The New York Herald Newspaper, March 24, 1856, Page 1

I. TH "WHOLE No. 7147. THE CHIEF OF POLICE. Decision of the Commissioners of Police in the Case of ‘W. Matsell—The Com- plaint against the Onief Dismissed. PPINION OF HON. JAMBS M. SMITH, JB-, RECORDER. On the 18th day of December last, Theodore Stuyve- Sant, Esq., made an affidavit, in which he stated, upon information and belief, that George W. Matsell, the Chief ©f Police, was an alien born, and a subject of the Queen Of Great Britain, and that the said Matsell has not taken any measures to entitle him to citizeusbip. Upon this affidavit, a charge was preferred against Mr. Mateell of mon-citizensbip. The specifications uncer this charge @re in the following language:— ‘That George W. Mateell, the acting Chief of Police of the city of New York, is an alien born. ‘That he is » subject of the Queen of Eng'and, That he bas taken no ave whatever to become a citi- wen of the United States, by means whereof this depo- nent charges that the said George W. Matsell in executing the functions of the Chief cf Police, is ity of conduct unbecoming a Policemsn, and shor therefore be removed from his Position. The answer to the charge and specifications is, “Not guilty.” ‘The case has been tedious, and protracted, from Mumerous causes, to an unusual length, and has been Prosecuted with @ pertinacity and abilicy rarely exoseded in any court. There is a great mass of testimony, to obtain which required considerable industry and indefa- Sigable perseverance, such as is rarely presented in liti- gation, Like all cases of partisan character, it bas en- gendered bitter feelings; been canvassed and diecussed -with great acrimony on both sides; and the Commission- ers are well aware that whatever devision they make in the matter will certainly fail to meet with general ap- proval. their duty, however, isa pain one—they have @nly to look at the evidence, and appiy to evitence the law as they understand it, and based upon that, pro- Rounce their decision. ‘The Commissioners deeming the care one of importance, And it being exceedingly novel in its onaracter, have given to it careful attention, and it is to regretted that > prenet unanimous in all our views upon the questions vol Upon the question as to the birthplase of the respond- ent there is conflict of testimony. Several reputable ‘witnesses testify that the parents of the respondent fre- quently stated that their son George was born in this Gountry. There ia sufficient evidence upon thie poict to justify me in coming to the conclusion, that whatever fact may be upon that point, the respondent had Treason to believe that this ciuntry was the place of his birth. But the question is unimportan:, as the decision rests entirely npon another point. I sha] not, therefore, go dinto an snelyaeea of the testimony of the respondeat’s place. Another question is, has the respondent taken any measures to entitle him’ to the rights of cl'izenship? ‘Upon this peint no evidence ts offered. Tne onty remain- fog aesatens to be considered are, was tne resoondent’s father ever naturalized; and if so, did his naturalization entitle his infant children to the rights of citizenship on their arriving at their majority? oy, the act of Congress ed in 1802, the provisions of which were operative in , an alien, before he could Decome nat , Was required to declare, upon oath or affirmation, before some court having common law Jurisdiction, three years at least before hia admission to ‘Giuzenship, his intention to become a citizen, &. The Grst section of the act of 1802 declares ‘‘that the Court admit such alien (shall be satisfied that he has re- ‘alded within the United States five years, &.”” But tha manterin which the Court shall be satisfied is not pointed out, But the rection excludes the vath of the @pplicant as testimony to prove the residence. Tne se- ‘cond section of the act of 1802 requires, in addition to the declaration, &c., that all aliens who arrive in the United States after the passage of the act (1802) shall, in order to become citizens of the United States, make registry in and obtain certificates from, some court of record, an ‘that such report shall contain the name, birthplace, age, maicn and iance of such alien, together with the country from which they migrated, and tue piace of their fntenced cettlement. It requires the names of children un- . yi, ‘w be reported by their paren‘s or guardians, and the cler! x is required to record the report 10 his office. {The act ot 1816 requires the applicant for citizenship to exhibit to the Court, at the time of his application, a cer- tificate of report and registry required by the act of 1802, and the certificate of the declaration of intention on ap- pplication for citizensbip, by aliens arriving after the 181h ‘Of Juze, 1812, and requires the record to contain them at length, without which the applicant is yot entitled to eitizensbip. This section was not repealed until May, 1898, after the time respondent alleges bis father hi tected his naturalization. The evidence introduced the respondent to ststain this allegution, that his father ha Ener ioe ane CM | oid ie is appears that ‘George Mat repor' ayor’s Court office 24 March, 1819.” The declaration of intention to become a citizen. This declaration wes made in the Marine Court on the 12th dey of May, 1825, e affidavit of Susan Matsell as to residence, &., taken in the Marine Court, on the 15th day of May, 1827. The ceclaration ot George Matsell to »upport the con- stivution, and renunciation of allegiance to Great Br-i- tain, swora to in the Marine Court, on the lith day of May, 1827. The respondent claims that these papers show that the prelimivary stepr for the naturalization of his tather ‘were taken, and claims that the record required by the under the Jaw of 1802, as amended by ‘act of Congress , the law of 1816 and 1834, was made and daly recorded in * vol. § of the naturalizat: u records of the tine Court, on page 174. This record is not produced, but in re'a ion toit the follow: extraordinary facts appeared :—In ‘wol. 3 of naturalization records, upon the which con- ‘telvg the oath of Susan Matrell, and the oath and renun- Ciation of of Georgé Matséli, there is @ re- ference in these words; ‘‘ Recorded vol. 6, naturaliza- tion record, p. 174.” Upon reference to page 174 in vol. 5, ttappears that a leaf has been taken out. The whole book 7 inspec'ion is pefect, except the loss of that leaf. The second on page 173, and aleo the one on page 175, apvear to be % records in compliance with the act of 1802 as amended in 1816 and 1824. In the index éo volume 6 is the name of ‘‘ Mataeff George M., p. 174.” ‘The name Mateeff has evidently been altered from Mat- sell, aod the M is writ'en in paie ink and with a different ‘pen, Over the figures 174 » blot with ink has been made, evidently, from the appearance, by design. That the re- cords have been mutilated and a gross and fearful fraud perpetrated by some person, is too Bie to admit of any doubt. ere 18 no evidence show who perpe- ‘trated this fraud. If the resord was a perfect record, it was the interest of the respondent te preserve it. If an imperfect, one, to destroy it. On the other hand, it is cisimed that the violence and extraordinary conduct of the principal actcr in the prosecution, the upparalieled ‘weal he has disp'ayed, his singular conduct and exhidi- tions, the feeliogs le haa exhibited, the labor, fat ‘end untiring industry he has mani ‘ested in the proseca:ion reasonably yes to him or his agency ia the destruction of the . That without its destruction all hia labor wou'd bave been of no avail. With this state of facts be- Sore us, we bave to decide upon those ruley of evidence which ‘the experience and wisdom of ages have