The New York Herald Newspaper, December 12, 1857, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 1772. MORNING £DITION—SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1857. THE UTAH EXPEDITIO OFFICIAL DESPATCH FROM COLONEL JORNSTCN, &o, &o, be. Despatches have been received at the War Pepartment from Co}. Johnston, the commander of the army of Utah.’ ‘They include several letters from Col. Alexander, com- manding the main body of the expedition. Asnexed ia tho ‘@espatch from Col. Johnston :— Haapquarrers Any or Uran, ‘Sout Pass, EN ROUTE TO Save Lake Crry, October 18, 1857. Muson—Accompaaying this communiqtion I send you two letters from Colonel Alexander, the commander a present of the main body of the army of Utah. These Teter refer to matters relative to the propriety, or whether he had the authority, to assume command ef the entire army. He then goes on to say—pursuing his design fndicated in his letter of October 8,a8 you will learn from his fetter of October 14—that he had advanced up Ham's Fork of Green River, thirty-five miles above the crossing, end there directs the movements to be made by ‘his own immediate command and the troops in his rear to form a Janction, which, from erroneous suppositions, would be wholly impracticable. First. He evidently belioves that Colonel Smith, escort- fag the remainder of the supply trains—m all about mine, including three sutlera’ trains—is advanc- img on the Kinney road, or cut-off, with the force named in Harney’a report of August 18, and @f course he has not received the countermand of that erder. He assumes that the command in the rear is more eapable of rapid movement than his own, and, therefore, after waiting one day at the point indicated, will resume als march. In this, also, he would kave been disappointed, ‘as the trains in the rear, suffering from fatiguo and scar- city of sustenance and without rest—whioh the teams with him have had—could not, if where he supposed them, overtake him. These are the facts, and, if known by Col, Alexander, his disposition, as determined in his letter of October 8, would have been entirely different. Col. Smith is at this camp, with fifty men of his rogi- ment. Tovertook him the day before yesterday, 16th ‘mat. , about twenty miles cast of this, and have added my eseort of fifteen mounted dragoons to his foree. Lieut. Smith, in command of a squadron of dragoons and fifty of the Tenth infantry, a force of about wo hundred men, may be expected here in three or four days. He is aware of the necessity of promptness, and J am sure will lose no time. ‘Mr. William Magraw, Superintendent of the South Pass ‘wagon road, with a patriotism highly creditable to him, places at the disposition of the government as many of his employés a will volunteer, He thinks fifty or sixty will be organized, and 1 have agreed to accept their services, ‘and have them mustered in for three or six months, as they may select; and he has also tendered fifteen or six- teen good teams of mules and wagons, which I have also mecepted, and have directed them to be receipted for when delivered. Four supply trains, containing clothing—which the troops in advance, 1 am informed, now begin t need— erdnance, medical and subsistence stores, are still’in the Tear,and may be expected intwoor three days. The wtorm of last night may have destroyed some of their ‘@xen, and on that account there may be wore delay than I anticipate. Bieven mules of Col. Smith’s train perished last night. ‘The thermometer this morning at sunrise was at sixteen. ‘The sky is now clear, and the thermometer at one o'clock stands at thirty-four, and the small quantity of snow that fell daring the night is meiting, so that the cattle can graze freely. Tam thus minute for the reason that the order trans- mitted to Col. Alexander yesterday morning may be fully comprehended. His intended movement, if it met with epposition, would have so retarded his march as to have made it impracticable, and would probably have #0 en- tangled him in the midst of the deep snow of the valley of Bear river—which | understand never fails to fall there, and very early in the season—as to place him beyond the means of extrication. Our most potent enemy at present is the snow, and constitutes our chief embarrassment. The movement ef Col. Alexander would have separated Aim from supplies indispensable to the comfort and safety of the army, and deprived him of the assistance of the force which will be concentrated here in a few days; ‘which, however small, being partly of cavalry, is of vital importance. In ordering Col. Alexander to the mouth of Fontenelle creek, @ position about thirty miles from his camp on Ham's Fork, 1 did so with adesign of making ® junction practicable. [t i# about seventy miles hence, and be can reach it by a good road and ‘without any danger of surprise. There is there an abun. dance of grass, and it is a point from which I can reach the region | intended to ocoupy this winter, without risk- ing the loss of our animals. ‘As oon ag the snow falls on Green river sufficiently to prevent the burning of the grass, I will march to Henry's Fork and occupy that valley during the winter, [tis a commanding position, and accessible two months earlier for reinforcements and supplies jby Cheyenne daes than any other, and will enable me to march by Fort Bridger, ‘and on the most direct route to Salt Lake City, as soon as Possible in the spring. At this position, alao, Col. Cook can join me, which 1 still entertain the hope he will be enabled to do. I greatly regret that the impossibility of concentrating the troops destined for this service, and their supplies will prevent 8 forward movement before spring. Ni is pow manifest that before the force ean be united the ‘entumn will be too far advanced to move with a proba- bility of success, even though not opposed by the Mormons. You are already apprised, by the proclamation of Brig- ‘ham Young and his letter to Colonel Alexander, ‘which I transmitted on the 15th instant, of the political attitude assumed by the Mormons, and the resistance they modi- tate to the just authority the government wishes to exer- cine in the Territory, and the general-in-chief has no doubt already considered the necessity of a conquest of ‘those traitorous people, amd has estimated the force neces- sary to accomplish the object. With a full view of the whole subject before him, his great experience would not be benefitted by any suggestions of mine. - I will mention, however, that unless « large force is sent here, from the mature of the country @ protracted war ov their part is in- evitable, The great distance from our source of supply makes it impracticable to operate with aamall force. It, in fact, requires the employment of such force to guard the numerous trains of supplies, leaving but a small portion, if any, for offensive operations. A movement of troops from California, Oregon, and by this route, would termi- hate a war with the Mormons more speedily and ecovomi- cally than if attempted by insufficient means. In five or six days I think we will have ail the available ree for a forward movement. My that time the trains Will all be up, though they ought to be hero sooner. In twelve days from this time I expect to join Col. Alexan- der, at