The New York Herald Newspaper, March 22, 1856, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, AMUSEMENTS THIS BVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Tusovn rue Tartan —Gatamact oF run 24nces. . RIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway—Scuooumssten—Teursi- ouonr M. Deceaourac. BURTON'S THEATRE, Ohambers street—Taxinc Tax Ouancis—fust Biassep Basy—Fortun, WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Riva.s ~BoaRpine BoROOL AURA KEENWS VARINTIES, Brosdway—Camniz— BROADWAY VARIETIES, 472 Breadway—Busce Even uean—PEAFECTION—BY THE JUVENILE COMEDLANS. WOOD'S MINSTRELS. 444 Brosdway—2raiorun Pan- veausxcrs—Ropaxe Macaine. ic axrIRE No. 596 Broad’ Te ps HALL, % \way—Tovr ow Evnore 4ND Wew Verk, Saturday, March 22, 1856. Netice to the Pubiic. Advertisers are requested to condense their business Motiees into as few words as possible. Space is valuable, md our columns are crowded. Kconomy in words is eonemy in mone: News. In the State Senate yesterday a bill amendatory et the charter of this city was intreduced by Mr. Petty. In the Assembly reports for and against the Broadway Railroad bill were presented by the com- mittee. The majority report is signed by Messrs. Wiltse, Northrop and J. B. Clark, and the minorty report by Messrs. Hoyle and B. Smith. Neither of the documents were read. The subject of prison eontracts is exciting some attention, and it is pro- posed to appoint a committee of three to examine, under oath, the Prison Inspectors in regard to these matters. Mr. Miles, of New York, moved the ap- pointment of a joint committee, consisting of three Assemblymen and two Senators, to investigate the administration of the financial affairs of this city ; to ascertain its indebtedness, means of payment, present income, and the system of keeping the ac- counts of the city government. The committee, also, to have leave to sit during the recess, and power to send for persons and papers. This isa capital move, and we trust that Mr. Miles will fol- low it up successfully. Mayor Wood has caused a survey to be taken of all the passenger and ferry steam vessels running from the city, in order to ascertain accurately the means provided on board each for the preservation of life in case of accident. The result of this ex- amination is embodied in a report, which we pub- Kish elsewhere. We call especial attention to the statement alluded to, as it is of great importance to tens of thousands of our citizens, whose lives are daily put in jeopardy by the negligence or parsi- mony of the owners of boats plying on our rivers. The Board of Councilmen last evening took up the subject of the Broadway Railroad, and concur- red by a vote of 32 to 19 in the resolution passed some time since by the Board of Aldermen rescind- ing the grant to Jacob Sharp and others for a rail- road in that street. Commodore David Conner. of the United States Navy, died at his residence in Philadelphia on Thursday morning, after a brief illness. His last hours were solace’ by the presence of most of the members of his family. Commodore Conner was a high- iminded, brave, skilful and chivalric officer, and was esteemed by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. He distinguished himself on various ©ccasions during the last war with Great Britain, and in the recent struggle with Mexico he rendered efficient service to his country as commander-in- chief of the home squadron. He participated in the organization and execution of the grand descent—as it is termed in military parlance—of the American army of nine thousand men at Vera Cruz, a mancuvre the brilliant success of which elicited the applause of accomplished soldiers throughout the sivilized world, and which was not eclipsed, save in point of numbers, even by the more recent display of the allied forces at Eupatoria. Only a few days gone by Senator Bigler presented Commodore Conner’s petition to Congress, remonstrating against the action of th val Retiring Board. But repa- ration for the injury done will come too late, at least in his case. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has decided that Mr. Bashford, the nigger worshippefs’ gubernato- rial candidate, at the recent election in that Stat { received about one thousand more vows than his @emocratic opponent, Mr. Barstow. The last named gentleman has, therefore, pending further action upon the matter, resigned the Governorship. The Ohio Know Nothing State Council, on Thurs- day last, repudiated the nominations of Fillmore and Donelson, and approved the action of the se- ceders from the Philadelphia Convention. By way of New Orleans we have Havana dates to the 16th instant. There is no political or commer- eial news. The English fleet still remained in port, and we hear nothing of the reported descent upon Nicaragua. The Potomac and Cyane were at Havana. Onur correspondent at St. Thomas, (Danish West Indies,) writing on the 4th inst., praises very mach the performance of the steamship Tennessee, now trading from this port to that island. There was no local news. The British mail steamer had arrived from Demerara, and reported that the negroes of Guiana, instigated by Orr, known as the “ Angel Gabriel,” had commenced to slaughter all the Por- tuguese coolies. Gov. Woodhouse had seat Orr to jail, but the military under his command were unable to cope with the maddened negroes, and his Excellency had despatched couriers to the Wind- ward Islands for the aid of troops to quell the insur- rection caused by fanatic appeals to brutal instincts. From Porto Cabello we learn, under date of the 9th ingt., that trade was quite active, the coffee supply large, and the country very quiet. Coffee commanded high prices. Superior (washed) was at 15 cents per lb. The Legislature had authorized the President to negotiate with New Granada and Equadg for the re-establishment of Colombia. We ®arn from the Livingston Republican that Elisha B. Sackett, who was arrested upon a charge of forgery seme weeks since, in this city, and who was subsequently taken to Geneseo for trial, and