene- ral newspaper. Others have followed in his train, and have displayed very considerable ability in rivalling his efforts. But the palm of priority belongs to him. Thus much on behalf of one whose newspaper fame did not perhaps require any vindication from us, If our cotemporaries are prosperous, we re- joice at it. Every accession of talent or wealth to the newspaper world is a gain to the whole of us, and we are not ungrateful for the share we reap. Content ourselves with the measure of success we have obtained, we can well con- ceive that this prosperous and rapidly expand- ing community affords a rich harvest to others: some to gather in fat sheaves, others to glean stray ears. To one and all we say, onward! ‘The Tehuantepec Question—The Sioo Contract Considered—Position of the Administration. We inquired a few days ago ~ whether the New Orleans Company, or the American hold- ers of the grant to Garay, had compromised, sold out, or abandoned their rights?” After a thorough inquiry in the most respon- sible and intelligent quarters for information, we are informed that the holders of the Garay contract have done neither. Their opinion is that it exists in unimpaired legality, and con- stitutes the only means by which the govern- ment of the United States can acquire a free way across the Isthmus. It was employed for that purpose by the late administration, and its validity was affirmed by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. That body did not act definitely upon the resolutions introduced by the committee, for the very obvious reason that it was not deemed altogether in good taste to instruct a new administration upon a subject. in regard to which advice had been asked by a former one. It was time enough for the Senate to instruct President Pierce upon a matter in our foreign relations when he had desired it. The subject of Colonel Sloo and his movements in Mexico probably never entered the minds of Senators. The holders of the Garay title to Te- huantepec virtually withdrew the subject from the Senate, by presenting a memorial in regard to their case to the new Exe- cutive, where it is now pending. Until the government shall have sanctioned the spoliation complained of, this title will be con- sidered by its friends the only valid one ia re- gard to that crossing that is before the public. Let us look at the grant commonly spoken of as the “Sloo contract.” We find it was made by the President ad interim of Mexico to the following parties :— William D. Lee, attorney for A. G. Sloo and his associates, and Messrs. Ramon Olarte, Manuel Payno and J. J. Pesado, for the Mexican associates and contractors concerned in the enterprise of the Te- huantepec inter-oceanic communication, and repre- senting the whole company, which, under the name of the Mixed Company, is charged with the said opening and communication, in concert with the company named Oajaca and Felipe Garcia and his associates, with the agents of the States of Chiapas, Tobasco and Oajaca. Any one who would deem this, in any fair sense. an American contract, when but a single American appears, (and he denationalized by its express provisions,) would be duped by the shallow device of the plated crown and sceptre with which England endowed the dusky effigy under whose shadow she intervenes in the af- fairs of Central America. A careful examination of this Mexican con- tract, (for such it is, and such it should be term- ed,) shows—1. That it is in no manner under the control of American citizens; 2. That it cannot receive the sanction of the present American | Executive; 3. That it cannot com- mand the confidence of American capitalists. A recital of the parties has shown that what- ever American interests there may be in it is subject to the controlling influence of numerous Mexican States and persons. No act conld bind the company without the assent of a majority of the copartners, either in number or interest ; and there is no where in it any authority tothe foreign grantees to perform any act of represen- tation whatever. The Mexican government re- serves a fourth interest in the grant as a bonus for the granted privileges. It moreover re- serves aright of representation equal to one- third part of the stock. It also reserves to Mexican citizens during six months a preferred right of subscription’as to one-third part of the whole capital. With one-third of the control in the Mexican government iteelf. it will only re- quire that the several States and individual Mexicans chal] have a small share more than a sixth pert of the remainder and American control hecomes impossible. The recent protest issued by certain Mexican partners, in regard to the pledge of the contract to British capitalists, (who, it appears, had been resorted to in order to raise the bonus to be given to the government.) shows their understar the unanimous consent of all partic nogessary to bind any one of them. A transla- tion of this protest has been published here ; but there occurs in it a material blunder, in « that the supposition ia entertained in a fi 0 country that the privilege of the four compavies has been hypothecated for that of Sloo. The protest, as published in £1 Siglo, states that the companies have heard “ that the privilege conceded by the Mexican government, on the | 5th of February. 