The New York Herald Newspaper, December 23, 1854, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. 4A BSB GORDON BExn “ve, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, SFIS §. W. CORWER HASSAU 44D FOLSOM ore THIS BVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE Broadway— Bowerman Grnr— Two Bownvcaernss, sow EATRE. Se y—Onnor ov Intpamer— soy Kuve Mysrmniovs Tue OLD Oaw Onesr—Ja Faw ur KIBLO’S GARDEN, Brosdway—Somnamnutas Chambers strees- Orrxx Tx* BURTON'S THES OLLO IN New Youu. axp Lowas Twenty WALLACE’S THEATRE, Broadway—Srevv tHe PLow —Naw foornan. bn; { METROPOLITAN THEATRE, Brosdway—Tiix Lavy or | Lvone—Expen Borner. AMERICAN MUSEUM— Afterncen—Danow avn Pyrmcas Bvenmg— Ros Rov. woop’s VARIETIES Mechanics’ Hall, 672 Broadway. | S$ OPERA HOUSE, 63 Brosdway—Bvex- nan Orens TRovurs. Hew York, Saturday, December 23, 1854. The News, ‘The steamship Washington, due at this port from Burepe, }ad not been telegraphed at two o'clock thie morning. The America had not made her ap- pearance a; Hal-fax at four o'clock yea'erday after- moon. | is deemed probable, therefore, that she as been taken up by the British government to | ecnvey troops tothe Crimea. Our despatches state ‘that a terrific anow storm raged st the Eastward yesterday afternoon, and that telegraphic commu- mication had been temporarily obstructed. @ur correspondent in St. Domingo City far- wishes an important letter, dated the 22d of No- vember, which we publish to-day. It appears tha‘ ‘te Cazneau treaty wasall ready, and to havebsen signed on the 8th of September, but for the inter. ference of the English and French Consuls, and the appearance in the harbor of an allied squadron of five men of-war, with a de laration, in terrorwn, to ‘the Emperor Soulougus, that three more were daily expected. This caused the postponement of the ‘weaty ratification; but the question was to be again taken up in an extra session of Congress on the ‘27th ultimo. | is quite evident that the Enropean allies intend to attemp! to cure the constitationslity ef Hayti by the eame course of treatment which they have pursued in the case of the “sick man of Turkey,” viz.: py destroying th: independence of ‘the Emperor; for we read that the Freach Consul eaused the publication of a loca! newspaper to be suspended for ‘‘its Yankee principles,” and bad the | American fisg hanled down from the fort on a @ay of genera! rejoicing. However, we erall see the end. One million worth of counterfeit dollars, $mtended for circulation in Hayti, had een seized, enclosed in caeke of codfish, on board a vessel from | Bt. Thomas. In the Serna’e yesterday the bill for removing ob stroctionr in the Southwest Pas3 of the Mississippi yiver was made the sp:cial order for January 9. A bill nxing the calories of Jadzes of the Supreme and District Courts, and of the Orphans’ Court of the District of Columbia, was repored. Without trans acting any other busines: the Senate, in accord ance with previous understanding, adjourned to ‘Poesday next. Ip the House yeeterday the resolation authorizing ‘the President to take measures to procure the erec- tioo of @ lighthonse a Cape Race, Newfound ani, ‘was adopied by a vote of seventy-zight to fiity-swo. th was opposed by Messrs. Smith aud MvMuiles, of Virginia, as being the com nensement of a system ‘to build foreign ligh’honses, and as being nove! and wopr-cedented. fhe bill reorganizing the cra of ‘the District of Columbia was paseed by » vore of one hurdred and thirteen t) thirty-five. Tne rezort of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey was pre sented, and a motion to print ten thousand c spies eof it, with the plates, to b> divided equally between the House and the Survey Office, was referred to the Commities on Printing. A biil making aporo priations for the Post Office Department, aad the ‘travepertation of the mails by ocean steamers and tberwise, was reported and referred. After con- sidering several private bills in committee of the whole, the House adjourned to Toesday next. The Beard of Aldermen met last evening and twapsacted a great deal of busines:. The resig nation of Alderman Trowbridge, of the Tenth ward, tendered some months ago in consequence of ill bealth, was permitted to be withdrawn, the Alier- man feeling himself sufficiently restored to attend te bis dutie». The appropriation of the Coancii men ef $10,000 for the association for the relief of the poor, was concurred in after an ineffectual effort to Iacrease the sum to $20,000; the Board also 3on- earred in the vote of $125,000 for the Commissioners of the Almsboure in advance of the regular annual appropriation. The matter of appointing police @erks was set down for Monday next, and the Board sdjourned to that day. "The Gupervigors were in session yesterday s{ter moos, A communiczaticn from the Comptroller, re- fusing to pay the clerk of the Board of Coun:y Can- ‘vacsers $200, as ordered by the Councilmen, wi3 veceived and referred. ‘The Board of Councilmes met last evening, and acted upon a number of reports relating principally to streete. Some disturbance arose, occasioned by the interference of a portion of the audience with ‘the proceedings of the body while the question of opening Albany street through Crinity Churchyard was under consideration. Some insinuations were made that disorderly persons were brought in tae @ouncil Chamber by the opponents of the bill, while ‘the facta were that they came from the