The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1854, Page 2

neon ere Few Words More about the Stationery Con= tract. 70, THR EDITOR OF THB HERALD, Havieg shown how healy stationary oan be far- Bished to th» corporation by contract, when made by Comptroller Fisgg, we will now give tho modus @perand: whereby the bills are settled under oom- Qracts mado by Mr. Flagg himself,and we would With ail due deferen-e to tut earned and indofati- gable body known as the Municipal Reform Com- mitteo, invite their carefal examination of our state- mente. [f anything dviating fom the trash shall be found herein, 1: wil) be foand to be based on the satbority of the Comptroller bimself, in hig “Report of the Reosipts and Exp+nditures of the Corporation of the Amazon. | Page 1,110—1 nese Sete $ 50 ™ 6 two-quire bl . 600 OUR RIO DE JANEIRO CORRESPONDENCE. 1,111—300 sel 113 Rio pg Jampmo, Ost, 30, 1854 1 + 3 25 | Clove of Negotiations Belwren the Amazon Comper " 200 ny and the Government— Privileges Granted tothe | ao . 6 oe | Former— The Different Lines of @teames—Grents | pen ee . of Land to the Company—Flourishing Condition | 1,191 Feam laid ‘sitar, 5 00 ss r nn: pay ye * G00 | of ite Stock—Hopes of the Bree Navigation of the 4 tax return booka «14 00| Amazon-—Senor Frenen Evangelista de Songs. } “1 dozen carmine tok . -, 6 00 | Some time since I wrote to you that the first step | _ Now, we do not say that the above is more that | fair price for the ariisie furatshed; it may have | | been ine case an article of a snperlor qushty; tee tin telos sarily pecportinaets to tats eae? cifled in the contract, art, if not, why waa the bill andited end paid to the amount of $13 523 387 Was the flateap et $5 50 superior to the foolscap, towards opening the river Amazon and its tribute- | ries bad been taken by the Amazon Company, which held the exclusive right to the navigation for thirty years, (inctead of ninety years, as I then stated by | Mrietoke.) This company convened amd authorized of the City of New York, trom July 1st, 1353, to | No. 3, plain, at ove cent per ream, or No. 4, at $27 the Baras de Mana—its President to contract with Same 30%b, 1854.” The extracts taken from the proposition to supply the corporation with articles of stavionery, at “oaly ene cent exch” for all kinds of necessary books, ex- cept those bought by the doz-u st the same amount of currency of the United Sta:-s, iuk by the gallon, at ene comt, paper by the ream, at ome cat, &o., will be found at page 1,074; but surprising as these Prices are to the uvinitiste | 10 the mysteries of city @aanoiering, our readers will be still more astonish: fad work shall be of the best quality; the quanti- ties to be varied as may be reqnired; and articles not emb:noed ia the list, toatmay be meeded, to be fernishes at prices strictly proportionate to those Now wo chould much like to know what is a “ataictly propertionsie pri e to those specified,” as defined by our wortuy C mpiritier; but as Mr.Flagg ia dea‘h oa figures, and it is ao old saying “Agares wen't lic,” we will see from Mr. Flagg’s repors if ‘here is soy truth ia the statiousr’s proposal, Tt is eoid truth lies ‘at tse bovtom of # well; per- bape 1 ic 60 with the Uompte iler’s report. If 80 we Will go to the bottom to dud is, our past experience Proving taat it will be hep: less to anticipate its ” turning up” anywhere »2o.t of the bottom, where we hope te fied the fossil remains of Mr Flagg’s Olden time political ‘rien is. Bat as this mat. ter is » ssrious affair, a fusucial fact, a mattor of “pounds, shillings uid pence,” as Mr, Flagg would express it ix the phraseology of bbe good cid times, we shall merely give the atate- Meats and # brief commen, and leave visible enjoy- Moat to the readers of ‘‘ sam,” and those who are (Peameased of credulity eaougs to believe that Mr. Flagg thought » stationer was honestly sincere in Contracting to furnish books worth $40 wo $50 each for only “one cent.” Mr. Flagg says, (mtad not se, “John Straw, Jr.”’) bat the Comptroil:reays, “It will bo seen by refe- Feace to document No. 6, that the sum audited and Paid fer stationery, for six months of 1954, is $13,- 526 38" mind the eum, gentlemea reformers ani faxpesers—$13,428 38; «4 add,’. consinues Mr. Flagg, ‘at the same ruie for the other half year, and instead of $2,158 86, we have s total expondi- sare for 6 im ove year, under the contract, © $27056 76." Mow make a note of the amount, 82%066 76 tor the year, uade: the contrast, accord- . Flagg, snd aleo boar in mind the words audited and paid” for six months, zyven Mr. Flagg, who was so simple minded .* be led to make a eoatract for only “one cent ® * every article on the board,” except nine, seems (Pivctoa at this, bis own statement, and very pro- @orly eays—‘ Those who are called on to pay this Marge evm ($27,066 76 for stationery under con- Senct,) will naturally ask by what process so iarge fom expenditure has been made under a contract ap- ly 80 favorable?” This reasonable question, those whe have a right to ask it—(Query. Mr. jwhoare the Retorm Committee?)