or near Fontenelle creek, The General may be ascured that no retrograde movement will be made by this force. ‘With great respect, your obedient servant, A. 8. JOFINSTON, Colonel Second Cavalry, Commanding the Army of Utah. To Mason J. MeDownrt, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters of the Army, New York city. ‘The above document bears the endorsement of Lieu- tenant Genoral Scots, cordially approving of Colonel John. ton’s conduct. As to the expedition from the Pacific, he Jn, however, confident that the Colonel is not aware of the dimoulties which would attend it; and it is the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief that Colonel Jownston can be reinforced earlier and far more effectually from this side. Our Expeditionary Correspondence. Haw’s Fork, of Gamen Riven, Oct. 6, 1867. ‘The Opening Scenes in the Mormon War—The Prospects, de, de. The curtain is up; the play has commenced, and the dra matis personae, a8 1 predicted from the commence- ment, already exhibit an aspect of the most tragieal cha- racter. The opening scene presente that ‘ Father in Israel,” Brigham Young, occupying the executive chair, ‘and issuing his official mandates to the saints in Utab, and falminating anathemas uponhis gentile subordinates at ‘Washington. Here you have the document as it was received in oe camp direct from the sanctuary of the Prophet; and for cool, ‘unmitigated impertinence, and deliberate and pre- meditated treasonable tendency and murderons desigh, it without doubt pote the climax wpon anything of the hind ever before perpetrated within the United States Nighed in the Hxnasp of November 18.—} As T observed before, several of our supply trains are Debind us, and without any convoys. Two of these, which were encamped at the crossing of Green river, were attacked by a large Mormon force, the drivers placed un~ der guard, and the wagons with their contente burned. ‘The toamsters were then released, and the Mormons, numbering about four hundred, took their departure, pro- bably with the intention of proceeding back upon the road and destroying the trains in rear, which contain a very large amount of army supplies. As we Baye not a mount- ed soldier with the army, it is impossible to follow and overtake these marauders, who are well mounted, ani armed in the most efficient manner, with a rifle and two large sized revolvers to each man. If the dragoons, which in the first instance were ordered out with this ex- pedition, had not been detained in Kansas, these disasters need not have occurred; but as it is, we have no means to put a stop to them, and I should not be at all surprised if this was only the commencement ofa series which we are destined to encounter. ‘The Governor and other Territorial offlcers, with our commander, are supposed to be on the road, but we have received no positive information upon the subject. We now regard ourselves as almost entirely cut off from all communication with our rear. TROOPS ORDERED TO UTAH. ‘We \earn that the artillery stationed at Fort Snelling have received marebing orders, their ultimate destination being Utah. We suppose that, since the Indians are quiet uo the reservation, the force at Fort Ridgely will also be reduced, and probably have also marching orders for Utah.—Minnesola Pioneer. ~ THE LATE EMIGRANT MASSAGRE EXAGGERATED, The Memphis Bulletin of December 3 publishes a new version of the recent massacre of emigrants by Indians in Utah, which, if correct, shows that the accounts of that tragedy heretofore received were much exaggerated. The Bulteti's authority is a letter received by a citizen of New Madrid, from a relative who was in the company al- leged to have been massacred. According to this tha train was attacked by a very large body of Indians, but the latter were With the loss of only a few fives. ‘Ag the statements of Messrs. Power and Warn, whose parratives have been received as a corroboration of the massacre, were not made from personal observation, but from tho reports of the Mormons, through whem they ‘who seemed anxious to impress upon them the ef that the entire company had ately gr is very little to substantiate the truth of this outrage ex- cepting these reports, it is quite probable that this is the correct version of the affair, which was exagge- rated by the Mormons into a wholesale slaughter to sub- serve their own purposes. Alleged Fillbustering. ACTION ON AN INSURANCE POLICY FOR THE LOSS OF MUNITIONS OF WAR INTENDED FOR THE INVASION OF CUBA. SUPERIOR COURT—PART SROOND. Boforo Hon. Judgo Duer and a Jury. Duc. 11.—~Alezander Hitchcock and Wm. Burroughs, Jr., ws. the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company.—This celebrat- ed suit, which terminated so abruptly last term, after two days and a half, in consequence of one of the jurors (a Dutchman) sudden’ y discovering that he did not Under. stand the English language, is again before the Court, and likely to occupy some days in the hearing. It is an action on & policy of insurance effected with the defendants by Mr. Appleton Oaksmith, on a quantity of guns, pistols and munitions of war, intended for the invasion of Cuba, and shipped on board the American bark Victory, on the 13th December, 1854, which vessel was wrecked on that voyage. The plaintiffs, who sue as assignees of Mr. Oak- smith, state that the latter was owner of the Victory and the cargo then on board of her, and of certain goods and merchandize about to be placed on board of her, and that the defendants, in consideration of a premium paid by Oakemith, made a policy of insurance upon certain goods and mer ise then laden, or tw be laden on board of the Victory on a voyage from the a ‘of New York to St. ‘Thomas, and thence to Vera Cruz or Port au Prince, or Aux Cayes, or another port on St. Domingo, and thereby promised to insure for Oaksmith the sum of $15,000 on all kinds of lawful merchandise, on goods laden or to be laden on that vessel for the proposed Voyage, against the perils of the sea and other perils specified in the policy; that the Vic- tory sailed {rom New York on the 22d of December, 1864, and whilst proceeding on her voy: lost, together witb all her goods and merchandise; the defendants re- fuse to pay the amount insured for, and the plaintiffs bring this action as assignees of Uaksmith for the sum of #15,000. ‘The estimated amount of the loss is about $60,000, which has been insured in diferent offices. ‘The defendants contend that it was the duty of Oak- smith on making the application for the policy of insur- ‘ence to communicate the facts withia his knowledge which would tend to show the true character and value of the risks meant to he covered by the inswrance; that he did not do so, but concealed from the defendants the real nature of the risks, which would bave ifluenced them in determining whether they would sesume the risks, and at what rate of premium; he ith) concealed from the defendants the fact that the Victory and her cargo were greatly exposed to suspicion and arrest, detention and condemnation before leaving any port im the United fo agg Seine ge Uae ge oa my or de. parting from any ign port; ie same cargo had been exposed to lost or used on & previous voyage, and subjectto such damage and deterioration, as if