The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1858, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 7797. MORN G EDITION—THURSDAY, JANUARY 7,- 1858. PRICE TWO CENTS. AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. a beget IE e ateresting Debate on the Neutrality Laws a Filibusterism, &ec., ee, be, Interesting from the Federal Capital. BB REVISION OF THE TARIFF—THE NEW YORK DELEGATION ON THE FILIBUSTER QUESTION— WHAT WHE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY INTENDS TO DO WITH THE TREASURY NOTES—WHAT WILL THE WOVICIARY DO WITH GENERAL WALKER—SENATOR SLIDELL AND SIR WM. GORE OUSELEY’S RESI- DENOES ROBBED, ETC., ETC. , Wasmnaton, Jan. 6, 1858. Mm the Sonate to-day numerons petitions and resolu- were presented. Mr. Brown submitted a petition from Mr. Bledker, of New York, that the Postmaster- General be authorized to contract for conveyance of mails Detween Panama and Valparaiso. Mr. Pugh presented » petition of citizens of Ohio, asking thatacharter for a ational Bank, for thirty years, with acapital of sixty million dollars, be granted; also that the revenu® laws de adjusted so as to raise sufficient money for the ex- penses of government and give protection to labor and ‘apital, and that the proceeds of the pablic lands be dis- tributed among the States. Mr. Crittenden called up his evolutions relative to increasing the duties levied ander the Tariff act of March last, and submitted some remarks hereon. Mr. Fitch introduced an amendment taxing all bank notes, with a discrimination in favor of those of smal! denomination, with the view to drive small ones out of circulation. The whole subject was finally laid on the table, to be called up at any future day. ‘The Senate then went into executive session, and took up the confirmation of Mr. Sedgwick as District Attorney of New York. Quite an animated debate occurred, which was participated in by a large number of Senators. Mr. Douglas spoke in opposition, and was followed by Messrs. Seward and Clark, of New Hampshire, who made a furi- ous onslaught on the President. Mr. Foster, of Connecti- cut, followed on the same side. Mr. Crittenden also spoke. Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, sustained the course of the President. Without coming to any determination, at four o’clock the Senate adjournad. In the House very little of interest transpired. After receiving some reports they went into Committee of the Whole. Mr. Sickles obtained the floor, and made an able speech on the filibuster question, sustaining Commodore Paulding and endorsing the Message upon that subject. Mr. Sickles was listened to with marked attention. Mr. Bliss, of Obio, followed on bleeding Kansas and the Dred Seett decision. Mr. Haskin also made an able speech in @efence of Commodore Paulding. He said the people in the North did not look upon Walker as a general, but as fm adventurer and marauder. He paid a high compli- ment to the Commodore, who, he said, was a constituent ef his. Eli Thayer, of Massachusetts, has the floor for to- morrow. Mr. Fuller, delegate from Dakotah, arrived here to-day, and will shortly present his credentials as delegate from said Territory. Sceretary Cobb refused an offer to-day for one million Breasury notes at three and a quarter per cent interest. He says he will not raise the interest on the six millions, ‘Dat will pay all claims with them at par. ‘The administration deny that they have any care of General Walker. Gen. Casd says the Judiciary will, no doubt, do their duty. The action of the Virginia Legisla- gure with regard to the filibusters is watched with interest by Mr. Buchanan. ‘The British Minister, who has been quite indisposed for geome days, is again able to attend to his public duties. Gen. Robles, the Mexican Minister, says that the sta- Dilty of Comonfort’s Dictatorship will depend upon the selection of his Cabinet and State Council. ‘She ret idence of Senator Slidel was entered by burglars ‘8 few nights since, and a quantity of plate taken, which was afterwards found in an out-house, where it had been @eposited by the robbers on their being discovered and parsued. A similar attempt has since been made on tho reeldence of Sir Wm. Gore Ouseley, but without success. The police were called, to whom Sir William apologized, saying he would have whipped the burglars himself, but he was afraid it would get into the New Yor« Henan, Stuart’s model theatre proves a triumph. Purser Jobn G. Mason has resigned. ‘The Naval Court was occupied to-day with the caso of apt. Ramsay. Senator Mason was examined on behalf of government. Senator Henderson, of Texas, is expected to arrive Bere this week. {THE GENKRAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. Wasurwotow, January 6, 1858. ‘The Senate, in executive session to-day, were engaged mearly three hours in digcussing mu ituce commected with the nomination of Mr. Sedgwick as District Attorney of New York, in place of John McKeon. While it is proba- Die that the former will be confirmed, some of those who intend voting in the affirmative will define their position, Delieving that the President has the right or power to change tho officer, but not justifying his removal for the reasons alleged. The nomination of Mr. Clifford to fill the vacancy in the Buyreme Court, js #till pending in the Senate, ‘The debate in the House to-day, covering a defence of pony sate Paulding, strengthens the belief that that off)- oor will not Wasniwatow, Jan. 6, 1868, Messrs. Herren and Toomrs asked, but the Senate re- fused to excuse them from serving on the French Spolia on Rill Committee. WME REVISION OF THE TARIFP—CHANGE IN TIE METHOD OF VALUATION OF IMPORTED MERCHANDISE. ‘The Senate then proceeded to ths consideration of Mr. Orittenden’s resolution in favor of increasing the duties om imports, and substituting home for foreign valuation. Mr. Currrenpey, (opp.) of Ky., spoke as to the necessity for