adjourned meeting in the Park, uusolicited by any one, and strolied into the Council Chamber without any pre vious knowledge of what was going on in that body. The subject was finally postponed til) Tues- day next. A small attempt of an infernal machine was tried Inst evening, in the building No. 5 Chatham square. i went off, but whether to the satisfaction of the operator, we are unable te say. No lives lost—ba eensiderable alarm was caused among the inmate: of the premises. A report of the affair is in another eckamn. ‘The December term of the Court of General Ses sens closed yesterday. Charles A. Peverelly, con vieted of an attempt to bora down his store, No. 147 Pront street, was sentenced by Judge Beebe to four yearn and six months hwprisomment at bard labor fm the State prison. Previous to their being dis. charged, the Grand Jury made an important pre- sentment, which will be found in another part of ‘this morning’s paper. The Recorder thanked them for the unusual attention they tad given to the ba- tivess of the term, during which they had found 216 indictments and dismissed 56 complaints. ‘The harbor of Brunawick, Georgia, the port at which a naval station in proposed, has twenty-four feet water on the bar at high t de; and recently the ship Agn’s, of Boston, drawing twenty-one fees of water, and loaded with ,300 tons of railroad iron, went over the bar at ebb tide, and entered the har bor without ® pilot. It will be seem that there is water : hough on the bar for the largest class vessel ® war. The four market closed firm,and with an up- ward tendency in prices. Pretty free salea of ccmmen State brands were made, and also of Cane dian, both in bond and duty paid. Southern braads were also in good demand. Wheat was scarce and firm, especislly prime white. Corn closed at 9°. 0 90c., wich Foldera at $1 0 $102. Mess pork was uli at $12 683. About 1,000 bales of cotton were old, pert for export, and at a farther advance wt | cent. We publish eive where some additional partioaars apecting recently wrecked veanels, molodiag a tuemen’ by Or. Macfa lan, of the St, Patslok, «) veriblog the siraadivg of that ship, By the av » tbte ahuded to it will be reen that the unforta- os petwengere On board that vessel saffered se _Venturersand the aiministration. verely at ths banis of the seamen. “he chivalry } | of Jack Tar seems imdeed to have departed. Searrely a » bipwreck oczura that we are rot com pelled to chrozicle barba ities committed by sa men upon parsengers "ba would disgrace an A- | gerixe. We trust the antiovities will ake cogat- zance of these ontragrs, and bring the perpet-ators to coudiga pun shment. The forty-sighth anuiversary of the New England Bcciety wae celebrated last evenin by @ graud banquet at the Astor House Moses H. Grina-ll, President of the Soce y, wa: in the chair, and nu- merous distinguished guesta were presea’ Many | able speeches were made, abstracts of which, tog | | ther wih a description of the dinner, will bs found | in another part of to-dsy’s paver. Sena or Soward took this oppo:tunity to make a forions onslausht upen the Know Nethings. ‘The Colonel Kinney Expedition and the Ad ministration—Strong Symptoms of a War with England and France. According to our special advices from Wash- ington, weich we publi:h this morning, the projected colonization expedition of Colonel Kinsey io Central America is beginning to aweken something of a sensation in our federal ¢apital. Nor can any one be surprise! at it, after a moment's reflection upon the intimate relations subsisting between tsese Central ad- We have gt length a satisfactory clew to the otherwise absurd and inexplicable bombardment of Greytown. That act of unaathorized war was but the prelude to others upon a larger scale comprehended in the general programme, which is now pretty fully developed in connec- tion with this Kinney expedition. The Presi- dent’s official organ at Washington endorses the scheme, and though it disclaims an en- dorrement in behalf of the administration, it is very unlikely that it would venture upon a step so bold and decided as to puff it to the best of its ability without the approval of Jeff. Davis, Cushing, Forney, and tue Kitchen Cabi- net. From this point let us briefly glance at the bearings and probable consequences of this startling enterprise of Colonel Kinney and company. The history of Texas is, doubtless, the guid- ing star to this maznificest scheme. The libe- ration of Texas was effected by colonists and means and muoitions of war from the United States. The complete success of that enter- prise and of its military chieftain, Gen. Hous- ton, might well tempt » more pradent and cau- tious man than Col. Kinney to strike, upon the first opportunity, for the high distinctions achieved by the hero of San Jacinto. We re- member well the facts connected with the libe- ration of Texas. The funds for that important movement, toa very material extent, were loaned from the New York Custom Honse—public funds advanced in a private way. The subse- quent deficiency in the returns to the Treasury Department from the cusioms here, of a million and a quarter of hard cash, is mainly chargea- ble to Texas; but how much of the other three or four millions of the official defalcations which signalized Mr. Van Baren’s administra- | tion was diverted to the same channel we have | no means of estimating. It is enough that pri- | vate advances from our public treasury largely