The New York Herald Newspaper, March 13, 1855, Page 2

562 Ostend Conference—First Developements rae ete Cont Confirmed—The Facts and the Herald, Nov. 7, 1854.) PRR RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN MIVTS- ‘TERS AT OSTEND—THE IMMEDIATE ACQUISITION OF- OUBA, vate advices enable us to state certainty we usat of the ministerial and aml e confe- Fence recently held at Ostend, and the objest of which was, it appears, to determine upon « line of policy b; which our difficulties with Spain would adjusted, that government induced to make rey@ration for past euteagee ‘and indignities upon our citi#ns and commerce, a as security f¢ for the future. ‘The conference necessarily broug4t up for discussion the peculiar position in which ment of the United States is placed by the ‘afusdl of Spain ‘to afford & hagesedah vied and ots ; Or, indeed, te cor ns upon jest. | Matters have arnved at, that crisis where n> ‘thing is left for the Unite? States but either to abandon the whole“question, or ty continue it in a manner which afford no ty for further shuffling. Such the opinion of Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soulé, ‘we are not to learn that they agreea to recom- mend that the govenment of the United States should declare, in effect, chat our safety demanded and our in- ‘Yerests required we should purchase or take Cuba at itis that Mr. McRae, our Consul at Paris, who arrived here in the Arabia, was the bearer of the des- ‘eaveying this recommendation of the American and bigest upon the President immediately to ‘make tke avowal, and take steps to carry it into effect. The watter is now being deliberated upon by the Cabinet at Wasbington, and the country will look with deep inte- rest to the result, ‘Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soulé have also express- ed their conviction that France and England are favor- ebb to ale of Cuba to the United States—a marked ebange ing recently taken place in the policy of those owun' in this respect. The tone of the English and h 8 would ‘hea toa supposition that this ws ‘the car this is rendered more important by the facia} character of the information now in possession of @ur government. Mr, Buchanan is a statesman of experience and reflec- tion, and bis recommendation will necessarily carry with it great weight. It is difficult to imagine he would sug- gest the adoption of such a decided course were he not eonvinced, not only that this is the proper time to strike @ decisive blow, but that it is useless to expect Spain to do us justice unles compelled to it. Thus fortified, it is not improbable Mr. Pierce may act mm the advice now given. Whatever course is dote ed upon, the action must be prompt. The Co: meets at next month. The ultimatum of the Dnited States should be made known during its ses Should the administration determine to take firm and promentive ground in this matter, it is supposed the squadron will be sent to Havana, Matanzas and ether ports of Cuba—thus lending a moral influence to ments used in favor of its acquisition, This ‘Wil likelihood be the first indication given of the Prosident’s intention of acting upon the sugyestions of -Mr. Buchanan and his confreres. We look with interest to the sevensremens of the affair, but with little confi- in the firmness of the government at Washington. [From the Herald, Jan. 9, 1855 ] REVOLUTION IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE AD: MINISTEATION—ABANDONMBNT OF (OUBA—RESIG- NATION OF SOULE. Asall inquiry into the Ostend conference, on the part ‘ef the House of Representatives, has been practically defeated by the reference of the resolution of inquiry to the Committee on Foreign Relations, it is due to the public that a brief, comprehensive and reliable narrative ef all the transactions which led to the calling of the wonference in question, as well as the events which have subsequently taken place, should be given. We propose te fill up the hiatus which now exists by a plain state- ment, free from bias, and with as little comment as practicable. When Mr. Soulé was appointed Minister to Spain, he aecepted the position with the distinct understanding ‘that the acquisition of Cuba was a leadin; licy of the administration, and that to that end afl his energies were to be directed. From the first moment of his arri- val at Madrid this idea was the key note to his whole eonduct, When he charged with demanding repa- vation for the Black Warrior outrage, it was deeme: fitting opportunity to review all the various outrages whic! been committed by the authorities of Cubi ‘upon our citizens and commerce for a long series of year: and accOrdingly Mr. Soulé did not confine himself to a mere monetary claim for damages, but also demanded a suitable apology, The result of the negotiations which followed was the @istinct refusal of the Spanish government to make any apology. Upon this, Mr. Soule closed the negotiations and reported the facts to the government at Washington. Im doing £0, he took oc: ‘0 give his views at length as to the condition of affairs in Spain, and express his eonvictions that if the United States adopted a vigorous and decided policy, Cuba in Jess than six months would be ours. But as hedid not desire that his mere ipse dizit abould be taken, be suggested that a conference might be eld with Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Mason, where he would fully explain his views, and a joint report could be for- warded here of the result. A special messenger was despatched with this impor- tant communication, and it at once met with a favora- Ble response at the hands of the President and Cabinet none being more enthusiastic than Mr. Marcy. Armed with this authority the messenger returned, and the conference at Ostend was heid. Ansoon as the three Ministers had decided upon a concert of action, a joint despatch was written, and Mr. McRae, United States Consul at Paris, was sent tn Wash- Amgton, the bearer of the'result. He’ arrived here in we gsteamsbip Arabia November 2d, and in the Htxauy of ‘November 7th 2 full statement wae given of the con- tents of the despatch. It was there stated that the eenference bad been held to consider but one subject— the condition of our relations with Spain and their con- mection with the Cuban question. Buchanan, Mason and Soulé united in recommending that the gov- ernment of the United States should declare, in effsct, hat it was useless to prolong negotiations further—that © long as Cuba remained a dependence of the Spanish wown it would continue to bea source of annoyance and injury to us, and that both our honor and interest required we should either purchase or take Cuba at ence. They further expressed the opinion that England and France would offer but little if any opposition to the transfer by purchase of the island to the United States. Since thle pudlication different versions of the con ference have appeared; but the above contained the whole substance of the despatch, and any statements contradicting it are erroneous. And in th:s connection it ina pregnant fact, that whilst the organs of the ad- mainistration have freely contradicted other versions of ‘the result of the conference, which have been published, the Henan article of the 7th of November has never ‘Deen contradicted or impeached. ‘We now come to the per‘od when, for the first time, a change was determined upon by the President and Cabi- met in their Cuba en It was found that the pas- wage of the Wenraaka bill had stirred up an excitement Abroughout the country upon sectional ( ge second, SS not even to the agitation in 1850. The aboli- were sweeping the North, and the administration was carried away and almost annihilated by the flood. Mr, Marcy, who had been a tardy and wowilling convert ‘Yo the necessity or expediency ‘of that measure, sudden- became convinced that unless the Ric waa al- owed to die out upon the meagre food of the theory that slavery was not being extended by the Nebraska bill, the whole country ‘would irretrievably be abolitionized. He believed that to press the annexation of Cuba—a new glave State—would at this time be madness; and he therefore set his foot down against the views advocated by Mersrs. Buchanan, Mason, and Soul, The discus- stone ta the Rebinsh Vere frequent and animated. Mr. Pierce at firet sided with the Ostend Conference, and Mr. Oushing exerted all his ability to combat Mr. Marcy's ro- galve. “it