sans- tioned, ae at least the safest guides to lead us out of the Jabyrinth in which the power of some persons has placed us. Wha: are the presumptions under such a state of facte? There has indisputably been the destrac- tion ofa record— a record which is potuted out by a re- Terence in the book containing the last ast requisite to entitle the to the rights of citizenship. The other Fe:ords in it bok being perfect records, would it not ‘be a fer presumption to arrive at, that the clerk had mace tLe prope rd? Were there any obstacles in the way of accomplishing it? Was it an act of suffisient im- portance to require the applicant to be careful in taxing ‘ail the necewary steps to perfect nis citizenship? The Jow required certein acts to be done by the applicant, certain papers to be presented. [sit not the legal pre- sumption that the Court acted in the premises accor ‘to the requirements of the statute? If #0, does not the pre- au toliow that the record wasa perfect record? Or are ‘we called upon to presume that one record out of the ‘qntire volume was the only imperfect record? If the fair jlegw) presamption is in favor of the validity of » public wesord that has besn destroyed without any evideace cornscting the party in whore favor the record was pre- pumed to be with its destruction, we are bound by the ‘well settled rules of eviderce to attribute its destruction to adverse parties. We cannot csrtainly presume @ party ‘wonld destroy his own evidence on matters of great in- imseit. as va nothing different in this case to be per- firmed. The proceedings were familiar to the courts. ‘The statute pointed cut what the record must contain aud the preceding and subsequent records in each ~volyme show that the entries were properiy made, and ia striot compliance with the statute, Ifthere haa’ been a ‘reo.ed, the presump {on of law is, that all the preliminary (prooeedings necessary to lay the foundation of the re- Curd were taken. Tuat the Court would require such roof to authorize their acts ag the statute requiced ehoud be furnished; and the pert attacking tne va- Kaiyy of the reeord would compelled to aebut that legal presumption by mtistactory proof. Such eon in the case not been fu 4 end I am therétore of the oginion th» abstracted recor ‘wes @ valld record, and that it comtsimed the propor evi. Ci the ci ivevrhip cf George Matacll, the fatner of the re: pondent. 2am setivfied up.a the exam.nation of the authorities, ’ the record must be deemed canolusive under the Gy .denes in this case. ‘The caly remaining question, therefore, to be passed wpon ia—Was the respondent en.itled to oftinensbip, by ration of Jaw, hin iather having been nacuralized be- / Ey gen the earn 1816 anc 1828? B ‘The cave cf Murphy va. Rice and others, in ths Phila. dripbia Court of Common Pleas, is im princlple identical wih this case. The tather of the plaintdf in thet case eame to this country 1m 1818, from Ireland, with his pa- rents. At the time bis arrival he was two years of age. In 1825 his father was culy naturalized. The ne. ‘4uralwation was in the Court of Quarter Sessions in the county of Priladelpbia. At the time of the plaintiis fatve’s paturalization the plaintiff was nine years of age, On srriving at bis saaoely tne question arose aa to whether plaintiff was eotitled to vote, he never havi , teken any steps to besome natural the Court deat ded in favor of the plainuff, thereby dealaring his right to dzenship. * ye submitted was the broad question, ‘Are @hildren of parents naturalized under any oxiating law Of the United Siates, who were under twenty-one yoars ,of age at the period of tho parent's naturalization, on- ‘Gieled hemnctres to the privileges of cltizenabip?”” This E W YORK HERALD. MORNING EDITION—MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1856. one of the most disti 18 of our country; the Hon. R. H. Marsal, one ata Sadgus of Pret abiity, and ther appear to me conclusive upon this point. ‘The suggestion upon the argument that the Marine Court hsd co power to paturalize seems to have been abanaored by the comptes’, as the same does no form a point the brief and points Pigs by his counsel. Upon that point I have no doubt the ‘ine Court has full power. ‘Therefore I have come to the conclusion that he com- plainant bas faied to sustain the charge of non-citien- ship, and that the complaint must be and bereby is dis- miesed. OPINION OF HON. E. T. CAPRON, CITY JUDGE. As an individual member of the Board of Police Com- mfasioners, I have arrived at the following conclusions in this case:— 1st. The fact of alienage, if clearly established, is not a subject matter which is within the jurisdic- tion of this Board, and, therefore, the Chief could not be removed in this forum for that cause, even if he ad- mitted the truth cf the allegation. The statute requires that policemen shall be citizens of the United States; but the power to remove them from office on the groun of alienage is not vested in this Board. 2d. Avceptance of the office by the Chief of Police, with knowledge of his alienage, would not be ‘‘conduct un- becoming an officer or policeman,” within the meaning of the rules and tions of this department. This charge, ex vi termini, relates to the preach of some of the rules and regulations adopted for the government of po- licemem, and it must have reference to an act commited efter the accused became an officer in the depa-tment, or to the neglect of some prescribed duty by an officer, Tam strorgly opposed to grants of power in general terms. Such powers are very liable to be used as in- struments cf oppression, and the vietim ia too often left by the grant witbout the means of appeal from an ad verse decision upon the facts. Such is the case before us. The term ‘conduct unbecoming a policeman,” is es general and irdefinite as an idea can be expressed in the English language, and the only methoa by which it can be made definite with proper regard to the rights of the accnsed, is to refer it to some known rule of the cepartment, and specify a breach thereof as the grava- men of the complaint. To violate the known rules of the police department 1s, urquesticpably ‘conduct unbecomirg a policeman,” but the charge implies that the accused was an officer when the violation cccurred, for those rules are obliga- tory only on officers. As the acceptance of office by Chiet therefore, without disclosing his a'ienage, is no: s violation of any prescribed rule, that act, according to the constitu:ion, which in my opinion, a due regard to the rigats of the accused compels me to give vo that gereral charge, is not ‘conduct unbecoming a police- man. Upon the ground assumed in this view of the case, the Chief is entitled to s dismissal of the compmint, whether his alienage is established by the evidence or is not es- tablished. Sd. But it may be said this is avery technical, per- haps, a too narrow ground of decision; taat the interests of all parties demana, and tbat the public in particular have tne right to expect, a aetermination the case upon its general merits. Let us then see how the case stance in that respect. Upon the proof, is the Chief an alien, or a native? Prima facie, ‘be is a native citizun. He is on Aweriosn soil, and fs exercising all the rights aod immunittes of a netive born citizen of the country. Tnose who would re- but this assumption, must establish the fact that the Chief was alien born. He is more than forty years of age, and after that lapse of time the proof which strangers can obtain to establish the place of his birth must, almost ot mecessi- ty, be of that kimd called hearsay. Very rarely can other evidence of that tact be produced by other parnes after so many years have passed away. But what is the evidence in case on that point? [ shali