aided in securing the independence and the an- pexation of Texas, and that these loans and these achievements resulted also in the subse- quent acquisition of New Mexico, Utah, and the | gold country of California. Thus the Treasary bas been amply reimbursed for its losses, vast regious have been opened to American civiliza- | tion and enterprise, and the world in general has shared the benefits ot the liberation of Tex- as by private subscriptions from the funds of the public Treasury of the United States. Results so splendid, so prodigious, so sub lime, so beneficent in their extent, their de- velopements, and their operations, might wel, we say, captivate such a dashing Texas cava lier as Col. Kinney. What has been once ac complished may be doneagain. A theory sest- ing upon a successful experiment is founded | upon the basis of “a fixed fact,” and must be goo}. But, unfortunately, there is a wide difference between the Austin colony of Texas and the Cooper and Cost Johnson purchase in Central America. In the former case there was no foreign power in the way of a revelu- tionary invasion, except the feeble and cen- temptible power of Mexico. So the stalwart American colonists in Texas made short work with Santa Anna, and Texas became an inde- pendent republic upon the successful issue of a ingle battle. Now, what is the case in reference to this Central American adventure? The Kitchen Cabinet may be willmg to advance funds from the twenty millions surplus in the Treasury, after the example of the sub-treasurers of Van Boren’s administration; but they seem to overlook the important fact that this Col. Kinney scheme bears no eort of analogy to the case of Texas. It much more closely resembles the Lopez expeditions for the liberation of Cuba; the experiments of Cara- vajal on the Rio Grande, and the late invasion of Lower California and Sonora by the intrepid but unsuccessful Col. Walker. England has an interest, genuine or fictitious; but she has an interest in this Mosquito coast; and France and England, according to recent declarations in Parliament, have a joint interest in the valance of power down there. We are involved in taeaties and negotiasions with England upon Central American affairs. The Greytown bom- bardment has resulted in large accessions to the English Gulf equadron—accessions which have come, and are coming. Our own naval foree in the same quarter, near this very Mos- quito purchase, is to be strengthened beyond al} the necessities for a peace establishment. What follows? Col. Kinney’s colonists at- tempt to occupy their territory derived from the late Mosquito king. The present Mosquito king remonstrates against this army of occupa tion—England protests—the English fleet is brought to bear—our own ficet comes to the de fence of the colonists. A naval battle is the consequence. We are in for it. France sides with her present ally; and thus, without the au- thority of Congress, but solely from the unsa- thorized acts of the administration, we shall have the benefit of a war with England and Irance for the relief of Gen. Pierce and his Cabinet. The Greytown affair, of itself, has resalted in the mustering at that point of American and English ships of war, which signifies anything bat peace, Col. Kinney and his colony of one or two thousand mep, for the armed occupation of the Cooper purchase, may very quickly re- duce the existicg imbroglio to the arbitramept of gunpowder. We know that France and Eng- land sre prepared to resist sny attempt like those forays of Lopez for the liberation of Cuba. What is there in this Kinney expedition to exempt it from the eame treatment? Is England or France likely to discover or regard the dictinction ? Let projected expedition of Ool. Kianey | Cabinet with this Kinney expedition | diated and be carried out, and its first result wil probably bs wn valiaitl, a Gre town. Th: late wim bardment at thst plac wl omoorts spirit to w seri an 82 the Eoslieh - there Waters; and & Sich Spark Mey serv 4.0: a blaze of war waich will only be iia ort in its area by the boundarics of the eoumer of the globe. From present appearaie:s | is quite possible that within three months the affiliations of the Cabinet and Koivu may involve us iu a@ war with England and raves. Such are the tendencies of the atrocious | wickedness, the painful imbecility, and tue reckless desperation of this publicly repu fallen administration. Let Jupgiess @b onc: svesk upm the subject of his projected exyd-tion, before the govern- ent, the country, the Tressary, our peace nd our world wide commerce, are all i.volred in the entanzlements of & ,eners! war, result ing from the agencies o¢ the Cabinet in this wild goose speculating s :beme for the liveration of Central America. The Case of the Belgtans—Pauper Immigrants. It may or may not be that the Belgians whose examination will be found elsewhere were convicts in their own country; they may have been nothing more than paupers charge- able on the commune where they lived: hut certain it is that they were not the class of men which, at this moment, it is to the benefit of this country to import. Operations and enter- prises of every kind are suspended from want of money, the demand for raw labor has ceased almost entirely, and an influx of foreign pau- pers is sure to result in distress both to them- selves and to the country, Under any circum- stances, therefure, it would be competent aad judicious for the