left to be detected and separated from loes, damage or deterioration occurring on the voyage sought to be insured, could pot be detected and ; and that the cargo, after such exposure, had not beon ox- amined to ascertain whether it had been injured, used or Jost. The defendants also contend that the contemplated voyage Was an illegal one, and that at the time the voyage was commenced, # military expedition had been set on foot within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States, to be ‘on against the dominions of a fc See Sawse cake le not known to the defen- dante, but with w! the United States were then at peace; and the voyage was started for and the cargo intended to ition. The bad been put fraudulently taken ‘and in con- it from the actual: the eas tat ly taken on age. Gwner of the veose!, did net provide, man such voyage, id be properly omissions and: to which seteen Com, since 16th against any da- for the plaintiff, and Messrs. Cutting, D. Lord, D. D. ord and others for the defendants. The case has now been on some daye, and will, in all probability, occupy the ance of last night must be given to Mme. de laGrange. In the grand aria finale she sang better than we ever heard her before, There waa no tremolo or alempt to cover up deficiencies by constant recurrence to the same cadenza, but every phrase was given fully and truly, and with brilliancy unparalleled by any one who has sung this réig here. Mme. do la Grange was in her best voice last nigM, and achieved what she deserved—a great suc come. ‘The tenor, Bignardi, sung very well, and the baritone, Ardevani, better than usual, The orchestra, under Ans- chutz, was as good as ever, and the mite en soine superb. This evening Flotow’s ‘‘Martha” will be given, with Formes as Plonkett—a part written exprossly for him— Mme. de la Grange, Mme. Van Berkel and « cast strong throughout. The opera is so well known here that it is hardly necessary to say that it is a delicious work which has never yet been properly put before the New York public, There is a groat deal of curiosity to hear Formes in hia native langaage, and we can rafely predict that the crowd at the Academy to-night will be as great as on the oceasion of bis first appearance here. OnaTonIo AT THR AcADEMY.—The announcement of the New York Harmonic Society of the performance of the “Creation”? on Thursday, with Formes, LaGrange and other eminent soloists, a grand orchestra and chorus, will be found elsewhere. The principal clergymen of the city have given their patronage to the society, and the re- ligious community will come out in fall force. Naval Intelligence, Captein Cunningham, of hip Ocean Steed, arrived at Portamouth, England, 24th wit. from Calcutta via Mau ritins, reports having spoken the sloop of war Portemonth Intitude 28 83 and longitude 8440, all well, and that he brought a small mail. We are left to conjecture at what time he spoke the Portsmouth, also the important fact whether the latitude given wae south or north, and whether the longitude was east or wort. The last ac- counts we have received in relation to the movements of the Portemouth, state that she eailed from en the 23d of Angugt for Japan. of % the ‘but not i th 10 Proposition “Jou bapes_aenoans heseenbnis ory: ee EM et Test). mony. COURT OF GENERAL SBASIONS. Before Recorder Smith, ‘Dro. 11,—As soon as the Recorder took his seat on tho ‘bench he disposed of four charges of assault and hattery by suspending judgment, proof having been furnished of good character and other mitigating ciroumstances. ‘The trial of James Shepherd, indicated for arson in the ret degree, was resumed. EVIDENCE FOR THE PROEBOUTION. Peter Bogart was called and examined by the Assistant District Attormey. He said—I live now in Fifty-fourth street, between Ninth and Tenth avenues; ama house carpenter; on the 9th of June I resided between Fifty- second and Fifty-third strects, in the Ninth avenue; in the same house with the Dickers; I was aroused between 12 and 1 o’clock on the night of the fire and ran to the scene at once; saw Mr. Shepherd there, and about half a dozen were running to it; saw the prisoner come out of the front door of his own house; he stood in the door way when I first saw him; he cried out, ‘The Dutch have burned my wife, the Dutch have burned my wife; he had panta- loons and a shirt on; did not hear him say anything elge he was dancing around the street; I did not say anything to him then, nor did he converse with anybody; I wem up stairs into the building by the front door; I did not see any of Mr. Geyer’s floor on fire; but perceived that the fire came from the roofand dropped on the floor of the second story; I looked into the room and shouted, but no Person replied; I saw a bed lying in the north- east corner of the room, after which I went down stairs into the rear and broke into the window of the second story; there was nothing in the room but a bundle or bed and a bureau: I met Geyer com- ing out with a bed in his arms; Shepherd kept dancing about and saying, ‘‘The Dutch have burned my wife, let me go;”’ I told the people who were holding him to let thé fool go, for he did not want to go into the fire; a policeman then came up and took Shepherd away; knew the prisoner and his wife for a year, and heard them quarrel; I under- the accused that he was building a house at Harlem, and was going to move there. Cross-examined.—] don’t know whether there was any fire in the room on the first floor, because the door was shut; there was no fire in the hall. To the Court—I could go into Shepherd’s room, at the time I saw him in the street, without being burned, Cros-examination resumed.—The shed on which I placed & board to get into the window of the second story was not nine feet from the house; some of the neighbors said that Shepherd's wife was in the house, but he did not tell mo. so; I went around to the front of the house and stood upon a railing to look into the room; Shepherd told me two months before the fire, in a grocery store, that he was going to move to Harlem; never had any difficulty With the prisoner; I never said in Rooney's store if it was not to get square with Shepherd I would not have sworn balf as hard againet him; I did not tell Mr. Rooney that | had a difficulty with Shepherd; I do not remember whether it was before or after I had the conversation in Rooney’s grocery about the fire that I testified at the Jefferson Market Police Court. Catherine Horvey testified that Mre. Shepherd was a cousin of hers; saw her the Thursday before she was burned; the fire occurred on the Tuesday following; she bought the ground and they lived two years together in the” house; they did not seem to live very happy together was in one time when they quarrelled, when Telseenpted wo mterfere, but she prevented me; rd was & strong active woman, and appeared to be healthy when I last eaw her; she was temperate in her habits; I never thought that Shepherd spoke pleasantly to her. Croes-examined—They lived in Gansevoort street four ears ago, when I saw them quarrelling; they visited my jouse together and toek tea several times, and appeared pleasant; they attended prayer meetings at my house; I ‘Was not pleasant to him because of his unkinduess to his wife; bave had a difficulty