The New York Herald Newspaper, March 6, 1855, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, NEW YORK HERALD. eee JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. OPPICE N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS, Wolume XX,,, AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE—Huncnnack—Anrony AND CLROPATH A. — BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Jack Cane—Durch Gv anvian yr BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Sarsous Faws- uv—Tue Toopirs, iis WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Poor Grxrie- mAN—CLARL, AMERICAN MUSEU M—Afterno Buacn Byep Susax. Evening—Lov: WOOD'S MINSTRELS—Mech: 2 Broadway. BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, 539 Broadway—Bvex- uew's ErHiopran OPERA T. EMPIRE HALL, 596 Brow PANORAMA ov EvRoPE. New York, Taesday, March 6, 1855. Malls for Kurepe. TSE NEW YORK GERALD—EDITION FOR EUROPE. ‘The Collins mall steamship Baltic, Captain Comstock wil) leave this port to-morrow morning, at 11 o'clock, for Liverpool. The Kurepean mails will close in this city at half-past wine o’elock. ‘The HeRaxp (printed in English and French) will be published st nine o’clock in the morning. Single copies in wrappers, sixpence. Sabseriptions and advertisements for any edition of the Naw York Henan will be received at the following places in Burope:— Livenroon, .Jobn Hunter, No. 2 Paradise street. Lonpon,...» Edwards, Sandford & Co., No. 17 Cornhill. “ Wm. Thomas & Ov., No. 19 Catharine street. Pari Livingston, Wells & Co., 8 Place de la Bourse The contents of the Furopean edition of the HxgaLp ‘will embrace the news reeeived by mail and telegraph at ‘the effce during the previous week, and to the hour of pubbeation. The News. We publish to-day the important doouments laid before Congress on Saturday, in obedience to the resolution relative to the Ostend conference. They over about two hundred pages, ani comprise all Mr. Soulé’s despatches and Mr. Marcy’s replies. We direct the particular attention of our reaiera to the celebrated joint despatch of Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soulé. It corroborates the description which we gave of this document at the time, and establishes the views which we took of Mr. Soulé’a mission. The reasons on which the recommenda tions of the conference were based are fally set forth in this despatch, and the conclusions deduced from them are founded as mach upon Spanisa as upon American interests. Whatever opinion may be formed as to their correctness, there can b2 but one as tothe important and intere:ting character of thes: documents, inasmuch as they cover the whole ground of the Cuban qnestion. Private advices from San Jnan del Sur (Nicara- gua) of the 2let ultimo, stat2 that the Chamora party, in an engagement with the Castillan party, had been victorious, and that coming down to San Jvan they demanded of the American Consul, in the most outrageous manner, to give up a prisoner who wse not in his house or under his charge. French, Englien, and American residents there had placed themselves under the protection of Mr. Priest, the American Consul, who it is reported has since been arrested. Further particulars will doub‘less shortly reach us, explaining this mystery. We have recsived our letters and files of pao:ra trom Havana to the 27th of February. Nothing mew seems to have transpired sinc: ths dats of pre- vious advicer. ‘he inhabitants were regaiaing confidence and beginning to think that the ostenta- tious displays for the defence of the island were little more than a sham. Our correspondents letters, published elsewhere, will be found generally inte- resting. Among the latest acts of Spanish tyranny athe impresement of seamen in the island. In or- der to sad insult to injary, these men are called volonteers. Yesterday was bluc Monday in the Lagislature. In the Senate a bill was reported to prohibit banks from dealing in or making loans upon their owa capital stock. Notice was given of a bill providing for the establishmentvof a Board’ of Railroad Com. missioners, composed of thé.Comptroller, State Ea- gineer, and one othérto be chowea by the railroad companies. A +ynopsis of this measure, which is one of vast importance to the ratlroad interest, is given by our Albany correspondent, under the tele- graphic bead. The claim of the Rochester mil owners, for da nages caused by the diversion of the waters of the Genesee river for canal purposes, was discussed and recommitied for amsndment. In the Assembly « bill was reported authorizing the New York firemen to hoid real and personal estate to the vaiue of $150,000. Nothing further of general in. terest transpired. The Sardisian frigate Des Geneys is anchored at Qoarantine. All communication wit her, except by the authorities, is proibkited for the pre-ent ‘The investigation as to the real character of her passengers will be proceeded with without unne- ceveary delay. It is alleged that they are political refugees, and not convicts in any rense of the term. Bhould this statemant be verified by the examina- tion, they will undoub‘edly bs permitted ‘to Isnd; should it prove false, they will as undob'ed'y be nent back to their own country, provided tie courts do not override the decision cf the Mayor. Mayor Wood hav addressed to the Logistatare, through the Lieutenant Governor, a strongly worded protest to the proposed law erecting a new Board of Commiesioners of Police. The Mayor depre- cates any interference with the present organiza | tion of the force, which he states has been the | mein instrament by which nearly every one of his | | | projected reforms bas been carried through, par- | ticularly the enforcement of the Sunday ordiaance active, with a good de mand for export. Prices of ail kinds from 9c. a 98c., but