The New York Herald Newspaper, March 12, 1856, Page 2

vexp starz Report on the Arsenals by the Commissary @encrat--Keasous for Removal from tne Central Park. ‘A report, of which the annexed {8 s copy, was recently teansmitted ‘0 the (iovernor of the State by the C.mmis- rary General, J. H. il. Ward:— ‘His Bxcruacy, MyRow H. CLARK, CoMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF New York Brate unitin:— gmt ave the honor to trenamit herewith a report of the condition of the department under my cnarge for jear 1805. pe ar apl fully and clearly to convey the reasons whieh bave guided me in makicg some of the sugges- tions and recommendations herein contained, it is expe- dient to touch upcn matters which may be deemed to be ‘Dut incitentally epee with the ecomomy of the de-. partment entrusted to my care. ‘The policy of the gruerai government ofour country has been tomsintain only as small an army as circum- stances w uid warrant, cepending, in the contingency of uneveicable war, more vpen its efficiency and the potent ec-operation of the militia, than upon the numerical ength of a standing fores. The inguizy should be, then, how to imcrease the present acknowledged higa state of dircipiine and effectiveness of the militia of cur Stat (to say nothing of barge w beep pace wi the great strides in mili seienee, of which the it Eastern contes'! farpish such brilant exemoliticstions,) st*ll the more s ‘the subject worthy of consideration, when it is renen- Dered that our militia system has not alone for its objest and property at the presen: = he ae open ledeross ia finitely e only practical agene miittary imetruction and 3 are to be dissemin’ ‘ted among our citizen scldiery; and the emergeacivs of ea/amitous warfare, from which our hitherto prosperous beppy country has no guarantee of exemp-ion, skculd ve guardea against by vigilant preparatory mea- wares. ‘The of preparing the mass of reliable militia to fod the wi eitudes of war, is tco obvious, and too univerraliy conceded to requ're comment. Bat frem tbat fac: it dces not necemarily follow that efficien- 6g, 3 27 Wire conticts, with economy; fer economy and army. Ya pursnance cf such » derign the act of Congress of 1808 ed for the distribution of arma to the several the Union, according io the actual enreimeat. ‘Vet even that prsvisien is perverted from its intended «tect By practical irregularities on the part of the several Stetes. There ia not apy infallible rale by which tae Adjutant Genersl of the United States Army can be governed in making his retarns of the actual oamber of mrolied misitis. Some States greatly overestiate the Bamber. while otbe:s make no return at all. The only exceptional esse is that of the State of 1owa, woich by tue ‘act of Corg:ess of Marsh 3, 1853, draws arms according te veprecevtaticn. The sum of $200,000, which as ori- givally aypropiin’ed in furtherance of the pian, s'il! re- easing anuuaily ihe came, notwicbstand ng the vast in- excare of povnlaticn, anc the corresponding augmentation @f the uniformed militia, partioularly sixce he passage of the milita laws of this State io 1847. ‘The admission ot new States and the formation of new Perri‘ories consequently decrease the ratio ot arms due to each; so at this time the supply of arms is waolly 10- sdequa’e to necessity, and wou!d not be proportiouadly Ser then to 1808’ wore the pre-ent issue maltiplied tep. As_an example: The annual quota dae this Mate from the general government now averages 2,900 meuskets, while the issues to the varloua mili tary corpe of our ota'e will average 3,500 muskets, exelu- stve of artiery, rifles, pistols, savres, swords aad their equipments; nud during the current year (1856) the nam- ‘der of muskets alone isened will nearty reser 6,000, [ae amount of muskets receive‘ from the gereral government, @.900,) with an is:ue of 6,000 by the Stace, naturaily suggeets the question: Whence cons this surplus of ome in ‘he possession of the States. Previous to the emactment of the militia laws of 1847 but a compara- tively small portion of the S:aie arcs were issued from ‘this department. and then orly to uniform corps, de- scminsted ‘State Artillery” and “ flan& companies of fmiantry.”” The uniform corps of the State (previous to 1847) were not of suffictent streng .h torequ‘re all the arms due from the general governzent, and the unaniformed militia were required, as now, to turpish their owa arms and equipments. As the State has invariably drawn ber fali quota from 1808 until the precent time, and the de- previous to 1847 being unequal to the supply, arms accumulated in the various arsenals to the ex'eat ef some thousands of muskets. ‘that aims can be diawn “ in kind.” if maskets are not required. My predecessors, on the accumulation of a stock of muskets, conesived the idea of obtaining ar- Tiliery for the State; aud instead cf drawing muskets an- wally, as had former'y been done, drew braza ordnance im their place, together with their implementa and equip- mente, carrieges, limbers, caissons, kc. Tue State was thua epad'ed t) obtain a large amount of ar illery, which fe-valued at $150,000. This large acsumulation ot mus- Dete ana oy was ipjudicious, and otber arms of the service hive suffered in consequence. For example: mauakets on bens in plenty, but no equipments for taem, such as cariricge boxes, belts, scadracds, ke, ke. either were rifle corps or cavalry provided with the ‘farms necesrary ‘or those branches of the service. Con- sequently, during the past five years, o7t 0! all the amount Gee the State, ocly three pleces cfordnunce, if we may €xeept fourteen mountain howitzers and 800 muxke's, have been drawa; the balance due on the qaow for the period above mentiomed, have deen dra. in infantry equipments, rifles, vistole, &:., &c., and cven then the supply was insuflicieot ‘The charac er and clase of muskets mow on hand de. serves word of comment, receiving as they do the meri:ed complaints of the milizary who aave them in use. Tho Yer portion of those on hand a’e entirely useleas, old rnd worn, aod bear respectively the dates of ‘¥811,~12,-’13 -"14; and the most of them were, doudt'ess, fm vee during the war of that period. Many of them were dixposed cf at public sale by my predesessors, at prices varying fom 37 to 87 cents exch. A large number of fiimt mussets were altered in 1853-"4 to pereursion locks, the grester portion of them not cing worth the price of alteration. At this time I hexbate to fowne ary euch; bu’, trom dire necessi’y, am forced to do so, ba no others on hand to deliver. It may not be fmappropriate to quote fron the report of tre late Coa miesary General in regard to 'he c-ndition of the arma furnished the State. In speuking of the quality of the arms he says :— “(A modification of the evil existe in the fact that the true spirit cf the law for issuing arms to the States doos Bot appear to bt fully approciate made by contract, and of the poorer or poores quality, being issued to the Btates, while the general government reserve in their erserals the bist clas:.”” The arsenal property in the city of New York eonsists of about 152 builcing lots, 265x100, and are estimate to be worth the f lowing: Each. Pal W lots on the Fifth avenue. . $55,009 Blots on tre Sixth do : 18,000 28 lots on Fixty-third street, 1500 42,000 4 lots on Sixty-fourth 4 1,500 96,000 26 lots on Stxty-firth do. 2 1,600 64,000 Total....... «$286,000 ‘The above isa fair ertimate of its value ex-lusive of the bulidings attached. Three years since one lot on the corner of Fifth avenue and Sixty-third street, sold fir $8,5(0, ard since then 10's but a few st-eota below sold for $4,000 and $6,000, and st a distance of ten streets below for $7,000. ‘The land war ceced to the State in fee Spas city of New York in 1868. the consideration being }, and which ia recorded in the office of the Secretary of State. (Original releates to the State, vol. 2, p. 209.) The areeral, megazine and ground being within tne Bounds of the Cen:rai Park, are aa obstruction, and anz- — the question whether ‘they may not