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4 NEW YORK HERALD. ed JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR 4ND EDITOR, eR TEe ETE OvPICB N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON 87S. THR DAILY HERALD, 2 FT per annurn, a ALD, 2 cents per copy. $1 per 5 THE WERKLY HERALD Basra, 4 0 cone er Bisropatn dition ny part of the Continent both AMUSEMENTS THIS SVANING, AOADEMY OF MUSIC—Fourteeath aireet—Iratian Orns le ThovsToRE BROADWAY THEATER, Brosdway—Darsy O’Dornaty —Parance asp Puxsgvexasce—Tas Roves Diamoxnp— Busy BROOM MAKER. NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway —Yourc Hewnaura on vr fmt Rore—Graxp TearsichoRrsaN DIVERTISEMENT—Ma- BOWERY TWE*"RE. Bowerv—Iniea Lion—Dump Sa came up yesterday before the Aldermen's Committee on Lands and Piaces. Mr. White, the receiver, gave notice that he should submit to the Board of Alder- men this evening an application for an extension of the lease. The present lease expires next January. The cotton market yesterday was tame, as deal- ers were disposed to await the receipt of later foreign news, due by the Asia. The sales embraced about 1,000 bales, in transitu, and 5002600 do., on the spot, without quotable change in prices. The ad- vance in freights checked the export demand for flour, while there was a tair demand from the home trade, and prices continued steady. Wheat was less active, and prices unchanged. Corn was somewhat less plenty. Damaged and distilling lots ranged from 46c.a53c.,and tor Eastern shipment 56c. a57c.; prime yellow was at 58jc., and prime white at 60c. Rye firm. Pork was heavy, with sales at $19, and some retail lots at $19 37}. Sugars were tolerably active, with sales of about 1,200 a 1,500 hhds. Cuba Wuscovado and 145 boxes brown Havana at prices given in another column. The auction sale yovann—Pxice’s MineTxis—NAN, THE Goo ror NoTsinc— BURTON'S THEATRE. Chambers street--Paxis ap Lon- on—Unrinished GENTLEMAN WAULACK’S THRATRE Brosdway—Cartain or THE ‘Warcn—Tue Woxper—Post or Honor. LAURA KEENE’S VARIETIES, Breadway—Dusxn, o% ‘Basve Nor Heaxts—My Wire's Mizner. BROADWAY VARIZTIES, 472 Broadway--Tux Waiap Qosen, sy mmx Woon & Mansit Juyexie Comspiaxa WOOD'S MINSTRELS, 414 Sreadway—Brmiorius Mis - evpeisY—THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEY. BEPIRE BALL, 596 Broadway—Tasieavs sy¥ THE OFiE- paarep Krak TROUPE—SONGS, BY MAD, LOVARNY, AC. BUBSELDORF GALLERY, 497 Brosdway—Varcarin Pasmriies aN StaTUakY—MakTY2poM oF Huss, Sc. TABERNACLE, Broadway.—Vocar ann InstavMenzaL @ORCEST, BY THE CELEDRATED AL LEGHANIANE, BROOKLYN ATHENEUM, Brootlyn—Comrumentary PeorimoNial, PY THE MAYOR AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED CliI- amme, 10 MR. W. M. Furxine. New York, friday, May 16, 1856. The News. The Asia, from Liverpool 3rd instant, arrived be Jow Jast night. There is no political news of im. portance. Consols are quoted at 92}. Flour was firmer. Cotton dull, with a declining tendency on seme descriptions. The proceedings of the United States Senate yes- terday were of the highest impertance. A message ‘was received from the President relative to the general condition of Central America and the routes of transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He says that a small body of individuals, invited t» Nicaragua by the democratic party of that country, bad apparently prt an end to the straggle which had existed there during the past ten years. The mew government exercises the actual power, and we do not gé behind the fact to investigate the ques_ tion of legitimacy, nor do we inquire into the eauses which led to the change of government, My, therefore, when the Nicaraguan Minister—Col. French—came here « few months ago, the facts now presented had existed, he must have been reccived, Another has now presented himself and been re- eeived, satisfactory evidence existing that he repre- sented a government de facto and de jure. Numer- @us considerations of interest are advanced in the message with reference to the propriety of his re. ception, and additional measures are suggested for the security of transit across the Isthmus. An ani- mated debate ensued upor the reading of the me sage, in which Mr. Crittenden said that in one week's time the country would be agitated from one end to the other on this subject, and it might result in our being involved in a war. A synopsis of the documents is given under the telegraphic head. In the House a proposition directing the Judiciary Gommittee to inquire and report what if any action should be taken with reference to the death of Thomas Keating at the hands of Mr. Herbert, was Jaid on the table—79 to 70. The steam frigate Susquehanna sailed yesterday from Philadelphia for San Juan del Norte. Capt, Sands commands her, and carries out important des- patches to Colone] Wheeler, our Minister at Granada. in the course of a fortnight there will be in the har. bor of San Jnan the steamers Susquehanna, Fuiton and Merrimac, and the frigate Potomac. The sloop- of-war St. Mary's, now at Panama, will remain there as long as her presence is deemed necessary for our interests in that quarter. By the arrival of the Empire City at New Orleans we have news from California, Oregon and Wash- ington Territories, New Granada and Nicaragua. There is nothing :mportant from San Francisco. The markets were quiet. Nine ships from Atlantic porte had arrived during the fortnight previous to the 2istult In the Territories the Indian war con- tinued, the battles generally resulting in favor of the whites, although in one engagement at Rogue river the regulars were defeated with a loss of twenty- eight killed. The authorities of New Granada and the commander of the sloop-of-war St. Mary’s were still in active correspondence respecting the Panama massacre. There isareport from Nicaragua that Schlessinger had been captured and condemued to be shot. The George Law is now on the way to this port from Aspinwall, with $2,000,000 in treasure and the semi-monthly mails. She will probably arrive to day, when we shall be enabled to present v» our readers the details of the news, of which we have reseived but a brief summary by telegraph. We publish this morning a full report of the meeting held yesterday at the Corn Exchange for