The New York Herald Newspaper, February 4, 1855, Page 4

) ——ptGFeaso is mainly from complaints of the throat and | 91.4 people in headlong confusion. 268 NEW YORK HERALD. JaMBS GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. BeFICR ¥, W. CORNER OF NASSSU AND FULTON STA. fae $F HERALD 4 cence per copy—B1 per a a7 LY HARALD every Satur yd -r or 83 per saxum, geen Ye gh OF ERs ed ie nen fo taclu TYERS by Muil for Subscriptions or toith Adve’. | =. de post pi's or the postage roill be feducted from w, remitted: ert : ORRESPONDENCE, containing ianpor- faews, soli tte’ from amy qusrter of the worldmtf used de liderally pid for. te” OF a Boweten CORREAPON- aralty pes Dot ote eee Nana RG AND PACK ACES ENT VG NOTICE then of anonymous Communications. We do return those rejete'. FOE PRINTING ccecuteR with neatness, chexpnest, and #5)", th AMUSKMENTS TU-MOBROW BVENING. BROAOWAY THRATHS, Broadway -Cixpenarra~ Ae iaxe a9 Two Pras, BOWERY TEBATRE Sowory—IeeLanv ap Amenica Ini Kxow Noruing -GuR Gat—Pappy Minis’ Boy, BIRTON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—Fasaion — Bamiry Jany. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Bros¢way—Tows ann Coun~ fay—Tas Crrric. METROPOLITAN TTEAT@S, Brosdway—Rqvasraiax Wanrornayces. AMERICAN KUSPOH ~ Attornoon—Annnose Gwiserr Bveniny—Usorixo Bsa) Susan. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, BUCKLEY'S OPERA HO! war's Brusovte” Orena 7 chanics’ Hall, 472 Broadway. 539 Grosdwary—Bvow our Paria 07 gy * sPQNALDSON'S OPERA HOUSE—Hopo Chapel, 713 and ‘720 Broadway. ad TO METROPOLITAN THEATR. New York, Sunday, February The News. ‘The debate upon the United States Senatorship fe the New York Assemb'y was resumed yesterday, end continued throughout she session with uaflug ging interest. We refer our readers to a report of the discussion under the proper head. In the Benate the resolution of inquiry as tothe authority Dy which Mr. thomas Danlsp acts as Comm‘asioner ef Em‘g ation, was discussed and laid on the table. Our Washingtow correspond:nt states that Dadiay Mano, our perambula‘ing Secretary of Sisto, has sesigned his office, allowing the President uatil the Ist of March to tel+ct his succes:or. The recent barge in the f reign policy of the admivistration is assigned es the raagon for Mr. Maon’s resignation. ‘The United States Senate was not in session yes. Berday. In the House the thirty-six private bills acted cn in Committee of the Waole the day pre wieus were taken up and passed. in committee, the bill extending Colonel Colt’s firearm patent seven years was taken up. (ur readers sre well aware of the charges of bribery and corraption that have deen alleged ageiast the parties iaterested in this measure, and also that a special committee was ap- pointed at the last sersion of Congress to inves'igate avd repo:t upon those charges. This comnait gee reported in part near the close of the last sesion, and riquested and ob‘ained leave to sontinue their inquiry. Since then nothing has been heard from tiem, and the dill now coms up in the regulur order of business. Mr. Pratt endorsed the honorable character of Col. Colt, sud ttated that there was not the lightest particle eftruth inthe charges alleged agaiust him. All ‘that Mr. Colt requires is, that Congress will give its opini n on the bill one way or anocher. Mr. Letcher, ebsirman of the Sole t Commit'ee, would not say ‘that Mr. Co't had acted improperly, as at the time be appeared before the Committee of Inquiry he was @ravk. The testimony taken would s20~, he sald, that Mr. Colt had no definite idea of the exyendi- tures cf hie agent. Toe assertion relative to Mr. Con’s intox'cation wus confirmed by Messrs. Eidy, Refflo, Zoic fr, and Eliot, but nrither impeached hie benor and integrity. Mr. Ejgertou made a long mpeech in favor of the patent, and gave a history 0’ ‘the lusees Mr. Colt has sastained in pertecting his invention; but before concluding his remarks the @ommittee rose and the House adjourned. The political qnack dostors of Tammany Hall, who have recent!y organized an association on the @epevsary princivle, with the humaue design of healing all the old sores, ruptures aad fracsures, simple and compound, that afflict the democratic party of this S:ate, are to hold a grand fusion do wons'ration mecting on the 7thof next moata— just at the proper time to catch a few of the stray sticks of politisal timer that will float hitserva‘d from Washing‘on upon the breakiag up of Con- gres?, The whole ‘strength of the company” will no donb’ be brought ont, in order to iasure a full hhcuse, fasion or no fusion, ‘Te sales of cotton on the spot yesterday reached 1,006 bales, at the extreme range of prices. Provi- mere withont change of m»ment, with a fair t ofsales. Flour soli to a moderate exteat, Doth to the home trade and for ex ort, a5 ad out the game rater. White Southern wheat sold a‘ $2 20, wed do. at $2 12, aad white Michigan at $2 40. Com ‘was scarce, and only one cargo of good Southern yellow 80. afloat, at $1. Sugars we-e more active, and 1,600 hhds. New Orleaas and 200 do. Cuba were | wold a steady prices. In freights, flour was engaged at le. 64.for Liverpool, with 1,000 a 1,200 boxes bacon, and some lots beef and pork, at previoas rates. Abcut ten vesecls were up for California, ‘two of which were recently on, and the remainder were advanced im load 1g. We give elsewhere some additional ex‘tratts from eur California flea reseived by the Star of the | West, among which will be found a portioa of | Governor Bigler’s message, relating to tue flaances of the Sta‘c, the condition and prospects of tie | wines, and the exports of gold dust during the past year. Amovg our extracts wil also be found some interesting statistics made up at the closs of the 7 The whole nnmber of deaths In this city during the past week, accordiog to the official rezort of the City Lospector, was 511, viz.: 87 men, 95 womea, | 172 giris avd 157 boys, showing an increase of 74 ever the mortality ot the week pravions. This | Jungs, diseases of the