The New York Herald Newspaper, February 16, 1856, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1856. YROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. ‘QUES K. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON BTS. MB, ash in ade Ee eat oie Poet 9 Broad Gries or 8516 cng porto tha Continent, both myo 3S the Ste VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, sxta-ning import. ‘solicited from any quarter of the world ROU PRINTING caccuied with neainess, cheapness and des PD VER TISEMENTS renewed very day. Weolenmne XXI.........000-ss sees reeserececoe ie 6 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, WERY THEATRE, Bowery—Afternoon and nsns Tun Huvtas, os tua Duwom Mousssan. BURTON'S THEATER, Chambers street—A WiNrs’s bad Love C: on. nape VABIRTIES, Broadway—Lovs Casse ‘WALLAOCK’S THEATRE Broadwav—Awkwanp ARRIVAL Boca noN-tas—UUT oR 4 Hoipay. BROADWAY VARIETIES, @Qemex, sx rx Woon 4 Manse WOOD'S MINSTRELS, 444 Broadway—Crmorian Par- pemuances—Hurry May, on Testy wits Jaran. 472 Broadway—Tuz Nats CaULDREX. BVCKLEY'S BURLESQUE OPERA HOUSE, 539 Broad: wag -Frovo Minsramist- SonNamBULA, ABADEMY HALL, 63 Broadway—Panorame Prcroame qo Onna anv Taran, — Mew York, Saturday, February 16, 1856. Malls for Bi EW YORE UERALD-—EDITION FOR EUROPE. “Fhe wail steamship Quaker City, Capt. Shufeldt, will Mave this port to-day, at noon, for Liverpool. ‘Wee European mails will close in this eity at half-past fem oleleck this morning. ‘Wee Muni (prinved in English and French) will be (pablished st ten o'clock in the morning. Single copies, fa wrappers, sixpence. Bubscriptions snd advertisements for any edition of he Rew Yons Hxnatp will be reosived at the following ‘places in Europe:— enson— Am. & European Express Co., 17 and 18 Cornhill Pane— do. do, 8 Place de la Bourse. Sxvamroo.— do. do. 7 Rumfore street. Seweer001—Jobn Hunter, 12 Exchange street, East. The contents of the European edition of the Hynaty {wl embrace the news received by mail and telegraph at fhe office durivg the previous week, and to the hour ef padiication. The News. ‘We are still without news from Ecrope. The Ca- ada is now in her fourteenth day out. We have important news from Mexico. On the ‘22d ult., Puebla succumbed to the revolutionists un- der Haro y Tamirez. The particulars are given in the letter of our correspondent, which may be found on the first page of to-day’s paper. We learn from Washington that Gov. Shannon yesterday received instructions from the President relative to the adoption of measures to repress the incipient rebellion in Kansas. The federal and Territorial laws are to be enforced and Col. Sumner, with eight hundred troops, now at Fort Leaven- worth, is to aid in their enforcement if it becomes necessary. Meantime, it is represented tha! the free State men at the North and West, and their oppo- nents in the Socth, are actively engaged making ready for the fray. The Canadian Parliament opened at Toronto yes- terday. We give under the telegraphic head the Principal points of the address of tle Governor Gene- al on the occasion. In the State Senate yesterday a favorable report was made on the bill restricting the Supervisors of this city in making appropriations. Bilis providing for the more effectual suppression of fires, and for the registry of births, marriages and deaths, in this city, were passed to a third reading. In the Assem- Diy a resolution directing inquiry as to the propriety of changing the Constitution so as to make judicial officers appointive instead of elective was adopted. The Judiciary Committee was also directed to re- port as to the advisableness of altering the time for holding elections for Judges. The New York tax bill was referred to the delegation from this city, in. stead of a select committee, as proposed by Mr. Foot. Subsequently a motion to reeonsider was of- fered, which gave rise to a spirited debate, but with- ont taking the question the House adjourned. By way of New Orleans we have Havana dates to the llth. They contain no political news. The un- favorable reports regarding the crops are confirm- ed. An advance in the price of sugar and molasses was, therefore, looked for. The iatter article was scarce. The cotton market yesterday continued active and firm, with sales of 6,000 a,7,000 bales, a good part of which was in transita. The market closed witha hardening tendency. The whole advance since the zeceipt of peace rumors from Europe by the Arabia, on the 2d instant, has been about one cent per pound. If we estimate the crop, at the lowest figure, to reach 2,200,000 bales, and allow 600,000 for American consumption, there will be left 2,600,000 bales for export. Of this amount we have thus far exported about 1,200,000 bales, leaving in the country for export 1,400,000. The advance of one cent per pound is equalto $4 per bale; hence this rise will make a difference im behalf of the United States of about $5,600,000, or very near six muillions of doilars—equal to a rise $1 per barrel on 5,600,000 barrels of flour. Should peace be actually reestablished, it will make a difference in the value of cotton subject to export of over six millions of dollars—an improvement that will make itself felt in the increase of trade and aug- mented prosperity of the whole country. Flour was @all for all common grades; good extra Western and Southern brands were steady and in fair demand, Wheat was inactive: a small sale of Tennessee red was made ai 85c..a 90c. Corn was dull, while prices ranged from 75c. 2 Rye was sold at 28, delivere: Pork closed duil, at $15 8 gare were firm, with moderate transac- of Rio coffee was sold on private at about previous rates. were ish ports were firm, To Liverpool about 12,000 bushels of grain, 500 