the relief of the starving people of the Cape de Verds. A letter from the Bishop of those islands, giving an account of the sufferings of the inhabitants, was read by Lieutenant Bartlett, whose remarks will be read with interest. Over five thousand dollars ‘we understand, been already contributed, and the committee will gladly receive any assistance that may be sent in the form of breadstuffs, and pay for the transportation from any part of the country. We think, however, if marked “for the Cape de Verd Islands,” the railroads and canals would pass it free. Bs The General Assemblies of the Old and New School Presbyterian Church met simultaneously in this city yesterday. We give reports of their pro- ceedings elsewhere. The Old School division now embraces one more Presbytery than the whole church did at the separation, nineteen years ago. In another column will be found the address of the committee appointed by the Canal street mass meeting to raise means in aid of General Walker's army, which no doubt will be heartily responded to. A public meeting is to be held next week to approve of the course of the administration in recognizing the existing Nicaraguan government. The Minister resident of the United States at Stockholm, Sweden funder date of the 17th ultimo, informs the State Department at Washington that the term of the Swedish decree permitting the im- portation into Sweden of breadstuffs and other arti- cles of food until the 31st instant, has been extended by special decree until the Ist of January, 1457. The telegraphic report of the proeeedings of the caucus of the nigger worshippers of the Connecti- cut Legislatare, on the question of the United States Senatorship, published in yesterday's Heranp, was incorrect. Mr. Dutton received no votes. The se. cond informal ballot stood:—Gilette, 16; Baldwin, 5; Cleveland, 2; Dixon, 1. Yesterday was resumed before the special com- mitice of the Councilmen the investigation into the charge of corruption brought against the Coun- cilmen Committee on Streets, for an alleged attempt to extort money from property owners interested im the widening of Reade street. A report of the further evidence taken in the case, as given elae- where, is decidedly rich, showing a vein of un- satisfactory respo not unlike the Matsel investi- gation. Thus far the members of the Councilmen are unaffected by the evidence. A certain Mr. Augustus Wood, of the identity of whom no testi mony appears, is the only party besides Mr. Nims qhe City Librar ‘an, standing tainted. The suljegs of the di position of the Crystal Palace of Rio coffee yesterday, especially the me- dium and lower grades, exhibited avout a quarter of a cent decline. The prime lots sould quotable change in prices. The goveran ent f excited spirited bidding, and went of et ihc. Freights continued firm, though with jess doias. Shippers were disposed to await she reveipt of Agia’s news. To Liverpool grain and flo! taken at the full rates of yesterday. The Central American Eutangleaent=4 Soy for Bancombe and # Stop to Crampton. The near approsch of the Cincionati Con- vention, and the self-evident exigencies of the case, are driving our desperate administration to the most desperate extremities, in the delu- sive hope of thus picking up, here and there, the necessary capita) trom Buncombe to ee- cure the democratic jugglers nomination. The gracious recogeition and recegtion of Padre Vij on Wednesday, as the ambassador of the bone J.’ % ment of Nicaragua, was nothing more p for Bancomoe. Ia- ternational da'y— exal courtesy— governmenta! poticy had. ning to do with it, it was purely the trick c° © desperate player for the Cincinnati Cyoveutien. But we tere ithas come too iaie. Tle Walker governm: :t was as firmly established when Colonel Para-r H. French reported bimeel! to Marcy, as it is now, if nota littic more so. Nothing what- ever has transpired, within Nicaragua or out- side of Nicaragua, since the repeated refusats of Marcy to recognise the Walker government in the person of French, to give @ stronger co- loring of validity or solidity to Waiker’s estab- lishment than it possessed when French was driven from Washington. Presidents and premiers, however, like many other mep, are wiser today than they were yesterday. They live and learn. The late speeches of Senators Doug!as aud Weller in behalf of the Walker movement, appear to have opened the eyes of Mr. Pierce to a great flaw in his arrangements tor Cincinnati. Tae speech of Soulé at New Orleaas has left no doubt upon the subject. The Walker move- ment has the sympathy of a large portion of our people, especially of the Southwest, Tae Little Giant must not have the monopoly of that capital at Cincinnati. That gun must be spiked. The reception of Padre Vijil, a Catholic, will have a splendid efiect among the Catholic “ mavifest destiny” democracy of Louisiana and their delegation to the conven- tion. Marcy protests, threatens, talks of coo- sistency; but for once the Premier must give way, or relinquish his eight thousaad a year. At such a crisis, and upon euch an issue, he can be spared. Such, we bvlieve, is the true solution of the reception of Padre Vijil. The next question in thie connection is, w ll Padre Vijil be able to control the balance of power among the Cincianati jugglers? We hardly think it necessary to dicuss the pro- bable effect of his reception in reference to the perpetuation of the Walker government, because we believe that matter forms no part of the present policy of the administration. ft is acting for Cincinnati, and not for Nicara- gua; for Buncombe, and not for Walker. But, should Buncombe, on the motion of Douglas, or Weller, or Clingman, peremptorily require a proclamation of war against Costa Rica, or a suspension of the neutrality laws, Marcy may be again reduced to the alternative of asqui+s- cence or resignation. In the critical extremity to which Mr. Pierce has been brought by the Buchansn movement, we must not stop at half way measures. Should the reception of Vijil be a euilicient eop for Buncombe and Young America, cur prudent President will stop there; but should the Little Giant demand more, more must be conceded. Meantime we await with some interest the protest of Senor Marcoleta to the diplomatic