The New York Herald Newspaper, February 8, 1855, Page 4

300 NEW YORK HERALD. 7aAMEZ8 GORDON SENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. SFFICE M. W. CORNER NASSAU AND FULTON 879 , 2 cente per copy—$1 per annum, ALD covery Saturday ag t'4 cente per Ldition $4 per anaum to any part of the Con- -Ne. 38 AMUSEMENTS TUIS EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Lire ae fr [s-Ser- verte vy Leacy~Maxiac Corer, BURTON'S THEATRE, Ch Prowuet-Poor Piriiceppy — wt) acm oF ra’ s . WALLACE’S THEATKE, Broadway—Tows axv Coun- ky—THE CRITIC. METROPOLITAN THEATRE, Bros¢way—Equasraiay Pwarorvarcas. AMERICAN MUSEDM— TaicoR or TAMWORTH, Moveer Mirxman. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Mechenics’ Hall—472 Broadway BUCKLEY'S OPE Eav's Brurorian Ov DONALDSON’S OPERA HOUSE, Hope Chapel, 718 and 720 Browaway. ma—MAN AND THE TIGRE A -ORa LOTTE Texere— 539 Broadway—Buox. Now York, Thumday, February 8, 1855. The News, Biting winds, of hypcrborean temper, swept down ‘wpen us from the great lakes and the immense snow @rifte in the North acd West from Satarday until moon of yesterdny. It was cold--indesd it was Omnious drivers stiffeaed on toeir boxes. The ears and noses of pedestriane and others who were com- pelied to expose their persons to the frosted air were areadfully frostbitten, and are said to have ia severa; imetances actually dropped off, their proprietors all ‘the while unconscious of the loss. Toe water pipes have been closed up, leaving us a prey to con. flagrations, and the ges pipes hava refased to yield a supply of light—not an uansual cir cumstance, by the way, and for which we ara under obligations to the neghgonce of the gas company. Attwo o'clock yesterday morniag the thermometer marked six degrees below zero— some glasses touched a still lower point—the coldest weather that has been-experlenced in this vivialty for a period ot twenty years—colder than it was on the night of the “Great Fire” cf December 15; ‘1836,-when all the hydrants were frozen, and the authorities destroyed buildings with guapowder to arrest the conflagration. About noon yesterday the weather moderated, the snow began to fall, and it comtinues to fall as we write, midnight. We have telegraphic advices giving the range of the ther- mometerfrom points wes’ and north of Washington, At Bytown, Canada, yesterday, the mercury stood at 32 degrees below zero; at Calais, Maine, 24; at Woodstock, Vermont, 30; at Boston, 19; at Caps May, 5; at Philadelphia the Delaware river is @losed, and persons cross onfoct. Throughout the ‘West the cold has been of unparalleled severity. In the Now York Sonate yesterday, a communl- eation from the Dry Dock Savings Bauk of thie city was read, eaying that the resolution of inquiry as to its condition would have been responded to had it not miscarried. A bill was introdaced limit ing the dividends of railroad companies. Tae reso: tation authorizing the Governor to employ counsel im the Lemmon slave case was taken up and de- bated. A resolution urging our delegation in Congress to vote for an appropriation for the improvement of the Hudson river wai adopted. The political fever still yages in the Assembly. YesterJay the session ‘was consumed by the Sewardites in fiatulent de- nials of certain statements recently maie in the Heracp, relative 40 their moral delinquency in sap- porting Wm. H. Seward for the Senatorship. We publish the speeches upou this subject under the appropriate head. Our Albany correspondent hassent 38 letter written by Mr. Seward, addrossed toa Roman Catholic organization, and also a letter from tae late Daniel Webster to the Hon. Daniel 8 Diekinson. Both are given neder the telegraphic head, and deserve pa: ticular attention. In the United States Senate yesterday, bills were intreduced making appr¢ priations for removiug ob- stractions at Hel! Gate, and to improve piers at the mouth of Gonevee river; also, for the improvement af the Hudson river. An spproyriation was passed to improve the harbor of Newark, New Jerasy. A bill sppropristing $120,000 for the deepening of the ebannel of the Patapsco river, aud to render the barbor of Baltimore accessible to war steamers, was passed. A number of other bills relating to rivors and public works, were acted on. The bill establish- ing the United States Circuit Court in California was taken up, discussed, and postponed until to- ayy. Several petitions, urging the repeal of the fogitive slave law, were presented, and Mr.Chase maid he should call up, at the earliest momont, his bill prohibiting slavery in the Territories, In the House yesterday, iu commi tee, the Texas Creditors bill was taken up. The amendment of Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, reducing the amount ap- propriated from $8,500,000 to $6,550,000 was agreed to—120 to 82. The biil afterwards passed by a vote of 154 to 43. Our reporter furnishes the following synopsis of its provisions: —T:e bill provides, in lieu of five miillons of dollars, payable to Texas in five per cent United States stock, the issuing of which ‘was restricted by the law of Sept. 9, 1850, $6,550,- 00, to be apportioned amoug the holders pro rota, the interest to be determined by the existing laws of Texas, the holders aud the State of Texas to re- ‘care all claims against the Uaited States for and | on account of the securities. The act is not to take effect until assented to by the Legislature of Texas, nor until it pass a law withdrawing ‘and abandonirg all claims and demands against the United States growing out of Indian depre- dations or other causes, It is regarded as ‘questionab’e whether the Senate will agree to this bill; if it does not an effort to adjast differences of opinion through the medium of a Committee of Conference will be made. Mr. Hous- ton moved to again go into committee, announcing his intention of calling up the Tariff bill as a test question. The House agreed to the motion—104 to 97—but