stomach and bowels, and | wtidborn child ‘There were 6 deaths of apoploxy, | 13 of bronchitis, 5 of congestion of the lungs, 61 of eonsumption, 55 of infammstion of the luags, 7 of | wongestion of the bain, 10 of diarrhoea, 21 of dropsy gm the head, 10 of dysentery, 14 of typhus fever, 7 of disease of the heart, 19 of inflammation of the brain, 7 of pe’sy and 2 of smallpox—the first caves of this discase reported for several weeks. Thera were 11 deaths from ex‘erna ‘and violent causes. Of the total of deaths 323 ere children under ten sears of ago, aud of this wumber 41 died of convalsions, 17 of croup, 10 of Aebility, 34 of scarlet fever, 6 of hoopiag cough, 26 of maresmus, § of measles, and 3 of ‘Phere were also 7 promatare births, and : cases of stillborn. The followiog is the classification of disctases:—Bones, joints 108; generative organs, 5; heart and blood vessels, 14; lungs, throat, Ac., 106; old age, 4, skin aad eruptive fevers, 49; stiliborn and prematare births, Al; stomach, bowels ani other digestive orgins 79; uncertain sat and general fevers grinary | 2. There were 105 deaths in the public in. stitutions—66 at the Pmigract Mospita!, and 14 at the Almshoure. The pativ.ty table gives $12 na tives of the United Sta'es, 74 of Ireland, 62 of Germany, 9 of England, and the halaace distributed among various Purspcan countries. Phe United States frigate Sabine was lavcclied from the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday forenoon. Ap account of the epe tile, aud « history of the , which dates back as far ae 1823, ia given +7 4; brain and nerves, ‘We publish to-day letters from on: corroapoadeuta Harrisburg, Philadelphis, Lancaster, Chicago, , Jacksonville and Bostm. Thoy coatain of useful end icterestiog information ro- NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 1855. #ot—a question that is occupying the ear goverpm pest at’ention of commercial men in both hemis- Pheres, and which is pow a subject of investigation 80'4 inquiry ip Congress. A miss meetivg of workingmen was held last vightin Hesterstreet, to hear the report of a com mittee who bad been rent to Wastiugton to urge oa Congress the propriety of takiog measares for the immediate relief of the unemplosed. The commit tee mode their revort throug» Mr. John Commer ford, whe dé tailed at some ‘ength tha result of bis inter views with the President aod several members of Congress. He was well received, bat nothing wos cene. It will be seon that the resolutions eulo- ¢'ze President Pierce. The outline o? a new politi- ce) organization was presented, and a series of lec- tores and other means of inflaeaciag the public drtermioed on. The steamship Union, from Havre and Cowes, srrived at toie port list night. Soe left the later port on the 18th ult. A fire occurred at No. 123 Varick street last night, during which one of the inmates of the dwelling, named Mra. Belden, was baraed to death. Av account of this dreadful catastrophe is given else* bere. Progress of Democracy In Europe. The Atrica brings us pews of the submission to the Spanish chambers of the new constitu- tion. Itis strikingly democratic in its charac- ter: its essential teatures being liberty of con- science and of the press; establistment of tho national guard; annua) meetings of the Cortes; abolition of confiscation and capital punish. ment for political offences ; subjection of the army to the control of the r2presentatives of the pecple ; and the right of the Cortes in case of need to appoint a regent for the kingdom It is assuredly difficult to conceive a monarchi- cal constitation more republican in its charac- ter than this, The measure of authority which is left to the monarch is hardly worth mention- ing. ‘Spain has been long aiming at democracy. As far back as the reigns of the two last Car- loses, the populace of Madrid, Barceluna, Cadiz and other large cities, was noted for its turbu- lent and riotous character. On several occa- sions it forced the court to bend toits will; and once even threatened the throne itself, When the wretched Carlos and still more wretched Ferdinand threw themselves into Napoleon's arms, the “common people’? of the Spanish cities sternly refueed to submit to the French yoke, and gave Joseph Bonaparte und the ge- nerals plenty of work. During the long wars which followed, there was scarcely Jess sympa- thy between the French troops and the Spanish populace than between the latter and their Englith allies, The British sought to replace the Bourbons on the throne; the Spaniards demanded democratic liberty. It was in the midst of this collision of interests that the democratic constitution of 1812 was promulgated. This charter guaranteed political and individual liberty ; but as a; that time, the great danger to be apprehended seemed to he the centralization of power in the capital— which had ruined the French repablic—the Spaniards sought, at Cadiz, to guard against this peril by investing the communal govern- ments with unusual powers. In seeking toavoid one mistake they fell into the opposite one. Their communal governmeuts were jittle inde- pendent powers, who did nothing bat quarrel togetber and thwart each other, At Ferdinand’s restoration, he would hava nothing to say at first to the constitution of 1812, and strove fora long time to govern oa the plan of his ancestors. Finding this would not ans®wr, and terrified by the outbreak of in- surrections, he consented in his false, cowardly, treacherous way to accept the democratic char- ter of Cadiz, and formally promulgated it in the towns. This did not prevent his doing his best to nullify its provisions until the French, under the Duke d’Angouléme, came to his as- sistance, and he could venture to trample his oath and the charter under foot together. For fourteen years the Spanish democracy wos silent and powerless. During the last half of this period, civil war raged and served asa safety-vent for the animal spirits of the patriots But in 1837, the liberals who supported Isabella's claims forced Queen