corps, against the reception. The most important developement of the day in this Central American entanglement is the question of veracity pending between Mr. Clayton and Mr. Crampton. The latter says that the former has repeatedly, from time to time, admitted the right of England to the possession of the Bay Islands, which flank the State of Honduras. Mr. Clayton indignantly says that he mever, on any occasion, has said any such thing; but he has, over and over again, reiterated hia opinion and his position to be, in the treaty and since the treaty, that England has no sort of claim to the possession of the said Bay Islands. Was there ever such an unfortunate interna- tional agreement as this Clayton-Bulwer treaty? From the day that iti;was brought into the Senate, under Taylor's administration, down to this day, the negotiator of that treaty on our part, has scarcely been allowed ® month of repose. He has been kept busy i2 ex- planations and protestations. His speeches in the Senate alone, in vindication of his action upon, and interpretation of. ‘hat treaty, would make a large volume. Yet our readers will remember that while the treaty was under consideration, six years ago, and that after its ratification, from time to time this very question of a confidential “annex,” codicil, or qualification, between Mr. Clayton and Mr. Bulwer, vitiating the whole on 4 ala the convention on the question of coloni tion, has been a subject of discussion, and with, very unsatisfactory results, from 1850 down to 1856, We presume that the misunderstanding be- tween Mesers. Clayton aud Crampton rests upon some extra-diplomatic conversations and some vague infermal concurrence of opinion, meaning nothing with Mr. Clayton, but embo- dying, and designed to embody, the pith of the whole question in the interpretation of Sir Henry Bulwer, of his government, and his suo- cessor at Washington. The ireaty was but a humbug at best. We declared, at the time of its original publication, that it was but a nest- egg for more serious difficulties than those which it had attempted to remedy, It has so turned out. It has received no sort of respect from England; abe has not hesitated to treat ly NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1856. with the utmost contempt whenever her policy required it; and with all the ue protes- tations and explanations of Mr. Clayton, of the last six years, there is still something of an unsatisfactory mystery hanging about the thing, like the shirt of Neseus, or like a strong net enveloping the body of a jackass, Altogether, the urgent necessities of Mr. Pierce in reference to the Cincinnati Conven- tion are pushing him into complications in this Central American business which other- wiee he would not have the hardihood to con- front. But the Cincinnati nomination is worth the riek of unsettling our commercial and financial relations with England and France, expecially when, after the Cincinnati Conven- tion, the administration will be perfectly tree to back out. Perhaps this consideration may have quieted the fears of Marcy in consenting to the warlike programme for the 30th of Jane. Who knows? Phe Condition of Our Repablic—Fiddling Walle Rome ts Burning. Our readers cannot have forgotten that me- morable incident in history which illustrated the utter heartleseness ot a Roman Emperor, who amused himeelf with an instrument of muric while the houses of his people were in flames, and their household gods were irreve- rently forced into the etreeta. It is by no means 8 solitary example of the heartlessness and cruelty of princes and rulers, or of the selfishness and want of sympathy they so gene- rally display towards those over whom they bear sway. When, on the contrary, we find that historical raryy, ® good and wise go- vernor of men, we revere his memory, we atu- dy bie character, we immortalize his name. Yet the greater number of the great have wielded power with but little virtue or grace, and civilization, which has submitted to volua- tary and censtant subjection for the sake of or- der and security, has reaped but tears and sor- row from the unworthy masters it has obeyed. Nor can we flatter ourselves that our own republican institutions impart much greater purity to our public men, or always animate them with virtue in the discharge of their pub- lic duties. It is a melancholy fact that we have no monopoly of integrityin our own country, if we judge from the management of its affairs. If we wish to know the true cause of the advocacy of a public law, we have too often to look under the table of the commit- tees who may have it in charge. There we shall find some sordid politician, who lies perdu, waiting for a contract or a snug place, the real object of the scheme by which legislation isto be bamboozled. Isa foreign town bom- barded and set on fire? Some miserable stock- jobbing speculator has befuddled the adminis. tration with his quodlibets and quidlibets into becoming the promoters of his high pressure schemes of sudden wealth and mushroom re- sponsibility. If a warlike message comes thundering slong from Washington, driving our mer- chants to their wit’s end, we hold it to the fire, and there, the invisible ink beconiing visible, we perceive ita real meaning, and that it is all aflam, a mere fetch to operate upon some Sixth ward, or the foreign policemen of New York, at an approaching election! It would at times seem as if every public act of every public man in this country originates in some concealed and contemptible motive; and it is this state of decadence into which public honor seems falling, which gives such bitterness to the denunciations which now and then the independent prees is compelled to utter We almost begin to think that here, as in the time of Walpole in England, there is a price at which every politician may be bought. Otherwiee we could not be subjest to the con- tinual disorders and miefortanes which cloud up our public affairs against the clearest light and the most certain knowledge. Beyond all question, our national affairs were never in a more entaugled condition than now. We are informed on good authority that we have been recently grossly insulted by a French Minister, in the persons of the Military Commission sent out by our