bales cotton and 1,000 bbls. flour were engaged at ratea given in an. other colamn. Yesterday afternoon was given s public trial in the Park of the new steam fire engine which it is pro- posed to bring before the Common Counc for adoption in the New York Fire Department. The highest elevation it threw water was one hundred and seventy-three feet, with some one hundred feet in a horizontal direction. We give elsewhere the particulars of the experiments with the machine, The Board of Councilmen last night adopted a resolution appropri 500 for snow and ice in the priacipal streets in the city. requited a hard struggle to get this thro {twas voted for twice, and lost, and reconsidered, and on the third effort it was adopted. Two drafts of a new eity charter, a majority aad minority draft, the lat ter being from Councilman F’, J. A. Boole, were pre sented tothe Board, and after some debate referred back to the committee presenting them. A full re- port of the proceedings will be found in another column. Owing to the position of the Atlantic docks it has been found, for near six weeks, next to impossible to deliver produce from them. For all practical pnrposes the grain stored there, during some weeks past, might as well have been at Buffalo, Mer- chants complain against the company for not having provided ice boats, made greater exertions to enable pro- dace. Since the closing in of the by ice corn and wheat have declined in price from 10. to Me. per bushel. ¢ into consideration the de. eine in grain and other merchandise, the ex chosen, and especially for a winter like this. Being on @ narrow strip of water, like the Buttermilk Channel, they are often choked up by ice, while the rest of the harbor is comparatively open to naviga- tion. One thing is certain, unless the company pro- vide ice boats against the contingencies of another winter, and pledge themselves to keep communica tion open, the commission houses will seek other places for storage, or join in some plan for the erec- tion of new docks and warehouses at some more ac- cessible point, and that at all seasons, ice or no ice. The commerce of a great city like this demands it, Elsewhere will be found an account of a fatal fight which took place in Donovan's lane, at the Five Points, yesterday afternoon. The name of the victim appears to be McGrath, while that of his al- leged assailant is Jeremiah O'Connor, The de- ceased was attacked by O’Connor, who was some- what under the influence of liquor, and was so se- verely beaten that he died in ten minates after being rescued from the clutches of the infuriated man. O'Connor was arrested soon after the occurrence, and is now locked up in the Tombs, there to await the result of the Cororer’s investigation. The de- ceased was an old and inoffensive man, residing in Eighteenth street. Last evering, in Dr. Chapin’s church, was given the Junior Exhibition of the Free Academy. A va- riety of original orations were delivered by the mem- bers of the Junior class. They were,in the main, spirited and creditable performances. Don Enrique Ainz has been officially recognized by the President as Vice Consul of Spain at New Orleans. The Presidentiai Campaign.Another Co- plous, viversificd and Interesting Chapter. We devote a very large proportion of our available space this morning to another co- pious, diversified and highly interesting com- pilation of extracts from our newspaper ex- changes, upon the Presidential question. This chapter we have divided into three several parts, and it will be seen from this arrange- ment— First—That the ascendency in the struggle of the democratic aspirants, or their friends respectively, for the Cincinnati nomination, is bow apperently limited to Messrs. Buchanan, Hunter and Pierce. Receiving, with a few exceptions, the unanimous eupport of the de- mocracy of Pennsylvania, and not being mixed up with the Kansas-Nebraska squabble, Mr. Buchanan occupies a formidable position; but of late we bave been admonished, from a careful survey of the field, that Mr. Senator Hunter, of Virginia, will very likely prove to be a powerful and dangerous rival. The friends of Senator Hunter have these considerations to urge in his behalf, to wit: The South has the right, in 1856, to ack the nomination, because our last two Presidents— Pierce and Fillmore--have been from the North, and because of the pres- sure of Northern fanaticism upon our Southern brethren and their social institutions. Then, again, if Mr. Buchanan be nominated this time, the North will surely concede the nomination to the South in 1860, an arrangement under which Messrs. Cass, Dickinson, Douglas, Bright, Marcy, Cushing, and all other Northern democratic aspirants, would be thrown over to the doubtful chances of 1864; but, after waiting so long already, to any and all of these gentlemen eight years longer would certainly be a long term to add to their hopes deferred. It is, therefore, pro- bable that the bulk of our democratic Northern expectants, especially those of the Northwest, will, as between Buchanan, Hunter and Pierce, rally upon Hunter, to the end that, by his no- mination, the field will be open for the North and Northwest in 1860. The friends of Judge Douglas could have easily secured the nomi- nation, as an alternative, of Cass or Buchanan in 1852; but they did not do it, because the fight was then between “Young America” and the “ old fogies,” and “ Douglas and Hunter,” or some new ticket, was “ Young America’s” ultimatum. Another antecedent in Mr. Hunter's history shows that, even with the election of Mr. Pierce, he did not choose to abandon the field. Before leaving home for Washington, Mr. Pierce called Mr. Hunter to Concord, and urged upon him the acceptance of the