1853, to the four associated companies, has been hypotheeated by the com- pany of Sioo, aud Wal Jt is jatedded +0 irete- | ting fer the mortgage to afforeign country.” This) Tus Ervecr or 4 Goon Enponsement.—Hon. is avery different matter from the translation heretofore published. Finally, upon this point, American control is out of the question, because any transfer of the grant is absolutely prohi- bited without the sanction of the Mexican gov- ernment. And still further to coniirm this dis- ability, foreigners interested are required to transmit all questions arising under the con- tract to the Mexican tribunals, excluding all right of appeal to the intervention of their own government. We proceed to the second proposition :—The American government cannot recognize this new grant, nor any treaty based upon it, for several reasons. It prohibits the transportation of troops and munitions of war belonging to foreign governments, without the express per- mission of Mexico, This, in any case of emer- gency, would render the defence or succor of California dependant upon the caprice of an inimical power, or of a mercenary mono- poly. But worse than thi® in a political point of view : it requires those nations which will not subscribe to a guaranty of the neutrality of the Isthmus to pay twenty-five per cent in addition to the regular tariff rates of transit. We must enter intoa joint engagement with all the nations of the world to maintain an obnoxi- ous foreign monopoly over a highway between the Atlantic and Pacific States of our own con- federacy, or our citizens must pay the penalty in an enhanced and peculiar exaction upon their persons and goods. Since the discussions and explanations upon the subject of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty. it cannot be pos- sible that the government of the United States will enter into any association with foreign powers in regard to the highways of commerce on this continent calculated for our own ao- commodation. The rejection of the proposed tripartite treaty in relation to Cuba, and the reasons given for it, are full of significance upon this point. Besides, a joint guaranty of this in the case of Tehuantepec would give, by implication, a right to all who were parties to it to enter with their fleets the Gulf of Mexico in order to protect this crossing. What, then, becomes of the policy which would obtain Cuba in order to make the Guif a mare clausum for the protection of the States bor- dering upon it? This new Mexican grant will not command the confidence of American capitalists, because it is not complete or certain in point of legality. It was granted by a President who had dis- persed the Mexican Congress, and was him- self immediately deposed. It has been con- firmed, and made the subject of a treaty, by another President, who was never elected, but only held executive authority under the trust of a military triumvirate, of which he himself was a member. It has been made in defiance of an existing law of the Mexican Con- gress, passed in May, 1852, requiring that “the government shall not conclude any contract they may enter into, (in relation to Tehuante- pec,) unless previously approved by the General Congress.” It is the act ofa government which repudiated the grant to Garay, after ten years of acknowledgement in almost every known form of recognition, without citing its holders before any tribunal for defence or inquiry. It is the act of a government which seized upon and resold the very privileges in question, with- out allowing or even alluding to any indemnity for the capital expended in their improvement. Finally, it is the act of a government wholly irresponsible for its pecuniary engagements, already owing arrearages of debt and spolia- tion, which it employs the most humiliating means to avoid. The books of this new Tehuantepec Com pany,as we have already stated. are required to be opened only in the city of Mexico