The New York Herald Newspaper, January 26, 1856, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1856. NEW YORK HERALD. ee JAMES GORDON BENSET®, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, SPTICE N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON 87S. Fae Duty HOETED, 3 onus po $1 per ane THE WREKLY HER, esos wr part of Great Britain, or $8 tony part af’ Eomsinents both LUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing ani nee, solicited from any quarter oor af woe ell {erally pasa or. Bo OOS Fonnian ¢ = a ABTIOULAKLY REQUE#TED TO BRaL aut Larrans xp Pack- a@up SEAT UB. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—luuu Wanuze Movssry—[s axp Ovt or Fuc—teae none” BURTON'S Chambers - WALLACK’S — —y4 a Broadway—Pavuive- Coniovs _RauRa KEENWS VARIETIES, Broadway—Tax Vioixt ‘wooD’s Ko tenia nd Broadway—Ermorias Pra- pommancas—MisQuERADE otgeiane Montane Daicer ro = jr Mew York, Saturday, January 26, 1856, Malls for Europe. NEW YORK HERALD—EDITION FOR EUROPE. ‘The mail steamthip Hermann, Capt. Higgins, will leave ‘this port to-day, at noon, for Southampton aud Bremen. ‘The European wails will close in this city at half-past tem o'clock this morning. ‘The Huns (printed in English and French) will be peblished at nine o’clock in the morning. Single copies, (a wrappers, aixpence. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of whe New Yorx Herstp will be received at the following plmees in Furope:— Lewwor—Am, & Furopean Express Oo., 17 and 18 Cornhill. Poas— do. do. 8 Place de la Bourse. Lxvanrooi— do. do. 7 Rumford street. davanroot—Jobn Hunter, 12 Exchange street, East. The contents of the European edition of the Heravp wil embrace the newe received by mai] and telegraph at the office during the previous week, and to the hour of publicaticn. The News. By telegraph from New Orleans we have a brief summary of two weeks later news from California, Oregon and Nicaragua. With the exception of the fact that the gold mines yield more prolifically than ever, the intelligence from California is devoid of importance. More than a million in treasure will reach here during next week by the Aspenwall and San Juan steamers. There is nothing further res- pecting the Indian war in Oregon. In Nicaragua everything is prosperous and orderly. General Walker's effective force of Americans numbered be- tween eight and nine handred. Yesterday was a dull day in the Honse of Repre. sentatives. A motion to rescind the resolution pro- hibiting debate was rejected, and three ballots for Speaker were had, without any change in the posi- tion of parties. In the State Senate yesterday a memorial from citizens of Buffalo was presented, praying for the abolition of the Board of Commissioners of Emigra- tion, and the appointment of three salaried officers to perform the functions of said Board. The Com” missioners are in debt about one hundred thousand @oliars, and intend applying to the Legislature to make good the deficit. The accounts of the Harbor Encroachment Committee have been rendered. The expenses of the committee amount to the trifling sum of $14,518 34. In the Assembly a bill was in- troduced to legalize the acts of the Board of Saper- visors of this city. This movement is probably made to sustain the action of Supervisors in choosing a permanent president of the Board, which act, in the opinion of the counsel of the Corporation, is illegal and yoid. The trial of Mr. Joseph E. Ebling, Commis sioner of Streets and Lamps, who is charged with bribery, was commenced in the Court of General Sessions yesterday. A full report of the case is given in to-day’s paper. Additional advices from Vera Cruz, dated Sth instant, state that the municipal government of the city of Mexico, which was inaugurated by Alvarez, had been dissolved, and a new set of officers and members arpointed. Senor Escalante, vicar apos- tolic of California, had been arrested as a “ sus- picious subject.” Senors Pacheco, Lires, Tamer J Lopez de Santa Anna, and Colonel Duminguez, hau arrived in Vera Cruz as prisoners. The steamship Benjamin Franklin, the ship Lady Suffolk, and the bark Catherine Angusta, with a lot of old cannon, were to be sold at Vera Cruz and Acapulco. Foreign money was permitted to circulate as usual. It was said that Santa Anna had separated from his wife. Our Belize (Honduras) correapondent, writing on the 22d ultimo, reports an unusual dulness of trade; mahogany low, wages depreciated, and a large amount of mortality amongst the whites, from cholera. England was riveting her rule more firmly on the colony. It has now been ordered that all ves- xels shall be registered, and that no toreigner shall own a ship hoisting the British flag, unless he take the oath of allegiance to that government and be- come naturalized. Many persons had already done so. A vessel of the West India squadron was in port, and her commander had caused some alarm by beating to arms in the night, and firing some broad- sides for practice. Shipping business was more active. Late accounts from the Plains state that some Capote Indians and a party of Mormons had had a fight, in which several of the latter were killed, The Mormons were the aggressors. We publish elsewhere a report of the testimony taken by the coroner of Rugeley, England, at an ad- journed inquest held on the exhumed bodies of Mra, and Mr. Palmer, the wife and brother of the Surgeon Palmer, now accused of making away with so many