against whom there are four indictments, three for forgery and one for obtaining a signature to a note under false pretences, has been admitted to bail in the sum of $2,000, Geo. B. Ripley, of the firm of Ripley & Judson, of New York, being his security. The letter of our correspondent at Utah, published elsewhere, contains some interesting particulars of the progress and prospects of Mormondom and ma- trimony in that region. Application will soon be made to Congress for the admission of the Territory into the Uniom as a sovereign State. The steamship Quaker City, from Liverpool 5th inst., arrived at this port yesterday morning. She brings no news, the Persia having anticipated her advices. The Evropean advices by the steamship Persia, which arrived here at about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, were received by the Associated Press in New Orleans, via the direct Seaboard Telegraph line, at the commencement of business on that day, so that the intelligence wae acted upon simultaneously in this city and New Orleans. The sales of cotton yesterday reached about 2,500 a 3,000 bales, based upon middling uplands and Florida, at 10jc. a 10{c.; Mobile do., at 10jc., and New Orleans and Texas, at 10jc.a10jc. A con- siderable portion of the sales were made in transit Flour was more active, and prices firmer, with a good demand for home use and the British Pro- vinces. White, Southern and Canadian wheat sold at #1 90. Corn was heayy; mixed and white brought 65, a 67c.; white prime Southern yellow NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1856. was & 69c.a70c. Pork wes steady, with sales of meas at $15 874, and prime at $14 75. Coffee was firm, with modentte sales. Sugers were in fair de mand. Ameng ¢he sales were 1,500 boxes brown Hevama, to go out of the marfect to Philadelphia, at Tjc., time. Freights were steady, with moderate engegements. Yo Liverposl cotton was taken at 5-16d., and graim at 74d., in bags. Some engage- ments of cotton, &c., were made for Antwerp and Hamborg, at rates stated in another column. To Havre rates were without change. Why the Cincinnat! Convention Ought to Neminate General Plerce as its Candidate for President. We begin to feel, as the Presidential elec- tion approaches, a little enxious about the position we are to occupy in the confidence of the democracy, and particularly concerning the fortunes of General Pierce, who now stands at the head of the unterrified. Conscious of our advocacy of the purest ideas of the true faith—vigilant sentinels and tireless assailants of every species of fanaticism—like Paul b2- fore Agrippa, answering for ourselves, and like that ancient prophet, giving “divers ex- hortations” against Niccer Worsuir, and en, joining upon all the Niccer Worsurprers of the North and East and West, that they should adopt that glorious old Apostle’s morals and address their brethren of the South—‘ Without thy mind we would do nothing, that thy bene- fit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly,” we teel it to be due to ourselves, to General Pierce and the whole happy family of the democracy, that our position should be defined. For reasons to be given, we are in favor of the renomination by the Cincinnati Conven- tion of Franklin Pierce as the candidate of the party for President of the United States. It is not material to inquire into the antecedents of General Pierce—besides, it is anti-republi- can and unconstitutional to do so. We have nothing to do with the past in this country, our concerns are with the future. What a man has been is nothing—ten to one he is like gold mines, none the more valuable for working. The past and present are pregnant with some. thing better to come, and we regard General Pierce as constituting no exception to the rule. Besides he has tried hard to please everybody, and if he has failed, it is because the great public is a mulish, baulky old wheel borse, which can’t be satistied. His election, all concede, was a great triumph. He was the star in the East to the political worshippers of the whole country, and his name was everywhere heralded asa special dispensation looking to the asceadancy of pa- triotism in the councils of the nation, and to the utter proscription of fanaticism of which the people were tatigued and disgusted. It is true he was not very well known; but the fol- ly of such characteristics and prerequisites in a candidate was abundantly exhibited in the very act and speech of the inauguration. The heart of the whole nation was fairly electrified and leaped with joy on that occasion. Thou- ands and tens of thousands of good conserva- tive whigs capitulated at once, and avowed a purpcse to take up and ever after bear the democratic cross under the leadership of Franklin Pierce, while the joy of democracy knew no bounds. In truth, there was but one dark, hazy cloud in all the heavens—the fu- sion was so cemplete and so bold of utterance that many a hardworking democrat actually feared that the crowd of aspirants for offices was hopelessly enlarged. Perhaps General Pierce himself noticed this feature—perhaps not. Be this as 1t may, he soon dispersed near- ly all his friends, and hastened to dispose of his patronage, as it occurs to us, in the most disinterested manner to the enemies of the constitution. It is indeed the most commendable teature in his whole administration that, elected by the democratic party, he was able to rise above all mere partisan feelings and predilections, and distribute the hateful “loaves and fis in about equal parts amongst all the fact! ~»s into which the country was divided. If th + was any virtue in his patronage had he no! a right and wasit not his duty co to distribute it as to bind the chief men of the country to his policy? Ifthe Van Burens had wandered away from the true fold on questions of office and under the influence of disappointments, was it not his duty, after the parable of the prodigal son, to call them back, put rings on their fingers and feast them at the White House? Certainly it was; and those whe im- peach him for so doing