government for an official examination into the operations of the Crimea. The American officers, it is asserted, were rudely refused a modest request to visit the works about Paris, and were bidden ‘“‘G0d- bye till the first gun shot was fired.” This is a straw in appearance, but if true, which we very much doubt, it indicates the current as correctly as a ship riding at her anchor. But we have news, also, that a large division of English gunboats are to amuse themselves off our coast in the course of a few weeks. English muskets, no longer wanted in Turkey, can be had at £5 6s. each by Costa Rica; and an American steamer, the Orizaba, is effectually captured on her arrival at San Juan by the boats of an English frigate, assuming the inso- lence and the manners of Japan, who row sround her and threaten her with violence. Spain has refused te apologize for firing into one of our steamers off Havana, and our means of communication with California by sea are endangered, if not destroyed. Our negotiations on all these subjects are unfinished, and likely to be. We are clearly in the right in every position; but somehow or other we come to no comelusions whatever. Why is all this? Why isevery patriotic aud honest American heart grieved at this misera- ble aspect of our foreign relations? Who are these fiddlers that are amusing themselves at our expense? The answer is plain enough. They are the men who, to use a famous saying of De Witt Clinton, are con- tinually “purring and mousing over petty echemes of political advancement.” They are the President-making, Cabinet-seeking, Fo- reign-Mission-hunting demagogues, who would sacrifice the honor and interest of their coun- try in » moment, ff they could succeed in ad- vancing themselves. It is the local politicians of the States, having each an electoral vote in his pocket, who are gaping and thireting for office and ready for a trade. It is the worse than fools who would rather rule in Pandemonium than serve in Paradise; it is those wretches who are infusing the poison of simulated benevolence into the ears of weak men and silly women, to the ruin of the Union, and who here, under our own eyes, are calling on the slaves of the South to rise and murder their masters. Thus it is that the republic, in the midst of its material greatness, in its rapid advance in physical and industrial power, is divided, dis- tracted and betrayed by ite own agents, And there is no doubt whatever but that the know- ledge of these intestine divisions, this rotten- ness in our bones, gives to foreign diplomacy its warrant for its impertinenc , its arrogance and its insults. Who will fear us if we do not reepect our- selves? We live in a perpetual storm of fictitious issues, mendacious eloquence, false documents and wicked excitements. Every four yearswe are in a state of re- volution. We have now another scene of President making to go through with. And what a spectacle!—the candidates dram- ming up their followers, casting round for States, and portioning out fature provinces, Every appliance used to produce results. Bar- gains here, coalitions there, difficulties created in one place, breaches mended in another. Acivil war in a new Territory actually en- couraged on all sides,and men and women packed off in dozens from the East, or shoved over in bales from the South, to be rode over by the government dragoons, or elee to live the tools of ambitious men, who wish to be Presidents, or even Presidente’ doorkeepers, if every other chance fails. The Herat, in making these sweeping as- sertions, does not forget the honorable excep- tions that have existed, and still exist, among American statesmen; but when we look at the miserable jumble into which everything is fallen, the utter incapacity which seems to pre- vailin the management of our great political intereste—at the darkness and gloom whieb attend our national future—at the evident con- tempt felt for us abroad, and the suicidal cha- racter of our domestic and local disputes—it is enough to alarm the most thoughtless per- son— enough, indeed, torouse up “our old dead from their graves.” We have not said too much in this article. We tall short of the truth, and our readers will agree with us, how- ever unpleagant it may be to come tosucd opinions. It is time, then, that the flames were extinguiched and the fiddlers driven from the capitol. Frencu Feevina Towarp America—Reporr or THE Munrrary Commisston.—It ia under- stood that the three officers who were sent on scientific military tour to Europe have reported that they were rudely refused per- mission to visit the works of fortification in France, and that the language of the Mi- nister of War was such as to constitute an insult. It is suggested that the matter ought to form the subject of adiplomatic correspon- dence. We do not think so. The French are the masters of their military works, and may refuse to allow them to be inspected if they choose. They are entitled, moreever, to adopt what tone they please in conversing with fo- reign visiters, and may exhibit grossness and ilbreeding if that is their bent. Foreigners can only note such unpleasant occurences; they cannot refine them into public or national affronts. Before going further with this busi- ness, moreover, it will be well to make sure of the facte. When the commission first arrived in Europe, it was said that the commissioners had been well treated by the French and Rus- siang, but scurvily by the English. It is now confessed that nothing could have been more gratifying than their reception both in the British camp and at the Horse Guards. It has also been stated, and again denied, that the commissioners were badly used in Russia— that permission was refused them to inspect works, dc. This French story may possibly be ofa piece with these. It is not certain that the commission has yet reported: strong opi- nions had best be withheld till they do. At the same time, it ought not to be con- cealed that of late the tone and attitude of the French towards the United States have been far from worthy of the ancient alliance between the two countries. A systematic abuse of everything American is a chronis feature in the leading Paris papers. Book after book on America appears in Paris, each more scandalously