the chief, ‘wales were.mede at 96c. a 97c. Provisions were firm, and old mess pork sold at an advance, having closed at $13 62 a $1375. Holders at the closs asked, $13 87 a $14, which was above the views of buyers. We publish elsewhere the protest of Gen. Eohi- nique, the expatriated President of Peru, directed to the Supreme Court of that country, against the acts of the revolutionary party uoder Oastella. It is an Interesting document. Senor D, de Gvicouria leaves this city to-day for Washington, as a delogste from the Cuban exiles to tender to Mr. Soulé an invitation to a public reception, either in the form of a banquet, or such other demonstration of welcome as may be most consistent with his taste and convenience. George Howland, Know Nothiog candidate for Mayor ot New Bodford, was yesterday elected by a large majority over his competitor, a free sciler. Our announcement of the appointment of Gan. R.H. Pruyn to the office of Adjatant-General of this State is coufirmed. He is said to be very popular with the military. The trial of Wendell Phillips, Theodore Parker, and others, charged with participation in the Burns riot, in Boston, in May last, is to commance in the Circait Court on the 34 of next month. Governor Wright, of Indiana, has vetoed the free bank bill, and it was thought he would also veto the State bank bili; but the friends of these measures were covfident that they would piss by a two-third vote. The United States brig Bainbridge put into Nor- folk yesterday in distress, having on the 21st ult encountered a violent gale. She sustained con: siderable injury, and her guns*were thrown over. board. Sne sailed from this port on the 18th ult, for Rio Janeiro, under command of Lieut. Com. J. H. Rowan. . Congress—Rumors of an Extra Session—Our Foreign Relations—Mr. Soule—Spala—Rus- sla. It appears from our special advices from Washington of this morning, that they are there discussing the expediency and the probabilities of a speedy call of an extra session of Con- gress, in view of the pressing exigencies of our foreign affairs. Our correspondent, in this con- nection, reports that members of the new Con- gress are holding over to await the issue at the White House. We understand that it will be really necessary to have an extra session of the Senate to reconfirm the schedule of our consuls abroad, whose official existence under the new law will expire in July, This may be the extra session talked of, but there is also a plausible oceasion for an extra jevislative session of both houses, and upon this point a passing word or two may not be out of place with our readers. Unquestionably, our relations with Spain have been brought to a most unsatisfactory and alarming crisis; and the long congressional interregnum of nine mouths betore us, promises nothing but continued bad luck from the un- aided efforts of our demoralized and paralyzed administration. Congress have adjourned, without either advice or encouragement to the Executive upon his foreign policy in any quar- ter of the world. They have declined giving him the desired discretionary fund of ten mil- lions of dollars. They have done nothing upon our relations with Spain and Cuba, except to call for the Ostend correspondence in one House, and to confirm Mr. Dodge to Madrid in the other. Anadministration thus left adrift, with its fo- reign and domestic troubles accumulating upon its hands, and with the wars of a popular re- volution swelling up against it on every side, cannot fail to pereeive the necessity of some desperate stroke of policy to keep itself upon the surface for the remnant of its four years probation. In this view, having been aban- doned and deserted by a Congress of his origi- nal partisans, Mr. Pierce may possibly feel that he could not lose much, and might gain some- thing, by throwing himself boldly upon the magnanimity of the new opposition Congress, on the principle that open enemies may be more safely trusted than treacherous friends. There may be, therefore, some substantial groundwork for these rumors of a projected ex- tra session of both houses; but we doubt the courage of Mr. Pierce, though he may have the desire, to call it. Morcover, the call is to depend upon certain indefinitely foreshadowed contingencies, which we may possibly escape. Perbapsthe most important feature of the present diplomatic programme of the ad- ministration is, the cordial friendship ex- isting between it and the Emperor of Russia, This “happy accord” appears to have been very much strengthened by the late friendly letter received by President Pierce from the Czar, and through the good offices of Mr. Senator Douglas, between the Cabinet and the Russian embassy at Washington. Some three years since Mr. Douglas made the tour of Russia, and his recollections of the Czar have left the re- markable sagacity aod comprehensive political views of Nicholas deeply impressed upon his mind. The knowledge of the Emperor of the power, resources and “manifest destiny’? of the United States, and of his friendly policy to- wards us, have left, indeed, the same impres- sion upon Judge Douglas as upon Mr. Buchanan —to wit, that the Czar thoroughly understands our power and our policy in reference to against the liquor traffix. Shonld the bill before the Legislature paex, Mr. Wood will undoubtedly | resign his cflice, as it will depeiva him of all con- | troliiog power over the very persons upoa whom he | dapends to second his reformat ry efforts. The Board of Aldermon mat last eveniag, ba for want of a snfficientsopply of gas (hydrogen) they were unable to procesd with their business. Alder- man Howard moved to ajjourn because h> was averse to working in the dark. Alderman Willian- son was also in favor of more light, and after two | or three oppositions to the