was pending this discussion that the tumor obtained currency that Mr. Marcy was about to retire from the State Department; and there is no doubt he would bave retired sconer than yield his convictions as to the impolicy of forcing the acquisition of Cuba whilst She public mind was still feverish over the Nebraska bill. But Mr. Marcy at length carried his point. The policy ef the adwinistration was changed; and instead of Mr. Boulé receiving a reply to the joint despatch, approving of its views, as he had a right to expest from all the in- eidents of the past, he was written to to proceed without delay to Madrid, and re-open the negotiations which he had closed, asking for reparation and an apology for the Black Warrior aifair, but instructing him to use no threats, and to avoid all occasion for irritation, Thus mtands the matter now. It can readily be imagined that Mr. Soulé received this Jast despatch from Mr. Marcy with feelings of unmixed surprise and indignation. Acting upon instructions, he had pressed the Spanish government for reparation and - NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY MARCH 13 18655. from oppression, find a refuge on our shores, ai Wrongen redpousive echo in our hearts; that Spaia, la- ig ander pecuniary and. social distress—pressed by England for repayment of moneys due, and threa- tened Db; land’s power, must, no matter what ‘her hesitation, be merely an instrument in the hands of her powerful ally to carry out a system'of annoyance to the United States, and to do allim her power to check and harass our commerce. Not satisfied with the estab- lishment of a tariff which excludes us from a partict- tion in the benefits of the markets of Cuba, she seeks Z &@ system of apprenticeship, to affect also our social and political institutions. Can any one for a moment suppose that Canada would now be a de- pendency of the British crown, if s liberal government and free institutions had not prevailed there; if, instead of encouraging trade and intercourse with us, directl; the contrary policy had been puraued; and if our citi- zens, when Visiting the provinces, were treated with in- dignity, imprisoned and driven’ out? Yet suck, the derpatch urges, is the condition of Cubs, and its ‘po tion towards the United States, Arriving at these conclusions, it becomes evident that Spain cannot hope much loager to retain possession of Cuba. This presents another view of the question; and that is, that in any change the interests of the United States imperatively demand that the transfor of the sovereignty of the island must not inure to the advan- tageof any European power. Spain can make but one transfer, and that must be to us. Having thus fully gone over the ground, it is suggest- ed by the ministers that our government should autho- rize the renewal of the offer to purchase Cuba, as ‘‘ia- demnity for the past and security for the future.’ Under Mr. Polk’s admixistration a large gum was olfered. The despatch urges that the sum now to be offered should be munificent, If Spain refused to listen to terms so reasonable, to a caré so plausible; if she continued to turn a deaf ear to our demand for damages, and an apology for outrages already committed, then she fould’anderstand that upon the first repstition of these outrages the United States would enforce satisfaction, and the last vestige of Spanish power would be swept from the Western world. Such is the substance of the celebrated despatch, signed by the Ministers to England, France, and Spain, and which Mr. Marcy so pertinaciously determines shall not see the light. We believe w correct in anser!- ing that neither of the gentlemen who signed it s from the responsibility of ita authorship; but Mr. Marcy, acting upon bis convictions of the danger of introducing the Cuba question as an additional element of excite- t to the Nebraska bill, will not let it be made offi- ly public, and as long as he remains in the State De- artment he will continue to rule. He has fought his Pattie with the President, and he feels that he exercises the powers of a dictator, Instead of a favorable response to the conclusions rived at by the ‘ambassadorial conference,” Mr. Me- Rae took back a despatch which might have emanated from the polar regions, so icy cold wasit. Mr. Soule was informed that the policy of the government was wholly opposed to any attempt to prosecute negotiations with a view to the acquisition of Ouba, and he was di- rected to repair to Madrid forthwith, and resume bis diplomatic functions with the most lamblike demeanor. Mr. Soulé has declared that he will not submit to such a degrading position, after having committed himself as he has already done, and that he will return to the United Staves, and expose the perfidy of the State De- partment. One thing is certain: General Pierce has abandoned all idea of obtaining Cuba, for the present at least, either by purchase or conquest. The hopes of the Cubans, which were raised in anticipatien of moral aid from the govera- ment of the United States, are blasted. And even those who clung to the President as a man of nerve in our foreign relations, and were willing to consider his failures at hcme were more the result of accidents than fault, now bitterly complain of his weakness and his abandonment of the policy which they wei to be- lieve would, under all circumstances, be adhered to. There is reason to believe that a firm course en the part of the government of the United States would have #0 expedited matters in the island that ere this Spain would gladly have accepted even a more moderate com pensation for the loss of her tottering power than would willingly have been given by this country. But the mo- ment Gale ed by—the weakness of the Presiient, ley ing. it touches, and the strength of Marcy, have id hands upon the flickering torch of liberty in Cuba, andEnglish policy and European diplomacy are trium: phant. We have done our duty in laying before the public tw connected with the Ostend conference; and whenever the documents are published, they will cor- roborate all we have stated. Io the House of Repre- sentatives the attempt to elicit the information was » ried by the reference of the resolution to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Is there not independence enough i rink n the Senate to call for the despatches, and to compel he President either to decline acceding to the request, and thus tacitly acknowledge the correctness of our dis- closures; or, by boldly sending the documents to Con- gress, let the country know what conrse he has adopted, eud the seaovus which Luve Induced s0 marked a change n his foreign policy? The Army Appointments. BEN, M’CULLOCH’S LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT. (From the Ws ehington Intelligeneer, March 12. Wasmincron, March 10, 1855. I take leave to request that you will oblige me by giv- ing the enclosed letter a placein your paper of Monday morning. It will be ananswer tothe many inquiries which are daily addressed to me, and will correct various mistaken speculations which have found their way to the mewspapers in relation to my nomination as a major of cavalry, Respecthully, your obedient servant, BEN. McCULLOCH. Wasninetoy, March 8, 1855. To m8 EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT :—~ Sir—I respectfully beg leave to decline the appoint- ment of major of cavalry, and briefly to state some of the reasons that govern ime in doing 40. ought, and still think, cvilians hada right to ex- pect some of the appointments as field officers of the new regiments, and I believe that Congress would not have passed the bill raising them hadit been known that all the appointments of high grade were to be made from the srmy, with but one single exception, Out of all the gal- lant mes who led our troops to battle and to victory in Mexico surely some could have been found competeat and worthy to command a regiment or # battalion, Nor was the inerease of the army, as it seems to me, made especially to benefit those who were already in the ser- vice. In making the appointments one of these views appears to have been entertained, either of which would e me in an awkward position. Under the latter view I have no claims, not being in the army, and by my acceptance of the prollered 2p- pointment uncer the former it would be saying to my gallant countrymen, I alone am worthy of more than a captaincy. This superiority