false, more insulting, more meanly unjust than the last: the mantle of De Tocqueville and Chevalier has fallen upon the shoulders of a parcel of Parisian Trollopes. All the old slanders which used to be current in England, but which experience and commoa sense long since kicked into the gutter and the columns of the Morning Post, have been revived, rehashed, recoined in France. Most respectable organs of French opinion have described the Americans as a race relapsing into barbariem, and equally divided between Pirates and slave traders. Now, so far as this goes, it is harmless enough. No one has any objection to it here. But if it is the sentiment of the French peo- ple, if Paris really feels towards the United States as these newspaper writers and book- makers appear to do, it is quite necessary that we should be aware of the fact. It will not do for Americans to labor under a false im- pression in so important a matter. In this country there is but one feeling to- ward the French—a feeling of friendship, ad- miration and respect. That feeling is so strong that it meeded all the energy of General Jack- son to bring the indemnity question to a head. It prevents, at this very moment, the adoption of coercive or retaliatory measures to compel the French to admit our ships to their ports on the same terme as we admit theirs to ours. So powerful is the national liking for France and the French. If in returm for this the French entertain feelings of dislike and con- tempt for us, we want merely to know it. AMUSEMENTS,—The almost overwhelming influx of ad- vert isements and news matter renders it impossible to give detailed notices of the various theatres, &. The following are the leading attractions offered for chis evening:—The universal favorite, Mrs, Barney Williams, tenders an exceedingly fine bill tor her benefit at the Broadway, viz.: the prize drama of “Darby 0’Donnald,” “Patience and Perseverance,’ the ‘Rough Diamond’’ and the “Irish Broom Maker’’—in all of which the bene- ficlary and her equally popular husband, Mr. Williaes, appear. At Niblo’s we are to have young Hengler’s wonderful feats on the tight rope, # grand ballet diver- tiseement and ‘‘Mazulm,’’ Miss F, Denham hes issued host of novelties for her benefit at the Bowery, the dra- matic pieces consisting of the “Irish Lion,” the “Dumb Savoyard,”’ the “Good for Nothing,’ and the ‘“‘Momen- tous Question.” ‘‘To Paria and London”? will be repeat- ed at Burton’s, followed by the ‘‘Unfinished Gentleman,”’ with Mr. Goldsmid as Bill Downie. At Wallack’s the en- tertainments open with “The Captain of the Watch,” followed by the ‘‘Wonder”’—Mr. Wallack in his famous part of Don Felix—and closing with the ‘‘Post of Honor.” The recent great successes, ‘Diane’ and “My Wife’s Mirror,”’ are the features at Laura Keene’s, The children repeat the ‘‘Naiad Queen’ at the Broadway Varieties. “II Trovatore” in to be performed at the Academy of Music, by La Grange, Vestvali and other able artists, Beautifal tablewux, interspersed with elegant vocal and instrumental music, ia still the order of the day at Keller’s impire 1H, Wood’s Minstrels present the “Mischievous Monkey,” with songs, dances, jokes, &, The Aileghanians give their first concert since their return from California at the Tabernacie: and in Brooklyn, the Mayor and other prominent citizens tender a complimentary testimonial to the popuiar trage. Bian, W. M. Flemirg—t e place at the Athenegm: MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. The Reade Street Case. BZAMINATION OF MR. NIMS, CITY LIBRARIAN—HE REFUSES TO GO INTO PARTICULARS—A MR. TATE ON THE STAND—CORRUPTIVE PROPOSALS TO HIM— WHO I8 MR. AU@USTUS WOOD? The Special Committee of the Board of Councilmen—Mr. Vantine, Chairmac—appointed to investigate into the ebarges of corruption preferred against the Committee on Streets, of the Board of Councilmen, for an alleged attempt to extort money from property cwuers inte- rested in the proposed wideniogjof Reade street, me: again yesterday, ut 354 P. M., at the chamber of the Board, City Haul, to bear further evidence in the matter. There wav a large atiendance of members of the Coun- eilmen Board present, and otbers interested in the su>- ject under inves igation. It being generally believed thata full disclosure was about to be made of ali the facie connected with the case, and that the revelations would implicate several members of the Commen Council, much interest was felt to hear the evidence to be eliciied vm the further progress of the investigation. How far they were gratitied, or mystified, or both, may be gathered from the evidence as reported below. Previous vo rewumiog the hearing of evidence, however, Mr. Van- itne, the Chairman of the Committee, submitted the following loiter to be res3, which explains itself:— In consequence cf an article whieb appeared ia the New Yor HERALD of Wednesday, the 14th instant, containing @ statement that ‘‘Mr. Nims is under the impressioa thet Mr. Munday is \be main epring in the action of John Van- tine, Chairman of the Committee of Investigation of the Board of Councilmen, in relation to the action of the Com- mittee on Streets, on the opening of Reade street,” I deem it due to Mr, T. J. Munday to state that he was not aware of the existence of the resolution offered by me untti it appeared in the papers the following morning, in the proceecizgs of the Board; and further, chat it was at my zyxuast he waa Jncnzed taking soy ty in the inves- ion, merely for the purpose of assisting me. ie purpove “JOHN VANTISE, Chairman §; Commitee of Board of Councilmen. Mr. Theocore 8. Nime was the first witness called, ani Deirg sworn, testified as follow Q Do you know Mr. McCurdy? A. Inever had the pleasure of an introduction to him. Q. Did you ever cali on him, at his house, in relation to the widening of Reade s:reet? A. I dechne answeriog. Q. Did you ever write to him on the subjest of wideaing Reade street? A. I decline answeriog. Did Mr. MeCurdy ever call on you, at your house ? . He might. 