sooner or later required to be sold to the city of New York. ‘The present city arsenal. cr armory, boongs to the ity, and is used by the First Division New York Sta'ce Militia, and, although inadequa'e to their wants, is well @dapted, with few alterations, for State arsenal, and is ble of beirg defended by a small body of men, wh'ch is the contrary care with the State arsenal. { am war ranted in stating that the First Division would wiliingiy derinquish the armory, providing the proces¢e of the sule be appropriated to building = new one sa‘tadle for thoir requirements; or if it were deemed necessary ‘o sell ths erreral property, snother and more vubstential arsens! could be erected, contiguous to the city proper, and the megazine cou'd be removed to one cf the adjacent islands. reasons that exist for some change in this respect are as follows:— The selec’ion of the sita cf the present State arsenal was highly ipjudicious, from the nature of the ground. The north part of the foundation rests upon # mactby weil, which extends about balf the length of the buildiog ym et), the remamiog portion rests upon @ rocky ob; aod thes hie ene wirg is comparatively firm, the other is gradually sinking, and by ita eoherion with the south wing, is drawing it’ as well from tts pec- dicular. The builstng, although nearly new, is now dilapi¢aied condition, notwithstanding the heavy outlay wace during the past five years in an endeavor to heer it inrepsic. [uring the whole of that period the roof bas been more or ‘ess leaky, making {t evideo: tha: ‘the large sums expen‘ed thereon have veon unatwndet by ‘the desured beneficial results, and conseqnently the arms, Se. are con'inusily in danger of boing damaged. In the year 1864, my predesessor endeavored w ooviate the @iffi julty by causing an entise'y new roof to be put on, but ft is manifest that ‘be whole batlding has some pri nary archi ectural ¢efect whict is susceptible of no complete ré- medy ebort of an «mire reconstruction. The towers (oc tagone, eight in number) were ali origin uly built of brisk, three rides of ibe tour ceajre towers being built up from the foundation, the remaining five sides reating on the roof. The north and sowth towers have five side Dailt up from the foundation, and the remaining chroe gides resting on the roof. From their great weigh: (eer tons) and the abeence of any support other then roof, dual sinking ensued, and # crnsids:abl deflection of the beams was caused shereby. Tha plactay wo heavy « weight of bricks and mortar capending so ely on the roof for sapp>rs is so glaring a fauit a4 t) rejuire mo comment. As @ preceulionary measure, the iavide of the centre towers of brick were removed and replace 1 by wood, painted and sanied in i nitation of thy brick work ‘that was left stan ‘ting. Bat a few mocths sivce, upon opening the building Upon a Monday morning—there having bees # heavy rata on the previous Sa‘urday evening, and the ereena! beiog closed on the interventng Sundsy—it was townd that the lower story was veariy flooded, aud ths floors above was in ® corresponding condition. Asan naavoidabie coa- sequence, the arms were wot internaliy and externsliy, requiring the labor of the employés tor several weels ia restoring them to thoir former conti'iyn. Not belog able to F any Cefect in the new roof, the leakage for atime unaccountable; but waa eventually div cavered to ex'st in one of the north towers, the mason- of which ;baé parted to the extent of two inches, +t was immediately comented, but during each szconelge store, the evil erakaned. Afr the disco vepelt of many other fissures and breaks from’ tle to time, without avail, ® practical Duilder was consul'ed. After # strict examiastion ‘be ascertained one great trouble to exiat in the mortar, ‘which was nct properly msde but was compoved slmoat wholly of rand, and insiead of belt g a provwetion it aet- @ oF 8 sponge, absorbing the raio aod demp from with owt and Cistribatirg withto the building The floors, as I Revo aoertained from von of the rorkhmen om- The federal act provides | ‘NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAROH 12; 1856. during marons instead of by carpente s, woo im order thas ne thue should be waisted ummecesiariiy, (4s toey deen- ed,) cut off the topgue from the flo itbg waenever the gree ves would not sdinit them easily, suf!l sient evidence of which fact was m«de meaitest on unstion, Tae towers of the north wing are thrown (rom tas perpandi- owing to their insecure fouads‘i1n; au: | am an Gaily anticipation of learning of tre '4!1 ot potions of Geevor both of the towers.” And ye nia bur cing bes cost the State a sum of money so larg: tua it Las been harshly, but not unjustly, pertaps, den siccst as @ mont « jcem waste of the moaey om tue port of the contractors. The are the dimensions and situation of the State arsepal and ‘ property :— ‘The areenal ia located on the Fifth avenue; the rront 9 the building one hundred feet from the stree:, and be- tween tixty-third and Sixty.tifth streets; the centre of the building facin; eee street. The builcing, imeluding towers, feet in length by 60 feet in dep‘h, and, including the basement or cannon r. is lour stories in height. It is buntt of brick, painied sanded in imitation of granite, and presents to the view of ba athe a Raggett palling “ The oe Joobi apperently sul 4 en- eevee the armory floor is by an iron stovp trom the outside, and to the cannon room by maasive iron doors. The cannon room is at present aboat five tect below tue evel of the avenue, and ic is with some difficulty thet eznnon can be brought out. The second, or armory ticor, couiains racks ¢f arms of various descr! rious, and ‘trophy pieces. Tne third and fourth floors are used as general storerocms. The magezine fe located about 500 teet in rear of the ersenal, on av eminence of about thicty feet above the arsenal grade. It 1s @ stone building, sur- rounded by a wail of the same ‘and wes built ia 1808. The State grounds extend fr+m Sixiy-third street ‘to Saxty-fifth strcet om the Fifth avenue, 400 feet thence easterly 10 Sixth avenue, 900 feet, Siaees orcteas wo Sixty-fourth atreet, 260 feet, thence easterly 200 feet, thence routherly 200 feet, thence easterly 700 feet to the place of beginning. ‘An before st taied, the cannon room is five feet below the ct the Filth avenue; and as that geade is to Ls twelve icet more, a conformation sto wil render the whole of the carnon room completely useless, an it wil then be seventeen feet below the aurface of the street. The cost of filling and [gon ere State grounds to correspond with the avenue, 19 ted at $8,000. It will also be mecestary to add avother story in place of the one rendered ureless, an additional coat of $6,000. ‘The situation f the arvenal ia the most inscoessidie on New York island, Ite dis‘ance from tue headquertera of the military and civil avtuorities, in the event of out- Dreske, renders it very difficult for commumestion, and some rours must elapre before troops cou'd arrive to de- tend it in case cf attack. The bad sta e of the roads curtog the win‘ar, caused by the laying out of new streets, and the great distance trom the tram portation lines, makes the expense of cartage al- most equivalent to tba: of transporting the same sulk from New York to Syracure. The above, with many otaer ressons that conid be ad- cuced, compels we to «ay that the building should be re- moved ‘rem 1: present Iceation, a8 in a few years it will probably be entirely useless 8 an arsenal. I would, therefore, respecifully recommend that the enti-e es- tablishment, magazine, outhouses and grounds be sold, sud that unotber and moze subsiantia: arsenal be erected in ite stead, aud in another and more desirable location. ‘The arsenal in the city of Butfalo is in au old macket hon-e, the property of that corporation. IJ: is nota very ing civcummianee, either to the citizens or military, the third ei y of our State, and that on an exposed trontier, is unable to boas’ of avy val other than a dilapisatec market house. Buffiio ould, from its geo- gra, bical