with Shepherd; have visited them at their house in bt py street several times. To the Court—The middle of April was the last time I ‘was at Shopherd’s house. To the Counsel for the prisoner—I could jump from the prgeaul C4 the second story to the sidewalk without hurt- ing myself. fo the District Attorney—I knew my cousin’s (Mrs. Shepherd) watch; the gold watch now exhibited tome I cannot identity, for the one shown me at Jefferson market was broken. John McGuire deposed that he lived in 126th street and Third avenue (Harlem); was a watchmaker; saw tho we peaye about the 20th of July; he came w my shop and jeft an old clock to be repaired, and subsequently brought @ watch to be repaired; it remained in my possession till it was taken away by Fire Marshal Baker; he left the name of Robinson; the watch now shown me is the one att by the prisoner; | made a memorandum of it at the me. Counsel declined to cross-examine this witness at the present stage of the case, Nelson Palmer said he was the pastor of the Baptist church at Harlem; saw Shepherd in March, but never spoke to him till April; remember the day of the fire; at jat time I lived in 125th street; the rear of my house adjoined the prisoner's lot; the privoner stated to me on the 9th of June that he intended to move there in a week; l+aw him about 5 o'clock in the afternoon walking about on his lot with his hat and coat off; seeing him walking abeut | thought he ap, ed to be in trouble or distress, when he said “ They have burned my honse, they have burned my wife, and what shall 1 do;’ 1 said to bim “What is that you say?’ when be replied in the above language; on my inquiring still further, he said there was a Dutchman residing in the lower part of his house, and that some days before he had accused this man of taking things when he and his wife were absent, and that the man replied he would de revenged on him, and now, said Shepherd, he has been revenged on me; he then said that he cacaped from the burning house by jumping from the window; that he endeavored to per- suade his wife to do the same, and thathe held on to her ‘until the flames compelled him to relinquiah his hold; he said also that they wou!d be up there and burn his house at Harlem to-night, and wished me to loan him a trunk to take some articles from the house | loaned him a medium sized trunk, and he soon returned and brought it to house; I do not know its contents; he also Drought a smal a box like a jewelry box or a lady's workbox; he remarked that bis Wife was afraid of broaking some of her limbs, and would not jump from the house; be told me he taken no refreshment that day, and [ almost compelled him to take tea; the box shown me is like that which Shephord brought to my house. Crons-examin! herd referred to the German that lived in the lower part of the house, and not to the man who 7 in the rear; iy bgt atHarlem re- ly in company wi ir; my etady window [tea tes co how , and I saw them cultivating the den. Winey Keuken testified thet on the Oh of June she was in Mr. saw it afterwards, saw two women's dresses, also a wool- len plaid shawl, some white cl on the top; they looked like © lady's underci ; 1 think there were two gentlemen's undershirts also; Shepherd called on one occasion and asked for the trunk, but as Mr. and Mrs, Palmer were not in, I told bim if it would make no difference he could call again. Wm. Lenzeubee, (a youth,) said he lived at 310 West Twenty-ninth street; knew Shepherd and his wife; was at their house in Fifty-third street; saw b the fire) about money; Shepherd came in drunk, and said to Mrs. d, Gt tap; the get htm hie in she ner, w i. ¢ said ehe had not an’ i ve me my dinner,” ed ty-ninth street; knew the prisoner and his wife; was at Kis house jn Fifty-third street one Sunday afternoon in March, while there Shepherd came in, and after the usual salutations took an insurance policy out of a bureau draw- er; Tread it, and asked him if he was going to remove the policy to his house in Harlem, he replied that he in. tended to burn down the house and Jane along with it— meaning his wife, be was laughing at the time, aud do not think he was affected by liquor. Crees examined—Mrs. Shepherd and my wife were pre- fent at the time of this conversation; I do not remember the name of the insurance company, but think the sum ‘was about $250; [never saw Shepherd in a thoughtful manner, but he always seamed to be laughing; I looked ‘at him earnestly when he said be would burn down the house and ‘Jane’ along with it, and Mrs. Shepherd seo- ing me-do #0, said ‘‘never mind what he says.” the District Attorney—I have known Mr. and Mra, Shepherd for five years; they did not live on terms; ‘on one occasion, three years and a half ago, she came to my house, at twelve or one o'clock at night. Court would not permit the witness to detail her conversation, it not being legal evidence.) The witnesspaid were three stone steps leading to the house; I saw Stead in the southeast corner of their room three weeks before the fire. Magdalena Tick testified that on the 9th of June she lived in Fifty.aecond street; she waked her husband tb feed the horse at half-past twelve o'clock; there was no fire at that time; it was not quite baif-paet one when I was going to bed, at which time I saw the fire in Shep herd’s house; I could look into his room, and saw somoe- thing like a bundle burning; I went and waked the neigh bore, and on my return the house was in flames; Shep- herd slept in the middle room; after the fire was ail over, Tsaw round there looking for something; year on one evening, I heard Mrs. rd hallo “Fire! watch ,"’ I saw the fire in the middie of Shepherd’s room; when I first saw it, it was not higher than a table, after which it spread all over; I did not look in the basement to see if R was on fire. Cross-examined.—TI live directly m the rear of Shepherd's house, on elevated ground, between Ninth and Tenth avenues; there is « house be- tween mine and Shepherd's; Mr. Trimer’s house ison the eame lot as We; 1 saw Mrs. Shep: herd nearly every day; it was a moonlight night, about a Poe! sinee, when I heard Mra. Shepherd ery out “ Wateh | ire;"’ T heard Shepherd's voice too, and saw Shepherd following her into the yard with a’ stk; he said, “I'll strike you till you are down,” she hallooed ‘‘Wateh! fire,’ Tecan spenk a little English; have not had any canversa- tion with any pe@eon relative to thie matter ence the fire; J looked out of my window ond saw the fire ip the second tpt pron me eran wren Sis 05 608 Uae I was person who discovered he L. Chester testifiedsthat he was secretary of the Md Tusurance Company; the insurance rd’s house was first effected on the 17th of July, Bf Rend splat al Alera tg, GP a A cna lor account of the fre in the 35 it must morving of the fre, about window, called my wife, she did not come, and of the window:”’ that is about the substance of ; Raid 1, “Mr. Shey Joe as soon as possible; ae: furniture and ; the interview ap hour, at the conclusion of which he seemed excited “hr Sedgwick, att ad a statement of . Sedgwick, at this juncture, read a state Mtepherd’s purported loss, which ‘was given to the com- Be: by consent of his counsel. , » furniture and other swore that all apparel was consumed, except one pair of