The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1856, Page 4

4 JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS TERMS, cash in atoance, THE DAILY TBRALD: 2 ont yor py. 8 9-7 annum, WEEKLY HERALD. cory Saburny aS cone pp py, oF ‘umnune; the European edition, 64 por annum. my art of Great Brizain, oF 5 any part of tha Continent Both VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing import- spice, vlad rom omy quarter of the, world if wan el be Fasncotaaty Biquseren to Seat aun Lurraus aD PACK- “NG NOTICE taken of anonymous communications, We do Ret return thon 5 JOB PRINT! executed wih neatncas, cheapness and dea- / ADVERTISEMENTS renewed every day. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THRATRE. Broadway—Kive Cnaruinc— Twerry Minutes wamu 4 Ticks. .Ne. 20 WEBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway—Tus 6c: “a oe ts way: HOOLMASTER—TWO BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—IrxLanp 43 Ir Is—Oun @a—Mover Fake, BURTON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—U: 7 bowsn Twenry—Twesry Minurss wits 4 Thon Sie WALLACK’S THEATR! —Love Mi — re \E, Broadway- AND Moysy- LAURA KEENE’S VARI! ls aE i gllmas Broadway—Tue Lapr or BUCKLEY'S BURLESQUE OPERA HOUSE, 599 Broad- wag—Nroro Mixsrnmisy—Bracty axp te Beast. New York, Monday, January 21, 1856. Mails for the Pacific. ‘WWE NEW YORK HERALD—CALIFORNIA EDITION. ‘The United States mail steamship St. Louis, Captain Boggs, will leave this port this afternoon at two o’clock, fer Aspinwall. ‘Phe mails for California and other parts of the Pacific ‘will close at one o’closk. ‘The New Yorx Werxry Heratp—Oalifornia edition— containing the latest intelligence from all parts of the swoskd, will be published at eleven o’clock in the morniug. ‘Stogle copies, in wrappers, ready fer maiting, sixpence. Ageats will please send in their orders as early as pos- ible. The News. We give elsewhere a letter from Col. Parker H. French to Mr. Marcy. It isa rejoinder to the letter of the latter, wherein he prematurely refused to recog- nize the Colonel as the Minister of Nicaragua, upon the ground that the people of that republic had not endorsed the administration of Walker’s party. Col- French has not yet presented his credentials to our government. We continue to receive accounts of the devastation atsea caused by the terrific gale of the 5th inst. The ship Talisman arrived at this port yesterday, with the captain and crew ofthe bark Mary Danham, which sailed hence on the 31st ult. for Glasgow: She caught the storm of the 5th, was reduced to a mere wreck, and her officers and crew were taken off on the 11th inst. The schooner Emma, Captain Haffards, from New Orleans for New York, also caught the gale of the 5th. All her sails and the mainmast were carried away, and she sprung a leak. On the &th her officers and crew were res- eued by the brig Putnam, arrived yesterday at this port. The Emma went down a few hours after she was abandoned. The ship Burlingtem, from Leg- horn, arrived yesterday, reports having experienced violent gales on tie coast, sprung a leak, and it was only through the assistance of the passengers that she reached port. Full particulars of these and other maritime disasters are given under our shipping head. The steamship Texas arrived at New Orleans on the llth, with news from Mexico dated at Vera Cruz on the Sth inst. The Texas experienced some very severe weather on her passages to and from Vera Cruz. Comonfort’s cabinet still hung toge- ther, but its near dissolution was manifest, from a host of vacillating and contradictory decrees issued daily, which were not even read by the people. A despotic press law had been enacted, and several editors were thrown into prison under its provi- sions. Degollado and Uraga were still in opposi- tion to Comonfort. General Blancarte had been de- prived of his political command in Lower California, and a sort of general anarchy prevailed all over Mexico. It was thought that Ceballos— now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—would soon head a healthy movement, and that he would open the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to the competi- tion of the world—establish a national bank—install a moderate tariff—let the priests alone—shoot ull revolutionists, and exclude foreigners from the mili- tary and civil honors of the country. Generals La Liave and Wheat hed marched to Tlatcauti i order to pet down Guitan, (the father of pi ciados,) but they made a retreat without attac! him. The British bark Dagger, of Liverpool, wrecked at Vera Cruz on the 25th ult. The special cornmittee of the Aldermen ap; to take evidence in the matter of the cl Nicholas Seagrist to a seat in the Board from the Twenty-second ward, now occupied by Wm. B. Drake, re-convened on Saturday, when more evi- dence was taken. The testimony bore upon the al legation of Mr. Seagrist that illegal votes were given for Mr. Drake, which closes the case for Mr. Seagrist. We give a report elsewhere. The effects of the reciprocity treaty on the trade between Canada and the United States is discussed in an able report, given elsewhere, presented to the Chamber of Commerce by the Hon. J. Phillips Phe- nix. From this document it appears that since the treaty went into effect, in 1854, the trade has largely increased, and that now the total value of exports and