The New York Herald Newspaper, January 27, 1854, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. FANBS GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AN!) EDITOR. RNER OF FULTON AND MASBAU 875. DUWEARY 15B4 WROADWAY T POLY ~VATAR ACT 218 THEATRE, Chambers sireet—Oun Bust S0- esse wats Hour Harry Finer NiowT, ATRE, Chatham street—-Afternoon— ulag~Ueore Tom's Canpn. NAVIONAL THE Mavrer have oes WALLACK'? THEATRE Broadway—-Bacueton oF fore Love AN® MURDER~ GOOD FOR NoTuine. ane AN MUSPUM—Afvernoon—Tomw Trums- Coor as a cucumpen. Svening—Tom Tuam -Sovpien s Davoit eR BROADWAY MENAGERPE—Staurss Twins any Wicd RASS. ORBISTY'S AMBRICAN OPEEA HOUSE, 472 Bread: Way—Sri07IAN MeLODies BY CURIST Y's MINSTRELS. instel Hall, 444 Broad WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wo way—Ermorian erveraaisy. BUCELEY'S OPERA WOUSE, 539 Brosdway—Buox- Bur's Ermioriay Opena TROUPR. BANVA Droadway—Panonama or war ilowy L SHENISH GALLERY, 663 GBORAMA, 595 p twoy--Day and Zvoning. SIGNOR BLITZ—Srurvvesant Isetirurn, 659 Broad: Brondway—Penwam’s Gurr Xx SUADEMY NA wamTioNs oF EVEN Ming MIRROR. MOPE CHAPEL, 718 Brosdway—J ? PAN TOSsOOPE SRIAN GALLERY OF CERISTIAN ART—SS Broat way. idey, Sanuary 27,1854. Rew York, The New: Whe Collins Etcamer Atlantic had not arrived at three o'clock this morning. She hes now been out nearly sixteen days from Liverpool. A meeting relative to the rights of Protestent Americans abroad, was held a} the Tabernatile last evening. There was a very large attendance. Hon. George od presided, and speeches were made by D. D. Field, Esq., Rey. Messrs. Robinson and Kirk, of Boston, and others. There was quite an excite ment at the close of the proceedings, caused by the introduction of a resolution relative to the reading of the Bible by negro slaves at the South. See report. A more general idea of the principal conteats of the Gadsden treaty with Mexico is farnished in the despatch from our Washington correspondent this morning. It will be seen that no errangement has ‘been entered into with regard to the Garay and S!0 contracts— en the contrary, they appear to have been Jeit as fruitful themes for future diplomacy, specul tion and adjndication. So far as Mexico is con the treaty is closed, having received the signature of Ranta Anne. All that now remains to complete the contract is for it to be ratified by this govern nen! and signed by the President, The United States Senato, in executive session yesterday, confirmed the appointment of Heman J. Redfield as Collector of this port, after debating the matter tvo hours and a half. He is reported ty hare received the united support of the democrats and free rollers, thus showing that the coalition is com. plete. His only opponents were the Southern whigs. The cfficial documents relative to the Pope’s N ancio were received, bat the Senators were too busy with the controversy respecting the Collectorship to attend to them. Mr. A. G. Brown, the newly elected Senator froca Mississippi, took his seat yesterday, after which the Seuate received and disposed of a targe nomber of petitions, including several from Now York in faver of a reduction of ocean pot age, &c. A communication was received trom the Secretary of the Interior, asking for an &ppro- priation of fifty thousand dollars to defray the ex- penses of the Mexican boundary commission. Cuite an interesting debate sprang up on a question of in- quiry as to the intentions of the Committee on Con- merce respecting river and harbor improvements, It appears that some of the Southern and Western members are indi¢posed to await the customary sc- tion of the House on this subject, which is generally eferred till towards the close of the in; but from appearances, and the intimated objections of the President to any improvement schemes that are not staictly coustitutional, it is questionable whether the wishes of certain parties will be consummated for 9 Jong time to come. However, in these days of politi cal changes and twistidications, none can tell what a @ay may bring forth. ‘The Senate has at length passed the bill grantiag six months extra pey to the surviving army and navy officers, soldisrs and seamen, who wer? on board the San Francisco, and giving pension: to those who were rendered widows and orphansty the rad calamity. No step was taken towards a Jedging the noble and timely services of the brave officers and seamen of the ships Three Bells and An tarctic, and bark Kilby. Our State Senators, being more ative to the propriety ot early action, yester day adopted resolutions ordering silver trumpots for the ceptains of the three vessels above named, and also for Captain Pendleton, of the Lucy Thompson. It is to be hoped that this matter will be speedily attended to by Congress. Delay will rob the rescuers of half the he as a national compliment, although they have the proud satisfaction of knowing that they are rece! the spentaneous, united and heart- felt praises of the people throughont the land. The example of the British government under similar circumstances is well worthy of repe- tition. By the way, observing that there was cussion among Senators as to the condast of certain army Officers, who sre alleged to have been the first to leave the wreck and take up their quarters on the bark Kilby, we would direct attention to the letter of the veteran Colonel Gates, in another colamn, in which he states that he bas demanded a court mor- tial to investigate Lis prozeedings on that trying occasion. The House of Representatives spent most of the Gay in Committee of the Whole on the President’, meseage