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

—_—— EW YORK HERALD. JANES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, GPVICE NS. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON TS. character described above, We bewe now placed pefore our readers the different versions of this euri- ‘ous story, and Jeave them to draw their own conclu- sions from them. It appears that Ge new fimancial operation of Mx. Giadistene does notfind much favor in Bngland, there being a considereble deficiency in the arhount == | subs¢ribed for the first euries“of exchequer bonds, Mails for the Pacific. THE NEW YORK WSRALD—GALIFORMA EDITION. ‘The Und States mail steamship George Law, Coptain | ‘Fox, wil Yeave this @elock, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails fer California end other parts of tho Pacife ‘WII dose at dne o'clock. Pho Naw Yorn Wesury Mercy, Oilifornia edition, con- Maining the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, wilt be pu¥lished at ten o’clock in the morning. ‘Binge copies tixpence. Agentswill pleasecend in their porate pert this afternoon, @ two he News. The advices brought by tho Europa give quite another aspect to the late naval operations against Odese.—the effect produced on the fortifications and é:her defeuces of the place by the bombardment being much more completethan was at first stated. In the course ofa few hours the forts, batteries and miliary stores, ‘ere totalty destroyed, and twelve ships of war surtk by the fire of theeombined squad- ron. Two powder magazines belonging to the Rus- siens blew up during theaction, and it is said that a wember of workmen whe were inthem at the time were killed by-the explosion. The loss of life on the Russian side is not stated, but on that of the allies there were enly eigtt men killed and cighteen wounded. With that consideration for commercial and neutral interests which was.te be expected-from the previous declarations of their sespective governments, it is -ateted that the com- manders of the combined squadroa took care that no injury shou'd be inficted onthe city or en foreigu ships. No meation is made of ary attempt to.land , troops, so that it will be seen that in this, as well ag ‘im several other important particulars, the previons accounts, derived through Russian sources, were not only guilty of sins of omission-but commissten, the suggestio Jalst as well as the suporessio veri having been liberally employed by ‘the telegraph agents. | The combined squadron sailed immediately after the reductionof +the place for Sebastopol, taking with them as prizes thirteen Russisn ships laden with munitions of war. The report ;that Omer Pacha had advanced, at the head of 70,000 men, towards the Dobrudscha, and given battle to and defeated General Luders, + between Silistyia and Rassova, compelling him to * retreat towanda Czernavoda, with. the loss of a great «mumber of guns.and a large amonnt of military , Stores, was generally discredited in Paris, and its non-appearance in. the columnsef the Moniteur may be looked upon ase proof that the French govera- ment do not attach any faith to iit. .On the 20th of +Aprii a Turkish jfying corps crossed the Dan- ube ,below Silistria, in order tc. destroy the Russian strand batteries; but ;ieing over- ‘matched at a place called Khaleregh, they were, after several hours hard fighting, compelled to retreat. It is stated in one of the Paris papers that the Russian army in the Dobradscha had sus- pended ifs march in abadience to the ordersof Prince Paskiewiich; but, considering the positive orders previously given by the Emperor, this ruyor may Ahave as little foundation as the thousand other re- ports that gre circulated by interested emisaeries on both sides. Sir Charles Napier is keeping strict wateh and .Werd on all-the ports inthe Baltic, and ités said ‘thet nothing in the shape of a: Russian ship or cockle- shell can escape him. The Russians, aware of the advantages to be derived from,the employment of gunboats in shallow waters, have armed upwards of eight hundred for this service. -The British admi- ral has applied to his government fora fleet of smal! steamers to operate against this flotilla. » An incident of the war, having wpparent connec- tion with this countwy, had created 2 prodigious sen- sation amongst certain English quid wunes, who are perpetualhy on the watch to discover ¢ome faithless and treacherous tendency onthe part of Brother Jonathan. It appears that on the Ist agailor, named Gaston Fouque, who represented himself as second mate of French brig Ville de Marscilles, called upon Bleyate agomt o¢ 24 Inco, Cormyrall, aud ntasted th.) he had swam on shore from @ Russian frigate which had captured his vessel. The capture, according to his account, took place at avout twenty leagues from Cardiff, on the Welsh,coast. The frigate first hoisted English and then French colors, and ontheir | eaptain and crew of the brig trying to escape in a | boat they were fired upon, and the captain and three men were killed. The frigate he reported had goneup the Channel. In the newspapers which published thie account it waa further stated that the Admiralty had sent two steamers in search of the interloper. A London journal, which has already distinguish- | ea itself on two or three occasions by the publica- sion of startling intelligence, derived, in all proba- bility, from “the spiritual telegraph,” immediately | came out with a statement connecting this occur- | rence with the rumors respecting the destination of the Grapeshot, which appeared afew weeks since in the New York papers, and affirming that the Rus- sian frigate in question was no other than the latter vessel. It further stated that the Admiralty had received positive intelligence that such was the fact. Thereupon comes out another London paper, the Shipping Gazette, with a short paragraph, announe- ing that it had caused jaoquiries to be made that morning at the Admiralty, and that there was not one word of truth in the statement from beginning to end. Amidst such a variety of conflicting assertions we cannot, of course, take upon ourselves to decide what foundation there is for the first part of the story. We can only place before our readers such evidence as happens to fall within the sphere of our own knowledge. “Yn the first place, supposing the statement of the sailor to be true as to his ship having been captured hy a Russian frigate, may it not be connected with the fact, announced a short time since by one of our correspondents at Rio Janeiro, of a