victims by poisoning. A chemical analy- sis of the contents shows that the body of Mrs. Palmer, althongh so long interred, was saturated with tartrate of antimony (tartar eme:ic), a solation of which was no doubt used by the murderer to produce the appearance of lingering disease. The magistrates of the place were also investigating a charge against the Postmaster of the town, who is accused ofa sort of complicity, or neglect of duty, in permitting Palmer to know of the chemist’s letter from London. It is thought that Lord George Ben- tinek’s last betting book is in the hands of the Port- Jand family, and that it will be produced, and throw some light on his transactions with Surgeon Palmer. The Board of Councilmen last night adjourned for the term. Nothing of imfportance was done last night beyond concurrence with the Board of Alder- men in adopting the tax levy, cutting off the ap- propriation of $5,000 for contingencies in the Mayor's office. The Report of the Board will be found in -nother column. The sales of cotton yesterday reached about 800 a 1,000 bales. The market was from | a jc. easier since the receipt of the Africa’s news, though prices were not fully established. Middling uplands were quoted at about 9jc. Flour was heavy at the pre- vious day's quotations, with moderate sales. There continued to be @ good demand for local and Eastern consumption, of medium grades of Southern and Southwestern brands. Among the sales were 1,500 bbls. of good Tennessee, at $9 50, and St. Louis extra ranged from $10 a $11. Wheat was quiet. Tennessee red sold at $1 96, and @ small lot of choice Southern red at $2 00. Corn was in good demand for new, at full prices, Among the sales was @ cargo of Petigrew's North Carolina white, at 91ce. Rye was at #1 31. Pork was heavy, with small trans- actions at $16 50. Sugare were firm, and coffee steady, with sales of 1,300 bags Rio, Freights were iaactive, though without change jn quotations, The | ice in the rivers and docks interfered very much with lighterage and loading of vessels, The Senate of Massachusetts yesterday adopted an amendment repealing the clause of the law of 1855 which confers upon jurors the right of judging of the constitationality of any law. This movement has direct reference to the enforcement of the Pro- hibitory Liquor law. During the year 1855 there were eighty prosecutions for violations of this law in Boston, and not one conviction, the jurors in every case deciding against its constitutionality. The temperance men look for an interpretation from the Judges more in accordance with their peculiar views. The proceedings of the naval court martial at Philadelphia increase in interest from day to day. Yesterday the letter of the sccused—Com. Ritchie— to the Navy Department, in reply to that of Capt. Dupont, was received as evidence. We give it else- where. ‘The Suspension of Diplomatic Relations with Nicaszagua—The Position of the United States Government. The public press for the past two months has been full of Nicaraguan affairs. From time to time very clear and lucid expositions of the state of political affairs in that republic have appeared in the New York journals. There still seems to be, however, in official quarters, a wilful blindness as to the real position of things, which obtuseness can only be explained by the supposition that our governm:nt has some private reasons for pursuing @ course so utterly at variance with established precedents, and so prejudicial to the best interests of beth countries. Let us briefly consider the racts as they stand: First—There was an internal quarrel in Ni- caragua in relation to the organic law of the State. One party, headed by Chamorro, occu- pied Granada, while another, under Castillon, held Leon. Both parties invited outside aid, and citizens of the United States bore arms nnder each banner. The party of Castillon, generally called the democratic party, surprised and conquered Granada. A treaty was then made by which the discordant elements were fused, and the bill of rights, as contained in the Constitution of 1836, was re-affirmed. Doa Patricio Rivas, who had previously held the same office, was named Supreme Director in the treaty, and he appointed his Cabinet, which is now composed entirely of native citizens of Nicaragua. The vanquished party took the otber offic: and were charged with the ad- ministration of public justice. The government thus happily consolidated, was recognized by the priests, who have the same influence over the minds of the people in Catholic countries that the press has in England and the United States. Peace was once more established in the republic. Immigration began to flow to- wards the vernal Pacific slope. Trade raised its drooping head. Public confidence was re- stored. No one took up arms against the new government, because it wag the result of a compromise with which all parties were satis- fied. It is now apparently as firm as any of the Central or South American governments. Second—-The Minister of the United States near the Republic of Nicaragua, finding that the government was firmly established, recog- nised it, according to diplomatic precedent. It is understood that he was censured by our government, and this assertion appears to be verified by two letters written by him, in which he ably defends the position he has taken. He still continues to exercise his functions at Gra- nada. Third—The Nicaraguan government