The New York Herald Newspaper, December 11, 1857, Page 2

2 OUR NAVAL HISTORY. Amvmal Roport of the Scerctary of the Navy. Navy Derarraenr, Deo. 3, 1857. Sm:—The naval force which has been employed during the past year bas been sufficient to give adequate security to our conmerce, and to the persons and property of American citizens in all parts of the world. ‘The Home squadron, under the command of its flag officer, Hiram Paulding, has consisted of the steam frigates Wabash and Roanoke, the sioops of-war Saratoga and Cyane, and the war steamers Susquehanna and Fulton, ‘The unsatisfactory state of affairs in New Granady portions of Central America required the increase of this fquadroa, and the almost constant presence of a consider- able force in the neighborhood, both on the Atlantic and the fie New Y with the officers and crew of the St. Marys; jo April saded for Aspinwall; in June returned again to New York with 138 of the destitute and suffering Ameri- can cit.rzens Who had been involved in the troubles of Central America; and on the 29th of July sailed again for Aspinwall, where she still remains. In May the Cyane sailed from Aspinwall upon a short crue, touching at Carthagena, thence to San Juan del Norte, in June received on board, and trangported to As- | pinwail, the men who were brought home by the Wabas and proceeded herseif to Boston with 53 of the sick and | wounded. On the 2d of September she suiled on a cruise to the eastward, returned to Hampton Roads October 30, and ‘on the luth of November sailed for Cape Haytien to the relef of an American vessel and two American seamen, se.zed upon suspicion by order of the Haytien govern ment The Roanoke, while making her six months trial tri was, under the command of Capt, Moutgomery aitached to this squadron. On the 30th of Ma ed for Aspinwall, and returned on the 4th of ust with 206 of Walker's 1 it being necessary to put ber in dock, she was sent from New York to Boston, | aud put out of commission. Ali these men were brought home without previous orders, but such was their deplorable condition that it act of hhmanity which could not aud onght not to | be dispensed with, and the Department approved it. The expense of providing for them necessary food, clotnin, aad medicine, while on shipboard, amounted to 3 for hich av appropriation is ree. at ed on the 1eth of Janu: wo, St. Thomas, Venezue ol Norte yon acruise, visiting Curacoa, Aspinwall and . by’ way of Aspinwall, the vaua aud Key West, she re 1 ; arrived on the 29:h of April. On the 2k of May she left Nortolk for Aspinwall, and will be relieved by the Susquehanna. ne Fulton was put in commission in September, and ‘om Washington on the 14th of October, for Mo- New Orleans aud Chiriqui, in Costa Riea, for the pur- pose of intercepting and prevening unlawful expeditions from th tates against Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexice actions having the same object in view nto Commodore Paulding, der Chatard at San Juan del Norv ‘The Susquehanna, having been ordered from the Medi. torranean to the home squadron, has doubtless arrived at Key West, and proceeded to San Juan det Norte with sim ilar instructions If ans wful expedition from the United States gua, Costa Rica, or Mexico, shall succeed in ding, it will be because it’ has been able to squadron is now preparing at Philadelphia to join be ready fur sea it spinwall, and | | ° sloops of-war St. Mary and the war steamer Mussachusetis. A large part of this squadron has been much and usefully em. ployed at Panama and on the coast of Central America, Where its presence was deemed indispensable. Tue Independence sailed Augest 3 from Panama to San Francisco, to be stationed at the navy yard as a ro- ceiving ship, and for the general purposes of the yard, During ber is of leisure, mand of Commander Fairfax. h t inte © engage ye and expeditions of much inter est A party was despatched. in charge of Lieutenant James B. McCauley, to explore the timber resources about the Gulf of San Miguel, the mouth of the Darien, one ndred miles from Panama. ‘The expedition was emi- nently successful The Johu Adams was ordered home in September, to Norfokk The Massachusette having been stationed in Puget Sound to aid in preventing Indian disturbances, when her preseoce was uo longer required was ordered t> San Franciseo, and arriving there in April, was in June put ‘out of commission. ‘The Decatar was also employed on the northwest coast in suppressing Indian hostilities, from which she pro- ceeded to San Francisco, thence to Panama, and arriv: there March 9. On the Ist of 4 Were relieved by others sent across the Isthmus. She sailed from Panama for Punta Arenas and col Sur; August S she returned to Panama with twenty- five of Walker's men. The St. Marys sailed from Panama in January last, with orders to touch on the coast of Central Ameri- ca, and thence proseed to Jurvis and New Nan tucket islands, which were supposed to possess valaabe In January the Wabash returnod frem Aspinwall to | NEW YORK HSRALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1897. the Rast India under Flag Officer James Arm- lant ‘The s of this squadron have been arduous, and officers and men attached to it distinguirbed theaun- scives on a memorable occasion, ‘On the 15th of November, 1856, a8 one of the boats be- | longing to the squadron was: ing up the river to Canton with the American fing fully displayed, it, was several times fired upon by the Barrier forts, endangering the Uves of allon board. This outrage was promptiy resisted ¢ redressed by the captare aud destruction of the forts, ond raging their walls to the ground, These forts, four | in number, commanding the approach to Canton, were among the stropgest defenwes of the empire, mounting | 176 guns. The prompt and decisive course pur- | sued by Commodore Armstrong, his officers and | men, hae caused the flag of the United States to be | respected by the Chinese, contributed largely to the secu- _ rity of eur ‘citizens in China, and, during the troubles which followed, has probably been’ the means of saving many lives and mueh property. ‘The Portsmouth, in January, sailed for Shaughae, visited all the ports north of Canton open to our vessela by treaty, | and tu March retarned to Hong Kong. In April she was | despatched to Singapore to look into the aitair of the Datch | bark! Henrietta Maria, and having accomplished the object | of her visit she proceeded to Siam, with Mr. Charles Wil- | tam Bradley, United States Consul at Ningpo, bearing a | treaty of amity and commerce between th: Uuited States ‘snd Siam for ratification by that government. While there she was visited by one of the Kings of Siam, a courtesy never before extended to a man-of war of any nation. On the 17th June she sailed with Mr. Bradley for Hong Kong, thence to Shanghae, from which port she sailed on the 2 of August for Simoda and Hakodadi, Japan. ‘The Levant in February, was ordered to Manilla with invalids of the squadron to obtain a passage for them to the United States, She left Manilla in March for Shang- hae, was there docked, and on the 23d of June sailed for Hong Kong. Orders were sent out on the 16th September for her return to Boston. ‘The San Jacinto at the latest dates was at Shanghae, where she arrived on the 23d of June from Hong Kong, baving ia view the health @ officers and crew which required 4 change of climate. ‘The oven hostilities existing between the English and the Chinese, the consequent embarrassments of trade and the pro of obtaining much better commercial arrange- ments with China, rendered an increase of our naval force in those seas a measure of prudence, if not of ne- coesity. Accordingly, the steam frigates Minnesota and Mississippi, and the sloop-of-war Germantown, were ordered to that station, The Minnesota sailed from Nor- folk July 1, the Germantown August 4, and the Mis- sissippi from New York August 19. The Hon. Wm. BR. Reed, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentia- ry from the United States to China, went out in the Min- nesota. The steam frigate Powhatan has been ordered to China to relieve the San Jacinto, and Captain Josiah F. Tatnall to: —— Commodore Armstrong as the Flag Officer of the squadron, The late President of the United States, your immediate predecessor, having accepted the offer whieh you courte- ously extended to him of the use of a pablie vessel to con- vey him and his family to Madeira, the Powhatan will tooniee them on board at Norfuik and convey them to that island Resides the squadrons, other vessels have been in com- nussion. The steamer Michigan, under Commander Charles Hi. McHiair, {8 upon the northwestern lakes. The steam frigate Merrimack returned to Boston, in March, from a successful trip of six months. under Cap