not attempt to recite the whole; being om recordin the office of the Commissioners of Police, it can be examined by those who have the cu:iosity to peruse it. Mrs, Letitia an swears that she isa native of Exglend, and iivi ,, Suffolk county, in the year 1809; that she knew the Matsell family well, in the village of Brandon; that she resided within forty rods of the'r house; and she ames all the children of the family Dut one, George, {fhe Cale, she rays, was about six ears of age when Yo Amorica, the year A811. This witness testifies that ‘‘she saw Geor, ae neee.aty, and that’ nis sister Mary used to nurse him, It musi be remarked that this witness gave her evi- cence intelliges tly, and staied many ciccumstances res- pecting Brandon and the Matsell family which corre- spond with the statements of other witnesses waom sho ever saw, and with whom there is no proo! that she ever had avy previous acquaintance. True, she te- tifies that sbe heard old Mr. Mnisell say in Brandon tbat he haa been to America, and had been to New York; but no reasonable inference can be drawa from this state ment that George might have been born in Awerioa, dur- ing that visit of the father, as itis not proved that the mc ther accompanied her husband. Unless this witness has commit‘ed wilful perjury, her testimony rebuts effectually eb epee of bicth im t iscountry, arising from the fact of residence, ior it cannot be plausibly alleged that she may have testified under mistake; she stated'too many sircumstances tead- & gto show that che tells either the truth. or an inten- ucral felsehocd. What appeared in her manner while on ‘the stand, to cast suspicion upon her motives? Did she not sustain # most searching cross examination, with sin- gular consistency of statement in ali parts ie story? _ Ja Lollateral corrobora‘ion of Mra, Milligan, there are ué Witnesses Mrs. Kervin, Mra, Baker, Henry C. Atwood, Miss Ann Roe, Mrs, Elizabeth Sherlock, Taomas Baker, William Baker and Mr. Samuel Smith. These witnesses testify to either an acquaintance with the Chief during posesge of the Matsell family in the ship Perseus from Spg'iand to America, in the year 1817, the acknowledged time when the family emigrated, or to an acquaiotance and association with him in this country during his boy- hood. Several ot these witnesses state that the time of their acquaintance with the Chiet, and bis _ at thet time, and thore two dates, if the testimony is crediale, render the allegation of his alienage # moral curtainvy it the family emigrated in 1617. K the affidavit of Ann B. Cudlipp is received, it fur- nishes another item of positive proof that the Chief was bors before the family Janded in America. She swears that she was 8 r in the Perceus with the Ma:- sells, and that she poettively remembers George, who was reven or eight years old at that time, 1 omit to dwell upon the proof of declarations made ia former years, by the parents of the Chief, corrobcrative of this Conclusion, and do not find it absolutely necoesary to invoke the aid of the venerable and celebrated ‘‘Bran- éon record.” ing the evidence afforaed by:that record, | will, however, remark that the entry, ‘Bap- tism 1811, George, of George Matéell, and Elizabeth, bis wife, the Chief, as given in their testimony. The rebutting hearsay evitence put in by the Chief to this point, consists of declarations of his family, made within a few years past, and it has fatled to make n im- presefon on ty mind in hts favor. The omission to pro- duze his sisters, residing in the vicinity of this city, ex- citer a strong suspicion that, if produced, they could not awear that their brother was born in thiscountry. They are much older than himself, and may well be supposed to know positively of the place of hia birth, The com- plainant made earnest and repeated efforts to procure the attenaance of those sisters aa witnesses, but was toiled in a manner indicating their hostility at Jeast to that side ot the controversy. Feeling bound to yield to the conclusion forced upon me by a falr and fail consideration of the evidence on the question of birth, 1 must decide that the Chiet was born a eubject of Great Britain. 4. The Chief having been born an alles, was he lawfully naturalized before bis sppointment to office? He does not claim naturalization on his own ‘applicatfon. His position on this question is that his fa- ther became a naturalized citizen of the United States in the year 1827, and that in the parent, the ohildren, mi- nors at that time, of whom he 1s one, were also natural- izec by operation of law. ‘The correctness of this deduc'ion depends on the ques- ticns: Pn Whether the parent was in fact and in law natur- alized. 24. If the parent was legally naturalized, whether such naturalization ioures to the Chiet under the naturaliza- ‘don laws in force im 1827. Upon) the secomd point but little need be here said. ‘The police commission is but an inferior tribunal, and ita determinations affect partion subject to ita jai ic- tion only in the official character, Its decisions are not authority for any other purpose than the regulations of the police, nor any other relation whieh the ao- onsed may sustain te the pubMe, than thst of a police- man. The statute creating the commission prescribes no mode of proceeding, nor does it refer te any rule of law or of evidence by which it xhall be ‘governed. All the Yeles, therefore, of the common law. and the statutes of this Simre, and ¢f the United states, which are in force ip this State, constitute tbe law of this court. Im other words, om the tria) of complaints by this board, the rane tules of law ahd evidengs are consulted and observed shat pertain to other eonrts. Weare not permitted to son- +true the law aosording to our of right, merely ‘yecause the act creating our powers does not prescribe the rule o{ our effisial aetion. Upon these principles, the question whether the minor obild of » ‘t natural. ined after the passage of the act of 1802, thovgh such minor ohild be born eat of the United States, if dwelliog within the Uniied States at the time of the naturalization of the parent, beeomes, by foroe of that statute, a citissn, in so far settled, at Jeant in this State, es t0 conclude this taibural, This question ia expressly adjudicated if the afirma tive by the Laigneeeton pie Mie Went, ote aes, Able ‘lawyers, however, a deny soundaess uhis.op set and insist that the act of 1802 {+ but retros- pectlve in tte operation, affecting only the minor ehiidren of parena who bad been natnralizea at the time of the parenge of that act; but to be consistent, we must bole that the decision is obligatory om us, and thas the Chief wea naturalized throogh his parents in 1827, ¢ the parent was legaly naturalized. To return to our first question, was the father of the Chief duly naturalized? PRICE TWO CENTS. In eaten bod Sie guaation: we seat apaaitec, firet, the alleged tacta; the court of whic. \ that evidence is a record. * Firstly.—Three 1 Duscript volumes are produced, numbered 3,5 and 7, Vol. 3 foontains the proof of cha- racter ot Geor, Mateo, "t verified May 1, 1827, by Susan Mateell, ‘and also the oat. of allegiance made by Ge Matsell on the same day, .%n the margin of ze 199, fo this volume, are endorsed t.