the adoption of sach a measure. He did net believe that the present law would produce an adequate amount for support of the government. An increase of five Per cent on woollen and cotton goods would be sufficient, ‘and afford all necessary protection. Mr. Frren, (adm.) of Ind., moved an amendment taxing & discrimination against thore of a ‘small denomination, 80 as to drive the latter out of circu- motion of Mr. Ciay, Sen) ae, the resolution amendment were . THR PRILADRLPIIA POST OFFICE ATR. Mr. Cameron (opp.) of Pa., presented one hundred and from citizens of Philadelphia remonstrating the location of the city Post ( in the building occupied by the Bank of Pennsylvania. PATENT KXTEN#ION. . , Presented a petition from M. Chaffee praying for an extension of his patent for preparing India rubber and applying it without the use of a solvent. A NATIONAL BANK WANTED. Mr. Pan also presented « petition from citizens of Bank for thirty Fears, with capital of 860,000,00, and fm tscrecoe of the tarit, Aftef the transaction of some further businces of no @pecial importance the Senate adjourned. House of WEPresentatives. ‘Wasurwerow, Jan. 6, 1958, THR MILFPARY ACADEMY APPROPRIATION HILL. Mr. J. Giaxcy Joxm, (adm.) of Pa., from the Commit- tee on Ways and Means, reported the bill of appropria- tion for the support of tho Military Academy. ARCURITY OF TIUMAN LIFE ON STRAMROATS. Mr. Wasnnvnee, (opp.) of Iil.,from the Committee on Commerce, reported a bill to further amend the act pro- viding for the better security of the lives of passengers on Doard steam vesrels. Its consideration was postponed til) the first Tuosday of February. OUR RELATIONS WITH PARAGUAY, NEW GRANADA ANT PRARIT Mr. Cuxcman, (adm.) of N.C , from the Committee on | Foreign Afairs, reported a series of resolutions, which were adopted, calling on the Prosi dent to communicate the correspondence be. tween the Sccretary of Stato and the govern- ments of Paraguay and New Granada, in any way effecting our differences with those governments; also be: tween the Secretary of State and Brazil relative to the opening of the River Amazon «# the nego. tiation of a reciprocity or other treaty, and all Correspondence on the subject of our relations with Spain not heretofore mace publ DERATE ON THE NEUTRALITY LAWS, GENRRAL WALKER, CoM MODORR PAULDING, FILINUSTEREM, AND TH DRED SOOT CARR. The House went into Committee of the Whole on the Btate of the Union on the President's message “cord Mr. Siete, (adm.) of N.Y., wished to pat UPWrorday Dis diseent from some of the positions assume? af 2, gentlemen in debate. If members had been in a jouse of Representatives convened by Gen. Walker in ‘Nicaragua, they could not have listened to sentiments ‘more in unison with the latter’s theory of government and ‘more at war with our own, than they were compelled to isten to in this ball. They were told that the neutrality act of 1818 was unconstitutional and against the principles of our ; but as he had read the history of his coun- try he found that soe pales of tha) act was banded dewn from the days of Washington, and embodied in our sta- tutes from that to the present time; and it has never been dissented from by apy admuuistration or party. Had gentlemen forgotten that Mr. Srampies, was dis. missed because he committed acts violative of the neutrality lawe? He had yom that the whole coun ‘try su tained the wiedom firmness of the Executive in the enforcement of the traditional policy of the govern. ment, not to permit our own citizens or the representa- tives of any foreign power, great or small, to compromise the neutrality of the United States with regard to nations with whom we are at peace. We have made treaties with various powers, in which we have entered into sti- lations based op this very statute—one recently with jew Granada, and another also,as rumor has it, with Nicaragua, He was surprised to hear it asserted that naval officers have pot a right to out upon the high geas to capture violutors of our laws. Had gentlemen forgouen that our government is im treaty stipula- tions to maintain @ naval force for the purpose of exercising a police over all seas, and to suppress the infamous slave traflic. This policy has been recognised by all administrations ond al) parties, and he never rd it questioned before. Connected with oxere yeah e i tion was the question of intent. If would be an offence it the good senee of ike Fagor to ete saniins © seinen, 80 significant, that the expedition by Walker was to make war and take life and eaeriy witbin the limits of gee dp with whom we just made a treaty of amity and friendship. Instantaneously on the landing of the expedition acta of hostility were ees: ‘men were shot down and property seized. ery writer on international law calls such con- duct robbery and murder, No man would go far- ther than himeeif to recognise the right of American citizens to emigrate to foreign lands. If they wished aceably to go to Central America, let m go. le desired to see the Isthmus Americanized. But such expeditions as that of Walker and such conduct, are not calculated to promote the interests of our people so far as they are connected with the interests of Central Ame- rica. ‘If the expedition was peaceful, as Walker informed Secretary Cass it would be, their ploughshares were turned inte swords, and pruning hooks into spears with such quickness as to throw suspiciog on’ the sincerity of their professions. The presumption always was in favor of the conduct of the officer in the | silgiramid of duty at a remote point, but this rule has n reversed, and all the charges against Commodore Paulding are asked to be taken as acmitted truths. He did not want Paulding’s act to be regarded as a precedent. There is no question but that in a technical point of view his act was illegal, and that he exceeded his instructions. But he undoubt- edly acted in accordance with what he believed was the