refused to consider the tariff by a vote of 95 to 89. There is an evident disinclination to meddle with the subject just at present. After seme discussion on the Civil and Diplomatic Appro- priation bill the House adjourned. The Legislature of Wisconsin, in joint convention on the Ist inst., on the econd ballot elected Charles Barkee to the United S!ates Senate for six years from the 4th of March next. Darkee is an unmiti- gated free soiler. He re:eived fifty-four votes— jast enough to secure bis election. The Legislature of Iilinois will ballot to-day for a United States Senator in place of General James Shields, whose term expire on the 4th of March next, Colonel Bissell has been spoken of as the Nebraska candidate; and in this connection we will mention the fa.t that the lower Honse ef the Lagielatare has recently adopted resolntions con domnatory of ths Kansas Nobraska act by a vote of thirty eight to twenty-eight. The Board of Councilmen transacted a large amount of routine business last evening. A resola tion was offered requesting the Street Comm!ssioner to farnish the Board the names of the Inspectors in his department who are also in the employment of tho State or geners! government. This fs a matter of importance, particularly to the spollsmen. There aro, it is said, quite e number of Custom Honse offi. tinia who receive large sums from the Street De- partment for fat jobs, given as rewards for partizan services rendered in packing nominating conven. tione and committee. Thqte should be a more equal @tvizion of the spoils thesé hard times. The resola tion, if properly answered, will develop? some cn- ious facts, Let the resolution be adopted by all means. Among the papers presented wads com- purieation from Mr. Peter Cooper, recommending NEW YORK HERALD, * the coustruction of stone wharves and piern along | a platform that will stand @o both sides THE LATEST NEWS. both rivers, ae preferable to any other, amd as it | of Macon and Dixon's line, Mrwill be top-heavy, would afford employment to s large number of pst- | ond must fall over, on ome side or the other sons who are now reduced to a state of Zestitution No whig natiouad eouvention will, we dare gay, for want ot work. We urged the same plan about mouth ego upon the attention of the Comma Council. In the Beard of Eaucation last evening, the re- port of the Committee on Finance, proposing tha’ certain sums be set apart for school purposes, 80 a8 to prevent the recurrence of difficalties eimilar to proceedings ia published im another column yesterday mterfered to some extan’ with transac: tions in domestic produce. Sales of 600a 800 bales of cottem were made et steady prices. Flour was in fair demand, at steady prices. Sales were chiefly mon white wheat soldat $215, Corn was held above the views of buyers. Provisions were steady, with a was firmer, Shippers were inckined to await the receipt of later foreign news, and hence freight en- gagements were limited. It will be seen by ‘the report of fires, elsewhere, thet two dwellings yesterday caught fire by defec- tive hot air furnace flues. Hot sir flues appear to be ‘unsafe means ot warming buildings. The steamship Atiantic left Liverpool en the 27sh ult., for this port. She is, therefore, fully due. Tae California, will be due to-morrow. Seward’s Re-Election—The Know Nothings= A Sectional Scrub Race for the Presidency. ‘The re-election of W. H. Seward to the United States Senate establishes the great fact that the ant!-slavery sentiment is paramount and predominant in the North. The issue between him and the Know Nothings was distinct and decisive. He had thrown down the gauntlet as their sworn enemy in the Senate, and they hud taken it up. It surmounted their flag-staff in our November elections, and, bearing it aloft, the Know Nothings entered the Assembly to super- sede him or prevent his election. The more sanguine of their members were confident of success—the order commanded the balance of power, and yet, on the appointed day of the tournament, they surrendered the glove with- out even breaking a lance. In the Senate five Know Nothings voted for Seward and his majority was five—a clear Know Nothing mejority. In the Assembly his majority was twelve; but had the seven Know Nothings votisg for him opposed him, there would have been a majority against him of two. Thus the vote of each house and the election of Seward were decided by Know Kothing votes, The result may be charged partly to the despotic discipline of the Know Nothings and the consequent mutiny of some members; partly to the spoils and the superior tactics of the Seward pipe layers; but, more than to all other causes combined, to the predominant anti-slavery sentiment in the Assembly in the State and throughout the Northern States. Our Pierce administration is responsible for this. It is but one item of the fruits of the general anti-slavery reaction brought about by the Nebraska bill—a constitutional measure, unquestionably, but sprang upon the country without instructions, without warning, and tor no other than the selfish purposes ot this same sinking and desperate Plerce administration. Elected by the spontaneous uprising of the Union sentiment of the country, Mr. Pierce went to the White House under that delusion of a peddling politician, that he was elected by the suffrages of the Van Buren free soilera and Jeff. Davis secessionists of the Baltimore Con- vention. His sympathies in ’46 were openly with the Wilmot proviso party; his predilec- tions'in ’48 were in favor of Van Buren and his New York partizans, (ask John Cochrane for the Scarlet Letter;) and his division of the plun- der in the appointment of his Cabinet, his diplo- mats, &c., attested his antecedents in the lion’s share of the spoils accorded to the free soilers of the Buffalo rebellion, and the filibustering Southern disunionists. The Union sentiment of the country was roused against this outrage— the national