and the Deficiency Appropriation ball. Mr Etheridge made a speech in advocacy of the reso- Jution authorizing the President to confer the rank of Lieutenant General. Mr. Clingman then ‘ook the floor, and made a strong appeal in opposition to the system of extending patents beyond the period of fourteen years, and on his motion it was ordered tha! inquiries he made with regard to amending th> Jawe on the subject. This looks rather bad for the prospects of the army of owne gents and others, who are now at the capital pushing their claims for the renewal of patents that have already enrished the icyentors and sasnutactarers beyond all prece dent. Bat the great and exciting feature of the day in the House was the debate on the split in the demo erstic party in New York. Another of the four Smiths—the memper from Virginia—expressed his regret that the émeute had been brought into the halls of natio le ion, but now that it was there, he wos nov at all backward in expressing his views on the subject. Like bin namesakes from New York and Alabama, Mr. 8. appears to have taken especial pains to clothe portions of his argument in mist; but, in the mato, it will be seen that his pur- pose was, if possible, to harmonise the belligerent factions. However, it is understood that he snoke sfter consultation with, avd by authority of, th President, and for that reason it may be not place to @raw attention to hie remark, thy hards, exasperated, wil up tw t dill; but, below, the softs will give way tofts enenot shrink; if they do, they will fall s that the hand of resurrection will not dig the their depths. They will be objests at whi slow unerring finger of scorn will point.’ course of the disow t of from h the Ja th jon some very strong languaz was employed—Mr h informing Mr. Campbel @ la, of « he (Mr. 1 sound after the adjvarnment;” and a Bi gles, of the State, of sepking to « sky pybing | present woe, This we held to be clearly apa his people from the responsibility of his position.” Read the sketch of the debate by all means. rhe despatch from our Albany correspondent makes some curious disclosuregfrelative to the squan- dering of the school lands. We notice that many bills of considerable importance have of late been introduced in the Legislature, but there they stick, members being apparently more intent oa drawing them up and presenting them, than acting upon them afterwards. The Senate yesterday instructed its Committee on Commerce to visit our harbor forthwith, in order that a law may be enacted pre- venting the construction of apy more piers or wharves along the East river till tae Commissioners have decided on the waterline. See our special Gespateh and the regular report for the details of the proceedings in both houses. A resolution denouncing Joha Mitchel in the most violent and abusive language, was the chief topic of discussion in the New England Auti-slavery Society yesterday. ish some very interesting information this morning. The United States Mar- to have received instructions from the Attorney General to proceed with the work of re- pairing the railroad track, and if he is again inter- fered with by the ricters to forward word to Wash- ington, when, it is understood, he will receive re- inforcements in the shape of United States troops. The mails of the Niagara were delivered in this city from Boston at an early hour yesterday morn- ing. The important points of the news had previ- ously reached us by telegraph from Halifax and Bos- ton, aud were published in our paper. We give this morning, however, some interesting letters and ex- tracts, showing the progress of the Rasso Turkish war and the position of the continental cabinets with reference to it. On reference to our commercial reports it will be seen that breadstuffs were agaia in brisk demand yesterday, some eighteen thousand barrels of floar having changed hands at prices ranging from ©3874 to $9 1 A large amount of wheat, corn and other descriptions of grain was also disposed of at bigh figur But while breadstuffs ore thus ani- mated, there appears literally nothing doing at the stock ard mining boards. Financiers cautiously a touching azything of an uncertain character umstances of course experience difficulty in finding any stocks in the market in which to operate. Apropos, we observe, that the Assistant Tressurer gives notice that “silver change can be had et his office, in sums of five thousand dollars and upwards.” Thiskes a direct tendency to benefit brokers and others who eell charge, but of what advantage is it to small tradesmen and re- Why not give the latter class an equal ity with the rick by giving out smaller snus ¢ As owal, our columns contain @ large quantity of matter to which we cannot afford space to refer par- A glance at the headings ef the various es will facilitate the reader in €ivining taeir nts. Onr New Minister to Constantinople -The Eastern Question Russia and the United State: Mr. Carroll Spence, of Maryland, has gone out upon a very important embassy, at the ex- isting crisis in European affairs, as our new Minister to Constantinople. His presentation to the Sultan, if not relieved by express in- structions, is suggestive of some embarrass- ment, considering the uninterrupted relations of peace and friendship which have subsisted between Russia and this country from the es- tablishment of our independence to the present day. In our diplomatic controversies with other pewers, Russia, as ampire, has, on mere than one occasion, manifested her good inelina- tions towards us, by her jedgments to our ad- vantage. In view, therefore, of