pantaloons and a shirt; that the dre menced below stairs; that his wife waked him up and was almost suffocated in trying to effect his ecacape the hall. He gave a detailed statement of the ‘lous articles of household furniture, whith he affirmed re destroyed, and swore to it before Justice Connolly, it by bis own hand. ir. iter cross-examined—I think this interview oc- cured on the morning of the fire; I don’t know whether Shepherd applied in person for the policy, and think there ‘was DO survey made of the premises. Jane Ba) was the next witness—She said she resided at 3% West Twenty-ninth street; knew Mrs. Shepherd for Tony xeere: in oy were married about four years 'tthink they lived very happily together; Mrs. rd had a gold watch; think that the watch now shown me is similar in general to the one she was inthe habit of wearing; | heard that Mr. and Mrs. Nhepherd joined the church;'1 was neyer present when they had any difeniyy, nor did 1 ever hear Shepherd ot ig threatening remarks; after the gold watch was broken, epberd met me on the street, and askod me for the loan of $6, remar! that “Jane has broke the watch, the poor devil, and I am sorry for her.’” Louisa Hetter deposed that she lived in Fifty-second street, in the rear of Mr. Trimer’s, on the 9th of June, and next door to Mrs. Tick, who woke her up by ki at the door; witness saw the fire in the upper part of Shep- herd’s house; looked through the window for a few mo- ments, Ct when she got down the house was completely destroyed. Alfred FE. Baker, the Fire Marshal, testified thus:—I ob- tained the box shown me at Shepherd's residence at Har- Jem; it contained sundry small articles; when | arrived at the premises the tenement was burned down; on my sevival the irethen sere searching in the ruins for Mrs. Shepherd’s body; after the firemon left, 1 remained and found the bedy ai the northeast corner; the upper part of her body was horribly burned, and the arms were ex- tended; I assisted in taking her remains to the station house, where! saw Shepherd, who had been detained by the police; his whiskers were burned; on asking him how ‘the tire had its origin, he said that on the preceding night he came homeabout eight o’clock in the evening, when he met the Dutchman, Geyer, who lived down stairs, and asked him if he (Shepherd) would close the front door; at twelve o'clock he was woke up by Logs down stairs, recognizing the voice of Geyer; he soon fell asleep ‘and was afterwards by his wife, who exclaimed “My God, Jim, the house is on fire’; he got up, put on his pan- taloons, and tried to get out by the front room window and also by means of the hall door; he then went to the back room window aud endeavored to get his wife out; she said sho woud kill herself if she jumped out; he took hold of her and endeavored to force her out, but she, being a strong woman, got away from him; after that I jumped into the yard ‘and saw smoke coming up stairs, but did pot see my wife; be said that he and hix wife slept on the floor of the front room on the night of the fire; in a subsequent conversation be taid that his wife's property was burned up and her gold watch destroyed: he looked for it in the ruins, and was informed by a little girl that a Dutch woman bad picked up the remains of it; Shepherd held down his bead considerably, kept meaning, and ap- peared to be very much excited: on Mr. Baker saying that it was probable ‘hal bia Wide bad eneaged, Shepherd plied, emphaticaily, that he knew—he kuew—that was burned up. Mr. Sedgwick said that bis evidence was exbausted, but would reserve the right of calling Carnochan, who made a post mortem examination of the remains of Mrs. shepherd. ‘THR CARE FOR THR DEFENCE. Fx-Judge Pearcy then proceeded to open the case for Shepherd. He said he would prove to the jury that the building was fired from below, and that it was worth even more than it was insured for—that hix clothing was de- stroyed in the flames, and that his client did not remove any property from his house previous to the fire. Jobn 1. Taylor, examined by counsel for the prisoner, deposed that he was a master builder, residing in West ‘Thirteenth street; that he estimated a plan and fica tion of Shepherd's house submitted to him; the — was eighteen feet square and two stories high; the resi of his estimation was a cost of $460 for its erection; he reed the statement which particularized the cost of each article, To the Court—It would take a single mechanic from 80 to 100 days to construct such a building. Examination resumed. —The difference of cost between old material and the qualky of new stuflwhich I estimated Shepherd's house at (which was of the poorest quality) would be very little; I could not construct a shanty cheap: er than I have estimated; it would take one man thirty days to construct such @ building, supposing the frame and all the internal arrangements were ready for put- ting up. fo ir. Sedgwick.—I never saw Shepherd's house. Itnow being an hour after the usual time of adjourn- ment the Court adjourned till this morning at 11 o'clock. Coroners’ Office. Secs py Lavpaxes—Dwarrowraest is Love tHe Cavsx.—Coroner Perry held an inquest yesterday, at the Western Hotel, Cortlandt street, upon the body of a man named Charles Gilmore, a nephew of Alderman Griffiths, of the Tenth ward, who committed suicide by taking an overdose of laudanum, Deceased, it appeared, had lately arrived from Scranton, Pa., for the purpose of having an interview with a young lady in Brooklyn, with whom he was in love. The interview proved an unhappy one, and bad such an effect upon the mind of the deceased that he determined to commit suicide. Accordingly he purchased two ounces of laudamum for that purpose. About 93g o'clock on Thursday night he applied at the Western Hotel for aroom. He registered his name on the book and then proceeded to his bedroom. About 10 o'clock yesterday morning some of the domestics inthe hotel discovered the deceased in an unconcious state, and evidently suffes from the effecte of polwon. The alarm was mp given, and & messenger was sent after . Young, of the Astor House; but all medical aid proved of little avail, as the deceased never rallied. He continued to sink rapiily until about noon, when he e: pired. On searching the room # bottle marked ‘iandanum'’ was fouud between the mattress and the bed. In the poo- kets of deceased's clothing was found an application for a situation on (he Metropol: and also a letter from a young Iady—the one with whom he had frmed the un fortunate atlachment—which were ald of by the deceased # relatives before the of the Coroner, and consequently were not put in evidence. The jury in this case Were satisfied that it was one of suicide, and ren dered a verdict accordingly. Deceased was about thirty years of age, aud was a native of this State. Seppe Dats oF 4 Necno.—Jobn H. White, a negro, while on his way from Bos@on to this city, yesterday, took sick on board the Fall River boat, and died shortly after his arrival in New York. The body of deceased was taken to the First precinct station house, where an inquest war held by Coroner Perry. A post mortem examination, made by Drs. Finnell and Ferguson, showed that death had been caused by cancer of the stomach. Deceased was an inmate of the Colored Lanatic Asylum at Boston for romo months, and, becoming convalescent, was al lowed to proceed to his former home in thik city, whea he was seized with a sudden illness, as above referred to. No Focxpation mx Fact.