spirit of his instructions, having a reasonable belief that e government regarded Walker’s expedition as unlawful. Gentlemen must not forget that General Jackson passed into ish territory and arrested certain persons, and hung them on the nerrest tree; but he was not recalled im diegrace. The President is fully alive t the interests of our people'with tho Central American republics, and the Istbmus—the highway of a large portion of the commerce of the world. He has shown every disposition to further these interests by the cultivation of kindred fraternal re- lations witb these goveraments, with a view to American ize them as far as he can, and to secure to our people all advantages possible. “Uider these circumstances, was it anything but treason for men to organize lawless expe- ditions, and, goiugthere, to make war on republics with whom we are at peace? Mr. Buss, (opp.) of Ohio, eaid he wished to call atten- tion to another subject, which had deep interest in the hearte of his countrymen. He did not mean the froth and outiawe of cities, but the masses who are interested in the perpetuation of our institutions. He meant to speak of what iscommonly known as the “Dred Scott’’ decigign, which the President has endorsed, and to which the dffi- cial action of the government has been conformed. That decision, he argued, was in utter disregard of the rights of man and the truth of history. When he reflected that the most absolute tyrants were firm supporters of law, he could feel no reverence for the Judges who descended from their bigh positions to crush liberty under the color of the constitution. Therein the double treachery exists. Without a show of reason, ‘and in face of all the authori tie, that sectional, irresponsible and prejudiced body of Judges, trusting tO their irresponsibility, have soaght to overthrow the laws. He eptered against the di on of the Supreme Court his indignant protest. He believed that God is the common father, and made of one flesh all the nations to dwell on the face of the earth, and that Christ is the elder brother both of the Ethopean and Cau- casian. As a democrat, he believed in the equality of all men before the law—as a legislator, instead of discrimi- nating against the weak he would defend them—the strong can defend themselves, the weak need a prop. By rigid edicts, under that decision a large class of citizens bad been turned out of the federal courts and from the public domain, and deprived of every constitutional right and guarantee. He concluded his argument by saj ‘that all the citizens of each State are not entitled to the immunities and privileges of the several States, but are citizens of the United States, Mr. Hast, (adm.) of N. ¥., said that at the proper time he would go as far as any other member in favor of the suspension of the neutrality laws, but not for the rea- fons askigned by Mr. Quitman yesterday. The act of 1818 was to ‘meet a case of the character now before them. It is a singular fact thas in that very year Arbuth. not and Ambrister were hung by Gen. Jackson as high as Haman. In bis opinion their conduct was not more repro- hensible than that of Walker towards a with whom we were at peace. Many doubt the right of Pauld- ing to seize Walker in Nicaragua, but \f there is an in- choate treaty with Nicaragua by which we are to protect the Transit route, the directions of the President and Sec retary of the Navy may sustain Paulding. The only party which can object to Paulding’s conduct is Nicara. ‘ua, a weak Power, and which commends the act. Fie 'gendeman from ‘Ooorgia (Mr. Stephens) said Walker was a better man than Paulding. Mr. Haskin denied it. After referring to the ipal events in Walker's his- tory, which did not place him in an envied light, he spoke. of Commodore Paulding in high terms of eulogy, saying that he was a son of Paulding of Revolutionary memory, who, with Williams and Van Wert, captured Major Andre and resisted his proferred bribe, which, if accept- ed, would have placed them in affluent circumstances. The Paulding of that day had no warrant from the Conti nental Congress to authorize the arrest. (Laughter,) Mr. Jon ‘Cocunann (adm.) of N. ¥., Wanted to know pena offence against the law of nations runs in the family. Mr. Haskiy repeated that Commodore Paniding has « right to be more proud of his ancestry than any of the kings of Europe of theirs. He had been in the service for forty years, and bad worked himself to the highest posi- tion in it, and it was therefore ungenerous to say that Walker was a betterman than Pauiding. No act ander this administration, since the inauguration of the Presi dent bay by od worthy of admiration than that of Pauld. ing, and he hoped that the responsible majority of the House would not fritter away ite consequences. The thanks of Congress and a medab were eminently due to Paulding. He (Mr. Haskin) remarked that while he was against individual Mlibustering, he was a national Slibuster. He ‘was a believer in the Monroe doctrines, and wanted those of the Ostend manifesto applied. Mr. Kerr (adm.) of 8.C., wanted to know whether Mr, Haskin was in favor of a nation, instead of individuals, breaking faith? Mr. Haskin replied that when the nation will take the responsibility of seizing Cuba, and suspending the neutrality laws, be would go for it with that gentle- man. feeling of the national democrats is that they have a right to the island; they believe that they came by i Ceemeny they believe that the government should by conquest do certain things; but this basiness of Walker's was petty larcency. He tn) was in favor of national grand larceny—(iaughter)—and declared himself a bard shell democrat. Mr. Sterns (adm.) of Ga, in explanation, said that he had cast no imputation ou jodore Paulding, fur- ther than his arrest of Walker was not justified. That was without law or color of law. On that Paulding was to stand. Tt was a great outr: I oF be that Paulding’s fa- ther bad refused a_ bribe, if that gives credit to hie son, let it be so, The man had spoken of the miser- able condition of Walker's men, wi he saw last 5 nate he ‘What placed them in such an folk were lieved the: the navy sald—that Walker's arrest was ® against to be waa a5 Paulding’s conduct were abundant "ir, Mascon replied, that althoug’s ir. Haskin : might have been without authority, there precedenta to show that the ee and peo- le have sustainea morally right, Tut technically Grong. Hie instanced the cane the declaration of mar- tial law by General Jackson at New Orleans. Jackson afver- wards became President, and subsequently jus- ted he any carne ee ee Mr. Rocock.