The New York Herald Newspaper, March 20, 1854, Page 4

eR EESTI wren ec tt LT LL LT NEW YORK HERALD. pArvnrncnsbamnaneies FAME GORDON BESVETR PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR prrteseraty ¥Frvict *& W. COMNFR OF PITT TERMS, ood inedeanen : - THe DAILY HER Zeents per cpy—S] per annus THE. WEEKLY HERA wo Sharda at ONe conte ae of ‘the ons or with adver be deducted from t Subserivti tl Brements to be post nge will Pe mmey remitted. ay querter of Og Ocn Fouson Can LAKLY PRQUESTRD TO ARAL Sent 08 f anonymous communications. We do NO NOTICE taken ot PM MRINTING executed with neatness, cheapness, and SP Eke TISEMENTS renewed cvery day. “Dh AMUSEVENTS THIS BVENTNO ' BOWERY THEATRE Bowery—Evanne—Roves Dia. mowi=-Tre TussANd's SKORET. BXHADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Orirm1o—Tae Two Buzrarte. ORTON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—Wrariam ‘Peun | . P—Trovsann Minniwers. NATIONAL THEATRE. Chatham street —Afteenoec— YurtLe Kary—Bvening—Owors Tom's Cann. WAalAACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—A Goon Pari0w— Lova'von Lov. aMBRICAN MU! qwaotrsace Fr | UM—Afternoon= Nioo.o Fawiny— vening ‘Tus Du> Bunweny. BROADWAY BEN AOQBRIE—Linsurvman Kine—Mau- worm Lacy asp Livise Txainep dovimars, CHRISTY’S AMERICAN OPBEA HOUSE, 472 Broad- Sway—Brworiay UsLoorse ay Ceninry's Mivernais. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood Minstrel Hait, 444 Broad- ‘wae—-Eruiopra® MineTRaLAY. BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, 589 Broetway—Buow Bruwrean Oruxs Taoure ¥® NICHOLAS EXHIBITION ROOM, £5 Brondway- Bandari. Miner KELS 18 THEIR NgGAO ENTERTAINMENTS. BANVARD'S GEOKAMA, 596 Brosdway—Paxonama or eux Bory Laxnn RHENISH GALLERY, 563 Brondway—Day and Night BRYAN GALLERY OF CHRISTIAN ART—#3 Broad- ay eXPHOLE WORLD—S7' hyd 379 Brosdway—Afternocn Bveving, ay te === = ‘@treulation of the Daily Herald for the Last Week. ‘Marth 12—Monday.. 14—Tuesday 16— Wednesda: 16—Thursduy Vi—Friday . 18—Saturday . Matis for the Pacific. WHE NEW YORK HERALD—CALIFORNIA EDITION. ‘The United States mail steamship George Law, Captain ‘MeGowan, will leave this port this afternoon, at two o’clock, for Aspinwall. The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific ‘will elose at one o'clock. ‘Tne New York Werkiy Herasp, California edition, con- taining the litest intelligence from all parts of the world, will be published at ten o’clock this morning. Bingle copies sixpence. Agents will please send in their eeders as carly as possible. The News. Our exchange papers are filled with accounts of ‘the disastrous effects of the late gale of the country: Some idea of the violence of the storm may be by reading the extracts published today, ‘which report the unroofing of buildings, levelling of houses, destruction of telegraph poles, and injury to ebipping, bridges, &c. We fear, however, the full extent of the damage has not yet been correctly aecertained. Very full accounts from Albany and | disposition on the part of the United States to disturb the peace which exists between the interests with Cuba.” wo countries. If the Spanish government re- Thus situated in a commercial point of view, fuses to do this, the organ will advooate “the / nq unassailable in her tertitor‘al posi‘zon, Re ales cmploying of all the power which the gover a. | Russia has but little to apprehend frym the ment can command in support of our right sand © state cf ikolation in wiich 6 e finas herself. | This very isolation, in tead of beiug a source cf Now all thie is very well said, and ''¢ ig cheer- | weaknees, is, in fact, a source of strength to her; he organ will “advocate; but ¢t is also very bis adttixers it is very doubtful whether er not the e@uinistration will adhere to one line of | policy from one week’s end to the beginning of auether, Neither the American people er the American press can trust General Pierce with s90 important aquestion; and uuless he is spar- red up to some decisive action at the present time things will go on the same old way; and a very bad way it is. For a series of years the interests of Amori- | can citizens sojourning in Cuba have been in- sulted and outraged by the authorities at Ha- | vana, Americans resident in that city, have | been subject to insult and contumely—some- | times to fine and imprisonment—on mere suspi- | cion thut they had committed some overt act; vessels have been seized and detained on the most flimsy pretexts; our consuls have inter- fered in vain, and our trade with Cuba has been injured hy restrictions such as are without a parallel in any other part of the civilized world. Various administrations have neglected these matters, and have failed to sce the necessity of demanding instant reparation from Spain, as well as to require such action on her part as would confer upon the Captain-General full diplomatic powers. Now we have another out- rage, and the President has transmitted in- structions upon the subject te our Minister at Madrid. Well, suppose the instructions reach Madrid, and Mr. Soulé, having no more duels on hand, and having settled his tailor’s affairs, immediately commences his diplomatic opera- tions with the Court of Madrid, what will be the result? The Spanish government is not the only party interested, as we shall see. According to the avowed admission of Lord Clarendon, as stated in a late speech in Parlia- ment, the present coalition between the great powers of Europe has not only in view the set- tlement of the Eastern question, but France and England have also