imports growing out of the trade of Canada is $30,902,658, an amount excelled only by the trade with Great Britain and France. The tonnage of vessels employed in the Canadian trade amounts to 1,776,730 tous, which is now about equally divided between English and American vessels. The report concludes with a memorial to Congress asking for a removal of all duties and restrictions between the two countries, so that the ships of each may par- ticipate on equal terms in advantages arising from an unrestricted trade along the coasts and in the in- tervening waters and lakes, so that the intercourse might be placed on the same footing as between ad- joining States. The naval court martial at Philadelphia, convened for the trial of Commander Ritchie, did not effect an organization on Saturday, owing to the continued absence of Captain McIntosh and the Judge Advyo- cate. The value of foreign goods imported at Boston during the week ending 18th inst., amounted to £760,633. On Saturday the market for cotton was active and firmer, having closed at about jc. advance. We now quote middling uplands at 9jc. Seles of about 3,000 bales were made, about half of which was in tran- situ, and a good part of which was based upon mid- diing New Orleans at 8jc., with freight at fd. Flour improved 6jc.a 12jc. per barrel. Southern was in good demand for export, and at higher rates. Within a day or two, it was said that some 10,000 a 15,000 bbls. had been purchased forthe south of Europe, and particularly for Mediterranean ports, in- cluding, probably, Constantinople. Wheat was firm, and prime qualities held at higher rates. Up- per Lake spring sold at $1 81; prime white was held at #2 12, and Tennessee red do. at $1 97, while a lot of common to fair quality was sold at $1 90. Corn was a little irregular, but in the main closed firm, with moderate transactions in old mixed and new yellow. Prime Southern white was more firmly held, with sales reported of about 10,000 bushels, on pri- vate terms. Pork was leas animated at the opening, bat cloved at the previous day's outside figures. Among the sales were 600 a 700 bbls. mess at $17 12 9917 %. Sngare were quiet butsteady. Coffee was tm Geir demand. Sales of 2,000 mats Java were made oe proves erie, and at 14)c. Freighty to London and was NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1856. Liverpeol continued quite firm, with a fair amount of engagements. To the latter port, about 8,000 bushels wheat, in ship’s bags, te be loaded from the Atlantic docks, were engaged at 9d. The old Russlen Policy—The Impossibility of Peace. There is something in the circular of Count Nesselrode, the Prime Minister of the Emperor of Russia, relative to the peace conditions of the Allies, which smacks a little of conscious etrength, if not of contempt. It certainly in- dicates nothing from which we are to infer that Russia is about to yield up a line of policy steadily and successfully pursued from the time of Peter the Great: so triumphantly indeed, as to generate in the Russian people a conviction of the infallibility of the Czar and his govern- ment. It has made a spiritual as well as a po- litical head of the nation. Under this policy her frontiers have been advanced eight hun- dred miles towards Vienna, Berlin, Munich and Paris, five hundred miles towards Constan- tinople, about one thousand miles towards India, and the same distance towards the capi- tal of Persia. She has pushed her dominions up tothe very gates of Stockholm—she has invaded, but fairly invaded, India between the Caspian Sea and the western boundaries of China, in Khiva, Turcomania and Kirqaie, preesing easterly from these points, in the southern part of Siberia and the northern coast of China, to Kiakhta, where she has es- tablished fortifications and maintains a large military force. This point has been made a depot of commerce, and is especially impor- tant as the chief mart of Siberian furs and Chinese teas. It is within about one thousand miles of Pekin. It is impossible to regard the progress of Russia within the last seventy-five years with- out admiration, wonder and surprise. It is a progress at once so consistent, so comprehen- sive and so certain, as to evince alike the sa- gacity of her government and the energy and endurance of her people. Considered in the light of actual force, aside from the advantages of higher states of civilizatioa—in truth, as an inland movement with few commercial faciti- ties-—the advancement of Russia has been greater than that of any other people on the globe, possibly excepting our own. Buried in the forests and frosts of her empire, she has risen like a giant refreshed from sleep, until within the period of a single half century she has become, if not the greatest Power in Eu- rope, at least most feared by the governments of the Continent. If it were possible to contemplate these won- derful results without deducing from them a fixed and consistent policy by which the Em- pire has been guided, we might yield some credit to the various rumors of peace which float so constantly between the belligerent States, Russia has been incommunicated as a nation. She has sought access to the ocean through the Mediterranean on the south, as she has acquired an opening to the Baltic on the north, She has pressed her power up the northern coast of Norway to the southeast corner of