po: sion, be provided with some greater securi- ty than that n ished. The Urrvei tes Arsenal at Rome, now in excelent ecndition, could probab!y be purchased from tue geceral government for a merely nominal sum; thus sifrdiog the meens of prompt celivery of arms and ammunition to all parts of the State, should occasion require, by having snurreral in the centre, as well as at both extremities of the State. Tie entire expence of three proposed new arsenals, be- sider the removal of the stores, would not exces!, at the highest estimate, $150,000. A surpius, to the amoant of $116.000 cf the proceecs of the sale of the New Yors ‘Arsenal would stul semain in the treasury, and that, too, ‘with the three proposed arsenals, which wi!l have cost the State nothing. The cerire to excel in the knowledge of a soléler’s duty has ergendered a spirit of ri-alry amvng our citizen sol- diers, each corps being emulous of the rest, and one of the results, not unimportant, is the number of ensamp- icen‘s that bave taken place. The routine duties of gar- rison or town are indisjensabie to any considerable de- gree cf military attainments; yet to de context with that much would be to fail haf wey—camps must be formed and the pltasure of the holidsy eoldiee mut be arsimfated to the strirgent aod mere arduous du- ties cf sctual se.vice. Tha S’a'e laws encourage ¢neampments sni furnish equipsge, though of an insufficient quactity. Here exists aa evil. The ehiy- ment and transportation of teats, &s., from one portim of the tate to another, rendered necessary by the scarc- ty ofsuch property,causes delay,expenre ani deteriorates the ma erials. By the delays, inseperabe from treat pertation, one regiment is compelled to defer encamping until another, in some remote region, shall have done with the equipege; and that works s hardship ton class of citi- wens who-e ierit is none the fess because their serv'ces are furnished gratuttously; and many, by that reasin, sre constrained, cn account ef tha unfitness of season, to abardon the beneficial exercives ot the field. ‘The expense of may removals 1s an important item in the experaiture of my ceperimeat, aa by reference t) the proper pages wil satis’actorily appear. Tn? uns- voicabie wear and tear of the fregile fabrics cf a soluier’s house, the lus of ping, eordage, Ke , are increased pr portirnatly to the pumber and dirtance of remova's t and fro. For example: fhe entrenchment of the Second Division at Kiogeton, required the camp equipage to be érawn from al parts of the State. A violent storm, sweeping cver the field, levelled much of the canvas, apd although no material dimage was caused thereby, euli the canvas bed to be dried and added to the delays and expense of subeeqcent camp formstinns. On the br-aking up of tne camp at Kingston, a larga portion of the tents, &c., was Lae a vo the We some were sent to Long Islanc, thence transported to t) North ard Fast, 80 a8 © enable several regiments to ure the rame tents while a favorable season las.ed. By trevsporation alone within the past year, nearly 200 tents have become unservicatle. The amount cf mo- ney already sunk, aud sum of money equal to the ex- pense cf wear and tear and tranrportion for ten years, would evatle tre g:verpment of the State to purchase ampie ejuipege (with that on hand) to furnish at least ‘one regiment in each brigade with tents, Ax matters are at present, one year’s rough usege of proverty does more injury than would legitimately ensue fzom ten yeai’s se:vice in tke field. It would not bs time lost to copsicer she expanse attending enciw, ments. A committee—usually officers des'guated by rea- of their filpess for such duty—is appointed to relect ‘ite suitable for the purpose, one that will combine tae advantages of c ntiguity to wood and water, lereiness of surfaces, and freedom from stegnant waters or boggy spots that might evolve unhealtby airs. Generally, whea aloeation is made, the possessor of the ground 1s ua- willing to surrender it in a season of the year when it would be likely to be valuable, unless for a remunt tion. Then board flooring for the tents and mess-hous have to be ereced. No part of these incidental expenses have been borne by others than the militis themselves. Tents, platiorres, or floors for the same, camp kettles mese-pans and moveable mess.bouses shoud be owned hy the department, ani ro eould be without avy out- Isy beyond what has been above suggested. ‘No vexatious restric.ions shoula be put upon military spirit. Far more ¢anger to the common wesl might be appreben’ed from a reiuctance to keep alive the ‘eeling that snimated our ccuntrymen in past periods of national strifer—a feeling that wil be none the Jess subordinate because encoursged acd sustsined bya liberal and en- lightened povicy. It needs no better commentary to sup- port this proposition than the instance afforded by our own, and indeed nearly all the States of ths Union, dur- ing the late war with Mexico. Without hepitating to copsider or nicely balanee the moving causes of the con- test, aud mindful only that thetr services ware required in upboiding their country’s honor, the young, the gal- lant, ihe very impersonation of manliness, bastesel to for offer themselves, if need be, a wilitng sacrifine; and it were a work of supererogation for me to state how their fidelity was attested upon all the fleids where they met the common foe. No poitisel or mero partizan motive actuated them; when hundreds were called for, thou- sands with alactity volunteered. As all were not alike successful in teing permitte! to assume the national ¢>- lors, co ail were not equally well disctplined or efficient in the moment of astion. I might be pardoned for dwell. ing with psice upon the history of the sone of the Emoire State who there distirguishod themselves und their Sts'e, sustaining and upholding our glorious motto—Ex: celsior.”” ‘Ner would i: be out of p'ace to allnde to the signa. cant fact that whenever the volunteers of any particular State were found (o be the most reliable and ellicien’, so sure were they to have been edussted uader some supe- rior military system. ‘The most important aspect, In an immediate point of view, in which to consider the sabject, is the capacity to quell dirturbancer of the peace; and experience in past riots emply verified the assertion that the same pe ple who cannot tolerate the bayonets of the regulars will cheerfully bow before their legaliy armed fellow citizens. The expense of necessary repairs to the arsena's, ko. of the extra number of hends ed by the increased labor of the department, ber er contingemt «x- penres, have been met with ificutty; the amouat of mon+y appropriated for the purpose not permituog me to fully carry cut the provisions of the law. The appropriation of 1956-6 is $3,500 less than it was in 1649-F0. Then the issues of was nominal ¢om- pared with thore of subseqnent years, and the value of he ammunition issuei did pot exsed at the rat» ot $00 per annum; while tke cont of transportation was defrayed by the milftin themselver, and encamp ments ware simost unbeard of. Now the issues cf property qua’ tnple those of 1849, and tha cort of traasportatio ct arms and equipments, aa well as camp eq) poge, is oaid oy this’ departmen’, Under the 1 of 1856 the ‘requisitions for amcunition have creased, (notwithatanting the advanced rate ot pow- ) amounting to more than $2,800 in value, and the ccet of traseportetion exeseds $3,000, an increase) ex- f over $5,000 annually, aut the appropriation re- instead of increased to nest {t, A large portion of the old and mnservioesble arms of the State were lyfog uselees in the arsenals, worthless to the militia and acnually cepreeiating in'value, With the approval of the Commander-ia-Chief, T effected an exchange of 0:4 arms for the latest pattern pereaasion arms, thus supplying ® portion of the militia with ser- viceable arms, that any emergoacy may require. Tho proportion of ¢xchaoge beiug aa 4% tol, Phas 1,207 have deen received and ianued under your direstiva. ” ‘The arsenal