accre- dited Col. Parker H. French as Envoy Extraor- dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (Minister of the highest grade) to the government of the United States. This diplomat was also the bearer of an important ireaty between the two countries, which was originated by the legiti- mist party, signed and sealed by its leaders, and approved aad aitested by the new democratic government. The government of the United States, through the Secretary of State, has de- clined to receive Mr. French, ‘or any other person,” at present, as the Minister of the Rivas government, on the ground, as stated by the Premier, that the citizens of Nicaragua have not freely expressed their approval of, or ac- quiescence in, the present condition of politi- cal affairs in that republic. The United States government also arrested Colonel I'rench on a charge of setting on foot a hostile expedition against the country which he represents, bat immediately afterwards liberated him and re- fused to try the case. He has not yet present. ed his credentials, but remains in the United States. He is recognized by the people at large in his diplomatic office, and by the At- torney General as entitled to the privileges of said office in a “very limited and qualified de- e. er Thus it will be seen that our diplomatic re- lations with Nicaragua are suspended: our government having decided that there is no supreme government in that State. Certain persons assume to act as the representatives of the United States within the territory of Nica- ragua, but they act without authority and are entitled tono consideration from the de facto government there. The American citizen in that State would have no one to appeal to in case his personal liberty was infringed, or in case his property was injured. The point to be settled is, what is the real duty of the United States government under these circum- stances, and how far can it be sustained in the attitude in which it stands? The question which is raised, in this position of affairs, is to be settled only by the common law of nations, as laid down by recognized au- thorities. The United States early adopted the European law of nations, and has up to th's time acted according to the maxims laid down by its expounders—all of whom agree in say- ing that no government has any business with the internal affairs of another, and that the government which exists in fact must be re- cognized. Vattel, Wheaton, Grotius, and all the other great international lawyers, are unanimous on this point. The wisest of Minis- ters, Mazarin, promptly recognized Lockhart, the agent of Cromwell, and refused to see Charles the Second or his Minister, although the court of France was always favorable to the Stuarts, and a “very considerable number” of Englishmen did not “approve of or acquiesce in” the government of the Lord Protector. In another reign—al- though the French government aided a fugitive king—the representative of William the Third was duly received and honored, The English government received and protect- ed the agents of the United Provinces when they rebelled against Spain. France recog- nized our independence in 1778, when the issue of the war was doubtful, and concluded two treaties of commerce and amity with us. As early as 1793, Mr. Jefferson—then Secretary of State—laid down the principle of international law to be, that every ~iate possesses power to change its government at will, and to transact its business through such agents as it thinks fit toemploy. Any interference by another State to check the exercise of this right is imperti- Bent and unjustifiable, and has once been a cause of war between France and England. According to Mr. Marcy’s rule, that a gov- ernment cannot be recognized because no con- siderable number of its citizens have expressed their approval of, or acquiescence in it, all our Ministers and Consuls everywhere might be sent home; because, it does not appear that any considerable number of citizens of the United States approve of or acquiesce in the administration of Mr. Pierce. It may be ac- quiesced in to a very “limited and qualified degree” by a few persons engaged in the col- lection of the revenue. When a point of international law (which is founded entirely on usage) is raised, it must, says Wheaton, be decided by the application of the greatest number of precedents in a cer- tain direction. In the matter of Nicaragua all the precedents are in favor of the recogni- tion of the present government. Let us see:— France, since our political existence—less than a century——has had ten distinct govern- ments. Some have lived only a few months; others have been maintained for several years, All of them have been promptly recognized by the United States, whether the will of the peo- ple was consulted or not. Did the French people approve of the earlier acts of the first Napoleon? Did they desire the return of the Bourbons? No! It is an undeniable fact that the army was the potent instrament in setting up and pulling down these governments ; and it is equally true in the matter of the restora- tion of the Bourbons, in the language of Mr. Marcy’s letter to Mr. French, that “ those who were chiefly instrumental in suspending or overthrowing the government of that State were not citizens belenging to it.” Mr. Rush recognized, in 1848, the provisional govern- ment of Lamartine two days after it was set up; and, in 1851, when