united for the purpose of arranging American affairs upon such a basis as max be satisfactory to them; so thatit will be easily seen that Spain will have the aid of Englich and French diplomats in the settlement of her present difficulties with the United States. Mr. Soulé, then, will have to treat with an alli- ance between England, France, and -Spain. Theee diplomats are well aware of the advan- tage to be gained by that formidable diplomatic weapon, delay; and the Spanish ministry, as- sisted by the representatives of France and Eng- land will make the most.of it. Then they will deal in protocols, diplomatic notes, couriers, and every other species of the ceremony for which these gentlemen are distinguished, so ‘Troy are given. The Albany and Buffalo telegraph lines were prostrated by the storm, and are stil] down. ‘We publish in another column a letter froma member of the Ohio House of Representatives, by which the position of Mr. Pugh on the Nebraska question is satisfactorily set at rest. The weiter asserts that no man could have been nominated for United States Senator who was not in favor of. Douglas's bill, and that the soundness of the nomi. mee on that point was,a test in the caucus. By referring to another part of to-day’s paper it will be seen that our city still maintains its unenvia- ble notoriety for conflagrations. On Saturday after- noon a fire broke out at 168 Allen street, thence ex- tending into Orchard street, destroying a number of workshops and dwellings. The amount of property ongumed by this fire is not large, being estimated at about twenty thousand dollars, but great distress is entailed upon the mechanics and others employed nthe premises, who are thus thrown out of em- ployment. A member of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 6 was killed, and several others severely wounded, by the falling of a chimney of one of the houses burned in Wooster street. On Sunday morning a stable at No. 108 Suffolk street was buraed down, and five valuable horses destroyed. Our New Haven correspondents have furnished ‘as with accounts of the recent disastrous riot in that city. On the night of the 17th inst. several colli- sions took place at Boston between tne police and sowdies, and an officer was severely beaten. The details of the news from Mexico may be found elsewhere, but there is nothing of importance. The eountry seems to be in an extremely disaffected state, notwithstanding the vigorous measures of the government. A decree has been issued, prohibiting ‘the consignment of vessels or cargoes to supercargos or captaine—they must be consigned to some estab- lished commercial house of the port to which they go. Our Minititlan correspondence furnishes some interesting information relative to the Tehuantepec route. By the arrival of the Crescent City we have news from Havana to the 14th instant. From the letters of our correspondents, published elsewhere, it will be scen that there has not been the slightest attempt on the part of the Spanish officials at redressing the outrage we have suffered at their hands. The re- monstrance of American citizens in Havana in con- nection with the subject, which we also publish, will be read with much interest. Returns from 204 towns in New Hampshire have been received, giving Baker 795 majority. So far as known, 143 democrats and 154 opposition members have been elected to the House of Representatives. Francis N. Shaw, of Massachusetts, a reporter of the associated press, died at Washington City yes- terday. ‘The steamship Pacific, from Liverpool, with four days later news from Europe, is now due. Our Relations with Spain—The Foreign Poli. cy of the Administration. We perceive by the government organ, that the administration has sent a special messenger to Madrid with despatches to Mr. Soulé, rela- tive to the recent outrage upon our commerce at the port of Havana. According to the or gan, our Minister at Madrid will be instracted to demand indemity for the outrage referred to, and also to endeaeor to induce the Spanish government to confer diplomatic powers on the Captain-General of Cuba, The last require ment is made with a view to bring about such a state of things as thie. Now we are obliged to negotiate upon Caban aftairs with Madrid ‘ we desire that all this unnecessary delay may be averted by direct diplomatic action on th part of the Captain-General of Cuba. His go vernment gives him the power to do a wroax bnt no authority to redress it. The government organis heroic i referred to, and says that it imp the decision of the Spaaish goveray that one or two years may elapse before Mr. Soulé can obtain any definite reply to send back to his government. In fact, during the interval of time which will be occupied in this consulta- tion, Mr. Soulé will have sufficient leisure to fight half a dozen duels, and settle all vexed questions of costume for double that number of ministers plenipotentiary to any court in the civilized or uncivilized, Christian or barbarian world. Ought our government, or our people who make the government, and by determination can dictate its policy, to put up with all this antiquated nonsense about protocols, notes, couriers, and similar humbug, in which diplo- macy in tle Old World sees fit to disguise it- self? In a similar difficulty between Russia and Turkey, the Autocrat pursued quite a dif- ferent course. He marched his troops into the Turkish Principalities—he keeps the Principali- ties, and he probabily will keep them until England and France shall bring Turkey to her