and in London—there is no provision for opening them in the United States. The Mexican government is to have one-third of the stock—the right o preferred subscription as to one-third remains exclusively in Mexican citizens for six months. Itis not, therefore, clearly seen how American citizens can at present become, interested in the contract, as what certificates of investment can be granted them? In most countries the usual process would be to incorporate the pro- prietors, and convert their shares into stock. or otherwise every shareholder must become a partner, and liable for all associate engage- ments. We are not aware that the Mexioan jaw is different. The difference between a stockholder and a partner needs no explanation. Nor can that portion of the enterprise in regard to the carrying trade and passengers between Vera Cruz and the landing on the Coatzacoal- cos river be free from diMfculty. Suchaline of steamers must place itself under the Mexican flag, as the Collins, Law, and Aspinwall lines are under that of the United States. Who would risk a vessel in such a trade, where an unscrupulous and absolute military dictator- ship prevails, subject to continual revolutions? Under all the circumstances of the case, and the unhappy experience of the capital invested in the Garay grant, it would be better, at least, to await the definite action which the government toust take in regard to this important question. We look to President Pierce with every confi- dence, feeling perfectly satisfied that whatever may be the solution of the difficulty he will carefully guard the rights, interest, and honor of the country. Tur Garpyer TriaL.—This trial is becoming intensely interesting, as it draws to a close. It was suspended on Thursday last till Monday, on account of the sickness of one of the jurors, and because all parties concerned, after nearly forty days of hard labor in the close air of a court room, required a little rest. Should the sick juror recover, the case now will soon come to an end (perhaps within the next two wecks) upon this first indictmegt for perjury. Should the said juror. however, untortunately be disabled from farther service in the panel, the whole case of thirty-seven days’ examination will have to be commenced again de novo. If the claim is finally pronounced to be good, the government will have lost some $100,000, more or less, on account of this prosecution, including the government commissions to Mexico. If pronounced bad, the government will recover some $232.000, more or less, of the money of the claim which has been enjoined ; and no doubt most, if not all, the distinguished counsel of the accused before the board which adjudicated these Mexican claims, will refund their fees, amounting to not lews than $150,000. However this indictment may be terminated, there are others covering the case, still to be tried. Altogether, this is perhaps the most remarkable and extraordinary case that can be found upon the records of the criminal juris- | yrudence of this or any other country. Hon, John J. Crittenden, ex Attorney-General of the United stator, and hiv bride, errived at Louisville, on the th wits John Slidell has heretofore been a candidate for the United States Senate, but has failed to get there. In a spirit of compromise, the President lately appointed him to Central America, as an offset to Mr. Soulé, of the opposing democratic faction, to Spain. But Mr. Slidell declined the pestilential climate of the Mosquito coast; and, finding a vacancy in the Senate, from the ap- pointment to Spain, he hurried home to Baton Rouge, and has beenelected the successor of Soulé. So much fora good endorsement. An appointment by the President, even if not worth having. is not to be overlooked by the party. Slidell is an old politician, worthy of the best days of the Albany Regency. And so much for an education in the political circles of New York. Nothing like knowing the ropes. He was just in time. Departure of ex-Presideut Van Buren tor Europe. Our worthy ex-President, Martin Van Buren, took his departure for Europe at 12 o'clock yesterday, in the steamship Aretic. Fer an hour before the vessel left the dock, a large number of his personal friends were as- sembled on board to bid him a hearty farewell and safe return to his native land. Among his numerous friends and acquaintances were Benjamin F. Butler, Dudley Field, and several of his ol political associates and ad- herents. Although occasionally a shade of regret would pass over his face at the thought of leaving behind him, even during his short absence, so many tried friends, he was gencrally cheerful, and