The New York Herald Newspaper, March 12, 1856, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1856. NEW YORK HERALD. VAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRISTOR AND EDITOR, DPYICE N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS. SRMS. casi «0 udvance. DAILY HERALD. 2 conta onpy, $7 per anaam. THE WEEKLY HERALD, coor Satur at conte per annum; the Europena edition, oman, (0 Phin Briwin, or Seren: partes te 5 ad " ‘ VOLUNTARV CORRESPONDENCE, containing import. “ rere of Md ‘aed will be See iste fee on ee hn onatesrONDENTA AN "ARTICULAKLY REQUESTED TO SAL al LaerrTens aNp Pack- bs 2 a en oy enonyrnene communication, We do ee return those recta. GOR PRINTING cowuted with weainens, eapness and der VER TISEMENTS reviewed ccery doy. , or p= A xx «No. 71 AMUSEMENTS TH) AQADEMY GF MUSTO, Fourteenth street—It Taovatons. EVENING, BROADWAY THFATR®, Breadway—Caranact or Tun O.yeEs MEBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway—Ficana—Tee Evy Kino, ou WralTe anv Poverty. BURTOW'S THEATRE, Chambers sweet—Hetrine HaNvs —Fertusio axp His Seven Girrep Savant. LAURA KEENP’S VARIRTIES, Broadway—Two Lovis ace 4 Lire—Rovuurs. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Hnin ar Liw—Tae Beanvine Scnoor BROADWAY VARIFTIES, 472 Brosdoay—Biack Eve Revues Diaxosp -By tHe Juvesite Comepiass, WOOD'S MINSTRELS, 444 Broadway—Frntorsan Pra- PemeascEs—Masguenapy Ball. @ OPERA HOUS@, 699 Broad- —Oocet ov le Boku. BWOCKLEY’S BURT way—Neono Miners BROADWAY ATHEN.FOM, 64 Broadway—Pasonaurc AES Oe CMSA 2D Jarax. New York, Wednesday, March 12, 1856. Phe News. ‘The first State election of the Presidential year took place in New Hampshire yesterday. The par tial returns we havegreceived indicate that the democrats have nearly, if not completely, re-estab- Wished themselves in power in the Granite State. This result is of vast importance, in view of its re mote effect upon the ensuing Presidential campaign. The steamship Arabia, from Liverpool Ist inst., had not arrived at Halifax up to a late hour last night. In the United States Senate yesterday the Com- mittee on Naya! Affairs requ * to send for persons and papers, to fac! investigation ef the action of the Naval Retiring Board, but after some conversation the subject was laid aside. The bill appropriating three million dollars for the im- provement cf the military deiences of the nation was then taken up, when Mr. Brown gave his views of the interpretation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. He regarded England's construction of the treaty as a palpable violation of common sense. He was op- posed to arbitration, as we could not expect justice from crowned heads. In the Houee a bill was in- fwoduced enabling Virginia, Peansylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois to improve the navi- gation of the Ohio river, and granting lands in aid thereof. It was referred to a select committee of seven. The Kansas election case was then discussed by Messrs. Stephens and Dunn. An attempt will be made to-morrow to bring the question to a vote. ‘The proceedings of the Legislature yesterday were @evoid of general interest. The Know Nothing State Convention of Rhode Inland assembled at Providence yesterday. The present incumbents of State offices were nominated for re-election. The Board of Ten Governors has had an attack of the salary raising mania that just now is affecting most legislative bodies. They resolved to increase the compensation of the wardens, matrons, keepers, physicians and assistants in their employ, in sums varying from $50 to $250 per annum. The total addition from this cause will be over $5,000 per year. In view of the fact that the expense of the Almshouse department last year was over $800,000 (vide Comptroller's report), it would look much better if the Governors paid more attention to retrenchment, and less tu the increase of their expenditures. We give elsewhere the closing testimony taken yesterday before the Councilinen Committee ap- pointed to investigate into the abuses alleged to be practised upon emigrants at Castle Garden by the Commissioners of Emigration. It will be seen that the cashier at Castle Garden denies fraud upon emigrants in purchasing their foreign coin, and also in making sale of drafts entrnsted to the Commis- sionersof Emigration. Two emigrants, just arriv- ed, testified to excess of charge for passage tickets West, over the amount charged by the leading rail- road companies. Commissioner (iarrigue sent ina protest refasing to be questioned by the committee. We give to-day General Ward's report on the con- ition of the State arsenals. As the subject of the removal of the arsenal from the Central Park hes has been warmly agitated of late, this report will be read with interest. Our ccrrespondent at Belize, Honduras, writing on February 7, states that the reading of the message of President Pierce to Congress caused a good deal of excitement and a very large amount of political speculation in the colony. gland, instead of at all abating her claims or receding from her position in the Bay Islands and Mosquito protectorate, was quietly s::ongthening her foothold on the territory. ‘The legislative session had commenced. The territory was officially represented as in a thriving condition, ‘but, in reality, the mass of the people were wretch edly off for want of general employment. It was proposed to tax rum and sugar. Cochineal and in- digo were scarve and firm in the m Sarsapa- rilla dearer. Provisions ruled y high. ‘The river at Baltimore was again closed by ice yesterday and navigation suspended. The ice boat, however, was at work, and the obstruction will probably be removed in a day or two. Late New Orleans papers contain long articles in regard to the lately diseovered