Christina to resuscitate and coofirm the charter of 1812 at La Gravja. This con- cession to the progressistas led ultimately to the revolution of 1843, when the liberal con- stitution was again altered or revoked, and Narvaez succeeded Espartero in power. T'rom 1843 up to the present time, democratic theo- ries have been contraband in Spain. They are now revived, it seems, by the Expartero minis- try, and are ina fair way of again becoming part of the law of the land. Simultaneously with this progress of de- mccracy in Spain, a most startling change is taking place in the tone of public sentiment in England. The striking freedom of the British press has already attracted much atton- tion in this country. Partly in conseqnence of the fermentation of animal spirits conee- quent upon the war, and partly from the coa- epicnons incapacity of the present mivistry, the press has in fact taken the control of affairs out of the hands of the government, and is driving before it Queen, Cabinet, Parliament This stn- pendous power is being used by the London Times for the interests of the democracy, and to oppose and aseail the nobles. Already we have seen the 7%mes expose the pitiable mean- ness of the rulo of the Horse Guards which | forbids generals from noticing in their des- patches the bravery or good conduct of private soldiers. Passing from this to other branches of the military service, it has attacked with proper virulence the absurdity of the present system of favor, patronsge and by which commissions in tbe British army are obtained, and showa how the democratic plan on which the French army is managed is the true ond only cause of the great superiority of Conrobert’s foree to Lord Raglan’s, These are only two points: many others might be mon- tioned, which indicate most plainly the power- ful democratic tendencies of the leading organ of Britich opinion. Nor is the phenomenon wholly confined to Englard. In France and Germany similar, thovgh less decided symptoms of a renaissance of Cemocracy have heen manifested. Since the war began, the tone of the press both at Paris and in Germany bas been freer thanit ever was since 1848, It is clear in fact that oll over Europe a powerful subterranean procers is going on, dis- guieed here ia the shape of 9 foreign war, there in that of civil dissension, bat tending every- where to the ¢etahlishment of republican theo- ries if not republican institutions. Should peace supervene in the Bast, for instance, the and sensible basis, no regard being pald to wealth or rank, but merit being the oaly basis for promotion. In France the army which urnolly tukes a leading part in French revolu- tiovs would call for a free press; and the Em- peror would be forced to grant it, Some of the democratic seeds scattered by this war would take root in Germany, and there again we should find them springing up. In Spain the government itself would have tound itself obliged to take the initiative in granting democratic institutions to the na- tion. All over the continent, the proslama- tion of peace would be but the signal for civil war, ‘The Chevalier Wikoff—His Pablic Career as Showman, Journalist and Diplomat—The New York Herald and the London Times, The official certificates brought forward by the Chevalier Wikoff, in the ‘lamentable comedy” of bis adventures with Mies Gamble, establishing bis late diplomatic association with Lord Palm rston, have proved to ba exceed- ingly perplexing to the iacredulous directory of the London Times, They are evidently dis- cussing a mystery in discussing Wikoff, or Nichoff, as they blunderingly Russianize him; and yet, in tacking him on to the New York HERA a8 an editorial diplomat of the Czar, they betray a knowledge of the real character of the Chevalier, which could hardly have been derived from conjecture. They must have seen their man, or consulted H. U. Addingtoa, or Mr. Bates, or the diplomatic Mrs. Grote, or, peradventure, the crael and intractable Miss Gamble herself, in anticipation of the “ Court- ship and its Consequences.” In order, however, to enlighten our London cotemporaries respecting the diplomatic office of Wikoff under my Lord Palmerston, and his present alleged engagement in New York as an emisrary of Russia, we deem it worth the candle to give an outline of his whole pablic career, from his departure hence beyond the seas, some twenty odd years azo, with a for- tune in his pocket, in quest of adventures, down to the usfortupate issue of his Italian cam- paigns in pursuit of the hand, or “half the income,” of the incomprehensible and inflexible Miss Gamble. Some twenty odd years ago, then, the Che. valier Wikoff, of Philadelphia, possessed of a collegiate education, a fortune, youth, a good figure, talents, confidence, ambition, aad a fix:d purchase | resolution to enjoy himself and make a noise in the wor!d, went over to Europe. Aftcr a time he returned, bringing with him the embodi- ment of a prodigious sensation in the person of Fanpy Elssler. Under his managerial protec- tion she danced all over the United States— creating a perfect furore, and coining money by thousands in every enraptured city. It is difficult to say, even now, when the softening influences of time ought to insure an impartial judgment—it is hard to say whether the glori- ous legs of Fanny, the danseuse, or the won- derful voice of Jenny, the nightingale, carried off the premium in this country, in public en- thusiasm We rather thick that Wikoff and Fanny were the more rapturously received, while, owing to the subsequent discovery of the California gold mines, just in the nick of time for the nightirgale, we guess that Barnam and tions of solid cash. This victorious enterprise with “the Elssler” gives us the first professional vocation of Wi- koff. It was the profession of a showman, d la Barnum, and had be becn equally successful in his subsequent characters of journalist, diplo- mat, and lover, he might now be the envicd master cf a winter palace in Paris, a summer villa on Lake Como, ‘a shooting