movement, and several isefectual efforts to“ light up,” the Board thought it better to adjourn to another evening rather than seramble through their mnvicipal fanctisas with miserable supply of candles. The Board of Couccilmen met last eveatng, but, os is usual on the first meeting of the month, no very special busiaess was brought op. A resolution | was passed “ to request Senstors and Assembiymen in the State Legislature fron this city to oppose al] further legisiation in favor of either of the New York gas companies, unless amole provision is made for the protection of the ci nd our fellow citizens agsinst imposition, ext » aod op pression.” Toe Board of Supervisors mot last evening, the Recorder in the jehair,and, having passed upon a tew unimportant papers, adjourned to M ynday next. Cotton was quict yesterday, asd the ares con- fived to 500 a 600 balee. Flour advanced 12} cents per barrel for common t»cho!ce brands of State. Southern and Canadian were also firm. Owing to the passage of the law by Coogress allowing draw- back on importat.ons from Canada, under ths Reci- procity treaty, which virtually introduces flour into this mehet in competition with the American arti- cle, free of duty, its wale became very active yeater: day, snd about 2,000 barcels were sold at $9 2a $10 25, from which the doty paid to government oa ts clearance will have to be refunded to the im i porter. Wheat was bigh and nominal. Corn waa France and Engiand, and that, in this view, the friendship of Russia is worth maintaining. In conjunction with Lord Clarendon’s close | alliance of the Western Powers, especially in | regard to Cuba, these friendly relations bo- | tween Russia and the United States are very | significant, We have the question of peace or war with France and England in our own hands. A suspension for a single year of our supplies of cotton and California gold to Eag- | Jand and France, and of our imports in exchange from those countries would sap the foundatiens of their commerce, manufactures, finances and credit systems, and bring upon Louis Napoleon and the English aristocracy a cer- tain and speedy revolution, in a merciless re-ac- tion from the masses of the French and Hnog- lish people, driven to starvation. The United | States, on the other hand, have within them- selves all the clements for the mercantile ex- | changes for which we are apparently dependent | upon Engiond and France. A total suspension of our commerce with them, would be to us but 4 temporary inconvenience, while to the other side it would be traught w In this view of the sur h et, it is possible oar | administration may be now indulging, in con- nection with the Cuba question. Pe sibly Mr. | Pierce, in our impregnable commercial balwark of cotton bags, may feel bold enough todem and | a prompt eettioment from Spain of our out- | Standing accounts against her, in the tecth of her French and Eoghi ora. ‘The tea millions, for the p ture, may have been asked in this estimate of our positive balance of power against 1 igland | and France. It is, also, perfeetly consistent in | this calculation, to suppose that both the United h disasters and rain. | sency of arup- | States and Rumla way’ bé “contemplating the | ultimatum at some day, not very far off in the future, of a still closer alliance of friendship ‘than that which now so happily subsists between the two countries. Our telegraphic dispatches of the Ostend cor- respondence, and the reception of Mr. Soulé at Washington, are very extraordinary, and very humibating to the administration. They prove all that we have heretofore said upoa the subject—that there are two conflicting powers in the Cabinet—the one urging a fili- bustering career all over the world, boginaing with Cuba; the other pleading for a more moderate and pacific policy. Between these conflicting elements, Mr. Soulé has resigned his commission in disgust. The call, then, of an extra session of Congress must involve, not only some defivite and fixed Spanish policy on the part of Mr, Pierce, but a modification of bis Cabinet to give it unity and consistency. If Cuba is to be annexed, nolens volens, “ peace- ully if we can, or forcibly if we must,” the Cabinet is no place for Marcy ; but if a policy isto be adopted of humble submission to the “balance of power’? policy of Lord Clarendon, Cushing and Jeff. Davis must abdicate. Such are some of the major and minor con- siderations suggested by these our latest ad- vices from Washington, touching our relations with Spain, the friendship of Rassia, and the rumors afloat of a projected extra session of Congress. We presume that if an extra exzcu- tive session of the Senate be necessary to carry out the provisions of the late diplomatic and consular act, it will be convened without delay; but in regard to an extra session of the two houses, we are admonished that it will depend upon certain contingencies. In the interval, Mr. Soulé is to meet his friends here in New York, in pursuance of their invitation; and, ac- cordivg to our Washington correspondent, he will come prepared for a fall Vindication of himself and his official career in Europe, against the treachery and double dealing of a vacillat- ing and incompetent administration. It is ex- pected that he will supply all the deficiencies of the Ostend correspondence furnished to Con- gress. The people expectit. Let him speak freely. Let us know whether the signs in the horizon are peace or war. Startling News from the Pacific—A New Re- public Projected. We publish elsewhere in these columus a most extraordinary letter from San Francisco, the writer ot which assures us, over a responsi- ble name, of the sincerity of his statements. It is a letter disclosing a project for the estab- lishment of an independent republic of all that portion of