senses, and the matter shall be settled in a mancer compatible with the dignity and the power of Russia. This is the style in which the Autocrat conducts his diplomatic negotia- tions; and his boldness and vigor astonished the vascillating cabinets and hesitating sovereigns of Western Europe. We are disposed to believe that this would be the proper mode for the government of the United States to deal with such an effete and broken down government as that of old Spain, and we are inclined to the opinion that the Proposal to suspeud the neutrality laws was a good one. Our government should send a powerful fleet to Havana to take possession of that port and the island of Cuba. We could then wait for Spain to make the reparation we demand; and she with her allies could take as much time for diplomacy as the farthest limits of its rules might allow. Meanwhile, the “Gem of the Antilles’ would be increased in value, at least one hundred per cent by the influx and establishment of American capital—American merchants—American ships—American mecha- nics—American newspapers—American educa- tion, and American regulations, The Future of Russia. Those who regard the present position of Russia as a hopeless and a desperate one, must know but little of her vast internal resources or of the incidents of her singular career. There is no country, perhaps, which possesses within herself more of the elements of commer- cial independence, or that can afford to con- tinue longer in a state of political isolation She grows more grain than is required for her’ own consumption; the produce of her mines is immense, and since the time of Peter the Great, and more especially during the reign of the present Emperor, her progress in the manufac- turing arts has been unprecedentedly rapid. Of mauufactories of every kind, smelting works, engineering works, cotton and woollen factories, tanneries, tallow melting works, and soap factories, she possesses sufficient to supply the wants of her population, and her inland trede is carried on by an extensive and admi- rably devised system of water communication. The natural facilities atvorded by her great rivers, such as the Volga, Dwina, Dniester, and Don, which place the heart of the Empire ia communication with the White, the Black, the Carpian, and the Baltic have been im- proved and multiplied by the consty on o intersecting the country in every direc the organ govs on to say, the Spanish gover. ment gives us full indemaity within a rea sonable time to our opening diplomatic r F wih Cerf ’ | on, and connecting’ those rivers and seas, Sh s copendent upon foreign imports to a com alvaly insignificant extent, and the suspea 1 ot her exports by the blockade of her ports, J uot inflict any material injw ‘y upon he ing to the American people to kno", what course | for it imparts unity and force to her action, and teaches her ty rely alone upon her own resources. evident, that the Spanish gO vernment, which is | A declared enemy is safer than a doubtful distinguished for delays, will take a long time | ally, and im forcing Austria and Prussia to a for vonsiderstion before the matter is finally | cagegoricul explanation of their intentions, the setiled. The present, movement of our govern- | Qvar has clearly defined his position, and re- ‘ ment apperrs propapt and decided; but on ac- | | coumteof the Imbecility of General Pierce aad | moved ‘rom his mind considerations that would have ultimately hampered and embarrassed him He now stands uns ackled by either po- litical sympathies or former alliances, and is free to give effect to the traditional policy of his predecessors. The course that he has to ‘pursue is a simple and effective one; and he ap- pears, from his late declaration to the peace de- putation, to be fully impressed with its advan- tages. He has only to act up. n the defensive, and wait patiently until the furce of events and the diversity of interests that prevails amongst his opponents break up the coalition formed against him, and leave him at liberty to carry out his designs. A year or two of harrassing and re- sultless hostilities, continued at enormous ex- pense and waste of life, will i.evitably lead to djecontent and perhaps revolutionary explo- sions in both England and France, and dissolve of itself this grand political combination, on which the cabinets of the Western governments so much pride themselves. The Empress Catherine, in writing to Vol- taire, in 1769, made use of this remarkable.and prophetic phrase, which up to the present time has been strikingly exemplified :—“We have war, it is true,” she said, (war with the Porte,) “but Russia has been long carrying on that sort «f game, and she always issues from it more flourishing than she entered it. Each war is with her the parent of some new resource, which imparts a fresh impulse to her commerce and influence.” The results of the approaching struggle will prove no exception to the prevail- ing rule of her destiny. The acquisitions that she has already made in Europe, at the expense of Sweden, Germany, Poland and Turkey, and in Asia by successive invasions of Persia, Georgia, Tiflis, Erivan and Circassia, are but the first steps in a successful career of conquest, which will ultimately bring under her sway a wider extent of dominion than has ever before been ruled over by any Christian potentate. The only eventuality that can arrest this otherwise inevitable course of events, is the triumph of the revolutionary principle throughout Europe, which, by destroying the old and effete systems of government, and inaugurating a new era of progress far in advance of the semi-civilization of Russia would give another turn and direc- tion to the affairs of the world. Joun Van Buren, GENERAL Pierce, AND THE New York Press.