1 keep an open house, and have ever siace J was married. All parties are at liberty to call, and those calizg I treat weil, often giving then a glass of wine. Q Did you bave an interview with Mr. MeCurdy as to the widening of Reade street. A. I am not prepared to teld you once answering. Q. "Do you know Mr. Bilse? A. I never bad the plea eure of ap introduction to him, Q. Did you ever call upon Mr. W. W. Bliss in relation to the subject of widening Reade street? A. I decline answering. Q. Did you ever write to him upon the subjesi? A. Thot I decline answering. Q. Did you ever receive any money or other considera- tion from Mr. MoCurdy or Mr. Biiss having reference to the widentrg of Reade street? A. I decline answering. Q. Is this letter your handwriting? (fhe Chairman showed the letter introduced at the former meeting of the Cymmittee, and published in the HERALD, which Mr. McCurdy stated he received, and to which was appended the rignature P. S, Nims, the signature at the time hav- ing been cut out of the letter by himself.) .e witners looked at the letter, and passed it over to Mr. Jonas B. Philips, who, be stated, appeared as his counsel, and would direct him in his reply. Reeelving the letter back, be gave as his answer to the question— Icennot ssy whether I wrote the letter or vot; I write many different honds; I don’t say I did not write it. . Did apy person ‘advise you to call on Mr. Mc Jurdyy A. I dectine answering. 'Q. Upon what business did you call upon Mr. MoCurdy? A. Ire use to tell. 'Q. Did you not call to get bim to pey $1,000 about the widenirg'of Reade street? A. I refuse positively to an- swer, a8 | have several times betore. Mr. Phillipe, as counsel for Mr. Nims, here insisted that the questions being put to the witness avout other par- ties than the Committee on Streets of Board of Coun- cilmen, were extra-official and not within the scope of the powers delegated to the committee. the resolution callirg them into existence, he ‘empowered them only 10 investigate as to the acte of the Councilmen Com- mittee on Streets in this parvicular instance of alleged | corruption. "Q eae seeatee of the Common Couneil ask you to call upon 8. MeCurdy and Bhss, or aay other parties, with propositions to secure payments of meney from these parties relative to the widening of Reade street? A. I am glad this question has been put to me, for here, on oath, 1 desire to make the explicit declaration that no member of eitner branch of the Common Vouncil, and particularly no mem- ber of the Committee on Streets, of the Board of Council- men, have had anything to do, as far a! know, with this alleged attempt at getting money trom parties inter- ested jn the widening ot Reade stree:; I add to the above that no cfficer of the city government has bad anything © do with it. Q. Did you vot call on Mr. Bliss and Mr. McCurdy for $1,000? A. I have declined answering that question half a times, and dechme agaia. Q. Are you scqasinted with the members of the Coun- cilmen Committee on Streets? A. I am. Q. Have you ever been connected with them ie any way? A. Tacted as clerk for them one afternoon ut a meeting in the City Library. Q. Were you ever authorized by them to speak with any parties interested in the widenicg of Reade strest, with a view tc get money from them? A. I have answer- ed this over, no, very emphatically. Q. Have you apy objections to state the name of the party you told Mr. McCurdy asked you to call om him? Mr. Phillips elatmea that the question was gciug with- cut the scope of the Committee’s authority. Mr. Gray, of the Committee, said that in his view c~na- sel had no right toap:ear for Mr. Nims. Tne comuuit- tee bad nocounsel. The whole thirg involved was only a plain matter of fact, and Mr. Nims could answer yes or no, ee Phillips stated that he was there to protect Mr. ims. Mr. Gray said he did not, and he presumed the com- mittee cid not, wish to force Mr, Nims to anawer any questions he desired not to. Mr. remarked that he should be happy to eblige the committee all he could in his answers. It so happen- ed that be bad en egal counsel, and he should act under that counsel’s dictation. Q. Did you no: tell Mr. M’Curdy that you would get $50 of the $1,000? A, No, sir; that brought to hie mind another denial he wished to make of Mr. M’Curdy’s evidence, end that was, that he told Mr. M’Curdy that he had two children; he wished to deny this publicly for his wife’s sake, as she supposed him to be the father of only one chid. Mr. Gray—Mr. M’Curdy stated in his evidence that you stated you had two cbilaren. Mr. Nime—Mr. M’Curdy lied when he said so; and 1_will tell bim so when I see him. Mr. Aloxancer Stuart, of the firm of R. L. & A.’Stuart, the sugar refiners, was next sworn--He stated that a person called some time since on bis brother, about the ‘widening ot Reade street, and offered for $1,000 to secare & report adverse to the wideniog of the street; this bro. ther was absent from the city and could not appear be- fore the committee; the pre byte. & note first, in which was stated the that $1,000 would buy a re. port adverse to the measure; he saw that note. Q. Did you see the signature? A. I did not notice it icularly; the name, I think, was something like ry oy ps Hing? A. I think he . ‘escribe t jon cal \. e is ‘presents (pointing to Nim). but cannot be positive that the person pointed 0 is him; I have seen him in the City Library, at meetings of the Street Committee there; no member of the Committee on Streets, of the Council. men, or member of the Common Council, he added, ever called on himeelt or brother in rejerence to the widen- in ee street. rth of a stove dealer; 1 was interested in the widening of Reade street; a gentleman called on me at my house, aud asked me what my views were as tv the widening of Reade street; I told the gentleman I was ree to the measure; this person saw me again in the chamber of the Board of by renewed the subject of our Hous interview; he said the matter could be killed— previ the only thing necessary was money. Q, What wes this person's name? A, Avgustas Wood, Q What is his business? A. Ho is « land agent; I never saw bim before he called on me; I have seen him in the Councilmen chamber juently. Q. Did he name any sum that it would oost to kill the measure? A. Yes, $1,000; I said I did not wish to kill it in any such way. Q. Can you ‘Nescribe the maa? A. I should thiak he was about middle CO age can’t say whether he wore whiskers or not, and cannot describe the color of his