Louis Napoleon, witb- out any expression of the people’s will, struck his coup d'état, Mr. Rives, our Minister to France, was visited with the implied censure of his government, through Mr. Webster— then Secretary of State—and directed to recognise the de facto government at once. Perhaps Mr. Marcy thinks that Nicaragua being a small and weak State, is not entitled to the same courtesy that the government was anxious to extend to,pow-. erful France. If such is the case, we will direct his attention to a few precedents a little nearer home. Mexico has been in existence as an inde- pendent State about forty years During that period thirty-eight persons have exercised su- preme executive authority over it. Our gov- ernment has not hesitated to recognise each of these persons; and in one case the United States connived at the entrance of a usurper. Can Mr. Marcy or any one else assert that the government of Santa Anna, in 1847, was not set up by persons not “ citizens belonging to Mexico?” The case of Ecuador is also a pertinent,one : In 1846, after General Flores had left the country, Diego Novoa was elected President by the voices of @ convention called for the purpose. He was eminently popular. Some time after he took office, Novoa was in- formed that General Urbina was plotting against him. He did not put any faith in the statement, and appointed Urbina to the chief command of the army. In June, 1851, the President left Quito en rowe for Guayaquil ; and on arriving at Latacunga, received a letter from Urbina, dated at Guayaquil, urging him to come to that place at once, as the prosperi- ty of the country depended upon his presence there. Novos complied with the request; but, before he arrived, Urbina had stirred up the army to pronounce in his favor. Novoa was seized and sent out of the country by ship. Urbina declared himself President ot Ecuador, and still holds that position. The new govern- ment was immediately recognized by the United States. Jn the republic of Peru we shall find a state of things still more resembling those of Nica- ragua. On the 20th December, 1850, José Rofino Echenique was elected President of Peru. His despotic administration made hi.o unpopniar, and a rebellion, headed by General Castilla, broke out in 1853. It was unsuccess- ful. In the winter of 1854 8 number of North Americans arrived at Lima, attracted by the rumors of rich gold discoveries on the Ama- zon. These men were invited by Castilla to join him against the regularly constituted authorities of the State, and they consented. In December, 1854, Castilla, thus strengthened, hazarded the decisive battle of La Palma, from the report of which we make a brief ex- tract: The Sagrados, a battalion compoeed of ameng whom was a party of Americans, | icked men, on the ar: tack, and the opposing rauks weat down like grass before thei? furious charge. Echenique ran away, and Castilla immediate- ly declared himself President. The Minister of the United States recognized the govern- ment immediately. A new Minister from Peru handed his credentials to Mr. Marcy, was re- ceived with that suavity of demeanor which is so pleasant a feature in the character of that great statesman, and was the star of the nest levee. Had not Castilla received the aid of the seventy Americans above mentioned, Eche- nique would have been President of Pera at this moment. The difference between Nicara- gua and Peru seems only to have been in the number of men engaged. In fact, the Walker party in Granada have the advantage, because it is proved that “persons not citizens of Nicaragua” served on both sides. There are multitudes of other examples of the same kind—including that of Texas, whic! was @ very strong one—which bear upon this point. But we have cited a sufficient number for our present purpose. Our deductions from the above facts, in which we are sustained by almost the entire American Congress, press, people, and a por- tion of the Cabinet, are as follows:— That the present government of Nicaragua ought to be recognized—First. Because it is the only government now existing. No one pretending to set up any opposition to it, it follows that the people, at least, acquiesce in it. Common rumor—which is all the evidence we can have on the sabject—esserts that they approve it. We have quoted the law to show that our government has no right to criticise the acts of the people of that State, or of their rulers, Second—It was created by a compro- mise between both parties, anxious for peace; and Mr. Marcy’s favorite authority, (Vattel,) rays it fe the bounden duty of all goveraments to encourage one another in preserving and pro- moting peace at home and abroad. Third—Ni- caragua is a free, sovereign, independent State, and as such has an undoubted right to rega- late all its affairs, internal and external, and to employ such servants as it chooses, It may change its government every month, and send a new Minister every week if it thinks fit; and if our government desires to maintain amicable relations, it must receive these agente, or else withdraw its own Minister and Consuls, and leave our commerce to the mercy of an insulted people. In this connection we might inquire what Mr. Wheeler is doing atGranada? Is there a gov- ernment in Nicaragua, at all? If so, is it not headed by Rivas? Are our diplomatic rela- tions suspended? Does our Minister commu- nicate officially with the Rivas government? If he does, is it