Russian frigate having sailed from that port on her retarn to Eu- rope? The description given by the Frenchman of the vessel by which the de Marseilles was at- tacked, is more reconcileable with the supposition that she was the frigate in question than the Grape- shot, which is only a small vesel of about 250 tous burden. This hypothesis is strengthened by the following communication, which we received yesterday, im- mediately after the publication of the Europa’s Bews :— Fropay, May Captain James Wheeler, arrived trom morning per Crescent City, reports having seen the bark Grapesbot riding at anchor otf the Belize on this day week. Also reperts having seen Captain Baxter in the the steamer. No doubt the rm the report R. W. CAMERON. In addition to the above, we have since received a statement from another correspondent, who, we have reason to believe, possesses authentic informa- tion on the subject, in which he affirms that the Grapeshot still remains at anchor at Belize, near New Orleans, and gives as the motive of her long delay at the latter place the following explanation He states that the stock of muskets which were shipped on board this vessel, were purchased of Qeorge Law by an agent of Santa Anna, on the ex press condition that the purchase money should be paid to the captain at New Orleans, previons to their delivery at Vera Cruz. As the stipulated sum isto be paid ont of the money to be received by Santa Anna on the ratification of the Gadsden treaty the Grape- hot has been detained at Belize until the fulfilment of the contract. He adds that all who know Captain Baxter, who is in charge of the vessel, will be will nq to bear testimony to his honorable and upright chasacter, and to the little likelihood of his engaging am any enterprise of the anlawfol and discreditable —145 P.M few Ocieans this elty previous to the sailing of officers of the Crescent City will con ‘whith are redeemable in 1858. Scarcdly any tentlers had been received for the two succeeding seties. Under those circumstances, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was compelled to extend the time Tor reveiving*tenders''to “the afternoon of Monday, the $th inst. The drain of bullion from'the coffers of the Bank still continues, the decrease for the wetk from whith ‘the last return was made up amounting 'to'£398,067. The Europa’s newshad no effect upon breadstuffs; common brands of State flour closed at $8 a $8 25, thiefly at the former figure. Fndian corn inclined “to droop, with free sales, whieh ranged from 60c. a “70c. for all’kinds except Southern yéllew, which was scarce and‘ireguler at 73c. a 75e. Our corresponéence from Vera ‘Cruz presents a deploratie picture of the state of commercial af fairs in Mexico. Everything seems to be at sixes and sevens in’that unfortunate country, and the general confusion is made worse ky Santa Anna’s absence ‘in tho Sonth, the public-besiness being at a complete stan still, and brigandage on the princi- pal routes; which had been for-e time suppressed, again rapidly on the increase. dt is said that Santa Anna is about to return to the capital. Our letters from Havanna describe the effect pro- duced by the publication of the amnesty and colo- nization decrees, and contain some interesting spec- ulations.as to the probable effects of the latter of those ordinances. Don Ramos arin has, it appears, been recalled to Spain for the part which he took in the Black Warrior affair; butithe Captain General, elated by the expressions of Royal approval which are said ito have been conveyed to him, begins te talk big with regard to the contingency of an inva- sion. The bark Virginia arrived last night, bringing advices from Buenos Ayres to'the 3d of April. Ev- erything was quiet and peaceabie at that place. Some time since a bill wae introduced in the Senate to suspend the collection of duties on rail- road iron, It was favorably reecived, but laid aside in order to give the Senators from Pennsylvania, both of whom were then absent, an opportunity to express their views upon the subject, which is one ef great importance to the iron interest of that State. ¥esterday Mr. Cooper presented a substitute for the bill, and a synopsis of its provisions may be found -mader the Congressional head. 1 proposes simply that when the price of iron at the place of manufac- ~tare is forty dollars per ton and from that to fifty- two dollars, the duties shall he so arranged as to mate the invoice cost and duties amount to the lat- tersum. When the manufacturer’s price, falls be- low forty dollars per ton, the duty increases dollar for dollar, The quotations for railroad iron in the ‘Landen market, by last advices, are placed at £7 10-. to £7. 15s. A resolution directing inquiry as to the propziety, of making permanent qrovision for re- ‘warding those who may rescue life and property on board American ships, and particularly the captain and crew of the Washington, whe recently brought tothis. port the passengers of the -wrecked ship ‘Winchester, was adopted. The Senate took up the private calendar, and shortly after edjourned till Monday. In the House, yesterday, the debate on the Ne- braska bill was continued. As the-time for closing the discussion draws near, the excitement on this subject increases, and there was every prospect of the session continuing throughout last night. Messrs. Walsh and Wheeler, of this .city, and Col, Benton, delivered . characteristic speeches .on the question yesterday, which slightly aroused members from the apathy into which they had fallen; but after those gentlemen had concluded, the hall be- came almost deserted, and our reporters very pra- dently left them alone in their glory. The investigation of the “ Know-Nothing case” was concluded yesterday, and resulted in the dis- charge of the persons under arrest. It appears to have been a very silly affair throughout. A report of the closing proceedings is crowded out. Full accounts of the shipwrecks on the coast near this port, and at other points, are given in another cola The election for United States Senators in the Legislature of Connecticut resalted yesterday in the choice of Franc’s Gillette, abolition whig, for the short term, and Lafayette Foster, whig with decided abolition tendencies, for the long term. Gillette re- ceived mt one majority in the Senate, and was elected in the House only by throwing out three blank votes that had been cast. The most unblush- ing corruption is charged upon his supporters. Andrew Williams was convicted yesterday of the murder of his wife, by