-should be y It may be the i ion of the Saeed that the pevrie—the hard-fisted me- and other workingmen of the city—have no right to ‘“‘esk {t;” but we will voluntarily endeavor So anawer it fairly, in justice to him and to them. ‘We quote agein from Mr. Fisgg’s report—“ Roqaisi- mitdoas for stationery could be made by some cigh- feon or twouty persons, and whea the person xe- lected b7 the head ef the cepartment to procure the Btationery called en the uoner, he would be a style of imkstands, vaper, pens, &3., of a quality te that embr.ced in the list; and inkstands accordisg to sample ia Neos. 1, 2, 3, at a cent apieos, the sta- je them thet tae character of be eompramised by the use of these aud the requisitions would be tilled da at two, three, aud five doliars,” &c. certainly very odd, when i; is to be remem- that “ the articies and work to be of the best the proposal of the stationer. Is there than the “best?” Paper at ‘‘one cent per ink at ‘ome eent per gallon,” and books at it apiece, or dozen, is creap, decidedly are good, too? That ia the ques- Inga. Flow absurd, in view of a con- ri price of one cent for nearly is the assertion of Mr. Flegg, whea he & state of things, tne contract arrence of ey r E i 3 HJ E ~ e wit fi z Z fl i it Fg tt sign iit I iit it Hy tt if Bee i “8 3 ya i i 413,528 ee tee who farnished the the nousensical proposi:ion to farmish ‘evory article on we Fae for only one Mr. Flagg please explain to us if in thie da fulfilled, thiokiog ths articles “ef a superior quality” was worth the money; it like the contracts lor street cleaning pa. the Comptroller, notwithstanding the refusal of Glasier amd the rapid accumulation of fils, in thoroughfares? It is not sufficient for Mr. Flagg ‘addrersed a cirsu'ar to the several beats departmects, calling tueir attention to the terms contract,” or that ‘‘a list of the articles to the contract was printed, leaving prises ,”’ end that ‘thir list was put on paste aad prepared with a loop for hanging one of up ia each cepartment and baresu.” [t won't , Mr. Flagg. Why these lists printed ‘‘leav- g eat the prices?” Did the bead of the depart meat in ‘one icatance atiac’: a price to the arti- requireat far i iat gE & g sanz i ole If not, how were the prices oi them ished, but ‘‘not apecifies,” fixed? Is it a ‘‘atrict- ate ce’ for % “ penholder to ‘ge eight cen's,’ while s gallon of ink was speot- ‘at one cent? It may be ao, consideriag the real Yalue of the ink and of the penbolder, but we do Phink thas if pewholders suitable for the Mayor's pffice cou'd bs furnished for four oeats per dozen P 1,099) am article of the “best quality’ might good enongh for the Comptrolle:’s offics at a “gtrictly proportionate price,” and not charged thir + cents for one—not a dover. (Page 1,111.) armali matter, it istroe, ba: inasmuch a3 has thought proper to cast dost in the public by o.arging a concurrence of views Ibteen or twenty persons connected with ner pri arti le—no' im werict. sporti than those contracted for, Fey Mr. Flagg eres of the between cF Saer to bes the absurdity of farnishing ‘paper at eve cent per ream, &c.” [+ is now mo more than fale that the Finance Department should be clear from all cach groes We will'ncw glance at She stationery furni for the department of the er: — FINANCE DEPARTMENT. Bont. —s 402 6 bottles writing fluid @) 460 Post Office stamps ras “19. yuna eter @ a ha ono quire divibaise. ss. Peeeact ee, 20 00 ee 7) Ae ere ode 9 oan be Tove Wank took. o2 1 4 quige blenk book 200 3 receipt books.......... 2% 500 treasurer's receipts. 3 00 500 collector's do. 3 00 Pesage 150 Oot. 31—1 500 pry 6 1 1 DOM, dee ec ececeeee Pron Pet Sit r k $17 76 ‘he foregoing are taken from ()« sta’ement, com- Qt the top, and wiriout omission. We will now select & few uric: A cope iauy worvhy of » £8 Sb Ww Woulu ve uuneoessarily long our Oo.um an:— . Was the twoquire blank books, at $1 exch, above | botter than those of No. 54, two-quire blank books, at ove cent per dozen? If, then, te. Fiazg fonnd is desirable, in a measure, to suspend the contract to obtain an article of a superior quality, is there any fant in others doing so? What kind of envelopes were those fornished at $113 for three hundred ?— were they better than the note size, No. 13, at $1, or of the letter size and the official size, at on2 cent pew hundred, or were they of a size not spe- je there is still a better quality, jadgin, the price of two quire blank Dock at ri i wing by ne same as ‘ No. 9 blotting paper, per ream, lc.,’’ or Mr. Fiage would not have “ paid” for it; but the “* patent”’ explains it—of cource it is dearer. Ink stands !— Yes, we bave beard of such articles before. | Let us see! ah, we have it now “ before us,” like Machbeth’s air drawn dager, and now we clutch it. Instead of getting inkstands according to the sam- ip the contract, Nos. 1. 2, 3, at one cent a picoe, he stationer cculd pursuade them that the o! ter of the city would bo compromised by the uso of these cheap articles, and the requisitions would be filled with inkstards at two, three, and five doll ara.”’ (Page 1,023.) We don’t wonier at other depart- No. okotand 7 O Re m tands, as per sample No. a. Boal 5 No. 2, ea) No. 43 tA - No. 3, exch... 1c. —while the “Finance De; it” makes requi- sition for “ six cut gles inkstands, $6.’? 