these friendly relations, never heretofore disturbed, between the Czar and the United States, we repeat that Mr. Spence would naturally find himself befure the Sultan in a position of much delicacy and embarrassment, between Lord Stratford de Redcliffe end General Baraguay d’Hilliers. wn- less strongly fortified with a plain and definite chapter of instructions. We are assured, however, that such in- structions have been given to Mr. Spence— instructions in keeping with the positive po- sition which this country is henceforth des- tined to occupy among civilized nations, but which, nevertheless, are not designed to com- mit this government to any entangling alliance with either party upon this Eastern question. Our antecedents and our existing amity with Russia on the one hand, and our natural sym- pethies with the Turk on the other, as well as our established foreign policy, suggest, if re- quired, our course as that of friendly interven- tion between the principals at war, rather than a wilitary co-operation with the allies upon cither side. This point being determined. we are drawn tosome passing reflections upon the “manifest destiny” respectively, of Russia aud the United States. Many years ago, when Mr. Buchanan was our representative at St. Petersburg, as he was walking, one day, in a public thoroughfare of that capital, with the Czar and one of the princes of the empire as his companions, the eror, after asking the news from the United States, entered into a general conversation upon European and American politics. In the progress of this conversation, the Emperor re- marked, iy substance, that there were only two stable forms of government existing upon the earth, the one being that of Russia, and the other that of the United States. They were each founded upon simple and fixed prin- while the mixed systems of popu- concessions, feudal rights, and despotic privileges of the governments of England Vrance, and other Powers, subjected them to internal clashings and discord tending to revolution and destruction, In the United States, continued the Emperor, you have only one controlling power—the supreme power of the people. The people are the State; and hence the rising strength and energy of your country, and the simplicity and harmony of your government. In Russia, too, there only one power, the Emperor—“L’Etat c'est Hence the singleness of purpose, the unity in action, the harmony and progress of Russia. The same views, we believe, were sub- stantially repeated by the Czar on the occasion of the visit of Mr. Senator Douglas to St. Pe- tersburg during the last summer. And the Emperer was right. Napoleon him- self scarcely ever presented in language so sim- ple, the fundamental law of national strength and consistency. Opposite az the poles in their respective governments, there has yet been a remarkable similarity between the progress and expansion of Russia and the advancement in power and the extension in territory of the Unitgl States. The moi.” parallel is equally striking between the present position of Russia in Europe; and of our Repub k on this continent. The sitaation of Tar- may be well compared with that of Mexico, n this general view, for the fate of the one is . sooner or later, as the destiny of Cuba must ultimately be onra, and Land will, most probably, at last fall Ruséian lines of annexation, what the tem 'y issues of the rent;for while in Russia the elements ofstrength and cohesion are constantly pressing outward, in Turkey a decaying oriental system is stead- ily falling in, from the extremities to the centre. Conquer Constantinople, and Turkey is extin- guished—burn down St. Petersburg, and Rus- siais allalive. Ina word, Russia is the arbiter of the continent of Europe, as the United States are of the continent of North America. Nicholas, where Napoleon failed, may feel secure, even against an armed allianee between England and France. Their fleets cannot m1- terially weaken him—their armies can only weaken his allies, to his ultimate advantage. The only power capable of coping with Russia is the united democracy of Europ+. France and England might make decisive , work with all the Russias, were they to form . league with the continental democracy in aho crusade for popular principles. ButFrancer pq England, from their mixed political syster g of despotic usages and popular restrictions, > gare not risk this hazardous revolutionary ve giro, The danger of such a coalition, it is plain ,wenld recoil upon themselves. The very heza pis ofa rising of the democracy lie at the bott jem, ner, haps, of the trepidations of the Britis! 4 Qabinet in reference to a war with Russia. F’ sgmce calls for glory—Louis Napoleon inherits ghe empire of his uncle~he is expected to redet gm its disas- ters. He is ready for action; buti gig Austria, the present ally and dependant of gre Qzar, and. not Russia, that must suffer from ¢ye march of the armies of France. England stands unresolved—} msitating tofall back, yet reluctant to advance. France is wait- ing upon England—Austria ir sfgembling for her life-—Prussia is shuffling as 1 geen two fires— the Sultan is desperate, a’ s@ the Czar alone appears to be firm, cool, co' dweted, and fixed in his purposes. The simple jee is whether Rus- sia shall continue her ter’ jierial advances upon Trakey and Western Asi gor shall be arrested at the hazard of a ged ey European war, the revolutionary elements gf Italy, Hungary, and Germany included. It’ jgwt such a crisis that, as the representative of + jyr new democratic admin- istration, Mr.Spence hasygone out