Siberia, to the mouth of the river Saghalian, which is never closed by ice, and thus down the Sea of Japan. This point was surrendered about a century ago to the Tartars, but bas been re-an- nexed. Again, she possesses Archangel on the White Sea. These five points embrace the whole scheme of Russian commercial and maritime designs, if we omit her purposes ia Denmark, They are sufficient to show the in- terests involved in the present war, and to give some idea of the prospects of peace on the basis of the propositions of the Allies. They ought to be regarded as interpreters, not only of the reply of Count N rode, but of the settled purposes of the et of St. Peters- burg. Russia thus exhibited—Russia with no rival in Europe for three-quarters of a century in all that can exalt a natios—Russia unchecked in her schemes of conqu and in her com- pactness of action, in the improvement of her industry, and the oneness of her governament— Russia with seventy millions of people de- voted to an executive chief who is their spi- ritual and politica! head—by the pressure of a single campaign and the equivocal loss of a mere fraction of her territories, with a few ships of war, is now reported to be ia the act of submission to her enemies! There is an extreme of absurdity in this presumption which ought to divest it of the smallest possible cre- dence. She has been defeated in the field, it is true; but where is the army her enemies have captured? They have forced her into Sebas- topol, and have compelled the surrender of that city, destroyed her naval force there, and driven her from the Black Sea. She has a hundred ships of war at Constadt; and it re- mains to be seen how otherwise than as a naval triumph the conquest of the Crimea is to be regarded. While Sebastopol has fallen into the hands of the invaders, General Mouravieff has taken Kars and opened the whole south coast of the Black Sea, with the Bosphorus as the only obstacle toa descent upon Constantinople. In a strate- gical sense, if we consider the position of the belligerents--the immense field of opera- tions opened to both parties by the loss of Se- bastopol by one, and the loss of Kars by the other, leaving the great city of Erzeroum at the mercy of the victorious army under Mouravieff, and the whole southern Turco-Asi- atic coast of the Black Sea liable to complete subjugation by Russia, and the immense strength of the latter in the ports of the Baltic, which two powerful naval expeditions have been unable to approach—it is questionable in- deed if the Allies can be considered a whit bet- ter off than they were at the commencement of the war. Certain it is that the advantages gained are not enough to induce Russia to open the Danube, surrender Bessarabia, neutralize the Black Sea—in fact, lie down and plead for terms with her enemies. Her line of policy has become the law of the empire, and she herself has no power thus to change it from an imperial to a subjective nature. It is more likely that che is planning campaigns for the coming season so as ultimately to become the competitor of England in Asia and China and without a thonght of snbmitting to the exactions of the Allies. Ruseia, like the United States, is eon ed by no colonies, Like the human form, ¢ f r constitutes a whole, with end of endurance, She is fighting home, on her own resources, and sho will not only not make peace, but she will ultimately make the present controversy instrumental in the conquest of Turkey and in the consummation of her grand schemes in the south, which are neceseary, not only to her existence as a first rate Power, but to her prosperity asa people and nation. The sur- render cf this design will be the signal of her fall—she must thenceforth consent to a sub- stantial annihilation. Itis far more likely that France and Eag- land will wear out their alliance and become actual antagenists than that Russia will termi- nate the war on the Vienna conditions. There iseverything to indicate a fearful struggle in Europe. The old accounts must be re-examin- ed and re-adjusted, and it is sufficiently mani- fest that, in this work, the old Russian policy must be recognized and ultimately prevail. In thus stating the case on the basis of the peace propositions and the circular of Nessel- rode, there is another consideration to be noticed. The alleged plan of Na- poleon, to submit the condition of Eu- rope to @ congress of sovereigns, when exhibited in detail may disclose to Russia suf- ficient inducements to make the required con- cessions to enable the French Emperor to carry out the design. Such a congress will repeal the letter and obliterate the spirit of its great Vienna predecessor in 1815; it will not only be a recognition of the Napoleonic dy- nasty, but will look to the chief of that house tor guidance and support. We can conceive of no triumph of Napoleon which would at all equal such a procedure; and, regarding the sub- stantial objects of the present war as virtually accomplished by England and France, and its future prosecution as likely to generate a rup- ture of the alliance, it would not be strange if Napoleon should be prepared for a new desl and the selection of new partners. This diplo- matic basis of peace, indeed, may be seized upon by Russia, but it will neither indicate an abandonment of her policy nor lessen the chances of her final success, The disavowal of Napoleon of the recent pamphlet published in Paris, we take it, is entitled to no weight. Its object has been accomplished; it has received the impress of an imperial origin, exacted at- tention, and opened the way for accommoda- tion, on the ground of entirely new political associations and objects. Tue Cextrat Park.