3 Page 1,177, Mr. Flagg says, “No.7 ongrossing panes ruled to pattern, per ream, oze eont.” On urning to table No. 66, under the head of “engross- ing paper, ruled to pattern,” it is found that only ope solitary ream of thie paper has been used dari the twelve months in the thirty-nine enumerated cepartments aud bureau: and yet, in almogt every department large quentities of pap+r for eugrosalag, somewhat leas in weight, but identical with this ia size and oolor, hove been used. On calling fora sheet of P ipg, and comparing it with the sample attached to. No. 7, I found the sheet was of the same size, olor, and quality of the samp'e, with the aingle ex option that the margin was about a quarter of an inch wider on the paper used for engrossing than on the gample of engrossing paper furnished whem the con- tact was made. But, besides moving the margin line @ quarter of an inch, the name of the thing was changed; the paper furnished and used in fen of “engrowing paper” was placed outside the contrast, by being calied ‘ brief paper,” aud charged to the city at FIVE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS PER REAM, inetead of one cent, as aperias in the contract. (Tho italics and caps are Mr. F' " By referring to No. G6, it will found by Mr. Flegg thas two reams of “engrossing paper,ruled to pattern,” are charged tothe Cit ector—NONE TO THE COMPTROLLER, or any other tment or Bureau. Then by referring to No, 46, 1,108, ard continuing, it will be seen that the “ Finance Dgrarruenr” audited and pie for the following: 1858—Oct-31, one ream brisfs... + $5 50 1854—Feb. 6, one ream briefs. . 6 60 «May 39 (?), one ream briefs. “June 12, one ream briefs. . While cn reference to No. 52, page 1 fouud that,!Nov. 14, 1853, ‘‘one ream +0 & 60 30, it will be }, $5 50, is fe 1 b charged to the City Lospector, and not one single ream of “engrossing paper” at “ ONE CENT,” al- though two reatus are stated to have been furn'shed, according to No, 66. Now explain, Mr. Comptrol- ler, did you audit and pay $5 50 for “brief papor,” when “‘ engrossing paper, at one cent,” was or | dered and furnished? ead your own explanation, » Flagg. We are geting tired of this subject, as we believe our citizens are of tbe whimsicalities of the Comp- trolier, end will make only a few more iaqntries. Who will examine and tellus ifthe “four tax re- turp books at $14 is anything like No. 77 Assessors returos, per dozen, lc.; or if the dozen of carmine ink, at $6, waa of asuperior quality to No. 37_ink, red, Guyot carmine, per d6zen lc. ? Pounes, shillings and pene ere, however, an in- teresting etudy, and we will pursue it a little fur. ther, reducing the old style currency to doilara and cents, by giving @ statement of the amount thus ex- | pended uncer the contract made by Mr. Flagg, and “ gudited and peid for stationery, for six months of 1854,” in each department:— STATIONERY— (PAGE ars 81X MONTHS TO suLY 1 1936 92 Street Commissioner. 404 06 Superior Conr 664 53 Mayoi’s office. 494 52 Common Pleas.. 1.140 06 a of Police, a 97 " 7 53 Collector of Assceements.. 190 40 Su tendent of Public Buildings. 65 89 Chief Engineer.............- eee 35 69 Commissioner of Lamps and Steee' 381 56 Comptroller's office......... 660 76 Croton Aquedvct Department 52 70 Corporation Attornoy.. 61 97 District Courts....... » 628 47 7 of Repairs and Sapplies.... 1,035 05 Commissioner ot Jurore.. . — Corporation Counsel.. 160 40 y Inspector......... + 222 25 Clerk of of Councilmen. « 1,750 57 District Attorney. « 132 04 | CG 351 50 | Court of Sessions. 40 26 | Superintendent of Streeta. 75 02 ‘Tax Commissioners. . 636 50 Receiver of Taxee.. 88 27 Pal Administrator 43 38 Fire Wardens. . 184 68 City Judge.... 50 88 Superintendent ef Pav 365 30 Recorder. 4212 Supreme Court 69 18 Surrogate. _- 3,528 38 he amount ceeded by the clerk of tue Common Council—-tighty two members—tie Supe: ior Court,the Court of : mon Pleas, the Chief of Police aud courts, Com- igsioner of Repairs and Sappliss, and the clerk of the Board of Councilmen, consisting of sixty mom- Thus, under the several heads of departments and courts, thirty-three in number, to whiod sta» tionery is charged, ite 4 here that durieg the six months, excepting the legistative departments and the courts, only one department was a more liberal patron of the siatiozer than that of the Comptroiler, who made this “one cent contract,” and pair $13,528 88 for the supplies of six months for the corporation, with a prospect of a like amount for the six months foliowing—making the anaual smount, 96 estimated by Mr. linge, $27,056 These'are statements taken froin the report of {h Comptroller, and can be examioed by any one way may procure “ Documext Nv. 54 of the Board of Aldermen.” : Personally, we, John Straw, Jr., have a bit pard for Mr, Flagg, though why it is we don’s k but we would not do him en injustice; but can Me. Flege say that he has been a careful fo aasciiog his assoctates Ke ss regard for their asl, political and offici«! integrity von'd ecem tod 4 of him? The extracts above given must answer bope “faintly,” Jon StRaw, for the Comptroller's office, $660 76, was ol ix: Daring Robbery In Georgia—Choloform Used =$6,000 Stolen. From the Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist, Dive. 0] 'e have read and heard of many daring rob- beries, but we think none of them gill even bear a comparison to one which took place oa the Georgia railroad cars on Fridsy moraing, between Cama: and Berzelis. As wo » Coloasl J. W. of Rome, and 9 portion of his family, were cars, on the way to this city. He hada large amount of money abou: his person. He was scated on the bac’ seat; his daughter and another young lady, @ relative, were on toe seat ia front, and bis fon, an intelligent lad of tweivo or thirteen years of age, and a servent, ossupied the third seat. Be | tween the two points sbove designated, the lam; near the Colonel, wae extisguished. His soa too | notice of it, but’ thought it was done by tie con- | ductor or some one connected with the troin. 