sacrifice right to party obligations. We detest party and all its ma- chinery, and we uphold Gen. Pierce in so far as he has shown a superior faith to the morals of his position, over its obligations, It was his duty to unite the country in the support of the federal constitution; and, if in the pursuit of this patriotic object, he could avail himeclf of the public offices to buy up the wayward and the selfish, it was his duty to make that use of them. Itis an impeachment of tle faithful to suppose that they would complain of such a distribution of the means oi doing good, which were thus placed in his hands. For these reasons we are decidedly in favor of Gen. Pierce’s nomination at Cincinnati. The very act of organizing his Cabinet, and the tenacity with which he has adhered to its members and they to him, is another +°com- mendation which cannot be joverlooked. The democracy was sadly divided as is shown in the defeat of Gen. Cass in 1848. It had seve- ral distinct heads, which is enough to prove that it had more than one tail. It had three distinct platforms—an extreme South, an ex- treme North, snd an intense central imtermix- ture, and all theee fused in the nomin>tioa and election of Gen. Pierce. No work of modern art and invention is equal to that exquisite mosaic which delved and dovetailed these in- gredients or materials into a perfect adminis- trative council. We are at a loss which most to admire, the skill of the mechanic or the harmony and suc- cess of the machine. Those who ascribe the unity of the Cabinet to a selfish and mercenary desire for place, or to the not less reprehensi- ble spirit of ambition, do little credit to their own sagacity, or to the character of the emi- nent citizens Gen. Pierce has thought it his duty to bring to his support in the executive departments. But, after all, something more than a Cabinet was necessary to secure the triumph of the ad- ministration. The great family ot the demo- cracy, as we have seen, was sadly divided and broken into ugly fragments, indicating the terrible storm they had encountered. There was the Wilmot proviso, hateful to the South and cherished by the North—there was slavery, a terrible rock right in the way of democratic navigation. There was the wreck of the old whig party, which had floundered and gone to Pieces, partly for want of a navigator and partly by reason of the mutiny of the crew. Now, in this trying condition of things, Frank- lin Pierce had just astonished the world by an inaugural eddress as brilliant, and patriotic, and electrical as anything since days of Patrick Henry. The very reception of that address by the people imposed upon its canon- ized author an obligation to please everybody, and he tried faithfully to execute hismission. Did he not call in the free soilers, the aboli- tionists avd Niccer Worsmrrers, and was there any other process, empept the cpmpensa- tion system, by which they could be/attached to the Union and the demoowatic patty? Did he not fairly place his confidence anf his con- science in their keeping, in order to show them the sincerity of his purpose to do justice to all? Did he not, in the pursuit.of this cymmenda- ble policy, even turn his back om his best ‘riends, “Not loving Cwsar less, at Rome more’? Did he not exhibit the perfettion and honesty of his policy, after having taken in the Northern abolitionists and Nic¢er Wor- sHIPrEeRS, by turning to the South and em- bracing the cause of elavery with persistent faith and energy? Is he entitled tano credit for theee deeds which look alone tothe unity ot the government and the paralysij of all its foes? When seven or eight States of the South had determined to hold conventions onthe glori- ous 8th of January to fix upon delegates to Cincinnati, and Congress was stil! inflamed by angry discussions upon the slavery question, did he nog send in his annual message, in anti- cipation of an organization, ard therein fear- leesly and patrioticly uphold the entire South, and discourse against every species of politi- cal fanaticism? And are such acts of devotion to the Unionto go unrewarded? He turned his back evenupon the mos faithful men ia the North to advance the cause of his country, and drew to his confidence a large class sus- pected of treachery to the constitution it- if, and then when the hour came to test his fideli- ty and that of his new associates, did he not fearlessly maintain the rights of the South even amidst the discoursgements of intestine difficulties in the democratic party, and under the severer visitations of personal obloquy heaped upon him by hie former friends? For these reasons, and many more we could mention, we are decidedly in favor of his no- mination by the Cincirnati Convention, Ifhe is rejected, and a Northern man— say Buchanan or Douglas—taken up in his place, it will be folly to endorse his sdministration, If he is rejected, it will be 3 sad encouragement to those who hereafter shall try to compromise difficulties, re-unite friends and patch up old rents in the party. If serviag all sides is not serving the country, pray how are we consti- tuted and under what law can we hope to live? We rest our hopes on the Cincinnati Con- vention. cheapening the articles which feed factories. These are ends which are sought by the great majority of the American people; and there- fore, in the main, Senator James is entitled to their thanks. To come to matters of detail, there is a criti- cism which may be made on this tariff bill. The title of the bill runs, “A bill to prevent frauds on the revenue, &c;’’ yet the four class system with the “just, true, and correct invoice” and the ad valorem plan of duty, is retained. Four classes are too many, Senator James: two might suffice; three, certainly. It seems tobe the settled opinion of persons in this country and in England that spirituous liquors ought to pay a far heavier rate of duty than anything else; probably because every one uses them, and they are so easy to adulterate. The consequence of this pleasant sentiment in the two countries is that it is next to impossi- ble to get a good glaesof liquor in either; that thousands of men are prematurely killed, and their families reduced to ruin and want and vice, by the general consumption of cheap poi- sons called brandy or rum or whiskey. Certainly the revenue would not be irrepara- bly injured if we could import good French brandy at a price which would exclude from the market the poisonous compounds now sold here for brandy; nor would the public morals be irretrievably ruined if wholesome liquors of this kind were generally placed on the mar- ket—as Governor Clark is by this time ready to testify. However, this is a trifle. If Mr. Gutbrie do not contrive this year to carry through his tariff, we shall be glad to tee Senator James try bis; the former is likely to be the beet, but both are better than the present one. Tue Parisian Press ON AMERICAN APraIRS & Mr. Speaker Banks Nor a Brack May.