tain Pendergrast; she has since gone out as the tlag ship fie squadron. war Preble, the practice ship at the Naval under Commander Joseph F. Green, has, with ‘and third classes of Acting Midshipmen, made the usual summer cruise, from which they have derived mach practical information in their profession. The report of the cruise is herewith transmitted. The storeship Relief, under Livutenant Cooke, returned to New York in January, having conveyed stores to the squadron on the coast of Br: ‘The storeship Supply, under Lieutezant A. F. V. Gray, performet a similar duty, sailing from New York in April, returning in August, and bas sinee sailed with stores for the African and Bra- zil squadrons. The bark Release, under lieutenant Simms, des- patched in November, 1856, unde rthe direction of tho Department of the Interior, to Demarara and Venezuela, to procure cuttings 'of sugar cane, re- Orleans in February, with three hundred tons of the cuttings. She landed her cargo, pro- ceeded to New York, and arrived there March 19. In June, under Lientenaut Brasher, she sailed from New York for Aspinwall, with stores for the squadron in the Pacific, and im August returned to Boston. In accordance with the joint resolution of Congress ap- proved August 28, 1856, the bark Resolute, late one of an Poglish expi ‘squadron, abandoned in the Arctic seas, purchased by the United ‘States from her salvors, and thoroughly repaired and refitted, was tendered to the British government. As stated in the last annual report, the Resolute, under the commaud of Commander Hartstene, sailed from New York for Pngland November 15, 1856; she arrived at Portsmouth December 12, and on the 16th was delivered to the Queen of Great Britain in person, Commander Hartstene performed the duty assigned him to the entire satisfaction of the Department, and was received in Eng- land, beth by government and people, with e mani- festation of the high appreciation with whieh they re- garded this signal mark of courtesy and friendly feeli he part of the govermmeut and veople of the Uni . to expedite telegraphic eom- de} t mits of guano. She was detained cn the const of Cen- America by the condition ef affairs there, and did not nue ber course to those islands until June. Com- ater Davis had instructions to vysit them—to make foundings, to ascertain their location, and the quantity and quality Of their guano deposits, to make other observa- Lions useful to navigation, and to return by the San Isiands to San Franciseo. She proceeded to the Jarvis and New Nantucket islands, made the soundings, surveys and ckamunation Whe had been ordered, and proceed ing Uaeuce to arrived there on the 2ed of Sep- « Commander Davis reports that nothing resem. bung guano was found at either of those isiands. He, Lowever, procured several samples of the soil from a suf ficient variety of places, fully to illustrate ihe character of the deposits. The American Guano Company having eviousiy, under the act of August 18, 1856, given to the State Department the proper notice of discovery, and en. tered unto the required bond, Commander Davis—no con fucting Claims appeariag—took formal possession of the isianda in the name of the United States, and deposited in the ea: tb a declaration to that effect, executed on parch ment and weil protected. In view of the large fleet of whale ships, in number about 200, carrying 7,006 men, that usually visit the Sandwich Islands in the fall of the year, Commander Davis, at the carucat solicitation of the United States Commissioner, and he priveipal America merchants, decided to prolong his stay there dore Mervine having been ordered home, and pendence to San Francisco, Captain John €. Lang one out to succeed him, sailmg from Boston, October is flagship, the Merrimack The steam frigato Se under Captain John Kelly, bas sailed for the Pacitic to sepply the place of the Joan Adams. The Vandalia has receatly lett Portemouth, New Hampshire, for the same bation It wae deemed necersary, as a measure of humanity nud policy, to direct Commodore Mervine to give Generali Walker, avd such of his citizens of the United States, as were willing to embrace it, an oppor- tunity to retreat {rot Nicaragua. Before these instructions were received, Commocore Mervine had sent Commander Davis, with the St. Marys, to San Juan del Sar, with in structions to proteet the persons ani property of American Gitizens. With this authority oniy, Commander Davis ne- gotiated with Genoral Walker terms of capitulation, under Which he surrendered with his men, and was conveyed to Pacama, whence be proceeded to the United States. Com- mander Davis alco received from Genoral Walker the sur- render of a small schooner which he had detained, called ne “Granada, and delivered her to the Nicaraguan nmander Davis, so far as he by the use of the St. wd Feture to the U ranac was about BF4 #4 noumbered with these men, in the condition, sufleriag for the want of everything, and endangering the health of those under command, bad no mode of r xcept by turaing them adrift, which them by the railway t Aspin alternative, he was under the department, in favor of . being the amount whie mi Was impose! le, oF sen 1 he due for transpo: sual rate of charce tested. The company voluntarily re personal reeponsibility of CommoJor ne, and prt the bill at the disposal of the govern Jeubmit it, with an expression of my cor Cougress should make reasonable provision fur it; also for (ie expenses of providing these men while on rd with necessary food. clothing and medicine, of ou estimate wil hereafter be farnished. editerranean squadron, under its fiag of- L. Br was composed of the frigate steam frigate Susquehanna, and the ution. The Susquehanna, having aid in the attetnpt to lay the telegraphic cable across the Atlantic. has been ordered hom already mention €4, apd attarbed to the home squadron; and Com e Breese having been ordered with his flagship, the Con. Gress, to the United states, they will not be replaced bj Others until the opening of pring, leaving the Conste! lation, under the command of Captain Charles H. Bell, to look afier the interests of ihe United States in that quarter ‘The veesels of thie squadron the Mediterranean, where the: portant influence by g)\ ing ‘of the United Mtates Commercial interests The Krazil squadron, during the past year, has been an €or the command of Flag Officer French Forrest, and kas consisted of the frigate St. Lawrence and the sloope Fal that We visited many porte in evence hae had an itn security to citizens (ius promoting our mouth and Germantown. The Germantown, being 6 home, arrived at Norfolk, F and having been repaired, railed for the Past Indies on the 4th of Auga:t, t De employed ax part of the force on that station. Th Falmouth, bay en sent home by Commodore Foner for repairs, w comple Was sent back att earliest moment v vin thy awrence. It is pr “the posed, at an carly day, wo add brig Perry w this fquadron These two squedrons, the Brazil and the Mediterranean have beep able quetly and effeetive! Gation required of them respective! Girect interference The Jamestown Com) f&nd Dolphin have been e Commodore Crabbe, inte iving at Puiladel June, wae by the yy Squadron, Thomas A. Con ye fame month, aailed from Host: Doriand. The Dale left Norfolk May 6 to relieve the [ol ay which arrived at Boston July 22. The Vincennes loft New York on the 20th Novether to relieve the St. Lovie. The sloop Marion is preparing to join the squadron. ‘The foree on = ot — r fully accom plished its main obyeet, by discharging the obligations we are under by the treaty of August 9, 1542, for the euppresstou of the dave trade. ‘The steam frigate San Jacinto, Commander Henry H. Pe\ and the sloope of war Portemouth Commander Foote, ped Ley nus, Oommmmmader Frudbaim smth, Lave cousutuied m the const of J that station ar Jamestown on the ad of Flag Officer of the ja with thy n the 28d of the ag ships, the Com tetion | the goverpmeut in ta 4 the employment of twe 6) m ying down a telegraphic cable from the coast of New- ndland to the coast of Ireland. The Niagara, then at New York, nearly ready for sea, was ordered to England to aid in the enterprise. She left New York, under the command of Captain Hudson, on the 22d of April, and ar- rived in Eng! on the lzth of May. The Susquelmuua, onder Captain Sands, then in the Mediterranean, was ale directed to proceed to England, and to accompany tha Niagara across the Atlavuc, rendering sueb assistance as she might require. These Vessels, with those designated for the same purpose by the government of Great Britain, assembled in the Cove of Cork, and on the 6th of August the Niagara commenced laying down the telegraphic cable. Aft wut three hundred and thirty four miles of it had been laid it parted, without