—For long and dreary years, almost unaided and alone, we preached and prayed for a great park, worthy of this metropolis. In every form of argument we urged its necessity, not only for the toiling millions who will soon inhabit this island, but for the owners of property, which must inevi- tably depreciate in grandeur and in wealth if this city should grow up a mere wilderness of storehouses, At length our arguments and appeals were heard, aud the Legislature, in 1853, authorized the establishment of the Central Park, em- bracing about 650 acres, and enclosing the reservoirs of the Crotcn Aqueduct, which will cover a space of 140 acres of water. So far so good. The Supreme Court appointed commis- sioners to make a valuation of the land and to assess a portion ot the expense upon adjoining lands directly benefitted. We were then met with a new obstacle. An easy task was laid before the commissioners, who ought to have completed it in six months—certainly in one year. Yet they were in no burry to expedite the werk, and we were compelled to direct pub- ic attention to their gross and inexcusable de- lays. At last the force of public opinion drove them to do their duty, and, at the end of two years, last December their report was ready to be presented to the Court for confirmation. Thus we succeeded in securing the next great step, and hoped that the consummation of our wishes and the object of so much labor was near its fruition, But then, as if to thow that no great object can be at- tained without difficulty, we are met with another, a new and unexpected obstacle. The case is brought before Judge Roosevelt, a large taxpayer, and surrounded with numerous relatives, also of great wealth, and, though it is objected that motives of delicacy, at least, should induce him to decline sitting, he per- sisted and determined to hear the case. The counsel] for the city, Mr. Dillon, sustained by Mr. Wood, Mr. Lord, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Fuller- ton, aud the entire bar, both for and against the confirmation, then objected that the Judge was directly interested in the decision of the cause, as the owner of lands immediately ad- joing the area of assessment for benefit. Ouv of the questions to be argued and decided is whether this area should not be extended over a much larger surface, which would em- brace the lands of the Judge. This objection is valid and transparent to every man; bat the Judge, nevertheless, has adjourned the case from time to time, unable to see what was clear to everybody else. Thus, no levs than nine adjournments have been ordered for the mere purpose of deciding this simple ques- tion—from the 15th December to the 224, 24th. 26th, 28th, and January 7th, 9th, and now finally to the 21st—to-day. This, we are bound in frankness to say, is nothing less than judi- cial trifling, altogether unworthy of the subject and of the court. It is not surprising that, under the laws for preserving the purity of the judiciary, the Judges in this district should be found disqualified for sitting in a case which affects directly, either by awards or by as- sessinents, fully one-third of the entire isiand. But if no Judge can be found here who is not dirqualified, why should there be any delay ia ng upon some of the other Judges ia the interior to come and decide the case? We ehail not let this matter rest. We do not intend that the labors ofso many years shail he thrown away just in the moment of expected consummation. y interests and narrow views must not be tolerated. Those who have not the head to understand nor the heart to appreciate the great ohject must stand aside. The health, beauty and material prosperity o the city, demand its speedy accomplishment confirmed oy a tribunal to which no man can take exception. The case comes up again to day, and we hope for some deci @ action, Tnx State Temperance Party.—The fasion of the temperance party last fall upon the black republican ticket, including Abijah Mann after confessing that he was and is accustomed to “ take a Jittle wine for his stomach’s eake,” appears to have demoralized the teetotal or- ganization, At their late convention there was considerable opp ion to the re-election of Delavan as President by the Seward pipe- rs, At first Mr. Delavan actually with- drew from the field, but subsequently agreed to rug; and it was concluded among his breth- ren toreelect him. We fear that this State temperance party will come up among the missing In our next November elections, “Too many cqok# have spoiled their broth.” Inquire of Greeley. Outrage upon an American Ship at Hong In another column will be found a series of documents, correspondence, Xc., relating to an outrage which is alleged to have been perpe- trated upon an American vessel, the Reindeer, and her master, Captain Nichols, at the British port of Kong Kong, China. The facte,as they are stated by the American Consul and ship- masters, are these:—James Madison, a sailor sbipped at New York on board the Reindeer, as an American