defalcation of the City Treasurer, Col. William H. Garland, but the amount of bis depredations is not known. One paper says they wil! not fall short of $150,900 bot that the city has probably suffered, during his eight years of office, to the extent of at least a willion of dollars. Col. Garland has been imprisoned in default of by Proceedings have been taken by the city to obtain possession of all the property owned or supposed to be owned hy him, as some security for his alleged defalcations. A portion of the press of New Orleans are endea- yoring to make political capital out of the affair, by using it as a pretext for assailing the Know No- thing party. It appears, however, that Col. Gar. Jand was not at the time of his nomination for of. fice a member of the Orde: The sales of cotton yesterday embraced about 1,500 bales, in lots, including portions in transitu based upon middling Uplands at about ic. a 100. Dealers were disposed to await the receipt of later foreign news. Flonr was in moderate demand, and the market closed easier for common and me dium grades. Wheat was quiet. Prime lots were not pressing, and were firmly held at prices above the views of buyers. Corn was easier, with fair sales, ranging from (6c. to 70c. for all kinds. Pork was inactive, with moderate sales of mess at #15 75. A cargo of Rio coffee, per bark J.A. Hazard, was sold at 11{c., which, with the auction sale of 9,000 bags on the 7th inst., foots up about 12,000 disposed of in this market within » week, w’ y at $20 per hag, would amount to the sum of £250,000. These sales prove the value of our custom to Brazil. Sngars were without animation, with more offering. The sales embraced 200. 300 bhds. Cuba, at rates given in another column. Molasses was also easier, -with fair sales. Freights to Liverpool were firmer, and about 20,000 bushels of grain were engaged at at Pd. in bulk, and 9d, in ship's hage, ‘The Convention System—Whem It Has Sacri- fice.d and Wom tt has Rewarded. We ive in another part of this paper a com plete history of the rise, progrees and and par- tin) decline of the caucus and convention sys- tem of this country. This is the record of the politicians—the mere results of the manceavres in the counties, States, and on the broader field of the Union. The essential doctrines of the system are embodied in that expressive word, selfishness; though its evils have a wider range, andits fruits are borne far out of the fields of politics, Its object is to obtain the control of State and national administrations, without trusting to the equivocal sanctions of popular favor. Itis in the nature of an in- vention to secure a President end executive offices by a short cut, evading all the land- marks of the constitution, and practically set- ting aside the principlee upon which the gov- ernment was formed. It is a scheme by which political control can be secured to the few, by the apparent legal sanction of the maay. Under it the Nucro Woxsuirrers may, by a sys- tem of adroit management, though held io a contempt as sovereign as the popular mind it- self, may secure the possession of the Presi- deney. In fact, it was devised to give rogues the ascendency in the States and in the nation, snd practically to cheat the people of the country out of their political rights. It would be folly to pretend that this sys- tem has worked in all parts of the country alike. Ithad its origin in the brain of some sherp political inventor, and has been adopted ag it happened to meet the views and policy of ambitious men. Gen. Jackson was promoted under its nominal auspices; but, in reality, it was not made applicable at all to him, except as a means of procuring its sauc- tion, and to build it up-for the uses of the New York politicians who were to follow him. The caucus system had grown into a monstrous evil, and had been generally denounced. The people determined to place General Jackson into the Presidential chair. Mr. Van Buren saw this, and, with his usual sagacity, organ- ized the present plan of conventions, avowing everywhere a purpose to place the Old Heroin nomination. By this cunning movement he was able to procure for his scheme popular en- dorsement. The end of Generel Jackson’s ad- ministration was the point at which he really commenced operating the entire machinery for purely selfish and party ends. That which had spoken the vehement voice of the nation in be- half of a glorious old patriot, was now made to whisper cabalistic watchwords in every town, county and State of the Union, and to seal the political doom of many an honest man. Has the public grown fretfal and discour- aged at the sacrifice of great and the promo- tion of smallmen? Let it turn its eyes to the history of party conventions for thelast twenty years, and find it all explained. Mr. Van Bu- ren rose to the Presidency, and that act of po- litical prostitution on the part of the nation was enough itself to pave the way for adozen Presidents, whose aims reached no higher than to be able to farm out the executive offices to those who had been the most faithfal engineers in the service of party. Did it require talents, high, patriotic, disinterested purposes on the part of aspirants? Did it exact experience and eminent services, unimpeachable integrity and virtue? Was it necessary to be more than a good manager, to have attained the moral distinction of “honor amongst thieves” to generate in the bosoms of our public men strong convictions of Presidential fitness? We had fifty good politicians to one man of talents, experience and public virtue. By the convention system, it was the fifty that ruled and the one that was sacrificed. The moral of the device was this, that great and good men could not be trusted; and on the plan of operations adopted, it was