fault of the oficers or crew of the Niagara, and the fleet returned to Plymouth. The Ningara was ordered, afler landing cable, return to New York, and bas arrived. The Sus- quehanna returned to the Mediterranean. tas since received orders to join the Home squadron, at Key West, and has probably at this point received her orders to proceed to san Juan del Norte with the special instructions which accompanied them. x ‘The act of March 3, 1857, making appropriations for the naval service, appropriated $49,000 “to enable the Secre { the Navy toarm aud man the ordnance ship Ply- mouth, with « view to the improvement of orduance and gunnery practice.” She was accerdingly put in commis sion, and,on the Tth July, sent to sea on a six months’ cruise, under Commander Dabigren. Her armament con ‘sisted of four nine-inch shell guns, one eleven inch shell pivet gun, two twenty-four pounder and one twelve nnder howitzers. She was ordered to ernise by the ‘Azores to Lisbon, along the coast of France to Amsterdam, and, returning, to touch at Southampton or Bristol and the ada Islands. mander Dahlgren, having completed the cruise, has returned to this port, will comtinue the drill necessary to perfect the training of such seamen as bave been found capable of receiving it. The Ply- mouth encountered long continued boisterous weather on her return homeward, with some heavy gales, during which the heaviest of the caunon were secured perfectly with ordinary Inching®, aul were as well under control iu a rough sea, when cast loose for practice, as could be de- sired. One hundred and twenty-one sbelis were fired at sen, during the cruise, from the Misch pivot gun, and “without experiencing any of the difficulties usually = poved to render sueb heavy orduauce nearly unavailad! on ship Th dispe: result of the operations of the Plymouth seems to ‘all remaining doubt whether the heavy cannon which she carried would be manageable, and not only to justify the previous adoption of such ordnance im the stoam frigates recently built, but also to render it expe- dient to extend this plan of armament. I earnestly re- commend a renewal of the appropriation and the perma. nent employment of a ship on this duty. ‘The act 0 Mareh 3, 1857, making a riations for the Naval service, directed the Secretary of the Navy “to | have prepared, and to report to Congress for its approval, | a code of regulations for the government of the Navy.” i the performance of this duty, I convened in Warbington, on the 10th of August, a board of oflicer, con sisting of a captain, commander, lieutenant, the heutenant colonc! of the marine corps, a purse prepare a code of regulations conforming tothe require: mont of the act. They are diligently engaged in the | work: and bave made such progress that I shall be able to | eulinit a report to Congress at an early day. The same act appropriated tweaty-five thousand dollars to verily the survey of the Atrato and Turando rivers, with a view to a ehip canal between the Atlantic and Pa. | cific oceans, Measures were immediately taken by the War and Navy Departments to organize an expedition for this object. Lieutenant Craven, of the Navy, and Lieutenant | Michier, of the Topographical Bugineers of the Army, Ly your directton assigned to this duty. Theschooner i the Coast Survey, temporarily placed at the contro! of this De; cit, was prepared at the New York Navy Yard for this epecial service, and with suitable hy drograpbical and topographidml parties om board, set | on the 12th of October for the Guif of Darien. When consider the magnitude of the object; the influence it is | destined to have upon commerce, if accomplished; its effect in binding together tn closer relations remotest perss of our confederacy sam fai to regard oy opeful enterprise having this object in view as with the deepest interest. Tt is not without hope, foun fed | upon reliable information, that this enterprise is under. | tak | Ry the same act of March 3, 1857, making appropria- tiene for the naval service, the sum of $25,900 was appro printed to extend and complete the exploration of the Pi rana and the trivutaries of the Paragus . Barly in the sea. sen an arrangement was made with Mr. R. B. Forbes, of Toston, for the construction, at his own expense, of a steamer of suitable «ize and draught for the navigation of those rivers, to be delivered by him at some convenient penton the La Plata, and chartered by the government for the time that will necessarily be occupied in the sur. vey. The cont or the charter of the vessel has been ly exreuted. ron proceed to t Comm " ader T. J. Page, with rtuere, and to enter upon the explora vernment of Paragaay baving prohibited the y foreign vessels of that part ‘of tue river mY whieh ithin ita jariediction, some diffculty may possibly arise in completing that portion of the sur- vey: but there are many rivers embraced within the cope of the act, the explorat of whieh will probably develope ure ages. | Comm t that four | charts already y int ed; that maining sheets are ready and that the eon straction and topography of the whole work will be com pleted in six if not delayed by them. ‘The work of publishing the survey of the late expedi tion to the North Pacific and Bhoring’s Straits, under Com- mander Rodgers, is rapidiy advancing. Engagements have been made with eminent professors in the various poi yf Dd i pathy the yy of the expe \ ‘A portion of the hy jieal work is in the bands of the engrayer; the rest um a state of forward. aces. to | and ‘a surgeon, to | 1 season authoriged the enlistment of Congress at cight thousand five jandeed men fi » instead of even thousand five lund: ‘hve forenae ial. Tus tn, crease Cnabled the dgpartment to employ more yvosccls of war al sea; but the num! er of marines has not been in. crew ed so that guards con be provided for them, To ob. vinte this difficulty, under the authority of the Naval Averonriatians act of March 2 pe, you directed the cmployment ot t¥o hundred lendamen as ma nines, in addition to the two hundred authorized to be so employed by oue of your predecessors. By this ar rangement the number empioyeu as privates in the ma- rine corps amounts to thirteen hundred and eight, we the muspbor ob landstneu is Siereby hed. I would respectfully recommend, as has been done predeccs-ors, that the privates of this be vodka § ‘Two thousand men are deemed necessary for the ordinary ‘of the service. Wishing to give gr ater efficiency to this important branch of the service, I have recently directed that there ‘ve furnished to the headquarters of corps @ battery of Iwo S2-ponnders and four of Dahigren’s field guns, that the officers and men may be instructed in their drill be- fore being sent to sea. They will then be able to act as infantry, serve a division ot heavy artillery on or the firid pieces on landing. ‘The Nay: iution act of At 15, 1866, appro- priated ninety si thousand dollars ‘the erection and completion of mariue barracks at Brooklyn, New York, and sixty thousand dollars for the same purpose at Peusa- cola, Fiorida. The site for these at Brooklyn requiring piling and fill ing in, not yet comp! , proposals have not been invited for the erection of barracks there. Pensacola were invited by my predecessor lowest bid was beyond the limit of the ation, plans and specifications were directed to made for smaller buildings, and on the 21st of September proposals were again invited. Seventeen were received, and those of Mahon & Gibbon for filty three thousand eight hua. dred and forty seven doliars, being the lowest, the cou. tract Jed to them. c parracks at Roston, Philadelphia and Nor- folk are represented to be contracted and entirely untit for use; and the commandant of the corps recommends that provision be made to purchase ground and erect suit able buildings at those places. T would reapcetfuliy invite your attention to General Henderson's report for the general condition of the corps. ‘Two appropriations, each of twenty thousand doliars, have been made for the construction and completion of a coal depot at Key West, in Floriaa. A wharf hay been built, but the foundation baving partially failed, it is deemed unsafe. A coal shed has been commenced, but is neither covered in nor paved. The constructing engineer reports that a similar one, parallel to it, is needed for soft coal, that having been designed for anthracite; that the sheds will be of little use without a substantial and per- manent wharf from which vessels can receive their sup- ply; that the site of the present wharf is excellent, having a depth of water of twenty-five feet; that the construction of two railway tracks from the wharf to the coal sheds will be necessary; and that to esmplete what he proposes would require ai appropriation of one hundred and