not & recognition, for all prac- tical purposes, by the United States through its agent? If the Rivas administratien is not the government of Nicaragua, why was not Mr. Wheeler recalled? And if Mr. Wheeler is not recalled, then he is excused, and then Mr. French should be received. It has been urged by some foolish persons that Mr. Marcy, the essence of political purity, deelines to receive Mr. French on personal grounds. We thought that the principle of law in this matter was too widely known to be misunderstood. Mr. French is divested entire- Jy of his individuality. He is here as the Nicaraguan government, and, figuratively, he is a portion of that country, sojourning here for the transaction of its business. For all that appertains to him personally in the matter, his name might as well be John Smith as Parker H. French. It was reserved for the genius of a Marcy to set aside this immutable principle of international law. It may be urged that the government of Nicaragua has not been @ sufficient length of time in existence to be firmly established. This we have shown, in the case of Mexico, to bean invalid objection. Mr. Marcy, however, may be of the echool of an old casuist who thought @ government could not be considered estab- lished until it had existed a hundred years By the same rule, our government is only an experiment, and it is certain that no time can be fixed. The circumstances in Nicaragua are apparently more favorable to the permanency of the present government than they were in the United States when we were recognized by France. There is still another reason why the Nica- raguan government should be recognized; and itisa very important one. Our commercial interests there are daily becoming more exten- sive. Acrosg the territory of that State acom- pany of North American citizens are carrying thousands of passengers and millious of trea- sure. Hundreds of North American merchants have their shops in its cities, and the sails of North American ships whiten its harbors on two oceans. Diplomatic intercourse will facilitate these persons in their business ar- rangemente; and while we lend to a weak re- public a helping hand, we are assisting our own citizens and opening new fields for the en- terprise of our traders. With all these facts pressed home to them, who can wonder that the people of the United States call loudly for the recognition of the Nicaraguan government? Who is not sur- prised at the stupidity of the administration— if that can possibly be a matter of surprise at this late day—-which sbuts itsears to this call and closes its eyes to the precedents on file in itsown archives? The case of Nicaragua is a climax to the stupid and blundering diplo- macy of our Premier, and confirms us in cur opinion, that though he may have been a fair village politician, he is utterly incapable of managing the foreign affairs of the nation. If the administration feara.to do an act of justice and courtesy because it may be misunderstood abroad, it is time that the people should be made acquainted with the fact. We can ex- cuse anything but cowardice and imbecility. Mr. Marcy's assigned reasons for the rejection of Colonel French are not of the slightest validity. If he has any others, let us hear them. Presipent Prerce’s Corp p'Erat on tHe Sreakersnirp—Toet Kansas Mess We pab- lish to-day,from the Cabinet organ, in ertenso, the special meseage of the President to Congress on the Kausas controversy. We take it thar thie is the Executive coup d’état which was threa- tened a few days ago on the Speakership; and we may also consider itas a codicil to the an- || nual message, on the the slavery question, for Scutbern capital at Cincinnati. The epecial object of this message on tte Speakership was, we euspect, to drive the anti- administration elements to the wall on this Kansas question, under the presumption that there are many half-way members among them standing out against Banke, who will find this message too hard a dose to swallow, and wili straightway fall in upon Banks, as a choice of evils. How many of the Fuller men, as a las: resort between the endorsement of this terri >sle message and the adoption of Banks, will choose the latter, remains to be seen. The first effect of this peculiar “State paper’ has very naturally been to strengthen the union and the resolution of the Banks men; and the second effect will be the election of Banks, probably, or the inevitable prolongation of the squabble. At all events, the message has an- swered the object of a tub to the whale, and goes very far to show that the President de- sires the election of Mr. Banks, if possible, without the direct co-operation of the demo- crats in his behalf. His Excellency, however, may fall short of the mark, for it is very likely the “South Americans,” so called, will see through the trick and laugh at the decoy! In the next place, this special message, as a bid for Southern capital at Cincinnati, will be perfectly harmless. Southern men may like it—Southern mass meetings may eulogize it— Southern State conventions may praise the author of it as the true man for the crisis, but when they get to Cincinnati they will find that Mr. Pierce is too short by a foot for the active business of the campaign. Something more than the discharge of Reeder and the appoint- ment of Shannon as Governor of Kansas will be required of the democratic nominee for 1856. He must be relieved in the very outset of the dead weight of this administration. And yet Mr. Pierce Is really in forit. Cushing will be the death of him. Read his message. Very Fourny.