conservative democracy were in- dignant—the party in the North was broken up, and in the South it was paralyzed by Mr Pierce’s unblushing free soil spoils affiliations’ and by the disclosure, through the independent press, of his pre-existing anti-slavery principles and party associations. The case was desperate. The burden of proof was against the Northern tavorite of Vir- ginia and the South, chosen at a venture. They had selected a free soiler. His largesses of the spoils to the Van Buren Buffalo leaders had established the fact. He must do some- thing to wipe out the stigma. Senator Dixon, awhig, of Kentucky, suggested the repeal of the Missouri compromise. Nobody had thought | of it before; and at first the Cabinet organ scouted the proposition as utterly out of the question. But Judge Douglas, a lover of start- ling effects and of active excitements, turned the matter over, consulted Southern secession. ists upon the sabject, and they resolved that Dixon had hit the mark. Mr. Douglas reported progress to the President. A caucus wascalled atthe White House--a Sunday caucus—the repeal was carried, and Mr. Pierce was con- strained to endorse it in writing. It would istration right side up before the country. The Nebraska bill was passed. The anti- slavery agitation in the North was instant- ly revived—nothing like it before—ond the late round of Northern elections gives us the consequerces thus far. The administra- tion party from New Hampshire to Missouri is literally destroyed. The national whig the election of Pierce. Chaos had come again, when the mysterious Know Nothings rose to the surface against the huckstering corruptions of the old parties and this rotten administray tion, and in favor of a conservative staud upon the slavery question On this whole- some platform we had supposed that the ize their national consistency in the defeat of Seward’s re-election. But they have elected an ultra free soiler from Massachusetts as their first Senator in Congress, and their second Senatorial achievement is the re-elec- tion of Seward himself. The conclusion is manifest. things in the North are powerless against the anti-slavery sentiment evoked by the desperate administration self-saving expedient of the Nebraska bill. They must pull with the cur- rent or be driven ashore, clear as daylight. Thue, in the election of Wilson and the re-elec- tion of Seward, we have the key to the next Presidential campaign. It will be a sectional canvass, a medley, a confased guerills fight, @ sorab race. No denio- | oratic Baltimore Convention can patch up those of last year, was adopted. A reportof the | the issue of their candidate for President, as far The severity and stormy character of the weather ) Getormined in a national council, Among these misde tethe hometrade. A mmall lot of Soutbera com- | there the constitution has provided a resouz. good demand for old mees pork. Lard waa at'9}c. | the three highest candijates shall go up to the @ 10c. for prime quality. Whiskey, in State barrels, | House of Representatives, and that one of them North Star, from Aspinwall, with later news from | jority of one vote; but in the conflict between eave him—nationalize him, and put his admin- | | party was broken up and disbanded with | Know Kothings had swept the State of Massa- | chusetts, and that they possibly might signal- The Know No- | be attempted, We shail probably have a North- ern coalitiey, anti-slavery ticket; a Northen demucratic conservative ticket, as far as coa- venient; @ Southern democratic ticket; a South- crn opp@sition ticket, and independent electoral Kuew Nothing tickets in all the States, leaviag # Dey are-eoncerned, North and Soath, to be ‘cenflicting sectional parties and factions, the election of the next President will probably be thrown upon the House of Representatives; and The constitution ordains that, in the event of the failure to elect a President by the people, shall there be chosen. But in the mode of thie election lies the self protecting reservation to the South. Each State shall only cast one vote; and thus Florida, with her one representative in the House, will be equal to New York with her thirty-three. There are now thirty-one States ~—sixteen free States, and fifteen slave States, including Delaware. The North have a ma- vival Northern candidates, the vote of Califor- nia will be sufficient to tarn the scale in favor of any conservative candidate upon whom the South may be united. From the present complexion of things, then, it will be the policy of the South, in the next Presidental canvass, to secure one of the three highest candidates from the people, as a candi- date before the House. Otherwise they may have to choose between three men, each man of them more or less pledged against the ex- tension of slavery, in any, shape or form. ‘The anti-slavery sentiment, as illustrated in the election of Wilson, and the return of Se- ward to the Senate, with the support of the Know Nothings, is paramount and predominant in the North, and cannot be resisted. It will give a sectional character to the Presidential campaign, while the diversion of the Kaow Nothings, and the independent fragments of the old political parties, will reduce the contest to a scrub race of the highest excitement and im- portance, not uvmixed with the elements of se cession and disunion. In this view, we repeat, it is the policy of the South to abandon all Baltimore Conventions, and make sure of their candidate for the House of Repreeentatives. There the Know Nothings may come tothe rescue. Who knows? Who can tell now whether this mysterious but powerful party will exist intact so long? It may in the interval be broken up and dispersed. There are rome symptoms of this in this State and in Mas- sachusetts, Their oaths of submission are too rigid, their discipline too despotic, long to hold independent free born men together. They must reform this feature of their sacred mys- teries. Where a pledge of honor cannot be re- lied upon in politics, vain are the restraints of inquisitorial espionage, spells and tortures, There things will not answer. The rebel- lion at Albany proves it. Let the Know Nothings act accordingly, or abandon at once all their estimates of the Presidency. In any event, North and South, let all par- ties prepare for the most exciting and momen- tous sectional scrub race for the succession. Let all the outstanding candidates put in— can’t have too many. But let the South make sure of one for the House. It is the last chaftice against Seward and his Northern coalition. Mayor Woop snp His Derracrors.