important post of Secretary of State. Remembering, perhaps the fate of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Mr. Calhoun, and other White House aspirants, who had filled the office of Premier, Mr, Hunter, notwithstanding the urgent appeals of his ultra Southern rights associates, positively refused to accept it. He considered his re- election to the Senate for six years, at all events, a much more eligible position, in reference to future contingencies, than any Cabinet appointment whatever. The result has proved his sagacity ; for who supposes that any member of Mr. Pierce’s Cabinet has the shadow of a chance for the Cincinnati nomination? The article which we re-publish from a South Carolina democratic cotempo- rary shows that Mr. Pierce himself, even in the South, (where his friends imagine that he has some show of strength,) has only an unsub- stantial, unreliable, complimentary support after all, In fact, we are told that the So @ expect the North to shelve him, and that the South are prepared cheerfully to submit to the sacrifice. The main struggle, then, in the democratic camp, from all existing indications, is reduced to Buchanan and Hunter; and the position of Douglas and the Northwest is such that if the “Little Giant” discovers that he has no show for a nomination this time, @ may be expected to rally upon Hunter, sv as to leave an opening for another North- erm candidate in 1860, In 1860, then, Buchanan, Marcy, Cass, and other “ old fogies,” being put upon the “retired list,” who will there be in all the North to compete with the claims of the “Little Giant” and the great Northwest ! We repeat, then, that although Mr. Buchanan is strong, with Pennsylvania at his side, Mr. Hunter, with the “Old Dominion” at his back, and with Douglas, Bright, and others, of the North and Northwest, and “ Young America,” bringing up the rear, will be # formidable com- petitor indeed. Against this powerful coalition we may say that the only thing which can poe- sibly save Mr. Buchanan and turn the tide of “ Young America’ in bis favor, will be that memorable Ostend-Aix-laChapelle manifesto upon the Cuba question. On the other hand, just as surely as Pierce and Marcy r ied that ma sto, £0 surely repndiated by “ Young America Mark t Tho ted and they b nati, for the de pense of storage, inewance and interest of money, j branch of our newspaper chapter, relating to econd the American party, betrays in various quarters &@ most surprising bitterness of hostility to “ Live Oak George.” We can’t account forit, except from the fear which his name and fame excite among his adversaries, in and out of the American camp. In other respects it will bé seen that this new party is thought to be in abad way; but as this doubt will be settled shortly at Philadelphia, we have nothing fur- ther to add to our late suggestions and opinions, The third division of our general chapter under consideration, deals with the movements and prospects of the Seward Holy Alliance. This party, powerful as it is erroneously sup- posed to be throughout the North, is still in a factious or mixed up conglomerate and cha- otic condition, as a working party. It is an awkward monster, black, scaly and ugly, hav- ing six or seven heads and twice as many taile, but nothing in the way of a body or backbone sufficiently strong for the active exigencies of a Presidential campaign in the dog days. The Pittsburg Convention of the 22d is intended as the basis for the practical organization of this party; and, as between Pittsburg and Philadel- phia, we bave yet to learn how far our North- ern Know Nothings and Sewardites are to con- tinue to labor together, as in “a common cause,” we await the results of the simulta- neous conventions in those cities for a solution of this curious political enigma, In the meantime, we commend to our read- ers, of all parties, our interesting and sugges- tive Presidential chapter of newspaper ex- tracts. A fortnight bence, and we shall have a flood of light upon the subject. Tne News From THE Sout Pacrric—Tue Late Snocxine Events at THE Feesex Isuanpr. —Our correspondence from the Feejee Islands, published in another column, contains a fear- ful catalogue of atrocities lately commit- ted by the savages of that group on American settlers and seamen, It will be recollected that on the occasion of Lieut. Wilkes’ visit to this archipelago, in 1840, he took sammary vengeance on the natives for outrages perpe- trated on our countrymen, and bound them over to good behavior for a time, by the threat that he would return again in four years to see if they kept the promises which they had made to him. During the period specified the Feejeeans seemed to have restrained their brutal propensities; but after its expiration, finding that the American squadron did not return, they recommenced their former prac- tices, murdering and devouring the crews of all the vessels that were unfortunate enough to be wrecked on their coaste. This dreadful state of things has been lately aggravated by the intrigues of some English missionaries, who, on arriving from Sydney in an almost destitute condition, were hospitably taken into the houses of the American settlers at Levuka, and entrusted with the educa- tion of their children. They repaid the kindness of their protectors by instigating the native chiefs to make murdérous attacks upon them, and finally burning their town. Two motives are assigned for this ungrateful and unchristian conduct. First, jealousy at the kindly reception of some French missionaries by their benefactors, and secondly, a desire to further the political in- terests of their own government. In effect, formal steps have been taken to procure the ces- sion of the group to Queen