—Coroner Ilille was called upon to hold an inquest at No. 195 Rast Twelfth street, upon the body of @ man named Patrick Duffy, who, it was suppored, had died through the mal-practice of his attending physician. A post mortem examination of the body made by Dr. Beach, showed that death had been caused by adhesion of the pleura and inflammation of the lungs. Thus the ician who attended deceased was exonerated from all blame in the matter. Duffy was a native of Iretand, and was 47 years of age. Tam Late Scopes Deare iw a Baruive Reranionnener.— Caroner Gamble held an inquest yesterday, at No. 141 Mott street, upon the body of the man who died suddenly on ‘Thursday while taking a vapor bath Tho deceased was ascertained to be Marcus: ny ir. His brother testified that he had been afflicted eumatism, and waa in the habit of fiking baths therefor Ie. Ferguson made a Peet te examination.of the body, when it was shown thafteath had been caused *y, serous ——_ Verdict eee th Deceased was 42 years 0 » and was a native ia, Farat Hatewat Accrpext.—Coroner Gamble also held ‘an inquest upon the body of a man named Thomas H. Gibbons, who died at the New York Hospital yesterday morning, from the effects of injuries received the evening evious by falling through the hatchway of store No. 26 ik row. Deceased was hoisting up some goods from the first to the fifth story, when he accilentally stumbied backwards and fell to the basement bet , Tecetving such severe injuries about the bead that he died ia conse quence. Verdict of accidental death. Deceased was 32 years old, and was a native of Ireland Canoe or Finn ism.— An examination has been going on for som? days, before the United Staten Commissioner in this city, of Thomas J. Mackey, Esq., upon the charge of violation of the neutrality laws in fitting out an expedition to Nicaragua in the service of General Walker. James Conner, Eeq., the District Attor ney, Conducted the examination on the part of the govern: mept,and Mr. Mackey was gefended by 1. W. Spratt, Faq. The result of the examfhation was, that the defend ant Was bound over in the eum of $8,000 to answer at the January term of the United States District Court.— Charleston Courier, Dec. 8 PRICE TWO CENTS. for a Foundling Hospitalin New York. INTERESTING STATEMENT BY DR. JAMES WYNNE— REMARKABLE STATISTICS, ‘The special committes of the Board of Councilmen ap- pointed to consider the propriety of establishing » found- jing hospital in this city met at 2 P. M. yesterday—Coun cilman Haswell in the chair, Dr. James Wyywe made an interesting statement to the committee, of which the following is an abstract:-— In all civilized countries institutions devoted to the pro- tection of feeble infancy have claimed a prominent p! among public charities. The establishment of such insti tutions is a duty which appeals to the noblest sentiments of the human beart. The way in which these charities are conducted diffor widely In different countries. For example, all nations having Latin origin have institutions which receive foundlings indiscriminately, whether they are offspring of illegitimate intercourse or not. Among nations of Germanic origin imfant cha rities are confined ostensibly to those children who have lost one or both ente. The former of these systems finds its most brilliant champion in modern @mes ia St. Vincent de Paul, and the ir in Hermann Franke. France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Russia have adopted the former system; and England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Prussia, Switzerland, a con siderable part of Germany and the United States the latter. The wants of these institutions are so deeply plamed, either in the infirmities or vices of human nature, as to render its extinction an Smponaibility; ‘and it becomes the duty of the legislator thorefore to consider tho question of abandoned infants as one of fact, and to act in such man- ner as will Spey! agen these helpless objects of the State's: regard, and at the same time offer least inducement for the commission of the vices to which these unfortunates owe their condition. The most ancient hospital for found- lings of which history makes mention is that established at Milan, in 787, by Dathens. Another was established at Montpedier, in 1070, by Oliver de la Trav. In 1210 the foundling hosptal of ‘the Knights of the Holy Spirit was established at Jerusalem by the decree of Pope Innocent Il. A similar institution was founded in Venke in 1383, and in Florence in 1421, The great hospital of the Holy Spirit at Rome, originally built by the Saxons, perbabamgn Meow connected with it, into which the in. fants were placed, and by turning it a bell was struck, which announced to the inmates the new object cast upon their care, From the time of the establishment of this foundling hospital, in 1198, to tho present moment, infants have been constantly received in it and tenderly cared for. After referring to the early hospitals of Naples and Spain, the Doctor came to those of Paris. The foundling hospita! of Paris was founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1640, and is the most extensive and useful establishment of the kind in existence. Prior to 1836 it was customary to place the foundlings in a turning box, ax in Maly, but after that period it became necessary to obtain certificates: of abandonment from a commissioner of police, who was charged by the government to offer every inducement to tbose having children not to abandon them, but never to withhold the cartificate when it was solicited. There are 600 beds in this hospital, and the number received an. nually, and etther kept in the hospital or sent to the coun try to nurse, is nct far from 4,000. e Doctor reviewed the history of this claas of hospi- tals and described several of the most noted ones at groat length, showing extensive research on thia subject ‘Two’ im; it questions arise for your deliberation. First, the effect which foundling hospitals exercise over illegitimacy; and, second, their influence upon infanticide. For the purpose of furnishing you with information in re gard to the first of these,] now present a tabular state ment of the proportion of ‘legitimate and legitimate bir ths in many countries of Europe, some of which contan foundling hospitals while others do not, obtained from off cial sources by the Registors General of England:— Wurtem! Saxony Bavaria ‘This table includes the births in Sardinia for ten years, while those of France, Austria and England are but for a single year, and cloarly exhibits that the causes of ille- gitimacy lie beyond the influence of foundling hospitals, and are in no way affected by the existence or absence of these establishments. If any argument can be deduced from these returns as bearing upon foundling hospitals, it is that their presence rather tends to decrease than ‘in- crease illegitimacy. Thus in Italy, where foundling hos- pitals bave their fullest developement, the number of il- legitimate births is les# than in Sweden, Norway or any of