(adm.) of Va., aid Mr. Stephens had spoken of some of Walker’s men as lazy and lousey, and re- marked that they were last seen in company with certain naval officers, He peers | wished Lonny AE met that his position in this and a former Congress brought him in contact with naval officers, and he hat never found any of them in the condition represented. If the gentle man from Georgia had, all he could say wae that he wa sorry for thé assoc! Mr, Gusern, (opp.) of N.C., had nothing aa yet whieh could justify a line of argument ifVolving so much criticlem on a gentleman whose history and character showed him to be a praiseworthy officer of tho savy. When the documents called for are communicated, it will be found that this is not acase justifying censure, He had ho doubt, from the history of the past two yoars, that Paulding acted under instructions. He dissented from Mr. Stephens tn the view that there was ynpropriety in giving such instructions after Walker had given bail to answer & criminal charge. In bis opinion there was increased no- cessity, after Walker's escape, to issue instructions to na- val and federal officers to exercise additional vigilaave. He humorously ridiculed the idea of sending Walker back fn a national vessel and paying his expenses. ‘The committee then rove and the House adjourned. Letters to other Journals. {Correspondence of the Pross _ Wastiwaros, Jan. 4, 1858. Filibuster Pecitement--The Kansas Queshon—Dinner Par- Nes New Grade in the Nang, de., de. Tt te stated tha the Tecent Instructions of the Prosident to Commod poniding were sent out with the consent of Senor Yrisar~; the Mi and that the ie right to com i oe pending d) JABKCP tive action of the United States ofoers te arresthty General Waiker and his men at Panta Arenas doos not complain, but, on the contrary, desired and now approves f the conduct of that officer, ‘This being 80, the question reacbes a sudden adjuntment, greatly to the satisfaction of fair Sealing moan Tam sur ‘all sections of the country. sry war cra at ape of reeling saad creat eo re el services, like those of General sent in that branch of the public service; and to establish @ similar rank in the Bavy, with a view to afford some patpab e evidence of the pational regard for the eminent services of Commodore ‘Stewart, Mr. Phillips tried to introduce in the House this morning the tollowing resolution :-— A Resolution authorizing the President of the United States to confer the title of Guy Chief for eminent services, That the grade of Captain-in Chief be, and the same is hereby established in the navy of the Uniied Btates, in order that when in the opinion of the President and the ‘Senate it shall be deemed proper to acknowledge eminent services of guy cap‘ain in the navy, the grade of Captain in Chief may be specially conferred to lake rank from (he date of his com- mission, and the sald Captaln-in Chief shall receive as gompeneation, and in lieu of all pay and vations, the sum of five thousand dollara per annum : Provided, however, that when the said grade of Captain-in-Chief nhall'have once been. filled and have vacant, this joint resolution shall become thereafter expire and be of no effect. It is confklently stated here that Governor Denver de- clares, in the most frank and undisguised manner, that Governor Walker and Secretary Stanton had pursued the wisest course in their ent of the aifairs of the Territory It is a very remarkable fact, that whilst these late officials are so severely handled out of the country, and here, a thousand miles away from the scene of their labors, all persons of every party in Kanaas, or who come from there, unite in commen: of Walker and Stan- ton’s course, ae he way just, wise, and polfic one im the “gy iho by, there em prompect of Me. Cllngman being sent tothe Senate. The death of Judge Porter, of the United Staten District Court, has created & vacancy for which the delegates from North Carolina have unanimous- ly recommended Senator Biggs, He will ly be ap- pointed and Clingman will receive from the commission for the vatanc; elected by the Legisiatur seasion, together with Bragg, there being two vacancies to fill in case Biggs receives the tment of Judge. Senator Shields, of Minnesota, arrived in town yester- day, looking as young, sturdy and vigorous as when, ten years ago, he embarked for the ‘big wars,” in which he ot 80 gallant a psi Senator Rice is on his way. exe gentlemen are devoted friends of Judge Douglas, and will go with him on the Kansas question, Ju toga returned last night in excellent spirits, confirmed in bis conviction thatthe people of the North, including four-fifths of the democracy, are all with him ou the issue which a few rash and reckless ‘tisans have endeavored to inflame into @ permanent serious feud During the holidays a great many elegant dinners have been given by members of Congress and public officials. ‘Yesterday was particularly marked by two splendid on. tertainments, one by Hon. James B. Clay, to a company compoged principally of Kentuckians, at which Col. Ben. ton and his two daughters, and daughter-in-law, who is a sister of Mra. Clay, Vice President, and several other notabilities, were present. Hon. George