—We copy from the New Orleans Delta a flattering, but not overdrawn, tribute of praise to the commendable efforts made by our new Mayor to render his term of office one of utility and benefit to his fellow-citizens, and not, as in the case of his predecessors, a mere honorary and profitiess distinction. Our contemporary is right in saying that the men who are the objects of the most abuse and scurrility are frequently those whose qualities are of a su- perior order, and certainly, thus far, since his election to office, Mr. Wood has, by his untiring energy and uprightness of purpose, confirmed the justice of the observation. No system of administration, however perfect, can be ef- fectively carried out unless men of the requisite capacity are placed at its head. Under the political influences which govern our munielpal elections, it unfortunately but too often hap- pens that candidates are chosen less for their personal abilities than for @ pliant and time- { serving disposition, which may be turned to | profitable account by office-seckers and spoils- men. The result is, that with an expenditure | which might render our city one of the best regulated and comfortable in the world, we have more abuses and corporate neglect to complain of than any other community that we know of. Whatever, therefore, may be the ex- ceptions taken to Mayor Wood's antecedents by his enemies, we are content to ignore them, In the acknowledgment that, asa public servant, we have never had a man who has, in bis office, | displayed more capacity, more untiring activi- ty, and more zealous devotion to his duties than he has done since his brief term of office. | It only requires a steady and unflinching per- | severance in his present course to effectually | peutralize the efforts of his assailants. Evrorras Exroration.—In (another column | will be found @ decree which has been just is- | | ened by the French Emperor, regulating the | whole system of emigration both from and to | Prench ports, which is remarkable for the wis- | | dom and humanity of its provisions, Every | possible precaution is taken in it to anticipate and guard against the abuses which have hitherto caused so much suffering and loss of life amongst the unfortunates who are compelled | to desert their homes in search of a subsistence in other lands. Not only is every facility afforded to German and other foreign emi- | grants passing through France to transatlantic ports, by the exemption of their baggage from examination at the frontier, but certain modi- | fications are made in their favor in the pass- | port system, which will relieve them from a great deal of annoyance and difficulty. Emi- | grant veesels are placed by it under such severe regulations, as regards space, cleanliness, yen- | tillation, quality and sufficiency of provisions, and the number of passeagers allowed to be taken on board, that it seems impossible that any violation of the law in these respects can escape punishment. This decrec may be taken as 4 model of salutary and clearly defined pre- ventive legislation on a subject rospecting | which sufficient vigilance hae never yet been | exercised. It will come into operation on the let of March next. American, people at this momen e offence? They tell me that in Irishmen fired on a moeting assombled for political dytoussion. It be 80; foting, and I sm any Jud who aceuse the weak. If, the rgnte of elticondy th : law, which erican intol EY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS. Letter of Mr, Seward to the Roman Catholics, Letter ef Daniel Webster to Mr. Diccinson. THE TEXAS CREDITORS BILL, ke, &e., eo. Interestlog from Washington. THE TEXAS CREDITORS BIL%—A VETO EXPRCTRD— MARCY AND THB KINNEY EXPEDITION—KNOW NO- THINGIBM IN TROUBLE--'THE TARIFF QUESTION. Wasumaron, Feb. 7, 1855. Mr. Jones, of Temnessea, and the majority of the House, have written themselves down asses to-day, by their ac- ‘tion on the Texas debt bill. The House bill passed grants precisely the amount conceded to belong to Texas and the creditors under the law of 1850 ; but the House say, in addition to the conditions imposed by that law, that Texas shall also release the United States from three mil. lions and a half, claimed by her for Indian depredations. The absurdity of the action to-day is manifest. The Senate will not agree to the House bill, but, adhering to their own bill, will demand committee of conference, Upon its composition will depend the ultimate fate of the measure. It is not doubted in any well informed quarter thatthe President will veto the French Spoliation bill. Mr. Marey’s letter in this morning’s Union is regarded asa death blow te the Kinney expedition. Mr. Buchanan’s fiiends are trying to kick Nicholson out of the Union. Seward’s, Wilkinson’s, and Durkee’s# elestion to the Senate bas paralyzed Know Nothingism in Maryland and Virginia. Unless the Northern Know Nothings make some authorized statement proving they have not been, instrumental in electing these abolitionists, the order is already used up in the South. Great excitement pre- vails bere on the subject, and several delegates have arrived to confer upoa the proper steps to be adoped. Mr. Houston’s failure to get up his tariff bill to-day THURSDAY, FRBROARY 6, 1885,” j | | ~m, thelr ¢” gens for the traitors of the Asembly, who be- tay* a'their constitwents and disbonered the State. 