The New York Herald Newspaper, December 30, 1857, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON NNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICON N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAC STS. eereereeeeeeens) TERMS, cash io ular, Fue alter HERALD, two conte per , ST per annum [ME WEEKLY HERALD, every al win cents per fopy. 0° $8 per annim; the Muropaan edition. @4 per annum to boy ent Great Brrusin, or Bb to any part of the Continent, bot). clude postage ab 3 tpl HERALD, every Wednesday, at four cents per seers, 362 AMUSEMENTS THIS DAY AND EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE. BROADWAY—Afternoow and Brening, Fovestaisn, Zoaocwat axp Hirropeamic Ex- PORTALRMENTS. NIPLO'R GARDEN, Broadway—JkANNETTE AND JEANWOT —Twwut Bors Kyowwtions—Goupa Ece. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowory—Ravesraun, Gruxasric anv Euermanting Feats—Jocno. BURTON'S THEATRE, Broadway, Be Wourp be an Actor—Co.umays, HOLME aed THEATRE, Broadway—Tas Poor or New ‘ORK. ite Rond atreet— i. Finisusteko—Cri- LAURA KFENE’R THEATRE, Broadway—Tue Consican Brotuess—Waxiegors Bier Bearo. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth street—Fipe.io, with Beetuoven's Taker Gaanp OVERTORES. apes, AMERICAN MUSE! Broadway —Afteracon sud Bvening, Vacentinn toner be > ‘WOOD'S BUIDINGS, 561 and 563 Broadway—Gsouce Caxtwrr & Woon's Minsteecs—-Roguaenies or Txomas. BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 863 Broadway—Erai- ‘OPtAN MELODIES—DOWwN I MissiSSirrt. MECHANIC'S HALL 472 Broadway—Bevant’s Minste acs —Erarorian Sonas—Boaiesque Circus. New York, Wednesday, December 30, 1857. The News. Gen. Walker reached Washington last evening. In company with Marshal Rynders, he immediately pro- ceeded to the State Department, where he had an interview with the Secretarv of State, and was formal- ly surrendered. Gen. Cass, however, stated that he bad no directions to give concerning Gen. Walker—it was only through the judiciary that he could be held to answer any charges brought against him. The renowned filibuster and his escort retired,the former at liberty to go where his inclinations might lead. It is reported, however, that a process will be is- sued to bring him to trial for violating the neutrality laws. The Cabinet yesterday held a consultation with regard to the conduct of Com. Paulding in seizing Walker and his men, at which the Commodore’s despatch to the Secretary of War in justification of his action was read. We give this document under the telegraphic head. The Commodore says :—‘‘I could not regard Walker and his followers in any other light than as outlaws who had escaped from the vigilance of the officers of the government and left our shores for the purpose of rapine and murder; and I saw no other way to vindicate the law and redeem the honor of our country than by disarming and sending them home. In doing so I am sensible of the responsi- bility I have incurred, and confidently look to the | government for my justification.” The news of Walker's seizure has created intense excitement in New Orleans. A public meeting on the subject has been called, and the necessity of | sending men to reinforce Colonel Frank Anderson is freely discussed. We publish this morning in full the despatch re- |” cently received from Colonel Johnston, commanding | the Utah military expedition, together with the let ters of Brigham Young agd other Mormon leaders | accompanying it, an abstract of which appeared in | yesterday's Hzxaup. They will be read with inte- | rest, ay showing the exact position of the United | States troops on the plains, and the hostile disposi- tion the Mormons continue to manifest towards the | government. The Board of Aldermen, at its seasion last even: | ing, adopted the amended report in favor of locat- | ing the new Post Office at the south end of the | Park, by a vote of thirteen to six. In our report of | the proceedings of the Board may be found a com: | munication from the architect giving the plan of | the proposed building. The report on the tax levy was taken up, and several appropriations added, | when the subject was laid aside. The report in | (avor of laying iron pavement in Maiden lane and Cortlandt street was adopted. The Board meet again this evening. The Board of Councilmen transacted a large umount of routine business last evening, but nothing of general interest transpired. A resolution offered by the Fire Department Committee, in connection with a report on the freezing of hydrants, was adopted. They say that the Croton Aquednct De- partment have done everything in their power to pre- serve them, and all that was neceasary to be done by the Common Council was to rigidly enforce the ordi- nance prohibiting the opening of fire hydrants by taproper persons and at improper times. The Board concurred with the Aldermen in memorializing the Legislature for the passage of an act which would enable them to receive their pay, which the new charter deprived them of. They also unanimously concurred with the Aldermen in tendering the use of the Governor's room to the Mayor elect on New Year's day. Six hundred dollars were appropriated to defray the expenses of special committees to Philadelphia and Washington. A resolution pro posing to reduce stage fare from six and a quarter to five cents was laid over. The report of the special committee on the erection of the Post Office in the Park, which was adopted in the Board of Alder men last evening, was received and laid on the table. It will be called up for final action on Thursday. ‘The Board wi!l meet this evening. The Board of Almshouse Governors helf+ their regular weekly meeting yesterday. The question of electing a Governor in place of Mr. Tiemann, Mayor elect, was postponed till the next meeting of the Board. A motion to increase the salary of the Su- | perintendent of Outdoor Poor to $2,000 per annum was carried nnanimously. The