administering to her poison. The jury recommended him to mercy, Abraham Barker, keeper of the Atlantie Hotel, Hoboken, was tried yesterday in the Court of Ses- sions of Hudson county, New Jersey, upon an in- dictment for selling liquor on Sunday. Mr. Barker was indicted along with eight others of the most respectable hotel keepers in the place. The affair has created the greatest excitement in Hoboken and the neighborhood. The remaining eight trials will probably occupy a week or more, but the evidence will no doubt be of the same nature in each case. The persons recently on trial charged with com- mitting frands fat the late election in the Twentieth ward were yesterday acquitted by the jury. The proceedings in the Board of Aldermen last evening are of interest. The dispute between the | Board and the Commissioner of Streets, relative to | the appointment of market and other clerks, has heen brought to asharp turn by the Corporation Attorney, who decides that the Aldermen can do nothing but confirm or reject the nominations of the department. A report was adopted directing the lessee of the new ferry to Williamsburg to put the same in operation as soon as practicable. After the transaction of other routine business the Board adjourned till the first Monday in June, The Bombardment of Odessa. | The arrival of the Europa brings additional details regarding the bombardment of Odessa, which, as was to be expected from the fact of our former intelligence being received through an exclusively Russian channel, was more com- plete and effective than the government agents in charge of the Odessa telegraph were dis- posed to admit. Their statements were, in fact. so confused and contradictory, and so much op- posed to the probabilities of the case, that it was evident npon the face of them that there had been a partial suppression of the truth. | Taking into account the weakness of the de- fences of this seaport, and the importance to | the allies of opening the campaign with some decisive operation which would relieve them from the imputations so freely thrown out against them, both in Constantinople and in Eng- land, of purposely postponing the commence- hostilities for ulterior objects incon- sistent with the interests of Turkey, it was not at all likely that they would have contented them- selves with a partial demonstration of the kind represented, and which in its imperfect results was tantamount toa failure. The information. therefore, that has just reached us of the com- plete reduction of the place, and of the de- struction of allits military and naval defences, ill come upon no one by surp It was the first step in the natural order of events by which the allies were expected to vindicate their unquestionable superiority at sea; and if they had retired from before this, the most de- fenceless of the Russian ports on the southern coast, after only partially attaining their ob- jects, the effect npon public opinion, not only ment of jm Turkey, but in Eur» ¢ generally, would have ‘been discouraging in ‘he extreme. Its proba- dle influence may be udged of by the exultant and triumphant ton> cf the English journals, which attach a desrce of importance to the success of this operiiion which it cannot with justice be said to deserve. Every one was pre- pared for the immediate reduction of the plage, and we ourselves, long before the event twok place, pointed to this event as likely to inau- gurate the commencement of serious hoetifities on the part of the allies. The Russian Emperor had, in fact, so little expectation that Odessa woukl be able to hold out, that he took care to ‘effect the removal of the greater portien of the immense stock of grain of which it fermed the depot, and to leave only e small and unimpor- tant portion of his fleet -¢o aid in its defence. That the reduction of Odessa is advantageous ‘to the coalition, in so far-as it operates asa stimu- lus to popular enthusiasm in England, which | already ‘begins to shew signs of waning, can- snot be denied; but tha it will produce any con- trary tendency in the minds of the Czar and of his people, as some journals are disposed to think, is not for a moment reconcilable with the publicly declared anticipatiens of the for- mer, ‘or with the fortitude and courage with which the latter sustained themselves under the infinitely more disastrous and trying reverses of the campaign of 1812. The possession of Moscow was deemed by all, but perhaps Napo- Jeon himself, as the crowning event in the con- questof that vast empire; but those who in- dulged in this sanguine anticipation soon found that they possessed but an imperfect knowledge of the character of the people and of the nature ‘Thus, by @ @emocratic Southern President, the Wilmot proviso was acquiesced in concerning Oregon, because of the precedent of the Mis- souri compect, which prohibited slavery ‘for- ever” above the line of 36 30; while, in point of fact, the precedent was as unconstitutional as the Wikmot proviso itself. Such was the embarrassing condition in which the question of slavery in the Territories was presented to Congress upon the acquisition of our new Territories from Mexico. Upon the basis of the Missouri line, one half of our Mex- ican acquisitions, including the half of Califor- nia on the Pacific, would have gone to the South. According to the dogmas of the free soil party,every inch of those Territories reverted to the North, and from every square inch of them slavery should have been expressly excluded. The South were willing to continue the Mis- souri adjustment and to extend the line tothe Pacific. They urged it—they pleaded for it; but allin vain. The free soil spirit of the North would not surrender an inch of our new acqui- sition to the institution of slavery. At this crisis, in the session of 1848-9, Mr. Clayton moved, and obtained a special commit- tee of nine, to consider the subject, and to re- port some plan of adjustment to the Senate. They reported a plan of organization for the new Territories, throwing over the question of slavery to the decision of the Supreme Court. After a long, violent, and learned discussion, the plan fell through, for: Northern men con- sidered the Supreme Court as calculated to he but the instrument of the South for the exten- sion of slavery. In the mean time two or three Mormons, en- of the country against which the hitherto in- vincible armies of France had to contend. They forgot that a semi-barbarous people like the Russians, are not swayed by the same opinions and influences that govern