Pendleton, of Ohio, who married a daughter of Francis R. Key,'tho author of “The Star Spangled Banner,” also entertained the democratic delegation from his State, and other pro- minent Obioans in the city. Senator Pugh, ex-Comptrol- ler and ex Governor Medill, Hon. Mr. Parrott, of < Mr. Atkinson, and the whole democratic delegation from. the State, were present. The peculiarity of this enter- tainment was that the wines used were exclusively of the native vintage, including some half a dozen different brands and descriptions. Messrs. Majors and Russe}) have again obtained the con- tract for transporting the supplies for the army in Utab. i u Brooklyn City News. BRUTAL ASSAULT AND ATTEMPT TO MURDER. Between 12 and } o’clock on Tuesday night a man named Jobn B. Jaques was brought to the station house of the *| Ninth ward, having been found ina state of insensibility in a pond on the line of the Long Island Railroad, by somo men who lived in the vicinity. On being taken to the gta- tion house measures were taken to restore him, and in the course of a few hours he was sufficiently restored to be enabled to relate some of the facts of the case. Yester- day morning word was sent to the office of the Deputy Su- perintendent of Police, when Dr. Ball, Assistant Surgeon of Police, and Coroner Sneli went to the station house to examine him, and were enabled to take the following ANTE MORTEM EXAMINATION. My name is John B. Jaques; I reside at No. 20 Court street, Newark, N. J.; am a tailor by trade; work for my- self; was brought over here by ® man named Peter ih Smith, who keepsta grog shop; he came with me on Tt afternoon, and paid all my expenses: house of John Myers, in Fulton avent ster and drinking saloon; I drank brandy at this place three or four times; we loft at ee six o’clock on a private conver- store below Siyers’ side street from Fulton is time, of the State and Mechanics’ Banks of Newark, beside some change; I wanted to go home, but they advised me not to; this money was my own; Smith did not pay me the seven dollars tbat he pro- mised to pay me for keeping out of the way of being a witness —— him for keepin, house; this suit comes of 124 porhed into the sreser, fu had no quarrel; no other two men; bave a wife and of age; believe the object prod at l could not be a witness against Smith; lieve tl store me I would have died in In addition to this he states that he a witnese agaimet Peter B. Smith, who keeps a disorderly =~ — a Ltag es New age OM was dicted by rand Jury eeping a gaan! house. The trial was to take place yesterday, and Jaqoes was the pi witness for the tion. Smith bribed pee onghes we the place, and not appear to testify when called upon, and to give him seven dollars, Jaques agreed to this, and on Sunday left Newark with Smith, as stated in bis ante-mortom examination. Upon these facts being known, Coroner Snell issued a war. rant for the arrest of Myers and @mith. Myers was ar- rested by officer Van Wagner, of the bra oe) ‘intend - ent’s office, yesterday afternoon, and od ep for exami- nation. Sergeant White, of the Ninth ward, proceeded to New. ark yesterday, and placed the officers there on the watch for Smith, who will probably soon be arrested. Jaques will probably recover, as the injuries be has sus- tained ere not dangerous. SUICIDE BY HANGING—SINGULAR AFFAIR. On Tuesday afternoon a man calling himself John Per- gen, a German, came to the office of the Deputy Superin- tendent of Police, and stated that he wished to deliver himself up, aa be bad stabbed a man in Williamsburg, and thought be would die from the effect of the wound. It was thought that the man was crazy, and but lite Attention was paid to the story, aa it was pre- sumed that it originated in his own di . He was locked up in the cells at the City Hall, and inquiries made a to the of his Yesterday fit 85 i i i { betee $ igtel z ii HI $2 it ge : 5¢ 2, E i s sft fr f H nd lit i ; a t 4 i E z HH Ez ft ait i i Hi H fH j § i i i i 5 =e | E i : ? i i tions to better facilitate the labor of the great work she has before her. Her masts are still in her, and will re main eo for the present. re actively engaged in overhauling every particle of ri , and where any defect is obwervable tt ts immediately condemned. The ship is in nowise the unseaworthy conditidn she was United States sloop-of-war (raze) Savannah is #tit! in dry dock. Tne work on her is nearing toa final com pletion. Ae she will not be required for immodiate ser: vier, her bottom will not_be coppered at present. She will, however, be taken from the dry dock to make room for other verse! The work of filing in that portion of space fronting on Flushing avenue, between fe new mado ground for the erection of the marine barracks and the Navy Yard wall, bas been suspended, there being no money appropriated to carry on the work. Whether the contractors will ro sume operations before spring is a question of doubt, even should an appropriation be male to carry on the work, as the cold weather will soon put a stop to ny further pro- grees this winter. Commercial Retrospect for 1857. The year 1867 will long be remembered by we com. mercial world as one of the most remarkable in the his- tory of finance and trade. It opened with gevere and pro- tracted cold weather, which extended go far into the spring as to materially retard the dusinese of the season, which also suffered from the deficiency in the previous year’s crops. It was hoped, however, that the autumn trade would commence early, and prove largeand active. The prospect was also brightened by the assur, on every hand that the crops of 1867 were oeniarec, and saved in @ good condition. The large yield was looked to as a sure batis for a large, sound and improved trade. With such prospects importations were made on a largely increased scale. The import trade was also stimulated by the extensive and largo reductions made in the tariff of duties passed at the last