\© Words, ‘Recorded, 5 vol. mre Tee anes Teetaag, aod 262 is ol, 7 is the we hei} contained ‘George Mataell’s ‘eration of inten dated May 12, 1825, His report, a4 required by the ‘neuretization lawe, is on ihe 0} Ks page, under date of March 2, 1819, * nan Vol. 6 is the book of formal records ot" naturalization ‘Thin is the bock té which reference ia mac’ in vol. 3, as betore atated. Page 174, mentioned in that note of refe- rence, is gone, and it is evident that the missing leaf has been cut out. This book contains an index reference to alt the zecords embraced within 1!, and among the names is that of George Mateell, distinctly visible, although the last two letters of the mr name, have, by dascending otr.kes been very bun; ly converted into the lvtters “RY? and the letter “M,” as the initial to representsome midole name, has been added. The number of the page 1# 174, put an ink blot has been put upon it, and an at- tempt haa been mace to obliterate the figures by aoa ipk marks over them. The lower parts of the all letters, the capnai M, and the blots on the figures, are evidently made with the same ink, and have tne visible evience of much lesa age,than the original entry. The dates on the pages 178 and 175 in votume 5th, are res- pectively May 15th and 16th, 1827. It will beromember ed that Mateell’s proof of character and oath of oiba: ence were made and filed on the 15th day of May, 1827, and that the reterence contained on the lor wij gh the we in which these proceedings appears refers ia in vol. 5, which is the mi page. From this ar ‘hi irresistivle to ta of tacts the inference py wind that page 174 contained the record of George Ma‘ se)l’s naturahzation, according to the reference to the same page in the index. Matsell could have had no mo- tive which would lead him to destroy that record; but be had the strongest of all possible motives to preserve it entire. His right to hold real estate, his eligibility to office, and hus right of suffrage, depended on the fact of his nuaturalizativn, and of which the record is permanent proof. If the proceedings of Matsell toontain naturaliza- tion bad inyolved eny criminal act, he might have had the mctive to obliterate evidence of his guilt; but in that case he would not have been satisfied with tne mere des- tructicm of the record, for that is only a clerical work. He would with much more propriety, if such had been his object, have destroyea his oath of allegiance, proot of character, or his report. Yet these are the only papers wich remain entire. I think the proot on this subject justifies the conclusion that the record of naturalization existed, and the presumption ot law is, that it contained all the averments necessary to form a perfect record. If the record bad appeared, and had not shown that all the legal prerequisives had’ been taken by the appli- cant, ell the formal judgment of naturallatton would in this case bave been conclusive, and the naturslization would have been held perfect, (7 Cranch 420~13 Wend., 624—4 Peters, 406;) even the oath of na. turalization alone, confers the rights of citizenship, and nv oecer of the Court or formas record is necessary. In such case, all prior proceedings and steps which the law requires to be done in order to perfect the naturalization will be presumed by the Court to have been done and to bave been regular. "(6 Granch, 176; 1 Selcen, 246.) The legal inference 1s that Susan Matsell, who testitied to the character of George Matsell, was a competent witness, That name. therefore, appearing in the record, i not proof that the witness was an alien, nor if she had been, do I believe that the proof would have been on that ground insofficient. Proceedings under the naturalization laws are to be Mberally construed, and every reasovabie inteniment should be wade in their support. (16 Wendall, 625.) Upon the principles contained in the authorities cited, T am clear in ay conviction that George Matsell was legally naturalized, if the Court in which the proceedings were instituted was such a court as 1s contemplated by section 3 of the naturalization act of 1802, or if the na- turalization law be sustained upon any other grounds which the courts invoke to uphold the rights ef parties. Pecos: Ia the present Marine Court, formerly the Mayor’s Court, of this city, a court of record within the meaning of section three of the act of 1802? The signification of the term ‘‘District Court,” used in the first section of the act, is defined ia the amendment embraced in the third secticn, as the act pow stands. The Staie Court, in which proceedings in naturalizations may be instituted, must, as defined in that section, be seme court of record, having w clerk anda seal, and common Jaw jurisdiction; a court from whose judgments writs of errors would i common law, to @ superior commen law court. The term ‘common law. jurisdio- tion’? includes not only the r to entertain common Jaw actions, but to proceed with there actions, according to the course of the common Jaw. If the court have no both reqviettes, it 18 in no proper sense a court hevil common faw jurisdiction. ‘he act of 1902 is satisti with nothing lees. This course required toe court to keep a record or roll of its proceedings, which, on being sealed, proved itself; it could make rules for its own regu- lation ‘and that of its suitors; and it issued common law process. (Jacob’s Law Dictionary title, “Courts,” and authority there cited.) The Marine Court, originally the Mayor's Court, ot this eity, is specially empowered to try certain common law actions; it hes @ clerk, and for- merly bad a seal, but thore characteristics have always constituted the extent of its jurisdiction to @ common law court. It never proceeded, ac cording to the course of the common law—erits o error would never lie upon ita judgments, and it has always been deatitute of many other powers ‘incident to courts of common law jurisdiction, The statute cresting this cour ceclares it to be # court ot record, but the Superior Courts have often decided that it was such only for certain purposes. (6 Hill. 602; Sanford, 209, 12; Wendall, 220, particularly, 23 Wend., 376.) Want those purposes are has never, to my recollection, been judi- Spee: nor has it ever yet been held in this State that the Mayor’s or Marine rt is @ court of re- ccrcs, for the purpose of Lego Reon in caces of naturalization, although that idea has been sug- Date in an obiter remark mace by Mr. Justice Bronson, in the somewhat analsgous case of Wheaton and Doolittle ve. Fellows, 23 Wend, 875. Mr. Justice Shaw also, in 8 Metcalt’s biass. Rep., 1 bas decided that she Police Court of Lowell is a court of record, having power to au- thorize proceedings in naturalizet(on, under the statute of 1802, I do not know the particular character- irtics of the Lowell Police Court, but 1 have been informed that none of {he State Courts of Massachusetts are courts of dpe common Iaw jurisdiction. That tact may furnish a sufficient teaaon, from necessity in that State, for the decision of Judge Spaw, ss, had he held otherwike, aliens could not becomé raturplized in her courte, On the whole, I have little hesitation ip de- claring that upon principle the Mayor's or‘farine curt of this city bad not power to huld cogaitencs of weceedings in naturalizetion when the faccer of the it was naturalized, because that court was ‘not a common Jaw court within the meaning of the act of 1802. But at this late day in the history of this subjest ee considerations thould prevail, at lea.t in chia court. Many thousands of aliens have been naturalized in i‘. Depencirg upon the validity of those proceedings, they bave exercined for many years all the rights ot citizen. ship; they bave beid, and thousands ae now holdiog, fliee; they bave acquired real estate, and have con- veyed it te others, or have transmitted it by ¢eath to their heirs. In view of these facts, mcalculable evils would necesrarily result from the determinstion of the ruperior courts of this State that such nituralizations are void. Although our Cecision can affect the Chief onty in his title to this office, assu- ming that we have jurisciction to oust him for the cause of atensge, yet he should be judged by the same stand. urd here that, as we must presume, he would be jud; by