seven- ty-five thousand dollars, the former appropriation having been exhausted. In view of the admirable position of Key West for con- veniently supplying with coal the steamers of the Home squadron, I would earnestiy recommend that suitable pro- vision be made, by lation, for the completion, upon a proper seale and ir an economical manner, of this impor- tant publie work. ‘The act of January 28, 1857, authorized the President to purchase « site for a naval depot on Blythe island, in the State of Georgia, and to erect such batidings and to make such improvements as may be necessary. to repair vessels of war and to aiford them refuge. “A board of officers, consisting of Captain Mclatosh, Commaader Hart- stene, Lieutenant Brooke and a civil engineer, Mr. Calvin Brown, were directed to examme the island aud the adja- cent waters. In pursuance of their report, about one thousand one hundred acres of the southera portion of the and have been purchased tor $130,000. The Attorney feneral having certified that the title is good, and the State of Georgia having consented tothe pnecliase. and y ceded the requisite jurisdiction, the purchase has been paid. Immediate steps will be taken to prepare the site for the purpose expressed in the act of ‘ongress. The war steamer building at Hoboken by the execu- tor of Robert L. Stevens way first authorized by the act of April 14, 1842 The present contract provides that Mr. Stevens should build the vessel on bis owa pian and deliver her to the government for the sum of $586,717 84, and that after the sum of $500,000 should have been paid on account, she should be examined by @ Board, and if she should be completed for the balance of the appropriation, then it should be paid. This balance of $86,717 54 has been appropriated by Gougress to en- able the department promplly to make the payment when it should be due. On the 19th of February, 1856, a Board was appointed, and in their report of March 7, 1856, they estimate that, in addition to the sum of $500,00) already paid, there will be required the further sum of $812,033 68 to complete the versel. The balance ‘iated Au- gust 16, 1556, remains theretore in the treasury. Mr. Stevens and his executor have expended the vessel the sum of $702,755 37. It is now proposed by the executor that the balance of the contract price—that is to say, the sum of $86,717 eee him from time to time as an eqnal amount in work and materials ehall here- after be put upon the vessel, the same being secured to the government by a pledge of the whole, As the vessel is al- Teady virtually owned by the goverument, and will be of little value unless compicted, it is deemed proper to invite attention to the inquiry whether it may not be expedient to authorize the application of the balance in aid of the means of the executor, and in the mode proposed, to the accomplishment of the work. Tho Navai Academy at Annapolis, now under the charge of Captain Blake, the successor of Goldsborough the administration of this important and delicate trust, is in a flourishing condition. It is to the navy what the Mili- tary Academy is to the army—an institution not merely of great utility, but of indispensable necessity , without which, un the present state of science, an accomplished and effi- cient corps of officers could not be secured, There are now attac] to it, for purposes of instruction, 176 acting midshipmen. At the close of the last academic year fifteen graduated, and eighty-nine have since been ad. mitted. ‘The report of the last annual board of inspecting offt- cers speak# in terms of high commendation of the dis. cipline and police regulations of the institution: of the performance of the students in field artillery und infantry tactics: in the exercise of the great guns in battery, and in shell and sbot practice at the target; of the admirable acquirements of the graduating class, and of the successful management of the academy, now no an experiment. It also proposes some measures desert earnest consideration. and others which in due time ought to be carried into effect The joint resolution of March 5, 1857, directing the Se- cretary of the Navy to cause medals to be struck and pre _ vented to Dr. Kane, his officers and men, [ have been unable to carry into effect, because Congress accidentally emitted to ¢ aN appropriation for that object. When Lentered upon my duties in this department I found a Naval Court of at, already organized under the act of January 16, 1557, Deeming it important that the investigation directed by that act should be brought to ‘an early conclusion, 1 iminediately organized two add}- tional courts, These three courts have prosecuted their labors with eat assiduity. The result in many cacee hax been present to you. As to all those casea in which the courts have recommended restoration to the active list, or to the ser. vice, or a transfer from forlough to leave bf you have approved the action of the courts; and when’ you shall have presented corresponding Bominations to the Senate, you will have done as to them all whieh this act has eom. mitted to your diserction. As to cases in which the courts have recom pe change, the action of the President, whether it be that of or disapproval, will not vary the result, but leave rties im rate quo as ifthere had been no inquiry, The President having no power to change the state of any person already in the navy, except by dismissal, or by promotion with the ad. vice and consent of the Senate, or to restore any wo it except by a new appowtment, with the advice aud con sentof the same body, it is obvious that little could be done to remove or ee eee evil whieb it was the object of that act to ly except by the prompt execution of the act itself. Unwilling to be drawn into any allegation against those officers who had been affected by the action of the Retiri Board, I examined the act of Congress to see if any duty bad been im posed upon me. I found that it admitted no latitude of constraction. It directed a definite . ibed the exact limits of the investigation. It left in a ment no power to enlarge, or to reatrict, or to modify. It directed the physieal. mental, professional and moral fitness of the r for the naval service to be investigated by a court of inquiry. Accordingly, the precept to the court in every case directed that precise inquiry. Instruc tions were given to the Judge Advocates in every instance where the ES, desired. ito take the initiative, and to nt all the evidence which they intended to introduce efore the party should be called ripon to re: to it, and then to give him ample opportanity. y were directed to consent to depositions when necessary or con venient. inter] ce 9 to which there should be no objection. These instructions were = to insure fn fair, impartial, and faith‘ul execution of the intentions of Congress. The policy hax been adopted of rhortening the period of ive ip all remote seas, and several «hips have beea ed home in pursuance of it. The necessity of the has been long felt. It Wl conduce to the preser- of the health of both officers and mon, Long ex- posed to the enervating influences of hot climates, they are cften broken down, or their usefulness in after life im. paired. It will facilitate enlistments. Making the service more bie to seamen by more frequently returning them to their homes, it will make them more ready to en gage in it, It will promote economy. The ships retarn- ing from a short cruise of two years will be ready for sea ain without being subject to those searching repairs to Which they are generally subjected after one lon absence in view of another equally long. It will contribute to the increased activity, efficiency, and usefulness of the navy, by making @ more a school of actual experience to officers and ecamen, and by presenting our ships more fre- quently wherever there ehall be American commerce or American citizens to be protected. These considerations have Jed to the adoption of this change, and it will pro- bably be permanent, unless experience shall dixprove its utility. Al the same time the a vation proportion of landsmen and boys allotted toa national ship har veen increwed. There is often great diffeulty in obtaining seamen, and still greater in obtaining American seamen—the best in the world for the United States service. The employment of landsmen and boys contributes much to remedy the inconvenience. They coon become trained and fit to take the place of seamen, and instead of being starving supernumeraries in the population of the larger cities, they become efficient and useful members of an improving aud valuable class, without which neither a naval nor mercantile marine can be enstained, having at ite last lion of dollars towards the taken for their immediate constraction. They will