session of Congress. Goods on which heavy changes were to be made on the first of July were brought into the country in large quantities, and as a general rule were sent into the public warehouses. The largest amounts in value consisted of sugars, foreign brandies, wines and spirits, with foreign manufactured dry goods, including silks, &c. When the tariff came into operation, however, it did not work so tavorably for importers as had been anticipated. Tho banks, from a freak of heedless imprudence in the sum- mer months, when produce receipts were light, on account of the previous year’s short crops, expanded their loans in a bref period to over one hundred and twenty mitlions of dollars. When the autumn arrived, and the produce of the growth of 1867 had just commenced coming for- ward, we find that in a few woeks they suddenly con- tracted over twenty millions of dollars. This wag go gud- den and unlooked for that a general panic seized the public mind, while house after house yielded to thestorm, untilthe banks themselves, becoming objects of suspicion on the part of their patrons who had made deposits with them, commenced a run on them for specie, which in twenty- four hours forced them into suspension. The panic had now become wide spread and general, and in a few weeks failures were counted by the hundred. Large factories at the East either failed, worked half time or shut up shop. The exchanges of the country became deranged, and the forwarding of produce arrested. Col- Jections became for a time impossible. The fall trade, which had been so largely prepared for, and looked for with so much eagerness, was to a great extent destroyed. With this derangement the values of all kinds of move- able property, including stocks and produce, suddenly declined to an enormous extent, and thousands were cither damaged or ruined. Then camo another strange phase of the panic. We stopped pretty much all re- mittances to our foreign creditors. Sterling exchange suddenly fell to 93 a 95 for produce bills, and ‘to 98 a 100 for the best bankers’ di oF to from 9 a 16 per cent below the par of exchange, and im favor of the United States. Indeed, sterling bills could scarcely be sold at all, and remittances became suspended. Yet the English were compelled to purchase our cotton and other produce, of which the supplies were light; and we wit essed (he extraordinary anomaly of a nation sending over ral millions in specie and bank credits to pur- chase produce from a people who were largely its debtors. Such an unusual turn in trade was as wholly unlooked for in Europe aa it was on this side, and was not Jong in producing @ revulsion both wide spread and destructive, the end of which in Burope had not been fully reached at the last accounts. The English, in effect, however, said to us, if we are compelled to send over specie or its equivalent to purchase your cotton and other produce, we muet expect in a measure to buy it at our own prices. And such has been to @ great extent the true state of the case, They with cash or its equivalents in hand, have been the chief purchasers of our cotton and much of our other produce, while the Con. vent, and especially France, has in a measure been out of market. ‘The rebellion in India has also exercised moro or loss influence on our foreign commercial interests. With the stoppage of our foreign remittances our banks commenced gathering epecie, until it reached an amount probably never before held by them. They dually re sumed, but too late to save the fall trade, or to retrieve the unnecessary and wide spread evil they had produced. With their resumption we renewed our remittances by sending over specie in large amounts, angmented by the want of confidence in bills drawn against foroign houses, and the novelty was witnessed of steamers passing each other on the ecean, carrying specie both ways— those coming hither bringing it to purchwe produce, and those going out carrying it to pay our debts, with » loss of insurance and interest in each case. By the bar tuterposed to the forwarding of produce from the interior in the autumn, all interests and affairs of per sons in nearly all purswita were mado te suffer. My thie means, as previously stated, about thirty-five to forty millions of dollars worth of produce was retained in the interior which should have reached the seaboard tw have made the amount equal to what it was for the same period in 1856, ‘The fallmg of in cotton receipts at all the ports up to date, since the first of September last, has reached about 400,000 bales, which, at an average cost of of $40 per balo, gives a value of 000,000, although the crop is esti. mated to exceed that of last year by not less than 100 000 to 200,000 bales. The deficiency in the receipts of breadatuffs at thin port ie manifested by the half filled warehouses. At the Atlantic docks, warehouses which at this period last year had about 700,000 bushels'of wheat on storage now contain only about 180,000. Warehouses in the city do not cohtain over one-fourth of the grain on storage that they did at this period last year. This diminution in storage has acted unfavorably upon the labor of the city, because fewer hands are required to handle the present stocks than were required jast year. The heaviest failures during the year have occurred in the dry goods trade and among the Amorican cotton manufacturers and their agemta Many persons who com. menced the year strong in their confidence of being millionaires, have found, with the clase of the prosont Year, that their fortunes have been swept away. ‘The causer which led to the breakdown of our cotton mille and their agents, or commission houses, are ob- vious, namely, the overstocking the market with goods produced from high priced raw cottons, Notwithstanding our competition in foreign markets with England is mainly restricted to our supply of heavy piece goods, our mills continued