citizen, for the voyage, deserted at Hong Kong. Captain Nichols applied uao- successfully to the police for his arrest. After some delay, Madison came on board of his own accord, and, being mutinotfs, was placed in irons. During the absence on shore of Cap- tain Nichols, a band of blacke—apparently po- lice—boarded the ship, and rescued Madison. On being required by the mate to show their warrant or authority, they threatened to arrest him, too, tor daring to put such a question. The next step was the arrest of Captain Ni- chols on the charge of assault preferred by the seaman Madison. The captain, as well as the United States Consul, protested against the ju- risdiction of the Court, on the ground that the offence—if offence there had been—had been committed on board an American ship, and was, therefore, beyond the jurisdiction of a Bri- tish Colonial Court. The magistrate, however, condemned the captain to pay $50 fine and $25 damages to the seaman. Nichols refusing to pay the fine, his arrest was ordered. This he frus- trated by escaping on board the United States frigate Powhatan, whose commanding officer, Captain McCluney, refused to give him up. A correspondence ensued between Governor Bow- ring and Captain McCluney, which was cut short by the payment by a part owner of the Reindeer of the fine of $75. Thus the matter rests. The judgment of the Colonial Court has been carried into effect, and the man Madi- son has been discharged from the fulfilment of the contract he made here. On reference to the local organ—the China Mail—we find no material variation in the ac- count of the story, except that all the circum- stances, prior to the charge of assault by the seaman against Captain Nichols, are ignored or suppressed. We find, further, that the local magistrates, after the payment of the fine, is- sued a warrant for the arrest of the United States Consul; that he was in his bedroom when the police called with the warrant, and that the policeman invaded the room in search of him; that the Consul, learning the object of his visit, promised to call at the Court in half an hour, but was compelled to accompany him at once to the police office, and thence to the police magistrates’ court, where he was com- mitted on a charge of unlawful rescue. It requires very little knowledge of law to perceive the gross illegality of the course pur- sued by the British authorities, Maritime law and the law of nations assert distinctly that ships entering a foreign port bring with them the jurisdiction of their own government and the protection of their own laws. Expounding this principle, Daniel Webster declared, that “if a murder be committed on board of an American vessel, by one of the crew upon another, or upon a passenger, or by a passen- ger upon one of the crew or another passenger, while such vessel is lying ina port within the jurisdiction of a foreign State or sovereignty, the offence is cognizable and punishable by the proper court of the United States.” Follow- ing out the same doctrine, the Commercial Digest, after stating that in cases of extreme necessity a thipmaster, advised by his Consul, may call for the aid of the local autho- rities to suppress a mutiny, adds:—“But the practice of subjecting American seamen to foreign authority is of doubtful legality, and is not to be resorted to except in cases of ex- treme necessity.” In accordance with this doctrine, the late treaty between the United States and France declares that “Consuis shall have exclusive charge of the internal or- der of the merchant vessels of their nation, and shall alone take cognizance of differenc2s which may arise, either at sea or in port, be- tween the captain, officers and crew, without exception. The local authorities shall not on apy pretext interfere in these differences, but shall lend forcible aid to the Consuls when they may ask it to arrest and imprison all per- sons composing the crew whom they may deem it necessary to confine.” There is no doubt, therefore, what the law of nations is on the point. Nor is there any uncertainty about the practice. In the case of the Creole, the American government con- tended, and the British government did not deny, that the British Colonial authorilies were not justified in officiously interfering with the internal discipline and order of the ship, though a murder had been committed on board, and she lay in British waters, In the case of o British ship at Balti- more, an official arrested a. seaman on some charge or other; the British Consul moved in the matter, employing Mr. McLane as bis counsel, and the seaman was promptly re- stored to his vessel, and the official reprimand- ed. The case of the American ship Ocean Ex- press, at Liverp-ol, last summer, is still more to the point. A mutiny had occurred on board that vessel. The captain applied to the Ame- rican Consul, who advised him to invite the men to resume their work; on their refusal, they were instantly discharged, without clothes or wages, and the British Courts declared, when appealed to, that they had no jurisdiction over the case, as the Ocean Express was under the American flag. We have entered thus at length into the law of the case because Sir John Bowring, the Bri- tish Governor, and the other Colonial authori- ties, appear to labor under a grave misappre- hension as to the rights of American ves- sels. No