be built at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk and Pen- sacola—one at cach of those places. That at New York will be batlt contract, in the yard of Mr. Jacob A. Westervelt. act rer expressly authorized their construction by contract or ‘ise, it has been deemed asion authorized the appropriated a mil- t, Measures have been . The is to the way by mong ih la eu oft my (rag vor to give the goverument the Lest aloop of wag (hat can be butit. But ag the govera nent has i's own establist- ments, provided at immense cost, and thoroughly organ: tued and be ee with the requisite materials, it was thought to be expedient, and, iniced, necessary, to em ploy them in the construction of the others The Depart ment, afigr having advertised forthe beet model, plan and speci , and receives thirteen proj organized a Doard composed of the must experienced naval of val constructors and chiet ones ‘to aid in awara: contract according to the terms of theadvertisement. Tam confident that the resuit, both as to the ship built by the private contractor and those bullt at the navy yards, will reach as high a point of excellence as is at present attaiu- able. They will be constructed water tight com Partmente—an improvement in the mode of construction which, in case of disaster, will often save the ship from going to the bottom, and ought generally to be introduced Where many lives aft at stake. ‘The act autnorizing the five steops.of war barton Rpecifi- ed the Claas of vessels to be built, did not admit of the cou- struction of sreall steamers of light draught, which are very much wanted im the public service. For some years past the government has had no means of supplying its indispensable wants, oxcept by hiring small steamers ag occasion might require. At this moment, when much needed, we have po vessels which can penctrate the ri- vers of China, We bave few that can euter most of the harbors south of Norfolk. Harbors which are the reci- pients of hundreds of millions of our commerce are not accestibie to most of o. public ships. This state of destitution is so remarkable that it should attract par- ticular attention, especially as some of our greatest interests and most vulnerable points are thus left exposed. Besides, this class of steamers, of light draught. great speed and heavy guns would be formidable in coas’ defence. They cost but little in construction, and require but little to keep them in commission, and for inost practi- cal purposes in time of peace are as effective as larger verscis, and often more so. One or more of them should be at every point where we maintain a squadron. Three cr four should be consianfly employed on the Atlantic and fic coasts, Economy, efficiency and utility combine to commend them as almost indispensabic. Teu of them would be of incaculabie advantage to the naval service, and would cost $2,300,000. Under the present small appropriation for testing im- provements eeveral trials ha been made, but the de- partment feels itself crippled by the limited acpropriation. ‘The sum of ten thousand dollars is not adequate to do jus- tice to improvements which promise public utility. Men of inventive genius aye so devoted to the one favorite pur- suit that they are most frequently without the means ne- cessary to tést their inventions. Were Congress to appro- priate tenfold the sum now allotted te this object for baval porposes, a single successful result, after a hun- dred failures, would reimburse the whole'cost, while the inflicnce of the measure in aiding the progress of improve- ment in the naval service could hardly be over estimated. It is impossible, without doing’ injustice, to give a summary of the reports of the chiefs of —bu- reaus ef this Department. They have presented a full and detailed statement ‘of the condition of the service in the respective branches committed to their particular charge; of public works prosecuted, of improvements introduced, of evils remedied, and many suggestions and recommendations which deserve the con- sideration of Congress. Their reports exhibit detailed statements of the expenditures of the present, and esti mates for the ensuing fiscal year I commend them to particular attention, az exhibiting a full view of the actual condition of the navy and its auxiliary establishments, so far as they are under the immediate supervision of the bureaus ‘The estimates for the supportof the navy and marine corps, and for all other objects under the contrel of the Navy Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1859, are— For the support of the navy and marine corps For special objects... E 866,783 22 Making... cseceeccccseresseese 14,616,298 23 ‘The aggregate estimates for the fiscal year ending June, 1858, were $13 903,212 77, being $813,085 less than the present estimates.” This difference is principally caused by estimatirg $260,000 for the armament for the five new eloops, $30,000 more than last year for building the eloops, and by estimating for provisions and pay for one aeene additional men authorized by the act of March 38, 1857. ‘The expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1857, for atl purposes under the control of the Department, were $12,632,696 $1—of which $4.543,698 14 being for Special objects, the legitimate expenses ofthe navy and marine corps for that period were $8,288,998 67. ‘A review of the present condition of the navy, and of the establishunents counected with it, has afforded me great satisfaction. [see in them, taken in connection with our commercial marine and our immense resources, the means of promptly putting afloat a naval force equal to any exigency Tel to arise m the history of the country. it is not the policy of our government to maintain a great navy in time of peace. It is against its settled policy t burden the resources of the — by an overgrown naval establishment. It is univer ly admitted to in- expedient to endeavor to compete with over great com- mercial Powers in the magnitude of their naval prepara- tions. But it is the true policy of our government totake care that its navy, within its limited extent, should be unsur- passed in its efficiency and {ts completeness, and that our preparatory arrangements should be such that no event shall take us altogether by surprise. thave the honor to be, very respectfully, your obe- dient servant, ISAAC TOUCEY, To the Presipest. Secretary of the Navy. $9,749,515 O1 4} ‘Theatrical and Musical, Ninto’s.—Despite the strong inducements our citizens now have for visiting other establishments, an unusually large number of them nightly congregate to witness the elegant pantomimic acting of the Ravels, who a to pear this evening in “The Milliners,”” “The Br wands” . Bowrxy.—The Dill for to-night comprises some dozon acts of horsemanship, « varicty of gymnastic and acro- Datic feats. and the amusing pantomime called ‘Jocko, or the Brazilian Ape,” in which little Magilton has made quite a hit, and is finely supported by various meibers of the troupe. Brxrox’s.—Another large audience will doubtless as- semble this evening to see Messrs. Burton and Brougham jp their famons original characters in the very popular drama of “Dombey & Son.’” The amusements are to close with the farcecalled “Crinoline,” in which Mr: Rogers represents Nancy Bitters Wagtack’s.—The new local play called the “Poor of New York,” upon which we commented at some len, yesterday. is announced for repetition this eveuing. scenery fllustrates a number of the principal localities im the city, and the characters are represented by the chief artists of the talented company. Lana Krexr’s.—The romantic spectacle of the ‘Sea of Ice” is to be again. performed to-night. The extreordt- nary succes# of this play clearly proves that scenic pieers, when properly .are idghly appreciated by the pleasure secking community, especially whea all the cha- racters are in the hands ef superior artists. Oty ¥ric.—Three lively little pieces, the “Rattle of Ans- terlitz,” the “Kiss in the Dark,” and the “Cork Leg,” are announced, together with dances, for to-night, Mossrs. Roys and H. Jordan, and Miss Kate Ludlow are to per- sonate the principal characters. Mr. Walcot is to play at this house next week. Tratian Ovens —Mme, La Grange, and Signori Dignardi, Avogadro and Rocco, are to perform in Verdi's grand opera of “La Traviati” this evening Considdrable pains have been taken to present this piece in complete style, with military band, new and elegant costumes, &c. Amenican Mcser™.—The dramatic selections for the en- tertainment of visiters this afternoon, are “The Truth’s a In the Leinyay Mrs. ©. od artists are to appear in the “Cross "which wil be followed by the extravaganza call- “Laugh and Grow Fat.”’ Crnces —All who desire to enjoy considerable fun and at the same time witness a ¥: of wonderful gymnastic performances, should visit Tryonu's cireus, 84 Bowery, where they will find no less than four clowns, « large force ef male and female equestrians, and sogeral weil trained horses, sarexisy.—The Ethiopian troupes present a lengthy list of borlesques, songs and dances, for to night, together with the favorite farce called the jan,” at Geo. Christy and Wood's establishment, and the “Chinese Acro bate,‘ at Bryant's. See their reapective programmes. Political Intelligence. Teaverrat OF THE GovERNOR OF AtaBaMa.—We have received a copy of the inaugural address of Gov. Moore, of Alabama. He urges economy in the management of the affairs of the State, and thinks that a surplus in the treasu- ty should be carefully guarded against, titu the anger of the opposite policy by bapa Soom | the general government, He rey in the subject of educa- tion in the public schools ax recommends the State Universi Legiviatare, He har not > notes of the State Rank, when returned to ry, shoald be cancelled. The commercial served to confirm him in the opinion that the policy of Alabama fn separ: herself from ail connection with banks or other moneyed institutions j* sound and should be maintained. He thinks that banks, “if necessary for com. merce and for commercial facilities , are necessary evils,’ and that “such restrictions and penalties should be incor. porated in their charters as will, if possible, effectually protect the people against the abuse of their powers and privileges."’ Upon the eubject of federal relations, he re views the movements of the black republicans, whoa ee fe “to exterminate the institution of slavery.” He ig not without hope that the Uaion may be preserved, though he does not res itas the “para. mount political ood,” and thinks that the South shonid lay aside all minor questions and unite in resistance to its Northern assailants, “As at present informed,” he de. clares his disapprobation of the eonduct of Gov. Walker in Kateas. and thinks that the Convention had exeinsive right to determine whether they would or would not submit the: coustitution to the people. He does not join, however, in the complaint against the administration for not removing Governor Walker, “believing that Mr. Buchanan will be able to give satiefactory reasons for the course he has pursued.” Arrempren Bengnary at Astiann, Mass. Pencrane SHor ny A Womax.—The house of Pr, Hod entered between one and two o'cloc manifest put mor " turning the key to the front door with nippers. The bu glare went up stairs and selected considerable elott Which was carried below and pat into a pile. They then collected various articles of clothing in the rooms below, ‘as aieo vases and some fancy articles. Mrs. Hodges was awakened as she at first thought by the tinkling of a tea bell, but which was Fea the nolke occasioned by theit moving a solar lamp with glass doors. She imme diately arose and went to the head of the stairs and listen: ed, when she heard whispering in the room below, She than went to ber own room, took a loaded gun and return- ed tothe head of the stairs, when she saw indistinctly the form of a man ks a the first or scoond stair, coming up. She asked,“ What is wanted?” and he replied, re songee, ore blow your brains out:” npon which Our London Correspondenee. Soxman, Nov. 24, 1867. Sir W. Gore Ouseiey’s Alission to Central America—Me Moves on the Political Choss Board Laid Bare—Ourious bit of Diplomatic Mistary—Origin of the New Bnwoy's Aypointment—The Wirepulter of the American Lega- | tiom in London—Way ia which Inlivect Influences are, trought (o Bear upon wer Foreign Policy—The Late Cri- | tical Condition of the Anglo-American Houses—Doult- | ful Position of the Bank of England—A Sharp Trigk Wy @ London Banking Hise, de., de | ‘The mission of Sir W. Gore Ouseley has excited as much | speculation here as it will probably dont your side of the | water. Our political quid munes camnot understand why, | with a sensible, clear-headed man like Lord Napier near | Mr. Buchanan, there wax any necessity for such a mission | atall. It is in reality at Washington, and not iu Honduras, | Costa Rica or Nicaragua, that the Central American quoa- | tion will have to be settled. Why a proverbially slow | and heavy diplomatist like SirGore Ouseley should be se- | lected to cut the knot of the difficulty, few people here can understand, The surprise occasioned by this appoint- | ment ie the greater from the fact that this gentleman has | never been a favorite of Lord Palmerston, and that the | dislike is heartily reciprocated. Sir Gore Ouseley was | an employé under Lord Aberdeen, but was thrown over when that nobleman last came into office, a title being | iven him by way of solace to his wounded ambition. In other words, he was genteely shelved. What were the reasons, then, you will ask, which dic. tated this appointment? Iwilltell you. Mr. Buchanan's | opinions on the subject of the Clayton Bulwer treaty have long been known to the British Cabinet. After the rejec- | tion of the last project of arrangement, as amended by the | Senate, Mr. Buchanan declared that he would never nego- | tiate until Lord Palmerston acknowledged the indopen- dence of the Bay Islands. This fact was communicated to Tord Paimerston by Lord Napier, with the additional information that if the British government did not choose to accede to this condition, Mr. Buchanan would lay the case before Congress for the country aud the prews to decide upon. With bis Indian embarraxsments on hand, his lordship did not relish the prospect which this intima tion held out to him. He was quite decided, however, not to yield the independence of the Bay Islands, if that step could by any possibility be avoided. At thix juncture the house of Baring Brothers, in the person of Joshua Bates, opportunely interfered. ‘This gentleman, who is un inti- matetriend of Mr. Buchanan, implored of Lord Palmerston not to jeopardize the peace and commercial interests of the two countries, (i. e., the interests of Baring Brothers,) and suggested Sir Gore Ouseley as a likely person to con- ciliate the difficulty, through’ his intimaey with Mr. Bu- chanan and his American connections. Betore 1 proceed further, let me state exactly the nature of Sir Gore Ouseley’s pretensions in these regards, For years this gentleman has beew in the habit of running after the American Ministers in London, from a blind in- stinct, perhaps, that they might prove useful to him at some period or other. He has also steadily cultivated from the same motive, the leading American flaancial houses in London, such as Baring’s and Peabody's. This he was the more easily enabled to do from the importance which his diplomatic antecedents imparted to him in Ame- rican eyes. During the whole of Mr. Buchanan's mission in London Sir Gore Ouséley was continually running to his house, pour faire ante chambre, as the French say. The supposed inflaence with which these circumstances invest- ed him, rendered bim in the eyes of Mr. Bates the most fitting agent that could bo despatched on this delicate mission. Lord Palmerston, notwithstanding his old prejudices, in- | stantly caught at Mr. Dates’ suggestion. He felt that the difficulty was one that could uot be met in an ordinary straightforward way, and he indulged the hope that the Ouseley mission would anticipate the dreaded message,and would lead to the renewal of negotiations without his be- ing obliged to concede Mr. Buchanan's sine qua nom. With the tenacity that forms go distinguishing « feature in his character, he is resolved nov to consent to the abrogation of ton-Bulwer treaty until he has tried all the shifts and subterfuges that diplomacy can furnish, Sir Gore Ouseley’s instructions were, therefore, to repair to Washing'on to take the sting out of the message, afd then to post off to Central America, where he is to pretend to co operate with Mr. Buchanan, 90 as to keep the in- fluence of the United States always under. If the Presi- dent only remains faithful to the sentiments which he was. known by his friends to entertain on this question while in London, all these cunningly elaborated manwuvres must end in discomfiture and cisappointment. With regard to the concealed actor in these arrange- ments, let me say afew words. The political influence of Mr. Bates bas never been properly understood in the United States, and it is time that it should reevive its just reciation. Ihave had my eye on this gentleman since 1835, and during sJl that time consider him to have been the acting American Minister in London. He 18 a natural- ized British subject and the owner of rea! estate in Eng- jand, but connected commercially with the United States. Always en rapport British government, he bas, to the great benefit and