8 rort- | ly after a stranger tock his seat by Col. By rien, and, after some conversition, snc ceded 1a alain. isteripg to him choloform, untli he becane inseast- | ble. He then cut the hustons off his overc at aad extracted from his side jocket a package of bil's, amounting to five toousaed and ove hundred aod sixty doliare, Not content with t-is, be took from the panteloons pocket tho Colonel's walist, contsia- ing about $1,000. Had be kaown that in the ovtor Po a of we purtsloons there was a package coa- ining $2,000, he might have taken thasalso, ‘oe | money st was mostly South Carolina bills, Ta | the package there were twenty-one hu rdired dollar bills and some fifties. Uv to last evening Col, Berrien was laboring uncer the effcts of the cholo form 9/1 \ ‘stered, and waa confivd to his bed all ga ashe ia ablo be *ilt id and be requesta nt votae reward for the recovery of the «< ucteotion of the beld rabber. ilbvieg sper used for engrosa- | lish aiist of ao ‘aut he | pized se the crert commercial mo*ropolia of tae | the goveromens for new privileges—and ceded back tothe government the old privilege of exclusive navigation. The negotiations were happily clozed and sealed omthe 2d of this moath, at the imperial office of State. The use of thirty years navigation has been given back to the government, and new privileges have been granted to the sume company for ten years. | These privileges are in a printed publication pub- ’ lished in the- Jornal do Commercio of the 27th of | an Od toread that it is stipuidted saat‘‘the articles quire patent blotters at $2, surely cannot ba the | this month,and the Amazon Company are obliged | to establish in their next contract four steam lines of packets. The first line, from Bslem, province of Para, to the mouth of river Negro, is composed of | steamers of 200 tons each. They are to commence en the Ist of January, 1855, and are to make two | trips per month. They must go at the speed of | twetve miles perhour. The government pay $6,000 | for each trip, and 12,000 mi! reis.as a bonui for cairying the mails. The second line is tonavigate from the city da | Burrs, mouth of the river Negro, to the province | Of Henta da, republic of Peru, will commence | On the Ist of September, 1856. Tiley will make one | trp per month, and the governments guarante> | them $26,000 a year. Itexpects Pera to join ja -the payment of thisamount; bet ia case Peru en, | the B aaitian government is responsible. The third line travols from the city of Bslem, uo the river Tocantius, to the village of Barao, and will | 8609 at least six hours, going and returning, at Ca- meta. They are to make two trips per month | during the first five yeare; and for the socond flve | years, four trips per mon! Bat if this line should | PERO EDERIESS EA, the least number of trips are to ; be one per month for the firat five Oho ares gov- | erzment giv! $500, or 1,000" mil reis, for each trip; and for the last five years, $250, or 500 mil reis, for each trip. The fourth line will navigate'from the city de | Barra, up the river Negio, to St; Iéabel. This line is to make one trip per month for the first five eare, and the ee will pay $2,600, or 00,000 mil reis, for each ers This line is to make twotrips per month duriog the second five years— | the Govermsaeas poying $1,250, or 2,500 mil reis, for each Vo: This company received seventy-two grants of land of two leagues square on the river Javary, ten on the amall river of Pirus, twenty on the benk of the river Amazon, ten on river Madeira, ten on rivers Negro and Tapajoz, and ten more ia-other locations near the river Amazon, for the purpose of estab- aching colonies of agriculture and industry. It is obliged to catablislf twelve colonies, of at least six hundred souiseach. Thave called on the barao of Mana, who will in a few days give me afcl copy of the above import- ant negotiation, and other particulam -of interest, which I will forward te you as soon as possible. I understand that the waters of the Ameson and her numerous tributaries are aspen to the free navi tion of the Brazilian sipping asthe Mississippi is to North Americans, and I learn that:the Amazon Company has already censtructed three- large saw- mills ia differert locations on that river. The stock of this company was 400mii reis per share when it first appeared in the market, and mil reis were in on each share. It is now ata mium of 260 mil reis, being 60 mil reis moro than value paid in, and there is another call on the shareholders for 100 milreis per share. This shows that the exclusive privilege is done away with, and that tre second step ia now taken to onen the re- sourees of 8 new world to tne enterprise cf those woo goahead. This wil wake up Americans, open new E) Dorados and diemond mines, and enable all to reach the: wealth of the rich province cf Matto Grouo, and an otherwise vast extent of territory by steam navigation, and pour into tue commercial worla the products of tae Amazon and her tribata- ries, and the wealth which has here-o‘ore been shut out from commerce. Brazil has a vast amount of hidden treasare, whish will come ont-under such liberel policy. I hope to live to sce the day when this migbty river and ite innumerabie tributaries spall be thrown tothe free navigation of the world. This would make all nations cry.out “Viva o Brszil”—(Long life to Brazil.) Nothiag can bring abont the free navigation of the Amazoa sooner than death to filibusters, combined with a wis? di- plomatic negotiation. Ilook upon this eveut as one of the greatest in the-hiatory of the commerciai world. The negotiator is the illustrious Secor Fre- nen Evangelista de Sosga, who is a seli made man. But a few years ago he was a clerk and afterwards 8 partner in the firm of Carruthers &Co., an Eng- lish house. He then borrowed $150,000-of this