strictly so. There was a broad and impassable gulf between the two classes, and the elevation of the one was the signal for the decline of the other. Hence we may read the public mystery that Clinton, Clay, Calhoun, Wright, Webster, Cass, Bu- chanan and many others have given way to Van Buren, Harrison, Taylor, and even to Mr. Pierce. Where else shall we go to solve this comedy of errors, this apparently chronic injustice of our people, but to the conventions and their fruits of folly everywhere ripening in our political fields? The Presidency of the nation bas grown into a place—reduced to an oflice—bounded by what it can be made tocon- fer upon its incumbent and the entrenched camp of spoilsmen and placemen by which it is eurrounded. The first lesson to be learned in this order is to find an available, instrumental and subser- vient candidate—the less known the surer con- trolled and palmed off on the people as their wisest representative. The policy is to select one with the fewest friends and the narrowest experience; for this gives the rising politicians a new deal of the cards, and enables them to steer clear of popular shoals and quicksands. It was thus that Van Buren, Harrisva, Taylor, and that whited sepulchre of de- mocratic hopes, Mr. Pierce, were present- ed to the people as candidates for the first office of the republic. They were the crev tions of the convention system —manulactur -d Presidents. As citizens and officers perf orn ing duties in the proper place, they were cay. ble, if not able servants; but as the executive bead of the nation, surrounded Wy statesmen of the highest attainments, they did Little m- than impeach the wisdom of the popular miu of the country and prove the fallacy of popu- lar government. Those, however, who have been able to see the elaborate machinery by which they were presented to the electors, ieav- ing the latter the alternative of rebellion against party or submission to its usurpativns, will credit the federal system with uncommon | virtues in being able to withstaad such an as sault upon its principles. It is only an ex- creecence upon the boty politic, which a little exercise will restore to its wonted health, It is indeed remarkable, after witnessing the utter abortion of the last labors of party in the election of Mr. Pierce, the selection of his Cabinet by geographical lines, the falsifica- tion of his promises, the contemptible failure of his administration, to say nothing of his character as @ man and his position as a magis- trate, that another national convention is tole- rated by the people. Is it a means of securing unity of action? At what price and for what ends? May not the States be trusted to desig- nate their favorite candidates? May not the people speak except throngh the organs of party’ If they require information concern- ing our public men, have we not a press which utters its daily instalments of biography? —which enables every public man to speak for himself? Do the conventions go amongst | statesmen for their candidates? Do they select individuals pre-eminent for learning, patriot- ism and fidelity to the public service? Do they discourage and repress demagogueiam? Do they encourage and endorse high qualifica- tions and long and faithful devotion to the constitution and the Union? If such be the practical effect of the convention system, it is an adjunct of the people—an element of repre- sentative government—and its fruits ought bow to be scattered broadcast over the coun- try. But instead of this, we witness the de- noralization of American politics—the conver- sicn of the Executive Department into an office for the distribution of the loaves and fishes— “the spoils of the. vanquished.” This hateful maxim bas grown into a law, which isenforced with all the rigor of tyranny and all the heart- jeseness of war. Did the fathers of the repab- lic contemplate a victorious anda vanquished people in the results of our peaceful elections? Did they lay its foundations in the popular wind, expecting that passions and not opinions would determine the questions for the decision of which they provided? Were minorities to be disfranchisea? No, These are the inzova- tions and the morals of conventions, of poli- ticians, State and national, and they are the direst curse which afflicts our government and people at the present moment. Tue New York, Newrounpianp axp Lonpoy TrrEcRaAPH Compantes—THE CABLES YOR THE Guiry or Sr. Lawrence aNp THE ATLANTIC Oceax.-The failure which attended the jJaying of the submarine cable last year across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from New- fyundiand to Cape Breton, has not, we are glad to learn, deterred the company from the prosecution of their enterprise, and arrange- ments have already been made to secure its successtul accomplishment during the ap- proaching summer. That failure, it may be remembered, was caused by the elements, the steamer employed in laying the cable havin > been overtaken by a storm when about four- teen miles distant from the Island ot St. Paul’s, near Cape Breton. Over torty miles of it had been paid out, when the captain of the bark Sarah L. Bryant ordered it to be cut, as the oaly meaus of saving the vessel, which was in immi- nent danger of being wrecked. In the cable fo.merly used, there were three conducting wires, each about as thick as a knitting needle, and a flaw in any of these was sufficient to stop the electric current from one end to the other. Tn view of this, it was determined to manutac- ture a cable with only one conductor, which sbould consist of some of the small sized copper wires twisted together, and a flaw or break in apy one of which would not interfere with the progress of the electric current. This cable is lees than half the thickness of