I do not claim, but, on the contrary, I believe there are many who would not only have been good appointments, but would have rendered eminent service against the Indians in the cavalry regi- ments, which are created for that particular duty. If there had been even three or four field officers made from civilians, my position would have been less objec- tionable. The army would have at once conceded there was something due to the country, and that something had been given and of right belonged to those appointed, and no jerlousy or bad feeling could have arisen. How different from this would be my position were I to ac- Some of my subordinates in rank might look upon me as an intruder, occupying a position that they were better entitled to. Nor would it be strange, under existing circumstances, for such views to be entertained. when it is recoliectea that out of sixtecn field officers { alone come from the citizens, therevy giving the oflicers of the army the right to infer that they have better claims to those appointments. « I am proud to say that the most friendly relations have ever existed between the officers of the regular army and myself wherever we have met, whether in rough conflict with the onemy or in the peaceful walks On no account would I see it disturbed. in come upon our country, gan teenie 89, wish to meet them not only as brothers in arms, but also in feeling. Entertaining these views, it would be inconsistent in me to accept the appointment. To do so War may ag have the pleasure of seeing them in the field, apology for past outrages; and failing to receive either, he abraptly closed the negotiations. How can he re-open them with honor to himselt? An apology al- 'y refused, can he worthily represent the United Btares by sueing humbly for that which in its very na- ture must be given as a matter of right, and not a8 a eharity, in order to possess any merit whatever? These are Mr. Souli’s views, we have the best authority for @eclaring. ‘We feel, therefore, authorized to announce that Mr. Boulé has resigned his position as Minister to Spain, and will speedily return to the United States with feel- of hostility jowaris the administration and deter- lay all the facts before the country. This will at bring up the Cuba question, and force the ad ministration to show its hand, Mr! Marcy is firmly gested in the State Department, and ‘he is as firmly op- Whatever ored to the annexation of Cuba at this time. Eis faults, be is not lacking in courage. sad we may, therefore, expect to witness an interesting and bloody hi t. ae for Mr. Buchanan, he will return home dispirited. Be has not been able to achieve any results in England, and to » man of his prominence the glitter of «court is ‘8 poor recompense for the leas of the quiet and repose of his country seat near Lancaster. {From the Herald, Jan. 10, 1855.] THE OSTEND CONFERENCE—ABANDONMENT OF THE CUBA POLICY. ‘We yesterday gave a succinct narrative of the occur- rences which led to the Ostend conference, and the changed position of the administration with regard to the acquisition of Cuba, We to-day proceed to state in detail ‘the substance of the celebrated joint despatch signed by Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soulé, now garefuily fled away on one of the shelves of the State Department at Washington me of the English papers, in alluding to our article of November 7th last, in which we published the result of the Ostend conference, attempt to invalidate ite ec Féctness, by urging that it in absurd to suppose Messrs. Bhebanan, Mason and Soulé would recommend the gov ernment of the United States to say to Spain you mast either sell Cubs or we will take it. To their mind it ap- as if even American diploraacy would not be gality of the buffoonery of presenting " of da one hand and a dagger in the ot o,beg of dollars io er, and politely request- ing her to choose whichever horn of the dilemma she fancied. But these journalists must be very ahellow indeed, if they really suppo t nything of the kind. #t, that the joint despatch recommended “ that the gor ernment of the United States should declare, in a(fort, that our honor demanded and our interest reqaired we mount either purchsse or take Cuba.’’ Cannot our eapi 8% London contemporaries understand that the govera would be a contradiction of all the opinions I have uni- formly held, and I think thet if Congres shall again at any time increase the army by creating additional regi- ments, they will carefully provide for the protection of the equal rights of citizens in civil life to Ol the new military offices, of whatever grade. T have the Honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi- ent servant, EN. McCULLOCH. The Panama Rallroad—Transportation of Freight. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Ihave been chasing around for several days, endeavor- ing to find out the cost of freight vie Panama to San Francisco, I learned at the office of T. P. Stanton, 56 South street, that a package of merchandise can be sent through to San Francisco in thirty or forty days, for $3 peroquare foot, or six cénts per pound for heavy goods bis is a very important change. A box of goods (mixea hardware} measuring two cubic feet, will weigh nearly 100 pounds, which has usually cost $40 to $50, can now be sent for $6 or $8. The difference in lighter goods will not be so great. But inasmuch as the Pacific Mail Steam er Company andthe Panama Railroad Compaay seem to be asleep as to the great importance to the public of this change, you can, if you will, publish this fact to the ‘world a little abead of them, as = are of every one else in matters of impertance to the public: A little more reduction in price per cubie foot, will fetch from Europe, via steam, an enormous quantity of valuable goods to go via l’anama to San Francisco, An toon as shippers are aware they can send a large trunk or box to California in thirty or forty days, atfrom $10 to $20, every variety of merchandise will be sent. Manufacturers and others at a distance, do not know of this change, and | think some remarks from youca this point will be to them of great importance. Stanton has up &@ steamer for merchandise, at the above named rates, now, to’go through, it is expected, in about thirty or forty days H Aspiewail went out to make the arrangements by last steamer, but I ruppose he will not bind the com pany until his return, when he «hall bave perfected all the machinery. But the public want a little timely no- 8. W. A, thee fork, Marsh 8, 1855. The Mercantile Libel Suit, SUPERIOR COURT. Before Hon, Judge Slosson. Mancn 12,—Jsidor Bernhard vs. Arthur Tappan.— This case having been settled since the adjournment of the court on Friday, the jury were discharged this mora | tne, @ McTigh, who had refused to an- ewer, mmitted to the custody of the Sheri ) FAS alto Uicckarged, the wi and wes ———— | Our Washington Correspondence. Wasumncton, March 10, 1855. Important Movement in the South—Direct Cotton Trade with Europe—The Importance of this Trade to Eng- land—The Way Congressional Resolutions are Kept in Claim—A. G. Benson and the Lobos Islands, éc., dc. One of the most important proceedings of the South, Just at this time, is an effort, which promises tobe suc- ceseful, to practicalize the ides, #0 long harped upon, of direct trade im cotton with Europe. From most of the Southern States agents have been despatched to the principal continental courts of Burope to ask and impor- tune each sovereign to take the duties off the importa- tion of cotton in the raw material within their respective dominions. The importance of this movement in its consequences, especially to Englund, is very clear. For a long time Blackwood has been demonstrating the value of the American cotton trade to Englent, estimating the amount of the imports from the Unived States each year, im the raw state, to be in value about one hi an twenty millions of dollars per annum. Upon this capi- tal, directly and incirectly, she employs more than half of her working population, en, On the seas, in her manufactories, at her cotton looms, in her stores and warehouses, spinning her cotton yarn, ex] it to the. continent, and back to the United States. To rob England of her monopoly of this trade would reduce her to great distress, even if it would not make her a bank- rupt within a short time. Dickens, in his tations upon the importance sui magnitude of the