to produce these goods in large quantities from raw cotton, costing on an Average of from $0 a 100 per cent higher than was paid the previous year; and this, in the fhoe of diminished exports ef piece goods to foreign ports, by interruption to trade from the war with China and other causes, The whole consumption of raw cotton in the United States for the year ending on the Ist ot September, 1867, was 840,000 bales, against 788,000 in 1866—ehowing an in- crease over any former year, and at higher prices than had ruled for many previous years. An over pro- duction of goods under such circumstances combined with the long credit system, produced these fruits, When the panic came, failures in the trade occurred on every hand, and loeses were counted by millions, while large quanti- tine of beavy cotton clothe wore forced off at prican leas than the cost of the raw cotton of which they were com- posed. Spinners, in the autumn, were driven from the cotton was feft to the English, who, buy- ing for obtaine! the article at greatly re- duced The cotton, with an caster state of the money market, bas induced epinners again to rewume work, and to feappear, to some extent, a« purchasers of cotta. We consumed in 1857, $40,000 bales of high priced cottons from the short crop of 1856, while our whole export to Great Britain for the same period only amounted to 1,423,- 870 bales, against 1,021,386 bales the previous year. In other words, while England dimintshed her purchases by 492,516 bales, we increased our consumption by about 2,000 bales. Another element which exercised more or less disturbing influence upon our commercial affairs was the failure of the sugar crop in Louisiana in 1866, which only yielded 73,076 bhda., against 251,427 the year previous, and 346,- 635 the year before, This hiatus led during the spring and early summer of 1867 to a great enhancement of prices, and to enormous importations, chiefly from Cuba; the stock at one time having exceeded 100,000 hhds. in this port alone, which averaged in value, for muscovados, at one time fully $100 per hhd, To pay for this enormous importation drained the country of doubloons, and pited up an enormous balance of trade against us, probably ex- ceeding twenty millions of dollars, wh ol we were com pelled to rgmit in specie or pay in bills on London. Doub- loons, which in ordinary seasons uenally sold at about $16, rose in value to about $18. To make the matter worse, the Spanish ws were such ag to prevent the cir culation in Caba of American gold coin or the remittance of gold bare in payment for suyars. The decrease in the sugar crop of Louisiana in 1856, compared with that of the year before, amounted to no less than 157,461 hogsheads, which, if we estimate it at only $75 per hha, will show @ logs to the country of about $2,008,825, to say nothing of the proportionate decrease in the yield of molasses. The panic, in the autumn of 1857, found our market over. stocked with foreign sugars. Attempts were made to reduce supplies by re-exporting considerable quantities in bond to Europe. Notwithstanding this, prices rapidly re ceded and enormous losses were sustained. Fortunately for us, the heaviest stocks were in the bands of Cuban merchants, some of whom were the producers of the su gars held, and were abundantly able to sustain the immense Joss. Notwithstanding the decline, few American houses im thia trado were forced to suspend, and even among the jobbers the failures were comparatively few, exhibiting a striking contrast to the breakdowns in the dry goods trade; the explavation of which is to be found in the fact that among the former credits are limited to four months, while in the latter trade they are extended to six, cight and twelve months. The winding up of the Russian war released a large number and a great amount of steam and sailing tonnage, both foreign and American, which induced great stanga- tion in the shipping interest. With the conclusion of the war there waa a heavy de- cline in articles which had been inflated by its advent, such as hemp, flax, linseed, saltpetre, lead, &o., which have continued seriously depressed for the greater part of 1867, resulting in immense losses to importers, Houses of the oldest and strongest character in Boston and Salem, engaged in the Fast India trade, have lost millions by the importations of jute, gunny cloth snd bags, saltpetre and flaxseed from Calcutta; and the East India trade, from these losses and the advent of the rebellion, may be said to beat anend for the present. At last accounts there were only about thirty vessels, all told, bound to the United States from the Kast Indies, which wiil be about the last to arrive for some time to come, ‘The fluctuations in the China trade have been greatly af- fected by the war commenced by England against her, apd especially against Canton. Within the past summer teas, which had been greatly depressed for a year or more, became excited by a speculative movement in Eng: land and the United States, and large quantities soon changed hands at greatly enhanced prices. The movement was stimulated by speculative letters and bogus tele- graph reports from Bombay, via the overland route, one of which was to the effect that Canton had been burnt, and the European factories destroyed, with im menge quantities of teas, Another report was, that the Chinese had poigoned their teas, and that only stocks on band or on the way could be safely relied on for future use. Teas consequently soon advanced from 50 to 75 per cent, and in some cases, on the lower grades nearly 100 per cent was gained. But the true state of the facts be came known. It was found that the war was in a measure a Jozal affair with Canton, while the northern ports, and especially Shanghae, remained open, and trade in teas and silks continued as usual. The result was that teas became heavy, and many holders who had laid in large stocks found that