gov- ernmest to establish an extensive fron foundry at Point a’Area, opposite this city. The enterprise met with great success, and sufficient profit de to refund bY to enable A paid a ytime since, before it was dus, sum was and now qe see him at the head of the Gas Works, and the projector of araiiroad to the river Parahy- ba, in order to connect that river and its extensive coffee fiel with this bay or port. Lastly, he is the great operator in the Amazon, for which his Majes- ty has justly given him the title of ““Barao Aaa The Greatest Grain Port tn the World. {From the Chicago Prees, Dec. +5 In the pi of our city, and of the fest gene- rally, facta of the most astounding character not unfrequently come upom us unawares, and before wae for them. If any one had aeked ‘us two days ago which of the great grain of the world (depots at which grain is col ai- rectly from the producer) was the largost, we ie | bably would have named half a dozen before hitting upon thesightone. Ifthe same question were put to each of ourreaders this morning, we doubt if any one of the whole number could answer it correctly ; nor do we believe that any one of the whols number would credit the correct auswer to the quory, unlesa it were sustained by an array of figures the trath of which could not be qacationed. . Our attention was called to the subject yesterday by a gentleman raged in the grain business in thie ci‘y, sod with his assistance we bave given i+ a thorongh investigation, the reaul: of which, great- ly to our surprise ard gratification, establishes the supremacy of Chicago asa grain port over all other ports of the world. That ibere may be no ground ior incredulity we proceed to lay before our readers the statistics, gleaned from authentic sources,whioh confirm thisstatemont. Iu the table which follows we have in all cases reduced floar to its equivalent in wheat, estimating tive bushels of the latter to one of the former, fhe experts from the Uurepean pdrts fre sp average for #, those of St. Louts forthe sear 1 waubie for the currew’ are fr the pass eleven mou ¥ ith these explanatio.s we invite same year, tention to the different placss will be seea that the grain exports of Chicago exceed those of New York by 4296,393 bushels, those of St. Louis by more than two hundred aod fifty per cent, those of Milvaukie nearly four hundred per cent. Tarning to the great granaries of Europe, Chicago nearly doubles St. Petersburg, the largest, and ex osds Ga- latz snd Ibrelia, combined, 5,406,727 bushels. ‘Twenty years ogo Cnlcago, ag well as most cf the country from waouce «he now draws her immense supplies cf breadstaffs, imported beth floar avd meat for home ec neumstion— pow, she is the latgost primary grain devot in the world, ard she leads ail otner ports of the world, aico, in the quoatity and qua'ity of her beet exports. We say the largest primary grain depot in tue worle, because it cannot be deated that New Yor!, Liverpool, aad sme other great commercial conwes, recéive mom brea ‘staffs than Chicago docs in tte course of the year, but none of them will compare pith her, as we hava shown above, ia the atioust collected from ‘he hands of producers. Wrat o practical Musteation the above facts af ford gs to the wonderful, the scatocly sredible, pro- gress of the West; what an index it furnishes to the fertiity of her enil, and to the industrious and er terprinrg character of our people; what a pro- phoey of the destiny that awaits her, whea ever; 100% of her long stretches of pratrie and hor ric’ yaileye sball have been redaced to a Goel selentific tilage! How long, at this rate, will it be before the contre of popalation aud of wealth wiil pave eayived at the m réiian lire of onr city, aad Chicago wi i pave vindicsted hor rigot to be recog By comparieg the exports of the twertinped m the above tabl-, it ates? We verily believe aucl in the des ber. United 8 tivy thet agraits Central Railroad. . Ausawr, N. Y., Deo. 16, 1864 At @ meeting of the stockholders of the above company, held on the 13th inst., at Albany, one of few re Which all seemed anhxious to be rmned was, whether the directors of the company had engaged in steamboating on Lake Eile, and if 80, to what extent. The foilowing is a sketsh of the explanation made on that subject at the meet- ing, which I send you for the informaflon of your readers: — Mr. Pavyn, a director and treasurer of the co | bad the contract. | Mr. Proyx—Yeo, it came to the Central from them. Mr. LeavEnwosta—The gentleman must be mis- taken. pe @ director in mera oe ae ae - never heard of any such contract. . Mr. Pauyx—In what road were you a director? Mr. Leavenworts—Tue and Utica. . S Stebbins, you were the committee from the how is that? Mr. Srersrxs, of Cazenovia—I never heard of it before, before. Mr. Srvnona, of Boston—Mr. Pruyn must be mis- ing that ino direcears nad invested something nora! in sheamnbonts. i Mz. Pauyn, (very much worrled)—Thot was in | reference to ancther thing. I referred to the lime slong the Southern shore. I thought the gentleman wanted to know about 5 Mr. Sruraxs+Are we running two lines then? Mr. Proyn—{ will explain the “That's right, lets have the make & clean breast of it.”