in those tribunals whose decisions are authoritative for all purposes, I that those courts would up- bold the naturalizations of the Mayor’s or Marine Court, apon the tact of the long acquiescence of the public in their supposed validity, amounting to an implied agree- ment to regard them as lawful and regular, and the dis- astrous consequences which would inevitably flow from the contrary ‘Hecision. The principle, ‘‘communis error, facit jus,” though not favered, may be applied with great propriety to this class of cases. ‘The law so fa- vors the yublic good, that it willim some cases permit commen error to paes for right.” This prosecation is in the behalf of the public, and the Chief may well plead in his defence the lorg and uniform practice of pud- On that plea the prosecution stopped. The public good will be promoted by ailowing the bar to prevail. upon the whole case, therefore, mace by this protracted and tedious investigation, I have come to the following conclusions :— ‘ lst. That George W. Matsell was bern an alien, subject of Great Britain. £d. That his father. George Mateell was duly natural- ized in the Marine Court, of the city of New York, on the 15th day of May, 1827. ‘3d. That George W. Matsell, at the time of his father’s naturalization, reeided in the United States, was a minor, rerident in the United States, and, , became a ci:izen by such paturalization at that time. 4th. That thespecificationton which he has been tried, is zs aomerad ing! ¢ complaint is aecord dismissed. 4 K, 8, CAPRON. OPINION OF MAYOR WOOD. Mayor’s Orrics, March 22, 1856. Althongh differing with the Recorder and the Oity tg nt some of their premises and conclustons presented fal dovorasnetion ‘thatthe charge of aliooage against fi determina’ that at the Chied of Folice has not been sustained and should be dismiseed. FERNANDO WOOD, Mayor. Pemonal Intelijgenee. The late Legislature of the State of Texas has passed a law giving to Mra. Elizaberh Crockett » Jeegue of land. Shaia the widow of the respected and lamented David Crockett, who, after serving his country and fitbfully in Congress and other places of trust, was er at the Alamo, nobly fighting for the freedom of Texas, The rAd of Mona Meat es the authority be {ie Constant! corres) jent, 6 Appearance the Sultan at the bells of the English and French ombes- istents paying’ his respecte, porsa to his usious intends in ilies An Paris and London, to thank them for the generous and aisinterested aid rendered him withia the last three years. The ta for the ——— are secretly made. A flotilla of Turkish steam fr gates ana Lag mea of Nag oon oH . Lp pany nis Majesty to rom tM ou nets ees onto oe rtny to Constantinople via Vienna and the Danubian \ «hties. His suite will consist of Admiral Achmet ‘he Mushier Ismael Pacha, and ten other dignits- vies > be ¢mpteg, Dramatic and Musical Matters. ‘The spprosching festive’ of the American Dramstic Fund Association prom/ses to be brilliant, On the 10th Of April the Association will be sight yease of ageand the event will be celebrated by a dinner at the Metropolitan Hotel, when Mr, James T. Brady, the now President, will fill the chair. We are told that the din'ng hall will be decorated by Mr. Heister and other artiste who belong to the association; that the Lelands will getup a splendid dinner (there’s no doubt about that), and that Mosers. Ogden Hoffman, Jobn Van Buren and T. F, Meagher will speak; that La Grange, Badiall, Rovere and Vertiprach ‘will assist in the musical department, and that there will be s glorious glee party, superintended by Mr. Charles Waloot—all for five dollars, wine included, and the privi- Jege of introducing one lady to devour Charlotte of Hus- sia and hear the great guns go off. ‘The Fund, 9 an institution, fourishes. It is growing righ, and now pays out to il! and decayed actors sbout three thousand dollare per anaum. We hope the dtnner will ke both profitable end successful in every way. It has been our duty, heretofore, to snnounce the comps- tative failure of the festivals of this association, on account of the mutual admiration system of their ma- negement, - We trust that the present offtsers of the as- sociation are aware of the fet that there are other poo- ple in the world aa well as themselves. The business at the the past week has been isis, The city is full of strangers, and for the next month the theatres ought to make money. Tax Orxas.—Only ome pertormance was given last week—that of the “Trovetore,” on Monday, fer the début of Mies Phillips, who meeds much more study and prac- tice before ¢he be our prima donna contralto. Everybody at the Aculemy has been busy with the preparations for the production of Arditi’s new opera ‘‘La Spis,’”’ the se- cond American opera produced im the United States. Allegri has painted several new scenes—ali the dresses will be new, and the manager—Mr. W. H. Paine— has taken @ great deal of pains with the ensemble. The opesa illustrates one of the most interesting stories of the Revolution, and for once Young New Youk can be patriotic without forteiting ils claim om the fashionable world. “La Spia” for the first time vo-might; La Grange, Her sler, Brignoli and Morelli in the cast; Arditi will con- duct, Go, At the Broapway THEATRE, the equestrian apectacles, “Timour, the Tartar’? and the “Cataraet of the Ganges,’? have drawm well during the week. The drama cailed “(Mazeppe,’” founded on Byron’s poem, ia to be produced to-night, along with the new farce, “That Blessed Baby,” which is the best thing of the season, in fts way. ‘Ma- zeppa’”’ has never been done here, and it will be brought out in the best style. Mr. Keller’s company, which we mentioned on Saturday, will probably apppear next week, The New Orleans papers say they are inimitable. At Lavgs Krsne’s VaRimenes, ‘Camille’ has made agreat hit, and will have a long run. Miss Keene’s acting in \be prinelpal part is universally commenéed, The working up of the thitd act is very fine, excepting that Mr, Chandler is nothing like a Parisian fop, which the Count de Giray was supposed to be. He acts too rough- ly, and dresses like a bourgeois. The elegant Dame aux Camelias, whose exquisite taste was the envy of all Paris, would not patronize that rort of person. “Camille” and “Novelty,” which is ever new, are apuounced for this evening. Mr. WALLAck will call together a great crowd, at his beautiful theatre, this evening, when he will make his first appearanee this season, and will play Benedick, in “Much Ado About Nothing.” The announcement alone is sufficient to crowd the house. Mrs. Hoey playa Bea- wice, forthe first time, and Mr. Brougham is the Dog- berry. At Burron’s, Mr. Gayler’s comedy, ‘Taking tho Chance,” has crowded the house every night since Wednesday, It will be acted this evening and to- ‘The Ship John Rutledge Sunk by Running inte an Ioeberg—One Person Rescucd—Pro- bable Leas of the Remainder of the Ship's Company. Captain Wood, of the packet ship Germanis, arrived at this port yesterday from Havre, has furnished us with the following aecount of his voyage, together with some brief particulars of the sinking of the ship John Rutledge by running into an iceberg, and the rescue of one only of the ehip’s company :— ‘The Germania sailed from Havre on the 29thof Janzury, and experienced very severe westerly galos the eatire passage. On the 7th ult. she encountered a terrific bur: ricane from the south, which continued for twelve hours. Such was the violence of the tempest, that tho sails, though closely furled, were biown entirely from the garkets, The barometer marked 27 60. On the 26th ult., in latiiude 4563N., longitude 4649 W., fell in with icebergs, and on the same night was sur- rounded by field ice. Immediately wore ship, and afver standing three