majority of the com- | mittee appointed to consider the propriety of intro ducing homeopathic medical treatment into Bellevue | Hospital have prepared a report adverse to the pro- | ject. A communication was received from a coal contractor, developing some operations of certain Governors and employés of the Board which have a suspicious aspect. An investigaton of the maitter was ordered. (n the 27th instant there were 7,484 persons in the various public institutions, showing an increase of 193 as compared with the same time last year. Another chapter of our annual chronological index + published thix morning. It relates the most im portant events that have oecarred in countriesforeign | to the rule of the United States during the twelve months which will end tomorrow. The year | 1867 opened with wars existing between England and China, and England and Persia. After some wevere fighting Great Britain concinded a treaty of peace with Persia: but her difficulty with China still exists, after having prodoced @ most serious in. | terruption of the trade of all nations with that econatry, and almost involving the government of the United States in the dispute. Tt only results of the quarrel so far have been merely the exhibition of the immense pro gress which the Chinese have made in the science ol war during a few years, the burning of a great por tion of the city of Canton, both by “ outside barba rians” and natives, the presence of a fleet o ih gunboats in the rivers, and the more th: of Pekin in « fe with foreign powers. The republics | nvulsed with war dis tarbances du Central American Stet Ries, Nicarague was € and his followers. In the Nicaraguan T ym bina By a « mm of th mder the we bled the end, ¢ auait route ead sta Walk i xpel ¢ a Rice made war o aragun when | Janeiro, w! | the free State party have NEW YORK BERALD. WEDNESDAY, Awericans tor independent seu-ruie. Le disastrous termination of Walker's second enterprise is too fresh in the minds of our readers to require further allusion in this blace. The republics of Peru, Bolivia and Mexico were convulsed with revolution or attempts at revolt. In Mexico, Presi- dent Comonfort had to contend against two power- fuland united factions, the one headed openly by the clergy, and the ether stimulated by the wily partizans of Santa Anna. As a national safe- guard, a new constitution was promulgated and sworn to, and after that Comonfort was clothed with the powers of Dictator. England's rule in the East Indies was threatened in the most vital manner dur- ing the year by a revolt of the Sepoy soldiers serv- ing in the Bengal army, in consequence of an offence offered to their religious preju- dices by the military authorities. An ac- count of the important events consequent on this revolt is given, Am attempt was made to more closely unite England with the United States, by means of a submarine telegraph sunk in the At- lantic ocean, during the past year, but the enterprise failed for the moment, owing to the sudden break- ing of the wire cable when in process of being laid. Most foreign countries were seriously dis- turbed by a severe financial revulsion consequent on @ money panic which commenced in the United States, and ended, for the present, in the suspension of the charter of the Bank of England. Heavy commercial failures took place in London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, and the the crisis extended to St. Petersburg, Wagaw and Constantinople. The French government entered into a contract for supplying its West India colonies with free negroes, to be imported from Africa as laborers. This was looked on and is still viewed as a modified renewal of the slave trade. Very many fatal explosions of steam and in colleries took place in England during the year, whilst the coast of the United Kingdom was visited by destructive storms. A large amount ot property was lost in France in consequence of storms and inundations. The Russian war ship Le Forte foundered suddenly in the Gulf of Finland, and over five hundred persons perished by the calamity. The coasts of China were visited by most. destruc- tive typhoons, and many ships were lost in the East- ern trade during the year. Our record of the dates on which the most important of these foreign events took place will be found very interesting, and may be relied on, as it is prepared expressly from the files of the Hgratp. The Coroner's jury yesterday, in the case of Jacob Richester, who was killed at No. 82 Cannon street, on Sunday, while engaged in a fight with a German and his wife, named Henry and Eva Semmet, ren- dered a verdict against the last named parties. Mrs. Semmet was committed to await the action of the Grand Jury, but the husband was admitted to bail. A report of the testimony is given in another column. The Police Commissioners did not meet yester- day. They will meet to-day. Officer Van Tassel, the aid to the General Superintendent, who was complained of for stealing tickets at the charity ball, lately held at the Academy of Music, has not yet been tried publicly or sentenced by the Board. His name, however, has been stricken from the pay roll. The Centrai Park Commissioners yesterday adopt- ed a resolution that the maps that have been pre- pared of the P; in sections be placed in charge of the clerk the office, to be submitted to such ‘o examine the same with the ob- plan of the Park. lipper ship Grey Eagle, Captain Hughes, of from City Point, Va.,bound to Rio acargo of flour, was fallen in with dismasted off Cape Hatteras, by the steamship Co- lumbia, which arrived at Charleston yesterday from New York. The captain of the Grey Eagle refused assistance, but the Columbia took off seven passen- gers ught them to Charleston. The of cotton yesterday were confined to about 200 a 300 bales, in lots, chiefly to spinn The market was heary,and prices irregular. In some cases sales were rm a at a further decline, being