box on the Upper Mississippi,” and the happy husband of the lost heiress, with all ber income, said to be not less than the interest of one hundred thou- sand pounds sterling. But in dropping the showman to become jouraalist, Wikoff com- mitted a fatal blunder. His success with “the Elssler” indicated his proper calling; and he should have followed it up, as Barnum did his European mission with Tom Thumb, with other attractive novelties acd celebrities. Barnum ected wisely. He had dabbled a little in jour- nelism bimeelf, but it was not his calling, and he abandoned it. Wikoff should have done the same thing. Pity he didn’t. He became a journalist. He set up a demo- Dimoeratic party papers always do fall through in New York. He next tried the higher branches of his party politics in the Democratic Monthly Review. But that, too, proved a losing investment, and he sold the concern ata sacrifice. Next, we believe, be made a dashing experiment in the mercan- tile line, under the attractive title of the Can- ton Tea Company; but for the want of a good agcnt at Canton, or some other cause, this en- terprise alro proved a failure. not the man “to give it np go.” In 1849 the reaction from the European revolationary re- | vulsions of 1848, opened up an inviting field | for extra diplomacy at London and Paris, com- | prehending the newly developed important re- lalions Of the Old World with the New. This was, perhaps, the true fiel@for the talents, ex- | tupplemental diplomacy. So he reappeared in Europe; and having previonsly visited Louis Napoleon in his prison at flam, as a sym- pathizer in his misfcitunes, the Chevalier had secured a friend of tue first importance for his | diplomatic debut. He commenced writing on political affairs, in the French journals, in con- nection with the political institutions of the United States and the policy of Fronce, keep- | ing his eye upon Louis Napoleon. He was in- troduced, at Paris, to the Britich legation, and from bis flattering representations to them of the | policy ofmannfacturing public opinion throagh the newspaper press on both sides of the At- lantic, in behalf of more intimate relations of friendship between France, Mogland ond the United States. than existed, he woe commended to the epecial attention of Lord Palmerston. | He crossed the channel accordiagly, had one or | several confMential interviews with Palmerston | ot his country seat of Broadlan?s, aud the re- sult was, as we understand it, the employment of our Chevalier by the British Foreign OMeo, at five bundred pounds a yeer, to write for the Jeuny gsthered up much the larger contribu- | orotic paper in New York, but it fell through. | But our elastic and ambiiioas Chevalier was | perience, and sagacity of Wikoff—the field of | newepaper press—English, French and Ameri- | can—in furtherance of the beneficent object of everlasting friendship between France,’ Kagland oud the United States. In this philantbropie field of daty, Wikoff, we believe, bronght ont a reries of diplomatic es | ays and arguments in Le Presse at Paris, and in » paper or two at New Orleans and else importance of this novel element of diplomacy —possibly, in an innocent way, he may have exsggerated the weight of his personal infla- ence over the public journals of the Unit-d States. Whatever may be the facts, the eaca- pade with Miss Gamble, and its unhappy de- noucment, abruptly closed these diplomatic newspaper functions of Wikoff, and threw him at length again upon the world, considerably out of pocket, but with much additional usefal experience in the fickleness of fortune and the urcertainties of heiresses and international newspaper diplomacy. Soccessively @ showman, a journalist, a di- plomat, and a lover in pursuit of aa heiress, to a dungeon, Wikoff, like gold refined by fire, emerges at last in the pleasing rdle of the laugh- ing philosopher. Tis “courtship” has also opened a new mine for fame and fortune. It sells better than Barnum or Greeley—much bet- ter. Barnum’s book is excessively valgar—the worst of bis humbugs; Greeley’s is flat and stale; but Wikoff’s courtship is piquant, roman- tic, and rich in the caprices of lovers, aod the mysteries of the secret service fund of the Fo- reign Office. Another hook, however,may soon be expected from our laughing philosoptier, es- pecially devoted to his diplomatic career and services under the auspices of Louis Napoleon and Lord Palmerston. With the publication of this book our mysti- fied London cotemporaries will probably dis- cover the exact extent of Wikoff’s alleged edi- torial relations at this time with the New York Benrxxp as a Russian emissary. The Czar, we are quite sure, will not object to the disclosure, and we desire it. It is quite likely that the Heratp was included in the diplomatic pro- gromme with Lord Palmerston, though wecon- fess that we have had as yet no information from either Wikoff or Mr. Addington upon the subject. Enough. We hope that the foregoing rketch of the public history of the author ot the “Courtship,” in the interval to the publication of his diplomatic engagements and services un- der Palmerston and Louis Napoleon, will serve to quiet the apprehensions of the London Times concerning the present alleged copartnership of James Gordon Bennett, the Emperor Nicho- las and the Chevalier Wikoff in the editorial management of the New York Heratp. What is the latest from Sebastopol? GeNERAL Witson, or MassacnUsETTS, STILL An Apoxrrionst.