—Au editorial of a late number of Za Patrie, (one of the most noted and intelligent of the news- papers of Paris, on American affairs,) em- braces the following dainty explanation:— Le New York HERALD, en parlant de 1 ¢lection de M. Banke, le nouveau Président ¢e la Chambre des Repré- setans, Vappelait un noir et sjoutait que comme tel tl avait cu contre lui les votes de tous les représentans du Sud, M, Banks ne possédait jusqu’a présent aucnne es- piece de notoriété politique hors de son pays natal, aus-{ avons-nous pris expression du New YoRK HERALD a Ja lettre et nove avona cru qu’elle indiquait Ia nuance de ia peau delhonorable Président de la Chambre des Repré. rentans, Un citoyen des Brats Unis, qui se trouve enc? monenta Psris, nous é que Vexpreasion doit étre pris an figuré, ét s’aplique, non au visege, mais aux 0} nions du nouveau Speaker; M. Banks n’est qu’un négs: phile parfaitement blanc de couleur. The English of this is, that the Herat, in speaking of the election of Mr. Banks, the new Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, had put him down a “black republi- cap,” and that his election having been resisted by the members of the South, and that Banks being rather an obscure individual, es pecially in Paris, our Parisian cotemporary had applied the term “black” in its literal sense, including what Governor Wise, of Vir- ginia, would call “the pure African color, odor, ebo-shin, gizzard-foot, and all.’ The Paris editor is pleased to correct this mistake, how- ever, having been informed by a citizen of the United States in the French capital that the term “black,” as applied to Mr. Banks, did not refer to his skin, but to the complexion of hit political opinions, “Mr. Banks n’est qu'un né grophile, parfaitement blane de couleur’? That will do, The Independence Belge having made the same blunder in reference to Governor Chaze, ot Ohio, we trust that it will vouchsafe, in his behalf, the same explanation. How profound, minute and specific the knowledge of our transatlantic cotemporaries of Awerican affairs! Tne Lonpoy Times on GEN. GADSDEN AND “ Manirest Destiny.’—A Mexican corres pondent of the London Times (in a letter to which the Times editor cslls particular atten- tion) eays:— The state of the country is becomirg really desperate, and it is evident now that, unless scme wholly unlocked for circumstance should arise, these wealthy regions nus! soon fall a prey to the ambition of their neighvois. The Mexicans are totally unable to cope with external in more especially in the constant state of disturb- ance in which they live from their interminable dissen- vions, which are naturally fostered smd ercouriged by the Americans,—Zbe active part taken by the American Minister in the last revolution was so notorious that it attracted universal notice, and on hig part General Gade- cen seemed go little anxious to dissemb'e his coanection with the revolutionary party, that he gave the remainder of the corps diplomatique ample opportunities to jadge for therrelver. Now, our idea here in New York is, th: t General Gadeden was rather partial to San @ Anna and his government than otherwise, and we believe that, quietly between them- selves, our Minister and the Dictator were put- ting the finishing touches to another Gadsden treaty, when a quarrel with Bonilla, the Mex- ican Minister of Relations, blocked the gem } Yet we do not believe that Gen. Gudsden deserted his old friend Santa Anna, (who h.s always been @ special favorite of Marcy.) until it was evident that the Dictator’s cause was hopeless. Then it may be that our Mini § ter dropped him, and actively sympathiz2a with Aivarez and Comonfort—not, however, with the view to annexation, a Texas, bu} under the belief that as the new incoming government would be hard pressed for caeh, there would be a fine opening for another Gadsden treaty, in having the good opinion of Alvarez and Comonfort to begin with. In short, the policy of Gen. Gadeden, and of the adminis'ration he represents, is not the policy of the utter demoralization of Mexico, through the encouragement of its domestic broils, to be followed by its annexation in the lump; but the purchase of the country piece- meal, at the rate, say, of an instalment of from thirty to fifty thousand square miles every three years, till the republic shall have been ab«ort~ ed. To this end it is our opinion that if Gen. Comonfort ghould establish his authority and internal quiet for two months, Gen. Gaasden will be atter him with the temptation of ten, fifteen or twenty millions, in gold coin, for an- other strip of those wild lands along the north- ern border of the republic. Our last purchase was a bad bargain, (a regular swindle on the part of Santa Anna,) and the administratiou and Gen. Gadeden are resolved to indemnify public opinion if they can, in another experi- ment, with the very firet opportunity. We hope that the London 7imes and the Pal- merston Cabinet will be eatisfied with this ex- planation, and that John Bull will not forget to observe a proper respect for the Monroe doctrine of European non-intervention in the domestic affairs of our republican neighbors. Mexico is not tor him. Free State Kansas Movements —Missrona murs To New York.