to Constanti- nople, end Mr. Seyn jar, of Connecticut, to St. Petersturg. We } save already indicated the policy of Mr. Sp’ ence,.and the course of Mr. Seymour will dot ibtless conform to that of his diplomatic coller gue, Their anited labors, if required to act, may. perhaps, avail where French and Esg jJish overtures and threats have so signally fail sd. In any eveiit this country, having become sufficiently pcswerful among the nations to speak, even in European affairs. when the general peace: is involved, may be expected by the parties in this Eastern controversy, if they do not. scon come to terms, toclaima hearing in the matter both at Constantinople and at St. Petersburg. A definitive and positive attitude on our part among the courts of Europe, can no longer be delayed in any question which threatens our peaceful reciproci- ties with the European nations. Impregnable against any foreign assault at home, this republic has at ready command the materials for a powerful armament on the sea, notwithstand- ing the smallness of our regular navy. Our vast commercial marine, to a great extent. is susceptible of a ready conversion for active naval service. We have also the sinews of war beyond the reach of any other power. We alone, of all nations, have a surplus revenue so large, and still accumulating, that we are puz- zled what to do with it. Only a small part of it will be required to set Ganta Auna firmly upon his wooden leg in his new empire. The bulk of this surplus will be available for other purposes. Thus, while impregnable at home against the world in arms, we have jhe sinews of war, and the means in every form, for a de- cisive hand in the European struggle, if forced into it. Our foreign policy is non-interrention in European affairs, and non-intervention from Europeans in the affa'ra of our Ameriean neighbors. But the European republi- can elements among our people, and our’ native progressive democracy, expeet some- thing more than “ masterly inaetivity” upon this Eastern question. If peaee is not soon attained our government rust interfere to effect a settlement; and, failing, it must pre- pare for the practical contingencies of interven- tion in the war. Our relations and our policy are peace with all parties, but our passive neu- trality must give way to action when the quiet of the world is at stake. And why should not our friendly offices be- tween Russia and Turkey be successful? With the Sultan we stand in the very highest esti- mation; and the Czar hes shown that Russia and the United States, though under directly opposite systems of government, are both on the same high road to “manifest destiny;” while England and France are under bonds to this country, on account of out cotton and Cali- fornia gold. When the four Povers, therefore, shall have given up the peaceayle solution of the Eastern question in desprir, ‘et them turn to the intervention of the United States. To this end, Mr. Buchanan may yet by regmired to sound the British Cabinet, and Mr Mason the government of France; but we sha'l first ex- pect to hear from Mr. Spence at Constanti- nople. FLocere ty Scuoors.—In another portion of this paper will be found a letter from Louis- ville, Ky., giving a full account of the unfortu- nate rencontre between Matt. F. Ward and the schoolmaster Butler, which terminated in the death of the latter. It appears that Butler had brutally flogged o brother of Mr. Ward, and the latter—gencrally a most amiable and gentte young man—roused to fury by the news, went to the schoolhouse to demand an explanation, when a scufile ensued, and Butler was shot. It is now for the courts to decide upon the merits of the case, and to pronounce between Ward and the State. To us the calamity seems sug- gestive of one practical lesson, How long shall we retain the barbarous practice of flogging in schools? In France it was abolished long since In England it is only kept up in those musty old institutions like Eton, where the very name of refofm throws the professors into convulsions. In Germany there are schools where it is kept up, together with middle-age philosophy, and other relics of times that were. Everywhere, as civilization, practical common sense, and en- lightenment penetrate, the birch and the rod disappear, and moral suasion takes their place. Is it not too bad thet we should figure among those nations which adhere to the barbarous custom? Who cannot understand the feeling of fury with which a father or an elder brother hears of a schoolmaster brutally maltreating a delicate boy who looks to him for protection? The blood may boil then, and death may follow; but the real criminal is the practice of fogging. and the proper sentence for the court to reader ig its aboliioa, The Abol) ts and Nebraske, With what vi gor and activity the abolitionists are preparing ¢ oppose the repeal of the Mis souri Compre mise, the notice in our advertising columns Wi" ,) show, So extensively have their doctrines’ peen spread through the city that se- veral of! hose who are now actively engaged in organiz’ ing the present movement were formerly memb srs of the Union Castle Garden Committee. ey have nearly all the party press, on 0 £9 as, Times and Tribune, the Post, the 1 eides, to back them. The Seward or- depress, and the Commercial, vie with each other in the severity of their cen- sure of Judge Douglas’ project. In the Logis- Jature, Senator Dickinson has intredaced reso- lutious, probably framed by his friend Mr. Sew- ard, denouncing it. The thunder of the meet- ing at the Tabernacle will reverberate through- out the entire