the United States lying west of the Rocky Mountains, including the State of Cali- fornia, the Territories of Washington and Ore- gon,and a large portion of New Mexico, to begin with. The scheme, as described by our correspon- dent, is plausible and consistent throughout. As we now stand, the great Western plains and the Rocky Mountains form a wide and almost impassable barrier between the Mississippi valley and the Pacific coast. Constantinople is bearer to us than Astoria, Our quickest lines of connection are through Mexico, Central America, and via Panama—thousands of miles around. Hence the Pacific railroad has been urged as the only expedient to avoid the es- trangement of the people on the Pacific coast from their brethren on the Atlantic side. But the impediments to the construction of this road are so vast that many long years would elapse before its completion, were all the | power and all the resources of the government directed to this single object. With a divided Congress upon the constitutional power, and upon Northern and Southern routes, we doubt if the youngest child now living in the Union will ever live to travel from the Mississippi to the Pacific behind a locomotive. The short-comings of Congress upon this issue, are to be made the rallying cry for a Pacific republic~hundreds of ambitious and disappointed politicians in California, Oregon and Washington Territories will second the movement. A federal capitol at San Francisco, with a President, Cabinet, Coogress, Judiciary, army and navy, would create an immense amount of spoils. In a more popular view, the prospect of a compact republic, with a government on ihe spot, collecting and ex- Jated to take with a people of that peculiar dashing, go-ahead spirit of independence and enterprise which characterizes the people of Oregon and California. Washington city is ard San Francisco would be so very handy. Let this project of a Pacific republic be openly agitated, and such, we apprehend, will be the reasoning of our people of the Pacific coast, Read the letter to which we refer, and then answer, “if such things are done in the green tree, what shall we not have in the dry?” We live in an age of wonderful events. We have ceased to be surprised at anything. All the world is undergoing a regular shaking up, from Shangbae to Sebastopol, and from Sebas- | topol to San Francisco, straight through. We, ourselves, are in the midst of a great revolution. novel and mysterious, but mighty as the march | ofa triumphant army. We are accustomed to | the cry of disanion from the South; but now | itis echoed from the West. What is to come of all this?’ What says the administration? | Tue Lave Serzcre or Arws at Baracoa—Tae Cask or Fenix Avy Esrrampes.—tin a private letter which we have received from Havane} there are certain allegations made against Mr. Richard Overmann, acting United States Con- sul at Baracoa, which, if well founded, would go to show that he is not properly impressed with the true character and responsibility of his mission. Without entering into any speeific taking an active part in the attempt to estab- lich evidence against the crewsof the two Ame- rican vessels Jatcly seized at Baracoa by the Cuban authorities, on the charge of landing | arms. Hisconduct towards Messrs, Felix and represented to have been unfeeling in the extreme, and at variance with the instructions which he received from Mr. Cochran, United States Consul at St. Jago de Caba. Mr. Over: mann was amongst the passengers by the Empire | City, which arrived here on Thursday last, He | 's the bearer of the documents connected with this unfortunate afla'r: and, as most of these papers have been made out by him, we think itright it should be known that such state- ments are afloat with regard to his conduct, without in any way pledging ourselves to their accuracy, Se ee eee pending its resources at home, is well caleu- | so far away, they distrust the spoilsmen there, | statement of these charges, we may mention | generally that they accuse Mr. Overmaon of | Estrampes since their imprisonment is also | MAROH 6, 1855. ve For many years the progress of this country | has been nowhere so. conspicuous as in the ad-— vancement of her merchant navy. There have been times when it appeared that the United | States were surpassed by European nations io | almost every point of m: chanical skill and en- | terprise except that alone. At tue present day, though Am-riea may claim pre-eminence | in other branches of science and industry as | well, there is none ift which her raok is $9 indis- | puted as ia whasever pertains to the construc- tion of a swift aad useful merchaat navy. All over Europe, as wetl in the Mediterranean as | the British channel and the Baltic, men are heard to express unqualified admiration and envy of the vessels which sail from American ports, Among the craft which Wave reflected this credit on the country the firat rank is un- douhtedly held by our ocean steamers, It is not too much to say that there is nothing of which an American abroad is so otten reminded with pride—notbing which 39 often elicits re- Juctant praise from inimical foreigners—as the steamships which carry the stars and strives to the coasts of Europe, through the Gulf of Mexico, and over the surface of the Pacific Yet strange to say, measurably with the pro- gress of these greut trophies of American skill, has grown up in this country a feeling which— at first mere petty jealousy and spite—has ripened into direct hostility to our great lines of ocean steamers, and Lad lately culminated in the veto of Franklin Pierce on the appro- priation for the Collins line. Congress having now adjourned, whatever may be said upon the subject now will only tell upon the community at large, and can exercise but a remote