—-Several free State mir sionaries from Kansas have recently arrived in this city. Gen. Schuyler, formerly of this State, is among them, as stout, rugged and bearded as any “border ruffian.” The object of these visiters is to organize an independent New York Kansas emigration movement, an‘ with this view they will have a public meet ing in the Tabernacle on Tuesday evenins next. We understand that Gen. Schuyler says there are fifty odd thousand squatters already in Kansas, and that the other forty thousand required by Judge Douglas will be there be fore August. Southern rights men, do ye bear that? Now is the time for the battle of squat- ter sovereignty. ThE SRARCH FOR THE PACIFIC—LONG PassaGEs OF OTHE Vessuis,—The return of the propeller Arctic, Captain Hartstein, to San¢y Hook, from her first cruise in sesreh cf the missing steamer Pacific, and her report of her wat of succers, has, fa many minds, resolved their gloomy forebodings into certainty. The Pacific is out from Li- ‘verpool fifty-nine days to-day, and yet we find from 60 to 100 days not unusually long paseages, at this season 0 the year, for our best packets. Amorgst the arrivals at this port published in Thura- day’s and Friday’s Henawy, ship Cornelius Grinnell, 60 anys from London; bark Corfolanus, 74 days from Dre- men; brig Von Schack, 100 days from Newcastle; brig Frances, 40 days from St. Domingo; ship Macauley, 92 days from Marseilles; ship Harvest arrived at the Capes of Virginia, in 90 days from Liverpool; brig Erle, 60 days trom Aux Cayes, for Boston, was spoken on the 17th inst., short of provisions; had lost nearly al! her crew, and in- tended putting into Liverpool, N. 8. From there facte, it will be seen that ou the hypothesis generally thought most probable—that the detention ot the Pacific has been caused by the fields of ice off Cape Ract—thegp ought to be no grounds for real alarm, cer- tainly ned@ for despair, should she not te heard from for two or tlitee weeks to come. The propeller Arctic loft New York, in search, cn the lith of February, and steered East-Southeast, and mat with a gale on the 12th, It commenced about half past two o'clock in the afternoon, the wina blowing North Northwest; it blew severely for about torty-eight ho s-s~ and left the vessel with eight feet of water in the « ld, by reason of the bunkers not beirg secured at the dock when leaving. Somermxo New.—A toupe of artists, from the Cirque Olympique, Theatre National, have arrived here. They came Jast from New Orleans, where they perform:i at the Gaiety and the Theatre d’New Orleans. They give what are called poses plastiques, or tableaux {Ilustrating history and fiction. They are under the management of M, Louis Keller, who has testimonials from all the Euro- pean courts. We hear that the company will shortly appear at the Brosdway theatre, Personal Intelligence, A Paria correspendent of the Courrier des Etals Unis announces that M’lle Rachel is shortly to be married. ‘The lucky individual is M. Delahante, formerly Receiver General (tax collector) of the Department of the Rhone. M. Delahaute is rather old, but has a fortune of three mil¥ons franca ($600,000). Rachel has nearly as much; 10 rhe will be able to live comfortably without going on the stoge again. Rumor says he in afraid of Ristori. Delabante is one of Rachel’s old admirers. Emile Girardin, editor of the Paris Presse, is going to be married to Miss Sheppard, daughter of « rich English widow. The belle Sheppard used to flirt with the Empe- ror before his marrisge with Eugenie, Girardin’s firsts wife (who was much more brilliant than he,) died only « short time ago. He has two millions of franos, and is about forty. Miss Sheppard is about 26, and very pretty. ARRIVALS. 2 Raphael, V Raphael, MraJ M Branch, J Harris, Oarrigan, J peoahes, @ Armstrong, G Nopple, Dr W Kidder, Mra Jane Tux New Tarrrr.—Senator James, cf Rhode Island, who was a manufactarer und produced articles competing with the pro- ducts of foreign industry, has laid before the Senate a project for a new tariff, based on the free trade principle. Mr. James pian may be briefly stated thus: All commo- dities to be divided into four classes: the first, consisting solely of spirituous liquors to pay 80 per cent (instead of 160 as at present) ; the second, a large and comprehensive class, com. prising almost everything in which American industry comes into competition with that of foreign countries, to pay 30 per cent (instead of 60, 50, 40, 30 and 25 per cent); the third, comprising raw materials, and the old free list, to be free ; the fourth, including all articles not enumerated, to pay 20 per cent ad valorem. So far asthe principle of this bill is con- cerned it will stand criticism. It would tend toa large extent—though still not so exten- sively as Mr. James secms to suppose—to re- duce the revenue from the custome duties, and to impart an impetus to manufacturing by] SRD LASESTE WUWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, rom Washington, NTERVIEW OF COMMODORE VANDERBILT WITH THE PRESIDENT—KANSAS AFFAIRS, ETC. Wasninaton, March 21, 1856. Commodore Vanderbilt, soompanied by General Webb, oalled on President Pierce to-day, and had a lenghthy in- terview about his Nicaraguan difficulties, but failed to ob- tain any sympathy. The President saw no grounds for national interference. Mr. Morganis charged with creat- ing the trouble. ‘The capture of the ‘carpenters tools”’ in Missonri, has created quite an excitement in official circles here. Presi- dent Pierce announces freely his determination to execute the lawr, and condemns the want of energy in Governor Shannon. The Kansas investigating committee is not yet deter. mined upon. Mr. Banks will announce it on Monday. ‘The Secretary of War bas by actual experiment proved the entire success ot artesian wells on the plaias of the Mesiils Valley. One well seven hundred fest deep, sup" plies an abundance ot good water. Mr. Dobbin continues to improve in heslth. First Lieutenant W. A. Nimmo, Fourth artillery, died at