based apon mid dling uplands at 91/0. a 94C. ceipis at the porta since the Orst of compared with the same period last year. now amounts to about 399.000 ty The increase in the exports to Great Britain amounts to 21,000 bales; the decrease in the exports to France amounts to 25,000 bales, and to other ports te about 12,000—leaving an increase on the aggregate exports of 16,000 bales. The estimates put for ward at the South regarding the crop vary from 3,000,000 to 5,100,000, being only an excess of 100,000 to 200,000 bales over the crop of last year, which was unusually sbort, having reached only about 2,939,000 bales. Flour was in moderate demand, the sales being chiefly confined to the domestic and Eastern trade, closing at rather easier rates for most descriptions. Wheat was in. active, and sales {:mited to the small par@tis referred to in another column. Corn was sold toa moderate extent, without change of moment in prices. Pork was firmer though less active, withsales of old and new mess at $15 50.4 316. The sales of sugars embraced about 250a 800 hhds. Cuba muscovado and Porto Rico at prices given elsewhere. Coffee was quiet. The stock of Rio in this market amounts to about 102,636 bags, and including of all Kinds to about 192,902. Freights were ngagements to British ports en th another place News from Kansas=The Farce Drawing to a Close. The farce over niggers and “ popular reignty” ia Ka! s at le b drawing te close. The election upon the slavery clause of the Lecompton c 21st instant, ay and from the retur titution, appointed for the to have passed off yuietly; thus far. of the vote cast the result has been in favor of Kansas asa | slave State. This would, perhaps, be conclu- | sive with the administration were there no other proceedings to be considered; but there is anothe to the picture, which, we think, will result in the rejection of the proceedings of both parties, and in a new, sbort and simple process for the settlement, decisively and per manently, of the whole question. Under ithority of the free State Legis lature another election is to take place within a few days, at which the Lecompton constitu- tion will be voted upon in three forms—first, with the slavery clause; second, without the slavery clause, and third, against the said con- stitution in any shape or form. The: adminis- tration has instructed the new acting Governor, Mr. Denver, to see that this election shall not be interrupted; and from the apparent small- ness of the vote cast at the late Lecompton elec- s evident that the rank and file of taken no part in it; but have reserved themselves for the express parpose of voting down the Lecompton constitution on the 4th of January. Nor have we any doubt that it will thas be voted down by helming majority: provided, always. returns of the late Lecompton election are not three or four times multiplied in the making up. Our reportsfrom Kansas, however, indicate that Mr. Jobn Calhoun is disposed to act fairly and openly in the matter; nor is it 1 that. from the vigilance of hisenemies, he ) impunity attempt any multiplication = voters, even If so inclined therefore, of the approaching Janu- tion, it | ary election, we do not sippose that the ad- ministration sccept the fractional vote al | ready casi for the Lecempton constitution as conclusive in favor of that instrument. On the ontrary, we appr the President will wait for the auth | returns of the January election, and the result will be a ulmiseion of the results of both elections to gress, wil! recomm on that the pro- a far. on both sides, in Kansas he d that an enabling act be passed aude. aiky & Lew Constitutional Gouvention to be elected, under such provisions as Congress may deem expedient, to the end of the speedy and peaceable admission of Kansas'as a sove- reign State, with or without slavery, as the peo- ple may decide. This plan of action will make short work of the Kansas agitators and speedily put out of the way this rotten cheese of our mousing politi- cians. The administration is not committed to the acceptance of the Lecompton constitution in any shape, unless it shall be presented at Wash- ington under a state of facta consistent with a fair expression of the popular sentiment of the Territory. Thus it is already manifest that the desperate and reckless Kansas nigger agitators and scheming politicians, inside and outside of the Territory, have overdone the thing, and have thus created the desired opening for a fair and honest solution of “popular sovereignty.” We congratulate all honest and sensible people that this Kansas extravaganza is now nearly played out. ‘The French Government and the Press. We publish elsewhere the article from the Paris Presse which led to the suspension of that journal by the government; the decree of sus- pension and an account of the affair froma Paris writer will likewise be found in the same co- lumn. Our readers have heard already that when the article appeared, the government has- tened to punish the Presse by suspending it for two months; that the Prince Napoleon, who seems anxious to place himself at the head of the ultra liberal party, visited the Emperor and solicited, fruitlessly, a remission of the sentence; and that the strain of argument which the Presse had commenced was instantly follow- ed up by the Courrier de Paris. There are many indications that this new attitude of the French press is the result of a deliberate purpose on thepart of the republican leaders. It is simul- taneous with very significant movements on the French borders, in Belgium and Piedmont. It has led journals not on’y in Paris, but also in the South, into serious ‘rouble. The courage with which the blow hasbeen met indicates a changed spirit on the pert of the French jour- nalists. The moment the Presse was suppressed, arival journal, the Siece, agreed to supply the subscribers of its cotemporary until the two months of the suspens'on were