1 ge Varbers of the city of New York bave seat up & F atin, containing thousands of names, ying the 4rgivlature for @ low shutting up varber shop) oa Sun- ay. The document is extremely rclt, wortay of @ pe- rueel. It will be given. In the despate' SEL ae it was stated that MWe Aitken was cut off Teading a tte: condidate for Senator, The fi Wasnixoron, Sept. 27, 1850. My Dsan Sm:—Oer companionship in the Senate is dis- solved. Alter this Fong and most fimportant sussion, you About to retarn to your home, and I to Visit mine, jut lite is unvertaia; and of you without placi im your hands» note, containing a few ‘words which I wis go say to you. In the earlier part of our acquaintance, my dear sir, ocoarrences took place which 1 remember wit! constantly increasing regret and pain, because, the more 1 have known o3 you, the creater bas boon any esteem of your el my’ reepect for your talents. But it is your acter, Rn: boble, able, manly and patriotic conduct, i Feat measures of this soeeon, which feart and teevred wy hi Jong toserve your country Likely to see # crisis in which yo either for your own distinetion, wort of the ely won my Fepard. I hope you may live but | donot think you are over u may be ablo to-do #o much, or for the public good. You has have stood where others have fallen ‘eo advanced with firm and manly step, where others wavered, tal- tered and fallen back; for mo, tl ds to thank yon, and to commend your conduct, out'of the fullness of honest hearte, This necds no reply; it is, Iam certain, of little value; re it, have thought you might 1 willing to to lenve it where it would be seen by those who shall come after you, J pray yon, when you reach your own threshhold, to remember me most kindly to your wife and daughter; and J remain, my doar cir, with the truest os- teem, Your friend and obd’t scrvant, EL WEBSTER, DA * Hon. Danii 8. Dicxsneon, U. 8. Set Know Nothing Victory at Binghamton. Bryauamron, Feb. 7, 1854. The Know Nothings elected their entire ticket yester- day. The majorities are reported to be large. ‘The Liverpool and California Sicamers. Sanpy Hoox (Sundown), Feb. 7, 1864. The wind is blowing a gale from the northeast; wea- ther very aold, and snowing hard. Nothing has yet been heard of the Atlantic, from Liverpool, and the North Star, from Aspinwall, both now about due. It is 60 thick that we cannot see far from the beach, and the sea in 80 rough that it would be a matter of impossibili- ty to get news from the steamers at this point, should they make their appearance. From C proves there is no great inclination to tinker with the | THE ILLINOIS LNGISLATURE—THE RAILROADS, BTC. subject this session. Independent of this, there is some feeling against certain Boston ,partiee interested in the passage of a tariff bill, which helps to block up further Iegislation in their behalf. GEN. HOUSTON’S VISIT TO NEW YORK--TREASURY DRAFTS REGISTERKD—THE SECRETARY OF LEGA- TION TO PERU, ETO. Wasmineton, Feb. 5, 1855, Gen. Houston will address the citizens of New York, at the request of the New England Association, about the 20th inst. ‘There is contiderable pressure upon Senators from the representatives of New York, who are against the con- firmation of Miller as the Secretary of Legation at Peru. Miller is charged with editing an anti-Nebraska paper, and being a Van Burenite in 1848, The amount of drafts registered in the Treasury De- partment during the four weeks ending on the 3d inst., reached 84,458,516 45. The New York mail, behind time three hours, has just arrived. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. WAsBINGTON, Feb. 7, 1864. Henry T, Baches, of Michigan, and William A. Collins, of of New York, were admitted Attorneys and Counsellors, hadner, Catherine, & W. Lewis et al, claim: Hants, vs. Noah Dickinson et al, was ed 7 Air, Cutting Tor the ‘appellants, and agbmitied on printed argument by Mr. Field for the aj . No, 66—James B. Peck et al, appellants, vs. John San- derson. Argument was commenced . Cutting for the appellants, ¥ ne The Latest from the State Capital. THE HARBOR MASTERS—RAILROAD DIVIDENDS—LET- TRR OF WM. H. SEWARD TO THE ROMAN CATH- OLIO8—-THE RECREANT KNOW NOTAINGS MAKING EXPLANATIONS—LETTER OF DANIEL WEBSTER TO DANIEL 8. DICKINGON, BTO., ETC. Apany, Feb. 7, 1855. ‘The roughs bave left the city, and order once again prevails. Both houses (after more than ordinary prayers) assembled at the usual hour, the members ap- parently much refreshed from the labors and excite- ments of yesterday. A little business wes done in the Senate. At12 the doors were closed for executive ses- sion, but thrown open in less than half an hour. A few notaries only confirmed, The New York Harbor Masters are not yet agreed upon. During the session, Mr. Spencer laid this bill on the table:— An act to prevent railroad companies from paying divi- ends oud of capial, and to thnit the amount of their indebtedness. See. 1. It shall not be Iawful for any failroad i rated by the laws of this State to declare or any dividend ‘hen joating or unfunded debt exoveds ‘five per cont mount of the capital paid in. ‘0 railroad ecmpany shall be allowed to declare or ividend, except from the earnings of the road uses have been deducted, and all divi- dends declared shi payable in cash, and not otuerwise. See. 3. No railroad company shall be allowed to contract an amount of indebtedness greater than the amount of its capital stock actunily paid in. The Lemmon resolution coming up, Mr. Brooks took the floor. In the course of his speech he alluded toa letter written by William H. Seward to the Catholics of Utica. This is the letter:— upon th upon the Be c@. 2 3 any é er the curre al} AvRURN, June 23, 1944, My Youno Frinwns oy InxLanv—I carhuot decline your hind invitation without confessing my — that my feet cannot follow where my heart so impatiently leads, You asked me last winter to join you at the festive board, where the achievements and renown of your people were to e becelehrated. 