—WHat Say tHe Kyow No- THINGS {—Read the proceedings, in another part of this paper, of a late anti-slavery meetiag in Boston—the speech of Anson Burlingame, and its full endorsement by General Henry Wil- son—and it will be manifest to every miod that the first man elected by the Know Nothiags to the United States Senate is the most fana- tical and implacable abolitionist ever sent to that body. He endorses all that Garrison or Abby Keily Foster could urge in opposition to Southern slavery, excepting the immediate Gissolution of the Union. What does this mean? It looks like an al- liance between the Kuow Nothings and the abolitionists. Is it so? Whatsays the State Council of Massachusetts? Let them speak, or forever hercafter keep to the north of Mason & Dixon's line. The case looks as bad for the Know Nothings as Seward’s re-election. In connection with it, if effected, thig manifesto of Wilson as the Senator of the Massachusetts Kuow Nothings, makes thom a ecctiousl party atonce. The South can have nothing to do with them. The Know Nothing State Coun- cils of the North must speak on the slavery question, or be ranked with the anti-slavery coalition. They must repudiate Wilson, or be themselves repudiated. The existence of the | Know Nothings a a national party hangs upon this question of slavery. Their first elected Senator is a boastful abolitionist of the Giddings stripe. Is he a good and ac- cepted Know Nothing, or has he deceived them? The Presidency is closed to the order if they permit this Wilson to stand as their exponent in the Senate at Washington. His manifesto will be a bombshell in Virginia. Let Henry A. Wise read it to the people as the proclamation of the Know Nothing Senator elect from Masrachusetts to the South. What say the Massachusetts State Council, and other Northern Conncils? If they are in league with the anti-slavery factions, their race is run. THE LATEST NEWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Important from Washington. RESIGNATION OF DUDLEY MANN, ASSISTANT BECRR- TARY OF STATE. ‘Wasurnaton, Feb. 3, 1856. It han transpired that A. Dudley Mann has resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of State, to take | effect any time before the firstof March. It is under- stood his resignation grows out of the Soulé aflair, the Ostend conference, and the changed policy of the ad- | The President does not | micistration as regards Cuba. wich to accept Mann’s resignation; but #0 far, the latter | is Orm in his determination. Wasutnaton, Fob. 5, 1855. COLLECTOR REDFIELD'S RESIGNATION—APPOINT - MENTS THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE EXBIBITION. The Metropolitan Mechanics’ Institute Exbitdtion, opening on Thursday next, is everflowing with goods more elegant and numerous than at any previous suc- ceesfvlexbibition, The time for the recyption of compe. ting goods bas been extended to Monday, and thore for exhibition merely, till Wednesday evening. Tho North has contributed largely in choice specimens of artizan- ship. It is represented by intere: Ref field, of New York, has never intimated a desire to be relieved from the duties of his office, and that the ru mors to the contrary are false. John B, Miller, of New York, kas been nominated to the Senate to be Secretary of Legation to Vera, in place of James C Marriot, resigned. | hed no right to look i 1 parties that Oollector | | Governor, ‘The appointment of successor to Mr. Pleasanton, the | Fifth Auditor, has been made by the President, but not yet announced. UNITED STATES SUPREME CORT. Wasntyatox, Feb. 8 1 Cases for trial in the fupreme Court ney 2 Moprday—No, 60. Carrington vs. Brigg and Pratt. Tuss- day, (th—No. 61. Ship Panther va. the United States, No. ‘outh vs, State of Marylant. Wednesday, 7th— ernans, wiministrator, vs. Eve. i1—-Arkbritton va, Woodward. Destructive Fire near Quebec, Montekat, Feb, &, 16 The west wing of the Asylum at Reaupres, mear Que- deo, wan entirely destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The institution contained nearly two hundred px » Thursday, | | nothing dishonorable in Mr. olt’s conduct, tients, none of whom were iojured. The damage is eeti- | mated at $12,500. ‘The Fire tn New Orleaus. New Onieans, Feb. 2, 1865, ‘The loss by the fire in this city last night amounted t> $125,000, and is fully eovered by insurance, Steamship Movements. THE PALOON AT CHARLESTON, SHORT OF ©). CHARTS Feb, 2, 18 ‘The steamship Falcon, from Havana, bound to Ne Yerk, bas put luto this port short of coal, THE NASHVILLE AT CHAULESTON. Cuantarron, Feb. 2, 1455, The steams! ed vel at this por’, in forty riz hours ‘Two Persons Drowned while Skating. Puuwapenraa, Feb. 3, 1855. ‘This afternoon, asa party were skating on the Schuyl- Lill river, above Fairmount, the ice gave way, and Earle 8. Shinn, a droggist on the correr of Broad and Spruce, ard Miss Russell, his wife’s sister, were drowned. At the time the accident ocourred, he was skating along, and pushing Mase Russell on a sled. A large crowd were present, and saw the accident, but were unable to render assistance in time to save them. The bodies have been recovered. Burning of a Chair Manufactory. Boston, Feb. 3, 1855. A fire broke out this morning in the furniture manu- factory of Joseph L. Ross, in Hawkins street, damaging ‘the building and stock to the amount of twelve thousand dollars. Insurance four thousan1 dollars. The Weather and Business at the West. Cuicaay, Feb. 2, 1855, The weather here continues very cold, but all the rail- roads ore open except tha Chicazo and Mississi A +mall portion of the 6 Central road haa not, how- ever, ken heard from. Cuvcixnatt, Feb 3, 1855. The weather here is verycold, Navigation is still sus- pended. Business is very dull Prrrsnvrg, Feb 8, 1855. The Ohio river is till clored up here. The weatber is very cold, The thermometer stands at 16 degrees above wero, State of the Weather at the East. a Feb. 2,9A.M—The weather here is clear an + Baurax, Feb. 3, 9 Ai M.—A heavy snow storm set in here last evening, which lasted during the night, Tais morning it has appearance of rain. hr. Jonn, Feb. 3,9 A. M—Boow fell to the three inches last night. The weather is flae this morning, Cay Me., Feb. 3, 1856,—About six inches of fell here last night. The ther is clear and cold CaLais, Feb. Z, 9A. M—The weather is moderate, an the wind nortbeast. It commenced snowing early this morning, and the snow is now about three inches deep. Eastport, Fed. 8, 9A. M.—It is snowimg hard here, with a northeast wind, BanGor, Feb. 3, 9 A. M.—Three inches of snow have fallen here this morning. PorTLaxp, Feb. 8, 9A, M.