North, and fill the free States with angry revilers of Southern institutions. ‘Over the whole conntry a hurricane willsweep, whose first effort will be to overwhelm those Northern members of Congress who have the moral courage to stand by the constitution ; but striking down the men who vote for the re- peal of the unconstitutional compromises of 1820, will not destroy the agitation, will not postpone the struggle, will not terminate the controversy. It will be merely the first battle in a great campaign ; the survivors will march over the bodies of the slain, to renew the con- test and win the victory at last. Nothing tous is clearer than the final issue. It may yet be distant ; years may roll over ere it is accom- plished ; but that ventually all these compro- mises must be repealed, and the independent rights of the South placed on a firm, stable ba- sis, we have not the smallest shadow of a doubt. This Congress may not reach the seat of the evil, or re-establish our system on solid constitutional principles. The power of the spoils. which has already broken down the alli- ance between the democrats of the North and those of the South, and led Southern statesmen and Southern journals into the lowest depthe of treachery—the general corruption prevailing among our public men, and other temporary causes—may delay the denouement, and defer the accomplishment of this measure of right. But noon-day is not clearer than its ultimate coming. The contest will sorely embarrass the admin- istration. It was only natural that a President nominated by fraud and elected by ignorance and deception, should have fallen into some such quagmire at the first opportunity; but President Pierce is not the less perplexed on this account. There is but one course for his administration to pursue. They must discover what the constitution authorizes Congress to do, and what it laves for the decision of the several States. and having ascertained theee points, they must obey the constitution to the letter, at all hazards. The result of such an inquiry, honestly con- ducted, would show that the constitution gave no authority to Congress to stipulate that new States—any more than old States—-should em- ploy one kind of labor to the exclusion of ati others. There is no warrant in the constitu- tion for any such proviso as that referring to lands aorth 36.30, in the Missouri compromise. All these compromises are, in law and in fact illegal. unconstitutional, null and void., By the constitution of the United States, the gene- ral government has no other powers over the several communities composing the federal Union than those specially and specifieal- ly delegated and secured to it by the original act of partnership. It occupies the position of a special agent, in law, whose authority is obviously bounded by the letter of his mandate or instructions. Should the agent overstep those bounds and assume toact for his principal without adequate au- thority, his deed would be null and void. Pre- cisely in like manner the acts of the general government which are not fully wawanted by the powers delegated to it by the independent States of the Union, are null, void, and worthless. Such an act was the proviso (x cluding slavery from the unoceupied territory nerth of 36 degrees 30, in the Missouri com- promiee. This was dictating to future States that, whether they wished or no, they shou’ employ free, and not slave labor. It was a de- liberate assumption by Congress of the right of controlling and directing the domestic insti- tutions of free, independent communities, over whom the constitution had given it no such control whatever. It does not matter one jot whether the communities in question were in existence at the time the assumption was made, or whether they were then only in embryo. It could not apply to them until they entered upon an independent existence ; and thus it was, in reality, as gross a violation of their Tights, though prospective merely, as an inter- ference by Congress in the domestic institu- tutions of New York or Georgia would be to” day. If Congress were to declare to-morrow that New York should be a slave or Georgia @ free State, the act would be a nullity on the face of it. What legal, what practical differ- ence would there be between such an act as that and the proviso that all future States north ofa fixed line shall be free? Reading the constitution by the light of reason, com- mon sense and experience, it seems impossible to trace a distinction between the two cases To us they seem perfectly parallel. We said that an immense opposition to the repeal of the Missouri compromise was being or- ganized in the North, and that the whole party press of New York had combined against it The movement springs from feeling, unadulte- rated by reason. The language used by the free oil and abolition organs, is that of senseless anger; they cannot condescend to argue the point. The whole of the long tirades they have uttered may be condensed into a few words: Douglas proposes te violate the Missonri com- promise, which was understood to be a perma- nent settlement of the question of slavery in that region; therefore Douglas is an intriguing aspirant for the Presidency, and his followers are “rascals,” “fools,” and “vyagabonds.” We submit that we do the defenders of the line of 36 degrees 30 minutes no injustice by present- ing their views in this shape. With the objects of Senator Douglas or the character of his supporters we have nothing to do; they are able to defend themselves. But it is not true that he or they propose to “vlo- late” the