American cotton trade to Europe, bas wisely said that sne was dependent upon this trace for her very existence or, to use his own language, perpetuity of England hangs upon a thread of cotton.” A blow is about to be struck at England from the Southern States of this con- federacy, through this very interest, which Dickens and Blackwood and all the wise heade of the present day of England, est mate so bighly. Secretly this work of pre- aration to rob Exgland of this crade has been going on hh be South, and now the organizations agaist her arealready completed. The programme of the Xouthern men is, first to have cotton received upon the conti- mnt free of duty. With this view agents, while I write, before the Emperor of Russia, France and the Ger- manic nations. e Czar, particular! pected to look with favor upon this movement, and to favor it with all his ability and influence, a# @ measure inimical to England. e otber nations are expected to favor it from motives of self interest, growing out of tne trade given them. These agents are to all meet in May next, at Aix la Chapelle, and report and consult among them- selves upon their course of action, ¢ la Soulé, Buclanan and Mason, but with greater chances of succees in \heir scheme than attended the coi of the last men- tioned gentlemen. As soon asthe promue is ootained from the various sovereigns that the continent is op9n for the importation of our cotton, then immeviately a ccntinental depot for cotton is to be established upon the centinent, in opposition to Liverpool. To establish this depct heretofore has been thegreat dificulty, but those who have this matter in band have at last gone the right way to work about it, and canvassed the South, and had subscribed from the principal planters in the States bales enough to build up # depot as soon as opened upon the continent, with the advantages I spoken of. Within a fortnight from this time an agent of the South will start for Europe, to meet the congress at Aix la Chapelle in May next, to receive their report and views, and bring them bask to a convention of planters which is to assemble at Cooper’s Springs, in Mississippi, on the 4th of July next, to go immediately to work upon this matter, by putting their cotton on board of a direst line of Southern packets, if all the anticipations of the agents abroad in the meantime are realized. This is the pro- Tamme exactly as it stands at present. I have the par- {omar of this movement from one who knows allabout it, and itmay be relied upon. Ihave here given the policy marked out, and whether the scheme will s ceed, others can judge for themselves. In these tim when England is playing such a conspicuous part in revolutions of the day, any movement such as this, which tends towards her bankruptcy, is at least worthy of much consideration. A public matter of some importance, which has been asleep for a long time, is about waking up. It is as fol- Jows:— On the 3d of August, 1854, the following resolu. tion was parsed by Congress: — Resolved, That the President be requested to institute proceedings in law or equity against all such agents, at- omer and confederates as may bave assisted in pro- ing the claim of George A. Gardiner and John H, secu: [ Mears, or +ither of them, before the Board of Commis- sioners appointed under the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidal- 0 for the adjudication of claims on Mexico, in order to st their liability to refund the amount paid to them as agents, attorneys, confederates or assignees out of the award made by the said commissioners to sail Gardwmer and Mears. The hand of darkness fel 4 been laid upon every- thing intended to bring to light the acts of whigs and democrats ccnnected with those foul transactions, the country will not be surprised to hear that up to this day neither the President, Attorney-General or the Soli- citor of the Treasury have received the printed copy of the above resolution. is resolution to recover moneys of the United States paid to swindlers, passed in Con- gress last August, 1864, has never yet reached the exe- cutive end of Pennsylvania avenue, but has been choked down into darkness and night within the Capitol walls by the men whom it was intended to touch. is is a specimen of the way laws are executed, A resolu- tion of Congress, by some means of hocas pocus kept from the President, in the hurry of businvss furgovten, fa year aiter ita passage tha President ia ontirely igno- rani oh apy such resolution before Congress, till his at- tention was accident directed to it in a conversation with s friend. Elisha H. Whittlesey, during the last week, called the attention of the President to this mat- ter, and the President gave orders that it should be im- mediately examined into. This will no doubt disturb the serenity of twoor three distinguished gentlemen who have been laying the “unction to their souls’ that this matter was all ran and passed. Mr.A.G, henson is in Washington, trying to get the Executive Department to take some steps towards ob- taining for bim from Peru the amount she agreed to ‘ive him for his lossesin his Lobos Island guano adven- ures under Mr Fillmore’s administration. It will be remembered that in 1852 Mr. Benson embarked about a million of dollars in the Lobos Island guano trade, un- der the assurance of Mr. Webster and Mr. Fillmore that American citizens should be protected in this trade. soon as Mr. Benson was fairly at work under these Ex- eeutive assurances the protection of the ferences was withdrawn and Mr. Benson ruined. Im settling the question Peru agreed to pay Mr Benson $20 per ton for all the vessels be bad engaged for this trade. This was accepted as satisfactory, but Peru has been allowed to go without fulfilling her contract, and Mr. Benson has not beem paid acent. This neglect of government is a bt cory t our iit Politics swallows up justice, and the demands of an honest citizen are set aside on the scbeming for successions in office. A mere formal demand on Peru to pay the amount that she promised is all that is needed to obtain for Mr, Benson iw 4 WAsmNctox, March 12, 1855. Mr. Soulé’s Views of the Gstend Correspondence—De- nunciations of the Administration by the late Minister —Major Ben McCulloch's Resignation—The Washington Star and its ‘‘ Correct Information’’—Gen. Rusk's Characteristic Reply to the President—The Central American Expedition about Leaving—Col. Kinney on his“ Own Hook "—Phe City again Quiet, de., dc. The publication in the Heratp of the notonous, ig not celebrated Ostend correspqndence, is exciting a gen- eral interest and volumes of comment. Mr. Soulé him- self speaks freely on the subject, and is delighted to see it in the Heratp. He feels conscious of having the large end of the log, and mentally exclaims, ‘Let him lavgh who wins,” Indeed, he expresses a positive pride jn his participation im the affair, (being the author of the report of the conference,) and rays the record will convict the administration of treachery to him, and of mis*rable vacillation in its foreign policy. Although Mr. Soulé is pleased with the publication of the Ostend correspondence, yet he is down on the ad- ministration, and on Mr. Marcy in particular. He acra- ples not to express himself nthe severest terms of the President and his whole Cabinet, himself dee “By wronged in being deserted by the admin- istration while laboring to carry out its expressed ins! tions regarcing the foreign policy of the coun’ that in justice to himself, and in vindication of his own reputation, he desires a full and complete exposition of the whole transaction. Verily, the ‘Ostend Congress’ was not all ‘‘ moonshine,’ as stated by the Star of this city. Tn my last letter I alluded to the fact that Major Ben McCulloch had ¢eclined the commission tendered him by the President of the United States—a fact notorious on the streets in Washington. The Star of this city hae been pleased to pronounce thie one of the “ lies of the Hrnanp,’’ and adde:— It is not true that Ben McCulloch bas resigned the commission in the new regi ments tendered hm by the President, nor bas he ad dressed the President apy letter relating thereto"? This is what the Star calls ‘‘correct information for the people,”’ and is about as correct as what gonerally appears in that sheet. I repeat that Major MeCullocn has not only declined the commission but has written a stinging letter to the President, which was read by several gentlemen before being desoatched to the White House. Let time decide between the Sar aad your cor- respondent as to who gives correct “infurmation.”” The Ostend Conference was notall ‘‘moonshine,’’ and Bon McCulloch day for Texas, to resume his labors as United States Marshal for that State, after positively refusing te withdraw his letter, as requested by the President. Gen, Rusk, of Texas, called on lis Excellency on Satur- day last, and asked the appointment of & young iriend, civilian, to @ lieutenancy in one of the new regiments, and was informed that the officers #ere to be taken from the army. ‘ What can Ido, sir?’ asked the President, “surrounded as Tam by the army.’ “I would do just as I d—d pleared,’’ responded the oll Texan. His appli- cation was then filed for consideration. Surrounded by the army, indeed Has it come to th’s, that the sword and the bayonet is to regulate the action of an American President’ If this be so, then ‘ the hour for revolation in at hand,’’ a8 declared by Mr. Campbell in the Hoase Representatives. Col, Kinney left us yesterday, en route for Contral He stops a few days in Philadelphis and New The company, of which he is the agent, comply with their engagement to raise a certain amoant of fonda for the expedition, and the Coloael bas had to resort to his own resources toraise the necessary means, by bypothecating his fine landed esta‘es in Texas. geotieman here advanced him $40,000, and others smaller amounta. ‘The city 18 as quiet he country, and bat new and then can a politician be seen. The hotels and Loarding houses are empty. KB Supreme Court. Apyiesioss T0 TI BAR.—-Thomas H. Lamon, Alexan- der C. Wilson, P. V. Van Daren, Thomas Boese, Hirech, Chas, K Grebam George © Versam, Charles th, Wayman Stri Ambrose Bings'and; James | Sandférd, som of the Inte Jodge Lewis A, Sandford, and | a member of the bar of California, ‘The Allegea Filtbustering Expedition to Cuba. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. 0. Stackpoo! was the last witness examined on Saturday. He deposed that he is a mariner, and had been a captain of a vessel sailing from New York; I know the steamer Massachussetts; Ihave run a vessel from New York to Jacksonville, Fla.; Iam acquainted with the coast from to Florida; the usual route of steam vessels uinted with the United Stat ; 1 don’t recollect it he mentioned any particular part of the coast; there is a reef off the coast of Fiorida, called the Florida Reef; there is a passage in- jeage side the reef; the Massachusetts was fit for a voyage along the cosst; I saw the wagons brought on board ‘Thursday before we cleared; when the vessel cleared on Exursay all the deck and fire hands were br ed and : ip partment; I don’t know why the men left; nothing was said to meor in my hearing; I have had no conversa- tions lately with Captain Goodrich, Mr, Oaksmith or Mr. Wooster; I was to receive $75 month; the highest ives are $60; us rate is about per rrangsment was that if I did not like my ve my paseage, paid back from New Or- in a firet class vessel; 1 don’t think this is the or- nary course; I helped on Thursday to receive the boxes on board; I did not know what they contained; Mr, ‘Woester shipped the men; I was not present when the articles were read to them; after the engineer and fire- men left, others were coming and backi out almost daily; Riadon was not on board till the day of the seizure. The crofs:- examination of the witness was deferred till Monday morning. Marcy 12,—This morning Mr. Stackpool was recalled to the stand, and cross-examined by Mr. Lovell. [A chart of the coast of Florida produced.) Witness pointed out the route that vessels generally take in going from New York to Mobile, or New Orleans; vessels lid not sail directly by the coast, in order to avoid the currents; does no: know that steamers ever pursue the coast route, which passes through the Gulf Stream; after entering bebind the reef, at Cape Florida, there is no mode of getting out sgain, except by going through it, or out of the Tortugas Bank; an ordinary navigator could not go through the pas: , inside the reef, with- out pilot; sailing vessel mw take the course close under the reef, because, if caught by the G m, they would be borne back; that is the obliged to make the course round b. Wall; steamers can more readily make t the reef, and thus save three hundred mi age; the month of January is an unfavorable one for sailing in that direction; the custom, at this season of the year, with vessels of gts weight, is to hug the shore close all the way down from New York. ‘To the District Attorney—The usual route of steam- ers bound for Havana is by the Banks; they keep close by the shore from New York to Cape Florida; I know no- thing. of a vessel called Osprey. To Mr. Lovell—I came on board this vessel Jan. 13th, and remained on board until after the seizure; I was constantly on board, pursuing the business for which I was employed; I'am pretty well acquainted with all the parts of the vessel, and all that was on her; I know of certain tanks testified to bere; I should say they were builtin the vessel; they are fixed in the vessel, and are rt and lof her; I should gay they areas old as he veesel, and were built when the vessel was built; son they are the Hole in the sage unter in the voy- some ofthem were broken and leaky, and incapadle of use; they would bold 160 or 190 gallons each, there are four of them; the soal was in the middie of the water carks; it would be necessary to counteract the weight of that coal by distributing wees throughout the vessel; water would be the best weight to use in counteracting the weight of the coal; shoald think that was the reason the water ut there; im the case of steamer there is nothing within the knowledge of nauti: cel m at could be more properly used than water, because when the coal is used the water can de pumped in; there was a forge on board belonging to the engi- neer’s department ; there was an old grindstone on doard; I should say there is nothing unusual in hat sueh things on bosrd; there were two small bo! about two feet square; they could be set upon a ra: to heat water and cook victuals; I don’t think their ca- pacity was more than would cook and boil water for about twenty: five or thirty men; those boxer containing the raddles and harness, &c., came down on Thursday and Friday; on Thursday night part of them lay on the wharf; they were not conceaied; we finished taking them on board on Saturday; Capt. Goodrich had been last on the vessel on Friday before clearing her; I did not see him after that until he bad cleared her; tbat was las: Sa- turday evening; when be came on Friday he stayeionly 10 or 20 m'nutes to give me orders reapecting the vessel; be then immediately left; Iam aman of family and re side in Saco, Maine; Lam a man of steady employment and have of late sailed in the capacity of mate; before that I was s captain; I support that family. « Would gL engege im apy operations outside your legitimate usiness ‘The District attorney objected to the question. It was entirely a matter of argument. Q. Was it or wasit reat bed intention lo engage in baté uplawful expedition in this boat on that voy: A. It wee uot. Q WDat was your intentiour A. To gi New Orleani Q. Had you, after clearing the port of New York, yn to go behind those reefn, instead of takin; 1 ordivary direction? A. I bad not; I bad no intention to come to any anchorage before, or meet any vei fe I got to New cae at had no intention of g 'y people, before or after I reached ined by the District Attorney—The tanks rT in them; Ido not know that the water had been ured for the ship’s uses; I do not kaow if there was water in the cas! Q.—Then how do you know they were to balance th ship? A. Because t! were so arranged; I could put them elsewhere; the boilers would not furni int bry to 800 men; the vessel could be used as a rausport. Q. Would it not an easy matter to ruu over with her from New Orleans to Cuba? (Objected to.) There was some cooking dcne whileI wason board; taose boilers were not used. Q. What were the holstersfor? A. They were to carry Pistols; Ido not know what the tents were for; I did not receipt for that {Shed inp I do not know of any one doing t0; I do not know who shipped it; I ap. posed the captain knew all about it; the captai was to have the command of the vessel; he was to navigate her; be did not tell me whst route he was to take; be asked me if I was ever inside the reefs; I was captain of a vessel from this port belonging to ‘Ibompson & Hunter; I have been to Cuba, to Havana; I have never been to Trinidad; I have never been to San Juan de los Remedios; I have been to Matanzas; the busi- ness was dull and I had nothing to do; that is the rea- son | dropped from captain to mate; the last time I re- ceived wages as captain I sailed on shares; got aboat $160 a mo mate I got $75; I have been more than iwcive voyages, msy bave been’ fifteen, to Cuba; never went from Florida to Cuba; never went from New Orleans or Mobile to Cuba. To Mr, Lovell.