—Some time last January, the proprietor of the Evening Day Book, which had made a very respectable reputation on the strength of Mr. Foster’s spicy city articles, and its consistent advocacy of the constitational rights of the South, was in want of an assistant editor—Mr. Foster having left the paper some two years before. Mr. Stimson consequently applied to Mr. Hall, of the Commercial Adver tiser, whd cent him up “a young man by the name of” Wright, a nephew of Governor Wright, of New Jersey, who rolled up his sleeves and went to work with paste and ecissors. Shortly after Mr. Wright made certain pro. posals to Mr. Stimson, to the effect that if he would bring the Day Book out as‘an organ of the Pierce administration, he (Wright) was au- thorized to offer him $10,000. Stimsoa was as poor asa rat, and the bait took. The young man by the name of Wright went on to Wash- ington, armed with a letter from Joba Van Bu- ren to President Pierce, and with other creden- tials. The President and Cabinet apparently re- sponded heartily to Mr. Van Buren’s warm recommendation of his protegé; andall sorts of promises of patronage, government adver- tising, &c., &c., were made on behalf of the Day Book. A sop or two, in the shape of some advertisements, seemed to clinch the matter, and the paper gradually came out for the ad- ministration, by which, of course, it lost the greater portion of its friends and subscribers. When they thought the concern was sufficient- ly crippled, and could never recover from the dose of Pierceiam it had administered to itself, they cooled off, and John Van Buren refused plumply to sign an endorsement of the Day Book, which had already been signed by seve- ral of the leading friends of the edministration, on the ground that it had not yet sufficiently nastified itself with free soilism. Stimson, now becoming alarmed, and finding that he had been “sold,” madehaste to rid himself of his new assistant; and tae Day Book has recently resumed pretty muchits old tone and position. We recognise, too, again in it columns the pen of its old editor, Mr. G. G. Foster, who is an experienced journalist, and shall be glad to see that he has aot taken hold too late to restore the “spicy litile Day Book” to public favor. Something like similar negotiation must have taken place with the Times, for it has been following—rather weakly, to be sure—in the wake of the Day Book, till recently the Nebraska movement has blown everything sky high, thrown John Van Buren on shore, and consigned the leadership of the administration to Captain Rynders alone. Tae Harpor ENXcRoacuMents.—We are gra- tified to hear from Albany that the bill known asthe anti-harbor encroachments bill,” has passed the Senate by the very large majority of twenty-one to one. Mr. Hutchins, the only dissenting m.mlxr, introduced an amendment | that of course was negatived. It embodied the old plea, which has becn urged over and over again, and always refuted, that the vill interferes with | the vested rights of the citizens of Brooklyn. The contcst all along has been one literally be- tween New York and Brooklyn—the former beiig the champion of the public, and the latter of its own private interest. The point at issue —that for which New York contends—is that the harbor of the city should not be injured in order to gratify the wishes or the cupidity o any clique or party. It has been clearly proved by practical, experienced men, before the com- mittee appointed hy the State Legislature to investigate the matter, that the piers along the Last river have ¢o far diminished the bo: ly of water,and have so obstructed the navigation, that here veetels in former years could sail with the wimost ease it is now | Y possible, with he aid of a tug-boat, to turathomronnd. Scien- tite men—mon thoronehly eeavatnted with the J with’ 5 her own dominions, or fresh outlets and bi-4eed opinion that the harbor of New York will ch gnnels through ker Asiatic possessions. be ruined if the system of building these piers is continued. Upon such evidence as this no disin- terested citizen of either New York or Brooklyn can help concurring with the provisions of this bill. Withinafew years New York has become the second commercial city in the world, and | in a few years more she will rank as the first; | Tue Covrr or Common PLeas—Irs Incrras- iso Durms axp ITs Ancrent Ontom.—A peti- tion was recently presented in the Senate, signed by all the leading members of the bar | of New York, without distinction of party, call- | ing for the passage of a bill which would place | the clerkehip of the Common Pleas upon the same footing as the clerkship of the Superior provided—and it is an indispensable proviso— | Court. The subject was referred to a commit- thut her harbor is preserved intact. The peo- ple of New York have been accused of being | actuated by selfish motives in this matter. It has been said that they have aggrandized them- selves at the expense of the harbor, and are now jealous lest the same privilege should be extended to Brooklyn. This is a mistake, as every one must see, with the facts of the case before him. It involves, to a certain extent, the question of our future commercial supre- macy—a question in which all are alike inte- rested. The vote in the State Senate demon- strates how small is the party opposed to the measure; and we believe that in the House the result will be the same. Tue Marne Liquor Law—IMPorTANCE OF THE Recent Deciston in Massacuusetts.