at Albany has undergone many {w prove ments during ‘he past year. A largo and handsome stoop baw been erec'ed at the front entrance oa Broad way, rendering: Or egress moro convenient, as weil as being aa ormament to that part of (ue building, Heretofore persons bays been oompelied to pasa around to the rear of the building in order ‘o gain admittance. The first floor has bean partitionet, with the intention of factiltating the exhibition of ramoles of arms, trophies ard otherwice, The roof of this bnilainy, 1 rege: to state, is 1m a leaky condition, and thé wholo struetare genernily dilepidate?, It bar bron weggosted by many that the buildings and | eoost uetion, were laf | A q@wpaadtve y ar all om taben from the surplus a-i-iog. frew the sate of the New York srutnal, in ion to the edn of the sale of the Albany atsexal, would effect dject. Tha greenaie at Buffalo, andaigua and Batavis are orehonses, avd are ta good condi Jen. dame great pleacure to refer to the faithful formanze of duty, on he part of my able assistant, |. E Birdrail, for the aseidutty with which he has aui- formiy execa‘ed a] the duties devolving upon him; he de erves the highest commencetions. It alco affords me gratifestion to state that Col. Raymond, Military Storekeepe: Alsany, deserv: receiver the approbation of all wish whom be has heen offelally connected for his promp'ness and strict attea- tion to duties. In cemeiurion, after having detailed the actual condition of this cepartment in as brief terms asia my judgmen! oculd be done consistently with duty, I beg teave to ssi! your attention to the legislation of ‘our sister States in regard to the saarorens «f the militia, with the as surance that thelr exemple will not be thrown away upon our State. Respectfully submitted, J. H. HO f WARD, Commissary General, A. OUR HAEBOR. The Ico in the Harbor—The Ferry Question— The Ferry to Staten Island. [From the New York Herald, of Feb. 8, 1852.) T0 THE EDITOK OF THE HERALD. fin—In converring, a few days sgo, with Mr. R. L, Ste- vens, upon the many dangers and deiaya so constantly ceeurring from the vast quan ‘ity of fee in the harbor, he uggested a remedy that seemed to me oo effectual, and ao mumple in ite execution, that I begged he would pat it im writing and permit rue to publish it. I enclose to you bin views on the subject. Our harbor wants bat to be freed from the immenre fle'ds of drifting ice which every baré-winter is suze to bring, to render it as sceensible and sofe in winter a8 it convenient and unsurpassed in sum- mer, There is, 1 presume, scarcely ® vessel of any size or rig, whose ektpper would not prefer to encoutter the dangers of #, voyage feom California or Canton than risk the perils of the navigation from Sancy Hook to the Bat- tery, im such a season as this. If the immense amounf of property put at ¢aily hazard by the insurance compu nies—the heavy losses sustexed dy merchants and trad” ere—the vexatious detentions acd ruinous delays expert enced by men of business trom this o't occurring cause of difficulty and danger—if these, and muny vther unenam- erated evits ariaiug from the sane source, ru! be avuit- ea by the expenditure of ten thnes the amonnt this improvement would cost, the imaunity would be enesply puichared. The greater portion of ihe ice flelda come trom ‘be fists and exten-ive bays of the Hudson rivec. ice that obstrueis the East river, that comes from ad its vicinity, is genoraily in amalier masses, ite by Buttermilk Chaune!, aad th: t ion cf the Kast river thas Joins the Hudson opposie ie Willem. This ice, it undostructed by the iaumenae fields drifue into the river and bday from the tudson, would rarely return, or if it showid partially do no, tho quantity would be t6o email to affect seriously the bay and harper. Hsd the Hoboken and Jersey Gliy ferry boats cessed to run. and the Piermont bia: been s:0p 964 for a few days, the Hudson would have been effeotualy bricged, either at Fort Washington pout, or betweea Castie peint and the projecting wharfs at Tnirteenta otreet, leaving, as it did nen, tne water below the ob- struction compaiatively free for the navigation of the river and harbor. This hes happened ta times past, and but for the boats, would probabiy have happened now. Neiber ccmmerce, tor the dwellers on the river banks would suffer wuch from the change. In such 4 searon us this, tbe Hudson, between the Highlands aad the city, 1 but» melancholy waste of !ce and water, whove dreary solitude is cndisturbed and unbroken for weeka avd monthe together, save by the paswege ot a sing’e steamsc, slowly dragging ber wounded length along, wad forcing her weary way $2 that bieak acd cheerless mosument of unrequited +nergy—Piermont. With what different feelingr would the Lalf frozen crews of in-bound vessels bail the sights of Sandy Hock, when they learned that in- stead of massive flelds cf ice, sometimes impenetrabie, there wos but twenty milcs of unobstructed water. With the hoge that the remedy suggested may commend ivelf | t0 the notice of she many interested in its success. I remain yours, GEORGE W. BLUNT. TO GEORGE W. BLUNT, Esq. New YoR«, Feb. 5, 1852. Drar Sir—In anawer to your inquiries a4 to the possi- bibty of freeing the harbor of New York from ice, I en- close 10 you a cercrigtion of the mode I would adopt to accompiish the objec’. Fuving chverved, for many yearr, from the hill at Ho- boben, the eflect #nd operation of the 10 in the Hudao ard that portion of the East river that lies be:ween G- 01's Islaca and the Battery, aod from experimen’ mace rome years agoon ‘he Delaware and Newark bay, I feel confident that both rivers, ‘gether wi h the bay and harbor, can be so far freed frum iceas to be easily na- vigateé in the colcest winters. This could be doue by stopping the ice ace above from eeming down tue North river. The mode I propose to effect this object, 18 to an- cher large, surcng, wooden floaty, disgonaily dowa the river from each shore, leaving # quarte. or on eighth of a mile, pearert inewest side of the river open tor ibe savi- gation of steam snd cther reesele, ia mild winters. The ¢fiect of thie would be to etop the ice above from coming dewn, thus rinéering the harter navigaole at all times, &s the ice made below the floate would 08 min i39 only, and peer cf with ihe next ebb tice. Ths floats would be pineed ut acme pasrow part of ihe river, between For: Wasbingten point and Heb ken, where 1¢ did not exces: three quarters cf a wile m width, or w! Fer au horities should deem it most ad . ccmitg Cown would strike the first float, with a westeriy wind, and would be sires‘ed and form such « ovilestioa as is een above the long wharvee in the North river, ant at Hoboken, snd which is held there by the obstruction and the meéentations of the sacre. The next ice coming own would strike the arrested ice and first foo’, and be stopped by that and the recond float below, placed at an angle ct 20 or 40 degrees from the shore. towards the cen- tre of the r1ver, ana Kore 50 or 60 yard from tre firs’ float. ‘The reme collection would form above this as abcve the firet float, and so on to the Isa? fluston exo tide. The ficata to te anchored against the flood as welt as egnipet the eb> Large whi'e pine Ings thou d 9+ fastened oy chains to the floats, to stop amail pisces, which, in cold weather, would soon jam and freeze gether, and obstruct the fee from above. Some idea may be formed of the atreng.h necessary t> hold the Hoats to break through thick ice, by. ecmmpating theforce of a large steamboat. (which, when properly arranzed, sill passage through heary ioe sixty test broad, } to the alze cfa chain that will resist her force when steadi’y applied. steamers to break shes ciameter, #0 that the sizeugth of one chain, as above, would break 240 cr 800 feet in width, if broken to the rane advantage, which can casily be done by regulating the angle of the Front cf the ficat, and shoeing it with bate ef 1r0n, to pr vent wear. Should the ice come down in large fields and with great force, it would require time t» check and stop It. Tre