Missouri compromise. They aim at declaring it inoperative and void. A law i not violated when it is modified or repealed by the authority which enacted it. If the Maine law passes this winter ot Albany, it would be very absurd to accuse the Legislature of violat- ing it when it is proposed to affect its repeal It, by a stretch of imagination, we can fancy the Missouri compromise a valid law, it woald be violated by the introduction of nto the territerics north of the ling 96 degrees a0 mine utes; but to call ite repeal or nullification a “violation,” is manifestly inaccurate. It is true that that compromise was deemed, jor many years, a final settlement of the slavery question in thet section of the country. But are not all laws—with the “xception of those specially declared to be temporary—deemed final settieméents? Is not our law against mur- der a final settlement? Are not the penalties against smuggling final settlements? Will not the Maine law—should it pass—be a final settle ment while it lasts? Yet it would surely be competent to our governments to repeal, modi- fy or alter these as change of circumstances or additional experience might suggest. How much more justifiable, then, is it to proceed to erase from the statute book a law ‘which obvi- ously ought not to have been there at all! We are yet at the threshold of the question, and must wait further progress from the actors in the drama to pursue the subject. We shall watch the movement which is commencing here among oll sections of the anti-slavery party and radiating throughout the North, as well as the treacherous meanness of those Southern politicians who now lack courage to stand up for the constitution, General Pierce’s Free Boll Letter Agatn— More Proof of its £xlstence-Johu Coch- rane’s “Impressions” Refuted, We bave received a very funny communica- tien from Nelson J. Waterbury, Esq., on the subject of General Pierce's free soil letter. Mr. Waterbury was formerly Judge of the Marine Court in this city. It was so evident from the character of the document which he has sent us that he still imagined himself in his old court, and talking to the “marines,” that we post- poned its publication until to-day to afford him an opportunity to recover from his halluciaa- tion; but not having heard from him we can wait no longer. Judge Waterbury is now a clerk in the Post Office in thie city. His peculiar tact in the General Pierce's important epistle to the free soil committee in this city in 1848, of which committee Judge Waterbury was one—indi- creet bestowal of governmental patronage could be made than to give hima snug berth in the Post Office. Judge Waterbury—imagining himself, as we have before intimated, “telling it to the ma- rines’’—writes as follows :— J.G. Bennerr, Esq., Eviror or Tak Hexaup:— Sir—The Hxxawp recently stated, that “after the ratificetion of the Van Buren Buffalo ticket and plat- form by the free soilers of this city, in 1848,” a letter wax received ‘‘from Gen. Pierce, expressive of his sympathy with the political fortunes of the Baffalo candidate, ard his peculiar friends and partisans.” This statement is substantially reiterated in the He RALD of to-day. And on both occasions it is alleged aud re-alleged that I have some knowledge of such a letter. I must, therefore, request you to publish this communication. J remember reading a letter from General Pierce to the Committee of Arrangements of the meeting held inthe Park, in this city, on the 18th of July, 1848, of which Stephen Allen was President, to re- spond to the action of the convention of the demo- cracy of this State, held at Utica on the 22d of the ppeoence June, whieh convention nominated Mr. Van Buren for President, and Gen. Dodge for Vice President. That letter, which was writtan nearly a month previous to the Buffalo convention, waa in re- ply to one of the printed circular invitations of the committee, and only stated that he, (Gen. Pierce,) had received an invitation to attend and address the meeting in this city, and that he declined to do so. What becawe of the letter 1 do not know. I have some of the letters then received, but none of the merely formal ones, nor bave 1 seen the one from Gen Pierce since the period of that meeting. I am, however, quite positive as to its contents, froin tne fact that the bizgh reputation for disinteresteiness which General Pierce enjoyed, his intunate personal relations with the lamented Silas Wright, and his fir and hearty support in Congress of the preat radical measures which distinguished the adminis- trations of Geveral Jackson and Mr. Vau Boren, led to hopes that he would give the weight of bis influ- ence in New Hampshire, and the aid of his talents, to the support of the radical democracy ia their practical] protest against the action of the Baltimore convention, in rejecting the delegates and silencing the voice of the democravy of this State. And ths letter of General Pierce was one the most sigaifi- ficant indications then presented that the radical democracy of New York, in the prosecution of that contest. would have to rely mainly upon themselves. If so uniform snd distinguished a democrat as Gene- ral Pierce had given any encouragement to the movement, it is hadly necessary to add that his let- ter would have beeo promptly published, as were those of the Hon. Greene C. Bronson and others. J never heard of avy other letter from General Pierce, at any time during taat Presidential can- vars, to apy of the supporters of Mr. Van Buren; and I am yery confident that no other letter was re- ceived from General Pierce