the three wire cable, and weighs only two tons to the mile, while the weight of that lost was five tons, It has also the additional and important advan- tage of being more pliable, and can, therefore, be laid with less difticulyy. The New York and Newfoundland Telegraph Com- pany have entered into « contract with the English manufactures, Messrs. W. Kuper & Co. London, according to which the cable is to be laid by the manufacturers them- selves, under the direction of their engineer, Mr. Canning, and given into the possession of the company in perfect working order some time next June. : In the meantime, extensive preparations are being made for the leying of the transatlantic cable, which is to be completed and in opera- tion in the year 18. This is also to have but one conductor, made in the way we have de- scribed, and will weigh about three-quarters of aton to the mile. In the process of laying it across the ocean from St. Johns, Newfoundlan’, to the nearest point on the southern coast ot Jreland-~a distance of sixteen hundred and forty-seven miles—two steamers will be em- ployed. The cable itself will be two thousand four hundred miles long, the surplus being re- sered to make up for the inequalities in the bed of the ocean, and the drifting caused by the currents and winds, though it is hardly proba- ble that one-half of this surplus will be needed. Each steamer will have twelve hundred miles of this cable on board, weighing nine hun- dred tons and after joining the ends of the coils and dropping them in the ocean, mid- way between the two points of land which itis intended to connect, will start for their separate places of destination. While this operation is going on a constant communic tion can be kept up between the two vessels, through the cables, while it is landed on the oppositeshores of Europe and America. Thus the whole work can be accomplished in one half the time that would be required for one steamer to lay it from coast to coast, and starting either from St. Johns or Ireland. Allowing for interruptions by the weather or in repair- ing any damage that might happen to the cable during the process of paying it out, it is estimated that not more than ten days at the utmost will be required for the who! work. We also learn that by recent improve ments in the telegraph instruments, it hasbeen conclusively demonstrated that an electric current can be transmitted through a cable ex tending from Ireland to Newfoundland. These are certainly wonderful improvements on the former plan, and would seem to guarantee its success beyond the possibility of a doubt. News rrom tHe Jovrnan or Cowmercn— Purverse Love or The Wrrern Peorse vor tue New Yors Mrrain—We have often no- ticed that no New York journal except the Urnavp is often seen out of this State. For this opinion, which, unsupported, might seom egotistic, we have the subjoined excellent en- dorsement, in a letter from Chicago to the Journal of Commerce:— When I came to this place a few months ain "i surprised to find that your journal du not find rine the news depots. I inquired the reason, and found that your steady conservatism was not palatable to the vitiat, ed tases of the various racieal isms of our city. Your mental cookery is not bighty spicet enough to suit people accustomed to the Lot conuimenta ot tao Henan and the peppery productions 0: Gyeoley, Such is the cve of the marvellous among people that uniess ihe colurns of @ newspaper ore charged with euch facts a: are found in the veritable history of Baron Manchausea it contains nothing suitable tor their reading, For such people the HxraLp is always inquired for first. So you can casily sce that in our maryellous city the Caledonian scamp’s paper gets more circulation. The readers of our rather slow Wall street cotemporary must have been ¢lightly aston- ished to find that there was such a place as Chicago in the world, and more surprised to find the /ouvnl recognising its existence for the first time. It has been our pleasure, as well as our duty, to point out the example of | this young giant of the West, and to tell the story of its greatness and its wonderful progress. The correspondent of the Jowr- of Commerce never could have found out anything about Chicago from that nal paper, and must have been induced to go! there by the correspondence of the Herat We have no doubt that it will be equally new to the people of Chicago to learn that there ie a daily sheet printed in Wall street, professing to be a newspaper, and called the Journal of Commerce. It ia chiefly devoted to circulating yearly advertisements for old fogy merchants who commenced business before the independ- ent press was established, and who get very little light in their dusky counting rooms. We are much indebted to the Journal of Commerce for ita endorsement of our very large circulation in Chicago, and as a return for its courtesy we give it this first rate notice, gratis:— Citizens of Chicago—When you want a cheap and certain opiate, geta copy of the New York Journal of Commerce. It has been used for that purpose during the last thirty years by a few hundred merchants, and was never known to be inoperative. If it fails to mesmerize the most wide awake of you in five minutes, the money will be returned! The Ferrics—The Ice in the Harbor. It is not generally known that the new and costly Atlantic Docks at Brooklyn, which have just been erected in order to obviate the interruption caused to trade by the severity of our winters, have been rendered almost use- less this winter by the ice. Vast masses of ice, moved by the prevailing westerly winds, have been jammed against them for weeks together, so that no ship could approach them or load @ barrel or sack of the grain with which they are crammed, and which, for