—We see from one of our Vir- ginia exchanges that eighteen yeoman citi- zens of New Jersey have invited Hon. John Minor Botts to stand for the Presidency, and that he has signified thatif the people desire it “Barkie is wilia’,? Con. SHarryer aND THE Lonpon Tives.—In another column will be found a slashing re- joinder from Col. Shaffner to the late unjustifi- able and unbecoming attack made upon him by the London Times. It will be recollected that the original statements, which drew forth this philippic from our London contemporary, con- tained certain aseertions of fact founded on Colonel Shaffner’s personal observations in Russia. Most of those statements were, of course, highly unpalatable to the enemies of that country, because they contradicted impressions industriously circulated by the English press with a view to mislead the pub- lic mind on the issues involved in the Eu- ropean contest. Had Col. Shaffuer’s narrative been o1 the prejudiced and unfounded charac- ter which the Zimes would wish to imply, the proper course would have been to expose its fallacies, by bringing the evidence of other travellers to bear onit. The truth would have been elicited by such a comparison, and the propagators of falsehood shamed. Unable, however, to meet argument by argument, or to reason calmly on a subject in which its passions are enlisted, the Times came out with an article sgainst our coun- trymap, as remarkable for its want of candor and honesty as for the execra- bly bad taste in which it was penned. As is usual with that paper when it has no case to make, it sought to avoid the issues raised by Col. Shaffner by overwhelming him with ridi- cule and abuse— a poor reply to statements se- riously put forward, and which have been cor- roborated, in many instances, by facts which have since transpired. In his letter of to-day Colonel Shaffner re- iterates the aseertions made in his former com- munications, and exposes the value of those glowing bulletias of victories which the Eng- lish have been in the habit of putting forth since the commencement of the war. He proves that Russian trade and commerce, so tar from having suftered by the blockade of the Allies, have, on the contrary, considerably increased. Besides this, an enormous impetus has been given by the war to the manufacturing indus- try of the empire, which promises, in a short time, to euffice for all the wants of its popula- tion. The feelings of the Russian people, so far from being despondent and averse to the continuance of the struggle, are, he says, uni- versally bent upon sustaining th: honor and territorial independence of the country. But one sentiment pervades them, from one extre- mity of the empire tothe other, and that is an implicit faith in the sacredness of the cause for which they are fighting. The charges of cruelty brought against the Russian troops, he says, come with a very bad grace from a people whose sysiem of warfare bas always been marked by the most cruel atrocities, As a proof of this he cites the barbarous excesses committed by the British during their wars in India and in this country, and which were re- peated under the most revolting circumstanses at the capture of Kertch. Wehave stated enough to show that formi- dable as ishis assailant, Col. Shaffner has plenty of Yankee pluck in him, and is not to be frightened from telling his mind by the “thun- der” of the Times. He facetiously informs our cotemporary that it is his business to deal in that article, and that it is only wasting the electric current of its wit upon him when it thinks to care him by weak flashes like that of its Jate article. The allusion may perhaps serve to remind the Times of a fact which it seems to have forgotten. Col. Shaffner occu- pies & prominent position at the head of some of our largest enterprises, and however much it may svit our contemporary to throw discre- dit on the evidence of aman of his standing, it will fail in its purpose here. He has suc- cessfully defended himself against the charge of having any interested motive in the state- ments which he has published in reference to Russia; and until it can be shown to the Ame- rican public that be has gone out of his way to pervert facts, they will be disposed to ac- cord to them greater credit than to the preju- diced and oft disproved aseertions of English writers. Wallack’s Pheatre—'The Pet of the Public.” A comedietta under the above ticle was played at this house last night for the first timo here. It is a French piece, first translated by Mr. Edward Stirling for Miss Rebecca Ieaace, a Hebrew vocalist, who is chiefly distin- guished for having sustained series of guerilia operatic skirmishes in the minor London theatres daring the past three years. The ‘Pet’? is a young actress who has at- traeted the attentions of a lady killer, who boasts tha’ he has received tokens of her admiration, The jealousy of the “Pet’s” husband is awakened by the bragzadacio ofthis person, and the wife, to quiet it, disguises herself fm various cdd costumes, and nearly frightens her ad- mizer out of his wits. He makes an apology, the husband is satisfied, and everything is settled amicably. ‘The weight of this piese falls upon the shoulders of Miss Hodson, who enacts the part of the young wo- man who is supposed