the masses in countries in which the representa- tive form of government prevails. In despotic systems, where. all the machinery of govern- ment is centred in the person of ene man, and where the advocacy of sectional and party in- terests is not allowed to interrupt and impede its.operations, a degree of unity and force is imparted to it, which, in emergencies such as that in which Alexander found himself, renders it capable of greater efforts and sacrifices than a people accustomed to representative institu- tions, and having no strong dynastic attach- ments,.would choose to make. There can be nomore striking illustration of this view than the cqntrast between the devotedness displayed by the Russians towar”s Alexander throughout the whole of that trying campaign, and the manner in which the French abandoned Napo- leoa.on the entrance of the allies into France. Had the,positions of the two nations been re- versed, the Russians would have died te.c. man befone they yielded up their monarch to the vengeance of his encmies. When, therefore, in presence of these facts, we find the .organs of the coalition exuktins over this their first success, and indulging in sanguine anticipations as to the future, we cannot help calling to mind that the same proud and confident hopes heralded ihe greatest mili- tary disaster of modern times, and finally led to the overthrow of the most powerful throne in Europe. Whilst the lesson inculeated by thore calamitous events seems to have been entirely overlooked in the excitement of a tem- porary triumph, it is but right that we, who are far removed from their influence, should give it its proper weight in the consideration of the events that are now oecupying the attention of the world. We say again, as we have fre. quently said before, that it is not the reduction of Odessa, Sebastopol, Crenstadt, or even of St. Petersbu itself, nor the annihiletion of the whole Russian fleet, that will advance by a day the solution of the question that has led to these unhappy complications. It is on land that the colossal power and strength of Russia must be combatted and checked; but up to the present time we see no prospects of a com- bination sufficiently sincere and united in its action to hold out a prospect that any effectual restraints will be imposed upon her ambition. The Nebravka Question—Different Modes of Settlement—Paxties In Congress—Probable | Results. The debate upon the Nebraska bill is to be closed to-day, when the House, we suppose. | will proceed, or attempt to proceed, to a vote upon the main question, or upon such amend- | ments as may not be overruled by the previous question. There is some appreliension that the struggle of mere physical endurance will again | be renewed, and that it may possibly be per- severed in by the minority, so as to throw over | the final issue upon the bill at least till Mon- | day morning. But there is scarcely a doubt of | the passage of the bill. It seems to be generally understood that thé direct repeal of the Missouri compromise is to be pushed through; but it is not at all unlikely | that this issue may be materially modified be- | fore the final vote upon the measure. The his- | tory of the slavery discussions and adjustments in Congress, concerning the Territories of the United States, affords no settled policy of ac- | tion upon the subject. It rather furnishes us with a succession of temporary expedients, comprehending no broad and general fanda- | mental principle sufficient to cover the whole ground. Thus, by the Missouri compromise of 1820, the Territories acquired from France in the Louisiana ‘purchase were divided between the North and South by the geogra- phical line of 36 30, This was a sectional and not a constitutional adjustment: and was there- fore of no permanent or binding effect. In the annexation of Texas, however, this Missouri line was re-affirmed, and in all the territory of Texas north of said line, slavery was prohibited. The war with Mexico followed next in order— the peace succeeded, and the new acquisitions of the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo brought up the whole question of slavery and free soil, with such complexities and embarrassments as threatened the peace of the country and the | violent disruption of the Union. The Wilmot proviso, which had been applied to Oregon, in connection with the legislation upon the Missouri controversy, were the real causes of the perplexities of Congress in ar- riving at a satisfactory adjustment from 1848 to 1850. The Missouri compromise of 1820— re-affirmed in the annexation of Texas—were precedents in which Congress had exercised the direct power of restricting the area of slavery. The application of the Wilmot proviso to Ore- gon was another usurpation of this power: bnt the bill was signed by President Polk, including | the proviso, on the ground that as the whole Territory of Oregon was above the Missouri | line, the proviso excluding slavery was, | in fact, but the application of the Missouri com- pact over a region which the South might rea- dily consent to, as embraged in the restriction | It was but a few months ei | New York. Som | dating club of ladi | they concluded they were better without them. The so | form a grand literary gaged in digging a mill race for Captain Sutter on the Rio de los Americanos, a tributary of the Sacramento, in California, discovered the key to the permanent settlement of the slavery question in the Territories, though they little dreamed of the tremendous importance of their discovery at the time. Some shining particles of gold in the sand attracted their attention, and upon further examination that whole coun- try «was found to be full of the precious metal. It «was noised abroad. Emigrants poured | in by thousands; California, as by ma gic, became a populous State of enterprising and intelligent Anglo-Saxons. When Congress | again assembled and proceeded to discuss the Territorial question of slavery, in the session of 1849-'50, they found that the people of Cali- fornia had cut the Gerdian knot in twain, in erecting a government, and in settling the ques- tion for themselves. The discovery of those Mormons, therefore, in Capt. Sutter’s mill-race, wasthe key to the settlement of slavery in the Territories upon the broad fundamental basis of popular sovereignty. The example of the Californians was ratified, and followed up by Congress in leaving the question of slavery in Utah and New Mexico to the people thereof, and their final judgment, when they shall ask for