Victoria; but owing to the shrewdness of the native chiefs, who seem to have a keen appreciation of the con- sequences of such a proceeding, they have hitherto proved abortive. The opportune arrival of the American sloop-of-war John Adams, Commander Bout- well, has put a stop for the present to the bar. barities committed by the savages. After the sharp lesson which this officerhas given them by burning several of their towns, they will probably remain for a time in wholesome dread of American prowess. But the facts de- tailed in our columns strongly demonstrate the necessity of our affording some more ef- fectual protection to our commerce in those distant latitudes than is derived from the rare and chance visits of our vessels of war. Those who denounce every attempt to increase the strength and efficiency of our navy would do well to reflect on the wholesale destruction of life and property which is occasioned by their mistaken notions of economy. The use of a military marine, if we understand it rightly, is as inuch to protect our commerce in distant seas as to guard against the chances of inva- sion at home. Had our squadron in the Pacific been sufficiently strong, we should not have had to record the deplorable events which are detailed in the letters of our correspondenta. We may talk of our desire to check the mono- polizing designs of Great Britain in quarters where our interests are concerned, but we take rather a singular way of effecting that object by allowing ignorant savages like these Feejee cannibals to draw comparisons unfavorable to our naval resources. Grxerat Hovstoy Goma to Resiqn—A letter appears in the Cincinnati Commereial, dated Covington, January 26, and signed J. C. Porter, in which the writer states that he ‘was present at a conversation between Judge Pertin and General Houston, during which the General distinctly said that the Legisla- ture of Texas had passed a resolution instruct- ing him to resign, and that he intended to obey instructions. Very likely; but we dare say that General Houston will be in no parti- cular hurry about it, considering the weather, and the state of the roads and rivers along all the inland routes to Texas. Besides, this rule of Senatorial obedience or resignation is an old democratic doctrine which General Cass has substantially declared to be all moonshine, in his repudiation of it. Why, therefore, should General Houston, a Know Nothing, sacrifice himeelf to an exploded democratic humbug ? Niccer Worsnp axp Niccer Worsmrrurs. —Men in all ages have been led away by strange gods. Even Moses could not keep the children of Israe] straight in the wilderness. There have been devil worshippers ; cow, cat, bull, dog, suake and monkey worshippers ; sun worehippers, breeches (Mahomet’s) worship- pere, dirt worshippers, and Jo Smith worship- ers; but the meanest of all are the nigger worshippers. They have their priests and prophets in England and the United States-- men who ought to be women, and women who ought to be men. Seward is the great high priest in the United States, and Abby Kelly Foster the priestess, assisted by the Boston vevials, who hold bazaars for the benefit of Brother Garrison's paper. Let the people of the United States be wary of run- ning after false gods. Ooxoxzse—Tax Houss Pam.rmo—luror- TANT, IF Tavz.—The American Organ at Waah- ington, in reference to the election of Wen- dell, (dem,) as printer to the House, by the aid of Southern Know Nothing votes, says:— It has been currently reported during the last few that Mr. Wendell pot Becrrdey a oan cs the of the public pats te some Southern be dispensed by them in the bere, to sustain the notions acon Coed 2e8 ROW Metals ofany pepe we bave not nor have we any other knowledge of the existence of any such arrangement than that decived from common ru- mor, and from facts seemingly justifying the rumor. Isit possible? Can it be true that Mr. Wendell, from his profits of this printing, could afford to promise a portion of the proceeds to sustain not only a “South American” organ in Wash- ington, but other presses of the same faith “elsewhere,” and still make a good thing of it? The Organ next proceeds to mystify the sub- ject, as tollows:-~ If apy arrangement of this sort has been madé, it wa. doubtless a fair businees transaction, and we are fa: trom imputing anything dishonorable to the parties to it Weare timply endeavoring, as a public journalist, to give our reacers an insight into the causes of certaia re sults, which, to the uninitiated, seem strange and inex plicable, Under what inducements, or ‘o promote wha political ends, a few republicans came to the ressue o the democratic nominee for public printer, we are as yet unable to furnish any suggestions, and we leave them to make their own explunations,| without further allusion to ema. And next, ina separate paragraph, the Or gan waehes Its hands of all responsibility in the matter in this emphatic style:— We were informed last evening, at the Second Ward Couxeil, that » russor pi generally in this city, to the effect that the Orgon way to be interested in, or pene- fitted by, the public printing, under Mr. Wendell. The rumor is utteriy untrue, 1! is no understanding nor arrangement, express or implied, by which the Organ, or either of ita Fendt or editors, will receive one do:lar from the public printing. Will “Not a dollar!” “Love’s labor lost.” the printer elect explain this mystery of his election? Tue Best Puan ror PHILADELPHIA.