authorities to endeavor to prevent the importation of that class of immi- grants, at all events until the times have changed and the demand for lubor has revived. But the case must be viewed in another point of view. Whatever may be thought of the defence made by the Betgians, it is proved be- yond a doubt that tuey were shipped from Eu- rope by the police of their own country, and their passage to America paid by the commanal treasuries. The act of emigration, if nos compul- sory, was at least not spontaneous with them it was plainly the resalt of « calculation by the government, which showed that it would be cheaper to pay their expenses across the Atlantic than to maintain them uader duress of ‘some kind or other at home. Sending them to us was, in fact, the cheapest way of getting rid of them, and hence it was adopted. This is not the first case of the kind that has come under public notice. Shipments of paupers to America by tne unions in Ireland and Scotland were common enough | until within the last year. France, pursuing the policy which furnished wives to the first settlers of Acadia and Louisiana, had often sent a stealthy shipload of pickpockets and vagabonds to the United States: Culifornia | especiadly has been peculiarly favored in this way. There are grave reasons for suspecting that a similar practice bas prevailed not only in Belgium but in various parts of Germaay. Whea the jails have been inconveniently fali of prisoners for minor delinquencies, an emi } grant ship has been chartered, and the scamps thrust on board, iree to pursue their calling in America. Thus it has happened that New York bas served Europe as a sort of penal colony. and it some steps be not taken te put a stop to the system, is likely to continue to do so ia fature. Small blame—this being the case—that Mr. Mateeli’s semi-annual reports should show such an astounding amount of crime in the city. Little wonder that while the foreign pooula ton of the city is to the natives as three to five, crimes committed by foreigners should be to those committed by natives as seven to three. There can be no question but this sort of immigration is highly injurious. Nor can any doubt be eutertained of the right of our »thor- ities to put an end to it. Steady, respectable men, whether from Germany, Engla:.) i rance or Ireland, it may be advantageous, under ordinary circumstances, to invite to settle in the United States; but the offscouring of European jails can never be a.) ving but a curse, which government is bou.d to avert from the country. European yovern- ments may be suffered to gratify their vislike of the United States by attempting to sow discord between North and South; but when it comes to sending us not only their paupers but the nondescript classes which at home are kept under the eye of the police, it is hign tine that Congress should interfere. A more vigilant Executive would doubtless make the recent case the subject of a strong representation to the Belgian government through our Coarge. As Mr. Pierce will pro- bably do nothing of the kind, the matter will be left for adjudication to the members of Congress. The present is a peculiarly favor- able time for a full consideration of the ques- tions involved. Independently of the necessity of guarding against an increase of misery through the hard times, the prevalence of the Know Nothing feeling will naturally tend to draw attention to this flagrant abuse of the laws on immigration and naturalization. It is clear that some closer restrictions on the in- flux of foreigners are needed : whether in the shape of further bonds to be exacted from ship owners, or in some other form, Congress mst decide. Nor will the fact, serving as it does ae an index toe system of which we can oaly conjecture the extent, be without weight whev the time comes for discussing the requisite change in the law which grants to foreigners the privileges of American citizenship. Rewier ror THe Poor.---It is pleasing to see that s movement has been made in several wards to appoint committees for the relief of the poor and destitate during the coming win- ter. The action already taken should be fol- Jowed up in every ward of the city. People should be called upon to subscribe according to their means, and the money placed in the hands of ward committees, composed of re- spectable men, politicians being expressly ex- clnded. This much can and should be done without delay. If porsible, the city should commence the public works it requires at once; the new City Hall would give employment to thousands. To the government it were of course futile to apply. There are in the treasury twenty-five millions in gold—enough to support all the poor im the United States during the winter; but the people will starve before s dollar comes forth. The key of the treasury chest only turns in the lock when rogues at Washington crave planer, or a foreign despot, like Santa Anna, asks for a gift to enable him to consolidate despotism oa our borders. j etannval ves gen ont e subject of grant The Gadsden Purchase and the Policy of the Spoils Cabinet. The cou‘i-us langusge of the President in his ing lands for railroad pur «ses, coupled with | ne sly “dig? ef Mr, Secretary Gathrie at the | banks, is suggestive of some ulterio* motive not immediately transparen’, but which we hope will be made so durin: the pres:o* session of Congress. For the purpose of aiding in this in- vestigation we propose