—The re- cent decision of the Supreme Court of Massa- chusetts, declaring unconstitutional a section of the liquor law of that State, commonly known as the Maine law, is an event of con- siderable public interest and importance. The opinion was drawn up and delivered by Chief Justice Shaw, and was concurred in by all the Judges. The Supreme Court of Massachu- setts is distinguished for its learning and ability, and the decision will have much weight throughout the country. The Court declare the fourteenth section of the Massachusetts act unconstitutional. That section directs that if three persons, voters, &c., should make complaint, under oath or af- firmation, that they have reason to believe, and do believe, that spirituous or intoxicating liquors are kept or deposited, and intended for sale, by any person not authorized, &c., said justice or judge shall issue his warrant of search, to any sheriff, &., who shall proceed to search the premises described in said warrant. The clause contains a provision for a more spe- cial complaint’ to warrant the search of a dwell- | ing house. The Court says: I. The measures directed by t th section of this act are in violation of the article of the Bill of Rights. ‘that article dc that every subject has aright to be secure from a!) vnreasonable ‘searches and seizures of his person, hi» \ouses, his papers, and all his possessions, All war: nts, therefore, are ‘con- trary to this right, if the foundation of them be not previously supported by oath or affirmation, &e. It ap- pears to us that this actin terms warrants and requires unreasonabie searching and seizures, and is, therefore, contrary to the constitution. Il. Another ground upon which we are of opinion that the act is unconstitutional, is that the commencoment and course of proceedings ‘required and directed by the series of measures provided for in the act, many of the precautions and safeguards, for the security of persons and property, and the most valuable rights of the sub- ject, so sedulously required and insisted on in the laws of all well ordered governments, and specially prescribed as the growing rule of the Legislature in our declaration of rights, are overlooked and disregarded. ‘ihe Bill of Rights declares, article one, that all men have certain natural, essential, and inalienable rights, among others, that of acquiring, possessing, and pro: tecting property. Article X.—Each individual has a right to be protected in his property by standing laws. Art, XL. -Every subject ought to find a certain remedy, by having recourse to the laws, &¢., to obtain right an sutice freely, Ke. Art, XII. No subject shall be held to answer for any offence, until the same is fully and plainly, substantially and formally descrited to him. He shall have a right to produce all proofs favorable to him, to meet the witneas- es against him face to face, to be fully heard in his de- tence; and no subject shall be arrested or deprived of his property, liberty, or estate, but by the judgment of his peers of the law of the land. The opinion is-very long, and the grounds, as stated in detail, on which this part of the law is pronounced unconstitutional, are nu- merous. They are, mainly, the uncertainty which, in many respects, characterizes the proceedings; the fact that the person proceeded against has no opportunity to be confronted face to face with his accusers; that he has not the benefit of the legal presumption of innocence, but is obliged to prove that he is not guilty; and that no pro- vision is made by the statute for a trial, fora determination by judicial proofs, of the facts, upon the truth of which alone the property can be justly confiscated and destroyed. On the contrary, the statute expressly directs that if the owner fail to appear, or (that is, if he does appear) unless he can prove that the liquors were lawfully kept, they shall be declared for- feited, and the owner shall be adjudged to pay a fine and costs. As to the provision of the statute which au- thorizes a judgment for a fine and costs, with an alternative sentence to imprison thirty days in case of non-payment, the court say :— The specific ground on which this part of the statute, directing pt in personam, is repugnant to the provisions of the constitution in that as a charge of crime or offence, there is no provision for an indictment, information or complaint, on oath or otherwise, in which the specific offence, of keeping or depositing spirituous liquors, intended for sale, is in any way described, 60 that it can be put on record and traversed, or an abo thereon be joined and tried in the due course of W. By those old-fashioned people, who, through all the madness of fanaticism, have adhered to the notion that man’s personal liberty, his ex- emption from unreasonable search, the unmo- lested enjoyment of his property, are things equally as important as the virtue of tempe- rance, this decision by a court of so much emi- nence will be hailed as an evidence that some of the safeguards of our rights remain firm and steadfast. A man’s house is his castle, and when it ceases to be so a house is hardly worth having. Invading the highest rights of the citizen, for the sake of reforming his diet or drink, is a proceeding too arbitrary in its charac- ter to be long maintained in this country. Tem- perance is an excellent thing; but there are other things—great personal