hours to the south east, succeeded in getting clear of it. The field ice extended to the northwest as far as could be seen, and icebergs were observed ao far south as latitude 42 43 N., longitnde 5028 W. On the 28th ult., observed a ship’s boat ahead; bove to and despatehed a beat in quest of it. On approaching the strange boat it was found to contaim, alive, Thomas W. Nye, of New Bedford, the only sarvivor of thirteen persons, the remainder having perished of starvation and cold. They had been in the bint nimedays. Nyo’s hands and feet were very much frosen. The boat also contained the bodies of Mra. Atkinson and three others, names unknown, all belenging to the ahip John Rutledge Captain Keily, of New York. The John Rutledge left Liverpool for this port on the 1€th of January; tell in with ice on the 18th of February, im latitude 45 34N., longitude 46 56 W.; got ix to field ice the next day, but succeeded in working clear of it, She subsequently, however, ran into an iceberg, stove a hole in her bow, and was abandoned at six o’clock the same evening. Five boats, filled with the passengers and crew, left the ship, It was the intention of Mr, Atkinson, the mate, to have left the vessel in the boat which was picked up, but she breke adrift, and he and several others went down with the wreck. It is conjectured that the other boats, which were well manned and furnished with compasses, would pull for the Guif Stream, as the weather was severely cold. Tney may, therefore, be picked up by passing vessels. The compass of the rescued boat was accidentally broken; and it being cloudy, her crew could not shape thelr course. After picking up the boat the Germania stood to the northwest until dark, and then lay to during the night in hopes of discovering some of the missing boats; but as nothing could be reen of them, she bore away to the southwest, keeping a strictlookout ail the time. During the forenoon a very thick snow storm prevailed, but the weather cleared towards noon. A bark came out of the ice at the same time asthe Germania. She stood to the westward, and perhaps fell in with the boats of the John Rutledge. Ibe John Rutledge belonged to Messrs. Howland & Ridgway, of this city. On the 11th inst., the Germavis experienced auother hurricane from W.N.W., which lasted three days, driving the ship back one hundred and fitty miles into the Guif, She has been twenty five days to the westward of the Banks. ‘The Giraffe and Dr. Spalding. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD, Iam not in a very appropriate mood for entering into @ vewspaper discussion; and if the letter from Spalding & Rogers, published in the Hxraup of Saturday, was not calculated to mislead the public, and was not probably rrow, wh it will be withdrawn, a a pee = to play pon tor = written for the purpose of prejudicing the jury at the Western on $0,” and “1 Bleaued. Baby” coming trial, I should not reply to it. I had no intereat “ped certainly no desire to state anything but the simple truth in relation to any claim against those gentlemen for the loss of the giraffe. As you will see by the en- closed copy of the agreement between them and myself, they hired the animal, with the privilege of buying it. It was drowned through their neglect and carelessness, They offered me $1,000 to settle it. This, under the cir- cumstances, I felt compelled to decline, and sued them tor damages, Being unable to get my witnesses (who vere travelling with exhibitions South and West) in time for the trial, I temporarily withdrew the suit until their re- turp. Spalding & Rogers then (for purposes which must be apparent) sued me, andin my answer I put in counter claim for damages, which precludes the ne- ceessity for my suing them again. Thus the matter stands. I have, perhaps, less interest in the matter than my creditors have, whe, through the ‘receiver,”” will test and be affected by the judicial decision; but I do not relish the idea of being kicked and misrepresented, because Iam Betaleas, by. tnose whose voluntary offers have proved them to be my debtors, fey are not liable to pay for the giraffe, with what semblance of right do they retain its stuffed skin as a principal feature in their exhibition? In my apxiety for » speedy and just settlement ot the question in dispute, I have on several occasions offerea to submit it to arbitration, which offers Dr. Spalding has as often refused. P. T. BARNUM. P. S.—It se accion Lhd ped you should ome oper to publish the ‘article of agreement’ enclosed. i ed pasneeaere to state that the giratte was Ianded on the Levee at New Orleans, but was drowned before it reached the ‘Floating Palace.”’ PT. B. Spaliing and. Charles J. Kogers agree to Gilbert R. ding lea J. rs hire for one year frem P. T. Barnum py ie giraffe ard wagon, as well as the cage in which said over from Europe. They agree to pay said Barnum for the hire of the same at the rate of $300 per month. They agree to ae Aheed on for said giraffe, who shall ‘de selected by said jum, and to pay the board, wages and travelling expenses of said keeper. They also agree to maintain, teed and keep the said giraffe in the manner bent suited to the nature and habits of the animal, and to pay ali iteexpenres for travelling, the expense of ship- ping It, and ail other expenses incurred by it daring the existence of this contract. It is agreed that Mostra. Spalding & Rogers shail have the privilege of purchasing said giraffe, wagon and ‘at any time within nine i will also be given this evening. No one abould lose the opportunity to see the new comedy. Mr. MoVicxer’s benefit to-morrow night. At the Broapway VameErms, the juvenile comedians aie drawing crowds. ‘Black Eyed Susan” and the “Ivan of a Lover” this evening. At Nuuto’s Garvan, to-night, the new ballet, Figaro,” ard the “Green Monster,”’ with the Ravels. 4t Woop's Minsrrris, 444 Broadway, the colored ‘ Robert Macaire” and a good conceit programme for this evening. The Buckiey MinstREIs havegone to Boston, and open at the Howard Athenzum this evening. The BowkRx THEATRE is anaounced to open this even- icg, under the management of Robert Jones. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Prior are the leading artists. Brooxixyn.—The first annual benefit of the Young Men’s Dramatic Association took place at the Brooklyn Mureum last Monday evening, to a large and fashionable audience, The first piece, the farce of *‘ Box and Cox,” was well sustained by Messrs. Duncalf, Mand and Miss Jaynes. The next piece was Tom Taylor’s beautiful comedy of ‘Still Wa‘ers Run Deep,” which went off ad- mirably. The whole concluded with the popular burleeque of “Bombastes Furioso.’’ The Thespian Dramatic Asso- ciation give a performance at the Museum this evening. Mr. and Mrs. FLORENCE arrived in town last week, and, it is said, will sail for Europe in the Persia, April 2, Mr. A. W, ferno, of the Broadway theatre, will accompany them. PHILADELPHIA.—A lady of the name of Rush made her first appearance at the Walnut on Monday, and, ss usual, played Julia, in the “‘ Humshback.’”’ It does not appear that she was very successful. Boston.—Mrs. John Wood had « great benefit at the Boston theatre last Mondsy, playing Marie, in the ““Davghter of the Regiment,’ and Martha Gibbs, in ‘‘all that Glitters is mot Gold.” There was a great deal of enthusiasm, and no end of bouquets, Mrs. Wocd made her acknowledgments in a neat poetical accress, by Mr. Cowell, author of several successful er the date of its shi; it, for the sum of pieces. A number of actors have opened the National. | $y '909\ tom the amount that may have been ‘put Mr. James Bennett has returned to Boston. J.B. Ro- | treir hire up to the time of purchase, Messrs. Spalding & Rogers ty Ad T. nas apd oa day upon whiol imal may at New Yon ae New Orleans. Should the snimal ‘die at an; eriod between the time at which it may leave the in New York, and arrive at the Levee at New Orleans, then the said Barnum is to retain the $1,000 psid him and to demand no more. Should the verte appears at the National this evening. Batrimors.