hair, though my impression is that it is light; I could tell hin were I to meet Cowal Q. Did any member of the Committee on Streets of the Board of Councilmen ever call on you or make any pro- position as to the wi ‘of Reade street. A. No, sir. ‘The Chairman inquired if there was any person preseat who knew this Mr. Augustus Wood? ‘There was no res} . The names of several other ee ‘be exami were here calied, but they were absent. Mr. Stewart was recalled, and asked to testify as to the writing of the note sent to his brother, alluded to in his evidence. Two letters, bearing the signature of br. Nims, were shown One of those, he thought, re- embed the writing of the note—the other, he thougat, Mr. Nims was also recalled, and asked if he knew Mr. Augustus Wood! He replied that he did not, as he was aware of. ‘The committee here adjourned, subject to the call of the chair. ‘The Crystal Palace Property. APPLICATION TO BE MADE FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE LEASE. ‘The Committees on Lands and Places of the Board of Aldermen—Mr, | Valentine, Chairman—met yesterday to consider further the subject of the disposition of the Crystal Palace property. Mr. White, the Receiver of the Crystal Palace, submit. ted that there was nothing before the requir- ing ita action, and that until som tangible was resented, the proceedings of the committee were wholly informal, Mr. David Banks claimed that there was on application of Mr. White in the hands of the committee, asking an extension of the lease of Crystal Palace, and atranse in opposition to the renewal of such leat by owners of property im the vicinity of Crystal’? Mr, While called for the reading of bis application, whieh the chairman read. The reading of the document showed it to be s communication rent, in March last, to the Common Council, by Mr. White, notifying them of an intention on bis part to submit au act to the State Iogiy- After mutual utterance of a few similar choice epithe's, pres of ploy niarest.chareetorising. the Drooeolings be- icy interest rising the pi fore the last meeting of the committee, the Chatman called the parties to order, acd annousced that os nothing was before them, an adjournment would take Place. Mr. White gave notice that at the next meeting of the Aldermen’s Board, he wou'd presest a formal appitoation for an extension lease cf Crystal Palace. Mr. Benks esid he would then le: his remonstrance re- main with the -ommittee. It was firally greed to adjourn to nex: Tharsday, and upon the app icstion propored to ba sudmitied by Mr. White, enter upon bearing evidence at length of parties 7 and against the extension of the lease of Crystal Palace. AN Unique Concert —Mr. Theodore Etafeld ann unces, atthe Academy, to-morrow nigh’, tue most remarkablo concert that hasever been gotten up in America. Ite reeult will prove whetber or not there is any spprecia- tion of classical music in New York. The programme has been printed in a reat pamphlet, from which we learn that the orchestra, under Mr. Eisfeld’s baton, will! number eighty performers. The vosal department will be in the hada cf Badiali and Miss Braime-d. wecond part will consis: of Beethoven’ written for Goethe’s great tragedy, ‘‘iigmont.’? The music illustrates the action of the play, and Mr. Donald Macleod will recite @ poem: ex- planatory of the plot. This has been done in Earope, the great length of the tragedy and the music rendering itsrepresentation, as a whole, almost impossible. No pleasanter method of becoming acquainted with perhaps the greatest work of Goethe could te devised, and Mr. Eisteld’s reputaticn ix a guaran ee tha: everything wild be dene well. Rerurn oF THE PyxE AND Harkison Trourr —Tne “Englirh Sky Lark’? and her successful company will re- turn to New York next week, when they will give & short series of concerts at Niblo’s Garden, previous to the commencement of their summer campaiga im Canada. ‘and the West. During their recent journey to the South they have performed to overflowing houses. Their first concert will take place on Monday, the 26th instant. Mrs. Barnay WILu4Ms haga banefit at the Broadway theatre to-night, when she, with her hasbend, will play in four of their light, sparkling and popular pieces. It ia only necessary to let the people know that Mra. Williama isto have a benefit, and a crowded houte is the inevitable reeult. The Eudora Tragedy. A large number of persons resi¢ing in New Rochelle and vicinity were much disappointed yesterday in not obtaining s view of the notorious negro Wilton, wha stands charged with having murdered Captain Palmer, of the schooner Eudora Imogene, and af:er ropbing the captain and vesrel, seeking to conceal his crime by sink- ing the vessel. Coroner Perry had placed a warrant in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Hill, with directions to bring Wilson be- fore him at New Rochelle, yesterday, for examination previous to his committal to await the action ef.the Grand Jury. This had crawo many in town to ‘get a peep at the nigger that had got to swing.” Up w12 o’clock, noon, ¢very wagon that was seen in the distance was watched with eager eyes, but the “nigger didn’t come,” and many and varied were the remarks and jokes passed thereon, even down to the street urchins. Soma were free to say openly and belcly, that{f.the darkey could be let loose in the streets, they wor ive bins his past sins, and tae county’ woull be several thousand Collars expenses. Sut the nigger dida’t eome; the people did not gratify their curiosity by getting & peep at bis black face, and the county was not saved se- veral thousand dollars expense. The City Island folke, however, have generously offered to donate the gallows: and rope, provided the individual referred to can b@ sworg up open their oyster bank. Shortly afier noon the Deputy sheriff, aecompanied by two aesistants, drove up at @ furious rate, and pai 4 to the Coroner, District Attorney and crowd, that— ‘The Sheriff had returned the warrant issued by Coroe ner Morrell, on und that the prisoner was already in custody under rant issued by Judge Robertson, of Westchester county, charging Wilson with the same offence as charged by the Coroner’s jury, and aleo under the commitment of United Sta’ Com: loner Mortom on the charge of mutiny and rev lt; and fhe Sheriff, therefore, declined to produces him on that ground. ‘This was satisfactory to the Coroner, and ne ascording- y issued a detainer and sent it to the Sheriff, to nold the oe to wait the action of the Grand Jury on the 10th of June. ‘The crowd murmured slightly at their disappointment, tcck @ nip, and quietly dispersed. Court of Common Pleas. Before Hon. Judge Daly. SUIT FOR COMMISSION—THE MURRAY HILL PRO PERTY. May 14.