by any committee form- ing part of their organization in this city. Yours, respectfully, Netgon J. Warerpuny. Ew York, January 23, 1854. Gen. Pierce's friends, Messrs. Cochrane and Waterbury, manifest more zeal than discretion --Inore anxiety than prudence. Seeing the Pre- sident stuck fast in the mud they have both rushed to his rescue, as in duty bonnd—and seizing one hold of each leg they have attempt- ed to life him ont. But, unfortunately for the object of their benevolence, they have moved ix different directions, and the, chances are that they make a bigger rent in the Preai- dent’s unmentionables than the famous one in Gov. Marcy’s, for which the State of New York was charged fifty cents. Mr. Cothrane was very confident, in bis letter published yesterday, that Gen. Pierce express- ed digapprobation of the objects and action of the free soilers in his letter to the free soil com- mittee. Now Judge Waterbury comes ont, and says, in effect, that the letter contained no such thing; for he is quite positive that the letter “only stated that he (Gen. Pierce) had received an in- vitation to attend and address the meeting in this*city, and that he declined to do so.” That, according to the “positive” recollection of Judge Waterbury, is all that the letter con- tained. What has now become of Joha Cochrane’s “ impressions?” These gentlemen remind us of two young men in a country town, who were once placed in equally embarrassiog cireumstances. They were sons of the village physician; their father died and they admia- istered on hisestate. The bills against it came in so numerous and so large that they threat- ened to swallow up the whole esiate. The sons held a consultation, and made up their minds to dispute enough of the accounts to have something left for them- selves. The village grocer’s bill was the largest of any, and they started for his shop to point out its errors. Arrived there, the elder commenced the assault:—‘“There’s such a thiog —and such a thing—and such a thing,” said he, pointing out the items to the astonished grocer, “charged on your bill,that we never had.” “Y. broke in the younger, “ yes, and there’s seven pounds of coffee charged that we never had— and damned poor coffee ‘twas too.’ According to the combined testimony of Messrs, Cochrane and Waterbury Genera! Pierce’s letter had no contents at all—and demned bad contents at that. Why don’t they “ cease their pother, and prodnce the document? Let Mesers. Cochrane and Waterbury pass They agree that the letter was received; fey. contradict cach other, and invalidate each othews testimony, in their attempts to explato it awoy, while they stil] foil to produce it Give us the letter—the letter—the letter. We srugt that the bouctifial layer of soft soo cated at once and plainly that no more dis- care of lettere—exhibited in his management of | become much larger than . — — contained in Judge Waterbury’s letter may prove grateful to the feelings of the President; the blarney of his officials is about all that he has left. But blarney is not the letter. Tne San Fraycisco Remier Fon tv Bostoy.—~ The praiseworthy liberality of the merchanta of Boston has swelled this fund to upwards of nine thousand dollars, and the committee who have it in charge, in consequence of its having at first eontem- plated—or, in other words, the generous mer- chants of Boston having displayed more liber- ality than the committee had given thenr credit for—resolved to call a meeting, which was to have been held yesterday morning, to con- sider whether a portion of the fund should not goto the Humane Society of Massachusetts, for the purpose of rewarding some other res~ cuer of shipwrecked mariners. We look upom this as decidedly wrong. It was stated at the first meeting of the merchants and others who were invited to contribute to this fund, that it was for the purpose of ‘rewarding the com- manders of the ships Three Bells and Antarctic, and the bark Kilby, for their gallant conduct in rescuing the survivors of the ill-fated San Francisco ; and with this direct understanding” the subscriptions were made, and the money generously and unstintingly paid into the fund Now, what will these same donors say, and what inceutive will they have to respond to the call of any future case where gallaztry is to be rewarded, when they find that a portion of their subscriptions is to be diverted from the object for which their money was given, and ap- propriated to swell the funds of an institution which, however praiseworthy its objects may be, has no more claim upon the fund in ques- tion than a lying-in-hospital or a public library. We hope to hear that the meeting unanimously aud indiguantly frowned down the proposition, and that the money will be appropriated to ite legitimate purposes—-to reward the courage and gallantry of Capt. Crighton, Capt. Low, and Capt. Stouffer. Avyoruer Catt.—The whole city is clamorous to hear John Van Buren and Captain Rynders on the proposed repeal of the Missouri Com- promise. They have shared the spoils with the present administration, and dipped their fingers in the savory mess of official patronage. Are they going to desert their friends at the firat sign ofa storm? Is this their fidelity to Marcy? Rumor imputes strange designs to Prince John- Can he be going to speak at the Tabernacle? What is he doing? R That voice that once in Tammany Hall The soul of office shed; Ts now as mute in Tammany’s walle As if that soul were fled. Can any one tell us the cause of the sudden extinction of voice with which John Van Buren and Captain Rynders have been afflicted? Sovrnerners, Bewarr.