ap- peared to be in excellent health, talking to those around him in Lis usual self. possessed and easy manner. Mr. Van Buren isaccomyanied by his son Martin, whose A! health bas been the chief cause of his present trip to Europe. He has, however, for some years past, enter- tained a strong desire to sce the Continent and visit the prineipal cities and other places of note. Wherever he travels be will attract no little attention as the frst President of the United States who has visited Europe, and we have no doubt that he will receive a cordial wel- come. Mr. Van Buren, it will be remembered, visited England in an official capacity, having been appoint ed Ambassador to London by General Jackson;, but as his appointment was defeated in the Senate by the casting vote of Mr. Calhoun, who was then Vice Presiderit, he was recallea. This, however, was tefore his election to the chief magistracy. Although in his seventy-firet year, he appears as vigor- ous asa man of fifty. Amid all the toils and turmoils in- cident to a political life, before which » man of ordinary powers would have suceumbed at the age of forty, he bas preserved his health and faculties to a remarkable degree. Before his return he will visit the courts of England, France, Spain, and other European countries, where his presence may well be regarded as un event of no small importance. What a contrast will his appearance present to that of the crowned heads of those countries, whose approach is heralded by unmean- ing displays of pageantry! Dressed in the plais and unpretending garb of a citizen of the United States, and proud of the high position he once held, he will com: mand more of the unfeigned respect of the people than they pay to their own rulers. The first court at which Mr. Van Buren will stop in his European tour will be that of Victoria, where his son John was at one time & guest, and it is raid had the honor of dancing with Eng- land’s youthful Queen. We anticipate for him there a cordial and hospitable reception. Among the passengers on the Arctic are Senator Foote, of Vermont, Senator Murray, of this State, John H. Gour- lie, bearer of despatches, and several other distinguished persons, The following is a complete list of those on board :-— List OF PASSENGERS BY THE ARCTIC. Rey Dr J H Price, New York; JM McKim. Philadelphia; Otto Dil, New York; Miss Holmes, Pittsburg, Mr William Holmes, do; Mr and Mrs C F Spang, do; J 4 Balt; Miss J H and Jas W Easter, Phila; E W Marshall, 3 C: JA Stevens, Esq, and lady; Miss Stevens, N Y: Geo B Coate, Balt; Mrs and Miss Beatty, R Beatty, W HA Fisher, NY; H Gununhauser, Phila; Rey J Pratt, Rev W A Bab- eock, Portland; J A Robbins, N Y; J M Bachelder, Mr and Mrs Henry B Rogers, Boston; Misses Rogers, do; TW Evans, Phila; J Heard, Canton; WP Mason, Boston; H Fleetman, Mrand Mrs RL Clarke, Miss E Clark, Miss C Clark, Miss K Clark, Miss Slosson, NY: F Ranty, Mexico, § Robinson, Philadelphia; A L Raynolds, Mr and Mrs E Thissing, Mr and Mrs S$ M Woodruif, Mr and MraJ Low- ery, AGand J A Lowery, Miss Baudouin, New York; E Ketterlinue, Philadelphia; S C Simmons, C Wilson, Mr and Mrs J A Levestar, N J Becar. H Land C E Kent, New York; P Frisard, P Ragood, France; Mr and Mrs J & Ber- ard, Mrs RB Lewis and daughter, Mrand Mrs WK Lee, J Slosson. F Lawrence, Mr ani Mrs Des Arts, Mr Des Arts, two children and nuree, New Yerk; Mr Gehmoller, Ger- many; Mrs and Master Poppenbausep, Mr Poppenhausen, three ‘children and nurse, E Bliss, Jr, @ T Heye, New York; A Goettel, Germany; A Guerber, Mr and Mrs A Moche:t, Belgian Consul General, two children and nurse, New York; T Britton, H I'Spooner, New York; Colonel Long, B A; Mr Florence, Aphis; P Brower, H Boring, Germsny ; Mr and Miss Gerard, James W Gerard, Jr; J E Cocke, D W Clapp, Mr Beer, New York; J Carew, Massachusetts; J O Wilson, Philadetphia; James Pearson, Eaq, England; Cardozo, Senor Tavans, Portugal; W M Lummis, Mr McMurray, Miss McMurray, Sirs Burrows, Yhree ehildien and governéas; A D Selleck, New York: J B Tonel, J B Van Gool, Belgium; Miss Josephine Caranna, E m, Batimore; 8 W Paul, Virginia; Mr and Mra BL Pitcher, Massachusetts; Mr C A Baudoine, New York; N Guggenheimer, Virginia; E W Bailey, Philadelphis Wavil, Mr-Barker, John H Gourlie, bearer of dospatche RM and James W Bruce, Walter Baio, Philadelphia; Charies Weiss, Germany; Hon Martin Van son, New York; Dr McLimont, Senator Foote, Ver- mont; A J Charéau, Philadelphia; Mr and Mrs, Apple- ton, child and nurse. Boston; Robert H Haye, Philadel- phia; Joh Miller, New York; Mr and Mrs H Eyre, two children and nurse, England; Mr and Mrs Geo Bliss and daughter; Capt