ended. And the tone of the Courrier de Paris, which insists upon the formation of a Parliamentary constitutional opposition to the Emperor, certainly leads to the inference that a concerted movement is on foot. We are not left in doubt as to the method by which it is proposed to act against the govern- ment. The Emperor's ministers are to be as- sailed in the Chamber by the republican de- puties, and an effort is to be made to organize a party which shall occupy the place which is filled in England and in the United States by the opposition party. Whither this party may lead. or what they may achieve, is of course not as yet disclosed. There is enough here, Rowever, without fur- ther developements or disclosure, to enable every one to predict the failure of the scheme in its present shape. That there is a body of earnest republicans in France, is incontestable; and that the agony of a commercial revulsion is a very suitable mo- ment for the execution of revolutionary schemes, cannot be denied; but, in order to hold out the least hope of «a successful attack upon the go- vernment very much more than this is required. In the first place, the modus aperandi—the Parliamentary opposition—is a thing which French politicians have never been able to mas- ter. Their kings have never, like the govern- ment of England, undertaken to frame cne. They bave never had a good Parliamentary worker. Their deputies have been rhetoricians and orators; nothing more. Under Charles the Tenth they had an opposition which was sometimes tame and ridiculous, sometimes noisy and theatrical; but never of any use whatever. Under Louis Philippe they had a Parliamentary opposition, which looked alternately like a juvenile debating society and a revolutionary secret club. Both oppositions eo utterly failed in their object thiit revolution cut them off at last. If the politicians who are represented by the Presse and the Courrier try to organize another Parliamentary opposition, they will fail, too: and, some day, they will make a furious speech against the Emperor, and get locked up in jail. But independently of the precise method chosen, there are other reasons for looking with distrust upon the whole movement of which this newspaper outburst is the premonito- ry symptom. There is no reason to believe that the French are as a people any better capable of governing themselves than they were in 1848, in 1830, or before the elder Napoleon. On the contrary, there is reason to fancy that the long years of subjection which they have undergone at the hands of any and everybody who seized the supreme authority must have taken away from them the little independence of thought which they once had. Nor is it at all likely that the editors of the Presse and the Courrier or their friends are any better adapted to administer the government of France than the score of very incapable men who, as re- publicans, have had on various occasions with- in this century an opportunity of show- ing what they could do. On the con- trary, again, it is reasomble to sup- pose that these young men, who have spent the last six years of their lives in the not particularly advantageous position of mal- contents under a desperate government, know even lew about the real business of govern ment, and the hand work of revolutions than the simpletons who overthrew the monarchy of July. One can see from the foolish comments which they make on gffairs in this country and in England, that they have not mastered the | firet rudiments of the theory of free government. For all practical purposes, France has had no | government in the last century that can com- pare in point of merit and efficiency with that of the present Emperor. departments of government and the local insti tutions have always remained the same under every successive régime, the opportunity for a comparison between the several governments which have successively ruled France is ob- | vious; one can see at a glance where each ad ministrator differed from another. A carefal contrast between the policy of the present Em- peror and that of Louis Philippe, Charles the Tenth and the republicans, will leave no doubt on any candid mind that the Emperor has done better for Vrance in every material respect than any of his predecessore—certainly far bet ter than there is any reason to suppose the re- publicans could do, if he were overthrown to- morrow, and they set in his place. ‘The only chance for the republicans would As the subordinate | be a decision on the part of the Emperor to or- ganise, himself, the constitational opposition they seem to want; and though during his life- time, his strength of will and the power of his army are likely to neutralize any attempt at revo- lution, still, as he is but a mortal after all, and must some day leave his throne to some one else, there are many reasons for believing that this would be the wisest thing he could do. The republicans, drilled and organised as an oppo- sition by the Emperor, would for the first time cease to be a danger, and might become a help to the government. Repvsiican Conrerence at Siver Spring— PrestpentiAl. CanpipaTes.