1 cure not greatly for such triumphs. You invite me now, whea Li id is im deep affliction \d the exiles of Ireland reecuted, hated attractive to mi 9 to the house of flog. He, whose all ¢ ot feas ere exalting ireland to a pl Prisoner, and the pastors of th 0 her consolations to her deliverer, not jome of hi edral, but in @ cel in the om the night from the sword and Cnoie dwellings, their Libraries, their ‘spi y native American oi a ‘athe! (in the city that William | Penn id, sud Fon) an uklin endowed. and ombel- lished; in the country lor v hich Carroll staked his fortune, Lafayette and Keset2ko (heir tames, and for which Mont: omery offered © FePhey fell ine that O'Connell was convieted for violating ‘They tell m British by & Britiot jury, And what saved Washington ‘The gathering of mase meotings to produce a oh: imistration for his country’s welfare. Are no! t engaged ti Philadelphia, some 5 Ui olies de- he ible from the nulic achoolg. and form of the native American party. T know not how such a plea can bear upon the issue on which we are arraigned before the world. But before. that. im tial tril 1 declare in favor of the tholics inst their accusers, that the charge 80. current wo of Troland, and and trymen. Whoover el that T aun firm, true aud faithful, truths assorted in the Declaration of Indi a against your he 00 ont truth, 9 free suitrar as & Hold now, ors than ity, dounto others Doubs ultimate an, of civilization ty coming through the the Liberator of Irelan and sball see the A generous to the wanderer an exile for freedom and for consel sal LIAM H. SEWARD, Mesers. John Kelleher, Dennis Halpin and P. MoQuade. Soon after the House was called to order, the Honor. | able Mr. Stebbins, of the coutity of Monroe, and the chairman of the Maine Law Committee, rose to a ques- tion of privilege. He had bees misrepresented in certain papers, and among others he named the New Yorke ‘Hreatp, in which bis name appeared as having been pledged to the support of Mr. Seward, and had violated that pledge. He pronounced the statement untrue, Mr. Speaker Littlejohs Lore down heavily upon the Albany Register, Other members—Messrs. Boynton and Wells— also denied that they had violated their pledge, as stated | in the Hxnawp of Tuesday, Mr. Rickerson, of Greene, was pretty positive that he had received no nominations from the Know Nothings, and of course could not have made Ln pledges to them. During the time several of see ereced but, on, seston of Sas’ Stevens A . Allowed ail’ the’ latitude of debate which was desired, Neither of the honorable gentlomen were understood as denying that they now are, or had bel to the “ancient and henorabie order’’ of Know Nothings. lve fails ‘you, Hold on still to | oe, that ics | w sete againat | | Rbila; Samuel J Randall \ were ‘‘ telling their experience,” they were °S i, the figure | There was quite a flow of spirits and general rejoicing | at sonable ho: last night, and kept up to quite e rea- yur this ting mn hige, easonente, bard and , all in merry mood to- gether, At the proper time sentiments were announced, some drank deep for Seward, others as deep for Dickin- son, Seymour and others. Mr. Waterbury, rather in. consigtently, we think, withed the compsay to emit | i Cuicaao, Feb. 7—1u P. M. The Legislature has appointed Thursday next, the 8th instant, for the election of a United States Senator, A resolution instructing the Senators in Congres from this State to advocate the restoration of the Missouri compromise passed in the House to-day, by a vote of ayes 41, nays 22. a ‘The Chicago and Mississippi, and the Iinois Central roads, and the Military tract, are still hopelessly clo ed up. Nocommunication can be had witn St. Lous or Springfield. Arrest of Counterfelters. CLEVELAND, Feb. 7, 1855. On Friday evening deputy United States Marshal Smith and Mr. Morton, the prosecuting attorney of Mans- field, arrested ia Knox and Richland counties eight bogus money manufacturers ; and simultaneously United States Marshal Fitch, of this city, with a party, left for Yel- low creek, and a deputy for Granger, when early on Sa- turday morning they arrested seven more of the same gang, among them the notorious Jim Brown, Damage by the ice at St. Louls. Sr. Louis, Feb. 7, 1885. The ice broke up yesterday, doing much damage to steamboats, barges and coal boats. The steamers Badger State, Arabia, Martha No. 2, and Alhambra, were more or less injured. The loss will be very heavy. Fire at Hyderville, N. ¥. Castixton, Feb, 7, 1858. A large fire occurred in Hyderville last night, con- suming the pest office, a cabinet maker’s shop, sash fac- tory, grist mfll, &c. The loss is considerable, bat is co- vered by insuzance. News Items from the Soutn. Baurimorxg, Feb. 7, 1855. The New Orleans papers of Thursday came to hand this afternoon. To-night, we have received here no mail south of Washington, the ice in the Potomac river preventing the boat getting up with it. Cok, ifer, of the United States army, died ot Cambridge; Maryland, last week. The North Carolina Legislature has chartered s com- pany to construct a canal from Pimlico Sound to the Chesapeake Bay, and resolved to endorse the company’s bonds, to the amount of two hundred and fifty thous. and dollar, The Southern Mall. Couummta, 8. C., Feb. 7, 1855. New Orleans papers of Saturday have been received here, but they contain nothing new. Movements of Steamers. THE JAMES ADGER AT CHARLESTON. Cuaruestox, Feb. 6, 1855. The United States mail steamship James Adger, Capt. T. C, Tarner, arrived here at three o’elock this after- Boon, TRE KNOXVILLE AT SAVANNAH. Savannan, Teb. 7, 1855, The steamship Knoxville arrived at her anchorage in this port, in seventy heurs from New York. She expe- rienced heavy winds on the pase: Markets. New Our cotton market has been but pot rere lower. Sales 9,500 bale: advanced };c., fair selling at 35¢0. a 374. ‘New OR1kans, Feb. 6, 1855. The market for cotton bas been firm to day, and the business reached 9,000 bales, Middling is quoted at 8c. & 82<c. ater! Exchange ranges from 6% a 8 per cent Ppremiam. M sells at 185, CuaReston, Feb. 6, 1955. Sales were made today of 2,000 bales of cotton at pre- vious rates, CHARLESTON, Feb. 7, 1855. ‘The sales of cotton here to day amounted to 1,200 bales at prices ranging from Te. capushaibesseesppeidinns Excusn Orera.