ice beakers would have the same effect as fo may steauers all started at ouce, and beak the ice from ehcre to shore, in cakes small enoagh to be tween the ficats. In this case, and until the ise was ar- rested and brought to by the chatus and floats, the logs between the floata, by having their sides slantec off, wou'd be raised up and pars over the heavy ice. When the river breaks up, the large fields of ive above would be broken ic such rmall pieces. paaiog the floats ax not ee- riously to interrupt navigation. I presume anchors aod chain cables could be borrowed from the Navy Yai make the first experiment, to ascertaia the neceseary weight of anchors and srength of chains. The Uaite! States are greatly inte:es.ed in the ¢xperimen‘, as thei- f war would be enatied, at ail times, to reas vy Yard sod Dry Dock, without serious interrap- rom 16. The snchore could be dacke’, if noces sary, elthough the holding ground is geod, being of stiT mud or clay. The great advanteges of freeing the harbor from ise ia sueh » winter ax this, too apparent to read disons- sion, The shipping interest has suffered severely, and the inconvience to the public has been so grext, frou ths fmmenve fielés of ise in the harbor, and both rivers, dw. teining the ferry boats much over their nsual tims in crossing, that something to prevent a imilar oecurrenc? is greatly wenied, and I feel confident that the above Plan, properly executed. would remedy the evil. Your obedient rervant, ROSERT L. STEVEN?. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Your article on the ferries of New York ani its § burbs, in Monday’s Henatp, opens up this impor sate: § Ject in the true rpirit. It has been, apparently, the «1 tled policy of the newspaper press of the city to con- sider the ferry communications as icentifiel with in/e rests adverse to the prosperity of New York, The resi- dents ot Brookiyn, Jereey, Staten Is'and, &s., have ben held ap to public reprobation, as persons weeking to avail themeclves of the buriness advantages of New York, while at the same time avoiding adue share of taxation, by mabicg their taxubie residences in other counties and gronncs thereunto attached should be sold, and a new Aud indstantial bulding be erge'ed ‘a another locality. | Bates. It ia to be regretted that any umperfections in our *ys tem of taxation should prove to be beyond the reach ot onstitutional legislation, and it is particularly iamenta- ble that such an evil should ruperadd an influeace 40 partial and illiveral a that of proseribing the na‘ ural growth and expansion of » population called for by he unbounded commercial faciliiies of the locality. The owners of up town lots may imagine that the improve ment of the territories surrounding the harbor and boréering on the rivers contiguous to the eity tend to depreciate the value of their property; but, if, while they sek todtscoursge colonization on oppsrite shores, they inced « proportionable zeal in promoting facilities of ascess to the extremities of New Youk talana, in order to rencer their out of town lots accessiole, they woul pur- sue @ poifey, more in consonscce with their own in‘e- rents, and give evidence of a more consistent oppositiun to the system they dislike. Inepite of the cieecuragementa of this ungracious war- fare, acd moreover in «pite of the parsimonioua manage- ment, for many years, of almost ail the ferry monopolies around us, the faburban settlements of New York hava rolled apa Lod eth ge now equal to that of the whole of Menhatian [eland, or the city and county itee'f. It xeeme that the national laws of demand and eapply are capable cf weteacy triumph over both msrrow minded legislation and mistaken eeonomy. Could our fos Naa and our landholders only succeed antipathy to the higher laws of trade ji luded to, they might become rec mole’ to a more graceful rubmission in sharing the fruits of the earth, at leant of wfew “Jota of ground,” with thele n¢ighbore asross the waters of the harbor, and finaly consent to regulate with them the conveniences of tran- at demanded by their growing importa: We might even hove, Mr. Eiitor, t Staten Island ferry would be tof the ret tape ondle of the Comptroller, and revised to meet the wants the people, whowe frauchi+e it undertakes to dis- pre of. The truth of the matte the lease of the nd it may bs permitted tender people towards indiy': ‘The man who undertaken to serva tae public, lise why ene who on'y cerupies binvef in hia private pursuits, i+ treated With the sae forbearance thet we munife.s our domestic coairol, and thy go 4 patar the fond parent is esrried aut toward azentr, vn al enercashment o¢e aes tha satabiisted rule We eu'mit quietly to ting eosshed ap on ratiroads wn op (b steamboats, and snubbed into aileace by bende,” while he who yeptores to acters murmun of ine op on, or ea!l in question the propristy of this treatment, is ierted a» & gutmbdier, snd cecvunced m1 ‘am enemy cf “the com pany.”? The: verflowing population of New York will find its cutlets, and form for ist cuscnels of ¢xnmantostion with the surrounding country. great ptruggle ap peara to be to convince pares in'erastel of the advan tege thev must accrue from a judicious inoreass of ac- commodation. What are thes» ferries—bat aa extension of the ‘thoroughfares of the city a subatitu’e for ridges, and a portion of the people’s highway? In regard to New Yark they b-come ebjects cf unprocecected fumportaaa, aad should be so copricereé by every eivizen, not only the de- pizers of ike city and vicinity, bat of the eouutry at Au inierested in whatever affects the weifare here the property snd ‘he pervons of o many ae consisntly cnatered Argament on this subj-ot is waperflucus. All we demand is the exerctne of common ren:@ and feir plsy. Whsta deep laid pian was that for obtesn the eontrol of Broadway by 1a¢ar of @ ral! rach! Howcerperately waa that ga ne pushes! And roay wo votsurpect it ia not yet by any means abandoned? Tf the prize of such a menopoly demands so bold a stke, why ip not the centrol of ‘erries, whish are bat e@xsepsions of » simi ar privilege, ebjsets of proportionate deste? But, Mr. Editor, this isa subject surcaptibie of more developement thsn our press imszines—more than our pe*ple apesicnies ‘The moral influences upow popslaiier involved in the geanton ase ofaceeper import tem any other aspec’ of it. ‘The increase of celibacy, and a ornsequent dersoralizs fion, are becoming more insuifest amougst us every day. The more wo do to iverease the exoenses of domestic ilte and check the facilities for torming moderate and humble estabiithments, the more we eradicate the enjoymen's ofhome end ‘pervert society to unwholesome and des- tructive iesues. CLINTON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. To understand the position of this ferry it is mecersary to refer to the year 1853. At that time Commodore Van- derbilt held a lease of the Staten Island ferry on file in the Comptroller's office, by which he was only obliged to run one boat, but he coverauted to manage the ferry in seocrdance with any by-law or ordinanos of the Corpora fiom, and he was restricted from transferring the leas: withcut the previons consent of the Corporation, Tais Jease was to expire on the lst of Mry, 1855. He had tig stesemboate Hunchback, (rearly new) Sylpb, Staten Islander and Huguenot, old and uncomf.rta- bie Ce to ve withdrawn avd replaced by those more suitable for s ferry yieldiog so enormocs a revenue. He was, however, buiiding the Wyoming, @ fast and bes:i- fal beat, for this ferry, which hse atooe, under the enarge other experienced Staten Island captain and pilot, been tran. erred to the Elizabethport route. The boats were being run hour y to the Quaractine landing, cprorite to the city, and to Vanderbilt landing on one sice, ard New Bnghton landisg on the otter neither cf them opposite to the city or within the aty ferry frarchice. At the same time an opposition party wee ranning an old and ure>mfortable bost, the late Colambua, hatween the foot of Liberty strest and Stapletcn, and Mr. George Law