Robertson, Tenn., on 12th inst., of pulmonary oon- sumption. ‘The Ohio American State Connell. Crxcrysati, March 21, 1853. The American State Council in sessicn at Columbus last night, after a stormy debate, adopted a report re pudiating the rominations of Fillmore and Donelson and endorsing the action of those celegates who seceded from the Philadelphia Convention. Resignation of Governo® Barstuw, of Wis consin. Mrwavnr, March 21, 1856. Mr. Barstow sent ® mesrage to the Assembly this morning, resigning the office of Governor. Pending the solution of # constitutional question which has been reised as to the remainder of the term, the Lieutenant- Governor is acting as Governor of the State. In the Supreme Court. to-day, it was proven that Mr. Bashford had about 1,000 votes over Mr. Barstow at the recent election for Governor. From Philadelphia, THE RECENT OATASTROPHE— SHIP JAMES RAY—THE ‘WEATHER. PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 1856, The body of another victim of the steam ferry boat dis aster was recovered this forenoon, and no doubt many more of the burned and drowned bythat dreadful calami- ty will continue to be found for several days hence; and many othery will be recovered but never recognised, The ship James Ray, from Philadelphia for Liverpool, which put into Savannah in distress, after being at sea 50 dsys, is new on the railway at the latter port repair. ing. and will be ready to receive her cargo abont the Ist prcximo. Her cargo consisted of flour and wheat, which 8 teen sold at auction. The flour brought only $4 50 a $4 76 and the wheat $1 5144. The weather is very fine. e snow has nearly disa) peared frcm our streets, and the ice in the Delaware is Tapidly dissolving. News from Havana. New Or.eans, March 20, 1856, ‘The steamship Black Warrior, from Havana, 16th inst., has arrived at this port. The United States frigate Potomac and the sloop-of- war Cyane were in the harbor of Havans, as well as several English men-of-war. News from Texas. Barrmore, March 21, 1856. New Orleans papers of Friday and Saturday of last week are received, They contain Texas dates to the 13\h inst. Indian depredations continued, and a party had org:nized to follow them into Mexico and inflict punish- ment. The ship J. W. Fannin, from New York, and the bark San Jacinto, from Boston, arrived at Galveston on the 10th inst., and the bark Buchanan, from New York, and the brig Vesta, from Boston, armved on the 12th. Great tears were entertained in New Orleans of an over- flow of the Mistissippi river. Death of Commonore Conner. PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 1856. Commodore David Conner died here yesterday. e Ohio River. WareunG, March 21, 1856. ‘Two thousond tons of freight were shipped from here by s'eambosts to-day. The river is still closed above bere, but below there is good stage water. Markets. PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. Pamapeuraia, Mar Stocks are steady; quotations as follo’ i pis 6's, 88%; Reading Railroad. 463; Long Teland, 1 Morris Canal, 143{; Pennsylvania Railroad, 457%. suf PHILADELPHIA IRON MARKET. PuILADELPHTA, March 21, 1856, Tren—Sales during the ¥eek, 2,700 tone. The demind steady at $28 for No. 1: $26 for No, 2, and $24. $26 for No. 8. Bars and rails, active at full prices. CHARLESTON, March 20, 1858. Cotten lasguid. fSules for the week, 16,000 bales. Lower qualities bave declined 1c. a %e. Receipts for the week. 13,000 bales. Stock in port, 69,000, New Orreays, March 20, 1856. Cotton steady. at unchanged pricea. The Perea’ news was received by the aseociated press, at 11 o’eiock this morning, over the Washington and New Orieans lire, since which no business has been done. tations for Rio coffee are 1c. ; molasses, 363¢¢. ; lard, 9c.; mixed corr, 480. NEw OnrEgans, March 20, 1856, Cotton is selling to-day at 9c. a 9'4c. for middiing Arrival of the Quaker City. ‘The United States mail steamsnip Quaker City, R. W. Shufeldt commander, arrived here yesterday morning, at 7 ocleek. Bhe left Liverpool at midnight on the 5th inst, ant brings Liverpool and London papers of that day; but the news has been anticipated by the arrival ot the Versi». The Quaker City arrived at Liverpool at 4 o’clock on the morning of the 24 inst., and experienced very heavy weather on the voyage. On the homeward passage she had a succession of heavy northwest gales from longitude 30 to 60—weathor cold, with squalls of snow and hail. ‘Tae New Frevcn Live or OCEAN STRAMERS—TuE STEAM smp Bancioxk —This atternoon, at two o’clock, the plo neer of the Franco-American lise, the screw steamship Bareelone, leaves this port, on her return to Havre, with a number of passengers and as much freight as she can carry, Bon wyage. ‘The Barcelone is commanded by Capt. Morin, is a now vessel, hull built of iron, in seven water tight compart- ments, and {s a beautiful specimen of naval architectura She rets very prettily on the water, is bark rigged, an? carries canvass enough to make her equai in speed to many a Failing veesel. She is about 260 feet in length, 36 wide, 30 feet depth of hold, and is something ovec 1,700 tons burthen. Her engines are ot 350 horse power, and she can steam nine knots an hour. The dining roow is onthe upper or main deck, and has the advantage of fresh air and plenty of light, an item which travellers know how to appreciate. A double staircase leads from the dining room to the cabin, off from which are the state roome, well lighted and airy, placed in double rows on each side of the ship, with two berths in each, and ai] fitted up in a very neat style. The ladies’ parlor is atthe stern, and isin shapes half circle, off trom which 15 a bath room, with warm and cold and shower baths—s luxury with which the gentlemen’s cabin is also furnisaed. The second cabin is about fifteen feet square, and on three sides are double rows of berths, with every conve- nier ce for the aecommodation of second class passengers. The steward’s department 1s said to be taken care of in amenner to please the tastes of all, We hope this Franco-American line of Havre steamers will receive that encouragement which the enterprise merits; and with four fine vessels, ai! equal to the Barse- lone, and all commanded by such gentlemaaly officers as she ir, we feel assured it cannot fail to meet with » generous support on both sides of the Atlantic. ‘The Barcelone is to be followed by the Alma, which was to have left Havre on the 20th inst. It will be seen that the rates cf passage in this line is $100 for the firat and $35 for the secona cabin, wine included. Toe Orens.