assistanee of the later, under- taken to manage the United States Minister, and has always succeeded, except in the single instance of Mr. Buchanan, who was too fully alive to the fact te allow himself to be made a dupe of. The cunning financier leads our repre- sentatives insensibly to bis views, by dining them in town, sleeping them at bis villa at Sheen, and retailing Bons hout the Queen and her infant family, fresh from is daughter, Madame Van de Weyer. At the present moment Mr. Bates is our only Minister, for the personal relations between the President and Mr. Dal- jas are such that no business whatever is carried on at the Legation here. All matters of importance are trans- acted at Washington. Mr. Dallas will net resign, that he Lay decided upon; so that if there is anything to be done, Mr. Bates, as usual, volunteers and corresponds with the White House. Thus it appears we have two Ministers im Jendon—the ene nominal, the other real. Our Ministers here are, generally speaking, unaccustomed to aristocratic habits and courtly ceremonies, +o that Mr. Rates’ protec. ten is uratefully accepted until they get over their fright, and then they find themselves in tle plight of the horse in the fable. Mr. Bates’s monopoly of the American Ministers here has been hotly contested for the last six or seven years by Mr. Peabody. The struggle between these Titans for the body and soul of the American representative began with the advent of poor Abbot Lawrence. Mr. Bates gave him a grand concert, and went to the expense of having all the principal opera singers. Mr. Peabocy gat up a rival entertainment—a gravd bail—and gave all the ladies a bouquet. Both made a dash at Mr. Buchanan: but Peabady lost the prize, whilst Bates also failed to secure i. Mr. Dallas having nothing particular to do here, swallows the Richmond dinners of 'eabody and the coun- sels of Bates, and seems to wax fat in spite of both, But, alas! the course of diplomacy , like true love, never does run smooth, for suddenly thore Comes along the re- bound of your terrible panic, and the effect on these two great financial gladiators bas been of the most dieturbi eharncter, Instead of pleasantly making war upon ac! other by opposition balla, concerts and — dinners, they have been compelled to join hands under the pros! sure, and to mutually do their best to prop up the huge financial structures they have raised, menaced as they have been by the storm of commercial disaster which hag awept from your side. Both were dreadfully in want of assistance from the Bank of England, but both were equally ashamed to beg for it, At last Peabody was in- duced to save Bates from the humiliation, and to play the =! of the monkey by drawing the burnt chestnuts trom efire. Armed with the securities of Baring Brothers, the London Joint Stock Bank and the Union Bank, be went boldly one morning into the bank Psy od demapded the loan of a million sterling, telling Me directors that if he did not get it, h& and all the other leading American houses must fall, and bring general ruin intheirtrain. The diree- tore, terrified at the prospects which he held out to them, paid him down the it ix raid. The sum thas obtal ly, the Barings, and the who all stood sadly in need of it. Fogland has pressure and granting the immense extent of accommodation that it hae done remains tw be seen. The of inion amongst well informed men here ie that its position ts fall of dan- ger, and that it would have been better for ite own inter. ests and those of the country if it had continved to con. tract instead of expanding its loans. That the directors | Jost their presence of mind aud suffered themselves to be | bullied into measures of which their cooler judgment would have disapproved is now pretty evident. You have heard, of course, of the’ trick played upon them by Overend & Gurney. This house is said to have ordinarily seme ten millions on call. In the es the panie they sent to the Bank of England for $568 | ia gol, most have it or break.” The bank was alarmed at « a contingency, and gave itto them. They sent again next morning and avked a further sum of £250,000, and it. Tt turned out that they did not actually want the gold, bot only took these precautions in the apprehension of a run being made upon them. You have seen the account of the late canine presenth lajesty. The Queen is said to have been ex- ceedingly cordial on the occasion, the animal being from Pennsylvania with a royal appellation—both sufficiently strong claims to her favor nke just mentioned Whettier the Bank of prudently in yielding to the A Baxker Cownipen By a Lapy, ix Wiscon- fix.—A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, writing from Janesville, Dec. 5, says:—On last Tuesday the good people of Janesville were furnished with a bit of excite- mont, growing out of the cowhiding of Mr, John P. Hoyt, a well known banker of this city, by Mra. Clarinda A. An drews, the proprietress of a millinery store. In the morn: ing, aa Hoyt was passing np Wost Milwankie etreet to hia | ¢, Mrs, Andrews saw hit from het store on the oppo. | site side of the street, and seizing a stout cowhide which she had provided for the purpose, crossed the street, and the following conversation ensnad»—Mre A.— Ie your name Heyty’ H.—(bowing politely)— It is, Madame.” Mra. A." You have acted the trator to ine aud my hus band;" and withowt further ado the lady proceeded toad minister a severe flagellation, laying her whip over Moyt's face and shoulders with an empbasis which was feelingly pg by the recipient The proceeding of course jected quite a crowd, and the by s interfering, Hoyt escaped from the clutches of cA. A warrant ‘wax procured from the Police Court the Imly bronght before that tribunal, t charge of assault and battery. ‘The sapient we w in that covet fim her $60 and costs, which sum was promptly paid by. the citizens. The cause of the difficulty feged sharp ractice with a mortgage, and bad yt Iwportant Deersion Concarnine Discounten Arts PAYARLE Easkwirknt.—-The Buffalo Frpress of the 8th inst. states that in imber of cases lately tried inthe Supreme Court im that city, the question was raisod “whether nee pes below, aa it # called—that js, in New York, aad discounted hore—is usurious or not) that the Court held im the ®. instructed the ? Tetal cf James Shepherd for Arson in th First Degree. COURT OF GENEKAL SES6TONS. Before Recorder Sunith, Dee 10.—After the court was opened this morning, nearly haif an hour was occapied ib transacting routin matters, when James Shepherd, indicted for arson in the first cepree, was placed at the bar for trial, As the ef- fonce was a capital one, the counsel ‘for the accused ex- amined cach juror as to his knowledge of the facts of the | case, so that a jury was not obtained till after 12 o'clook. Mr. Sedgwick, the Assistant District Attorney, gave a detailed statement of the circumstances upoa which ho re- Ned tor a conviction. The prisouer was charged with fe lonious!y setting fire to a two story frame house, built aad occupied by himsell, corner Fifty-third street aud Tooth avenue, or the morning of the 9th of June. Tis wite was consumed in the tlames, and the présecution allege tha t the accused intended to take her life. It would bd mn goog that all the circumstances showed a preparation* for re- moval from his house, and that after be had procured @ policy of insurance he showed it to a person, stating that ‘‘a fire would happen in this house”? Inu the course of the trial it would be shown that statements made by the ac- cused were fulse, from which the jury were to determine upon the guilt or imnocence of the’ serious charge pro- ferred against bim. Wilheimina Dicker was the first witness examined for the prosecution. She deposed as follows:—I live in Fifty- third street, between Kighth and Ninth avenues; in June I | lived in Ninth avenue, near a block from Shephera’s | house; could see the roof from my window; I was aroused | by my mother about one o'clock on the morning of the | fire by & woman halloain; ig “Fire,” ‘Fire; I went and told Mr. Bogart to come out; L saw Shepherd’s roof burning and accompanied Mrs. Bogart to the place; the house was | burning ail over; I remained at the sceue of the occur- rence till three o'clock, Cross-examined—-Mr. Bogart lived in the house with | mother aud myself; I first saw the fire when in my rooun loniiialou of the window; Ican’t say where the fire had its origin. Jobn May testified thaton the 9th of June he lived in West Fifty third street; that he was a fireman; was aroused by his wife on that morning between one and two o’cloek, and when he arrived at Shephord’s house he saw the roof and part of the second story, fronting the street, burning; saw Shepherd on the sidewalk; he had on a shirt and