had put on his Josephine in coanection, #0 as to a:- cowplish hourly t2ups. Thus the citizens and iravelling community had at the foll hour at between Writehall and the Quarantine and Vanderbi.t Isnding, making but two landings, and »* oS hait hour a boat bes wean Liberty street aca Staple- cn. Let us see what a benefit (hey have derived from « change of management. In May, 1853, it was current reported snd acmitted tat Commodore Vanderbilt b: transferrec a large amount of reai estate and the une: pired term cf the ferry lease, with the boats, to Messrs. George Law, Mintborne Tompkins, Stapies, Thompson and DeLanzay Iselin and Cisrk for $600,000, one quarte: cash, the balance in year!y instalmects. Cai non were tired and great rejoisings had in the pros pect of the great reforms and ‘improvements liberal'y promised. Jn the first place the beautiful Wyoming was not put on the ferry. and her exp-rienced captaia was tranatecred to another route. Next, the Josephine, being the private property (f Mr. Law, was withdrawn; the line to Liberty street was Giscontinued; the boats were run only from Whi ebsil, oni nuade three landings on the island, thie requiting nesily an hour to resch Vanderbilt landing lees then seven mile: ma the city. Great indulgence wi extended to the company ant eonficence expreseed in heir promises, but, except a tittle frerh paint cn the old hoate, there was ne pe-fo:- mance, and it econ became apparant that whatever caus+ of complaint existea before it had now increased ten- fold. If there had been tyranny before, it had, at ieast, the part of one who uncerstocd his busine:s. e evident thet the whole interest and coave nience, ard even tafety of the pudiic were to be rieked 10 order to cosbe the company to pay for their large resi evtete speculation out of the profits of the terry. Inin, I believe, susceptid'e of proof that the company realized the first year over one hundred and fifty t2on tnd dclleze cver all expenses and repairs, net profits They then purchased the Jcrephine, ant she hae aines been put cnas a summer fair wea‘her boat, when sh> con rvp fol, The m:rsgement of the company has excited geners! ¢irgost and ind'gnation, and the publ'c looked for ward to the terminstion of the lease (which had not bee> trareferrcd by the emzent of the corporation) as are lief fiom an incubus which sacrificed both their interes: end comfort. On the Ist of May. 1855, the lease of the Staten Ivlané ferry expired. It was known to the Comptrolier, is was kpown Wo the Curnccn Council, it was kaown to the Cor- ora'icn Co.mel, that uncer the amended charter ferry leaies murt be sold at auction after an advertisement for thirty deys. It was known that ifthe lea:e should be purcha:ed by new parties, aud the cld boats be auch that for ary legel reason the vew parties shouid not ne obliged to tate them at an appraisal, meh parties mus: have en cpp:tturity to provide proper beate. It is evident that tbe Jeaec should have been put up at leeet an early as the Ist of January, if it was desired to premote the interests of the city and the public by in viting proper ecmpetition. But what are the facta? The leare was advertired to be scld on the 16th of May, a fortoight after the old lease expired, thus leaving the ol6 company either to ron their boats for fifteen deys without a licence, and certainly not as a ferry oompaxy, or to withdraw their bosta and leave the public without even the izsufficient accommodation they had afforced. The sale was postponed till the 26th May, one of the conditicns of the rale being thst tbe lease should be sig ed within thirty days. There being an aveence o! conditions to secure properly the public interests, Alderman Lord introduced in the Beard ¢f A derman resolutions providing that the numb-r and character of the boste, the termini, the rates of fe: riage, and the hours of runnirg should be under the rection of cfficers of the City Corporation, and that reqs- lar returns under cath should be made of the receipts and expenser, #o that where a monopoly was granted the public intereet should be secured, and the compensa- tion of the jesree made a reasonable one for the use of capital and the expense of manegement. ‘There reso utions were re/erretto the Ferry Commi?- tee, but the chairman was deeply engaged in inquiring ioto the rativity of the police, and n> report was made. Bat, stzacge to relate, jamt preceding the sale resulu- ‘ens were psssed (1 think throug: both Boards oa the sar.e evening) providing, as conditions of the sale, that bonts at jess. equal to those of tho late com any (their he: iate investigation has shown) should be run to des'gnated pcints on the Island, under the control company, thus effectually securiog them inst competition. These monrstrow revolutions the Mayor promptly vetced, or in te aye they would have become a he, ané ther, 8, the purcksser would not nave appear: ed; there would bave been prompt re-sale; the old cow- ry woud bave been triumphant purchasers, and the sland resaddled with the .neanas. The stle then took place on the 26h May, and the loane was struck off to Mr. Smith, for $5 100 yearly rent; thus there wae apparently anew purchaser. But as ho haa thirty Coys to ign bis leas, this left the route in tie hands of the old eompany for fifty-aix days to run with- out a licence and with an absence of all guarantes to tho public. One would suppore that all these c'rcumstances ex- hibited a sufficiently extraordinary view of the pabuc intereets as entertained by both the Cumptroiler and the Common Couneil; but the lease was not signed in thirty éays, Theegentof an individual first woulc not have al- jowed unnecewaarily thirty days where there was no tite to exemine; ond iben on failure to comply with the terma would have made re-sale. ‘The counsel of an indi- vidual would have 0 advised; but the lense was not signed on the Ist November—it is asserted that it is not yes eigned. By what suthority, then, ars the present boats run on aferry route? The ‘sufferance of the City Comptroller eapxot confer wuthority, and the Common Counsil itself eannot grant it except by virtue of » sale at public aue fon. ‘The ¢normous inecme of the Staten Island ferry entitles the public to xafe, frequent and tuxurious acoommoda- tion. Itds now veither rafe nor comfortable, It could cavily afford quarter h uriy boats, from A. M, th 7, then helf hourly tosts will 9 P. M., and hourly boats tif mid- night, yiemting #till » large compensation to the propri- ewe. ‘The city would not be the loser. On the south site of the islauo are hundreds of acres of rich low land with southeasterly reponse pecularly adapted for market goréenwg, which ia now devored to hay. Give the opportunity of communication with the city at rearonad © bours, and the city marketa would be inducewent to change the character of cultivation aud at ine same time would derive the benefit. SPALEN ISLANDER, Supreine Court—Special Term. Before Hon. Judge Clerke, Manca 11,—Kirk and others vs. Young.—Judgment for deferdant on demurrer, unless pleintiff shall amend within twenty days, and pay the coats of the term. Gilm@ur ve. Gtimour.—Same order. Reynolds va. The Hamilton Building Assoetation.—Com- plaint cismisred with conta. Legan vs, DeCosta.—Judgment for defendant on de- murter, uniess plaintiff amend complaint within twenty deys and pay costa of term. jilier ve. Farle.—The like order. ‘The Fixpenny cain @ Bank va. Slonn and others.—De- murrer overruled with costs, with liberty to defendant to arawer in twenty dayn. Sanliers ve. Baum.