—One inch of snow has fallen here. The weather is moderacing, and it is now clearing up. ‘eb. 3,9 A. M —The weather here is nmderate; depth of cold Botton, snow fell for about an hour this morning, The sun is now shining brightly. SprincrreLp, Feb. 3, 1 P. M,—It has been snowing briskly here for the past hour. The weather is cold. Markets. PHILADELPHIA STOOK BOARD. Paitapetrma, Feb 3, 1855. The money market is easy to-day. Btocks are firm; Reading, 87%; ; Morris Canal, 14%; Long Island Railroad, 14%; Penna. , 4334; Penna. fives, 8734. New Ortzans, Feb. 2, 1855. Our cotton market has been ua sales of 6,500 bales. The week’s ens 60,000 bales, and the stock on hand is 200,000 bales. The receipts at this port are 60,000 bales ahead of tue same date last year. Sterling exchange is quoted at 51¢ a 7% per cent premium. In Kio coffee, the week’s sales have reached 10,500 bags, at 8%c. a The stock now on hand is 77,500 bags. CHarieston, Feb. 2, 1855. Our cotton market is unsettled and favors bayers, The sales to day were 2,600 bales, at prices ranging from Age. a QC, AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Private Bills Passed in the House up: THE COLT PATENT EXTENSION. VALUE OF AFTER DINNER TESTIMONY. Col. Colt’s Social Eceentricities. INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE, ko, &o, &o. THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS. House of Representatives. Wasuivoton, Feb. 3, 1855. PRIVATE BILLS PASSED. The House passed the thirty-six private bilis which were considered in committee yester lay. THR COLT PATENT EXTENSION—INTERESTING DEDATE=CO1. COLT CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESB, ETO. The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the private calendar, with Mr. Greenwood in the chair, and the first bill on the list being that for extending the Colt patent, for improvements in fire arms, seven years. Mr. Prox (dem.) of New York, movec it be passed over informally. Mr. Pratt (dem.) of Conn., by unanimous consent, mace an explanation, and said this matter had been magnified into such importance as t» call for a acloct committee, which is now acting I was ove in which he bad a personal interest. (Laughter ) By this he meaut that the reputation of an intimate personal acquaiotanse in involved. (Renewed laughter ) Colonel Colt has a right, an American, to apply to Congress for what he believes to be just. He has charged indirectly, if not directly, with doing what is unbecoming aa honor- able man—such as using ee ineans and outside influence, and attempting ibe members of this House. Colonel Colt is as honorable ® man as any on this floor—and there is not the sligutest par- ticle of truth in the charges, If any itleman has bribed lot him rise in his place (laughtor), either ia the way of pistols, money, or anthing else. He (Pratt) would say, with all respect for the select Committee, that he looked on this whole movement as a reflection on the character of the House. He did not know a gentleman here who could thus be brived. A Voicr—If so, let him show himself, Mr. Peart, resiming—As to Mr. Dickerson, Mr. Colt’s agent, he did not believe he would be guilty of sonduct unbecoming an honorable man. All that Mr. Colt ashe is that Congress will give its opinion, one way or the other, on this bill. A question of order sprung wp as to whether tho bili could be set aside, but the Commit<ev refuaed to do so, by a vote of ayes, 29; noes not counted Mr. Campnrit, (free soil) of Oblo, said the charges | fixed the responsibility in no perticular quarter. He had seen nothing to throw corruption on any person. He was not prepared to believe, not evea to suspect, any | member of the House was #0 base and lost to honor as to invorve his character in sacha way. He had never feen, nor expected to see, Mr. Colt, but was in favor of the bill, because he believed it to be best for the country | to renew Colt’s patent. He bad one of Colt’s revolvers made a prerent to him in 1843, in Now Orleans, by a | dear friend, now deceased, He found it a good instru- ment, answering his purpose very well. Whon at home | he.amused bimself with it shooting rats. He hoped he might rever find occasion to use it tor a moro serious purpose. | Ma. Laromns, (dem ) of Va., in reply to Mr Pratt, | observed he did not say Mr. Coit ha: acted properly, use it was a notorious fact that at the time he ap- id before the elect commitwe he was drunk, and 318 mind obfuscated. If gentlemen would take the | trouble toexemine his testimony, they would find he | distributed, Mr, Citamprntaiy, (dem) of Ind.—Do these questions | had no deBnite ideas of the sum of money his agent had | i ana answers constitute a part of the written report? Mr. Letcnrn—No, str. It would have been a hard | matter to deguerreotypo the testimony of a drunken man, He from the testimony m oriler to show that | Diekerson er to draw on Colt, and | | that fifteen n the books of Colsclerk | | i | (Joes yn) were unaccounted for aod further, that the money was spent to help the bill along through Con- arene, as was suspected, (hough Mr. Dickerson refused to angwer a to the use of the money, enying the committee 0 his private matters, Mr. PRart—-Why does the gentieman pla-e any cont | | dence in the testimony of Mr. Colt, if hw was drunk ? Mr, Lerewer—The ‘commities was coovened for his conven ence, and he ought not to have come before it in | that cocdition Tbave no confidence in bis statement, Mr. Waien, (dem.) of N. ¥. (Mr. Letcher yrelding the floor )}—Dwring the Tast election in New York there wero three candidates for Governcr aud three for Lieatoaaat T ace two of them present—one of them, the at«man on the ram ticket, is inside of the ball, ‘and ¢ other is in the gallery, I would ask thata commit- ee sent to General Augustus viting bim toa seat on the floor, (Laughter. | Mr, Leveren—In it expected I shall defer my remarks | until the committee go out? (Laughter ) TheCnanoray (to Mr. Walsh)—We are in coram'ttvc now. Mr. Warew—Send {ho Sergoant-at-Arms. Mr Letemer ccneludel by saying the bill should not he acted on pending the investigation of the selost com mitter, Mr. ‘Prater remarked ho certainly understood Mr. Letcher to say, in private conversation, that there was Mr. Colt tof his chamber when hia frien ts thon fear Mr. Votcher bad ac- | was sick, and bed just cons he appeared before the comm ing for bis life, A cused dom of beng Mr Lerennn—The crunk, tN. considered him, Mr. Zon. ven, (whig) of Tenn.