pantalcone, and hallooed “My yrow,”? “My vrow;"* [ond a Sere. re pl lip lower se detuutees only partly dressed: the was cumplet es 3 Mrs. Ehepherd’s body was found sbtbaworihasat corner of the house; knew the wife of the prisoner; she was a stout woman; think she got her living by washing. €ross-examined—shepherd’s house was a small one; T remained at the fire about an hour; there wus another man, whose name I don’t know, in company with Shep- herd; Isaw Mr. Bogart there too; 1 swear distinctly that Shepherd did not say “ My wife, my wife; I don't know what countryman Shepherd is. Counsel for the prisoner asked the District Attorney if, he would admit that Shepherd was an Irishman, to which he replied in the affirmative. Witness continuing—A great many Germans live in our neighborhood, and the prisoner liked always to have a lit- te funny talk in Dutch; Shepherd said he wanted to goin and rescue his wile, but @ policeman prevented him. Henry Trimer deposed that he lived in Fifty-thied street, and assisted Shepherd to erect bis house. Q. What was the house worth? (Objected to. Objection overruled.) A. It was worth about $50 or $60; he offered it to me for $25 some time last winter; I leased the ground to the prisoner; on the 9th of June he owed me nine months’ rent, _)Mr. Sedgwick said that the prisoner insured the house for $275.) When | was awoke, keaw the upper part of the houge in flames; I had not mach con- versution with Shepherd after the’ fire, but he said to me « few days after the fire that ‘he lost a gold watch, and that his woman used to carry gold about her; no money was ever found in the ruins, except a five cent piece; he did not tell me how the fire commenced; he moved building materials to Harlem three weeks before the fire, such as could be constructed into a shanty; he took bannisters off the stairs and put up pine boards’ in- stead; nover knew tuat he was insured; after the Aro, Shepherd remarked to me that he thought I was insured; Shepherd's house had a flat roof; about a year oefore the fire — to me one day that he wanted to get his house insured. Cross-exaimined—I am a carpenter; 1 wouked three days anda half at Shepherd's house,’ (laughter); there was no foundation at the time it was built, but it waa made afterwards. To the Distriet Attorney—Every part of the mate- rial was second hand; Shepherd and his wife were in the habit of quarreling almost night and day; [ heara her oe night time; saw hian haul her through the street yy the hair. Cross-examined—Cannot state positively how long be- fore the fire [had seen them quarreling; I'saw them go! church together, and eight days before the fire they ap- to be pleasant. Christian Geyer was the next witness—He said that in room on about $35 o'clock on the night of the fire: was, aroused about 12 o'clock by a man wl ‘was open for; saw the fire and the upper in flames; took my bed in my arms an entry, but could not return again in consequence of the flames ; witness hollooed fire, and saw Shepherd stand about fourteen feet from the house; he also hollooed fire he had on a shirt, commenced; witness said he was hard ef hearing a a ben Mama fo rwpd and his happily together; Mrs. Shephed ay well tick on tho evening of the fire: When § e wo Shepherd le the morning he always demanded money of his wife: not kuow whether she gave him any or not; witness could not identity « gold watch shown to him. ‘To the Court—Did not hear any noise in the house when T awoke; saw Shepherd two minutes afterwards; the priscner made no remark about his wife, who was in the ; did uot see his face, but heard him holloo “Fire;"* he wore @ pair ot biack pautaloous,a blue coat, and’a white night cap. Cross examined—There was no other person in the house with me on the night in question; Mr. Fisher woke me up at 12 o'clock; the fire cocurred at 134 o'clock: Me. and Mrs. Shepherd used to sleep omthe floor; I lived im the house from December till June. The hour fer adjournment baving arrived, the Court dismissed the jury Ull to-norrow morning, when the cage ‘will be resumed. Common Pleas—General Term. Before Hon. Judges Ingraham, Daly and Brady. KEEPER'S FEES IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. Duc. 10.— William A. McSpedon ve. Hugh Crombie.—This was an action brought in the Marine Court, to recover a Dill of $118, (assigned to the plaintiff,) for services of Tho- mas MeSpedon, as a keeper employed in tho Shoriff’s of- fice, to wateh property levied upon prior to anles under C= The bill consisted of six itema—the first aud t amounting to $12. The defendant, (oho is the Deputy Sheriff, under whose directions the plaintiff's ‘wx , nad alwaya admitted it to be correct, and raid he had been ready to pay, but was never asked. The second, rth items, the Marine Court disallowed. The fifth item, being $90, was disputed by defendant, who waa examined as a witness.on the that the under which (he the detendant) levied, and bad watched, was vacated, and no costs or fees had been recovered or’ allowed the Sheriff or hie deputy, and that there had prevailed in the Sheriff's office from time immemorial, @ custom that the keeper should not be idl where the deputy recovered no fees, and that Thomas jon, who had been many years employed as a “keep” in the Sheriff's office, was well awore of this cas- tom, and had al ® acted upon this understanding. Thotnas McSpedon, who was also a witness, denied that ha ever was told of this custom. The Marine Court ordered r it for the item in dispute, and the $12 admitted besides costs, which was afterwards affirmed at General ‘Term of that Court. Appeal was taken to the Common Pleas. ad the Court—We are of opinion that the evidence es- tablishes that the fey assignor undertook to do the services for which he claims to recover ander full_know- | ledge that he wns to be paid only im case the defendant received pay on the execution. testimony of the as- signor that he was never told of the custom does not create any conflict with the ather evidence which estab. lishes that be had full know! of the existence of that custom from bis former employment in similar cases and he must be presumed to have acted under such am ent. There is also some doubt as fo the defend- ant’s liability in any event. The plaintiff knew ofthe rela- tion between the defendant and the Sheriff, and that hig employment was on bebaif of the Shoriff. The evidence, as far as it pos, was not perhaps eufficient to the Sheriff, but further evidence might, if he had been fendant, have boen produced upon that point. However, it is unnecessary to express an opinion. For the reason above stated, the item of $90 should be disallowed, and the judgment affirmed for the balance, without coms te either party on appeal. SAMUEL F. JONKS, THE ABSCONDING DEFAULTER TO THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 TO THE COLCHESTER BANK. ‘This morning, when a suit of Allen vs. Jones and Wilcor ‘was called in court, Mr. Horace B. Wileox, whois a partner of Samnel F, Jones, made affidavit for the purpase of ob taining time, that Jones had gone to Hunisvilie, Als.» business, aud would be back in New York in ten days. Brooklyn City News. A Feemve Stave Dooat—A colored \“gemman,’ named Brown, who keeps a coach in Concord strect, near Bridye, had the fugitive save confideace game eome over Lim ina remarkable manner, about a week since, Wil. om Pagen, the steward of the dark Pentacket, from which the keg of doubioone was stolen a wook or two Aftor ho had robbed the veeset r with the mate, he wont to Brown and represented thas he waa @ poor fugitive from slavery and desired an sytem uutil he could fied means of ea coping to Canada. Brown, sympathigiag with the pro. ten ded fugitive harbored him for the night, and the next day took him, vis the Long Island railrood, to Fariaing: dale, where lie placed the supposed fugitive slave in thy charge and under the jeotoction of another sympathise with the “bonded African.’ Brown rotarne’? to the city and a few days after heard of the robbery of the vooat and saw a description of the stewart of the which seemed to tally exactly with the person of tha late fngitive whom Brown had so kindly bh bored. ‘The more he thought of it the more he was convineed that be had been sold, snd according y gaye information to the owners of the veesc! of the faci in his possesion, amd aS the officers on the trac of the fugitive steward. ‘Pagen wae arrested # Formine- dale and taken seross the South ferry on Wednesdiy morning. Brown thinks he will bea little careful in fi. {ture how ho so readily assists the “distressed African’ in epg freedom, until he is assured the stow he tolls s a . THannservina 1X Missourt.—Governgr Stewart has fixed upon Thursday, the 31st day of anes observed as a day of Thanksgiving the State ot