Folsom, USA; Mr F Beauliou and daugh- ter, France; J McIntosh, New Orleans; Beatty, New York; A Goure, France; G Kemble and G Paulding, Cold ‘Spring, NY; Rev JT Sullivan and A N Ballin: r, Charleston; E A Joy, and L De Vara, West In- ies; E Mather,New York; Madame Bechet and daughter, C Lomba, Spain; J P Cogian, Mexico; J Cisaforth, 1, An- drews and lady, New Haven: Madame Delapona, Mexico; A Tangasi, Italy: P Capitan, France; A Cabrew and J Me- rino, Panama; G Faibre, Germany; Master Becan, Brook- lyn; Mira Slevens, New York; H D Gilpin, Philadelphia; ptain Humphreys; E 1 Hollis, Savannah; T MeGrain, ry; J tier. France; Antonio T Bruere, Mo; Mr and Mrs CP Curtis, Mr and Mrs TB Curtis, Miss Cur- tis, Master Curtis, Miss Bigelow and maid, Boston; Mr Macon, E Wilde, J Holroyd, W Kyle, W Madden, Rev J Lynch, A Cochet, P V Amidie, W Stenger, N York; R Vinae, Spain; A Delapiere, Mexico; J Seifert, B Kerr. A Present FROM CALIFORNIA.—We have to acknowledge the receipt some time since of a beautiful shawl pin, sent to us from San Francisco, by the same gentleman who designed and manufactured the massive ring presented to Gen. Pierce ashort time after his election. The head of the pin censists ef a very pretty specimen of quartz richly impregnated with golden ore. This present was necompanied by .a letter, {dated House of] Assembly, Benecia, March 11, 1853, and bearing the signature of the donor, George H. Blake, member for San Francisco, re. questing our acceptance of the gift, and stating that the specimen of which it is composed was found at Carson’s Creek @ year ago, and was acknowledged to be the most beautiful yet discovered. We beg Mr. Blake to accept onr acknowledegments for this pledge of his esteem, and fo, the valuable political documents which we received from him at the eame time. ‘Trm Tararres.—It iv somewhat surprising that although we never before have had so many places of amusement in this city, each establishment is well filled every even- ing during the week. The Bowery, Broadway, Burton’s, Wallack’s, and the National theatre, are all vieing with each other in preducing new and attractive pieces. To’ morrow evening Shakspeare’s Macbeth will be produced at the Broadway, at great expense for new scenery: dresses, and other effective matters, in order that this sublime tragedy should be presented in a style of aplen- dor never before seen in this city. Franooni’s colossal Hippodrome will be opened to-morrow evening, amd report says every ticket, even those for reserved seats, have al- ready been disposed of. We refer our readers to the ade vertising columns for the particulars of the theatrical performances, as also for the amusements at the Museum, Cireus, Christy’s Opera House, and Wood’s minstrels, Banvard, Heller, and Owens continue their amusing enter- tainments. Ascent OF Moxt Buanc.—This is decidedly the mest novel, amusing, and instructive entertainment of the day. We accompanied Mr. Owens on his Alpine tour and peril- ous ascent of Mont Blane last evening, and passed two hours in the company of that gentleman and his nume- rous compagnins du voyage with pleasure and unalloyed gratification, The fearful and thrilling ascent of the etervally snow crested monarch of mountains is deseribed by the lecturer with an ardor and force of expression that well attests its truthfulness, and cannot fail to impress the listener with the solemnity and grandeur of this | stupendous work of nature; while the rich vein of comic incident, fresh and sprightly, which keeps pace with the description, renders the entertainment the most laughable as well a8 moral and ivstructive we havo on- joyed for @ long time. Our citizens will not fail to appre- ciate Mr. Owens’ efforts to bring forth this most original style of amusement, combining as it does so many truly excellent qualities. ‘The Governor ef Florida has appointed J. J. Finley, Eaq., Juve of the Western Distriat cf that State, in pince of the Kian. George 8, Hawkins, who bay accepted the port J Of Conieetor wt Apamcbivoia, enn tremens stneeeneneereneenneenenen nenctnenemenemnseas Marine Affairs, ‘Tax U. 8. M. Sraamump Ancnic, Capt. Live, left at noon, yesterday, for Liverpool, with 200 passengers. Tue U. 8. M. Sreamuur Camscurr Crry, Capt. M’Gowan,, left port yesterday afternoon, for Aspinwall, with pasnesa, gers and mails for California and Oregon. ‘Tux Srmamsuir Avavsra, Capt. Lyon, from Savannah, arrived yesterday morning, bringing us late papers from. that city. a Port or New Yore.—The following is the number of vessels arrtved at New York from foreign ports 225 . 240 859 vessels. Tue Scrposrp Loss or Cart. Woop anp Two or Hs Men.