—The Museum has reopened under Mr. Jarrett. Mr. and Mrs. W. Ward and Yankee Locke are there, Mlle. Sarah Felix (sister to Rachel) ia giving concerts here ard in Washington. in advance, ALpany.—Mr. Joreph Proctor is playing here. Eddy is | nz imal die — eee & a ’ as: ’ i valace, or in an exhibition eat lew to appear with him to-night, for the manager’s benefit. Grleanby, susloon,. ith" death PI p ne Mi Wasninotox.—P. Richings has had a complimentary benefit at the National. Bu FraLo.—Miss Georgiana Hodson, who levanted from Woallack’s some weeks ago, has turned up here. She has been playing in Brougham’s “Po-ca-hon-tas,” which, as vhe Buffalo papers have ascertained, was written ex. pressly for her. Cuicaco.—The Mizees Denin are playing here. Provence, R. 1.—Mr. Forbes, the manager of the Providence theatre, was presented last week with a ser- vioe of plate, by the ladies of that city, ass token of the high estimation in which they hold him ass theatrical manager, an actor anda member of society. The pre- sent consisted of six pieces of silver plate, ot the purity ot ecin, viz, 8 pitcher, four goblets and « saver. CLEVELAND, O.—The theatre here will open this even- ng; Mrs. Thorne, Miss E. Thorne and Mr. Leffingwell are members of the company. Derxoir.— Mr. Neafle commences here to-night. Loursvitiz.—Paul Julien gave a concert here last week, Davidge is starring at the theatre. $x. Lovm.—The Campbells and the Alleghanians are giving concerts here. The Pyne English Opera troupe wore at Dateman’s on the 10tb. They wore coming East to play in Baltimore, on the 19th proximo, Paumcefort has taken the Varieties. Cixcryyati.—Couldoek i at the People’s. Barney Wil- Jiams and wite closed on Saturday at the National, and Coney and the dogs were to appesr this evening. CHARLESTON, 8, C.—Mi | Robertson is starring here. Harrrorp, Ct.—Clande sielnotte and Pauline have been neglect of said Spalding & Rogers, then said um agrees to refund ail moneys he may have received on ac- count of said giraffe, except tne hire, at the rate of $300 per month, up to the time of its death asaforesaid. It is agreed that Spalding & Rogers, within thirty days after the arrival said giraffee at New Orleans, shall y to the said Barnum another $1,000; and subsequent- jy pay to the sald Barnum, at his Museum, in current city funds, provided at their own ex; the remainder as fast ax it may become due in r monthly inatal- ments, It is agreed that M the sald Spalding & Rogers should not pucceane the girafie, they shall deliver, at their own expense, the animal, cage, &., ia good order, to said Barnum, at either Cinctonati or Louisville, as said Bar- num may elect. They are aiso to have the free use, in New York, of whatver woodcuts may belong to the said Barnum and reste to the said giarffa. the said Barnum Fer the Kec meester ee een on hereb; ea to an C at New and coge to the said Spalding & Rogers, for the be ahi and upon the terme afcresald, ene year from the time they may York for New Orleans, the tern een to nell the same upon me hereinbefore teated—it being understood, that said giraffe shall be shipped, as aforesaid, on beard # steamer, on or before the 16th dey of December, 1864, undee the direstion of tae his agent, but at the expense of sald pais ing & Roger Hiitnes our badte and seals affixed, in the city of New York, on the 24th day of November, A. 0. 1864. Signed in presence of Joun 8. DuROLIE. SPALDING & ROGERS, P. T. BARNUM, by Jons Gamexwoon, Jr., Att'y. Lanon Satu or MuLes.—The Paris (Ky.) Citi- zen ways that twenty-five hundred mules were sold in ‘thet town on the 1st ot March (County Court day,) some rn Telgut ant by auction and some by P rate sale. The tro ena pisyed bere by the Misses Wyatt, children o! ant tioneera report that sales of mules, horses an nine years of agé, daughters of G. H. Wyatt, the manager. ae on that day to the handsome sum of . AveTRaLA.—Mr, Gustavus V. Brooke and Catharine - Hayes are in Melbourne, Australia. He had played 117 Carre mt Inprana—The rej of the, Auditor nights there amd fifty in Sydney. of the State of Indiana says that the value cattle OnruaRy.—Mr. Morris Barwmrt died at Montreal, Ca- | in the S’ate, as returned ty the several township aasea- from eighty-three counties, being ali from which da, last week, Mr. Barnett was of Jewish extraction, bebenind ton form, myte corer; , in Loudon, in 1790, He | returns were made, was, on the first of June last, was Jong’ connected with the Léncon press and had con. $7,578,200. ie) ity a8 an actor in Frenc! . yun Piva yensy ago he ‘edited & week]; peri this city. EMIGRATION TO Kareas-— Quite 8 number of He adapted several pieces from the Frenoh, the most | families Keep chaplains pint the East, seok- successiul of which was “The Serious Family.” Ho | ing homes in this portion of our , have arrived played at Burton’s two seasons ago, out his reps toire | here during the past week. A very la onigretion is waa limited, and be was not very successfal. Ho was | anticipat bere this sesson,—Omaha, utied at Monon Agersding to the Jowish March 6, ‘The Port Wardens and Shipowners. AN ACT TO REGULATE THE DUTIES OF POBT WARDENS Tae reel TEE GE 2 Sa oe rt of iw y FO) cr) Senave ana ibiy, do enac: as follows :— Sec, 1.. It shall be the duty of the Fort Wardens, duly rs te, by the Governor and Senn‘e, to make surveyw ‘all vous.91s and iewg vo) when notified for that purpose, and to cha."ge such fees for the same as are now by lew extabliahed. See. 2, It stball not be lawful for any oF persons to act or perform, or interfere with duties of the Port Wardens vf the port of New York, aa now established by law; apy per.\on or peravos who shall make say eur- veys of vessels or their cargoes, not duly appointed and constituted by law; shall, on conviction same, in any court haying j , such comet shall impore m fine of Atty dollars for each and overy such offence; Le halfof such fine shal be pat, waen crllectoW, to tas per- som who shal! procure the convistion, and the remainder, after payin, expeanes of the proven a ba paid to the Clty Honpitei; amd st mel five.’ noe past within five days from snch Judgment, the person so of- fonding shall be committed to the county jui! remtil paid, not exceeding sixty days. See. 3. All acts and parts of acts inconaistent with thie ect are hereby repealed. To sue Honosu.y wux LecisLatury oF Naw Youk— Your petitioners, shipowners, underwriiers, rmer- chants, and others emgaged in business in the cl<y ot New York, respectfully represent = That it certain bills now before your honorable body, or about to be presented, one of which is enutied ‘ an act to ri xe the duties of Port Wardens of the city of New York,”’ or any of them, sbould by any means des 2me law, they ‘would be highly prejudicial and {njatioes, not ony to the private and personal interests of your petl- tioners, and all persons grgaged io commerce and trade at said port of New York, but also to the general inte- rests and welfare ot the et y iwwelf; that the busigess of makirg surveys of ships or their cargoss belongs, of right, to the parties wuo may at any time be interested therein; that it is bata mode of obtaining evidence through inspections by nautical men, who, from 1ong ex- perience anc knowledge of shipping, aud of the various merchardise constantly arriving at this port as cargo, can form intelligent judgwent as to the nea worthiness of vessels, and correct estimates o1 what damage may have been done to vessels and their cargoes. Your petitioners further represent tbat it would be creating a mont injurious monopoly, which could benefit only the few Port Wardens who migat. from time to tiaw, be incumbents, to the great injury, detriment and Joss of ail persona engyged in commerce and trade, aad of the padlic gereralry. And, further, it would be unnecesssrily forcing the ser- Vices cf wen upom parties terested, who might or might not be qualified, im = way and manner calouwsted, i* aot toshut the door to 4 fair and ‘intelligent ia- quiry as to their conflicting interests. And your peti- tioners claim the right respectively to cali upon, or be- tween themselves to agree upon sur'able and proper per- sons to make such inspections and surveys, and to decide upon thetr respective rights, according to the present custom, from immemorial, not only at New York, but, as your petitioners believe, at all commerial places and ports in the civilized world. Shipouners and Merchants.