—On account of the continued illness | of Miss Louisa Pyne, there will bo no performance at the Broadway theatre this evening. Marine Affairs. DEPARTURE Or THe Pactric.—The United States mail steamship Pacific, Capt. Nye, sailed at her usual hour | yesterday, for Liverpool, with 43 passengers and $530,249 in specie. The P. after proceeding duwn the Bay, re- turned and anchored in Gravesend Ray last night, Personal Intelligence. Mr. Hamlin, of Maine, who was cailed Lome some time ago by sickness in his family, has returned an a the scene of his Senatorial jabors in Wash- ington. General Sam Houston has received a ry ot = aunouncing the serieus illness of Mrs. Hou lopes, however, were entertained of her recovery. ARRIVALS. At the Prescott House—Hon Win. Hon, John Wiltee and family, Duh Pierce, P, Nort . anid fami . Beat $ W, |) Massnohiisette; J. 1. siniladelphin; De. eck, Boston; H. Bu SW. Atvortis, N. ¥. des- ston, lion. A. Bostwick, € livons, Albasy; ih: Lactinen Oh “orning; ie, any, M. a " ‘ D.C, Blodgett, Bosten. f meres DEPARTURES, For Liverpool. in the steamship Pacifio—John Heron, . Blackstone, Manchester; Madislao Jacques, Now Granada: J A Oshorn ™ NY erk; Jona ire C1 ue, Sil Lord NYork: & Berry, Stanton, do; Jno Maconon. ¢ 2 Masters Goodhue, Brook! dn; Geo Holland, Texas; Thos D McGeo, N Levine, N ¥: joan ( ary to Moxiot tion, Paris; PB olina; Rosece B Heath Lsray f child, Net nee Kelly, Ireland; Mareus Stern, California; 1 jermany; Peter n, Mre Rosalie od ‘ormis; ny B Carnston, Keutucky Court Calendar=This Day — Srates District Cocrt.—Nos. 84, 15, 15, 17, 26 E Scrremr Court—General Term.—Non. tions and second argument calendar, “Nos merated mo- - 16, 20, 24, 28, 2, 29 10 39, 37, 39, 40, 6 tonnow Pixie, ‘O8, 242 to 258, 219, Pat BioNow 114, 107, 220, 22 to 233, 206, 257, 283, Sorerion Cocnt.—Xee. 67, 18, i O18, 618,21, 60s 0, (#1 October ae ir, } 422, 887, 304, 206, 807, 507 149; 427, 628, 629, 621, €22, 694, b9b, 24, 697, 698, U9." Emptre Affalr, | tle JOSE ea ‘TO THK EDITOR OF THE NEW YORE HERALD. As every cre connected with the scandalous im-— terferex ce of the Bpanish government and its officials witb my nephew and ward, Francisxo E. Hernan. dez, bas bed bis say m she Cally press, aad as my neme bas been much brongh’ in question, [bope i may rely on your indulgence for the inserciom of there few parsgrapbs, which will, perhso:, throw as much light omthe matter as the asvections of | Mr. Stoughton or Mr. Carnobeli. The sympathies of my brotver Francisos Hernan~ dev and myself have always been known to be how tile to the s‘upid and oppressive colonial despotieny thu: paralyses the energies and blights the destinisa of tre beautifal island of Cabs. My brother, ia 1882, sent his son, my nephew snd godaon, the youth im question, to this country t» ba educated; it bsiag> a8 is well known, the desire of the libaral Cabins to ipsul ixto their children in early youth thoie liberal ideas that they con get nowbere but here. The boy returned tc Caba ia the summer of 1853: he was then fiftecn yeara of oge; and it will hardly be believed that on tho rid.cuious and brasel acca- sation of being engaged iu corrying arms into the islend, he wae at once seizei and thrown isto the prisou of Baracoa. His father was arrested and imprisoned at the same tine, according to the usval tenderness manifested py the Cuban government for its truest and bravest children, He and his father were at length liberated, and the boy Francisco was sga‘n sent to this cvantry, confided to my care, snd at my expense his educa- tion was sgain resumed, Jn the meantine, my brotter has once more beem brought under the malign influence of the govern- ment; for a man once suspected there js never free or spfe afterwards; and by tse direct interference of the government, the boy is sent for under colo: of n order from hie father; and the next chapter ta the Claverack affair, What may be the object of the Spanish govern- ment in these extraordinary endeavors te get pos- seesion of the boy, is tome a mystery. Whether it ia to throw him again into a dungeon, or whether to obtain more control over his parente, by having their beloved child in its clutches, or whether for any other and darker purpose, I cannot say; but it is very plain that great importance is attached to the possession of the child, f:om the fact that » high Spanish official does not consider it beneath his dig- nity to play the part acted by Mr. Stoughton at Claverack. You can then judge as well as I can under what influences the alleged letter signed by my nephew, consenting to return, was written, if, indeed, any such letter was written; and you will also probably believe me when I tell you that the boy looks on the. bare possibility of bis recapture by the Spanish government with the last degree of disgust and ab- horrence. Thus far I bave bafiied the malignant designs of the oppressora of Cuba in this matter; and,G od willing, i will continue todo so, In the meastime, Iwill give Mr. Staughton a public opportunity of showing what suthority he had for this indecent interference with my ward. I will leave no stone onturned to show the infamy of the plos,a2d I will omit no exertions to save at leust one child of Capa from the grasp of Spanish misgovernment aud op- preesion. Tam, sir, your very ob’t serv't, Jose Exv1as Hernanpaz. ~Olty Intelligence. Brid Barwan.