all useful purposes, might as well have been lodged at Buffalo or Chicago. The question now is, how are we to correct the mistake that has been made ? No data have been made public whereby an estimate can be tormed of the amount of in- jury inflicted on the trade and shipping of this port by the ice during the past two months. It is large, very large—not alone in actual loss from injuries to vessels, but in delay and waste of time. Can no means be devised to prevent this in future ? We took o2casion the other day to draw at- tention to the useful purpose which night ferry boats would serve by keeping the water in con- stant motion, preventing the formation of ice, and breaking up the large cakes as they float down from the North river. Men of experience are satisfied thatif the communication between the city and its trans-fluvian subarbs were as active during the night as during the day, the ice would seldom give any trouble. It would be broken up as it floated down, and would be carried off easily by the first ebb. It is only because it is allowed to jam and solidi- fy during the stillness of the night, that the navigation of the rivers is impeded. Now it may be asking too much that all the ferry boats should ply at night. Butif each ferry would keep a boat constantly running from nightfall to morning, on cold nights, a great deal might be done. The expense of one boat during the night ought not to exceed $35 to $40, and the enormous profits of the ferries would easily enable them to afford this. When attention was directed to this subject during the severe winter of 1851-’52, we pub lished letters from George W. Blunt and Ro- bert L. Stevens, suggesting the formation of an ice bridge in the North river, opposite Ho- boken, as a means of keeping the bay clear. We republish those letters this morning. The plan they suggest is very simple. The ice which chokes up the bay comes from the North river. If it can be kept there, the bay will be clear. It can be kept there by anchoring boats diagonally across, with floats between, so as to stop the ice as it descends, and torm i into a solidicebridge. The plan, aseverybody can see, is quite feasible. It was notattempted in 1852, because the Erie Railroad Company re- quired to keep the Hudson open in order to get to their terminus at Picrmont. Now, the Erie Company are building a new track, which will come out into the bay through Bergen Neck. The objection, therefore, which was fatal to Mr. Stevens’ scheme in 1852, no longer ap- plies ; and it is seemingly well worthy of a trial, The small expense of an experiment should go for aothing, when the end sought is £0 great. In connection with this subject we publish two letters eleewhere on the ferries, one of which gives a complete, and we have reason to believe a correct, history of the Staten Island Ferry Company. The writer, however, was evidently not aware that the Comptroller's patience has at length been exhausted, and that, after waiting ten months for the present company, or their mythical representative, Mr. Smith, to sign the lease, he has at last ad- vertised it for sale on the 3d of April next. There is reason to believe that, for the first time since this ferry was established, the lease will be drawn in euch @ manner as to cnsure to the public good boats, regular trips till late at night, and ferry houses for Christians and not for pigs; and, whether the present com- pany, in spirit of contrition, should resolve | to amend, eell off their unseaworthy boats, build new ones, and be bound by the new lease, or the ferry should pass into other hands, ¥ seems probable that the public interce p will be safe. The sale will be made, it is to be hoped, to a fiesh-and-blood purchaser, with real securities, Last year, there was a foolish talk about the landings on the other side being eecured by the present company >» as to defy competition. This time, it may be presumed, some gentleman learned in the law will take the trouble to convince parties in- terested that the common lawof this landdoc not permit any individual or corporation to monopolize ground required for the public weal; and that » man or a corporation may be forced to eell space for @ ferry landing place just as easily as ground for a street. ee No Daxovn.—Some of the Massachusetts papers, that ought to know better, are in great tribulation over what they call a plot to force an election of United States Senator in the place of Charles Sumner, whose term expires March 4, 1857, upon the present Legislature. The prominent candidates are said to be Gov; Gardner, A. B, Ely and Jonathan Pierce—the latter an old native and a respectable pump and blockmaker. Neither of these persons could be elected by the present Legislature, as they each represent separate Know Nothing fac- tions; and, as a majority of both branches in joint ballot is required, they would eat each other up. So the respectable Duily Advertiser, which hopes to get in a straight whig, and the Niccen Worsmrrixc Alas, which languishes for Sumner’s re-election, may make their minds perfectly easy. There’s no danger. ig Brooklyn City News. SUNDAY TRAVEL ON THE Crry RAtLROADS —The committee of the Brocklyn Common Council to whota the subject was refesred, reported agninst the running of railroad care cn Sunday, at their last meetiog on Monday evening. ‘The report wus adopter, #0 there the matter rests for the emt. PEE LATEST BAW BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, The New Hampshire Election. PROBABLE TRIUMPH OF THE DEMOCRACY—THE PRE- BSIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OPENED. Conconp, March 11, 1656. ‘We have returns from various parts of the State of the elections held here to-day. The fullowing is the vote in the principal towns:— Concord. Metcalf, (American) 1,148; Wells, (dem.) 876; Goodwin, (whig) 62. American gain of 25 from last year. Dover,—Metealf, 794; Wells, 646; Goodwin, 67. cratic gain, 179. ‘Somersworth.