admission as States into the Union. Thus it appears, that from 1820 down to 1850, the compact of the Missouri compromise was the basis of the adjustment of slavery in the Territories, vhen it was superseded by the fundamental dactrine of popular eevereignty, arst put into successful practice, over the heads .of Congress, by the people of California. It is net surprising, therefore, that the Missouri re- striction should now be considered a dead let- ter. It was repudiated and refused by the North in 1848-"49-'50; it was superseded by Mr. Clay's schedule of compromise measures; and | in itself, being unconstigutional, it was a nullity from the very beginning. The bill, then, before the House is a justili- | able measure, founded upon the v neiples which were forced upon the South in the ad- justment of 1850. But it may be questioned whether the House bill meets the issue in its legitimate shape or otherwise. There are three ways of setting eside the Missouri line in the Kansas-Nebraska bill :— 1. By submitting it to the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States. 2. By a direct repeal by act of Congress. 3. By submitting the question of slavery on both sides of the line, to the final judgment of the people of Kansas and Nebraska, when they shall organize themselves into sovereign States, The first plan was engrafted upon the first Dill of this session, or reputed by Mr. Dougla: but uppn a Cabinet consultation, and a few | certain mysterious causes, not wholly developed as yet, it was superseded by the second. The | direct repeal was passed by the Senate, gnd is now before the House, with the closing of the debate appointed for this very day. Perhaps it may be too late for a modification according to the third plan, which is the plan of popular sovereignty, and which involves the true interpretation of the doctrine of Con- gressional non-intervention, Perhaps the mo- tion reported as the proposition intended to be submitied to Mr. Cutting may yet be accepted by the majority, either in the House or in the Senate; for the expulsion of the Clayton amend- ment will make it necessary to return the bill to the Senate after it shall have passed the House. At allevents, the plain submission of | the whole question to the people of Kansas and Nebraska, strikes us as the simplest and most | consistent shape in which to pass the bill. Ia | this form the agitators will not have a peg left | to hang upon. while the result will be precisely | equivalent to the repeal itself. If Mr. Cutting | and the national democrats propose todo any- | thing to right themselves upon now is their time to strike. But there more time to be lost in trembling ind ond delay. | City Liteltigence. | TERARY Union.—This soc “ y evening, Ter New York meeting on Th the rooms gates from the va hat brief period s for which ties ofa literary character i 20 ago an attempt was made by a few en, Who claimed to represent a de- | to gain admission into it but as the | members did not relish their peculiar political doctrines the union of al strong mi ciety is now in a prosperous condition wud proposes to | anion, which will embrace not only ail the societies in this city, but those throughout the State in a great convention, to be held once a year at what- ever time and place may hereafter ed. At its last meeting, Douglas Lefiingwell, was empowered to cal] pon the re explain the objects of the organization, and aid in carrying out their objects A Mystamiots Dkati.—Yesterday morning, at about Io’elock, a Mrs. Crowley, of No.7 Mankattan place, | died very ‘suddenly. In consequence thereof, a ramor | wasin circulation that some foul means hai been re- sorted to. Coroner Hilton was called to hold an inquest, | and to investigate Teumstancee, and to-day the case will be examined Serney City News. Prien Saivre.—When Lord Elgin and suite la yesterday from the Europa, upon hor arrival at the ( nard deck, a salute of twenty-one guns wat fired in honor, and the flag was hoisted upon the Custom House building. The great case of French ys. Bankhead, involving the title of the United States to the lands at Old Polat Com fort, Va., has been decided in favor of the United State affirming the ju ent of Judge Clopton, and th nieting, forever, the title of the government, and pv ting an end to the pyumerope syits with which it has been harassed, Movements of Ex.President to the Public Institutions, ‘Mr. Fillmore yesterday visited the public institutions. ange Sera thrte-cont pioss, in company with the Committee of the Board of Coun- | on nebsirmee of the See ae cilmen and several other gentlemen. According to ap- pointment they left St. Nicholas Hotel about half-past eight, in carriages, and drove up to the Free Academy, where they were received by Professor Webster, Presi- cent of that institution. Here they remained but a few minutes, and then proceeded to the Demilt Dispensary, which was erccted over a year age from the munificent bequest of the late Mr. Demilt. They next visited the House of Refuge, and as they arrived at a favorable hour they had an excellent opportunity of observing the management of this institution. When they en- Almeho; was preered for time, and had to visit Greenwood Cem- sevdigiy they ll toned “on oad ‘andproehe a few of the ee to New York. bairmai use. ‘There was uo speaking here, as Mr. Fillmore 8 to the cemetery, where Mr. Fillmore, company, disembarked, and the boat re- Thus terminated the first visit: 8 | past, when I tered the spacious yard or play-ground, they saw a number of boys amusing themselves—some play- ing ball, and all earnestly engaged in pursuit the of pleasure. The appearance of their visiters suspended their play for the time being, and they alll re- turned to their various departments, no doubt astonish- ed at the cause of this interruption of their amusement. Mr, Fillmore was conducted through the various work- shops in the boys’ and girls’ departments. The admirable order and cleanliness observable among the children, re- ceived, as they justly deserved, the commendations of all the visiters. In one room we saw nearly one hundred boys at work in the manufacture of shoes, the oldest of whom was not more than twelve years of age. One class was employed in sewing the uppers, while another was occupied in beating out the soles, each having a different part of the work to perform. By this division of labor a much larger stock is turned out than could possibly be made by the old routine. Cane bottomed chairs are made in another part of the building, and there is