—We trast the South- ern men will keep a close watch on the Cabinet, lest they should contrive to smother Douglas’s bill in Congress. They ought to have had ex- perience enough by this time to know both the free soil tendencies and the tricky practices of Marcy and his colleagues. Let the -South be- ware of foul play. ‘ Graxp Batt 4 THE Presoorr Hovsg.—The landiord of the Preroo't House is about to follow the example of hie compeers othe St. Nicholas and Metropolitan, and be Will cive a grsnd-entertainmen’ this evening. Tae balls which bave ajresty taken place’ st” the St. Nicholas snd Metropolitan hotels were both mplendid affairs; but atthe Metropolitan thers was too great a crowd, while at the Si, Miokelss the compsny was just nomeroas enough, snd everybody wes comfortable, We trust taat the exemple of the S: Nicholas in this reepest, will be imitated by the Prercott House Lara rrom #. Dom:xao —Capt, Dawas, of the brig Era, arrived yesterday morning from St, Domingo Oity, informs us that whea he left. on the 8th inet., great exeitement prevailed throughout the couutry, caused by an expscted invasion by the Feperor Soulouqua, and also by the an- kettled state of political affairs in St, Domingo eonse- quent on the enveavors of the friends ot President San tana to meke bim President for life. Owing to the severity of the cholera at St. Tnomas al) communication between St. Domingo and that island was prohibited. The English mail for Earope, which had al- ‘ways gone by way of St. Thomas, has been brought on by Captain Dumas to proces by way of this elty, The English frigate Calypso and the French war steam er Perche were at St Domingo City, Marine Affairs. Launch. Mr, Abram ©. Bell will Jaanch from his yard, foot of Stenton street, at nias o'clock to-morrow morn~ ing, the ship Robert L. Lane, of the burthem of 1,400 > ters, This eplencid ship was built for AMesare, Lane 2 West, to sail in their line of Havre packets, and will be commended by Capt. H. B Major. The same house hevo contracted for ancther ship of eimilar dimensions, to sail in the same line which will be launched sbout the first of May next. : ¢ THE CLIPPER SHIP GOLDEN EAGLE. New York, 3 Jaatzm Gonton Buxarr, Bag :— S-sipaaeg RAR Siz—I observed in your statement froin Joba ©. Hort. roverting bo « Qisantore sad repairs of vouruls in San Frsncisco daring the year 1863,’? The following remarks are under the bead of April:—“The Iden Esgie, o: Boston, came ia leaking, aad was hove refera to the snot in San Francisco Guriog the month of April pnd that pot cne ciwe waa paid on her for re- be whilet there nelther ben a thread of oskam been riven fo her seacoe till port. As your, pud'ication muy tend seriously to i:jare the repatation of one of the best ships now in ‘ork, I consider it my cuty, in the absence of the owners, to request you, a4 favor to (bem aud to ye, to rectify the mistake. I sir, troly yours, SAMUEL Q PAGES: Ma. ter of ship Goldea Eagle, Date oF 4 Sk Cartaty.—Capt. Jadah P, Baker, of the ahip Flying Dragon, cied at rea November 24, efter an Ill- pers of eighty rx Cape, caused by dropsy, mad was baried the rams cay inlat 10N. loa lid 43 W. The Boston ipt enya :—* Fis was the srehitest of his own for- tare; he ca tuliowed the ses more than thirty yeara, aad risen frora ihe forecastls to the rituation of master and owner rolely by bis ions. He had commander seme of ont first ol avd always with succass. Ais last voy wei in the clipper ship Shooting Star, in which he made the quiovest ‘ever pers fcrmeé from Maeso to this port He wen ipmaster of‘ more than ordinary energy and ability, and s mn esteemed and respested by ali who kaew him, He was a mative and revident of Brewster, Mase., acd leaves a wife end four chik rer.”” Execution at th ombs To-Day. JAMES L. HOARS TO BE ILANGED FOR THE MURDER OP BUSAN M’ANANY. , In the oace of this unfortanate}man, James I. Hoare. sentenced to suffer death this dey, for the murder of Suram McAnany, in October inst, up toa late hour last evening the Governor of the State had not granted s ccumutation or respite, notwithstanding the extraor- Cinary exertions that have been made and are stilt making by his friends for the purpose of iaduciag the Executive to extend s mereifal hand. All that his friends now expect is to effects respite of thirty days, and for that express purpose Mr. Sherman Brownell and other gentlemen left the city yerterday for Albany. Early yesterday morning Hoare was visited, as uvaal, py the Rev, Mr. Ferard, of St. Francis Xavier's Coliege, in the chapel of the prison, accompanied by Mr. Finley, one of the ceputy keepers. He atiended.mass, confessional and communion, afler which he partook of a hearty break fast, and prepared himesif to receive hia frieads acd bid them ferewell. Daring the day the prison wes com- pletely throrged with the friends and acquaintances of the unfortanste men, who received them with « emi ing: countenance snd a hearty grasp of the hand, Sheriff Orrer hefl s private conversation with the prie orer, and wirhe at what bour to-day he would be best prepered he fatal ceremony, Hoare remark - ed, ‘That he wae ready at any moment—as early aa pos ~ sible—that he would be in readiness at ten o'clock.” meen 3h an who, it half of —_— Mr. Dogro, one of the Aimshonse Gover seema, bas taken ® very prominent part in this wretshed man, was preeent dming nearly the whole of the afterroon, awaiting @ bey me yong despatch: rom Albany, {t having been up teratood would fend s Gespatch immediately on Tryt's Sual deglsiog A} about 9" oa den st! ae Gov- Me. Spbitsvore,