—A number of ship captains, dur- ing these hard tim e been thrown out of empioy- ment; th re a t many out of Kies set deel now. Thos. J. Wood, Captain of the Second Lieutenant of the Line, examinéd by the District A ney, Gepored—That he verved in the Mexican war; saw the articles on board the Massachusétts; went into the kitchen and feund two large boilers of zinc on board, ani saddles and tents; there were eleven bazs which unques- tionably contained tents; they would answer for eleven men each; the common tents would only cover six men; saw tent poles there, such as are used for war purposes; saw tin cases which looked like life preservers, but they could be used as canteens, as the end might be readily cut off; the carriages could not be used in action; they are not gun cairiages; there is no means of attaching guns to them thatI saw; the harness was neither light nor heavy, but medium; the saddles had holeters,and could be used for military purposes; I have seen worse used for military purposes; I have seen troops transported on ‘vessels of bot near 80 good a capacity as the Massachu- ever wae in Cuba; never served in Florida; the husetts, I should think, would carry from 800 to 1,000 men if stowed clesely. Cross-exramined—I requested this morning to go on bourd the vessel, by the District Attorney; I came out of the Mexican war at its clone in ’48, and went to and served there until ’54; tents are used for civil in Texas, but it is not usual to use them in such @ way in that country; they are used by emigrants coming inio the country ond by persons who settle down there without building houses; the carriages would carry six or twelve pound howitzers; they were not guo carriages that could be used in action; 1 know @ good deal about filibustering; if an expedition to attack Cuba were in- tended to succeed it should be organized immediately af- ter landing; I would not carry tents oo a it would be absolutely necessary to have some horses in order to manoeuvre the artiliery; I would not take tiose carriages with me, but it would be necessary to take a few to meet contingencies, and to ensure the success of the expedition; thore saddles would guit very well for frontier life; I have seen such saddies used, but not of- fen, with horses; ] saw such saddles used by the Texans, in the Mexican war. Jo the District Attorney—I -was not at the landing at Vera Cruz; I with General Taylor at that time; be- made op any particular place, a ren- pointed somewhere el-e; [saw nothing on ssachusetts that would interfere with the landing of troops; the forge I saw was not exactly what is used with artillery; it isa porsable forge, and could be transported and nsed in the field lee: Jepoeed that he is a Lieutenant in the has been in the service since 1857; bad commend from New York to Cubs; depend very mach upon whether it steomer or & sailing vesrel: the ordi- nary route jor a steamer would ke through the Gulf of Florida: the rout stated to de that of the Massachusetts would, hr theucht, be a most extraordicary one; no necessity for the Massachusetts sighting the Barnegat, navigators venersliy keep clear of it, Op ercay-examwation, witnese sald a Long, Island Sound boat wowld barély be safe io going to ses, To Mr. Jonchimesen—1 saw & large quantity of preververs such as thee produced on board the Ma chusetts; they would not answer well a life preserver I thought they were intended for canteens; the boilers | fow did not appear to belong to the range; T have been to Cuta several times; I think the necessity for water would “evend en the place at which the expeditien should Jand; Caba is so very well watered, I should think there would be no great necessity for carry ng a large quantity of water there; nearly ail of the things I saw on board the Massachusetts would be necensary ina Jitary exjecition but there were other things, also correry, which were not there. Garratt, United States Army, gave somewhat similar tes mony Williom Sampeon second cook on board the Massa churetts, depored to the boilers and otber articles being ¢rew the water fromthe boilers for cooking; the allie boilers were never used, they would contain fifty or rixty ga’ b Adjourved to Tuesday, at one o'clock BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Mancm 13 —Iseac 0. Barker, Esq., President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were readand approved. ‘MISCELLANBOUS PAPERS, Several petitions for the remission of taxes were re- eeived and referred. The petition of the inhabitants of Flushing and its vicizity for = ferry from foot of Thirty fourth street, East river, to Hunter’s Point, on Long Island, the terminus of the New York and Fluah- ing Railroad, was referred to Committee on Ferries. A pe- tition of several parties to build the City Hall in Madison square was referred to the special committee on that subject. GAS IN THE THIRD AVENUE. Alderman Hennick offered the following:— Resolved, That the Manhattan Gas Light Company be, and they are Lag directed to lay their mains threugh the Third avenue, from Forty-fourth to Ninety-second street, and to light the public lamps on said avenue, Referred to Committee on Lamps and Gas. A petition from the residents on Third avenue, om the same sub- ject, was also referred. ‘THE OLD CITY BALL. Alderman Voorn offered the following:— Resolved, That the Commissioner of Repairs and Sup- plies report to thfs Board, at its next meeting, the ex- Fense of Siting dove the building in the Park, lately i mown as the New City Hall. Adopted, BRIDGE STREET FERRY. A sumecassly signed petition from residents of New York and lyn, asking that the be os street Ferry 1 sopeny le. Oe cry ae two boats Pear dy nd one un! a was presented b; ‘man teers, Referred to Committee on Ferries. OCCUPATION OF THE ROOM OF THE BOARD. [a bet ceive renentien, _ bee effect that {8 room be rot allowed for occupation 0, except the Board of Aldermen and Su) ,, at unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the yi Aldermen Brown and Lorp opposed the resolution, it was evidently intended to prevent the Grand Jury being accommodated with the use of the room, ‘The re- solution was adopted, Alderman Fox then offered a resolution that theGrand Jury be permitted to use this room. Adopted, INVITATION, From the Governors of the Almshouse, invi' this Board to Sccmapaoy them and the Legislature to the institutions on Tuesday, 13th instant. Accepted. PAPERS CONCURRED IN. To concur with the Board of Councilmen in draft forms for subpoenas, to answer to questions before committees of the Common Council, under an act enabling the Com- mon Council to take testimony in matters referred for investigation. Directing the actual widening of Duane street, to take place on the Ist of May, 1855. To flag Twelfth street, between avenue C an Dock. To allow regular pay Rial pp ii Ackerman and Gambling, of the Sixteenth ward, who were suspended from pay. FROM THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. A communication was received from the Chambers of Commerce suggesting the propriety and advantage of erecting the public building contemplated, in the Park. Ordered on file. REPORT FROM THE COMPTLROLEER. The Comptroller, in a communication, reported the Sixth and Eighth Avenues receipts, as fol- lows, for the month of February :— Sixth Avenue Railroad. $13,300 87 Eighth Avenue Railroad, . 