* (From different parts ef the room.’ ttn Pacyx—At the time of the consolidation a committee jd from each com; te settle the arran; ; they referred neds to a subcommittee, and that sub committee thong! the Central would have toran a line of steamboata ang the Serena eee that hphticcrriarod might as make alrangemente: aa it for the directors to do it. Mr. Srasn2is—I was one of that committee, and I never heard of it before, at any rate the committee | ‘was invested with no power tu do it. ‘ Mr. Leavanworra—Now as to the other line, Mr. Pauyx~That is nothing but a debt—the ssme | as if the money was loaned toan individual. The | Micbigan Oentral theught its interests required a | line of steamboats to connect Detroit direct with | pane, Bee pled the pede oe | TOW MOnoy urpose of establiahing a line. We loaned them $130,00, and that's all there is of that | Mr. Lzavmrvorrn—Are we interested in the | running of that line too? | Mr. Prurn-- F don’t know--perhaps we are. | Mr, 8. Lrvixesron, of NewYork-It a boat is lost a epnuteDerke anemic but ir. PruyN—Perhaps we it not;. bat I | think we would be in honor beund. Mr. Lravenworta—Then we are in pai i Our Virginia Correspondence. Purmzssone, Va., Deo. 15, 1854. Old Virginia—Know Nothingiom in the O'd Do- minion— Advancement —Squirre! Hunting — Mur- Tight Times and Bank Movements—Gold Min ing, $e. Throughout the entire State extracrdimury pre- | gress bas been made within the last tew years, and” should it continue to move on at the same rate, Vir- ginia must shortly assume her just position as “first and foremost,” south of the dividing line. Bail- horses are taking the places of the time honored iem have been sown, and are rapidly approach- ing matarity. Enough will be harvested to souut Heavy bets are already made that he will not be the next Governor. The people are advancing too fast, and are growing too “wide awake” to their in- teresta to allow old fogyiam to predominate any I spent a few days last week squirrel hunting in Burry county, and found the desired game in great abundaace, bagging forty gray squirrels in two days. Plank roads and improvements of every kind are going forward in this county, and preparations to ship thirty thousand cords of wood at Low Point, contiguous to James river, thence to New York next year, are in rapid progress. Another party » few miles below, are building a private rail- road, over which they contemplate despatching der—4 Young Wife on‘'a Visit to Congress” — | roads are being laid in every quarter, and fast | single steer in harness. The steds of Know Nothiag- | unmistakable odds against the Hon. Henry A. Wise. | | with the receipts during the season of canal. mayi- | last year. This catimate of the decrease hag | been to nga nearly $75,000, as the folowing statement t— Amount collected from the orening of canal navi- | gation, April 20th, 1853, to and inciuding tre month | of November, the seme year, and from the lat of May, 1866, toand jucladiag ‘the moatn of Novea ber of the same year— 1853. $3,187,582 72 1854 © Decs..eee 16,980 62 |, 203,532 24 Decrease in 1854. ‘The official figures this estimate. As to the down frei; Season, we find that of articles brought flour, bref, pork and ashes, the Se anaes ot Shia ba nonriy te The greater this decrease is the ar- As to articles euumerated while equirrel hunting, a man named Hughes ras fatty tabbed by aries with whom be waa in Dartuership.in she wife ; jealousy rom was the cazse. A party weve in search of ‘ae sur- viving partner, left. A young lady, the wife cf a very le, bat P 7 this city, lately concluded to; Wi in Seats pss pera echt ny aye 5 “| o t+] & 2 5 3 u § E rors ae a ert icls VO Cinglistyy Tehamoe, ani r, H im, 134 g inland, and ¢, (American), spring will take a new start, and then, with er machi , it must become th shed, if respectably rtnershi in two lines, and in ruaning them. Tees how it is. Various _inaairies were made as to the extent of | the New York Central interest in the Southern | Shore line, and the expenses and loas in renning | these lines ard how long the contracts were to con- | mee Mx Pruyn did “not” recollect ail the | 5 | These operations afford-an insight, in my opinion, | into the causes. of the yastly.iacreased gai of | the conscijidated Central line over the aggregate ex- | penses of the old roads;. and it is korg Bedale will n«t be long before more convertible , OF BOS other financial stratagem.will have to be resorted to, to pay dividends and forse another loan from stockholders. A Pauper on Horseback—Six Thousand: Dol- lars Lost in.» Gambling Room. {T'rom.the Cincinnati Gazette, Dec, 13. About a month since we stated that a chanic, on Seventh street, in thia city, vamed William L. Walker, bad received intelligence of the death cf-an unc'e in the city of Baltimore, b; which he cams into the possession of nine tho doilais, all in cash, uaintances speedily, and very ema to oysters and other refreshments, turn, his new friends invited him to play billiards at their expense. | The new —_ in which he was evjoying himself 80 eclipsed better ju} t, that be was soon | perenaded to visit the gambling,roome. At first he | won at realy every game, and, accumulated nearly | $800. Night alter nighs he continued visiting these sinks of iniquity, one of which is located on Third | atreet, until ne loat over eixtshousand dollars of the fortune he had received but a few weeks siace. Walker seys that when he had lest four thousand | dollars of the money he would have sroppedy hadbe | not expecied iome the suza back agsiu by continu: | ing the game. He }as now, however, stopped, and has sought redress in one of our coarts of jasties. Beeides the fire furmiture, clothing, &c., ba pur- chased, be has only $1,700 of the $3,000 lefé, bat promires hereafter to remain at home, and not eqoar.cer what's lefs, bus resame his daily Ispor. and atiend closely to the interests and welfare of his. | tamily, ELorement