the northern kingdoms of Europe, where their aid is wholly di with. It is to be regretted that no sta- tistics exist by which to institute a comparison as to the number of illegitimate births between the United States and the different countries of Europe. The Doctor thought there was a less number of illegitimate births in this country, not because we are more virtuous, but because of the greater ease with which ‘a livelihood can be obtained and the marriage state enter ed into among us. The proportionally increased number of marriages in new States over old ones goes far to sustain this theory. Dathens, in founding bis hospital at Milan, in 789, urged as @ reason for doing so that the results of illicit inter course, which cannot be acknowledged without shame, frequently led to murder to save the reputation of the guilty parents—to prevent which end, to confer an ines timable blessing upon this class, he directed his hospital to be founded and maintained with the funds left by him for that purpewe The statistics of infanticide are somewhat contradictory, and have furnished arguments for those who advocate the system as it exists in Northern Rurope. as well as those who have sought to sustain the older and more venerable institutions in the southern countries of that continent, ac. cording to an advocate of the German system. In Ireland, where the system, in Dublin and other | towns, war the same as that of France, the number of infanticides, from 1826 to 1882, was 175, or 25 per year, being 1 to $00, 000 inhabitants; while in England, where the German sys. tem was in existence, there occurred in 24 years, from 1410 ‘wo 1858, 850 cases, or rather more than 14 each year, which was one to each 856,687 inhabitants. In five provinces of Belgium in which foundling hospitals existed the propor tion of tmfanticides for a period of ten years was annual, one in 109,942, while in four provinces in which no such institutions existed the rates were one to 1:6,662. From observations made upon the population af some depart. ments of France, it would appear to indicate a direct con nection between infarticides and the withdrawal of those facilities: ptr aay ger by the French government for the reception of the of an illicit attachment, and so universal bas this become among the people of France, as to induce the government, in opposition to the opinion of some of the ablest ef its political exonomiste, to adopt a policy by means of which this burden of bu man shame may be provided for with its former se- cresy,althongh by @ somewhat differeut mode of admis sion than the “ Turns."* the attention of the committee to some very remarkable stauitice furnished by this city. in Sty Inspector's rey 1850, a table is given showing the ratio to the whole population of premature and atilibors births from 1806 to 1850, in periods of five years, which is as follows: — 1805—The ration to the population wae ae 1 to me .-. “ : 1816— “ “ “ “ 1820 « “ “ « 1925— “ “ “ “ 1890— “ “ “ “ 1836 “ “ “ “ 1840. « “ “ “ 1846— « “ “ “ 1860. “ “ “ “« In presenting this statement this offloer remarks —!This increase of mortality from accidenta is truly alarming, and there is great need that somo fearless and minded physician should investigate the anbject."” records do not contain any means of determinin, solute number of births which occurred in tho city for the jod covered by the table just given. It fortunately that in countries, as well as in our own, the statistics of birthe have been obtained with sufficient accuracy to establish a law by means of which we can determine the number of there whieh have taken in New York with a tolerable approach to accuracy. The annexed table, formed upon this basis, shows the lation, births, etill- born, and of still-born to the num ber of births in New York in each year named — Birthe Sor ome Yeor. Popul'n. Births. Stiltb'rn, stillb'n eee f 2.526 51 “ 1810,... as ab Hh born to the whole number of births in several of the chief Cities of Europe — Births for one stillborn. Place. Hamburg... The mean of this table gives one stillborn ry every n births, or about the number in New York in 1825, when the population was 166,086, The Doctor was entirely ata loss to account for the an usual namber of still here. In Massachusetts, in five y Out of the 111,920 births registered, 2,060, or one in each 58 births, were stillborn. In Connecticut, during the year 1856, one out of each 66 births was stillborn; in Kentucky , one out of each 45 births, in Rhode Island, one ont of each 15 was stillborn, ‘The difference is s0 great as to excite the most lively apprehension as to the causes which are in New York to produce the remarka ble results loped by the bille of mortality of this city, The Doctor closed by alluding to the ime mabjoes st should ever'ba to pre- op this su ‘ever vent crime and swWfering, and that no ‘of false de- licacy ought to frighten them from their The com- mittee urned, subject to the call of the fs SECRET BRASON, BTO. ‘Tho Board met yesterday afternoon, pursuant to adjourn- ment. Present—Messrs. Perit, Nye, Bowen, Stranaban, Powell and Cholweil. The following communication was read:—= 40 Morton arn, N. Y., Dec. 11, 1867. ‘ heer gs omrg scceal ning bea In this morning’s Tribune re houseless poor are nightl ‘at the station houses for lodging that cannot be obeined. at 120 West Broadway w| bulldin, ee ae stories ara vacant. In one angle of the building a large chim- ney, some four or five fect square in the clear, with an ircn’ smoke pipe in its centre to rarify the surrounding air and thus create a powerful draught for ventilating pur- poses. The floors can all be readily heated and fitted up with bunks. It would afford me heartfelt repre ot wo know that I had dono something to relieve the ‘ing, wretchedness of our burdened city. I offer the- tse of these apartments to the Commissioners for the winter, free of charge. Will you do me the favor to communicate this matter to your Board, and oblige yours, respectfully, ADDEUS HY ATT. After some discussion, Mr. STRANAHAN stated that he was informed by a reporter (Journal of Commerce), intel- ligeut on this subject, that the matter was before a com- mittee of the Common Council, which would report to- night. The communication was thereupon laid over. . Bowxn offered a series of resolutions, which wera adopted, calling upon the General Superintendent to report range, Uetailed offcers und the where detailed, aleo the names of officers 80. ap to bo p unable to do patrol duty to and yot fit for special duty. Mr. CHOLWELL offered @ resolution eppointing Mr. Fogue aa keeper of the building No. 88 White street, and also am estimate of $75 for re alterations in the building, ta fit it for the accommodation of witnesses. After considerable discussion, in whith much doubt wag manifested as to who would be res ible for the ex- pense, the matter was referred back to the committee, with instructions to report more fully, Mr. STRANAHAN made the following reports on charge@ against various Brooklyn officers, which were in each in- stance adopted :—That the complaint against Sergeant Bruce be dismissed, that Francia McNeely be dismissed from the force; that the pay of H. 1’. Kelly be suspended for pice coum. Mr. Bowkn made the following reports on