—The tapression on ny mind, while 1 believed Mr. Colt intoxivated, was, that he was in the hends of men who might be eharpers, and who would rain bim, but 1 believed him to be an benorable man, Mr. Wureven, (dem.) of N. Y —Mr. Colt was to have been examined in the morning, but the comamictow being occupied, hia examination was postponed till eveaing. He apprarsd before the committes directly after cinaer, ane sermed to be slightly excited. Mr. Kur, (whig) of Saas =I feel bound to say what Tam abcut to say, and in ean 20+ corroborate to the full what the gentleman from Virginia (Lotober) said. I would not examine a drupken man. I should be lot +xemine 3 man io the technical sense intoxicated, jet the witrerg was pot in a F5ll proper state of mpl, | law was so c i teenth specting politic’ ,) gnd social movements, We also | Western governments would soon find their | where. Possibly he may have over-colored the give the letters received by the last steamer from | hands full at home. In England people would ‘espondents, and au article from a | 9) for areconstruction of the army on a sound London jo’ grna) on the Sound duties of the Danish examination was conducted ain RSTON, (¢1 of RT. present during . THURSTON, (em. me the’ causation of Mr. Gt, “He senna ng ee wat excited—whetber with disease or drink 1 don’t now. Mr. Lerowrn—I sbeuld pot bave made any reference to this, but for the allusions of the gentleman from Con- necticut (Pratt). Mr, EpGrrton, (dem.) of Ohio, doubted not that the members of the House sometimes get a little confused after the dinner heur, (leugbter,) and therefore ought pot to be so perticular. The acticn of the Select Com- mittee amounted to nothing. It will sink into forgetful. ness, #8 bave all other investizations, The committee was notoriously a feilure. In 1831, Mr. Colt invented an opera’ arm, but, owing to the difficulties in construct- ing such a wen) as conld be used with safety, did not receive a pa‘ent until 1836, Mr. Colt end his friends were incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature in that year asa patent arms manufactul company, with an authcrized capital of three bu thousand dollars, two bupdred and thirty thousand dollars of which was subseribed, The company went into opera- tion, but ibe capital was exbaurte by the difficulty in manufacturing the arms. After six the Cyd was sold by a decree of the Court, og Mr. beavily in debt. In 1840 the pateot was renewed, and Mr. Colt recommerced manufacturing, in ® small way, arms for the goveroment. From evidence presented, has invested all he could command, between three and four bunéred thovsand dollars, to perfect his plan gand machizery, s0 ax to produce a perfect arm, which would not Tbe worth one-fifth the sum for any other use. Imi- tations of Colt’ are made of cast iron and otberim- uch Jeae cost than the genuine, s0 arer,aud they are dat us to use. Mr. Colt’s are al} forged cast steel, perfect im all thelr parts, and fully reliab! Such arms as he manu- fuctures cannot be made except by meekly equally as perfect and expensive as hiv, Imitators will not incur the expense, If the patent shall be extended, he can go on perfecting his macbivery, ani manufactu: an arm more reliable and cheaper than any . a ing competition. If not, he will be dri from market, the public imposed on, and he divested of his entire capital. The price in 1838 for the pistols was forty-five dollars. It is now sixteen dellars, The object of nt laws is benefit the puplic peieaiplad dj to excreise their , ener- the profits of an invention should ¢ public benefit. He showed the ot has been nenefitted by this in- vention, saying Mr, Colt devoted twenty-two to it. From 1831 40 1949 be has vever r-c-ived w. dollar's from government, whi'e be ard his friends have sustaln- ed a Joss of two hundred thousand dollars. By the ex- tension of his patent, which is now asked for, he seeks to reap the reward of his labor. Mr. Edgerton, without concluding bis remarks, yielded the floor for a motion for the committee to rise, which prevailed, when the House adjourned, Our Washington Correspondence. Wasutxcton, Feb. 1, 1858, ‘The Army Bil—Gwin’s Pacific Railroad Bill—The French Spoliation Claims—Report of the Secretary of War—The Milstia Force of the United States—Ihe Kin- ney Expedition—Why Attorney General Cushing Op- poses the Expeditiom—Interesting Point Before the Su- preme Court—Iliness of Mrs. Gen. Houston, dc., éc. ‘The Senate of the United States was engaged the whole doy yesterday—and is still engaged to-day—in the dis. cussion on the Army Appropriation bill, It seems hard to bring this debate to @ close and to get # vote on the question, although but ® few days more of the session remain. Just as it was supposed, yesterday, the Senate was ready for the vote, Gen. Cass rose ani announced that due regard to his reputation required that he should be heard on this bill before carting his vote, and accordingly he addresses the Senate to-day; inamedi- ately after which it is expected to take the vote, which will result in favor of four additional regiments to the army. Karly next week, Mr. Gwin will his Pacific Rail- road bill. providing for s single :oad on the Southern or Texas route; and trom the confidence ex the members of the Special Committee, the ablest men in the Senate, 1am iniuced to believe that this dill will pass the Senate, though it may be lost in the lower House for the want of tune. ‘The French Spoliation dill is +till in a critical eondition —having to pass the Senatorial ana executive