om A Maren Woman is Vistar | NiA—A Petereparg (Va) paper costalns the par | Ucolars of an slopoment case, from which we learn | thar the Indy in question is @ sma'l, neat figure, arge *md beeviag, not very conversational, u hes lips aie piumy and poatisg. Shs was educated bearding schovl in New York, and | up to very recently resided with ber husvaad) (an | tl erly man, by many jears her seaior,) bet -eon | M ves Of talroad diverging from Petersburg. He. payamour, a golant yourg Kentuckian, wita eyes tas speak ond @ tongue that persuades, fed wmedictre in New York, acd there besam acqualcted with ber, bik acquaintance was fe- re med notlong since ia Ricbmood. The busbaad of the lady folowed the ranaways t> Vashiagion, where be fonnd his wife’s name entered upon ons of te hotel registers, and he vatarally dotermised to put up at that house. On going to the diatng-room | be Siscovercd bis rnuaway bait very quietly indalg- ing in creature comforts, but there wa no gentl-man yithia seme Gistance of her. A handsome looking young gentleman, however, took his scat near tre good man, and was most civilly atteciive to him hill dinner was over. As the ladies retired, the de- serted husband tapped his wife on the shoulder, sv ying, “What are you doing here, Mre. 2” Lhe leds startled, but with much self-confidence, an- ewered, “I’ve come to see waat they do in Cangress, What sre you dog here Mr, ——?” “ [ reckon I've come aise to ve what they do in Congress,” re- old the husband. They retired to the ch. gud 6 Mough the husbacd had 8 good ro" his pceket, and a hickory stick in Dis Han: was nv sigs of any mals thing be ddes bimse room. They are to rev ra towards their abe, and we vnéerstarcd matters are ty bo at orc) d-awaup ‘or & Givorce @ mensa et thora! While tae re nolted couple were talkiog, it seems that the attea- tive gext, who was no other tian the ay Kentackisv, pud bis own bill aad mode tracks, hefore any at could get out of tee bog. All that ome veadsra tow desire to know is the names. Teese will be cul rome day or other, Sonr Syow.—Lost Suvae—A geatioman, _. ing ¢ om Ocovdaga county says, anow fell to the dept of fone tect or thereabouts week before j that iv the town of Dewitt @ flock of nino- ‘The veiz ides turned 14ée to lant for the dheep bat ater looking th Items from Toxas. ‘We | have news from Sen Antonio to the 30th ult., Anusti no 2dinst,, and Galveston 7th. We also have papes 4 of late dates from other parts of Texas. Nis) or Ben. McCalloch was in Austin at last ao- counts Emi grant trains are passing through Austin daily. The St ate Ties many oft that many of them will stop ala; ‘hravis bed returned from his » without ee ar ® member o| ravis’s comy og Mr. Sirk, 2 mesemate’ of his, in Freder- oh. Hon ai © Goot Walkes after re } jie the San Saba, Tapes “He enceuntored ‘a. party of Indiana. Ete’ several and nineteen, American horses. ‘The particuar: agement were n og st ng ei gg t not given Capt. Henry out is reported went fore mut sat popes aniiog i i “spell” of the seesou. There had pre Ong: cold winds within the ' da; in ‘Charles Morgan, on the evening of the 4th, and made her fitat appearance at the Varieties on the evening of the 7th as Evacne. Pat i ij E g Bsoapway Turatez—This evening the cole- brated comic opera entitled the ‘ Beggar's Opera,” adopted to the modsra stage by Mr: W. Harrison, will be performed forthe second tine. Cast in euch powerful manner, it cannot fail to draw a house crowded from pit ¢o dome. The laughable face of “A Blighted Being” will be the. openicg featurs. The “ Begger’s Opera’? met with a triumphant suc- Gens On its tiret represex tation. Bowery Tar vrne.--Miss Hozring’s benefit will come off this evenmg. The foliowing artists have kindly volnnteezed ior the occagion:—-Messra. G. L. | Vox, Coliins, Fredericks, G. Sweet, Keller, Sey- wour, avd W.R. Deir. Three fine pieces will be ,erformed, viz x of the Wildorne: “Od: aoe ard “Brian Borobeime.’ wil aleo be @ comic ballet, oalied “The Jolly Mf lox,” in which Mr. Yates will eppear, Niso’s GAkDEN.- Mr. BH. Horncastle will take efit th. on which oceasion tue last enetabnia,” aud Mr. Hora “Tho Savage and the cen,” will be per Milo. Nan will sing “Caeta Diva,” from “N oud Mr. George F. Bristow will play a solo on the pianoforte. Berron’s Turaran--'' The Upper Ten Lower Tweoty” i¢ anpounced for repetition evexiog. Bourcicault’s “* Apollo in New York” will algo be played, To seo Mr. Bu:toa’s acti; these two picces is worth the price of loa. With such amattrastive programme asthe above, wichout doubt there will be a crowded attenéance, Waitacn’s THraran.—Three good pieces wil! be acted this evening, namely, the favorite comedy of the “ Bachelor of Arta,” Mr. Lester as Haery Jasper; the laughebie farce of “ Popping tho Ques tion,” and the very succesefal of “Oat on the Looee,” in which Mr. F. A. Vinceat will appear. Marnoroniran Tararrr—The farewell beneiit of Mr. Andersom wili take piace this evening. Bulwer’s “ Nady: of 8,” aud the “ Elder Bro- ther,” will be played. In the first piers Mr, Andor- eon plays Clande Meinotte, as: by Mrs. F. Con- way 28 Pauline Deschapelles, and ia the last he performs the part of the Lider Brother. Awtxicas Meseum—aA geod afternoon and ever- ing perfo macce will be given thisday. Mr. J. R. Scott wiil appear in the evening as Phillip, in “Luke the Laborer,” assisted by O, W. Clare as Luke. The musical farce of sid of the Mountain” will follow. “Adele” and “To Oblige Benson” in the aiternoon, Mxowssics’ Hatt.