justification of the boarding of the Reindeer by the black men, of the rescue of Madison without warrant, or of the brutal treatment of the American Consul at a subsequent period, can be made or will proba- bly be attempted. The only point on which the British government can possibly endeavor to sustain an argument is the liability of Cap- tain Nichols to arrest for the alleged assault upon hisseaman. And this point, we appre- hend, is settled conclusively by the principles and precedents we have given above, It only remains now for the administration at Washington to follow the example set by Captain McCluncy, of the Powbatan, and exact reparation for the past and a guarantee of se- curity for the future. There is no need of strong language; the facts are strong enough. And the case is the more important, as the cir- cumstances under which it arose are of daily occurrence, Seamen desert daily; the safety of trade depends upon the prompt and tho- rough execution of those rules of maritime law which have been framed for the purpose of defeating this natural perversity of Jack, and fercing him to abide by his agreement. The principle implied in the course of the Britich authorities at Hong Kong would, if it were established, enable every American sea- man sailing to China to obtain his discharge on arrival at any port there, and would inevitably put a stop to our trade with that part of the world. It is hardly to be supposed that the British government will openly avow that they have this object in view. The sooner, there- fore, and the more energetically representu- tions are made to the Court at St. James, and a specific answer obtained, the better it will be for both countries. Literary Swindlers—Caution to the Public. We have frequently cautioned hotelkeep- ers, traders, railway managers, steamboat agents, directors of theatres and other victims, against certain literary guerillas, who obtain favors on the pretence that they are attached to the New York Heratp. The wide popular- ity of this journal, and the fact that there is no place in the civilized world where it has not been heard of, makes it more generally used as a cloak under which the rascals shel- ter themselves. While it is in some sort a compliment to the Heraup that even a prefen- der to its name is treated like a prince a thou- sand miles from Nassau street, yet we consider it a reflection upon our honor that we should be an innocent party to such swindling by not taking some decisive measures to prevent it. We have frequently been called upon by the |. Victims of these scoundrels, and desire once more to expose them, and to make some practi- cal suggestions,: by attending to which they may be marked and their operations defeated. The free list system, which was first intended as aspecial compliment on particular occa- sions, has grown to be a tremendous nuisance. Some editors seem to think it an inalienable right to sponge every body, and rave about their privileges if any one is found indepen- dent enough to refuse to be preyed upon. This outside pressure from some quarters has made many timid people afraid to refuse fa- vors to individuals whom they suspected to be swindlers, and while this journal has steadily discountenanced the system, its influence has been so great that many persons have sheltered themselves under its name, and risked expo- sure for the sake of the benefits which might accrue in case their supposed claim was al- lowed. These chevaliers d’industrie are very ingenious in picking other people’s pockets. Oaeof them lately took advantage of a great popular ex- citement to get a free passage to -California, by representing that he was a reporter for this journal. Another—one of the most dis- tinguished of the tribe—wrote a new watering place into celebrity; and on pretence that he was obliged to pay large sums for the inser- tion of the letiers in the Heratp and Courier— when they were printed in both papers as news matter—swindled the persons interested out of six hundred dollars. Another buys sugar plums and segars, or smuggles himself into a place of public amusement. A person calling himself Carman imposed upon several merchants by pretending that he was “assistant editor” of another journal of this city—-that he intended to write biographies of persens eminent in trade, and desired a small loan to help him out with his printing expenses. We cannot say that we sympathise with the victims of such shallow devices, We regret to say that there are some persons connected with other journals, who, aware of the superior standing of the Heratp as a news" paper, steal its name in order to gain informa- tion intended exclusively for us, We regret it, because it is sometimes an injury to us, and be- cause such tricks tend to disgrace what should bea high and honorable vocation. We hope that all our friends—and there are many of them in all parts of the country—-will, in case they have matter intended particularly for the HERALD, be very careful to whom they give it. Wemay also add a word to keepers of public houses and directors of public conveyances. Weare informed that numerous oily rascals are travelling about, getting everything free, on the pretence that they are connected with the Heratp. Now, we desire to tell the vic- tims of these elegant paupers, that they are very foolish to extend civilities to any