influence upon the next body of federal legislators. But to us the question— Whether or no we are to have a great steam navy? seems endowed with such vital and national importance, that we think it quite worth the while of the gentlemen who are to mect next December at Washington to ponder it well in the meantime. It is quite certain that it is one of the duties ot Congress to provide for the carriage of the mails on sea as well as on land. That service must be paid for; and therefore there is no question but Congress must pay something to ocean steamers. The only point on which de- bate is possible is as to the amount to be paid and the parties who are to receive it. Every time the appropriation is brought forward, cer- tain of the lobby and others rise up and offer to do the work for far less money. Hitherto, their aims have been defeated, and the appro- priations have been renewed year by year. But from Mr. Pierce’s veto, and the frantic joy expressed by certain aboli- ticnists of this city, it it evident that year by year, the opposition is growing stronger, and the time does not seem far distant when the appropriation may be. entirely withdrawn, Suppose then, the Collins line denied the amount they demand for carrying the mails. It is to be presumed they would not, at all events at first carry them for less, and rua ata loss. How is the business of the country to be carried on? How is Congress to discharge its duty of establishing the postal system? No one here, at all events, would be unwise enough to advise Congress to make a bargain at a lower rate with come rival of the Collins line; for we have had plenty of experience of that sort of thing in this city, and know perfectly well that it would only end in a law suit, and at last in an appeal to the generosity of Congress to for- give the debt. In this city of New York, we repeat, the thing has been tried over and over again; and we venture to say there has not been an instance in which an important piece of work has been taken out of the hands of a man who performed it well, and given to some noiry rival to be done at a cheaper rate, that the city has not lost enormously by the opera- tion, and been obliged in the end to return to its former agent. The same thing would occur in the event of the mail contract being taken out of the hands of the Collins company. It would be given to some one else, who would fail—perhaps without wilfal negligence, but from the inevitable irregularities of a new line: and the end would be that the mails would again full entirely into the hands of foreigners, and that Congess would fail in one of the most important duties entrusted to its charge. But there is another and a national reason for continuing the appropriations to the ocean mail lines. They are, in fact, the hope of the | country in case of war. If war was to break | out to morrow—and certainly the prospect is } not more distant than it appeared to the Eag- lish three years ago—the United States Navy | would be utterly useless. It is confessedly | worse than that of any other maritime nation : | but even England, after spending ten millions of pounds a year on her navy for forty years | of peace, gis now forced to lay up all her old ships, and to build steamers on the fashion of | the Cunarders. The fleet that is to blockade | the Baltic this spring will not contain one sail- ing vessel. How much more useless would the wretched tubs be, which now compose the | United States naval armament! War, come | when it may, must be, so far as we are concerned, | a maritime war, We should find it difficult to muster soldiers for the invasion of a foreiga country at any distance; and with our means ot internal communication, and our population, we could unquestionably defend our coasts with success against an invader. Tae war would inevitably be carried on at sea; and | Our success and our losses would be in exact proportion to our strength on that element, We must not trast to sailing ships, The ex- perience of the last year in the Battic and the | Black Sea prove the utter inability of sailing | versels to oppose steamers, and establish incon" | trovertibly that henceforth steam will be the great orm in naval warfare. | Where are our steam vessels? We will not insult the intelligence of ourreaders, or probe a | national sore by alluding to the United States | ships. Our steam navy consists of the Col- Jins mail line, the Chagres mail line, the Pacific mail Jine, with the coasting steamers which ply toand from New York, Boston, Philadelphia avd New Orleans, Looking at these, and comparing them with the steam fleet which England is now fitting out to attack Cronstadt, and which, if successfal, may be ordered in the next place to cross the Atlantic—is it possible that this country con- | tains ony right-ninded patriotic men who seek still farther to cripple our power, and diminish stial further the contemptible number of oar steam vessels? If war breaks out, are we to enbmit quietly while the enemy bombards New | New York and Boston? Are we, while he is plundering our shores, and condemaing our thips as prizes at Halifax, to begia then to | | think of building steamers? Three mouths of | | many an eye was such helplessness might involve a damage ex- ceeding the cost of d handyed first class steam- ers employed to carry mails for ten years. There is but one right course for Congress to pursue in this matter. Extravagance must be ebecked; but that economy whieh saves half a million at a fature cost often is worse than any extravagance. Let Congress sell all the ves- sels of war for old firewood; some of them might be given away with economy. Then, let ample appropriations be made to lines of mail steamers. Let us continue the” present | appropriations to the Collins and Pacific mail lines ; and let others, sufficient in amount be given to lines plying to Havre, to Canton, and wherever elee there is traffic. Place the owners under as severe restrictions as to size, build, regularity of trips, fures, “c., as may be cho- sen; but pay them for carrying the mails enough to ensure a sufficient number of com- plete and well built steamers, By these means, if war should break out, the United States might in a month have a powerfal squadron on the coast, capable of sweeping it trom north to south in a few days, and protecting the great cities. Ifit did cost five millionsa year to keep up six or seven lines of first class ocean steamers, who would grudge the money for the support they would afford? Oreratic Trovetes—Last Sceyz at THE Acapemy.