—Our remarks in our yesterday morn- ing’s edition about this vessel, we find are consi ered to de entirely unjust, so far as regards the fitness of hor construction asd cargo forthe slave trade, of being connected with which she has been accused by the Uni- ted States District Attorney, but acquitted, as will be seen by reference to our legal report, She has been Joaded for pearly s week for Tampico, and would then have sailed for that port but for the detention of Capt, | Filett, ne ot ber Medepirgetoigh br go aed on her firat voyage under command of Capt. Smith, ite of the ship | Astofsette) and on her reture Capt. Tillsert wilt rewame his ri post and continue to run her between bere and ico, for which trade she was expreasly built. ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTS ay Sars Dorixd 11k Mowrn or JaNOARY.—The total number of passengers whe ar- rived at this port duriog the month of January, was | 6,751, Of these, 56 died on the passage, of whom only | nine were adults. This is far less than the usual aver- ae alps Say, Corpye oon from the folio verpool. 7 abips, a jay#. From Havre, 7 ships, aceig ag tog | From London, 2, passage 31 days. en, 8, | passage 48 days, A Lonatio AYRAID OF Sim.—Yosterday mornipg, about half-past four o’clock, the inmates of the house No. 104 Franklin street, were greatly alarmed by & noire proceeding from the back part of the house. On search- ing they found a manin the back room, who had evi- dently broken through the rear window to get in, An officer was sent for, and on arriving he attempted ta arrest the suppored robber; the latter cried out, ‘ The Know Nara a he after me—take them away,’ and appeared to quite alarmed. It turns eet the man, whose name is Thomas P. Healy, is an English gentleman, of, it ix said, quite » literary character, but i rig manifested decided symptoms of aberration of mind. has frequently been to the Police office, com- plaining of imaginary, mysterious grievances, and he seems to be under the impression that bis life is in dan- ger. How he came to be wandering about such a bitter cold 2c; is re nb Huw hands were much cut and his ancle sprained by his attempts to enter the window. Skrsove Accipent on Tur Erir RaiR04D.—On Tuesday night the express passenger train bound west, om the Ere road, when near Equmuck station, was thrown from the track, and for a time there was every reason ta apprehend danger to the lives of the pass |. For- tunately nothing of the kind occurred, though there was much suilering from the intense cold—the thermo meter marking 20 degrees below zero, and it took three hours before the re and baggage were exchang- ed, £0 as to be able to continue their journey. The ac- cident was caused by the wheel of the baggage car breaking, when it ran off the track and fell down a bank. The smoking car waa driven through the baggag and both broken to pieces. The engine and cat remained standing on the track, uninjures Coronerw’ Inquests. Sticrpe or a Frevcn Mituver.—Coroner O'Donnell held af inquest yesterday, at No, 12 Waverley place, upon the body of a Frenchwomian, named Alexandrina Purent, who come to her death by oneal to her- tel€ a dose of Jaudanum. A letter was found on her person explain! reason of the ‘rash act, She stated in the epistle that she was so distressed by Peon: niary embarrasements that she could no ir exist In this world, The jury red a verdict ofeuicide. The deceased was about forty-five years of age, and hax long been known as the proprietress of the millinery cetab- lishment kept by her at the above place. Ki.tep ny FALLING ovt or A Wixpow.—Coroner Gamble held an inquest yerterday st the New York Hospital, | upon the body of a woman named Bridget Morgan, who came to her death from the effecta of injuries sus- tained by falling out of the window ot bir residence, 200- Mott street, on the night of the dd instant. The eircum- stances under which the deceased met with the acel- dent curieus. On the it in question, the de- cet and her husband went to bed agasual. Awakl about 2 e’clock on Sunday morning, her hasband her te go to bis clothes and see what time it was by his watch. Thedeceased did as desired, but on for the clothes, found that they had been stolen. ° ing the window for the 4 se of giving the alarm, rather to see if she could obtain some clue to the ery of the property, the accidentally fell to & dishence of some thirty-five feet, break! and fracturing her arm: j in accordance with th , * Brookiyn City News, Finr.—Abont 8 o'clock last evening a small one story rame building on Myrtle avenuc, between Frasktin and Kent avenues, was Costroyed by fire, It had been oc- cupied by Charles Butler as s porter house until recently. Lose about $200. On the return, one of the members of Bucket Company No. 1, was run over, and somewhat in- ured. About one o'clock the night previous a fire out in @ grocery store on the chense of Nelaon street and Hamilton avenue, which was extiaguixbed by officer Byrnes, of the Third district police, amd the o¢- cupant, before material damage had beem done. It is supposed to have been the work of burglars, as the bar across the window had been removed, and pane of glass was broken, Numerous artisles were soattered about the floor, which the incendiaries left in their hurry to get away. Tue Gray Jont.—The Raovieg, Grand Jury was formed in the eee, Court of Oyer and Terminer festerdey, after which the court adjourned until next ‘nesday:—Charles J. De Bevolse, foreman; Austin L. Ferdman, Wm. fl. Gorrey, Saruel Tilley, R. Vai Reuren, James K. Raymond. Joseph Hegeman, Henr: Conklin, Isaac 8. Hand,* Simon ©. Garretson, Tani! Bergen, J.J. Manning, George Cochrane, kB. John J. Vanderbilt, mnexer Wilson, Joseph 5 ‘Tre East River.—The boats of the Fulton f¢ ran 'y up to ten o'clock last evening. de waa some what longer than usual, bat there way no serious hindrano account of the oe. i Jersey Olty Nows Commos Counctt.—A regular meeting of the Common Couneil was held om Tuesday evening, st the Lyceum,