one on any such pretences. Our correspondents, reporters and writers, always pay their bills, and are generally unknown. Very frequently the nature of their mission is such that secresy is absolutely necessary. So, Messieurs hotel keepers, railway superintendents, steamboat captains, if any person attempts to eat, drink, travel or sleep at your charge, on pre- tence that he is of us, quote this article--tell him he is mistaken—that the Heratp does not advertieé free, or give away its impresions— consequently its representatives must pay like other people. Remember, that if ever these per- sons were what they purport to be they would have no power to serve you. We do not insert ad- vertisements in our editorial or news columns at any price. To doso would be to swindle our readers and to injure our advertisers. We have labored earnestly to destroy the whole “ dead head” system. We have set the example prac- tically, and we hope the day will come when editors of newspapers will have as much pride and independence as persons in other vocations. Many of them are now placed in the position of paupers, only that they are fed by forced levies from private individuals, instead of being supported at the public cost. We take the ground that no paper can be truly independent that does not ignore the free system—ignore it entirely. Why should not an editor pay for his subsistence, his books, his clothes, his amusements? Why should he be entitled to courtesies never extended to persons in any other trade, business or profession ? We are sensible that it is a very delicate matter to handle. A victim is necessarily averee to cross-examining an individual who asks a favor fora popular journal. He likes the paper so well that he runs the risk of being swin- died rather than offend any of its writers, And as there are some cases where it may be conve- nient, and as it will relieve many well dis- posed persons from robbery, we shall hereafter furnish our atlachés, writers, special correspond- ents and reporters, with conclusive evidence of their authenticity. These credentials are only to be used in cases of urgent necessity, especially in the acquisition of news, and only entrusted to those persons in whom we have confidence. They are not entitled to any fa- vors which other people have to pay for, and we bave adopted the system for the bene- fit of those who are likely to become the victims of swiodlers. For ourselves and our attachis we long since adopted the motto “Pay as you go,” and we igtend to adhere toit strigtly, Kaysas—Squarrer Sovereranty——Boru Sipe Prepakino ror Crvi. War.—While the lecturers and drummers of the abolition squatters of Kansas are scattered throughout the Northern States collecting money, arms and munitions of war, to be used against the pro-slavery party of the Territory and “the border ruffians,” it. will be seen, from the following extract of a late letter to the Southern States from ex- Senator Atchison, that he and his forces are not: idle, but are actively preparing to fight it out. Hear him:— Let your young men come forth to Missouri and Kansas, Let them come weil armed, with money enough to support - them ior twelve mouths, and determined to see this thing out! One hundred true men will be an acquisition. ‘The . Ido not see how we are to avoid civil |. Tweive months will not elapse before war, civil war of the fiercest kind, will be upon us. Wer are arming and preparing for it. Indeed, we of the border counties are prepared. Wve roust have the support of tha South. We are fighting the battles of the Soutn. Our institutions are at stake. You far Southern men are now out of the way of the war, but if we fail it will react: Timeliness Welsens mosery uct tir ourmebvin: bat tb support our friends who may come froma distance. [ have now in this house two galiant young men from Charleston, South Carolina. They arecitizens of Kansas, and will remain so until her destiny is fixed. Let your young mencome on in equads as fast as they can be: , well armed. We want none buttruemen Yours, ruly, D. R. ATCHISON. P. &.—I would not be astonished if this day 1aid the tround-work for a guerilla warin Kansas. I umors of strife and battle at Leavenworth, seven miles- from this place, but the foe is r in the Mississippt river, and | have nothing definite. I was a peace-maker in the difficulty lately settled by Governor Shanuon. I counselled the ‘ruflans” to for nee, but I will again counsel peace. D. Re A. In confirmation of this letter we have a re- port from Kansas that a battle has taken place in the Territory, at Easton, in which one of the pro-slavery men was killed and several wound- ed, and several abolitionists were killed or wounded. Yet, with a border war thus threa- tened upon the one hand, and a world-wide war with England on the other, and with an administration lacking courage toact in the one case, and perplexed to its wit’s end with the other, we have the still more flattering ex- hibition of a faetious and disorganized Con- gress, sinking everything in a dirty squabble for the public plunder. In this state of things. we must appeal to both parties in Kansas ta: “ ground arms” and hold back a little longer; for we are left no other resource against the impending disgrace and calamitous mischief of a border war. GoveRNor WIsE ON THE VERMONT ABOLITION RESOLUTIONS AND OUR AFFAIRS AT WASHING- Ton.