—Out there in Mary- land, within a short morning’s ride over the hills from the city of Washington, is a place called Silver Spring, the country residence of Francis P. Blair, purchased from his share of the rich Globe profits of the government print- ing, as the organ of Gen. Jackson’s administra- tion. But the once terrible chief of police of Old Hickory has of late become a sort of prime minister of the republican party; and Silver Spring has become a sort of Mepca to the holy and hopeful pilgrims of the republican faith, We are not, therefore, surprised to learn from a Silver Spring correspondent of one of our morning cotemporaries that “an agreeable social and political banquet was given by Fran- cis P. Blair, at his residence at Silver Spring, on Friday last (a Christmas caucus), to Hon. N. P. Banks, Preston King, Judge Trumbull, Sena- tor Doolittle of Wisconsin, F. P. Blair, Jr., and many other prominent members of the re- publican party in Congress.” Nor are we as- tonished at the assurances which follow of the importance of these “festive meetings,” while the news thus communicated of the “prelimi- nary movements” of the republican party is de- cidedly interesting. Read:— Important political measures are often conceived and ar- ranged at these festive meetings. It was at Silver Spring, in the winter and spring of 1856, that the nomina- tion of Col. Fremont was settled. Parties are forming their plans already for 1860, which is but two years dis- tant. The preliminary movements of the republicans are of most public interest, because they are the party which will succeed in 1860. Col. Benton saye that the chasm in the democratic party cannot possibly be closed or bridged, ‘and tbat the republicans can only defeat themselves by gross mistakes. The republican candidate for 1860 will be taken from the circle of these names: Mr. Seward, Col. Fremont, Gov. Banks, Gov. Chase, Gov. Bissell. Senator fy a or Gov. Walker will propably be the candidate of the barnburners or free soil.democracy, and President Buchanan will necessarily be renominated by the admi. nistration party. This latter result will be brought about by the smothered rivalry of Messrs. Wise aud Hunter, and the struggles for ascendency between Jefferson Davis and Robert Toombs. Thus, it appears, there are five prominent men in the republican ring, and the upshot may possibly be a split in the party. Mr. Seward thinks he has waited long enough; and while his pipelayers are undermining Fre- mont, his special organs lose no opportunity for a damaging side blow at Governor Banks. Upon these points, however, we are willing to await the results of another conference or two at Silver Spring. Mr. Douglas, or Governor Walker, or Mr. Geary, or Mr. Reeder, or some other used up Governor of Kansas, may, perhaps, become the candidate of the Northern democracy, unless Martin Van Buren should insist upon another trial with his Buffalo platform; but the idea that Mr. Buchanan, in any event, will consent to be a candidate for a second term is very absurd. Granted that the great object of his life from 1824 to 1856 was the Presidency, has he not achieved it?—and is not that enough for a man of his age, good sense and discretion ? We dare say that from the terrible drudgery of the White House, of these latter days, he will retire at the closs of his present term perfectly satisfied that he has had enough of it ; and that the Presidency, as Colonel Dick Johnson used to say, is a thing not to be sought for, but rather to be declined. As for the “smothered rivalry” between Wise and Hunter, Toombs and Jeff. Davis, of the South, its accommodation will depend upon contingencies; and in regard to these, Mr. Cobb may possibly turn up as the conservative Southern candidate against the Southern fire- eaters and the Northern dirt-eaters of the dis- mantled democracy. We agree with Sir Lucius O’Trigger, that, on all sides, “it is a very pretty quarrel as it stands, and that it would be & pity to spoil it.” Iupupencr or 4 Virertan Curvanrer.—The Chevalier Pryor, in the Richmond South, is one of the most impudent and vulgar fellows alive. After abusing us, personally, without excuse, or offence, or propriety, or decency, or anything else supposed to direct the actions of a South- ern gentleman—we say that after all this per- sonal abuse for years, the Chevalier takes off his old hat, makes a vulgar bow, and asks us if we won't please tell him the exact amount of the subsidy which the Chevalier Webb received on account of the United States Bank. To satisfy the Chevalier Pryor we will say that the ostensible amount of the subsidy received, by the Chevalier Webb on account of the bank was exactly $52,788 62}; but in this, however, were included some renewals, and in truth and reality, the exact sum, as shown by his return under the Bankrupt law, was a little under $30,000, for which amount he had assets con- sisting of some old tables and chairs, a desk or two, the big stick with which he threatened General Duff Green, the “mahogany stock” pistol which he used in his duel with Mr. Mar- shall, and a number of unpublished puffs for the United States Bank, which were rendered use- less by the collapse of that institution. Having thus treated the Chevalier Pryor with the respect due to a gentleman, we trust he will abandon his habit of using low, vulgar, vaga- bond language in his paper, and tell us honestly how much is to be his share of the present printing job to the House of Representatives, according to the private arrangement he made with Banks and Steedman, the nominal print- ers of that body? Out with it, and be honest for once. Ove or Mr. Graporinn’s Harp Facts.—Since the resumption of specie payments by our bank« a marked change has been observed in the character of the currenoy at all the leading business concerns of the city. More gold and silver are at present in general circulation than was ever before known. Thus, for in- stance, in our own establishment, where before the suspension of the banks only about $500 in specie was taken weekly, we now take more than $2,000, chiefly in silver. But few notes are offered by our advertisers, and those re- ceived are of a larger denomination than usual. There is but one inference to be drawn from thie, and that is that the recent panic has brought our paper currency into general disre- pute amonget the working classes. They are not disposed to submit any longer to the incon- venience and risk attending doubtful issues, even though they are told that the State gua- rantees them. Thus the evils of expansion are working ont their own cure. It is to be hoped that it will be a lasting and effectual one. Crrr Posr Orrice Sire w Tae Parx—In another