to enlighten our readers by a vimple statemen: of facts, which the ed ministration wil. hardly have the tewerity vo | deny. Near'y ‘our years ago, Major Steen, of the United Stites Dragoons, for varded to Wasbing- tou from Fort Fil mo,e—aema!! outpost on the southern confines of New Mexico—an elaborate report on the silver and ¢»pper mines or tha’ region, ami e@sprcialy aiung the mountain slopes that form the nort era boundary of the Mesilla Valley. This he accompanied with numerous specimen: of great richaess, gathered not only with his owa hanie, but purchased trom the Indiana, It is well :o remember these facts, since they reveal to us the secret history of many acts of Mc. Fillmore’s admiaistratioa. Coupling this evidence of the mineral richés of that country with the dispute then existing among the Boundary Commissioners as to the initial point of the survey, Mr. Webster, as Se- cretary of State, predicated the American claim to the Mesilla Valley, and laid the prelimi- nary train for the negotiation that has since resulted in securing to the United States the tract ceded by the Gadsden treaty. It is here, in fact, that that famous convention had its igin. orfas so carefully were the avenues of intelli- gence guarded at Washington, that the revela- tions of Major Steen (as well as of those sent out subsequently to corroborate his statements), were transferred from the archives of the War Depertment to those of the Presidential man- sion, where they have since remained, unkaown even to the most confidential clerk in;the War office. The reasons for this secresy were ob- vious:—first, becau-e our claim to the territory was denied by Mexico, whose cupidity it was not policy to excite; and secoad, because the Union wasthen agitated by a political turmoil growing out of the admission of California, that tasked the energies of the administration to a degree that rendered them powerless for the consummation of a single mea:ure. The anomalous history of the gold regions on the Pacific—the rapidity of their settlemeat —their sudden transformation toe mighty State, so abundant in wealth as to dictate a fianancial policy to the Union—nay, more than this, the very terms upon which alone she would confe:s allegiance to the constitution, were circumstances weil calculated to make even @ man like Daniel Webster pause. The violentissues between the North and the South, arising from this sudden introduction of a fall grown State into the con- federacy with a constitution prohibiting slave- ry, made it the height of madness to attempt another blow on the portals of the Union. The scheme of amalgamating politics and minerals was therefore abandoned, and the feeble ener- gies of Mr. Fillmore’s administration were di- rected to a preservation of its golden secret, and to a peaceful adjustment of our difli- culties with Mexico. Unfortunately, however, for theconsummation of these objects, stase of anarchy prevailed, and s0 distracted the neighboring republic that the crowning hopes of Mr. Webster’s life perished in the same grave with his political aspirations. Itis unnecessary to recapitulate the over throw of the whig party that almost imme- diately followed the passage of the compromise measures, or to refer to the intervening cir- cumstances that protracted 80 long the gather- ing up of the arteries left untied by the outgo ing administration. Neither is it requisite to inquire how soon the band of “spollsmen,” whom the new President summoned to his council board, began 10 ransack the vacated chambers ot the White House. It is sufficient for us to know that among the earlie.:. acts of Gen. Pierce’s Cabinet was the re-aseertion of our claim to the Mesilla, aad the accomplish- ment of the Gadsden treaty as eon as there was a treaty making power in Mexice. Of the capacity of this region to contribute vast quantities of the precious metals we are assured the administration have the most abnnagnt proots, not only in the smothered re- ports of Major Steen, (who asserts that the out-croppings of silver ore are s0 ‘“umerous, and the metal so pure, as to be clipped trom the rocks in masses with a common sword,) but from sources equally unquestionable. Independently of this, however, the minerai riches of Northern Mexico are matters of hie tory. The Spamards found it profitable two hundred years ago to pack the ore on the backs of mules and transport it a distance of 1,500 miles over the wild regions of Chihuahus and Durango. The consummation of General Gadsden’s treaty did not, however, wholly ripen the pear. Other considerations of magnitude presented themselves to the mind of General Pierce and his coadjutors in this complicated game of poli tica and plunder. Ostensibly, and, in fact, negotiated for the purpose of giving a southern direction to the Pacific Railroad, the treaty indistinctly fore- shadowed hopes more immediately consonant with the cardinal tenets of democratic faish— the ultimate establishment of a apecie currency in the United States, a measure that is to be reached by a gratuitous cancellation of the gov- ernment bonds, and by means of @ greati¢ re- duced tariff, The silence of the administration about the resources of this Mexican purchase, to say the least of it, looks suspicious; and now tuat the Nebraska bill, which only received an endorse ment from Gen. Pierce’s Cabinet because it settled the priuciple upon which the new State of Mesilla is to be ushered into the