—We transfer to this paper the let- ter of Gov. Wise covering the offensive and traitorous abolition resolutions recently pass- ed by the Legislature of Vermont, and sent by the Governor of that State to the Virginia Go- vernor, “with sentiments of high respect.’ Read the letter and the resolutions. It will be seen that Gov. Wise treats this hypocrisy of “high respect,” as embodied in those resolu- tions, as it deserves ; but regards the existing condition of things at Washington as more urgently calling for the attention of the Vir- ginia Legislature than the doings of that little knot of fussy agitators at Montpelier. The Governor admonishes the lawmakers of the Old Dominion to be on their guard—not against the Vermont Legislature, but against the more dangerous band of abolition fanatics and demagogues which chance has thrown to- gether in the Congress of the United States. It will also be observed that Gov. Wise seizes the opportunity for a slap at the Southern Know Nothings, who prefer their own candi- date tothe democratic nominee. He seeiis ” very desirous to know whether the Fuller party of the House mean disunion by thus. standing out against the democracy, or what 1s the meaning of it. We don’t know; but presume that Hnmphrey Marshall, of Ken- tucky, will do what he can in the way of an explanation to Gov. Wise. Tne War Issues wirn Excuaxp—Sriun a Hore ror Watt Srreet.—A report having been put in circulation among the unofficial newspapers, that “ the Cabinet have had under consideration the expediency of suspending diplomatic intercourse with England,” éc., the Washington Union, doubtless “by autho- rity,” says:-— ‘We think we can safely assure the editors of the Jntel- ligencer that no such question as the suspension of diplo- matic intercourse with Great Britain has been before the Cabinet. Our relations with that rnment are cer- tainly delicate, and perhaps critical, but the proposed withdrawal of our Minister is not amongst the evidences going to indicate the delicacy of those relations. If we might indulge im a conje@ure on fo grave a matter, we should venture the opinion that the action of our govern- ment in asking the recall of Mr. Crampton and the con- suls implicated in the recruitment of soldiers for the Crimea furnishes the only foundation for the statement quoted above. Whilst we desire by this correction te avoid + any unfounded apprebensions of an impending dificulty with Great Britain, we cannot deny that there ar? seri- ous questions of difference between the two governmenta which ought to be thoroughly considered by tho:e mem- bers of Congress whe are obsiructing the organization of the House, So Mr. Buchanan is to remain where he is, and the President is awaiting the election of a Speaker, and the advice and assistance of Con- grese, Wallstreet may go ahead, then, /or at least sixty dayslonger. Meantime, let thelame ducks waddle off. There may be war. Who: knows? Something desperate must bedone, or the candidates of the administratior, one and all, will never touch bottom at the Cincin- nati Convention. There is the danger. Tue Latest Mare’s Nest—The awfu dis- covery, by the old fogy protectienists at Vash- ington, of a plot, embracing the iron maiufac- turers of England and the railroad companies of the United States, for the repeal or sispen- sion and repayment of the duties upon rdlroad iron. ‘“ This blow at our national industy,” it is said, “is to be carried through Congrss by the aid of British gold.” This, perhajs, ac- counts for the delay in the election of a Sjeaker. “Tt never rains but it pours.” Ratner Fooutsu—The continued whiing of the Albany Register (K.N.) over the denvoratic Van Buren soft shell and Sewardite ortaniza- tion of the Assembly. Dry up your teas, man, and try for the printing. The Contested Seat in the Boara of Aliermen, The Special Committee of the Board of Alderaen—com- prising Aldermen Varian, Valentine and Wm. ‘icker—t whom was referred the petition of Nicholas Senjrist, con- testing the seat of Wm, B. Drake, from the Twerty-second ward, met again on Saturday, at 3P.M., at No. Sty Hall, As at the previous rersiona, a large attendance &! parti- ans of the reep:ctive contestants was present, Felix Callahan was sworn.—-Witness was old ad deaf, and experienced much apparent difficulty in comycehond- ing the nature of the oath he was taking. The Chirman repeated the oath soveral times before he signiisd fully his comprehension of its purport. His testimon; was as follows:— I know Patrick Carrol; I don’t know that he waborn in Ireland; 1 know that he ts an irishman; have knwn hii two end a half years; he has been in this connte to my knowledge about three years: limugire that head just come fiom the Old Country, as he had on when I cst'saw him clothes worn by Irishmen in Iréland, and loked ag though he had Just come over; I saw Carrol ve at the lust election; he voted for Mr. Drake for Aldermn; [ saw the ticket betore he yoted; Patrick Carrol Iivedvetween Forty and Forty-first streets, near Ninh avenue Mr. Evarts here produced the poil list, ad showed that the name of Patrick Carrol appeared on th same as No, 276, and residing corner of Forty-tirst set and Ninth aver ue, Exsmination continued—Carrol worked for ¥. Drake, np town: I worked also with bim; it was not jderman Drake; I dog’t snow whethe; this Drake was a ousin or