——We give in another part of this paper a report of a usique masical convention held at the Academy of Music yesterday after- noon. The opera seasoa under Ole Bull is over. The stalwarth Norwegian has failed in his endeavor to establish the Opera here, and he will now be obliged to retire to the sweets of rural life and violin solos at his Pennsylva. nia colony. He seems to have been laboring under the same difficulties that pestered poor Fry at the Astor Place Opera House ; bat, although we knew that something was wrong, the final smash-up came sooner than we ex- pected. The great difficulty in the way of operatic managers seems to be the tremendous expense which they must incur—the artists demand here three or four times as much salary as they receive in Europe, and the frequenters of the Opera are not willing to pay at corres- ponding rates for tickets. The salaries at the Academy were so high that the Opera never could have been pecuniarily successful. We have given to the public all the facts in the case, without expressing any opinion on the points at issue between the managers, the artists and the public, and we do not intend to take sides with either of the parties. We do not wish to have any more libel suits. Oo a previous occasion we defended the poor artists, but they were ungrateful enough to turn against us. Some of the very persons whom we had defended, asin the case of Strakosch, were forward in giving evidence to prejudice our case. So we will occupy the position of a look-out, and duly report oar observations. THE LATEST NEWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Exciting News from Washington. PROSPECTS OF AN EXTRA SESSION—THE ADJOURN- MENT— OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS —RUSSIA—NICHO- LAS—DOUGLAS—-SPAIN--M&. SOULE AND THE AD- MINISTRATION—SOMETHING IMPENDING OF A WAR+ LIKE OHARACTER—SOULE GOING TO NEW YORK— OUR CUBAN RELATIONS— COL, CLEMENS—COL. KIN- NEY, &C. Wasnrnotox, March 5, 1855. An extra sersion is freely spoken of as inevitable, al- though the President would wish to avoid making the call if he could do so without compromising the interests of the country. Many of the western members of Con gress express an intention to remain in the city for the remainder of the week, believing that the President wil determine the question in a few days, and thus save them the trouble of long and fatiguing journeys. ‘The parting scene in the Senate at the adjournment on Sunday noon, was touching in the extreme, and glassed over with emotion in making the farewell. General Shields was the object of especial attention, and his manly had received the farewell grasp with » warmth that showed sincerity from all his late associates; even the pages and clerks claimed their right to a good bye, and the black runrer boy to the Senate, left the chamber with the water freely running down bis cheeks, having received a “God bless you’’ from the lips of the gallant soldier and legislator. Probably no session of Congress ever brought its labors to a close where less personal animosity was exhibited, than was to be met with on Sunday, at the moment of departure. It has truly been a working Congress, and with but few exceptions it bas entitled itself to the approval and applause of the country, which doubtless it will receive. ‘The ¢elicate condition of our fortign relations, and the unpreparedness of the President to meet a crisis that shows iteelf as threatening, will, ia all probsbility, force him to call an extra Congress together. Uniess I am greatly in error, that step was agreed upon in the late conference at the President’s house, upon certain con- tingencies coming up, but which are to be waited for with a patience characteristic of General Pisrce’s ad- ministration. A strong interest is plainly manifested by our government in the wars now waging ia ths East, favorable to Russian success, and reciprocal is the seati- ment of Russia towards the United States, This is shown in the Emperor’s letter to the President, and in the un- usual interest which has marked the conduct of the Russian ambassador in every question of a foreign char- acter calculated to reflect injuriously upon th's coun- try. Senator Douglas has done more toward producing the friendly relations existing between us and Russ'a than the combined government of the United States. He is a warm partisan of the Czar, and to learn the in- | terest he feels in his success is but to approach him on the subject. There is no man in the United Sates who holds a like prominent position, political amd social, with the Emperor of Russa, a# Senator Douglas. He visits almost daily the Russian émbassy here, and his views and advice frequently find their way Atlantic. A few hours may show that the | bave their importance. Mr. Soul’ will shortly visit New York to partake ofan entertainment to which he has been invited by a nume- rous body of his friends, The opportunity will be availed of to present a history of his difficulties while represen- tative of the United States to