—Wood’s Minstrels will per- form every evening at 472 Broadway, in conse quence of the des*ractior of their old hall. The comis pantomime of “The Gold Diggers’ will be performed. Bocsier's Birena pees. —Beveral favorite songs, oboruses ami daners are in this eveniog’s pro gromme. Mr. Viaache's fairy oxtravaganas, whlob | five days wore compelied to abandon the has met with evot fl soovess, easivied “ Beanty end the Haast," will dee be played. ! vee G2,749,197 52 ime aee 1a 8,118,244 30 from 1845 to 1851, im embrace nearly six bundred thousand dollars railroad tolls. ‘The Slavery Question—North Carolina. The sabjotned resolutions on the slavery question Were introduced into the House of Commons of North Carolina, a few days since. The North Care- uad.ctlert pipeestelieap: romiomans explicit, Bn ', BBYR2—""" lutions are brief, practical. Less could not have been said, the greet points avolved in ths vital Gucetions ive 3, and the fanatibe of the free States, ‘and “those States themselves, are told, in solemn and emphatic terme, that North Carolina will resist any farther ea croachments on her constitutional rights, let on the question of Savery a subject of vital im- ae upon which Soathern men ought to Resolved, Keone pee on the part of some of the States of the North to interfere with slavery in the South, is a flagrant violation of the constita- tion of the United S.ates, and fraaght with inoaloa- lable mischief to the people of this State. Resolved, That the preservation of the rights of this State in the peaceful enjoyment of the domestic instivution of alavery is a paramount duty. Resolved, That much praise indue to the patriotic men who have boldly maintained the compromises of the constitution in the midst of the inturiated fa- naticism of the North. the Resolved, That this State is determined to‘resist enna encroachments upon her constitutional. sp That in the event the federal govern- ment repeal or impair the efficiency of the provi- sions cf the fugitive slave law, or refuse to enforce its execution in faith, it will amount to; vir- tual disaclution of the Union; aad that it will be come the duty of this state teke ench measares as may be required for our as(e*y aad scourity. in the g@ resolution si bay ing recess of ths General Assembl; ly, the Go- vernor to convene that body, to end that the Fi hts of the State may be mwiiabee. Rescived, T &@ copy of these resolutions be Executive to of the Sena- Trial for Seduction. (From the Berkshire (Mass.) Courier, Bec. 14.} A-case of unusual occurrence for baseness villany came up for-exsmimnation before Jemes H. , Esq. It seems that a fellow named Gilbert became € gor ronpgtable abd i r of respectable and vir. trial for participating in the di affair, the result of which has been $e bind hia ver moe appearance at a higher court in the sam ef Ty, 2 superintendent of the mill, was ® defsulter, and had iott for parts wa- known. Upom-inquiry we ascertained that both the igen are correct. The notes of the corporation over to-day. Mr. Brevcort loft on M miay and since thon has not been seen. On Wodneada: the company received 2 letter trom him, in wai he states thst he is a defankes, thst: he hds sold from and hae not accounted for ne: funda, bus that tre coal account is correc’. He aleoatatod that ic would be useless to pursue him, for he world not be taken alive. We have heard be defalcation estima'ed an high as $200,000, but we are withont authority far this last stetoment. Ié is probably as yet a matter of surmise. The notes of the company hava not been im good report for some time, though the stockholders are men of wealth-—Boston Gazette, A Ravine Masato rom Sereiroarisy.—The Mohawk Courier says that Nathan Wathansoa, « Germen peddier of jewelry, had been made a raving Maniac from witreasing the table moving aud rap ita bumbu; of s> cal'ed apiritnalists. He at rat derided whole thine; but at length became agitated, and went on, step by step, until he became a prere with the ides the* he was » mediam—tach bands and arms wre moved by sq; ural ine fluence—and in three weeks was a Mee waniaoe The Cold Torm. 0 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD, Sunday morning, at 2 o’clock, the temperatare felt below tho freezing point, andat midnight of Tuesday, Wednesday, reached within six degrees ‘of sere, and from 6 to 7 A. M. of Wednesday, was within three de- grees of that line, and at2P. M. rose to 14 degresa, where it rested in profound equilibrium until 36 minaves past 30’clock this morning, when it commenced rising both north and south, and at 5 reached 17 degrees. The temperature remained im equilibrium more than ‘four- teen consecutive hours, At the contro of this equill- briated term the cold passed the fourth section of the grent circle, and the sun reached the winter soistion, ‘The temperature fell one degree lower than that of Deo, 27, 1851, and three degrees lower than the 16th an@ 26th of that month. The morning preceding the com- mencement of the cycle the cold covered the flag stemeg * with crystal vines, leaves and flowers, that were aplon- didly beautiful—preven crystal flowér bode, grok of a single moor, thet to'aa inAnetioos volaciat afforded a field for Inbor that should nave beoa Improw. od. The cold is full of harmony, whether itis rest or upon the wing, and these harmonies are not hidden; it demonstrates to man that the breath of life ts frost, and that that brenth which gives wiags to thaught ts, ¢ ita pure unadulterated state, 9 spherical ceys ind each of its rays bloom with @crystalof alike fer. 7 matlon—how beatiful | Fr MRRIAM, Thursday, Dec, 21, 1564