—Com olaint diemiared, White and others vs. Hackett —Jadgment for plalatiff, with ocste; order to be retitled on tw daya nutica. Kelly, Chamberlain and others va. Boroley and others, — Receiver or¢ered; ortler to be sottled in two days. Meskey vs. Merkey —Motion for attachment denied. MeCaiiiater ve, Adaint—eReferred to J. P. Crosby; costs to abide event, FINANCIAL AND COVMERCIAL. MONEY MARKET. Tomspay, March 11—6 P. M. Quotations for stocks still tend downward. The market has settled down into a very inactive state, and there is no more speculation than in mid-winter. We should not be surprised to see this condition of things continue for some days. It may be some weeks before outside speculators are ready to enter the market as purchasers. ihe commercial classes have very heavy payments all through this month and part of next, and they will be too much engaged in their legitimate pursuits to think about fancy stocks. After they get through with the spring trade and the bulk of their payments, we may look formore activity at the Stock Exchange and a specu- lative movement that will enhance the market value of most stocks. We cannotexpect a very decided demand for stocks from outside operators until capi- tal begins to accumolate in their hands, and that will not be realized until the middl2 of May. Then the mercantile classes will have no use for their money, and it will find its way into some of the leading speculative stocks of the day. It is well known to those who have carefully watched the fluctuations of the stock market that outsiders do not operate in anticipation of a good geason’s business, but almost invariably after a prosperous period of trade. Speculations in stocks succeed much oftener than they precede a good sea son in commercial pursuits, After a season of pros-_ perovs trade has been disposed of, those who have realized good profits, and find their capital accamu- lating from prompt payments, usually feel disposed to make that capital active by taking a turn or two in the stock market. These outsiders are generally strong and full of confidence; and as soon as relieved materially the value of each share previously exist- ing, and is @ vital act, the authority to perform which ought never to be delegated; yet we continu- ally see it done withont the consent, and frequently without the knowledge, of the stockholders. In this manner their property, upon which many of them de- pend for bread, becomes depreciated, perchance ruined, by a process which they do not compre- hend, and for which no information from their agenta has prepared them. Such vices in our railroad sys- tem are sapping the foundations of public cenfidence as well as inflicting injury upon private interests. Experience shows that “respectability” is but a poor safeguard when opportanity and power point out a short cnt to plunder. We have had our Schuyler, England her Sadlier, and there is no rea- son to suppose the breed of respectable swindlers: extinct. One constantly recurring abuse which stockhold- ers should give their attention to, is an ever oper construction account. In the opinion of the mass of directors a railroad never can be completed. New branches are continually sprouting out from the trunk, and somehow directors grow rich, while the comyany becomes poor, by the branching. out- process. Let the sharcholders look sharply to this. No branch should be undertaken but upon their’ vote in fall meeting, fairly called and thoroughly informed by an honest statement of the case. Be- fore incurring new liavilities the stockholders should have a chance to be heard, Construction ac- counta should be closed as soon as possible. Direce tors may grow fat upon a road which pays no divi- dends while the stockholders are starving. sang: me Mareh 11, 1856. 200 +bs Harlem R283 20, $2,000 Virginia 6s ., 000 Louisiana 6’«, from their present operations, we have no doubt they will take hold of stocks with a will, After the adjournment of the board, the following sales of bonds and stocks were made at auction by Simeon Draper:— $100,006 dich. South. &N. Ind. S’k gfand.lot. ad. 818 83 4,000 Memphis Ci'y sixes, 1850. do, 625 8,000 Fiushing RR., 2d mort... do. 58 1/000 Chicago & R. 1. RR., Ist mort. do. = 91% 4,000 New Albany & Salem RK. eights, do. 72 6 000 Meyeville & Lexington RR, nixes. iy 20 hares Wells, Fargo & Co.’s Express 50 At the second board some of the leading specula- tive stocks show animprovement. Nicaragua Tran- sit advanced 1 per cent on the sale of one hundred shares of stock. Reading went up } per cent, with very large sales; Michigan Southern Railroad, }; New York Central Railroad, }- Erie Railroad fell off } per cent. After the board the market waa dull. Nicaragua Transit was offered at 224 per cent, 22 bid; Reading, 903 asked, the same bid; Michigan Southern, 943 asked. The sale of $100,000 Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Sinking Fund bends, at the Exchange to-day, created some excitement in the street. It was not generally known that such a sale was contemplated. The prices realized were equal to 84 a 86 per cent. The prices obtained were 81 a 83, interest added. Had it been generally known that such a lot was on the market for sale, it would have attracted a large class of buyers, and better prices would have been realized. These bonds are about the best bonded security in the market. They are what is called a registered issue, and are particu. larly desirable on that account. Having a first mortgage for their security and a sinking fand for their ultimate redemption, representing only about one-half of the actual cost of the road, we do not know of anything in the shape of a railroad bond holding out greater inducements to capitalists. The report that Mr. Robert Schuyler is living in some obscure village in Germany is entirely without foundation. He died some months since at a small place near Nice. His family returned to this cot try in the steamship Arago, and now reside in this city. Upon the receipt of the intelligence of his death, his son-in-law went to Italy for the purpose of bringing home the family, and they all returned as stated above. The steamship America, from Boston for Liver pool to-morrow, (Wednesday,) will take out about $400,000 in specie. The Assistant Treasurer reports to-day as fol- lows:— Paid op Treasury secount. Received td . Bslence . 4,383,984 76 Paid on disburring check + 80,664 46 The warrants entered at the Treasury Department, $32,296 32 137,170 00 For the redemption of stocks, + $36,605 67 For the Treasury Department.. 34,669 27 For the Interior Departuent. 41,824 24 or Customs.......+ 223 62 Wer warrants received and entered. 709: 65 War repay warrants received and entered... 493 23 From miscellaneous sources 25,374 76 From Customs... 33,147 58 On account of the nai 1463 94 At the annual meeting of the New York Coal Ex- change, held at their rooms, 34 Pine street, on Mon- day, the 10th inst., the following persons were elected to serve as officers for the ensuing year:— President—Sylvanus 8. Ward. Vice President George H. Potts. Secrdary—L. J. Bellon, Jr. Treasurer—L. W. Phillips. Directors—Henry Reeve, J. Raker, Jer. Wilkinson, G. F. Power, Wm. M. Rogers, G. P. Nevio, Joseph Noble, T. Truslow Jr., Thos. Maher. Artitration Committee—Chariea Low:her, David J. Ne- vin, Famuel Castner, Samuel R. Mab rat, Joshua Rozers. yes tors—J. W. Andreas, Frederick Oakiey, Charles mbier. The organization is now in full operation, and has been productive of mach good to the buyers and rellers of coal. ’Change hours, from one to two o'clock daily. The following table exhibits the condition of the Maseachueetts banks on the 3d inst.:— Banks OF MASSACHUSETTS. Total. 58,237,000 17'577,524 Depeeite 20,794 881 Profits on hand, : 7,028,060 Total. ++, $55,005,859 47,731,606 103,687,465 Resources:— Notes, bitls ex., &.,851.801,472 46,043,485 97,934,957 Specie... 8,308,180 1,086,986 4,452,156 Real entate, 619.207 "681,185 1,260,344 Total......