—The cutter Jacksen, which was despatched from Savannah with provisions to the light ship on Martin’s Industry, returned to Savannah on the 26th, having suo- ceeded im putting a eaak of oil and two mem on board, and confirming the report of the absence of Captain Wood, and two of his crew, who had been missing from the ship. seventeen days. When he left the city, eleven days pre- vious, the ther was very bad, and it is supposed the boat was sw: and all drowned. Capt. Wood was an old resident of Savannah, and was well known there. He formerly commanded the packet ship Statira between Savannah and this city. It is stated he has a daughter residing in Brooklyn. “The names of the two men ‘have not been ascertained. 4 New Licht yor Mixor’s Rock.—Messrs. H N. Hoop. er & Co. have just completed a new light for the light boat off Minot's Ledge, which will be placed on board fhe verse] ina few days. Itisof the same description as hose used by the English government, is made in the most perfeet manner, snd weighs 600 pounds. The plan ig such that no matter much the vessel may roll, the light will maintain a vertical positien. The reflec- tore are plated with pure silver.—Bosion Traveller. City Intelligence. Emcration Returns For THE Monta or Apart, —The fol- lowing table shows the number of emigrants whe have arrived here during the month of April ;— 1 Sardinian. Whereship'a. ‘pave, wale, ere ship'd. pas’s, ves'ls. England i mit 67 30004 Petmery W4eh 8 7538 t a 2 — rereerrrern eee e025,447 357 .—Mr. John W. Bennett states that he has discovered a very effectual means of ving . writings, charts, bank bills and pictures, as well from in- jury by time as from forgery or alteration, The Rrocese is a most simple ope, and well worth knowing. It con- nists merely of running a very delicate coating of gutta cha over the surface of the article. It is fectly Pansparent, and is eald to improve the appearance of pictures. By coating both sides of an important docu. ment it can be kept in the best preservation. It renders it water proof, and the plan would thus be a most inva- luable one for preserving ship charts. If used on bank bills it would most efficient means of preventing fraud, inasmuch as no alteration could be made on the face of the bill without removing the coating, which it would be impossible to do without destroying the whole. Mr. Bennett, the discoverer of this new useful Property ‘of gutta percha, was the late keeper of the Minot’s Ighthouse, and the manufacturer of the two sledge boats, formed of willow and covered with rubber, to serve as life beats, which have received the high appreciation of Dr. Kane, of the Arctic expedition. Firr.—On Friday afternoon about four o'clock, a fire broke out in the upper part of the dwelling house, No. 490 Broadway, but the firemen, as usual, being early on the spot, succeeded in extingaixhing the flames before any material damage had been effected, The fire origi- nated from a defect in the chimney, and before it was discovered had set the roof in flames. The damage dono is principally by water. Caution To Boys Frying Krres.—Yesterday, a lad about nine years of ago, while fiying his kite on the roof of the house No. 641 Mudson street, tell through the sky- ee cut himself severely, and frightened the wits out of the inmates, who were not aware of the intrusion un- tilthe juvenile landed on the floor. No damage was done, further than breaking the skylight all to pieces, ® Mrrroroiisan oor reap perros Rroroely or up-town Office, for receiving and ti ‘7 4, das long been bes by the up-town portion of the awe The buriness of the hotel alone, aside from that north of Canal street, will more than pay the expenses of the office. An auailiary, or branch office of House’s line, connecting with all the principal towns and cities in the United States. and Cana has been established in the basement of the Metropolitan Hotel. Mr. J. W. Beatty, long and favora- bly known as a correct and reliable operator, is manager and proprietor of the new line. Another Metamora. FACT STRANGER THAN FICTION. By a private letter from Fort Belknap, Texas, we learn that a party of Witchitaw Indians recently stole a nom- ber of horses f:om Fort Croghan, and made good their escape, They were pursued by Major Sibley, who went into the Indian agency, situated about thirty-five miles from Fert Belknap, where he found a party of aman. ches and Witchitaws, holding a talk with the agent. With the approbation of the Cemanches Major Sibley made prisoners of eight of the principal warriors of the Witchitaws, who were immediately disarmed. He then made arrangements to rend