one against New York officers, which were ? officers I. Menard and Jones be suspended from pay or that the charges against officers Wateon and nell be dismissed; that the complaint against D. B. Tider be dismissed; that J. Miller, of the Twentieth precinc!, be reprimanded: that tho charges against officers Tucker and Moore, of the Fifteenth precinct, be dismissed. Mr. Srravauan moved that officer Burns, of Brooklyn, be suspended from pay for thirty days; olfloer Oats for fifteen days, ana that ‘officer Meenan be reprimanded, om account of’ charges which bai been preferred against tnem—which was carrie ten. Nyx presented reports :rainat di the coarges against officers Tiiden, ©: tho Elevent inet; Adam 1. Hallett, of the Eleventh, Peter Duffy and John B. Lockwood—all of which was agreed ta. Mr. Cnouwet, offered a resolution, which was > dismissing the doormen who hu been appointed by the General Superintendent in the *ixth ward, on the let of January, and allowing them pay up to that time. Gen, Nyecalled up the application of special policemen to be allowed to act as policemen, without pay, with the understanding that they should have a claim for ap- ointment. On motion of Mr. Cholwell the petition was denied. Ex Judge Bremk, counsel for 400 of the old police, ap- peared, and desired the Board to authorize their counsel to consent to two cares, embodying conceded facta, to ba submitted to the Court, in order to settle this vexed ques. tio Nye stated that Messrs. Brown, Hall and Vander. peo! were already engaged in preparing a case with Mr. Dervereux, counsel for several old policemen. Judge Beem: stated that ax he represented by far the larger number, be thought he ought to bave the prefe- rene He hoped the Board would take that into conside- ration. The Board then, on motion of Mr. Perr, went into secret, Bession. Board of Aldermen. This Board held the thir session of the month last even- ing—Jobn Clancy, Esq., President, in the chair. On the motion of Alderman Jacksow, a resolution to pur- chase $3,000 worth of broken stone for the King’s Bridga road aud other roads in the northerly section of this island, the money to be taken from next year’s appropria- tion, was taken up. Alderman TvckeR opposed the appropriation, which, ba said, would be # violation of the charter, If they passed this, the Board might go on aad absorb the whole appro- priation of the next year. Alderman Bucwt thought that the stone could not be purchased without being advertised The resolution was adopted by a vote of 13 to 3. CHARGE OF USING AN OFFICIAL POSITION To PRINS VOTRE Alderman Morgana offered the following: — Whereas, it is alleged that James Hogg, one of the Com- missioners of the Central Park, has used his official pos: tion and attempted to exercise an undue influence with those employed, and also those who sought employment upon the Central Park, in regard to their Votes at the re: cent election, Resolved, That the matter be referred to the Committee om Lands and Places, to investigate, and that they have Fower to send for persous and papers in said matter, Adopted. ‘ORTHOGRAPHY , ETYMOLOGY, SYNTAX AND PRORODY.'’ ‘The following resolutions were presented and adopted: Resolved that the Comptroler "ye and is Hear by Di- rected to Draw his warrent in favor Welliam D Kinchbaun for the sum of twenty dollars and eight seven cents for Bracag of his Primases corner of Ninth av and twenty furth st 4 Election Pole for the year 1856 and charge the same to the Propper Account, Resolved that the Comptrotier Be and is Here Ry De rected to Draw bis warrant in faver of Robard Curren of four Dollars Ofty cents and charge the Same tothe Ap- propriate Account. Adoptad. ‘THK REMOVAL OF THE CRYRTAL PALACE, Alderman Wiison called from the table the report of tha committee in favor of giving the receiver of the Crystal jee time to the Ist of May, 1864, to remove the jailing. Alderman Futwer opposed the resolution. He admitied. that the exhibition was # failure, but the reason @f that Was becauee it got into the hands of stockjobbers. knew there was rivalry aud jealowsy amengst other ‘States and countries, and he d it would not be re- It would make one of Rallerios t would be an injury tothe ny bosdere nines sotgh? it wor ur, Vortoad: would be Atows ~— Alderman TockeR would vote for the adoption of the resolution because he held that all contracts with should be fulfilled, and it wars so contracted Crystal Palace should be removed. time enough to take it away, but it Alderman Wrisow spoke in favor ot said that ina few years it would cost Tepaire, aud be a constant burtben. Alderman McSrxpon also #1 removal of the Palace. from a colored freemason’s meeting down gallery. The report and resolution were ultimately adopted by a vote of 18 to 7. The Board adjourned to Monday next. Police Intelligence. Crane oF Eanezaumnenr AGarver 4 CLrmx.—Ferdinand Werhmann, a clerk in tho employment of Jolly & Tiers, No. 43 Maiden lane, was taken into custody yesterday by policemen Patterson and King, of the Deputy Superinten- dent's office, on charge of embezzling about $2,000 worth of goods from his employers. Messrs. Jolly & Tiers had mised the goods for some timo past, and suspecting a clerk in their employ they dismissed him. The prisoner, itappeared, was the real culprit, and, in order to hide bis Y~ uilt, Heol AUEPICION gh inpocent clerk who ‘was disel d in consequence. In the of tha accused was found a quantity of fancy goede which he had olen Jomereay moraine, Albert seman, of No, 528 ri , War arrested on ol of receiving @ portion of the stolen property. Werbtsatin wes, siwave looked upon as a model of and indwtry by hie employers until within the last two or three days, whem cer tain circumstances came to light which convinced one of the partners in the concern that they had been very mach deceived in the gentleman. The prisoners were both committed for exarnination. Is THR Case OF Hiwry S. Lastine, who wat arrested om charge of forgery a few days ago, two more complaints have been made against him for forgery. Owe was made by the President and Direators of the Iron Rank of New Jersey, him with having forged a check on that inetiion fee 8500, aod the ether by A. Cooke & Co., of — , upon whom he passed a forged check = Annet ov ax Avieaen Ticker Swivptar.—George Wood, of 109 West street, was arrested on charge of selling = Dogue passage ticket to one of the passengers on beard the steamer Kangaroo. The was to the Deputy 8 jriutvadeat's. olnce, where’ be the ischarged. Hardly bad he let the fica again disgorged and was set at liberty. The i in both cases were compelled to leave the city, so that the accused could not be prosecuted A Free Love Bowrine.The Berlin Heighte free lovers, after agreeing leave town, waited enough to issue a number of their Social Revolutionist, = free love magazine. But when several bags of them were being taken to the Post office, the women of the vil. lage made a rush for the wagon, seized the bags, bora them to the outskirts of the town, and made fire of the concent erry, the publisher interfere, but was sired and beld by his lor beard until the work was accomplished, when a motion was made to shave him, at which he bounded off, and although hotly pursued, suc@eeded in evcaping big tormentors,