+ +++. $65,905,859 47,751,606 103,657,465 This shows, upon comparison with the fir st day of January last, an increase in the item of deposits of $64,664, and of loan $712,081; and a decrease in the item of net circulation of $430,238, and of spe- cle $45,565. Railroad management requires a thorough reform before it will honestly perform the trust committed to its eharge. So much ignorant, careless, blind reliance exists on the part of shareholders, that until human nature shall undergo a radical improvement, all manner of respectable rascality will continue to prevail. As we are not, just now, looking for the milleninm,.our duty as independent journalists de- mands that we should drop a word of caution ia the ars of that large, patient and sorely victimized class, the stockholders in our various railroads. We advise them, first, to limit the powers of their agents, the directors; and next, to exercise uure- mitting vigilance. A man’s property is always safest where he can himeelf lay his hand upon it— at least he should be able to see it. Railroad boards have their uses. Important and essential functions must, ea necessitate, be discharged by them. But they should be clothed with no unnecessary or dan- gerous authority. When, through carelessness or other cause, stockholders confide to their elected agents absolute control over their property, they commit a perilous—too often a fatal error. Human nature is weak, selfish, corrupt, even when presented in that respectable embodiment known asa railway board of direction. Stockholders should give, in a much greater degree than has been customary, their personal attention to the affairs of their company. A democratic ele- ment should be infused into the management of all railroads, and certain important powers should only he exerciced by the assembled stockholders them- selves. That of increasing capital by new issues of stock or bonds is one most liable toabuse. It should he exercised by the stockholders only and never by the direction. Kvery increase affects directly and 200 Keading R& 200 do 81,600 do., 8,000 do... m0 2,000 NY Cen 8 B.b3 bebe Union Bark... 12 20 Home Ins O». 2€0 Nic Traveit Co 100 do 132 Mich Con RR 100 10...» + b60 817 Mi So&No Ia RR. 200 14 Panama RR, 200 300 do. 150 400 do, £00 60 de 400 do... FEO 213g 900 do. 106 PennaCcai Co.d80 98% 20 Cley, C& Cm. 63 d0seesecee. 98% 200 Ill Con BR, 8CO Cumb Coal Co... 2235 200 do......880 23 #3 23 160 Clev & HRA. 68 900 Clev&Tol RR..24m. 20 do. » 7 25 Milw & Miss RR.. BOARD. 100 ans Erie RR..»60 200 .b80 50 do. 100 Erie RR. 400 do, 100 do 60 do, 800 do, 300 do. 60 200 do, 100 Clev & To) RR..83 £00 lO..sseee0. 78 300 -. §6% MINING BOARD. 60 sha WAC! AIC, 37 160 shsGardinerMine 13¢ 50 do, 010 3734 700 Oss anaes! 1% 60 a -b15 38 2000 Conrad Hiil.... lic. 26 Gold Hill Mine... 154 CITY COMMERCIAL REPOR®. Turspay, March 1i—6 P. M. AcnEs,—The market was quiet, and sales were small without ecbange in prices. Breapsrcr¥s —Fiour—Tbe market had lees strength at yeatercay’s quotations, and closed easier for common to mectum brands. The sales reached about 4,000 vo 5,000 bbis, inciuding commen to good State at $7 a $7 12; ex- |, tra ditto $7 25 a 87 60, and Jow grades of Western ext includirg Obio, &c.. 37 a $8. Genesee extra rai from $8 60 to $10 Canadian was s'eady, with suies of 40 a 500 bbis.at $7 373, a $9 3734. ‘Soucherm was in moderate demand; the saies embraced about 800.8 1,000 bbis., including common and chvice brands at $8 a $8 (23, and taney and extra at ‘$8 75 a $9 25. Rye flour spe crn meal were unchanged. Wheat—The market quiet; prime lots were firmly held, aod at prices abcve the views of purchas inferior lots were lect ed. Asmaill lot of Misbigan white was so'd at $l 80. Corp + as sgain ‘ower with a fair amount ot sales. The transactions tcoted up absut 27,000 a 30,000 bushels, in- cluding wixed avd white at 66c. a 670. and 630.,aed prine white and yellow at 600. a 70c. Rye wasscsree and firm, while no sales of moment were reported. Uate were ia gocd supply, while prices were une : CorFeB—Ihe cargo per Hazard of 3,600 bags of Rio waa sold at 113¢¢.; and # cargo of St. 0 was wold at p. t.; also £00 bags of Rio at llc, @ 11%c. and 100 mats Java at 5c. Corrox—The ssles embraced about 1,500 bales in lote d, pert in transitu, based upon middling aplands, at about 97%. a 100, FrxicuTe—Ra‘es to Liverpool were firmer and room re- stricted. About 20.000 bushels grain were at $id. in bulk and @d in ships bags; 500.8. 600 Sales of cotton, compressed and uns mpressea, at 9 32d. 9 6-16. with some rousd ba es ut 344. Rates to Hi were quiet and anebarged. To California rates were at 30s. per foot measuremes t, with scattering lots at 353. Hay—The market was unchanged, and sales moderate at $1 18%. per 100 lbs, JRoy.—Small sales of Scotch pig were made at $36 a $57, six months. Moraceee —Sales of 900 a 400 bble. New Orleavs wers mace at 41} c.a 48c. to the trace, an? 125 hhds. Guba murcovaco sold at 8s. and 91 bbls. New Orleans wera s0id by auction at 4c. w 460. Naval S10nE8.—The market was quiet, while prisee were without quotable crange in prices. Ths last sales of Late were made at 403{c., cash. The advance in, freights with the dullness in the English markets bad a terdency to check transactions. Ov. —Engiish linseed was firmer, and sales of 10,000 » 12,000 , allons were made at 840. @ 85c. Whale and sperm were firm, with moderate sales. Small sales of lard oll ‘were reported at $1. Pxovisions.—Pcrk—The market was dail and sales mocoiate. The sales embraced about 300 a 350 bois. mese at $16 75, and prime at $14 26 w $14 37 asked. Beef wasdull and raics confinsd to about 100 bbdis., fa- clucing country PY ime, at $8 75 a $9 25, and country mess at $9 75 a $11; repacked Western was at $ila $13 50. cig ee rc + $13 a $16 60. Cat meats were with sales of 150 packages, at 7540. a Me. for shoultend, and 83¢ a9Me. for ni lard was p good a¢mand, th: ugh witvout cha: prices. The eave embraced cbout, 00 » 400 bb ‘8, chiedy prime, at 10}e.—the rarge being 10%. @ 10%0, The chief purchi were made {cr export, Butter and cheese were quiet, and sales unimportant. Reals. Eets1e.—Houre and lot 54 Bowery, 25x125, $23,000; Lot on 20th street, near 6th avecus, 24x02, $7,650; 1 adjotnir g, 21292. $7,000; 14 2, 7,600; 2 do., exch 26x92, $15,200; 1 do., 25x92, 800; 1 corner of 1st aves nue and 47th street, 25x100, $1,460; 1 corner of 48th street and Ist avenue, 256x100, $1,200; 1 adjoming on ave- nue, 262100, $800; 1 corner of 49th st. eet and Ist avenue, $6x100, $726; 2 on 48+h strent, menr 24 avenue, each 26x 100, $1,760; '1 acj.ining, 25x106, $800; 1 rear, oa 40th street, 35x10, $800; 1 on 48th street, near 3d avenue, 26x.00, $1050; 1 cp rear, on street, 25x10, $1000; Leorner of 49:h street and 24 avenue, 26x100, $1,700; 6 adjoivice, each 26x100, $6 ba TH 1 256x100, $1,400; 1 co ner of 48th street, 2x1 4 oor 70th ‘st ard 21 ave each 26x100, 84.060 ; 1 oor Sth ave ard 9bth st £6x100, $1,600 ; 19 on 97th st, bet dich and bth aves each 26x1(0, $6,840, houseand lot on 48th at, near 84 ave 26x100, $2,100 ; 1 lot on 20th st, bet Ist an 20 aves 25x09, $1,000 ; 1 do do do 25x99 $1,960 ; ¥ house and lot on 26th ef, bot 1st and 3d aves 26x00, $5,800 ; 1 on 424 st, bet 24 and 8d aven, 96x00, $4,000 ; 1 lot on Sd +t, bet 6th and 7th aves 26x ; sh ave A and Ist ave 29x93, 2, house and lot on 26th st, tie Ae! $4,000 ;' 130 E 66th wt 26x100, $1,900; Tea doing 4 e100, Che ipeooe tat ave Sad 8 at ther, $6,600 ; 1¢8 Monroe #t, $4,000 ; 1 lot on 90th sty Bet tnt and 24 aven 262100, S6i0 5 1 on Olat st, $610, Sraar.—The market was without animation, and Een romewhat irregular. The sales embraced 200 to TasneTorate 6 onilis“Eysow 50 alt obese ae oie 18 do 410; 15 do 403s0; 40 do 39340; 83 do 36 3Z¢; 11 do 36e; 620 83 3g0; 12 do $2356; 44 do 820; 40 do Sle; 89 do 28c 440; 278 do 42 3c; 158 do 42c; 69 do Bic. 126 de ioe do i834e: 56 co 280; 02 ao 870; 92 do 36e; 40 40 do 8c} 128 do B8e;' £8 do 8240; 181 do hoe; 23 bing watt 29 do 2%; 87 do rere 64 do 27 3g0; 4: Hie} Al co 2b340; 47 do'26}¢0; 14 do 350; 200 do Me; 107 100, 29 boxes 36 deer 100 de ces aeie aoanee Hiyese: * 100 de dager skin—19 chests at 150} 28 do Mert half do.200; 13 do- 41}4ej 49 do Ute; 28 do IT 0: BB da 183405 21 de 1x0; 15. do dee 38 do 296; 26 0 21346; T0-do 0 190; 34 do 180; '83 do 150; 26 co light. Owing to the scarcity of de- sirable stocks, prices fulry austained. The sales 42 bhas. Keninoky at 100, @ 18¢.; 248 bales Havana Pate. &@ 28c.; bb ences seedleaf at 106, a 1ds.; 23 cases Florida at 23¢. a 27¢. Wier FY.—Salos of 100 bble. Jersey at 29346 ; and 100 4o, Ohio and prison were reporied at 303¢0. » 300. oT 190"