two of the prisoners back to their village for the stolen horres, and with this under: standing, in which the Witchitaws apparently acquiesced, the whole party went to sleep. ‘About tuelve o'clock at night the principal chief of the accured Indians, sprang up, drew a pistol which he had concealed. and shot one of the sentinels through the heart, and was himseifimmediately shot by another sen- tinel. As the chief fell, ho repeatedly ctabbed the man he had shot, and then buried the knife in his own breast. During the confusion which ensued, the other Witchitaw prisoners made their escape. Upon e: the tent occupied by the chief who had thus put anend to his own existence, it was found that previous to killing the rentin ad with his own hand put to death his wife and child, a boy about eight years of age, evidently ex- pecting that he would be killod, and preferring to be the murderer of bis w nd child rather than let them fall into the hands of the whites. It was thought. too, by the officers, that he made the eelf sacrifice in order to aid the escape of his companions. This circumstance finds a parallel only in the romance of the Wampanoags, and proves the oft asserted adage, that truth is stranger than fiction. The Trades. MEETING OF THE CANDLE MAKERS. An adjourned meeting of the journeymen Candle ma- kers whs held last evening, at Hermitage Hall, in order to receive the report of a committee previously appointed for the purpose of conferring with the bosses. Mr. Hows was called to the chair, and Mr. Jamms Ma- Lon acted as Secretar y pro tem. Mr. Smr said that he had gone, incompany with the other members of the committee, to several of the om- ployers. Mr. Mapleson was waited upon first, and he would not approve of the movement at all. He did not recognize the committee as such. He paid his men by the piece, and they were satistied; and when they became not no, they might leave his work. He did not wish to correspond with the body, and was of the opin‘on that he could manage his own affairs; when he found himself un- able to do £0, he would, perhaps, send for the committes. Mr. Smith was called upon, and ‘refused to give the ad- vance, He recived the committee in a more friendly way than Mr. Mapleson Mr. Boyd did not give any en- couragement. He hed no regular men in his employ, but he got along with green hands, at four and five dollars a week, Mr. Blakely was satisfied to give the wages if other donses did so, The committee did not see Mr, Allen Hay. Mr. Keatings said that if Mr. Buchan signed the paper togive the advance, he thought Mr. Hay would do so af- ter him. Mr. Serr anid that the committee had waited upon many of the working men. ‘hey alluded to the past failures of similar movements, and were afraid that this would share the same fato. The Cnarni aid that Mr. Buehan had always treated his men well, would continue to give the highest wages. The highest asked—eleven abullings ‘® day—was not much for men who worked as = id, and made four hundred pounds of candles a night, often having only four or five hours slocp out of the twenty-four. Some ef the bosses had risen to such a height as to forget themselves; but if the public knew the meacs by which they get thelr houses and lots, fhey would come down as quickly as they got up. If he stood alone, he would yet publish how a few of them managed it. After rome discussion, it was resolved that the body co meet once In each -1onth, and keep regularly orga~ nived until the next fall, All “green hands” to te Gs. coursged. The meeting then adjourned THE UARD BREAD BAKERS. ™ An adjourned meeting of this body of men, was held last evening at the Grand street House, for the pur, of taking into consideration an increase of wages. Hoyt was chosen chairman on the occasion. On motion, it was resolved to form themselves into an association, or protective union. ‘A committee was appointed to confer with the bosses, and to learn the feeling among the men working in the principal baking esteblishments in the city. ‘They propose an increase of two shillings per day—the csent wages being fourteen shillings, After some un- important business, the meeting then adjourned. To Mechanics of Every Kind—The True way for smochanic to prepare for a strike, or for any flus- daughter, or sistem hore are many chine, onra muc xamine, and buy # john in NewYork who, with more than mechanice” was macl ine, at the ctice, 325 Broadway. rf @ Defiance Salamander Safes—Gayler’s Patent. M. Patrick {a the sole manufactorer in the United the ab heated to whioh the highes® the Committoo of the ja tho world. efter Int May No. nO. pot ati Ja Pentl street, one do