Union, has removed the great political obstacles in the way of its settlement, and the President has declared himeelf against the granting of lands tor railroad parposes, we see no reason for keeping back a discovery fraught with so much benefit to the country. How muob longer an effort will be made at Washington to conceal the treasures found among the musty papers of Mr. Fillmore remains to be seen. Perhaps the Kitchen Cabinet indalge the hope until the eve of the next Presidential canvass, when the mine will be sprang upon the country, with the ex- pectation of rallying the party under the banners of the present incumbent. Let the reports of Major Steen be at once exhumed. W. H. Sewanp axp Tas Kyow Noramos — We give in our cotumns to-day an article tron the National Democrat, @ bard shell paper pub)iehed in this city, touching the chances ot Seward in the Assembly against the Kaow Nothings. The Democrat doubta the practical strength of the Kaow Nothings agsinst the re-election of Sewa:d. We, too, have our mis- givings upon the rubject. But the Know No- things are very sanguine. They have counted notes. We bave publi-hed their estimates and calculations a3 we have received them, and await the test ia the Legislature. We hope they may succeed; but the case is in their hands, The issue is of she highest importance —they know it, and ve await the result. Banks In THE District oF Couumata. —While Congress is engage? on the subject of banks | it would be we)l for some member to furnish us with a detailed sketch of the history of the house of Selden, 'Vitbers & Co., which has re- cently failed so lamentably, owing everybody, and having little or no assets. It seems that this house bad no capital but what it had con- trived through former Kitchen Cabinets to ob- tain from the U.S. Treasury and from the State of Virginia. It was closely connected with the prezent Kitchen Cabinet, and if Mr. Guthrie had not insisted on withdrawing the government monies, Forney and all the others would doubtless have been still hand and glove with the house. Altogether, the developements which @ thorough inguiry would bring to light woukd well repay the trouble. THE LaTEST NEWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Non-Arrival of the European Steamers. Portianp, Dec. 22—11 P. M. ‘There were no signs of the America at Halifax at half- past four o’clock this afternoon, since which time the | telegraph in the neighborhood of Bangor has been down, and there are but slight chances of the line resuming work before to-morrow morning. Nothing has been heard of the Saran Sands at this port up to the present moment. Sanvy Hoox, Dec 22—11 P. M. The steamship Washington has not yet bern signalived off this port. Lively News from Washington. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. THE KINNEY CENTRAL AMBRICAN EXHIBITION—GA- THERING OF A WAB CLOUD ROUND ABOUT GRRY- TOWN—HIGHLY INTERESTING DUSL IN EMBRYO— ENEMY WAITING THE ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SAM HOUSTON—OLD SAM’S JUNCTION WITH THB BAP- TIST CHURCH SUPPOSED TO BE A DODGE, ETO., ETC. Wasuivaton, Dec, 22, 1854. The projected colonizing expedition of Colonel Kinney to Central America is exciting quite a seasation here as well as elsewhere, It is generally believed that the ad- ministration is virtually pledged to see Colonel Kinney safely installed in his new republic. Unquestionably the Kitchen Cabinet hold s large amount of aympath, J and perhaps, also, of stock, in this grand adventure. The plan is to send down one or two thousand men, armed and equipped, to plant ‘the colony. Having first obtained a foothold in the Mosquito purchase, they are forthwith to begin ‘the extension of the ares of free- dom,” and to keep it up till all the Central American States ure absorbed in this Cooper, Cost Johnson and Kinney republic. ‘The ginews of war are to be derived from the stock of the thirty-five million acre tract, which the company suppos@ they own down there. It is also understood here that Secretary Dobbin is to make a diversion in favor of the new colony, in the concentration of all the available ships of the home squadron, as a check upon the English and French, whose naval force in that quarter, as you are well aware, is in process of being largely increased. So you see that in this Kinney scheme we have the promising nest egg fora naval collision with France and England. Thus, too, you will perceive that the bombardment of Greytown had a mean- ing in it, and an object in view of the largest dimen- sions, and of the most belligerent character. ‘The pext most prominent topic of conversation here is an impending personal declaration ot war against Gen. Sam Houston. It isan affair which has been held in suspense fora good many years, but which « certain apeech within the last year of Houston's has brought to a crisis, Some of the old founders of the Texas republic are implicated. With the arrival of Houston, General Branch T. Archer, of Virginia, one of their number, will wait upon Houston, with the usual military document im such cases; and, since the extraordinary affair beween Breckenridge and Cushing, the curious are very anxiously awaiting the denouement. General Houston, meantime, apprised of his danger, has been settling up his affairs with this world, and preparing himself for the sublime contingencies of the world to come. He has lately became a member, in full communion, of the Baptist Chureb, and