column will be found a communication showing the exact money value of the site proposed to be allocated to the Post Office in the Park. From this statement it appears that the area required by the department will be 24,957 feet, or about ten lots of 2,500 feet each; the ground to be taken for the extension of Park place, as- suming the latter to be 80 feet wide by 218 feet in length, will be 17,440 feet—a fraction short of seven lots of ground—making altogether about seventeen lots on Broadway, Chatham street and Park row. The value of each of these lots, taking that of the adjoining proper- ty as the basis, is at the lowest calculation $100,000, making an aggregate of $1,700,000 worth of property which it is proposed to sell to the general government for $250,000. We have shown the inexpediency and folly of this bargain on the broad grounds of the public convenience and health. As a matter of pure- ly economical calculation it is evident that the contract is a spendthrift one. The city autho- rities have no right to make a gift of this pro- perty to the Post Office Department, for such it can only be regarded. Were the sale con- cluded to-morrow it could be upset by the action of any individual citizen who had spirit enough to contest its validity. The charter expressly stipulates that property belonging to the city can only be disposedof to the highest bidder. Within twenty-four hours we will undertake to bring forward half a dozen individuals who are prepared to bid for this site three times the amount offered by the government. In fact, if the ground were put up to public competition, it is probable that it would bring more than double the sum which these individuals are dis- pesed to give. The situation isso valuable that Propigauirr wv THE Dusrosrrion or THE ProPerty—Vatve OF THE PRoPosep no correct estimate can be formed of it from the prices paid for the surrounding property. In view of these factsthe bargain is not only an inequitable, but an illegal one, and no court will ratify it. It would be cheaper for the city to purchase a site for the Post Office and to make a gift of it to the general government, than to sacri- fice nearly two millions of valuable real estate in this way. Three hundred thousand dollars would purchase the requisite area at the Five Points, and the advantage conferred on the city by the removal of that plague spot would be a sufficient consideration for the money. A new Post Office, ina central position, is certainly very much called for, but if we have to pay for it such a price as is involved in the sacrifice of the Park, it would be better for us to reconcile ourselves permanently to the inconveniences of its present cramped situation. Tur Breap Rrors.—We see by the foreign papers that the good folk of London, Paris and Berlin are anxiously looking out for a revolu- tion in New York, to be effected by the riotous working classes. The London Zimes rather thinks we shall need to fall into the old ways and keep up a standing army, in order to keep down the populace of our great eities. And the foreign press generally rather chuckle over the prospect of communist or socialist outbursts at New York, and draw the inference there- from that after all between republican and divine-right governments the difference is very small. We fear that our friends across the water will be disappointed. Siuce the munictput election we have heard very little indeed about bread riots. There has not been a single gentleman willing to rob the banks at the head of a force of malcontents. The banners in- scribed “ Work or death * must have been sold as old rags, so thoroughly are their vocation and their use gone. The Sub-treasury has never been attacked, and the Assistant Treasurer of the port sleeps, it is believed, with very general placidity. The fact was, the would-be rioters were hired yy the day by nriserable ward politicians, with a view of influencing the municipal elections ; they earned their wages by shouting and frightening a few gulls in Wall street; and when the election was over they vanished. Our cotemporaries across the water have been sold. Cuar Iranian Orera.—We have frequently suggested in these columns the propriety of giving all classes an opportunity to hear the Opera at the usual play house prices, and we eee that the manager of the Academy has de- cided to give occasionally an opera on the re- gular night at fifty cents admission all over the house. Such a movement will certainly do much for art, by improving the taste of the community at large, and should also result in a pecuniary profit to the directors. The first cheap opera is announced for New Year's night. * City Intelligence A Crmisrwas Mase.—St. Stephen's (Roman Catholic) church, in Twenty eighth street, overflowed with an im- menee congregation on Christmas day, Nearly all the Mmausicians in the city were present to hear the new grand ‘mass composed for the occasion by Ar. C. Wels, the organ ist of the church. The mass is in five parts, as follows: — Part 1. Kyrie Eleison; a Kyrie; Criste. Part 2. Gloria in Excelsis, chorus; Gratias agimus, duet, bass and s0- Domine Deus, tenor solo. ‘Qui toler, quartetie prano without Song iment i sedes, solo for soprano. Grand chorus, Gnale. Part 3. chodo, Bt resuremit, grand and effective chorus. Bt in Spiritum, bass solo. Full chorus (fugue,) final Part 4. Samttus Hosanna’ (Eleva tien of the gg solo quartette orus soprano, "Grand chorus, teste, Dona, nobis pacem” The soprano chorus, y mass, which is dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Cummings, pas- tor of the church, gave the hi satisfaction. Th the Agnus Dei accompaniment Mr. Wels has made the best use $ poe toe ond . — ‘and the score is much more lelicate, an ‘The principal vorellaw wore Mme Dubos (tenor), and Mr. F. Mayer (basso) Bau. oF Tae Exer Lire Grarns.