rights—excellent and valuable also. ‘This decision of the Supreme Court of Mas- eachusetts will be followed in other States. Important results will ensue from it. It will be well for those who frame future temperance statutes to have more regard to the fundamen- tal principles of all law, and to rights which, at this day, even Legislatures cannot invade with impunity. Sanpers 1s Conrng—Onear tae Way ror Youre America—The recall of George San- ders by the Senate has given rise to a good deal of speculation amongst the guid nuncs of the English press. They cannot understand why a progressive democrat like George should be un- fortunate enough to fall under the displeasure of a democratic body. They have yet to learn that there is in this free country, as inothers, a considerable amount of old fogyism, which is antipathetic to the political smartness and go- ahcadativeness impersonated by the entertainer of Ledru Rollin and Mazzini. They are repre- sentatives, in fact, of two opposite principles— the one furnishing the steam and the other act- ing as the drag to the political wheel. As soon as George has completed the details of the great movement which he is engs in or- ganizing in Burope, he will no doubt retura to this country to settle his accounts with the Serote.and alte oh uw! mate short work with ty 1#t tee of the Senate, who immediately geported a bill, which we have already published, and | which, it is coniidently expected, will pass. This measure has become indispensably neces- sary; the business of the County Clerk’s office has become so unwieldy from having added to it the clerkehip of the Supreme Court, in which are embraced all the records of the late Court , of Chancery with the clerkship of the Common Pleas, that it can no longer be managed with satisfaction. The records and papers of | the Common Pleas are consequently in a state of the greatest confusion, which not only ob- structs the daily transaction of business in that | court, but is attended with still more serious | consequences, as the title to real estate depends upon the regularity of many of the proceedings | of ihe courts, such as the partition of the estates of infants, and sales of land ordered by the court. In investigating titles, important papers re- | lating to such matters are asked for, but cannot | be found, and papers of the Court are continu- ally missing. This state of things has existed for come time, and is daily growing worse; and although attempts have been hitherto made to correct the evil, by separating from the office of the County Clerk the clerkship of the Com mon Pleas, and limiting it to the clerkship of the Supreme Court, and the various other du- ties appertaining to the county, the County Clerks, who have a great pecuniary interest— together with considerable political patronage, in keeping up the present regulations—have managed from time to time to stave off the ac- tion of the Legislature. But this cannot be done forever. Lawyers and litigants have borne with those annoyances for a long time, and they have at last become so thoroughly aroused that they will endure it no longer. Political influences will no doubt be brought to bear against this desirable change, and though the present Legislature is whig, we have no doubt that the needed reform will take its course. The system maintained in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court is admirable, and we have no doubt that a similar arrange- ment in respect to the Common Pleas would be highly advantageous to that court, where an enormous amount of business is transacted. It appeared by the statistical tables which were published in the Herap on the Ist of January, that although composed of but three judyes, the Common Pleas did more business daring the past year than jother courts where the judges are more numerous. This, however, may be attributed to the popularity of the court, and the fact of its being the final appel- late tribunal from the Marine Tourt, and ull the other inferior courts. It is, moreover, the oldest court in the city—its records extending back to the days of the Dutch dynasty, when it Dramatic and Musical Matters. For the past week, the theatres, with the exeeption of the Broadway, have experienced a falling off in the nuam- bers of the audiences, as compared with the very full’ houses which have greeted the eyes of the managers since last September. Even with this falling off, how- ever, the business bas been good, and several popular favorites have taken their annual benefit;, and each has been greeted with » goodly array of their friends on the interesting occasion. At the Broadway theatre, Mr. Edwin Forrest com- menced an engagement on Monday evening last, and was enthusiastically received by a very full house. He has ayyeared during the week as Hamlet, Richelieu, Brutus, Rolla, Lear, and Damon. This evening, he will play “ Othello,” with Mr. Conway, as Ingo; Mr. Pope, as Cas- sio: Mm. Ponisi, as Desdemona, and Mrs. Abbott, as Emilia. ‘At Burton’s theatre, during the week, there have been. voried and attractive performances. Mr. G. C. Jordan and Mre. Buckland have taken benefits, and good ones... ‘The last novelty at this house, ‘The Lancers,”” has beer played several times, to the delight of the people. Mr. Jor- dan as ‘De Courcy,” and Mr. Fisher as “ Col. De Franc- Epce,” give us some fine acting in this piéce. Mr. Burton's “Blauquet”” is excessively Burtosian, add immensely | funny. ‘The mounting of the piece, music, uniforms, &e.,, are superb. The piece was played at three