also a tailors’ shop, where a large number of boys are employ- ed. A considerable portion of the inmates are sent to Long Island, at stated times, where they are set to work on a farm belonging to the institution.. The whole number of children received into the House of Refuge since its organization. in 1824, was 5,948; and during the past year the number was 408, which, with those remaining frora the year previous, made the total population 821. On the first of January last, there were 381 in the institution, showing the number disposed of to be 440. The President is Mr. Robert Kelly, and the Superintendent Mr. John W. Ketcham. On leaving the House of Refuge, the company pro- ceeded to the dock near the foot of Twenty-sixth street, where they found the steamboat Norwalk, Capt. Hitch- cock, waiting to convey them to the institutions on Ran- dall’s, Ward’s, and Plackwell’s Islands. After a brief but pleasant passage, they were landed at Randall’s Island, where the first sight that greeted their eyes was a Lilli- putian regiment of soldiers, bearing a banner at thoir head, on which was inscribed “‘The Randall’s Island Ca- dets, There were about one hundred boys in this regi- ment, nonevof whom was over ten years of age. They were dressed ina uniform of gray, with blue caps, and were attended bya band composed of youths of their own age. These passed in review before the ex-President in military style, preserving an unbroken rank, and bear- ing in their looks no small estimation of their discipline, and the important part they were playing. When they had all passed, it came to the turn of the company to march, and they accordingly did march, but in sad disorder compared with the youthful soldiers. The first of the numerous departments which they visited was the nursery, where they found seventy- five children under the care of Mrs. Strang, They were all dressed with much neatness, and their ap- pearance was in every respect creditable to the lady un- der whose charge they are placed. In fact, in every d2- partment they visited the same care in the treatment of the children was observable. While here, they saw the building which has been set apart for the idiots and lunatics, the most painful and melancholy sight which could be presented. Some of these poor creatures made the most doleful cries; some would stare at you with the most vacant gaze; while others would throw their arms around you, and look up in your face with an idiotic smile. One poor child, who appeared to be destitute of the least spark of intellect, and seemingly below the brute creation in comprehension, kept writhing and twisting about on a chair, from which she had not even the physical power to move. : We hurried away from this sad scene, anxious to for- get what we had witnessed in the sight of more pleasin, objects; but ave shall find it hard to banish the vomene drance of that idiot girl and her poor companions. It was 2 relief when we entered the school room, and saw our little soldier frieads again, with their bright, happy faces, prepared to welcome their distinguished visiter: and such a welcome was enough to gladden the heart of especially of one who had just seen what we have described. The moment Mr. Fillmore entered the schoolroom three hearty cheers greeted him, and the band chimed in, waking tue echoes of Randail’s Island with its music. When quiet was restored, Mr. Duke, one of the Governors of the Alma House de- partment, introduced them in a body to Mr. Fill wore in a few brie! and appropriate remarks, to which the ex. President replied as follows :— ; My young friends, I take great pleasure in visiting this institution at this time, and I confeas that althongh | suppozed I know something of the charitavle institut:o of my own State, Thad no just conception of this. The firet intimation I had of the discipline that prevailed among you, and of the manner fa which you are provided for and taken care of, flashed upon my mind when I saw you approaching with your music and banners to meet ine a short time ago. I was particularly struck with the order that prevailed ia your ranke, and to sce that you obeyed your teachers and guardians. This was gratify- ing to me, and it is due to you and to your instructors to say, in the course of the few years have been called upon to review troops, Ibave reviewed many a regiment that did not display Lalf the military’ order that you did. The music seemed to know precisely its proper place, and every one in the ranks appeared to know theirs, And thisis the very first duty a boy should learn, and the very last he should forget, if he expects to rise to eminence in this world. I see among you boys that may eventually fill the most important offices in this country, for they are open to all ef you; and there is none ao poor, snd nota place so high, that each boy may. not aspire to it. Isincerely hope ‘that I may see many bors now before me filing the most important offices not only in this city, but in the country; for it would not only re- flect honor upon yourselves, but upon the charities of the noble State that has made such provisions for your rhysical comfort and mental education. I return to your teachers, and those who have accompanied me here, my thanks for the privileges I have enjoyed, and the reat satisfuction I huve felt in witnessing 60 fine an ex. ibition. At the conclusion of Mr. Fillmore’s remarks, the boys Our reporter arrived from the scene of the disaster’ last evening, bringing wth him all the particulars of the affair. The Montema, Capt. Decourcy, whict sailed for New York from Liverpool im April last, wag freighted with a large assortment of English cargo and about 500 passengers. The wyage up to Thursday wae quite prosperous; when aboui2}¢ A. M. the passengord were thrown into the greateststate of alarm and exeite< ment by the ship thumping heyily upon the outer bar of Jones’ Beach, about ten milq from Hempsteal, L. Ie The Captain, it appeared, misook the locality in the fog for Barnegat beach, and direted the sailing of the ship accordingly, keeping @ man yt the same time con- stantly sounding with the lead. The sea was running very high, and the wind being neitly east the vessel wad driven high up upon the outer bar,about 600 yards from the shore. Having quieted the fears of the passengers, as quickly as possible, the anxious hundreds on board awaited the first appearance of caylght with eager ex- yectation. At an early hour in the morning, thepeople living for miles around were awakened by the firlig of signal gang by those