ordeals. A powerful wove will be made to cefeat it in the Seaate, ‘An effort will be made to amend it, first, by providi that no assignee shall receive the benefit of its pro siops; that tailing, the next effort will be to limit as- aneee, to the amount actually paid by them. After wor- tying through the Senate, should wwe bill survive the labcr, then it has to face the veto prerogative of the President, I hear the ques‘ion feequently asked, “Will the President veto the billt”” Law i to the belief, fiomall thet I can gather, that he will not. Gen. Bayly, who is the confidential personal friead of Gen. Pierce, has cvidently rece:ved assurances from bim that he will vo: veto the bill, or he (Gen. B.) would never have de- voted so much tame nd labor to securing its passage is 8 : st apprehension is as to its probable detent ip e e. ‘The House of Repnecentatives is still with the Territorial business. Some soarp “patting ottetred yeaterday between (ol, Beron, of Mi ;_end Mr. ichardson, of Illino's, on the Subterranean Telegraph Dill, though not resulting, ax the fracas did the day be- fore between Mr. Farley and Gen Laue, in blows. It wos only a war of words and as amu‘ing as harmless, Tam pleased to ray that that the difficulty between Mr, Farley and Gen. Lune bas been amicably settled. They are both brave, sensible gentlemen, having nothing to gaip by a Sight, and losing nothing by an ible ad- mh secteiary of W itted to Congres he Secretary of War tranrmitted to a yester- day his onnual report showing the effective militia foree of the United States, as fo lows: Infantry—Com mirmoned officers. Non commie Cavalry—Commis-ione Ne ommiss oued ai Riflemen—Commissioned uffice: Non-commissioned Aggregate.......065 se eeeeeee seed, Pag stores now in possession of the different ates — Muskets, 225,108 Loose balls, 22,796 Lounds rifle 98,703 Swords, 156 Cavniry 3. 3, .. 90,602 Horsemen's pistols, 20,510 In my letter of Tuesday last I noticed the rumor of aw expected proclamation from the Pr:sident of the United States, probibiting the departure of the Central Ameri- can expedition, under Col H.L Kinney, Ithen ex- ay my doubis of ita correct: eas, being unwilling to ‘lieve that the administration would prove so treacher- ons to an enterprise it nod fostered and enc: In this I did the acministration but justice; for lean now asrure you, upon the most reliabi- authority, that there in not one word of truth in the rumor; itis wholly and enti who are in tne pay of th this I speak from the record, wit! essary, to back my assertion, The adm nixtration oas fromthe incipiency® of the enterprise, been possesred of all the plans and in- tepticns of the coloviats, and opposition was heard from. but a single member of the Cabinet—Mr Attorney Gene- ral Curhimg—-whose opposition to the expedition ‘springs from hie counver interest im the Transit Company. This be dare not deny, The evidence is in ths city showing him largely interested in this company, and hence bis opposiion to the Kinney ex ition. Whenever he shall require the proof of this it will Nigh gala Mr. Marcy disclaims all. knowledge of any intention on the of the a’minvstration to interrupt or interlere in ani way with the expedition, and as it is reasonable to reppore tbat he would bave known the fact, if auy such inieption existed, at least as early as thoss who have given publicity to the faleehoot, I think I am justitied in pronoore ng the rumor of the anticipated. proclamation entirely without foundation, and that the administration fully endoraes the expedition, A question ot deep interest is vow before the United Staten Supreme Court, in the case of Noel’s Reps. vs. the State of Penneylvenia, The point is tne distiaction between ex port facto tw It was decided in a c2 f ly wut ex port facto, that the court gave but littl consideration to tie distinstion, In the case now before the court, this high judicial tribunal ie called on for the first time to define aud mark out plain- and distinctly the difference between these two ceseriptions of laws. Mears. Kwing of Ohio and Hart of Pennsylvania appear for the appeliauts, and Messrs, Hood and Scott ot Philadelphia for the appellee. im, Bem Houston hee just restves a otegra hie despatch announcing the serious lness ot rs. Houston Hopes, however, were #t:li entertained of her recovery. R. CORRESPONDENCE OF OTHER PAPERS. (Correspondence of the Wastuscvox, Jan, 185 New Move ow Spain—War Message Anticipated— Gen. Cass in Trouble. ‘Ihe effect of the recently developed changs of policy towaris Spain is the subject of very earnest diseu-rion by gentlemen of all parties fo Congress, Ademand is to be made upon that government such ecwplied with, and probabl, vor will, by superior force. ~panic! atinacy ts al Mm yorb. It is irtended to require of her not only material indemnity for aggressions, but a surrender on What may be considered the point of hover, nemely, an apology anit reparation for Tights and insnits to onr flag. As it would be absurd and burdiating to make a de dof this ebsr without taking effective 1 for ite enfor it. it may be presumed wil at once employ the b f the United Staton to vind! rights of the conntry. The means to be employ They ero’ reprieals upon Spanish conn and 8 blockade of the Inland of Cuba. Inevitable that a ‘'w gress during the gether with the which Wr Breck ‘rugted to make. the instracti f the Michigan Legit nators relative to the Missouri compromise an i the Nebraske act, give (eneral Case « great dealof trouble. They not only speak ia terme oc tsepproval of hit pant course upon the qi in the latter mea cure, but they d bill for the rexto- ration of the con its adoption by hie yoiee and vr 1 will disobey, for the democratic de feace to instruc- tons applies only to caser fn which democratic Leg slatures tr nM An contingenry the or resign. Bur ‘De , Tt fs, therofore, sould be rent to Con- sking authority, to the ropresentations Senators, in which vy bound to obey contrary of this hap- i) to assert that the mt are abolitionists, or