Londo. theatres, but we do not think that either of them sur- passed Burton’s. At this theatre, to-night, Mr. Charles. Fisher, an excellent actor, has a benefit. He plays ‘Wil- liam Tell”? and his daughter makes her début as “albert.” Two other pieces will be givep, and we doubt. not that Mr. Fisher will have a bumper house. At the Bowery theatre, last Monday evening, the le-- gitimate drama was restored, very much to the delight of” ite patrons. “Macbeth”? was the play; Mr. E. Eddy as Macbeth, Mr. John R. Scott as Macduif, and Mrs. Hamb- jin as Lady Macbeth. Messrs. Eddy and Scott were warmly received, and Mrs. Hamblin received a eordia greeting. Through the week, legitimate pieces have been played to full houses. This evening, “Evadne,”’ in which. the artists above named will sustain the leading parts. Mr. Buckstone’s farce, “The Rough Diamond,” will also be layed; Miss Alice Gray, a stranger to the metropolitaa Loards, will appear as Margery. At the National theatre, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” keeps. he stage. During the past week Mr. J. J. Prior, Mr. J. Lingard, and Miss Cordelin Howard have had benefits- ‘Unele Tom’s Cabin” is to be played thisevening. Om Tuesday, Mr. G. W. L. Fox, » favorite at this house, and: a clever comedian, has a ben At Wallack’s theatre a new farce, called ‘‘A Good Fel low,” written by C.M. Walcot, has been played. Mr. L. §. Thompren had a benefit. on Tuesday. This evening “Love for Love” and ‘‘A Good Fellow.’”” At Barnum’s Museum, ‘The Old Brewery’? has been delineated to good houses. It is to be played again to- night, and there is also an afternoon performance. At Christy’s Minstrels, 472 Broadway; Wood's, 444 Broadway; and Buckley’s, 589 Broadway, interesting en- tertainments are offered for this evening. Mr. G. 8. Buck- ley has retired from Buckley’s Serenaders for a short time, and Messrs. E. Horn and 7. F. Briggs have been: engaged in his place. Mr. Buckley’s health has beem impaired by over-exertion and a campaign in California. The sixth anniversary dinner of the Amoriean Dramatic. Fund Association is to take place at the Astor House om the 10th of April. Miss J. M. Davenport had a benefit at the Charlos street theutre, Baltimore, on Saturday evening. ‘The Orleans theatre is open again, with ‘‘ The Wander~ ing Jew,” arranged from M. Sue’s novel. ‘The Front street theatre, Baltimore, is occupied by am: equestrian company. Mrs. Anna Cora Mowatt commenced an engagement at: the Chesnut street theatre, Philadelphia, on Monday last, and took her benefit on Friday night. On Wednes~ day she appeared as Parthenia, in “Ingomar,” Mr. A. H. Davenport appearing for the first time as Ingomar- She will remain another week at the Chesnut. It is an- nounced as her last engagement in Philadelphia, and her farewell to the stage. Risley’s: Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams are playing at A company, under the management of J. G. Cart- was presided over by a burgomaster and schepens, in the days of the redoubtable Stuyvesant. The English afterwards gave it a new name, the burgomaster beiug changed into mayor, and the schepens into aldermen. The bill now before the Legislature will ac- complish what is necessary to ensure the full and efficient despatch “of the business of ihe court, and as a movement of convenience and acility to lawyers, litigants, and reporters, we wich it a speedy pascage. Tue New York Crysrat Patace.—The Tri- dune asserts that there is no truth in the state- ment that the “ Prince of Showmen,” Barnum, intends to resign the Presidency of the Crystal Palace. Mr. Barnum accepted the office condi- tionally, and with the understanding that if, upon a careful examination, it was possible to resuscitate it,and make the exhibition remu- nerative to the stockholders, he would give his best energy to the work. A committee was ap- pointed to make the investigation. And what is the result ? It appears that the company was chartered in the year 1852; that its capital stork is $500,- 000, of which amount $489,000 were issued. By the statement of the directors, dated Febru- ary 1, 1854, it is shown that the total receipts of the company from all sources, including its capital, was $938,873 05. As the above state ment does not show any cash on hand, it is proper to add the $125,000 acknowledged in- debtedness as so much received either by labor or otherwise. Hence, it will appear that the total receipts were $1,063,873 05; and upon investigation it is discovered that the company is now in debt $178,000. It further appears that $100,000 of the bonds of the company were issued by the old directors, which Messrs. Dun- can & Sherman hold in trust, and have as col- lateral security for their payment of a mortgage on the building. Of the above bonds, $73,000 have been sold—$35,000 to Messrs. Duncan & Sherman, and $38,000 to the late directors— almost exclusively to those who were re-elected on the union ticket. The balance—$27,000—of the bonds not sold, it is said, will not bring in Wall street more than sixty cents on a dollar. The charter expires by limitation in 1857. Article ninth of this charter reads as fol- lows:—“ The stockholders of the company here- by created chall be jointly and severally indi- vidually liable for all debts that may be due and owing to all the laborers, servants, and others in their employ, for services performed for said company.” At the expiration of the lease of Reservoir square, the building, without any further equivalent, becomes the property of the city by the. terms of the lease ; and we learn that an effort has been made to induce hotel keepers and others to purchase one or more thousand dollars worth of tickets, to meet immediate and pressing demands; but for want of success ‘it has been abandoned. The only hope now remaining is to assess the stockholders twenty per cent, which will fur- nish Mr. Barnum about $100,000 to meet present emergencies, The present average expenses of the company are $425 per day; the average daily receipts are $125—making ao daily loss of $300. Is it probable that Mr. Barnum will continue the management of this concern, with such a crash- ing weight upon it? Oxr oF THe Ardkns ix THR Eecare oF rem Wrscoxsty For TIVE SLAVE ADRESTED.