—The second annual ball of the Emmet Life Guards was given last evening at the City Assembly Rooms. The occation was one of more ‘than usual interest, and the large company, numbering between six and seven hundred ladies and gentlemen, enjoyed themselves with the greatest zest. The “‘ Guards,’ who were Gressed in uniform, formed the principal attrac: tion in the ball room, and the brief but well ordered review through which they went showed » high degree of military training and discipline. During the usual interval in the the company sat down to an excellent sup. |, after which a number of toasta were given and ‘hes delivered in reply. Among the speakers were in Lynch, of the Emmet Life Guards, Mr. Roche, Mr and other gentlemen; and on the list of guests were the names of Captain James B. Kirker and Col, Ryan, of the oon ninth iment. Altogether the ball was most successful, and the company were well pleased with the manner in which they spent the e: ening, and—a oonsider ‘able portion of the morning Fins in LAvRans Streer.—A little before eleven o'clock on Monday night a fire wae discovered in the carriage manufactory of Daniel 1. Dusenbury, No. 102 Laurens street. It originated on the third floor of the rear build ing, in the varnish shop. The alarm brought the firemen tly to the premises. The fire was soon extinguish ed and the premises fooded with water. There is no damage of account done by the fire, but the stock in the factory is much injured by water. There is an insa rance of ay? on ee ee ar ‘Compan; 1,500; Rutgers, $2,500, and Stuyvesant #11500. “ime building Ws tive boned by Mr Dasenbary, it is damaged about $10, and insured for $1,400 in the Broad way Insurance Company. The fire, it is supposed, was the result of aécident. Motixy.—Captain Olmeted, formerly of the Marans packet bark Clara B. Williams, arrived on Monday morning in the ship Fanny Foedick, from New Orleans, and reports, music generally. * (soprano), Me. night of 26th, during a heavy blow, ® part of the crew refused dnty, and since that the ship has worked by; the . ‘The crew are in charge ot the Fourt! officers al ward police, until the United States Marshal acta ia Ue matter THE LATEST NEWS. MIPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON, Arrival of Capt. Ryndors and Gen. Walker et Washington—Enthustastic Reception of the General— His Interview witn Gen. Cass— ‘What ehall we do with the Fillbuster]— Com. Paulding’s Letter to the Secretary of the Navy, &e, et ‘Wasainatox, Dec. 29, 1887. Marshal Ryndors, with his prisoner, General Walker, accompanied by Thomar Francis Meagher, arrived here ‘at seven o'clock this morning. They wero met at Browa’s Hotel by a large concourse of people, who immediately surrounded General Walker, and it was with the utmost difficulty Uhat he could make his way to the office to regis- ter his name. A man in the crowd cried out ‘Three cheers for the gray-eyed man,’ which was responded to in good earnest, and was repeated vociferously, Cries were then made for a apeech from General Walk: By this time Captain Rynders had mado his way through the crowd with the General, and conveyed him to tis room, where he was met by a few of his ola friends. Without waiting to arrange his toilet, or to refresh the inner man, the Captain chartered a back and proceeded immediately’ to the State Department, where they found Secretary Cass busily engaged in preparing despatohes for Kansas. He told the messenger to announce to the Secre. ary that Captain Rynders and Gen. Walker were waiting outside. The Secretary invited them in, and took them both cordially by the hand, and told them he was giad to eee them. After some little conversation about the weath- ‘ er, &c., Capt. Rynders informed the Secretary that he hat brought Gen. Walker in compliance with a@ letter from Commodore Paulding informing him (the Captain) that he had arrested Gen. Walker for violating the neutrality laws while in this country. He did not know what else to do with him, and had accordingly brought him to Wash- ee en in. Gen. Cass said to bim:—"rne mxvcutive Department of the government does not recognise Gen. Walker ag a Prisoner, It has no directions to give concerning him. It is only through the action of the Judiciary that he can be lawfully held in custody to answer any charges that may be made against him. This (said the Secretary) is all that I have to say upon the subject.”’ “AIT bage to say,’ said the Captain, “is that [C am pleased with your decision.”” After passing a few compliments of ‘How well you look, General; I never saw’ you look better,”” &., tae Captain and Gen. Walker took leave of the Secretary, highly pleased with their interview. Thus ends the second lesson. General Walker will wait on General Cass and the President to-morrow. The Cabinet were in sessiona long time today. The subject before them, I understand, was the conduct of Commodore Paulding. Without coming to any determina- tion, the subject was put over until the next meeting. The despatches from Commodore Paulding, ig justitication of his course, were read, and I herewith send you a copy. The Commodore transcended his instructions, that is clear; but whether the administration will reprimand him is exceedingly doubtful. A few days will determine what they will do. The following is Commod Paulding’s letter to the Secretary of the Navy, detailing the circumstances under which he arrested Gen Walker :— Frac Sip Wanasa, Orr AsrinwauL, Dec. 15, 1857 } Sin—My letter of the 12th inst. informed the depart ment that I had broken oe camp of General Walker at Punta Arenas, disarmed lawless followers, and sont them to Norfolk in the Saratoga. The General came here with me, and will take passage in one of the steamers for New York, where he will present himself to the Marshal of the district. The department being in possession of al! the facts im relation to General Walker’s escape with his followers from the United States, as well as the letters of Captain and General Walker to me, after he