—There will be « dross rehearsal of Arditt’s new opera at the Academy thisevening. ‘The fashionabie world is all agog tor it, and there is a great rush for seats for the first night—Monday night. Obituary. Col. Groncr Roorrs died « few days since sear Boyd ton, Va, He served in the war of 1812 as an ensigu, was for years a trustees of Randolph Macvn College, and representative in the Virginia Legislature. He had as- tained the age of 71 years, Tne Peacn Tres.—The Worcester Spy says, in & limited exeminavion of the flowering buds of the penn tries, we find about one-half ot the bode destroyed. Tai. will leave a sufficlent number for @ ful) crop, wil a fayer- able reason, The Sew York Shipyards. BUSINESS PROSPECTS—PREPARATIONS FOR LAUNCH+ ING THE COLLINS STEAMSHIP ADRIATIC. There is comperatively a small busines dotug in the various sbipyards alcng the East river. Many ot the builders say that work is not so good as it was at this time last spring. They do, however, expect that there will be hetier times for ship carpenters during the en- suing ‘ummer end fall. Abraham C. Bell, at the foot of Stanton street, has just finished framing a bark for parties in Havre, France,, She is to be 14¢ feet in length on deck, 28 feet beam, 18 feet deep, and 600 ‘cna burihen. She is intended for the. California and Fast India trade ‘rom Havre, and her cost when completed for sea, is estimated at $45,000. This ix the cnly versel which Mr. Be!l iv ecnstructing. Mersrs. Rosevelt, Joyce & Oo., in the yard adjoining Mr. Bell’s, bave two vessels on the stocks, One is a bark, already framed, for Gordon & Talbot, of this city, designed for the China trace. She is 144 fee long, 32 feet G inches breadth of beam, 18 feet 6 inches depth of hold, and 6COtons burthen. Sbe will be lauuched about the middle of Mey next. Her cost when finished will be about $44,000. Thece builders bave also commenced putting wp the frame for a schooner for Dixon & Beale, of this city. Sho is designed for carrying stoue from the East to Washing- ton, D.C., and will be built in the strongest manner, and will have a top made of live oak and locust. Her die mensions will be—126 fect long on deck, 31 feet 6 inches breadth of beam, 9 teet 6 inches deep, and 360 tons bur- then. She wil! be ready for launching in May next. Her cost is estimated at $24,000. There is nothing doing in the Westervalt shipyard, at the foot of Houston street. Mr. William H. Webb, at the foot of Fifth strest, will launch in ebout three weeks a pretty little clipper side- wheel steamer, built ‘or the government of New Granada, for widich Mr. B Blanco, of thi city, is agent. She is 127 feet long, 22 feet beam, 8 feet deep, and 300 tons burthen. She wilt have a beam engiue, ard. her machinery is caat— ing at the Fuitun Iron Works of Pease & Murphy. [ne cost of tiis vessel is estimated at $30,000. Mr. Bell has in process of framiug's packet ship for W. T, Frost, of South street, to be placed fo the line vetweem New Ycrk ard Liverpool. She iv 240 feet lorg, 46 feet. beam, 30 feet deep, and 3,000 tons burthen. Sne qill be a superior versel. Capt. Page, formerly of.the ship Wesh- ington, will be asrigred the ccmmacd of this ship. She will probably be lasnched about the first of August next. Her cost wili be about $150,000, Ancther very hands: me little steamer, named Cabs, built for Pelayo, Pardo & o,, of Havana, will be ‘aunch- ed trom Mr. Webb’e yard in about two weeks. She is 200 feet long, 31 feet besm, 13 feet deep and 1,000 tons bar- then. She wii] be furnished with a beam engine and other machinery by Pease & Murphy. She is torun from Havana to differect places on the coast of Cubs. Oa the bow of the steamer is @ bust cf an Indian, and on the stern the coat of arms of Cuba. The cos’ ot this vesnek, when ready for sea, is estimated at $110,000. Mr. Webo expects +o lauuch, on or about the 20th of April next, the freighti: g ship Intrepid, built for Backiin & Crane of this city, ana intended for the san Francisco and China trade. The dimensions of this vessel are as follows:—Leng h on ceck, 180 feel; breadth of beam, 37 feet; depth of hold, 23 fect; and 1,200 tons burthen. ‘She will be placed in command of Captain Gardiner, of the clipper +hip Ccmet. This gentleman is now superintend- ing her cons‘ruction, Tne cost of the Intrepid will be about $75.000, ‘The work on tbe new Collins steamship Adriatic, now on the stocks im the yard of the Messrs. Steers, at the foot of Seventh street. is progressing rapidly. During” the inclement weather a shed was erected upon the upper deck, and the mechanics protected from the cod, rain and snow. In this mavzer a large number of men have work- ed without interrap ion in the interlor of the mammoth steamer. On the cabim deck the joiners and others are putting up the berths. Upon the outside of the vessel the plavking is in course of re-caulkiug up to the water line. This is said to be something unusual, and that the steamer may never require the work to be done agein. Men are also getting the ways in readiness, and the build~ ers expect to have the steamer ready for lsunchiog on the 5th of April next. : Board of Councilmen.. The Board held an extra meeting last night, and gave the city the benefit ot one night’s legislation tree, gratia —that is to ray, it being the ninth meeting this month, the law would not allow them to take pay for their Is bors, and so they sat without pay. The first business of importance (and that wasn’t of any importanse) was the offerirg of a reroiution that when the adjourned it should adjourn, to meet on the first Monday in