18,458 22 fotal «+ $81,849 09 The Committee on Ordinances reported in favor of the ordinance passed the Board of Councilmen, for the more effectual enforcement of the excise laws, which was postponed, The report was directed to be print THE LEGIFLATIVE ViAIT. Alderman Voorms offered a resolution tendering the members of the Legislature the bospitalities of the city, during their stsy here, and to appoint a committee to carry the same into effect. Aldermen Briggs, Brown, Herrick and Voorhis, were appointed as such, SLIPS. A report was adopted granting permission to the New York branch pilots the use of the slip foot of Jackson street. WHARVES, The report from the Board of Councilmen making the term for leasing wharves one year, instead of five years, War non-concurred in, . EXPENSES OF A COMMITTEE, A resolution from the Board of Councilmen, appro- priating $250 to ¢efray the expenses of a committee on the Washington market property, to Albany, was lost. The Board adjourned to Thursday, at 5 P. M. BOARD OF COUNCILMEN. ‘The Board met at 5 P. M., D. D. Conover, President, in the chair, The roll was called by the Clerk, after which the minutes were read and approved. PETITIONS PRESENTED, From sundry persons, to be appointed Commissioners of Deeds; to fence vacant lot in Twenty-sixth street, be- tween Lexington and Fourth avenues; to grade, pave, set and curb, gutter and sidewalk between Forty-fifth and Sizty-fourth streets; from Jacob Harsen, for relief rcm onerous sale on assessment, a remonstrance from certain butchers and drovers against the passage of an ordinance to {prevent the slaughter of swine and neat cattle below Fiftieth stres this city; for removal of nuisance in Forty-six reet, near Eleventh avenue; fo survey of 128d street; ‘to fence vacant lots in Nineteenth street, betereen First and Second avenues; to flag sidewalk opposite vacant lot i Nineteenth street, between First and Second avenues; to pave sidewalks on north side of Thirteenth street between avenues A and B; to fisg west side of Fourth avenue, from Fourth strvet to Astor place: to flag sidewalks in Houston street; to have vacant lots fenced in Seventh and Eighth ave- nues, between Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth streeta; from Samuel fmith to be relieved from perso tax; to have croeswalk laid in front of Presbyterian church in Twenty.ffth street, near Eighth avenue; to bave sidewalk in Twenty-fifth street flagged, from Presbyterien church to Eighth avenue; from Hiram Eagle and others, to be organized into a hose company, to occupy the house of hose company 29, disbanded. All referred to appropriate committees; RESOLUTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS, The following were received and referred :— In relation to the removal of night soil; from the Chief Engiveer, transmitting one from Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 11, Resolution directing the Comptroller to advertise for houre for the use of Hose Ccmpany No. 56. From hrish societies, to review them on their annual parade, Accepted. A communication received from the Chamber of Commerce, enclosing the following resolution:— Resolved, That, in the judgment of this Chamber, the location of the city offices and courts of law in tho vicinity of the Custom House, Post Office, Merchants’ Exchange, Assay Ofice, insurance and other commercial and public offices, bas largely facilitated not only the Jegal bot commercial business of the city, and that this Chamber respect(ully suggest to the honorable the Jom- mon Council the propriety of erecting the contemplated public Luilcing on, the site of thore recently dextroyed y fre in the Fark, believing, that the interest of ‘com- merce and the public would thereby be areatly ted. Referred to Committee on Repairs and Supp RKPORTS PRESENTED. From Committee on Assessments, in favor of confirm- ing the aseessment jist for building a er in Forty- seventh street, between Fightb and Ninth avenues. From the same, in favor of confirming assessment list for tewer in Divielon street, From Committee on Finance, to cancel judgment against Isiac Hall for epcambering sidewalk in Front street. From Pubtic Health Commis- siouer, to fence lots on Seventh and kighth avenues. From Fire Department Committee, in reJation to a loca- tion for Engine Company No. 25. From the same, non concurring to organize an engine company in place of Engine 18, disbanded rom Committee on Streets, to fence lota in*Tbirtieth street, between Sixth and *eventh avenues. From Gas and Lamp Committee, to permir Harlem Gan Company to lay main pipes in the upper portion of the city. From Committee on Assessments, to amend report of same Committee in the matter ot sewer in ‘Thirty-Grst street, between Seoond and Third avenues. The Board then went into Committee of the Whole to take action on the Assessment list. A mone , between Gol The third reading of rerolutions was then pro- we ceeded With ; after which the Board adjourned. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. Mancu 12.—His Honor, Mayor Wood, in the chair, ‘The minutes of the last meeting were read an) approved. CHARGE OF RXTORTION IN THE OFFICH OF THE RECKIVER OF TAXES. The following preamble and resolution were offered by the Supervisor of the Nineteenth ward, (Alderman Her- tick) — Whereas, There have been numerous complaints of s system of exter'ion practised in cr through the office of the Receiver of Taxes, by levying excessive costs and en- perres upon those who neglected to pay their taxes for 1864, previous to the 15tb of Jenaary last; and, whereas, t is understood that his Honor the Mayor has inves gated this matter, and held @ correspondence on the subject with the Receiver of Taxes—there’ore, Resolved, That the Mayor be reqnested to faruish this of any correspondence which may have between him the Recever of o the subject of extra ch: hee sooe age tax poy 5 The Supervisor of t! venteenth ward (Alderman Ely) move to strike out the preamble, a it impued a censure on & public officer on mere rumor. Supervisors Herrick, Baird, Voorhis and the Recorder fpoke in favor of the preamble and resolation, and each eaid he hai been informed of several instances in which these corts had been impored. The motion to #trike out the preamble was lost by a vote of 18 to 6. The preamble ana retolution were then put and adopted. ‘The Mayor informed the Board that be was reaty to furnish them with a copy of the correspondence imme- Gintely, cr before the aijournment ‘The following is the correspondence— 0. xaxno Woon:— sarin Sur The Arve knowledge T had that T was a personal tax wasa dictres# levy, served upon me dy Finee, setting forth that my property woul be sold nntovs L redeemed it om or before the 19th day of Feb t interest, Takine it for er o remedy, I onllod at tho offi Duane steert, ‘under the Chatham Bank, and p and to my rurprite I found added to my tax o for coste, commissions and interest, iwking in ive by the encloved bill, #7 B3, being about fifty’ per spat. Now, had I received’ notice from the Re tor in amy Twas assessed, I Bae porition, whieb ively practised & large amount would have ad ry out of thes, Scouts, comapiesion®, &c., , VOL. XX. - ‘ dressed tl deen, fore that the fies of Golisetor“of arrears ‘wee bt abolished, and that the pro. was , DONNELLY, 76 Catherine Y¥ Tespec' P. ‘Naw Youn, Feb. 27, 1056, : Orrice, New ¥« Mazoh 5, 18, Banvey Haar, Esa. Receiver ‘texte * ‘Dran Sin—Mr. Donnelly, 76, Catherine street, comis ning to me that he has been ob! to pay $7 83 as & bis tax bal of ea was. hi Chambers. Will please reply ny at law this additional ram to the original Slt wes ani the whose names appear te i eeet Gs dire, al Overy ERNANDO WOOD, Mayon Orrice, March 5, 1855, swer to your communication of this cate, 5 b Lame of 150 p 194) , (Laws of " futhorized to iseue my warrant to the Sheriff or any com stable of the city Lad ‘county New York, for the college th 2 he 15th day of January Pa i thas, the con= time with the LAS 9 collect upom complai Tax C Five per cent'commission ...--. Intereat on tax from August 31, 1864, to date of pay> ment, at the rate of 12 per cont per annum, a8 ree quired by law. ” oe Tot: ” Being the amount paid in th om the honor to be, very respectfully, vou cee. ‘The amount of tax and interes £5 56, was returned by him to me, and by mo paid into the public treasury on the day of return. H, He MaAvon’s Orriox, New Youx, March 10, Hanvey Han, Bsq., Receiver of Taser ee Sin—Your communioation of the Sth inst. is received, and lier notice, but for other duties Tam not convinced by it that there is thority 0 for the collection of the extra ol te panded from delinquent tax payers, | You refer to the tole 3 ing tl lowing laws, as just e charge for costs, commissio! . 0 Laws of 1640; 400. 