—The best thing that the Know Nothings can dois to turn about and go home again, after transact- ing such executive business as may come be- fore them. They have no national platform, and cannot make one which will not be imme- diately violated. They would do well not to touch the Presidential election, but to allow each State to attend to that matter for itself, by nominating free electoral tickets. Let the people have something to say about the Presi- dency. Heretofore they have often been obliged to choose between two bad men. Let them select a good one for themselves, First Move to Business on Stavery--Tae Sewarp Lracue Dereatep.—Upon the frat test question, in the way of active ultra legislation upon the slavery question in Congress, on ‘Thursday, the Seward league were handsomely defeated, The senior organ of the arch-ayita- tor of this city thus explains and confirms i The supporters of freedom in Kansas in the House w beaten to-day, by three mejority, on the question ferrirg the Preticent’s ext:aordinary message. clearly nght to send that message to the Commi’ Territories, so that it shou.d be discussed in Com of the Whole on the report of the Territorial Com'n with both cides fairly presented. Now the free side will not be at all before the Committee of the The House ia quite tbin—some six'y members having gone home, mostly psiced off; but we have lost by the absence of Mr, Aloright, of Ohio, who {s-isk, and Mr. Clark, ot Connecticut. "Messrs. Bubop, Millward and Moore did not yote, Bayard Ularke, Juhn Wheeler and Mr. Whitney were either absent or silent. Messrs. Broome, Haven, Vaik and John Williams voted against us. Messrs. Dunn, Harrison, Rickman and Scott voted the free State side. Mr. Millward was present, and voted the same way on a subsequent division. So, I think, did iy. Mr. Bishop. But our friends were again beaten by three majority, when they gave up, disheartened, and the House adjourned over to Monday. According to this exhibit the difficulty will hardly be obviated by a fall house. At this rate, some months will elapse before they secure the repeal of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. “They gave up, disheartened!” First field fought, too. Only think of that. “PrrsonaL Spire.”—The Cabinet organ at Washington says’ that “the removal of Mr Houston, (of Ala.) from the Committee of Ways and Means, after he had been its chair- man for tour years, and placing bim fifth on the Territorial Committee, was an unpardona- ble breach of parliamentary courtesy, and cannot be justified by a desire to gratify a spirit of personal spite.’ What’s the matter now? Had not the democrats of the Senate placed such men as Seward, Sumner, Wilson and Hale, of the Holy Alliance, at the tail end of the obecurist committees of that body? And then to talk of “personal spite,” when he had a chance at them, of the amiable Seward Speaker of the House? The idea is absurd. Let Mr. George S, Houston contemplate the philosophical rerignation of the Seward men of the Senate, and be thankful that he is even fifth on the Territorial Committee. Old men should not be proud. Cavcusrs anp Conveytions.—All the na- tional conventions have heretofore been hym- bugs—their platforms a delusion and a snare. Unpledged electoral tickets should be support- ed in each State. Such electors would be obliged to vote for ihe best man; and if they could not agree, it would be better to let the election go to the House of Representatives than to perpetuate the old convention system which has shut out from the Presidency all the great men of the nation, and elevated such Pigmies as Pierce. Wnat was Kiiep tar Know Noraivas ? The American party holds what is callea a Na- tional Convention at Philadelphia next week. A previous atiempt to do the came thing split up the party and gave the House into the hands of the negro worshippers. We think the great error of the Know Nothings was in holding any national convention or attempting to make a national platform, As Macbeth says, “ There’s no such thing.” Pourical Movewents.—-We understand that au iafor- mal meeting took place last evening, at the Metropolitan Hotel, of certain gentlemen formerly belonging to the whig organization, which had its headquarters at the Broadway House. Among those present were ex-Gover- nor Warhington Hunt, ex-Goveraor Bradish, Hon. Hobart Haws, Hon, Sanuel B. Ruggles, Judge Hoxie, Recorder Taimadge, Jonathan Nathan, Esq., General Hall, &e, A good deal of conversation arose, but as the meeting was private, we have not been furnished with details, We think we are safe, however, in stating that the principal business was the organization of the old line whigs in such @ way as to extrisate them from the humiliating poaftion of ae‘ing asa mere tail to Mr. Sew- ard’skite. The ‘silver grey’ whigs claim some forty or fifty thousand yotee in this State, and there can be no oubt that, properly combined, thelr strength might be felt not only in State matters, butin the Presidential eleetion—amply sufficient, at all events, to check Mr. Seward’s power. It seema that a portion of the old whig party will make an effort not to be claseed as «black re- publicans;” but whether they have the backbone to carry out the war remains to be scen, Personal Intelligence. ARRIVALS, 0. Fiem Liverpool, in packet ship Will Rerirend, Quebec: Win Leggett, Hain ‘meine atl n Thi inder La: nada West; AL Hoynwon, Host 14 Pee, New York. p Leaac Wakton—J F Hoyt, THB LATAST BIW. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, From Halifax. NON-ABRIVAL OF THE CANADA—NO TIDINGS OF THE PAOIFIC. Haurax, Feb. 16—1 A. M. ‘The steamship Uanada, now overdue at this port from ‘Liverpool, has not yet made her appearance here. ‘We have no tidings of the Pacific. Opening of the Canadian Parliament. SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL—OONDITION OF ‘THE COLONY. ‘ToRONTO, Feb. 15, 1856. 