has been baptized by immersion in some one of those beautiful fresh water rivers of Texas, which maintain a pleasant temperatare even till Christ- mas. Salt water baptism is not considered orthodox among the old side Texas baptists. There are some cen- sorious’ people here, however, who suppose that this religious movement of Old Sam isa dodge—that be has joined the church to avoid the ‘bloody ground” of Bla- densburg. Very few are willing to bet that the prudent old Senator will come up to the scratch. To be sure, the ac- ceptance or refusal of a challenge is no test of a man’s courage, and both for his country and upon his own private account, Houston has shown heretofore that he is no coward, Still it is supposed that he is now holding off, and will for » month or two keep to the windward of Washing- ton, on account of the belligerents whom he knows to be here waiting for bim. It ia understood that, instead of coming directly on, he will strike up the Mississippi, and through Ohio to Cleveland, thence circuitously to New York city, where, in pursuance of an invitation from E. C. Delavan, he will Jecture on temperance; thence it is expected he will make the detour of the New England States as s lecturer in behalf of the Know No- things. But if he waits till the end of the session he will probably receive Gen. Archer among his firat visi- ‘tera to congratulate him on his return. So he might as well come on without farther delay. If he is fearfal of personal violence, will not the laws protect him ? ARRIVAL OF MR. ATCHISON—GOV. STEPTOR—STEAM- BOAT BURNED—SUPREME COURT PROOKEDINGS. Wasuivaton, Dec. 22, 1854. Senator Atchison arrived here to-day, and took his neat in the Senate. The Union of this morning publishes officially the confirmation of Col. Steptoe ss Governor of Utah, vice Brigham Young. He is to assume the office immediately. ‘The steamboat Union, belonging to Page & Cv., caught fire at her wharf yesterday, and after burning for awhile filled with water, and sunk. No person on board of her was injured, Railroad passengers, in consequence of it, had to take stages to convey them to Alexandria. Tn the Supreme Court, the case of William Fouataia, appellant, ve. William Ravenel, was taken up. Arga- ment concluded by Mr. Petigru for the appellee. Ad- journed to Tuesday. Dreadfal Accidents on the Central Railroad. Syracuse, Dec. 22, 1854. ‘The express train on the Central road coming east this morning ran against a sleigh team, and the horses, in consequence, becoming unmanageable, the man who was driving them was thrown out upon the track, when the locomotive passed over him, mangling him in a most horrible manner. His head and legs were completely severed from his body. The accident eecurred between Syracuse and Rochester. A German, whose name is unknown, was run over aod Killed by the express train from the East, this afternoon, near Wampeville, on the Ceatral railroad. He was waik- ing on the track at the time. From Buffalo. ICHBOUND VES@BL8 IN LAKE 8GIB—sUFrERING AMONG THEIR CREWS, ETC. Burrato, Dec, 22, 1854, ‘We have intelligence of considerable suffering among the crews of different vessels ice-bound in Lake Erie, off Malden, and between Point au Pelee and the shore, They are supposed to be suffering from hunger. Flags of dis- ‘trens are flying from many of them. All efforts to get steamer to them through the ice have as yet proved un- availing. Means are now being taken to reach them in mal! boats, Slate ot the Weather. Oapansngea, Doc. 22, 1854. ‘The weather continues ms Sauaheoty ooh Bere the ther. Memeter indicating 20 w zero this morning. wat coals ryents morsing the is an morning the thermometer ‘was 16 degrees below sero. Ox Srrivarre.n, Dec. Tt is mowing ae The thermometer Mande oie, 10 de- : idea? Boston, Dec, 228,45 P, M. It ia now apowing hard bere’ ‘ DESTRUCTION OF THE MANORESTER PRINT WORKS— Loss $100,000. Proviperce, Dec. 22, 1854. The cloth printing establishment, known as the Man chester Print Works, situated in Smithfield, owned prin cipally by and under the control of Theodore Schroeder, Esq., was entir-ly consumed yesterday evening. ‘The fire broke out about seven o'clock, while the works were lighted up aud in running order; and, al- though the force pumps were in excellent condition and were immediately brought into requisition, such was the intensity of the cold, avd combustible nature of the ma~ terials in the process of printing, that all efforts to sub- due the flames proved entirely fruitless. ‘The main building, containing the machinery, the packing room, the builer house, (one of the best of its kind to be found in any establishment in the country), the geer house and raising room, two dry sheds and the office or counting room, were entirely consumed, The books and papers of the concern were all saved, but ina charred condition, Some thirty thousand pieces of goods, in the various stages of finishing, valued at over fifty thousand dol- lars, were either totally destroyed or materially damaged. A large amount of drugs were also consumed, the value of which has not been ascertained. ‘The total loss is estimated at $100,000. The iasurance on the building, machinery, copper rollers, drugs and packages of goods, is $35,000, There ie an insurance on the goods also in this city of $47,400, and $21,900 in the cities of Hartiord and Springfield. From DESTRUCTIVE FIRE—BAILROAD ACOIDENT:. ParLapEtruts, Dec. 22, 1854. The extensive store of