—Mr. Dooth, the editor and proprie- tor of the Milwaukie Pree Democrat, has been arrested on a charge of obstructing the enforcement of the fugitive slave law in tife case of Joshua Glover, in Wisconsin. eootdent Tat OWA Me po ‘ Varieties, Washington. liteh, is giving performances at Cleveland, Ohio. Alate Calcutta paper advertises two bands of negro: minstrels and a theatrical performance by amateurs. Senora Vepita Soto is dancing pt Charles’ theatre, Memphis, Tenn. Van Amburgh’s menagerie was there- on the 1(th, en route for the North. The Broadway Theatre Association, consisting of gen- tlemen atiached to that theatre, gave its first annual ball at the Apollo Rooms, on Monday. Some four hun- dred ladies and gentlemen were in attendance, and the ball was » successful and pleasant affair. ‘The Montreal theatre is now open, and a company from. New York, under Mr. J. Crouta, are playing “Uncle- Tom’s Cabin” with success. The New Orleans Picayune, of the 12th, says:— ‘There has been a perfect round of ii during the weck new closed. A holies Guaaniee ck 4 the season, was from Monday e to Tues- day and war then at ‘one of ‘the mort fashion al rongs ve any of the numerous par- ties of the winter. The début of the Sontag and Devine at the bt. Charles theatre, also urea \d pleasing setae rarely be ca amore a ractive an sing 8: Orleans, freee pe the dress circle and med weed and beautiful ladies, at the same udiences their presence to the sul juent formances of accomplished company. eedldee ese, Jullien has tee busy at Odd Fellows’ having given four and one tal ma: all of which have been well tional theatre, Cincinnati. ‘Mrs. McCready commenced an engagement on Monday evening last at Newark. Miss. A. Ince, a young American actress, made her first appearance at the National theatre, Washington, on Monday evening last. F. §. Chanfrau, Miss Albertine, and Sir William Don, are playing at the Howard Atheneum, Boston. Paul Julien has been delighting the citizens of Havana. with his wonderfully precocious powers. Gottschalk, the pianist, is also there. Madame Gontag and her company, it is stated, includ- ing Alfred Jaell, the pianist, and Camillo Urso, the violin- int, have concluded an engagement ta go to Mexico, to give concerts and operas. Mr. and Mrs. Waller have made a great hit, it is sald, in the Sandwich Islands. The Monplasir troupe have arrived in San Francisco. from Maratlan. Mr. Couldock is playing at Chicago, Il). Mr. and Mrs. Florence commence an engagement at Buffalo this evening. The new museum at Lowell, Mass., is a commodions and elegant house. It is now open under the manage- ment of W.L. Ayling. Mr. D. 8. Palmer is stage man- ager. At the Museum, Boston, on Saturday, Miss Robertson played for the benefit of the Boston Provident Asso- ciation. This evening the museum management and company give a complimentary testimonial to Mr. Bour- cicault. Mise Robertson has played seven weeks to full houses. Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Clarke, of New York, are giving Shakspearian readings in the New England towns. Mr. Lewis E. Josselyn, of Lynn, has come out asa reader of Shakespeare. Mr. Macallister ia giving exhibitions at the Portland theatre, under the management of W. B. English. Mr. Dempster is giving concerts at Savannah, Ga. The Germania Musical Society give » concert at Pro-- vidence, R. I., on Tuesday evening. A “ burlesque Jul- lien orchestra’ of twenty-four persons, gave a concert on: ‘Thursday, 16th. W.E. Anderton had a benefit at the Charleston (8. 0.) theatre on the 1¢th. Madame Anna Bishop had given three concerts in San Francisco with partial success. The first drew a crowd- ed house at five dollars per seat. The second was not so well attended, and for the third the price of tickets was reduced to two dollars. Miss Heron was playing at the Metropolitan, Madame Thillon was playing an engage. ment at Sacramento. At the Adelphi, C0. R, Thorne, manager, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” had been produced—Mr. ‘Thorn Uncle Tom; Mrs. Thorne as Topay; Eliza, Miss E, Uhorce; Mrs. Bird, Miss J. Pelvy. The Chapmans were playing at the American, managed by Mr. Joha Jones, Mr. Lewia Daker and wife, (nce Alexina Fisher,) will re- turn to the Eastin May. They are among the ‘“‘hundred. thousand dollar people.”’ Mr. Lrooke has appeared in his version of “The Corsi- can Brothers,” aw played at the Astor Place Opera House, two years since. There was some hissing at the long scenes. ‘The Zimes calls it a version by an « American? sothor fvch te not the fact. The piece was frst played ip New York, but it was areanged by Mr. Brooke. At . the Princes ean has revived 4: Richard I. The lent new farce, Nevivish Neod Apply,” has been quite | Sucecsaful at the Strand. The Lyceum is open again a . ’ . T. Smithy deme ir. E BUVOrets, at wrury idue, & + National