1 telegraph all that is of general or American interest in the speech of the Governor General upon opening the Legislature to-day. x Lecistative Couxcr, CoAMBEns, Toronro, Fob. 15, 1856, This day, at half-past three o’clock P. M., his Exeel- lency the Governor General proceeded in state to the Chamber of the Legislative Council, in the Parliament Building. The members of the Legulative Counell being assembled, his Excellency was pleased to command the attendance of the Legislative Assembly; and the House being present, bis Excellency was pleased to open the second Session of tne fifth Parliament of the Province of Canada, with the following speech from the throne:— SPRECH. Hon. GENTLEMEN OF THE LecisLativE CovNcIL, AND GENTLE- ‘MEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY :— The subject of a change in the constitution of the Le- gislative Counoil, by rendering it vlestive, will again be brought before you. A measure for the organization of a provisional po- lice, eapable of being applied by the Crown for the pre- vention of crime and the speedy apprehension of offend- ers, deserves your attention and consideration. The increasing wealth and prosperity of the country demand increased protection for property, and the adrance of civilization in Canada should be marked by the strict en- forcement of law, and by the perfect sense of security from outrage. It {s to you that I must look for the power of ensuring that great effect. Ihave spoken of our increasing prosperity. No mark of ita existence can be stronger than that afforded by our extended lines of railway; nor is this progress confined to one section of the Province. Eastward to St. Thomas, and Westward to Guelph and Hamilton, these lines, at once the sign and the cause of progress, are already com- pleted. 1 may congratulate you on the fact, that since your last meeting nearly two hundred ahd fifty miles have been got into working order, whilst it is hoped that not less than two hundred and fifty more will be finished before next year. With regard to the Militia act the ready loyalty of the inbabitants, both in Upper and Lower Cansda, bas ena- bled me to authorize the formation of numbers of troops and companies of volunteers, whose conduct and disci- pline will undoubtedly do credit to the Province, Ihave, moreover, with the assistance of the Adjutant General, done my best to carry out your wishes by organizing the sedentary militia. The government, in pursuance of the wishes of the Le- gislature, has taken on itself to conclude a fresh arrange- ment calculated to secure a line of ocean steamers from the St. Lawrence to England. During the approaching session you will find that our finances are in a satisfactory state. The people at large have reaped the benefits of those reductions in the cus- tems duties which you made last year. The diminution in the recefp's consequent on such reductions nearly correspond with the calculations eubmitted to you by my advisers. A large increase has been cansed by the Reciprocity treaty with the United States; but I con- ceive that any sueh apparent loss is more than compen- rated by the increased commerte and by the facility of intercourre between the two countries. Hon. GeNTLEMEN—The year just closed has been one of difficulty and conflict in Europe. On this side of the Atlsntic we have, by the blessing of Provi- dence, escaped the direct evils of war; in no part however, of the Queen’s dominions hasa deeper sympa- thy with her arms been shown, or more fervent prayers for their success offered than in Canada. Our peo- ple have eagerly watched every turn of the contest, and —consisting as they do of men of French and English origin, equal members of the same community, and local subjects of the same Queen—they have been grieved at the sufferings and exalted in the success of the allied army. In like manner, should it please God to establish firm and honorable peace, Canada will, I doubt not, rejoice at the termination of the war. May it be my lot, before the end of the present session, to con- gratulate you on so auspicious an event. Important from Washington. THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS—THE PRESIDENT'S IN- STRUCTIONS TO GOV. SHANNON—THE TERRITORIAL LAWS TO BE ENFORCED—PREPARATIONS ON ALL SIDES FOR A FIGHT—THE WAR BEGUN. Wasnincton, Feb. 15, 1856. Gov. Shannon had quite a protracted interview with the President to-day, with reference to the policy to be pursued by kim on the Kansas imbroglio. He leaves to- morrow direct for Kansas, clothed with full power tc exe- cute and carry ont all the laws of that Territory. He also carries with him Instructions to Col. Sumner, who has charge of eight hundred troops stationed at Fort Leavenworth, to hold himself in readiness for any emer- geney that may arise. The Governor’s instructions are mild and conciliating; but should it become necessary, im orcer to quell and put down an insurrection in the Territory, to use every power which the general govern- ment can bring to bear, he is authorized to do so. Letters received by Gov. Shannen, this evening, direct from Kansas, state that the free State men are making extensive preparations for a desperate fight. Munitions of war and men are constantly arriving from the free States. He anticipates civil war. The letters also say that they are fortify ing themselves at every point. Large sums of money have been contributed within the last few days, by Southern men, to raise and equiy companies in the South to send to Kansas, A good deal of excitement prevails here on the Kansas question. D, MISCELLANEOUS N6WS ITEMS FROM fHE CAPITAL Wasixcron, Feb. 15, 1856, Several of the House committees organized this morn- ing, {cluding that on Territories and Ways and Means, t itter of which resolved to ask for a permanent clerk. A tailroad passenger