2 &e., viz.:—Laws of 829 and $30, and Law: $4, 'p. 194. MHihe ninth section of the act of #49 authotia to iseue a warrant, under his hand and s le of the county, commanding him ‘to , With interest thereon at the rate of twelv annum. This section alto provides that t the amount coll 9 the Recely ous in which the property located, and shail be sold by public auction. 8. aws of 1845, ¥ Pp 329, 330, is as follows:—“In alk cases wherethe said Receiver shall proceed ‘oy & distross an sale of the gocda and chattels of any person for the payment of any tax due and payable as well. before as after the sake first day of 0 843, it shall be lawful for hm to au- thorize the officer mi such distress and sale to collect in addition to the ti i such distress and ral Seo, 34, of 1850, p. 195, declarer, That the Constable Proceed to levy the suid tax with intoresb thereon ta the time when the distress and sale is made”—thus “ ing for distress and sale of the goods or deuinguents, bus not for any fees d sale, 8 0 which the Recely je loos not refer) parts of acts ince! of & c 8 ‘all acts an tent with gai aot, The act of 1845 allows, in direct terms, the constable and receiver to collect the costs of distress sale in addition to the tax and interest: loos ae allow of costs, com> made, ted, even when a 8 mades. nd interest thereon, and also repeals all acts ith this act. In no law is there found the right to collect fees of le and commission except when a distress and sale is made, ani then such gale to be by public auction. 1 cannot find any law oer | the levy of five per cont fees for collections, ‘The laws of 1843 and 1860, to which you refer, are nearly identical in terms. If the act of 1 did not allow the charge for costs, & the strengthening of the act of 1845, how di when it uses the to the collection of ta: &e., and rey parte of neta, ineonsisteni wih is. itis right to make th char; ail other acts, and difficult to find the except upon the ast ti that when » statute does not x wer, it must be consi it. There is ething extremely objectional to ting persons who either not been duly n or who, from othe }, have omitted to pay tl within the require Hime, to soereat.an advance over the original. charge, It should not he done, especially when its legality is tremely doubtful, | Certainly our tax payors taxed to support the absolute and logiti the city government, without bearing th of supporting usclose officers at a revenue without in fact performing any duty advantage to the public, Permit me to ask that this ab be reformed altogether.’ Very respogtfull NDO'WOOD, Mayor, A resolution to increase the pay of Jonathan W. Odell, Crier of the Superior Court, from $700 to $800 & ‘ear, was offered, and several members having borne estimony fo the character of M. Odell a an old and eticeat officer, the resolution was unanimously adopt- ed, tional i and enabling them to derive sa THIRD AVENUE RAILROAD, The report of the Committee on Annual Taxes,in favor of remitting the tax ef 1854 against the Third Avenue Railroad Co. WANT OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THR CITY GRAND JURY; The REcoRDER culled the attention of the Beard to the fact that the city Grond Jury were compelled to adjourm this day for want of accommodation, the room assigned ‘o them being inconvenient and insufficient. One meme ber of the grand inquest of the last session, or the sed- tion before, contracted an illness which terminated im his death, and which was attributed to the bad state of their room. Ueless ® room is provided for them they will not meet, and there will be no business for the Couré of Sessions. Supervisor of the Seventh, (Alderman Fox), explained that in about a week another room would be ready for the Grand Jory. The RrcorvER suggested that the Grand Jury should be allowed the temporary use of the chamber of the Board of Aldermen. The Mayor reminded the Board that he had brought this matter before the Board on a former occasion, and he woald sey that if he were a Grand Juror he would not for the value of the City Hall sit in the room assigned ta them, for one day. e Tombs are full of persons waiting for indictment and trial, and uoless accommo- dation be proviced for the Grand Inquest the prisop must remain full. Supervisor Ety objected to this room being allotted for such a motly group as erally came as witnesses be- fore the Grand Jury Supervisor Vooruts saw no reason why the Grand Jue ry should pot be accommodated with the useof this room. He thought the Supervisor of the Seventeenth (By) mistook the character of the witnesses for that of the rowdies and vagabonds whom their testimony brought to justice. ri bar cape 7 Brown (First ward) was in favor of grant- ing the Grand Jury the use of this room. On motion, the matter was referred to the Board of Aldermen, the Supervisors adjourned to Monday next, at 4o’clock, Theatres and Exhibitions. » BRoapway THEATER. — fecond blige: Benson,” will conclude the entertainments. Miss Bridges Sppears again to-morrow evening. Bowery 1ukatne,—The pieces selected for this evé- ning sre ‘‘Iberese, or the Orphan of Geneva,” with Mra. Tyrrell a+ Therese, and Mr, Cook as Carwin. drama of ‘‘American Farmers’ will follow, Mr. 8, W. Glenn as Jonathan Ploughboy. The nautical drama of “Black Eyed Susan’’ concludes the amusements, Burton’s Tasatne.—Two great favorites are amt> nounced for this evening, namely, the comedy of the “Serious Family,” of the H “Toodles.”’ Burton Aminidab Sleek and Timotby Toodle. Miss ie Lee, Mrs. Hough, and Mr. Jordan also appear. WALLack’s THRATRE.—A very attractive Dill is am- nounced for this evening ‘The first is the comedietta of “Two Can Play at That Game.”’ Goidamith’s comedy of ‘Ske Stoops to Conuuer’’ will follow, with a cast embracing the names of ali the most talented members of the company. American MusevM.—the moral drama of ‘ Hot Uorn,’? and the farce of ‘' Ichabod’s Crsne,’” selected for afternoon performance, and in the ing the domestia dra: ‘Honesty the Best of Policy,” with Clarke, Hadaway, and Miss Mestayer in the principal parts. Woop’s Mrxerrnis,—This band gives a variety of bo ing and dancing and instrumental pieces, together wi the burlesque on Shakepeare’s tragedy of ‘ Macbeth.?? Buck ey’s SerkNavens —This company announces the revival of the burlesque on’ the opera of ‘Lucia di Lammermoor,’ They aleo give a great variety of megro melodie: Prruam’s Opera Hovse.—This place was opened last evening under very promising circumstances; the com- pany is a arge one, numbering twenty-five. Tax Buack Swan tings at the Athecum Hall, Brook- lyn, to-night and to morrow evening. Hore Cuaret.—Mr. McIntyre gives an evening with Burns, on Wednesday, at Hope Chapel, way. Cauiroryia,—The Chronicle of February 16 says:—« Theatricols are sharing im the bard times common to all kinds of business in tho city aud State. The Metropoli- tan tbeatre has projuced « series of operas never before rformed here, to general’y poor houses, use Rar been open only three or four nights in the week. theatre, the only place zz for e ’ New York Veterans of 1812, GENERAL ORDER. Heap Quantens, ALUANY, March 7, 1855. The General-in-Chief is happy to be able to announce to the officers and soldiers of the war of 1812, in the State of New York, that their and Congress sn additional appropriation of bounty land have bern crowned with success. Fach man of any grade, rervice, or color, who hag been mustered, and actually served fourteen days, and in care he 18 dead, his widow or his minor child or chil- so much land as will invest ‘sores in all. The General-in- Chief, rge of hia obligation to watch “over and true interests of the Veterans ot the State, embraces this opportunity to cau- tion each man to be careful in the selection of an agent to draw his papers and ob’ain his land warrant; to pay bo money in ce, and not more than from three to five doll«rs in the most difflewt cases, on receiving his land warrant Diselsiming all intention to dictate whom they should prefer, the General in Chief deems it wise, and therefore advises, that each Veteran employs in his vicinity am sgent who is reecmmended by the officers of the Veteram organize tion, whose feelings and sympathies are natural- ly on the ride of the old soldier, and who have proven ther devotion to his Interest by unceasing efforts to pru- mete it at considerable cost and expenre. in and out of the state. JOHN VAN RENSSELAER, General-in-Chief of the Veterans of 1812 in the Statg of New York Joux ALwaise, Aid de Camp. ‘