—Wm. A. Keltletas vs. Thos. McElra:h and Jsaac C. Delaplaine—This case occupied the court for more than two days. The plantiff sues as as:ignee of Renard & Co., who were the assignees of Francis L. Wad- dell The claim is for $1,150, alleged to be due as com- airsion on the purchase of twenty-two lots of ground om Filth avenue, between Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eightl: atreets. The plaintiff contended that he negotiated the purchase and that the defendants took possession of the lots, and acecepted avd approved of the title. This the defendants deny, and set up that Mr. Waddell, who was bound as their agent to purchase the property in ques- tion for the lowest sum at whch it be obtained, falsely stated to de’endants that it could not be bought for less than $116,000—in consequence of which state- ment they paid the last mentioned sum and made said agreement, and that before the making and delivery ot the agreement in the comp’aint the said Francis L. Waddell was authoffzed and requested by Wile liam Coventry H. Waddell, the owner of the pra- perty, to dispose of said ‘for the sum of $105,000, and that the said W. C. H. Waddell made over to Francis L. Waddell, for his own use, all money re- ceived upon the sale of the property over the sum of $105,000, and that Frencis L. Waddeli fraudulently sup- Pressed this fact from the defendants; and that, inss- much as he haa received $10,000 in consequence of that ameieee. suppression, therefore the present claim ig rol ve After the exemination of several witnesses, a letter from Wm. C. Waddell to his brother Frank was produced, in which the writer sayw:—‘ If you can get $106.00 for the M property, 80 a8 to discharge the burden of that amount of indebtedness which attaches to it, from my shoulders, you will dispote of it, and for your trouble therein and exertions to aesomplish it, you cam have for yourself all over that.”” Mr. 6. Bainbridge Smith, counsel for plaintiff, cone tenced that there was no evidence to show that Mr. F. 1. Waddell was the agent of the defendants in the pur- chase of the property, but that on the contrary, it waa clear that he was the agent of his brother, Mr. C. He ‘Waddell; that fraud could not be assumed; tha: it was immaterial what price had beem paid, and that the full knowledge of the transaction by all the parties, wau & waiver of apy right on their part to set up the tion of fraud by way of defence, and he there’ore asked? the Court to instruct the jury, on these grounds, that eee, find for plaintuf. The Court refused to do #0, and Mr. C, H. Waddell wag examined by Mr. Smith, and stated that he did not re- collect writing the letter that had been produced; he would not have taken arte for the property; he con- sidered it worth $116,000; his brother was authorized ta sell the property for ma. Mr. F. L. Wadcell deposed to the negotistions of Mr. Delapaine for the purcnase of the property, and that Mr. D. said he preferred to give witness » legal commis~ sion, rather than specified sum of $2,000; Mr. Dela- plaine told witness toat Mr. Mcflrath was associated with him in the purchase, and wanted him to take Mr. McHimth’s notes for part of the purchase; witness con- vented, if Mr. D. wouid endorse them, and he said he would; the purebase was completed, and Mr. Delaplaine always acknowledged the debt of $1,150 for commissic: a it would have been paid, only the plamtiff suc ‘or Thos. McElrath, for the defence, deposed that he met Mr. Coventry Waddell one day after ergs lodged for the purchase, and he told him 1 determined to sell the property for less than it was worth, in order to pay of some incumbrances, and that he thought $105, was the lowest he could take for it; that was the first intimation witness had of the sum be- ing $105,000; he considered himself to the amount of $10,000 by someboby. Mr. Delaplaine and Mr. F. L. Waddell endeavored to convince that $115,000 was the amount understood by all parties, and 4a he thought the property was worth that he consented to make a new bargain, in which that was to be the con- rideration for the purchsre. Counsel having summed aBe th rendered ss verdict for plaintiff for $1,288 39, teing the amount claimed, with interest, to which the Court added an allowance of $50, Marine Court. Before Hon. Judge Thompson. INNKEEPERS’ LIABILITY FORTHE LO88 OF THE GOODE: OF THEIR GUESTS. May 16,—Asphel vs. Carpenter.—The plaintiff is a farmer; the defendant an innkeeper at Bergen Hill, New Jersey. Contiguous to the inn are several separate inclosures kept by defendant for drovers to herd eattle in. In the month of Februady last, the plaintiff drove twelve steers into one of these inclosures, and placed them in charge ofa person in the employ of the defendant, with direc- tions to feed them. ‘The plaintiff them became a gaest at the inn, The next day, or the day after, it was dis- covered that one of the steers was lost, The action is brought to recover its value, $60, THomPson, J.—It is contended by the defence that the inclogure containing the steers did not form » part of the curtilage of the inn; that, consequently, the defendant is not liable'for the value of the missing steer. There i# no proof, however, that the plaintiff porressed any knowledge of the extent of the defendant’s measuage. He gave bis drove in charge of a servant of the innkeeper, amd thereupon took locgings himself at the defendant’s inn, While @ guest ut the inn one of his steers was lost. Tnn- keepers are responsible to as strict and severe an extent as common carriers. (Kent's Com., vol. 2, p. 770.) They are insurers of goods of their guests, and can only limit their liability by express agreement or notice, This rigorous rule of law, as haa been obrerved, is founded on the principle of public utility, to which all private oon. oA