Spain, which have been called tor by Congress and withheld by the President. The ex Minister from Spain is in high epirits, His first day in Washington was permitted to pass without & single cail from any of the Cabinet. On the contrary, trom the hour of his arrival until ete ia the evening, his rooms were thronged by members of both branches of Congress, and his fellow-citizen generally, anxious toextend to him their sympathies. This singls fast containe yolume in itsel!, showing conclusively that every honorable feeling, and all the manly impulses, are gathered in and around the man who has heen mae the instrument, at the expense of national reputation, of the most unprincipled administrations thus far known to the United States. Soul’ ts surprised at the warmth of his reception, and in my presence I heard him ob serve—'‘I did not expect this,” casting his eyes at the tame time around the room, and nodding reeognition to many whose hands he could not conveniently grasp from the density of the throng. At the close of the day he spoke freely with his more intimate friends on the subject of his mission ami its failure, clearly imply- ing that he had two sets of instructions to follow, of opposite character, coming from the President and the State Department, and thus throwing upon himself o responsibility in which he found it necessary to consult | amongst the gallant genslemen comprising the military with his colleagues atFrance and Fngland, He makes | the assertion that our difficulties with Spain long since | could have been brought toa satisfactory termination but for the indifference and fatal policy of our generay government. A proposition of settiemeat had been made him by the late Spanish ministry, which was a subject of cond- aeration at the Ostend convention, aod its acceptance warmly recommended by his collesgaes; but bry his veturn to Spain be was handed a letter, written by Gen. ' vin rformed the duties of Judge te General | dering the administrations of Govern art, Yousg and Hont. The military of the State will dnd in Gen. | could | Generee Valley Canal, and the other for the Erie Canal. uu former case he thought the State might be het4 she. VOL. XX. Pierce, encouraging him to-refuse every offer wharg., ‘money was to be the pricé of securing Cabs to the Unj- i] ted States.’ His triends will ¢emand s plain atatement to be given to the public, which General Pierce will do* his utmost to prevent. Marey feels satisfed that no. blame can attach to him, hence, the whole of the mis- chief is justly placed at the coor of the President, Cush- ing, and Forney, a triu:nvirate unmatched in pulitical vil- Jany and bareness since the creation of the United States republic. It is a stravge circumstance that inmnedi_ ately upon Mr, Soulé’s arrival here, co interview could. be obtained with the Secretary of State, who, doabtiens, ~~ was anxious that Mr. Pierce should be first approached by the returned ambassador. ‘The late accounts from Europe singularly confirm the statement given by your correspondent in a recent com- munication, showing that Spain has placed herself wholly in the hands of England and France. In Mr, Soulé’s duties abroad, he had not alone the incapacity and treachery of his own government to encounter, but thore of Spain, England and France, and the prejudice of a large portion of the American press, Ex-Senator J, Clemens hss fallen heir to a respectable, snm of over thirty thousand “ollars, in the recent. pas- eage of a land claim to certain Alabamians, by Congress, being the amount sgreed upon for his services in the event of the measure succeediag. The expedition of Colonel Kinwey bas come to an unfortunate termina tion, Its reported connection with the Cuban enterprise has left itwith but few friends, and those friends are without means to create a fresh enthusiasm, THE COLLINS STEAMERS- GEN. PRESIDENT. WaSsnincton, Mire 5, 1855, There is no obligation devolved on the Collins Company to build another vessel as has been stated, The ap- Propria'ion passed in theNaval biil continues the line as formerly, leaving the law of 1852 in force, by which Con- gress can give the six months notice whenever there is & majority strong enough to pas: h an enactment. It is said the President is afraid to appoint Shields Brigacier General on account of the Know Nothings. SHIBLDS AND THE 2» THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOUR NEW REGIMENTS. : Waxiuxatox, March 5, 1855, There is some excitement going on here ia regard to. the appo'ntments of subordinate officers for the new regiments, Meimbers of Congress are still remaining and pressing the claims of civilians among their con- stituency. The War Department is benioged with appli- cations from officers of the regular army for promotions in these regiments, It is reported this evening that the Department has made all the subordinate appointments from the regular army, exeept some second lieutesants, which are to come from the classes at West Point. The democratic members of Congress say that the bill for the new regiments would not have passed Congress if they had thought that Gen. Shields would not have been. made a Brigadier General, or that the Department would. have ignored civilians as to the subordinate appoint- ments. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. Wasuinaton, Marcn 5, 1855. The Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, and Messrs. Lucius Patterson, of Michigan, and Norman B. Judd, of Illinois, were admitted as attorneys and coun- / sellors ot the United States Supreme Court tc-day. 4 ‘No. 86. John L. Hays plaintitt in Error, vs. Tne Pacific: Mail Steamship Company. Toe argument was continued’ by Mr. Davidge Vinton for the defendant. Know Nothing Triumph in New Bedford. NEw BEDFORD, sfass., March 5, 1855. Geo, Howland, Know Nothing, was chosen Mayor of this city to-day. The vote was as foliows:—Howland, 1,834, Rodney, free s0i The United States Bainbridge tn Dis~ tress. Norroux, March 5, 1855. The United States brig Bainbridge put in here in dis- tress to-day. @n the 2lstof February, during a gale of wind, she became much disabled, and was obliged to- throw her guns overboard. Latest trom the State Capital. IMPORTANT RAIL@OAD BiLL—PROPOSED BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS—THE ROCHESTER CANAL DAMAGE CLAIMANT8— GEN. DE PEYSTER’S RBSIGNATION—HIS SUOCESSOR--THE POLICE BILL, &C. ALBANY, March 5, 1855, A very important general railroad bill was introduceg inthe Senate this morning by Mr. Munroe, providing or tke election of a Board of Railway Commissioners, It creat e Comptroller and State Engineer, ex-officio, / members, and another one to be elected by the votes of the stockholders of the roads in the State. In case the person #0 elected shall resign or die, then the Governog. is to fill the vacancy. The salary of the member elected is to be three thousand dollars a year, and five hundred dollars is provided for the travelling expenses of the other two members of the board. ‘he bill is very lengthy, so we only give a synopsis of the most material portions of it, as follows: . 11.—In ease any. person or persons, appointed by the Sommissioners, to inepect such road or portion fler the intpeetion of the same, report im id board, shat in his or their opinion the € be attendod with danger or damage by reason of incompleteness of rot eae of the esta. f ) together with the grounds t shall be a ‘the work or perm: Dlishment for worki of sueh opinion. lawfal for the #aid board, frem time to tin as such persons sali, after forther inspection the: » report, to order and’ direct the company owning or intending "to use such railroad to postpone such opening, forany period not excoeding thirty days at any one time, wuti i€ shall appenr to the said board that such opening may take place witnout danger or damage to the public the same, ‘The said board shall in no- case giveitheir certificate or permission for the public opening Irond w he following provisions have heen fully eo with, vir c= the road shall be fully completed and substantially The finisned, 2. At every public or private road there shall Ve suitable eattle guards, 0 trivance, to prevent animals from getting w 3, On every portion of the row sball be put ballustrades, of adepth of at least one f ties 4. The e: mit of sult ood and suitable materials, to low the bottom of the eross ations shall be made of suitable width to per- side drains, which drains shall be opened in ack. d and proved to be port te of forty miles an hour, @ suitable facteon that the said bor be their duty, to annual! a Leondition of each of the railroaa corporations of and ut any other time when complaints of fraud, any suitable person to condition ot bay road of th Gn preducing'hie suthorit ball e allezed frauds, to that effect, © bis ronaltoes 4 uN #08 8 ‘alties herein rootlets ticiteeccbeeu atte There are many features similar to Senator Bartlett's bill of 1853. The bill for the benefit of the Rochester hydraulic mendicants was taxen up in the Senate, read through, and came near passing the committee sub silento, Senator Lansing said sowe information shoul bs given for the passage of such an important bil. He thought it should be amended so that the decision of the Canal Apprairers or Canal Board sxould be referred to the Le- gisiature. He undersvooa that at the tims the Erie canal was built, theState took possession of the waole Generee river, and used its waters for the canal, and ‘that damages were paid to persons whose by lraulic works were itijured thereby. was notic I! per. sone purchasing mill sites thereafter that tate Sa | pomersion of thone waters, and consequently the State / be responsible fora failure of the supply for hydraue purposes. It made a vast difference Retwoen, ria having mills erected at that period and thoes uilcing them since. Every case should be separately Jered, tp crder te ascertain their trae nature, . Hopkins understood that there were twe classes of cases—one asking damages for taking water for the hop contended that the mill owners held titles e quarters of a century, some from purchase & Gorham, and others from the indians, and that there was actonily an intention to erect mille before the Erie Canal was constructed. There may have been one or two mills built at that time. ‘The bill was finally referred back to the committee, with instructions to invest the amount each claimant demands, verified by oath. From the millions first claimed, the amount has been figured down to two bua dred and eighty thousand collars, It is all important, therefore, that the right kindof | caval officers shall be appointed. Who guards the en trance into the vaults of the State Treasury * The difficulties which have existed for some time family of the commander in-chief have at length result- ed inarupture. Dnring the whole of last week tne bel- ligerents were in constant altercation; and so severe the contest became, that on Saturday the chief of the sta‘f, Brigadier General J. Watts Depuyster, Adjutant General, left bis office, whether volun arily or not does not ap ear wpon the public records, There are others in his Exca@eecy’s staf who must throw off their epaulettes befove the ‘cabinet becomes a unit.’ This morning, Robert H. Pruyn, Eaq., was duly commissioned a4 Adjn- tent General, He has th experience, Vruyn an officer of courtesy and ability. ¢ New York Police bul, which Ea dew bout in the Houre from one committer to veral weeks, was to-day, on motion of Mr. 1 ken from the Judiciary Commirtes and referret to the New York delegation, There is much difference of, !