—Ubariea H. Marshall, Taylor & Merrell, Lane, West & Go: id, B. Morgan Near or Gnawa ‘Wm. Nelson &t on, D1 & Dimon, J. B. Gagar & Co Smith & Bon, Gnnsell Minturn & vo.; J. F, Alfonso, Hoya & Binckin, by J. J. Boyd; surges, Cle ‘& Uo.; Thomas P bi ‘Donn F. kiwell, B.D. Gurtis & Co... fl or a ad fy mi No.3 ae, J.B. ings, &Co.,'A. w & Brothers, Slate pra ce ad weds Batons, Mowe ra Go,; Aduine & Hathorn, Atkins '& Co., Nesmith & Sons, De Wolle, Sur & Uors Co, B.& A. Kingsiand & Sutton, A- aiah. Carver & Chane; Samuel 1. lis MES Powell: Brown Brothers & Oorz Alexander M. Lawrence, Robert Uarniey, Waller B. J t & Co ; Char! Peters, re ‘Talbot & Co,; Wadleigh & Knox, George L.. Hatch, Mc' Dready, U. Duncan & Ca,, 8. re Cy wR, Nieto ube Snow, H. M. waatih, BF, f, Ubase w Hotinu, A ‘Warren, Jovathsn Thomson, jon & Fosdick. Yates & terfield, J W. beano, R P. Buck & Co, Davee & 0o., Jom A Pease, Thompson & Hunter, 8. W. Lewis, Samuel Kibbce & McKee, Joseph Perkins 1, da Jchn R. Dow, Gi bimpeon, ‘Zeb. Copkiin & Co, Wm. F. Schintat, t Underwriters yh Mutual Marine Insuran L. the Globe Mutuat Marine Insurance Company; J. President of the Atlantic Mutual Marine 11 Jobn A. Parker, Vice tot the Great Western mutual Marize Tneurauce Company; A. W. Thompson, Agent of Ube Provineial Insurance Company, Farmers’ and Ma = "1 ee M. Lats vk, Eresden ot the - jutual insurance Cot 1c. Ogd ios Presi- FE gar fog hg ag ig ent of ial neu Company; Alired wards, Preaident of he Paclds Marian lm. ursboe ". ip Companice —Ludiam & Pleasants, Norfolk and Ricbmond United B.ates Mail Steamers, owners apd ageota; ds. Cunard. a: and 4 " en, co. do.; Samuel L.. Mitchell, states Mall ers to. aN 5 Mor Samvel L, Fox, Arent of the Havre’ ling of United States Steemers; Kdwin Caswell, Tressurer Uri Mall S'eom- Company M. U. Hoberts, Presidect of the United States ‘Mel Steamship Compan ; £4 . Crocheron & Oo, owners Spoffora, Tileston & Co., Liverpool pa. United States steamers, Liverpool ot of the United States Mail Steans ny. Surveyors, §-c.-- das. A Reque, Treasurer of the New Grana- da Conal Company; Charies 4. Haswell, of Underwrhers: A’ A. Farvham, Marine Surve; street: Willlam H. Merry, Surveyor for the New Insurance Company; Jabez Will ‘Western Marine In: Surveyor fcr the Urean Marine Inturance Oo : ver, Surveyor for the Provincial Marine iy CH. add Surveyor for the Pacific Insu' Company; J. Kearney. Bact for the International Marine Tusuranee Oompany; dames for ‘Tho D. rence Companys J. vine Ineurange Company; Commercial Marine Insurance DANY; adjusters and owners of veseels; Kdward M. Greenway. Brooklyn Oity News. FIRE, AND DESTRUCTION OF FIFTREN HORSES. Shortly before 1 o’clock on Saturday night @ fire broke outin a wooden building in Furman street, adjoining the Brooklyn City Mills, occupied as a stable by the City Railroad Company. The New York bells sounded the first alarm, the flames belng more distinctly visibie from that side of the river. The railroad cars having just ceated running for the night, tbe horses were put up aod the stable secured, when flames were discovered breaking torth from the side next acjoining the mills, Fighteen horses belonging to the company were xn the stable, but the prcgress of the fire was so rapi t it was found impo: to save more then three, and the remainder were cecesarily left a prey to the destroying element, The adjoining stable, occupied by the Kntok- erbocker lce ey next caught fire. It contained eight horses, but? luckily they were all taken out un- harmed. Both buildings were destroyed, with the hay, end most of the harness. Several seta were saved by the exertions of the men employed about the premises. ‘A barge belonging to the ice company, and Inying alorgride the dock, was in great danger of destruc ion, but was opportonely towed out of reach of the flamen by. the ferrydcat Fulton, which just came in. from the other side, Some thieves took advantage of the oocasion to stesl the hawsers belonging to the ice boat. The fire communicatea to the mills, and destroyed part of the reof; but the damage did not amount to a. ree ces, A wooden building opposite was somewhat seo to about 86,000, and of the too company porhipe 82,008, about $5, of the foe company. perhapa ‘The cause of fire is not t nowe. The man in om ated the stable had just closed for the. night- when, the ea were discovered, and it is therefore probable that it originated fromthe 1amp. The buildings were — with bay and straw, both in the basement an@ lof ‘The engine of the Terry boat Fulton was set in ope- ration sad played a stream upon the iceboat before the fire ergines arrived. She was thus tected from the flames until she could be towed out of anger. Midgoad tpetie be thal ¢ock while engaged at work in the rear buildings. They were got out unharmed. ch “A A PouicemaN Ronvep.—The house of Me. Stephen Coyle, an officer of the First district police, No. 19 Vine aizeet, was entered bya thief on Sat aftern while’ the lady is Renae ‘sbeeat, the ‘husband being on patrol duty, and ® trunk, stole therefrom $60 in Long Island Gank bilis, a watch end chain worth $60, s gold locket and sitver spoons valued At about $20 more, with all of which he escaped unde- jected. E. Jersey News. . Fire Derartwest Fouxp.—Thie fand, now excreting. $2,000, which was necessary before it to the it, the Fund Association at its last meet- vg appointed Messrs. French, Kemp and committee to revise its by-iaws so as tq use the avatia of the tund for the purpose of relief when required. Couuecrion oy Waren Rew7s.—A supplement to Jersey City Water act provides that a)l water rents all pewalties due on the 20th of December of ee nie wee ae or er negate the ctty authorities, or proj therefer, in the same manner as lands are sold for taxes and annenamenta. Raimoad ComPLAInt Boox.—The New Jertey Railroad, and Transportation Lemay, 4 has opened a complaint book at Its office in Jereay City, which book ix accessible at ali hours, for the entry of dissatisfaction which there may be occasion to meke against the officers or employés of the road. The coms pany pledges itself to promptly and thoronghly invest- gate the charges and to redresx grievances, if the com- piainte are made by responsible persons. The same course will be taken if the complaintsjare made to officers of the company, with tie name of the person aggrieved, Moboken City News. edlan ordiounos providing be racing, paviag eoatsgt an ordinance pi ing. and ging in Hw/son, Washington, Ferry, Kensie ‘ark Saava which proposals are to be submitted on the of Apy il. Exwcrrion or Frreumy.—An ast of the last Legislata: provides that those firemen in Hoboken, who, om the iat of ‘aay next, shall have served five years, aad who serve ¥wo years more, and all others who trve seven Toars os firemen, shall beexempt from jury duty aed rallitery tax, .