—Metcalf, 432; Wells, 266; Goodwin, 63. American gain, 120, Eraer.—Metealf, 404; Wells, 207; Goodwin, 35, Exe. ter is the residenceof Mr. Wells. American gain, 60. Portsmouth.—Mercalf, 683; Wells, 763; Goodwin, 51. Democratic gain, 279. Nashua.—Me'cal!, Demoe: atic gain, 274. Other tewns received slow—some of them American gains, and some democratic; but thore are an yet no auch decided gains as to indicate a recovery of ine State by the democrats. So far the elestion of fifty opposition and fourteen democratic representatives has been asseriained, Mr. Goodwin, the whig candidate, is elected to the Le- gislature from Portsmouth, which also elects four demo- crats and three opposition. Conocrd elects nine opposition representatives, and one demceratic; Dover, four opporition and one demosra ; Somersworth, tcur opposition; Nashua, nine opposition and one demoerat; Exeter, three opposition. - Jn the First district the democratic candidate for Sena- tor is probably elected, Conoorp, March 11—10P. M. ‘We have returns from keventy-one towns, nearly every cne of which gives large net gaics for Wells, the demo- cratic candidate, making a total of about four thousand. These towns present the following surmary:— Rockingham county, 19 towns, 97 gain ; Strafford, 5 towns, 260; Belunap, 6 towns, 191; Merrimac, 15 towns, 580; Hillsvoro, 4 towns, 935; Cheshire, 1 town, 70; Sub livan, 3 towne, 232; Grafton, 15 towns, 515; Covs, 5 tcwns, 40—whole number of towns, 71; gain, 3,909, One hundred and twenty representatives have besa heard from, giving a gain of 49 to the democrats. ‘The Honce of Representati ves con:ains about 310 mem- ders, and stood last year—democrats, 80; opposition, 230. ‘The character of the Legislature cannot be predicted with certainty. Demo. 814; Wells, €23; Goodwin, 181, Interesting from Washington. GEN. PIERCE AND MR. EVERETT—THE KANSAS FREE STATE LEGISLATURE—DESPATCHES FROM ENGLAND —IMPORTANT CAUCUS OF THE NIGGER WORSHIP- PERS—PROGRAMME OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAM- PAIGN, ETO., LTC. Wastuxcrox, March 11, 1856. The President went to Baltimore this afternoon to hear Mr. Evereit’s address. Mr. Everett will arrive here to- morrow, as the guest cf his son-in-law, Lieutenant H. A. Wise, U. 8. N. An anti-Nebraska caucus was held at the Capitol to- night. Eighty-five Corgresemen were present. All the frze States were represented. Senator Foot was the chair. man, and Mr. Cumback, of Indiana, secretary. Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, was first called out. He spoke earnestly for @ union of all in the North in favor of freedom. He plecged Massachusetts to support un anti- Nebraska candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Colfax, of Indiana, advocated making the great question of freedom in the Territories an issue in the Pro- sidential campa'gn, in opporition to slavery aggression. Mr. Banks expressed similar views, and said there was no doubt but that the people of Massachusetts would carry out the question to a successful issue, Messrs, Collamer and Seward made eloquent and earn- est speeches, insisting that the paramount overshadow- ing issue of the day is treedom or slavery, and on this an appeal to the country must be made. Mr. Seward declared he did not care what name the party bore—he would support the candidate who repre- sented the great principle of freedom. He was frequently interrupted by applause. This was the first speech, he said, he had made in the House of Representatives. Mensra. Cragin of New Hampshire, Benson of Maize, Howard of Michigan, Billinghurst of Wisconsin, Morril and Sabin of Vermont, and Grarger of New York, seve ra'ly spoke for their respective S:ates in a vein similar to vheir predecessors. Mr. Todd, of Pennsylvania, while preferring to remain uncommitted as to the Presidency, declared himself strongly as an anti-Nebrarka-Kansas man. The call of the States was not concluded when the cau- cus adjourned, to meet again next Tuesday. Tunderstand that the Africa brought important des- patches to Mr. Crampton, and that they will be commu- nicated to the State Department in a few days, when their import will be known. It appears that our Minister has bad some pretty nbarp correspondence with Lord Clarendon and Lord Palmerston, in reference to the mis- statements contained in their speeches, These misstate- ments have annoyed Mr. Buchanan considerably—so much so that he has informed our government of the facts. The free State legislature, which was sworn in a Topeka, Kansas, on the 4th iast., will elect two United States Sexators, and adjourn to avoid a collision with the Territorial government. ‘The Senate went into executive session to-day, whe. Mr. Clayton read ® very lengthy speech on Captain Du- pont’s case. The Senate removed the injunction of se- crery, and the speech will be published. Tion, Mark Trafton, of Massachusetts, has submitted ta effect a motion, iu the Committee on the District ot Col- umbia, to allow negroes in this District the right to vote. ‘The Hon. A. H. H. Stuart intends coming out to make good bis statement that Mr. Wise, in his late campaign, said Mr. Fillmcre's administration was Washington-like, Mr. Dunn’s proposition to-day, to send three member’ to Kansas to take testimony in the contested seat case will receive a good many yotes, as travelling at Uncie Sam’s expense is popular among the members. Rhode Island American State Convention, Provinence, Mareh 11, 1856, The American State Conyention of Rhode Island met to-day, and nominated the present incumbents for gene- ral officers, as follows:—For Governor, Wm. W. Hoppin: Lieutenant Governor, Anderson C. Rose; Secretary of State, John R. Bartlett; Attorney General, Charles Hart; Treasurer, Samuel A. Parker. Strong resolutions were adopted condemning the repeal of the Missouri compromise and the general course of the administration tor Bostox, March 11, 1856. Fillmore and Donelson Club No. 1 was organized last evening, by a number of Americans assembled in Ameri- can Hall. Mr. J.G. Sanderson was chosen Prestdent, with twelve Vice Presidents, representing each ward in the city. Mr. Everett in Baltimore. Bartivore, Mareh 11, 1956, Mr. Everett had an immense audience to-night, and his eration on the character of Washington was received with the greatest enthusiasm. President Pierce was pre- vent, Movements of the Gulf Squadron, &<. Bavumonrr, March 11, 1856, New Orleans papers of Tuerday and Wednesday last, ecetved here, state that the government ships Potomac, Cyane, Saratoga, and the storeship Fulton, were at }en- sacola, The Saratoga had been ashore on the Bahamas. he will have to be docked, Destructive Fire and Loss of Life. WastiNctoy, Mareh 11, 1856, Two new four story brick dwellings on Twenty first street, between I and F, in this city, were destroyed by fire this morning. John Anderson, of Western Hose Company, was killed by the falling walls. Several other firemon were slightly injured, Mr, Anderson leaves » wife ond five children. The buildings were owned by Mrs, Taggert, formerly of New York, whos Joss is not lets than $15,000—ipsurance unknown, Steam Boiler Explosion and Loss of Life, Purapenema, March 11, 1856. The steam turning establiehment of Mr. Beck, on Mas- ter street, was demolished this morning, by the explosion of the boiler, Ten men were in the establishment, three of whom were killed, viz,:—Mr. Nckart and son, aod one other, name unknown. The acting ergineor was in the cellar, and escaped with but slight injury. None of the other workmen were hurt, Sentence of Messrs, Cobuen ahd Dalton, Bost roh 11, 1856, Mesera. Coburn and Daiton were y sentenced for the assault on Josiah Porter to pay a fine of twenty five dollars ench, Dalton bax applied for 4 diyoree trom Lis wile, benate. Wasumnoton, March 11, 1856. THE NAVAL RETIRING BOARD. Mr. Bust, (nat.) of Tenn., by direction of the Naval Committee, reported an order that the Committee be empowered to send for persons and papers, to enable them to investigate matters relative to the memorials of officers complaining of the action of the Naval Retiring Board in their cases. Mr. Srvuart (dem.), of Mich., said it seemed to him. He disses sexotee how tha Ganateal ik pape not perceive how wer “ Jead to Deneficial resu'ts. ip Lip ‘Mr. Buti replied that every individual who feels that his character hes euffered under unjust {esputations, s08 who demands investigation, has a right to it, ‘The subjeot was then laid aside. FROMOTING THE EFYICIENCY OF THE ARMY. propriate $00,000,000 for altering nbd tnanufaeturing a 000 for al man pull Armes, and ‘provid’ g the non ‘cone’ and garrisons gu ccoutren en's, munitions of war, &ec. Mr. Brown (dem.). of Mise., spoke, supporting the views of the government, relative to \yton-Bul- wer treaty, He did not cerire to assist in exc! a war spirit. The trea'y was eurceptible of but one _ pretation. Englana’s construction of it is » palpable vio- Jat of common rense ; and if such condact was re- sorted to by » private irdividual, in his deal with hig: neighbors, it would he very apt to communicate the im- reseion, to al) impartial witnesses, that fraud was in- nded. He cordemped the conduct of Great Britain in the enlistment case. He was cpposed to submitting our difficul'ies with Ergland to arbitration, for the reason that a great repub is like curs could scarcely expect jus- tice wilh # crowned head as umpire. ‘Adjourned. House of Representatives, Wasitncton, March 21, 1856. DR, KANE'S FORTHCOMING WORK, ETO. On motion of Mr. Tyson, of Pa., the Library Committeo: wan instructed to inquire into the character of the work about to be issued by Dr. Kane, on the Polar regions, with» the view of ordering copies for members, a Twenty thousand copies of the reports ef the majority and minority of the Committee on Elections in the con- tested Kansas seat, wore ordered to be printed. IMPROVEMENT OF THE OHIO RIVER. Mr. Dux (nigger worshipoer), of Ind., introduced Dill eneblirg Virginis, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiena and Imola to improve the navigation of the Okio river, granting Jands in aid thereof, Referred to a select committee of seven. KANEAS AFFAIRS, Mr, Wasnmcrn (nigger worshipper), of Me., gave notice that he wouid erdeavor to bing the House to @ yote on Thursday next, on the resolution of the Committee on- Elections, asking power .o send for persons and papers im the Karras case, The Hcuse then resumed the consideration of that. subject. Mr. Srerrens (national), cf Ga., argued sgainst the er atked for by ‘he commit'ee, saying that the House. ad no right to icquire into Gov. Reeder’s allegation, that the members of the Kanvas Leguslature, whied passed the. law under which Mr. Whitfield was elected, were il ly chosen. To mquire into the election and return of the members of the Sta’e or Territorial Legislature would be a usurpation, and set a dargerous example. The matter presented is to be deciced by the House, hke the decision. ofa judge, stripped of all bias and prejudice. Mr. STEPHENS ‘aid the objact cf Mr. Reeder was revolu- tiorary—Sherp’s rifl-s avd sinews of war having been: prepared to rerist the Iegally constituted power of this government. He trostea the good sense of the peopie will return and peace prevail, and that his eyes shall never sest on a tretior upon American soil, Mr, Dunn argued that there should be a full investiga- tion ; not