april. Counciimen wan opposed this resolution—so did Councilman Munu1tr—end it ©as defeated by a mejority of 16. motion iv go into Committee of the Whole om the special order of the everiog—being the repors of the Comunittee on Ciearirg the \streeta—was lost, BROADWAY RAILROAD, Councilman Swan then moved that the committee on the resolution rescin¢ing the grant to Sharpe and others for @ railroad in Broadway te aischarged from the far- her ecn-ideration of the subject, with » view to imme- ‘iate action on it by the Board. He said the au >ject de- manded immediate action—the whole case was as clear as A, B,C, and the Board was as well prepared to vote upon it now as they ever could be. je said the argu- ments of D. D. Field, acdresed to the committee at their meeting on Wednesday last, were preposterous and ab- surd, and it was as'onishing that any man who valued his professional reputation could be foand to advocate the c aim which he cid. Courciimen WaknER, the chairman of the committes, denied that the case was so clear that it needed no far- her argument. He was not sufficiently posted up, aad desired wore hght. Councilman HARNEY offered, #4 an amendment to the motion, that ihe committee be ¢ischarged, and the whole subject be referred to the Committee of the Whole, and that the parties interested in the grant be heard by coun- sel. nefore raid committes, on Monday evening next. Vending the Ciscussion of this amendment, a motion was made to a¢journ, which was iost. The amendment was then put and lost. The original motion of Courciiman Swan was then put and carried—ayes 29, nays 22. Councilman Swan then moved that the Board do now concur with tbe reeolution of the Board of Aldermen re- scinding the grant to Jacob Sharpe and others for a rail- road in Broacway. This motion was put without discussion, and carried — ayes 32, rays 19. Coxsiderable applause followed the un- nouncement of the vote, which, as usual in such cases, was “promptly suppressed” by the President a‘ter it had ceased to be heard. The following is the yote:— Ayes—Merers. Crane, Gray, Phillips. ee Martin, Avery, Keprard, Hemphiil, ‘Roohner, Van tine, 0, O'Reilly, M. Smith, tkanie, Karmond, Fi Swan, Appleby, Merritt, 8 Hopper. Watrous, Miller, 'B, Reil- ‘Maynard, I. a. iy, Byer, Boyes, Taylor, Baxter, Blerling, ‘Nays—Messre, H. Sroith, Clifton, Gavitt, Baulch, Bickford, Barney: Murray, McKinley, Warsier, Barry. Colyer, #ooles Bart, MeOcnnell, Reed, Farran, Pinckney, Dunn, On motion, the Board then went into Committ Whole on the special order of the evening—cieanicg the streets; but soon abandoned that heroulesn task, and tock up the ordinance relative to the sale of uasound meat, which proved a more congenial subject, and drew forth’a lengthy diseussicon. The committee reported im favor of the ordinance, and the Board ordered the seme toa third reading. The orcinanse imposes a penalty of $26 upon all railroads and other conveyances which trarsport to the city of New York any calf (four legged, of course) Weighing less than 100 pounds; and the same penaity upen every butcher who shall ex; for sale any calfas aforesaid which, when dressed, shall weigh less than 60 pounds. The subjecc of cleaning the street was then mace the special order for the first Wednesday in April, atter whicn the Board adjourned to Monday evening, April Election ‘of Astistant Engineers. An election for ten Assistant Engineers «f the Fire De- partment was held on Thursday might, at the respective engine houses, and last night the polls were opened at Stuy vesant Institute to receive and declare the ballots. Wm. H. Wickham, Samuel Burhans, Jr., and John B. Hcffman cfficiated as inspectors. The ball was densely crowded with firemen, ani during the night apd enthusiasm was manifested when the Dames of the favorite candicates were mentioned. The vote was not declared until a late hour this morn- ing, and our reporter was obliged to leave before the final result was known. It was supposed the following named persona were elected :— Henry H. Howard, certain, Noah L, Farnham, John Decker, bas Peter N. Cornwell, supposed. Trane G. Setxas, “ Jotn Baulch, “ John A. Cregier, “« Elisha Kingsland, = Jae, F, Wenman, =“ Masterton, “ There was little or no excitement attending the elsc- tion this year, apart from merely pérsonal consideration, A cead ret, however, was made at all the politicians— Harry Howard and Jobn Bau'ch among othes, who run on the ticket—but it did not affecs the final resul:. Tne anti Carson feeling has nearly died out, and now prevails only amongst a few eompamies out of town. ®. T. Barnum and the Giraffe, ' TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Atnaxy, March 20, 1856, In the report of the continuance of Mr. Barnum’s exe amination, in the HERALD of this morning, he is made to nay:—"'1 sold Dr. Spalding # giraffe worth $5,000 of $6,000, which was dzovned through his carele:sness; he has not paid me for it.” Mr, Barnum cannot resist the babit of talking for effect, even whenon the witness? stand, and without even mermaid to require highly oo lored statemen's. It Dr. Spalding bought the why not ray for what price, instenl of hv oe was worth? And if he nold the giraffeto Dr. 3) ding, What matters it if the apimal wus drowned by the care- leseness ot Dr. Spalding? And as the drowning took place in 1854, and Mr, ernam himself pronounces Dre Spa ding g&ponsible, why not state why the parchas® money not been collected before this? Connset for the creditors would ‘have squeezed out of? Mr. Bar- num, a8 he expresses it, something else that he kuew, if they’ had compelied bim to tell that tnere has beom long pending & suit against him covering this transact in the Supreme Court ot the State of New York, enti ‘palding & Rogers va. P. T. Barnum, in which the damages ore Iai€ at $25,000, which the plaintiff are using avery of fort to bring to trial, aod which would have been ts sided at the present term, except that it has been aworn over by the Cefendent, under the pretence of important testimony im New Orleany; or that other very important fact, whic