on board the Montezuma for id. Hundreds immediately hastened to the beach, whee the surf wag very rough, rendering any communicationwith the ship a matter of impossibility. Captain Denton the wreckmaster of tbisiistrict, and an agent of the Underwriters, seeing the coniition of the ship, had conveyed from the Government Stiion House the usual wrecking apparatus, consisting of to life car, cables, and a mortar, with which he made a ible haste to the water’s edge. On his asking De- courcey if he would rhoot a lino to the ship by neans of the mortar, the commander replied, ‘that he cowidered the ship perfectly safe, until assistance arrive from New York.” Therefore it would be unwise ané urecée sary under those circumstances, to endanger the liegiof the passengers, who crowded the decks of the saip ‘rom, stem to stern. . ‘About 734 A. M., the wind having moderatel, and‘he surf becoming less heavy, Capt. DeCourcey venturedto come ashore in one of the lifeboats along with thne sailors, and with much difficulty succeeded in effecting landing on the beach. This boat was not able to retars, to the ship on account of the breakers until nearly eleven o'clock, when a safe passage was made. Word was immediately sent to the Board of Unde. writers respecting the disaster, and Capt. Ellis, of the Atlantie Mutual, and Capt. Taylor, of the Mercantile Mi- tual Insurance Companies, were despatched to the vessel |, giving orders previous to their de steamboat and schooner sent to the vessel. When our reporter visited the Montezuma he found that she lay head on shore, in an easy position, with her bows sunk deep in the sand, and that she was he amidships. Fifteen feet of water was found to be in hold, compelling her passengers to evacuate their pre- mised in the steerage. in attempt was made during the da: ister to reach the ship from the beach, but the Boat wae ied with water, and the crew were compelled to desist from any further attempts until the steamboat arrived. Ac- cordingly, when the Achilles arrived ide with two eae ire tomas oo tow vei boat was pushed off, and amid tho cheers of thore on shore, He detinotion, }, arrived in safety at @ entire of yesterday afternoon was t in trans- ferring the passen, from the Moateruins to the Achilles by means of the life boats. Towards night this pa of work was performed, and the steamboat sailed for New York with all the passengers on board. The Montezuma was built by Eckford, in the year 1844, and was valued at $40,000, on which there isa full insurance in the Atlantic, the Mercantile and the Sun Mutual insurance companies. If the weather con- tinues fine for a week or 80, she will probably be got off; totic te she will, after the cargo is taken out, go jecen. Latest from the Ships Ashore. ‘The ship William Layton, ashore at Squan Beach, lies head on, and appears tight. No communication hed been held with the shore at last accounts, but all ap- pear to be safe on board. If the weather is moderate, she will most probably be got off, she being a very strong vessel and nearly new, haying been launched only last December from the yard of Mr. Patterson, at Wil- liamsburg. She is a fine vessel of 1,050 tons, and on her first voyage, and worth about $05,000, for which she is covered by insurance. Her owners are E. D. Hurlbut & Co. There were 495 gers on board. The steamer Heetor and olver aseietance has been sent down to her, The bark ashore near the William Layton, is reported to be the Corivlan, Capt. Wolfe, of and from Bremen, with 240 passengers. Her agents, Messrs. Hennings, Muller & Gosling, have had n> communication from. tho vessel, and cannot vouch for the authenticity of the eport. More definite intelligence will probably be re- ceived during the day. She lies about one mile north of the William Layton, and appears to be tight. The Corio- lun ig 660 tons register, built in 1849, and value! at $30,000, and covered by insurance in Europe. Sue had ™ cof, oi ail of the Her Wi ‘apt. Hall, of the propeller Western Port, arrived yes- terday morning, from Baltimore, reports pit se the hip and bark ashore on Squan Beach, setting up straight, al? sails loose, and discharging passengers in surf boate. It was very thick at the time. TELEGRAPAIC. DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIP HOPE BY FIRE. Monte, May 17, 1864. The ship Hope, Capt. Godwin, belo to Philadel- phia, was set on fire by the crew, and is totally destroyed. MORE bsieeag eee VIDENCR, May 19, 1854, The schooner President. of and for Portland, Sawyer, from Cardenas with molasses, went asfiore on Black Roeks, southwest part of Block Island, in a thick fog om the 15th inst. at 1 o'clock A. M., and is a total loss, The Captain and crew remained by the wreck until day- light, and then took to the boats and rowed ¢elve mile to the north side of the island. The schooner Peru, of Rockland, Smith, from-New York for Bangor, went ashore on the west side of Block Island at midnight on the 15th ia a fog, but got off by lightening the vessel, and she has arrived at Newpor without damage. Captain Hatfield, of the bark Nepenthe, arrived at thie ort, reports :—On the 20th ult., in lat. 50, lon. 36, fell in with and boarded the ship James L. Bogart, Howe, to | after which Mr. Fillmore and the company took their | ment, where | model of an arm which was amputated above the ve three cheers, after which one of their school-fel- lows, John Hughes, a boy about nine years old, arose and addressed him’as follows :— from Liverpool, of and for New York, with loss of main- ' mast, mizzentop mast, and otherwise damaged, in a hur- ricane on tie 17thult. The mate was sick, they had Sirn—We have often h of those great men whohave | lost one man overboard. The hull of the ship being in - been distinguished in the annals of their country, and who | good order, Captain Howe had determined to put back to have attained immortalicy In the pages of history; but, sit, | the nearest port (Cork,) if possible, When fast seen at terview with anes President of the United Steeementeia. | 8PM, on the 20th, he was steering southeast with fore- thy successor of Washington, the Father of his Country, raih foretopsail, and staysail set. Her passengers were and of those other grent names handed dowa tous by our forefathers, with so much love and reverence. Hoacred ir, we beattily bid you welcome to Randa'l's 1:1 Tn this happy place the poor orphan has found a P da home. Yor e before you, tir, a practical illasteation of the workings of that glcrious pri my contained in the Declaration ot Independence, that ‘all men are born fi * This great principle of Christian democr us from destitution, wth ali its horrors, laced us on the broad platform of human ty, where we fnir chance of attataing in future life, all that the pe of orphan children can aspire to—' life, lib- the pursuit of hsppiness.”’ and now, rir farce: |. May peace and prosperity attend you on earth, and eternal life be your re aven. Now, boys, let us have three cheers for Fillmore, ex-Presideat of the United Stator. And three clueers were accordingly given oy the boys; leave, well pleased with the exhibition they had wit nessed. They were next introduced to the girls’ depart- he children went through several inter esting exercises, under the direction of their teachers. m this to the boat again, they were met t soldiers, who gave thom three cheers as : left the wharf. ‘The number of boys in the ndall’s Island is 627, and of gir ’s Island was our next landing place, but the in- there have been so often described that it is 600 stitutio unnecessary to say much more about them. However, we cannot pass over our visit without mentioning ono incident in it, showing the wonderful perfection to which the art of surgery has attained. We sawa wax shoulder ty Dr. Carnochan. The operation was per- formed within the last month, and has, so far, been at- tended with the utmost success. The patient ia walking | or about, and althongh the amputated arm presented a horrible and loathsome spectacle from scurvy, the dis- ease has been entirely removed from his system by the | ar operation. From Ward’s Island the company proceeded to Black- well’s Island, where, after visiting the institutions, they partook of an excelient entertainment. Of all the inmates none appeared to take so much interest in the visiters as | the lunatice. Some of these poor creatures are quiet and inoffensive, and will talk with you a long time be- | fore you would suspect their insanity. One woman came | up (0 us, and after shaking hands very warmly with Mr. Herrick, one of the Governors of the Alms House, en tered into the most serious conversation with him, about the excellent care which she took of the establishment, and (he manner in which the, herself e lunatic, treated her insane sisters. “<“Thave been here now ten years,” said she, “and during that time I have paid every attention to those under my cate, ” You have, indeed,”’ said Mr. H.; “I am well aware of that, and we are greatly indebted to you for it.” Well, you are weleome—good daz}? and she shook r Montagne. Senor Toron was the first who addressed the mooting. ‘The following is a brief sketch of hig remarks, delivered inthe Spanish language :—Cubans—This both Boston, The new ship Commonwealth, Captain Newburyport for New Orleans, went ashore at 5 o'clock this morning, in a fog, on Spit Sand, Newburyrort bar. “Poland fallen, but not lost,”” Tyrants,” were placed on either side of the Caban stand- tal, graved, formed one of the most conspicuous ornament ‘The rooms were occupied by a great number of ladies and gentlemen, and when the procession arrived, at about half past nine o'clock, they were filled to utmost capacity. On the platform we notice’ Senor Tolon, th Democratic Athenwum, the Vice President of the Turn- day of joy and a day of grief. ° fourth auiversary of tHe landing of. the frst liberating expedition on the shores of Cuba, under the command our unhappy yet illustrious General, Narcisso Lopes, It is Joy to recollect that on the May, 1850, while the mornin i hind erimeon clouds, the star of that flag (pointing to the SHIP COMMONWEALTH ASHORE. May 19. 1854. ‘PP, from She is a fine vessel, of 1,250 tons, owned by Mesers. Nickerson & Co., of this city, and others, and valued at $75,000, for which amount she is insured in State street. Cuban Demonstration, Yesterday being the fourth anniversary of the landing of the first liberating expedition, under the command of Ger eral Lopez, on the shores of Cuba, it was celebrated. nan appropriate manner by the Cuban exiles residing in this city. A short time after nightfall, a large assemblage of persons, composed of Americans, Germans, French, Italians, Poles, Hungarians and Cubans, collected at No. Broadway, and marched thence down Broadway, through Fulton street, saluting the HrRALD en passant, ind returning to the Apollo Rooms, No. 400 Broadway. That spacious hall was admirably fitted up for the even- . ing’s entertainment. of the “Lone Star,’ with various devices, # “Hamanidad,?’—Ateneo Democratico Cubano” —“Union’’—“‘Libertad,”’ inscribed above it. The Polis! eagle on a red flag. bearing the hee Over the platform was the banner h as — ‘Luz’? ““Bogillad,’? “God and the People;’’ one bearing as a motto, and another, ‘Death to while a figure of Lopez standing on a marble pedes- on which the words ‘‘Mayo 19 de 1850"’ were President, and other members of the Caban Society, and the President of the Society of La is to a ‘We celebrate to-day the motning of the 19th of star skone brightly be- Lends with him in the most cordial manner. Cuban ensign, shone also, hoisted amid the whirlwind of Different was another we saw—a man who abused one | battle, Tith the incense’ of powder, baptized with the of the doctore in the most violent manner. He bore | blood of our enemies, kissed by the breezes of our the appearance of having been once a gentleman, and | native land. That m@ning beheld the first smile of even through the ravings of the madman could be seon a certain reinement of manner. “Tell my friends,” he said, ‘that I have remained 1 is necessary for my health, that I am residence, aud would visit ‘the world in We shall certainly do so,’ willing (o bumor him, You shall certainly do so—then why did you not do 80 before, sir !’” ho rejoined. To this of course no reply coud be made, and he scolded the officer 'n the most violent manner. Snotber poor Sellow game over to ys, and replied one of the officers, Cuba, efter three and a half centuries of slavery. The Veil bf darkness wos broken in the temple of tyranny. But yet, Cubans, since that day tho“ Mene, mene, thekel upharsin”? was written onthe walls of the the duty o sider first, whether the step j popular it that pain 0 xia conway nish American Pabylon. That warning in Scripture ery day renewed y the blood of enthusiastic patriots. said—That e next speaker was Colonel Fores. ie republican evolutionists was to con- they were about taking in mover t, and being satisfied on , even at an} hand whet self-sacri- who calculated the ex- pended | petition ta wbteb they might be engaged now be tay