Messrs, Parvin & Buck, corner of Twelfth and Chestnut streets, was destroyed by fire this morning. Loss $9,000. The adjoining building, formerly occupied by Sandford’s opera troupe, and burned down a year since, was considerably damaged. ‘The locomotive attached to the early York train broke: down at Spotawood. ‘The passengers had to be taken: back, but no one was injured. From Baltimore. CONVICTION OF WM. H. MARTIN—MISSING MAIL FROM NBW YORK—BURGLAR ARRESTED. Baurimore, Dec. 22, 1854. Wm. H. Martin, formerly clerk in the Post Office of this city, was to-day convicted on the charge of ab- stracting the contents of the letters passing through hia hands. The mail which left New York on the 18th inst. for this city, containing a large amount of money, is mies- ing. It is supposed to have gone to New Orleans. The burglar who robbed the store of W. P. Ponders of silks and satins, to the value of $4,000, was arrested last. night, and a large portion of the goods recovered. From Charleston. ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER NASHVILLE-—REPORTBID FAILURE. Cuarizston, Dec. 22, 1854. The steamship Nashville arrived here to-day after a passage of forty-nine hours from New York. It was reported to-day that another large cotton house of this city bad failed. The Railroad Excurstonists. Ctevatan, Dec. 22, 1854. ‘The railroad excursionists from Philadelphia arrived here at 11 o’clock this morning, and were received by our city authorities, A public dinner was given them this afternoon, at which Mayor Brownell presided, who- warmly welcomed them in an eloquent speech, which ‘was duly responded to by many of the excursionists. Markets. PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. Dee. 22,1854. | i ase rr Canal, 1g; Long’ fy Log Toland Rall ronisine my orris rom Pein, RR Co., 405; Penn, eto ta Pe Dec. 21, 1854. The prices of cotton are pik to-day, but not quota- bly lower. The sales add up 9,000 bales. in quoted at 8c. Bacon sides, 6c. Lard, 10c. Freight=. are without change, Citarieston, Dec, 22, 1854. The cotton market was somewhat depressed to-day. The sales amounted to 200 bales, at nominal prices. Harp Tnoss ar Tux TuxaTres,—The general depres- sion im commercial affairs has extended throughout the community; and, for the past week or two, has begun to tell upon the receipts of the theatres and other places of public amusement. Appear— ances now indicate that the worst is to come. The theatres on the east side of the city have been suffering under the pressure for the past month; at the Bowery salaries bave been reduced one-third, andat the National’ they have been paid irregularly or not at all. Many of: the mechanics wko usually patronise these theatres are out of employment, and others save every cent they can. get in order to have some resource should the har time continue. A very neat German theatre in the Bowery has failed to receive adequate support, and the St. Charles. theatre has been for some months without a tenant. The Broadway theatres are in a little better condition, although they also have suffered from a lack of patron- age. During this week business has been bad all around, although extraordinary inducements have been held out. ‘The Broadway theatre bas drawn mere auditors than any other, but the manager is under the very heavy expense of two companier—the Pyne opera troupe, and the regn lar corps dramatique. The attendance at the other theatres has been much below the average of the holiday season, and green room rumor speaks reduction of rals- ries all around. The cause of the small receipts at the theatres is found in the general dullness of business, and the gloom of the panic which has settled upon the community. The ma- Bagers must be content to put up with a slight Joss, aa the past two seasons were very profitable. Detars on Ramnoaps.—We have received a protest, signed by a large number of persons resident in New York, New England and the Canadas, complaining of the irregularities and delays which exist on the railroad Hines leading to the North. From their statement it would appear that, owing to a disagreement between the St. Lawrence and Champlain and Vermont Centray Anes, they have refused to connect as formerly; and consequently travellers going North are detained need_ Jessly on the road, and compelled to waste twenty-four hours in a part of the journey which was usually per- formed in five. The mismanagement of the Northero Hnea-of road—their irregularities, delays, and incon- venience—have long been notorious: the protest presenta no new features in their character. As, however, at the it mentioned, a ri ie a. hasaiec ter cartier aitone. gens pms Rissa rte Aad squabbles of the St. Law. ‘and Champlain a Vermont Central lines. Obituary. anh of the oldest residents of Damani died at that place fates = nounce the death of the 13th inst, we charge three rege only. every rashes? of fancy style equally ve, Pv ag ‘and those in want of one had better call early WHITE, 212 Broadway, corner er Fulton street, Holiday Presents.--8te: each, cents a grams, 4 vty rge size three shilling da- pee oobi ae ner $250 by taking oat once, at 4 600 ings tor Christmas iz clures at 60 Breed ke Albert H. N y will hold a eli auction sale of bond: r o'clock, at the sone oo - eager eat 4 hed quence of Monday next Pelag Coe there will bo 00 ale, en Pee Tees sale will take place ov To day, the 28th For fi ae Ds %, ‘arther particulars see his advertiae.