to be the “Pet of the Public.” The whole thing is a mere trifle—perhaps beneath criticism, but Miss Hodson did dot succeed with it. She is nota clever actress, and seems to be unfor- tunate in being cast for parts which require a great deal of stage tact and reit-possession. She does not possess either of these qualities. Indeed, she seems positively distraite. She sang three songs effectively, but there seemed to be # cispute between the vocalist and the leader of the band os to the key and the time, Una- nimity on these points is very desirable, and we hope that the music of this pfece will have another rehear- eal. The sketch—for it is nothing more—seems to have deen done originally for the purpose of showing off the points of a favorite actress, The apology for a plot is exceedingly absurd, and the dialogue the veriest com- monplace. The songe made it a respectable success, and it will be done again this evening. The house was about two-thirds fillec. Fasmonapie INTELGENCE.—A splendid bal costume was given by a wealthy merchant of this city, at his palatial reeidense, Cinton street, Brooklyn, on Thursday night, ‘Two hundred guenta were invired, and a specisl invitation was extended to the children of the guests. Young America accordingly indulged in Terpsichorean feats from seven till ten in the evening, when the middled aged came on the scene and polked, supped, flirte d,waltzed, mazourk- ed and redowaed, until four inthe morning. The affair ‘was very creditable and somewhat costly, The fayhiona- ble world is in a high state of excitement just now, and brows Ite money about with the most reckless pro- useness. Novet ap IntRnvsTinG Discoursr.—Mr. F. W, Evans, one of the eldgrs at the Shaker settlement at Lebanon, intends to preach a discourse on the manners, customs, and tenets of bis peculiar people, at the Tabernacle, next Thursday evening. Mr. Evansis a mane much ability, and his discourse will undoubtedly be vemy interesticg. Proapway Taeatre.—The new cast for “King Charm ing,’? which includes Mrs, Blake and Mrs, Buckland, has proved to be a great improvement, and has dra yn faly houses, The piece will be done this evening, with the “Sea of Ice.”’ Mr. J, W. Wollack, Jr., commonces an en- gogement next week, playing in m new drama called ‘Leon, or the Iren Maak.”” ‘The bark Ametis, which salled from Port au Prince on the 24 of December last, has not yet arrived. Great fears aro entertained for her wafoty, being fifty-five dava since she sailed. Secretary Dobbin has it in contemplation to nerd the steamer Vixen in search of her, which, we think, ovght to be done forthwith. THB LATUST NBWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS. News trom California. ARRIVAL OF THE DANIEL WESSTER AT NEW OR- LEANS—A MILLION DOLLARS EN ROUTE FOR NEW YORK—NEWS FROM OREGON AND NICARAGUA, ETC. New Onteans, Jan. 26, 1856. The steamship Danie! Webster, trom San Juan de Ni- earegua on the 19'h inst., has arrived at this port. she: ‘brings dates from San Francisco to the bth inst, ‘The steamship Star of the West had sailed from Sam Juan for New York with 350 passengers and $600,000 im ‘treasure. ‘The United States mail steamer Golden Gate left fan. Francisco January 5, with five hundred passengers and generally unimportant. A pevere shock of earthquake was experienced et Sam: Francisco on the 24 10s". ‘The trial of Corey for the murder Gen. Richardson was in progress. Attachments had been issued against Lucien Hermann,. an extensive money agent at San Francisco, for nearly $150,000. Joah. Silsbee, the Yarkee comedian, died at San Fran- ciseo on the 224 of De-ember. The Sacramento Valley Railroad had been opened a istance of twenty-two miles. The news from the mine: is of an encouraging nature,, and new rich diggings Lave been discovered on the Ame- rican river. ‘The San Francisco ma-keta were dull—the demand: from the interior bexg light. In flour and grain the transactions were toa lic:'ted extent. ‘The arrivals at Sen Francisco fcom Atlantis ports com- prised the ships Matebless, Wild Rover, Winged Arrow and Flying Fish from Bost’ n; the Golden West, Midnight and Morning Star from New York; and the Wm, Sturges trom Philadelphia. In Northern California Indian depredations stil! con - tinued. George M. Chare, United States Consul st Lahaina, Sandwich Islands, is 44nd. OREGON, Oregon dates areto the 20th of December. Nothing had been heard cf Col. Kioney’s party, which hed left to attack Fort Walla Walls, which was in possession of the Indians, NICARAGUA. From Nicaragua we learn that Col, Walker was reesiy- ing accessions by every steamer, and his effective force of Americans was about eight hundred and fifty men. From Washington. THE RESIDENT'S KANSAS MESSAGE—REEDER’S FORTHCOMING KKEP'LY—THE SPEAKERSHIP. Wasuixotoy, Jan. 25, 1856, The message of the President on the Kansas im>roglio is considered here, in ofticial circles, as another bid for the Southern vote. A letter from Gov. Reeder will shortly mzke its appearance, answering Gen. Pier e's special message. There is fun ahead, Where is he Scarlet Letter, in whicn the President offered ing (Reeder) a foreign mission, provided he would resign 1be- Governorship cf Kaneas? The folly of nominating Mr. Orr, and placing him uj om Ruchardsoa’s platform, ts palpable among the demoor te! They now see the m‘stake, Another attempt will b@ msde to-morrow to adcpt the plurality rule. The Southe Americans have all gone back to