to ascertain who shall occupy the seat as dele- gate, but that the whole iruth relative to Kansas affairs mey be thoroughly and relisntly understood. He ob- jected to rending for persons and Papers, but was in favor of adopting the less exoensive and equally benefi- cial mode of sending commissioners thither to take testi mony. The examination sbould be so conducted as to exert a moral infiueace on the public mind. Mr. Wricnt, (dem.) ot Tenn, contended that if tbo power to send for persons and papers was granted, wit- aeeeee ipl dea crement te prove all the acts of the ‘ansas Le; ire, inc uding land and even marriage contracts, void. He denied that this could be done rs single branch of Congress. He earnestly attacked views in the report of the majority of the Committee on Elections, and regarded Governor Reeder’s course as Tevovuticnary and traitorous. Mr. Dusn’ propored @ resolution, which was declared out of order, that the Speaker appoint fhree members of’ e House to proceed to Kansas, with full powers, to in- vestigate into all the trouples in that Territory and alleged frauds. Adjourned, NEW YORK LE SISLATURE. Senate. March 11, 1636; By Mr. Srxvcern—For an appropriation to the Society’ for the Relief of the Destitute Children of Seamen. REPORTS FAVORABLY, By Mr. BraprorD—A bill to alter the time jor the elec- tion and reports of school trustees. By the same—To change the mode of distributing: echool moneys. By Mr. SvKNCER—A bill to amend the act incorporating: ‘the trustees of the Epiecopal Fand in New York. BULIS INTRODUCED, FTC. By Mr. SrexcrR—To amend the laws relative to the support of illegitimate children in New York city, by al- lowing one singie justice to hear and decide bastardy cases. By Mr. Noxox—Authorizirg Commissioners of the Lard Office, who fell or release lands sold or granted for canal yurposes, to retell or reconvey the same as soon ag the Janal Board declares the same abandoned. Mr. SrEvcrr moved the recommittal of the report au- eee consolidation of the Northern Railroads. opted. * Tbe Albany and Susquehanna Railroad bill was order- ed to a third reading. ‘The bill relative to savings banks and other institu ‘tions for savings was taken up. Mr. KELLy offered an amendment requiring the trustees to inves: all sums received by them beyond an available fund, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, or fifteen per cent of the total amount of the profits, which» tund they may keep for current payments. Pending the discussion the Senate adjourned. Assembly. Anayy, Mareh 11, 1856, To-day is general order day in the House, The bill granting lend in Oswego to the Oswego and Binghamton Railroad, is under discussion. The bill providing for the cale of certain lands in Oewe- go was ordered to # third reading. The bili to amerd the revised statutes relative to weights and measures was billed by discharging the- geet of the Whole from ‘the further consideration ere0! ‘The biil to appropriate the avails of the State tax for ‘the support of echools was ordered to a third reading. ~ Canadian Affairs. DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY. Toroxto, March 11, 1856. The Ministry sustained a defeat last night by a vote of 48 to 44, on a motion for an inquiry into Judge Duvai’s- charge on St. Sylvester's murder trial. RAILROAD TRAVELLING SUSPENDED. Mowrexat, March 11, 1856. The railroads in this vicinity are still blocked up by snow. Fire at Syracuse. Syracuse, Mareh 11, 1866. ‘The Tremont block, on Warren street, near the Central Ratiroad depot, in this city, was injured by fire last night to the extent of about $2,000, The building is owned by Samuel Larned, whose insurance policy ee yeater- éay. The fire broke out in the dry goods store gecupied by J. Bendetson, and commuuicated to the Micining store, oceupied by Messrs. Adler, Thayer & Co., dry goods dealers. Mr. Bendetson’s loss is estimated ‘at $0,000: Messrs, Adier,; Thayer & Co., $15,000. The Tremont boarding house, in the upper part of the building, kept by James Durnford, was insured to the extent of about $00. ‘The occupants were all insured. Boston Weekly Bank Statement. Bostox, March 11, 1856. The following table shows the footing of our bank state- ment for the week ending March 10, as compared with the week previour March 3, March 10, $51,960,000 $31,960,000 51,891,000 51,969, 71 3,895,008 3,640,800 7,788,000 8,231,500 ‘Amount due vo other banks 912,000 5,912,800 « Deposite. ‘ 14,670,800 15,043,600 Cireulati 3000/00 7,349,000 Marine Manaters. Norvouk, March 11, 1866. ‘The schooner Tliza, from Rio, with’ coffee, sploes and logweod, bound to New York, put in here with loss of main and foretopmast sails, rigging, &c. The schoonsr Alabama, from Baltimore for the West Indios, has been oriven ashore in the bay by the ice, and is a total los Part of the cazgo has been saved. The cargo was insured for $16,000 in the Great Western Company, of New York. ‘The versel was insured for $0,000 im Philadelphia, Bank Suspension at the West, d&e. : __Liicaco, March 11, 1856. Tre Commercial Bank of Chicago closed their door: this morning. The thermemeter stands at zevo this morning. We have reecived no New York mail later than March 3. The Southern Steamers. ARNIVAL OF THE AUGUSTA AT SAVANNAH, ins eae ; SAVANNAH, March 11, 1866, he sicam*hip Augusta arrived here, after a passage of sixty hours, irom New York, with all’on board welle ARRIVAL OF THE JAS. ADOER AT CHARLESTON. CuaRuestoy, March 11, 1866. The steemebip James Adger arrived here from New York, at 12 o'clock last Monday night, Markets, PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. Privapecemia, March 11, 1866. Stocks are dull, quotations as follows : ~Pennsylvania Fivon, 8:34 : Rerding Ratircad, 46%% ; Loug latand, 18% 3: Morph saps iy, Muwerg hye