car, weighing eight tons, and drawn by five horses, left Washington today for Alex- andria, over the ice of the Potomae river. When last heard from it was more than half way across, and moving safely. Mr. Martin, Engineer-in-Chief, left Washington this afternoon for Boston, to go on board the Merrimac, on her trial trip to Norfolk. As this is the first finished of the #ix national steamers, the goverz ment is much interested in her suceess. Many cases are daily received at the Court of Claims. Among those presented to-day {s one involving damages to the extent of $142,(00 for alleged breach of a guvern- ment contract in 1812, ‘The contract for repairing the machinery of the steamer Mississippi ( $90,000 or $40,000 job) was awarded by the Navy Department to-day, but the name of the successfe] bi¢der has not yet been divulged. Interference In Kansas Affairs. Ciwcivvari, Feb. 15, 1856. Judge Conway and Samuei C. Smith, of Kansas, ad. dressed @ crowded assembly at Indianapolis, on Wed- nesday evenirg, on Kansas affairs. The meeting was merely preliminary, and nothing was done except the passage of resolutions calling a county convention, with. out respect to party, for the purpose of rendering asaic ¢ ance to the free soil rottlers of Kansas. Exccution at Doylestown, Pa, Dovwstows, Feb, 15, 1855, Jacob Ambraster, convicted of the murder of his wife, was hung at this place to-day, within the walls of the jail. He made some remarks on the scaffold, denying that he was guilty of the crime for which he was to suffer, and declaring that the trial was conducted by prejudiced counsel and perjured witnesses. He was attended to the scaffoid by his two sons, on whose testi- mony he was convicted, but he refarod to shake hands with them, and denied the minister leave to pray. He said repeatedly to the Sheriff, “‘ You dare not hang me— you know you dare not,” and continued to protest his innocence to the last. His dying words were— 1 want no judge but God,’ The drop fell, and he died without 4 struggle. Navigation of the Western Rivers, Cacaco, Feb. 15, 1856. ‘The 3isstssippl river is atl? closed above Cairo, but é navigable to New Orleans, The Ohio river ix open to Smithland. Navigation of the James River, Ricwony, Va., Feb. 14, 1856, The James river is stil) frozen up, and wholly unaavi gable. From the State $ STATE ENGINEER WANTS THE RAILROAD COMMIGSIO} ERS DISBANTED—OOUNTRY MEMBERS WISHING REGULATE TAXES IN THE CITY OF NRW YORK—! NAW OOUNTIES—MONUMENT MANIA—BEMOD THE JUDICIARY, ETC., BTC. , Fob: 15, 1856. ‘The StateEngineer sent{in a document to’ the House th morning, giving his views of the Board of Railroad Co mistioners. It condemns the whole affair, and adduces} volumze of sensible reasons why the law shoald be pealed. These views, coming from the head of that co: mission, will be received with much interest by the gislature, and when Mr. Northrup’s bill comes up consideration, this document of the Engineer will be ferred to and quoted from im justification of disbandix an expensive department, which is @ very heavy bu upon the roads, and which produces no cor ponding benefit. It is well known that Berarp took early ground against the organization this board; and it is a consolation to know that, after year’s experience, the people—all except the “repub! @ nearly united in demanding its repeal. It repealed in the House, and probably ia ty be most sure to receive the executt: 0. A great stir was made in the House this morning q the New York Tax bill, After a sharp contest the b was referred to the city delegation for consideratio Subsequently, Mr. Spinola, ot Brooklyn, moved # reco} sideration of the vove, and Mr. Fot moved to lay question on the table until Y nexc. gentleman wanted the referred zelect commitiee of five—two from the city, aq three from the country—himvelf, a member from th county of Ontario, some four hundred miles from the ci of New York, e officiate ae chairman, Tale propositid was most ably, earnestly and eloquen’ opposed Y Mr. Anthon. it was a matter relating ce ly totl tox payers of piety of New York, and did not aff 7 otter tion of the State. It was purely » loc =o Pap Presi Mr. Pd paloren eed the Ne ‘ork de’egation, who are mostly tax payera themselve; and who hold correspondence with the constituent were jer able to judge of th wants necessities of the city than men bers residing hundreds of miles in the interioj Mr. Dnganne, (K. N.,) although @ member son ba Moi poirit there, Borie oom the bill receive candid impar' consideration. He distrusted the majority the delegation. Without taking any question, debat was cut off. Now, why do pot rn in the count wish to interfere with the city taxes? If the represents tives of the city, best knowing the wants of their co atituenta are to be dictated toand overborne by those e1 tirely ignorant of city matters, ‘hen die. dae on pees to come to @ separation from the rural poj cos ‘The petitioner of the Bate the State. x8 for several new counties in various p will be disap) already reported ogainst se! Cana and a ighlan 80 gentlemen specu! ene te court house lots may don their golden dreams for a season. The monument mania was revived to-day in the Hi Mr. Prescott intreduced « bill for the Her! on Mr. T. Wood one for the Wallabout ra; both rectly intended as obstructions to the Williams mony ment. There are no funds in the }, gentlemen, fa carving out such marble at present. What is to be done with the judiciary? Mr. Antho Inid a resciution on the table a few days since, instruct ing the Judiclary Committee to examine the conatitutio and see whether it cannot or should not be amended, lative to the judiciary. It was imagined that the inquit was institoted in consequence of the trial and resignatio ot Judge