landed at Punta Arenas, the merits of the whole question will, [ presume, be fully comprehended. I could not regard General Walker and his followers in any other light than as outlaws who had escaped from the vigilaace of the officers of the government, and left our shores tor the pul of ri aud murder; and I saw no other way to vindicate the law and redeem the honor of our country than by oe and sending them home. Ia doing 80 Tam sensible of the respousibility | have incurred, and confidently look to the government for my justification. Regarded in its true light the case to me a clear one, and the points few and strong. or came to Punta Arenas from the United States, having, in violation of law, set on foot a military organization to make war upon a Com ed with whom we are at He landed there with armed men and hoo sm war, in defiance of the of a ship of war placed there to prevent his lauding With mothing to show that he acted byrauthority, he form: ed a camp and hoisted the N: flag, cailed tt the “Headquarters of the Army ot Nicaragua,” and signed himself the Commander-in-Chief. With this pretension he claimed the right of lawful government over all Persons and things within sight of his flag. Without right or authority he landed fifty men at the mouth of the river Colorado, seized the fort of Castillo, on the San Juan river, captured steamers and the goods of merchants in transit to the interior, killed men, and made prisoners of tho a inhabitants, sending to the harbor of San Juan lel Norte some thirty or forty men, women and children, in the steamer Morgan. joing these show of authority and must be re- aim 55 ae i 2 a ship iast summer to New York, and their sufferings are yetfresh in the memory of all on board. Besides the = ‘that must necessarily be inflicted = ‘8a inno cent unofiending people, these lawiess followers of General Walker, misguided ahd deceived into a career of crime, would doubtless have perished in Central Ame rica, or their mutilated and festering bodies would have been brought back to their friends at the expense of their country, For the above reasons, which appear to my mind quite sufficient, I have disarmed and sent to the United States General William Walker and bis out jawed and piratical followers tor trial, or for whatever action the government, in its wisdom, may think proper to pursue. Captain Ommauny, of her British Majesty’s sbip Brunswick, offered to co-operate with me in removing the party from Punta Arenas; but aa they were my countrymen I deemed it proper to decline the participation of » foreign flag. In a letter dated Dec. 18 Commodore Paulding particalars of the landing of the marines and » Punta Arenas under circumstances of great diffe yet everything was accomplished in so seamanlike aad ekilfu ‘© manper that it was executed in the shortest poss'ble time without loss or accident. To the excellent diso'pline and fine bearing of the officers and men, lie says, he is indebted, in the performance of this most unpleasant ser vice, for the exemption of all casualty or accident There was no one injured and no loss of any kind sus tained. No commanding officer was ever supported by a body of officers and men ina manner more high!y to com mand his admiration and respect The Select Committee on Printing, appo.ated at the com “mencement of the session to examine into the subject of public printing, binding, &c., and to report such changes as May appear necessary, is composed of the following grntlemen:—Wm. Smith, of Virginia; @. A. Grow, of Pena sylvania; Geo. Taylor, of New York, Mathias Nicholas, of Ohio; Mr. Morse, of Maine, and Mr. Dowdell, of Alabama They bave had two meetings. At their last meeting they adopted a resolution, and requested their Chairman to ask the House tw enlarge their powers so as to include engraving, the purchase of paper, and the accounts of the Superintendent of Public Printing The object o: the last resolution was more particularly to (u vestigate the fraeds which have been extensively prac tised by the late Superintendent in the purchase of paper ‘fund in the execution of the engraving. They have got Proof positive upon this subject, and the committee will show up some pretty dark transactions The committee will recommend, | understand, an eutire change of the present system, and will doubiess urge agov ernment printing bureau, similar to the other departments, where all the printing of the government will be done, including the. debates of Congress, binding, engraving, &e., &e., carrying out, in fact, the ideas and views which the Heaatn has advocated so strenuously for years ‘The chairman has authorized each member of the com . mittee to gather all the facts upon the subject, and to sub mit @ separate report, with a view of getting at the best possible plan of doing this work, and to put a stop to the plundering schemes which have been practised for years back of swindling the government out of two or three millions of dollars every year It is doubtful whether the commitiee will be ble to trace any frauds to the late printer He lias covered his tracks #0 nicely and adroitiy that it would purzleja Philadeiphia lawyer to make a point against bin However, the committee intend to sift the matter thorowtzh ly, and if there js any truth in the reports which hay some time, implicating persons holding high positions ander the government, to expose them ty the gaze of the world. The committee have power sond for persons and papers, and ander the law of th Inst Oongress they are compelled to appear art! (0 tes and if they retuse to do ao the House oan imprison thom THE GEYRRAL NEWAPAPRR DESPATON, Wasminatox, Deo. 20, 1867 Tho Cabinet had the matter before them today. Al though the arrest of Gen. Walker i# not strictly justified by the tastructions to Commodore Paulding, it iz concetved that the case is very mech paltiated by the circumstances wader which, ag explaine! by him, & war effected