Fuller, and they will stick to him until something turns up. D ELECTION OF THE HON. JEFFERSON DAVIS TO THE U>ITED STATES SENATE. Wasttsaroy, Jan. 25, 1856, The Siar of this evening says a despatch from Jackson, Mirs., announces the elesion of Hon, Jefferson Davis to the United States Senate, by a majority of fifty-e'ght. SHIRTY-£0UR CH CONGREDS, FIRST SESSION. Howse of Representatives, Wasutncton, Jan. 25, 1856. An ineffectual effort was made to repeal the resolution excluding all debate during the present week, or until the election of Speaker. ThefHoure then proceeted to vote, and three ballote were taken, the last resulting as follows: 127H BaLtor. Banks. . $4 orre Fuller, 25 Seatter Necessary fur a choice.98. Adjourned. From the State Capital. NO LEGISLATION WORTHY OF NOTE—€ALMNESS IN BOTH HOUSES—ADJOURNMENT OVER TO MONDAY NIGHT. Avpayy, Jan. 25, 1856. Some two hours were spent in the House this morniog discuesing the manner of disposing of the Governor's Message. Mr. Cole, (repub.,) wanted the message taken out of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Bai'ey moved that if thus dispored of, the prohibitory portion should be referred to the same seect committee, having Mr. Glover's repeal Jaw in cbarge. This was strongly oppos- ed by Mr. Foot and Mr, Wakeman, roe Mr. Prescott, x Rol took the floor in favor of Pailey’s proposition, ebich is a strong indication that the democrats and Americans will fuse, and adminiater a severe rebuke to his crobioitory Excellency. be see- tion in the message, reflectiog upon the judiciary of the city of New York, is universally regarded as highly in- sulting to those gentiewen: and ghould the Hoase refer this question as proposed by Mr. Baily, it wilt be-the au- ministering of a rebuke which has never been done on sny similar occasion. ‘The anxiety manifested by the whigs to take the Mes- sage out of committee, indicates their inability to defend his excellency. Mr. Duganne feiled in securing his travelling com- mittee to examine ali the insurance companies during the next summer. Both hous:s adjourned over until Monday evening, which really means Tuesday morning, thas coosumme one month of the session. NEW YORK L&GISLATURE. Senate. Aunayy, Jan. 25, 1856. THE COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION. Mr. Wapsworts presen'ed » memorial from the city o Buffalo, asking for the exticction of the present Board of Commissioners cf Fmigration, and the appointment im. thelr place of three salaried Commissioners. Referred to ‘a select committee. HARBOR ENCROACHMENTS. Mr. Brooxs presented a communication from the New ‘York Harbor Encroachment Committee, in relation to expenses incurred by them, the total amount of which. is $14,618 34, ILLS PASSED, For the relief of the Lumbermen’s Bridge Company. To amend the act incorporating the Pacific Mail Steam- ship Company. Adjourned till Monday. Assembly. REPORTS, ETC, The Senate bill to secure the faithful ex>enditure of charitable funds in the first Senate district was favora- big reported on. ¢ annual statements of the Superintendents of Bank-- ing and Public Instruction Departments were received. Mr. PRESCOTT gave notice of a bill to amend the Gene- ral Insurance Law. BUAS INTRODUCED. To extend the charter of the Monroe County Insurance Com pany. By Mr. Witu1aMs, to incorporate the New York Home Mistiopary Society of the M. E. church, Mr. Gray, to facilitate the assessment and collec- tion of taxes. By Mr. Drxon, to legalize the acts of the New York Supervisors, debate was had on the Governor’s me 5 Mr, Dvasnye called up his resolution appointing « joint’ committee to inqnire into the sffairs of insurance companies, Laid on the table. Adjourned till Monday afvernoon. The Naval Court Martial at Philadeiphia- PmiavetpnA, Jan. 25, 1856. The Court aecembled this morning at the usual hour, and after the reading of the record, the Judge Advocate: asked the accused whether any witnesses would be called. hy him. The counsel, Mr. Cooper, then obtained per- mission to read the following letter of Com. Ritchie, ad- reseed to the Secretary of the Navy, on being farnished. with a copy of the change made to the Department by Capt. Dupont:— Janrs O. Dowarn Becreiaty "or the Nave: Tame have jant wow reoctred the Sommmautios ion swith wick ‘on heve honored me, with the letter of Captain Semuel *. Du- eh oo Ratrerchmaroplaian ‘or pport yy me of seeing the pany a) ge ee ve a Pee iment b; muy Pave patd'] beg that tho bonerable Becretary wine aa: fured that I meditated no cffence of the wer. ice nor any dareap the Trio altempl to evade ie truth by denying that 1 applied coe the ot gen! He { admit that ce iar keel al Say ae ee igh ne ™ Atlin Sella? yer of the was in aperscnal controversy, Aman, Fd not an an officer, hat these epithets wens peovok ‘on bis part and applied on’ mine, and conaidered consider ft, a matier between fndividuals, and of > artment would take no cognizance inasmuch as ft hed of one or other of the arties as officers; and so I think the Depsriment would view Iroverny. but an reterred i & mutter at rnin primacy, s te & matt Twill not trouble the Department by a delaikor if Hoplug that thie explanation may prove aatistactory, T beg leave to subscribe myself, with great respect, Your obedient servant, R.A, RITCHIN, Com. United Bates mat Advocate having bronght up the record of this point, it was read over to the aceused, cer and gentleman, But we The Jud ‘the Court