Stuart. It was adopted to-day, bat what are th particular points aimed a:, remains ‘bt—rome that it is for the purpose of changisg the time of electin the Judges, and raisirg the salaries, Mr. Van byke, proprietor of the Albany Ad/as, sold ou his interest to-day to William Cassidy, It is thought th two rival papers will soon become consolidated, NEW YORK LEGISLATURE. Senate. Atpany, Feb. 15, 1856. A petiticn was presented for the amendment of the Ni York city charter. BILLS REPORTED. By Mr. Brooxs—To authorize Utica city to borro} money. By Mr. Noxon—To amend the act relative to officers tenéing the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, and establish the clerks’ fees throughout the State. By Mr. Brooxs—Favorably, on the bill relativa to Supervisors ot New York, The rt of th ppeelaliote mittee ited last repo 1° 8 committee, to examine into the Cnattion af the ped funds, received. NOTICES OF BILIS, By Mr. Perry—A bill amending the insurance laws. By Mr. Brapvorp—For the kee! of insane convic By Mr. C, P. SurT—To create park, Bro BILLS INTRODUCED. By Mr. Brooxs—To incorporate the Yorkville Library New York. By. C. P. Swira—For the protection of the lands infants. NOTICES OF BILLS. By Mr. C. P. SurrH—Of a bill to increase the capitj steck of the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institution. By Mr. BraproxD~Of a bill to authorize the constru} tion of additional builéings at the Sta.e prisons for tl care of lunatic convicts. - EILIS ORDERED TO A THIRD RRADING. ‘To create a Commissioner of Kords in Kings county. For the registry of births, marriages and deaths in Ni York city. Fer the more effectual suppression of fires in New Yo city. A incorporate the New York and Philadelphia Stea: Navigation Company. THE STREET COMMISSIONER AND OTH) OFFICERS. Mr, Mramnay’s bill to abolish the office of Street C: missioner, &. provides as followa:— Sec. 1 aholishes the office ot Street Commissioner, Commi sioner of Stree'’s and Lamps, Commissioner of Repairs ai Supplies, and City inspector. ec. 2. The Mas or shall. within sixty days after the p Seine aileron ae lent of : City and County of New York, who shall hold office tes 1, Ise7, Sec, 3. He shall be subject to the same p form ibe same duties te ow perils io the oficen avotabe} specified, salary shail be $2,500 per annum; and appoint, with consent of the Major abd" Aldermen, four dep ties, at $1,250 a year each. Sec. 5. lie shail take the oath of office, and execute = per bond of not leas than $10,000, nor more than $28,000, at the cretion of the Mayor and’ Aldermen, and to be approved i them. He sball appoint as many cle dermen deem necessary, at auch salaries as they shall Ox. See. 6. Forbids tke Superintendent cr his denuties or ¢ from recewing any, fee or emolument ¢xeept salaries, ai makesa vioialion of the provision an offence punishadie ¥ fing acd imprison ent i Sec. 7. The Superintendent shall Keep exact accounts of moneys received and paid, and shall, on the first Monday each month, pay ail money on hand ‘into the treasury of ty city, and shall rake a full and detailed report of his aocount the first reguiar meeting of the Council each month. Sec. 8. The Superintenden: abel be, sppainted by tho Ma ie leenth of ecern! ea , &ud confizmed by she Board of Aldermen, ee Adjourned. Assembly. Aunaxy, Feb. 15, 1966. A petition was presented to reduce the feos of Commi sloners of Assessments in New York. ‘REPORTS, Favorably, to amend the Seamen’s Fund act. To exempt the lands of agricultural societies from ation. Against the petition of the Five Points House of dustry. Favorably, on the bill to prevent prize fights. To give e appointment of Loan Commissioners to tl Boards of Supervisors. THE NEW YORK TAX WIL. Mr. ANTHON esled up Judge Foot’s resclution to ref the New York tex bill to # specia committee, and mov to amend by referring to New York delegates. Carried, by aj es 74, nays 40. TRE JUDICIARY, Mr. Antuox’s resolution, calling for inquiry a8 whether an awendment to the constitution was adi ble—making judicial officers appolntive, tnstead of elec ive—was taken up; and after being amended so as to quire, also, whether any change of the time for hold elections for Judges was advivable, was adopted. ‘THE TAX BILL AGAIN. _ Mr. Srixot moved to reconsider the vote referring New York tax bill to the New York delegation. ‘The motion caured a warm debate, and the House ag journed without voting upon the question. News from Havana. New Onizaxs, Feb, 15, 1856. ‘The steamab{p Empire City, from Havana on the 11 Inst., has arrived here. The accounts of the sugar erq continued to be unfavorable, The weather was bad, the crops would probably not be larger than last An increase in rates was expected. Molasses was scai Whig Nomination for Governor of Ne‘ Hampshire, Concorn, Feb, 15, 1868, ‘The rtraight-out whigs of New Hampshire have aom nated Ichabod Goodwin as the whig candidate for Go ernor. Arrival of the Arabla at Aalifax. Hauwax, Feb, 15, 1856. Tho Britiah mail steamship Arabia arrived here midnight from Boston, and sailed again wt 2:20 A. if for Liverpool, snl United States Supreme Court. Wasmnutow, Feb, 15, 1856. George Gifford, Exq., of New York, this morning © up the case of Kinsman vs, Parkhurst, in the Unil States Supreme Court, and argued for a dismissal of ty ®)peal on points ot law, The motion was opposed by Mi} Keller, and the Court have it under advisement. No, 142.— Argument continued by Me. Gillett for Ut fendant, and concluded by Mr. Griswold for plain!iff, No. 64. James L, Ransom vs. Thomas J. Davia, ministrator. Argued by Mr. Cox, for (he pldinti(T, aq by Mr. Winter Davia, for defendants, No, 63,—Samuel Ward, claimant bark Moppang, Ww, M, Peck, ef al. Argued by Mr. Stanton (or the a]