they were upable to sell, except at Jower rates. To this reaction in the tea market the late panic contributed its due share, and the recent public gales have exhibited at each repo tition Jess bueyancy, while at each, increasing proportions of catalogues have been withdrawn, and the year closes on a dull market, with the prospect of severe losses being suffered by both speculators and importers. ‘The year closes on a large stock of coffee, amounting to 132,902 packages of all kinds. The high prices current early in the season caused increased importations to be made from the Fast Indies, mainly from Java and Ceylon, while the bulk, as usual, was derived from [razil. The market closes with about“) per « decline below the highest figures of the year In fact, there are no leading articles of trade the prices of which do not close below the highest rates previously current. The fluctuations of the year 1867 have been remarkable, and have ramified all branches of trade and all kinds of industrial .pursuita. The products of the forest and the fisheries have not escaped. The latter especially have yielded to the irregular laws of trade which have distin. guished the year. Oils, after having reached almost un- precedented prices, have receded about 33 per cent; and pickled mackerel about 60 per cent; while whalebone, which has frequently boon +old at 17 cents per ib. or under, rose under tho vast demand created by its use for crinoline skirts to over $1 per Ib. The bright side in the movements of the year is found im the fact that Australia, during the year, haa yielded about $102,000,000, and California from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000 in gold dust, making from the two countries probably an aggregate of about $150,000,000. We have also to congratulate the United States npon ‘the fact that, while over trading speculators and rotten corporations have expleded, the great mass of our people were never more prosperous and rich. And fur- thermore, upon the fact that this is the most wealthy, powerful and pr ive nation ia the world in propor: Lien to ite popu possessing, as it does, a large sail- ing and steam marine, over 24,000 miles of railroads and nearly as many miles in telegraph wires. Commissioners of Emigration, MAYOR TIRMANN TAKES HIS SHAT AT THE BOARD— ANNUAL REPORTS—INCKEASE IN THE NUMBER OF EMIGRANT LUNATICS. ‘The Commissioners of Emigration met yesterday, Gu- lian C. Verplanck, President, in the Chair. Mayor Tiemann ‘Was present and took his seat at the board, and was oor. dially welcomed bf the Commissioners. The Mayors of New York and Brooklyn are ez oficio members of this board, but they rarely have participated in the delibera. tons. Mayor Wood took his seat but twice during his term of office. Mayor Tiemann, however, says he will at- tend all the meetings of the board that he can consistently with his other duties. INCREASE OF TATTER EMIGRANT LOWATICN, Mr. Crrnis called the attention of the Board to the increase in the Dumber of Jonatics at Ward's Island. now amount to about one tenth of the whole number of persons on the island. He regretted that there wore not [oe mpeg ena ete dig lo patients. re was mo Way Utes Ly previous history of each patient, and fhey only could be treated medically. Mr. Verrtayck was aware of the difficulty attending this matter, and that they would soon get the State ap. asylum could be erected propriation of poy EO ANNUAL The annual report of the Superintendent of Wardy feland was fecetved, from which n eppenre tno man tations on the island are in @ satisfactory condition. The REPORTH. following facts are given — Number of inmates, Jan. 1, 185° 1,870 Admitted during part year 6,701 Total number cared for during the year 4,699 Number diecha! during the Deathe for samme porid. nays anpual report. ark Ca ja he = bey yr with easiry, nal the ‘al ronee 4 for the care 6’ siok eetmen os the Marine uught the care of these men should not be taken out of the emigration fund. ‘The Board then a‘tjourned Alien passengers arrived to Jan. 6, 1668 ved ty Jan. 6, To same date in 1867........ Inmates at Ward's island. Marine Hoepital Balance in bank, Jan. 1,1868... Received since, to Jan. 6, for Balance of commutation fund commutation of $33,168 $9 Compuwestany Rewerrt oF rie Roowr Cirtoney.—The gifted juvenile dramatic performers, the Boone Child. ren, get a complimentary bene‘it on Saturday next, at the Apotlo Rooms, roadway. The bill for the occasion is & most affractive one, and will alfor’ fine opportumt for a display of the wonderful dramatic talent of these famous children. The programme comprises five scenes from ‘‘ Macbeth,” the Honey Moe from the “School for Seandal,”’ di readings, songs and Terpsichorean efforta. The perfc ance, we doubt not, will be an excellent one, from the re Putation these young artista have already acquired, and ‘we hope their benett will reap ax much profit as their merits deserve. ARRIVAL OF THE ATLANTIC, FOUR DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE, INTERESTING FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE. ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL FAILURES. Advance in Consols Since October 7 1-2 per cent. FRICRTFUL EARTHQUAKE AT ‘NAPLES, ae THOUSANDS OF LIVES LOST. MR. BUCHANAN'S MESSAGE IN ENGLAND, OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. ABOLITION OF SERFDOM IN RUSSIA, SITUATION OF THE LEVIATHAN, IPROVEMENT IN CONSOLS AND COTTOY, &e., & do, The Collins mail steamship Atlantic, Capt. Eldridge, from Liverpool at 1:20 P. M. an the 23d ult., arrived ag her dock at half-past one o'clock yesterday afternoon, She brings four days later news. The London Times says it is understood that the East India Company have received formal notice that it i4 the intention of government to bring in a bill for the total abolition of the donble government, The Globe (ministe- rial organ) says this statement is substantially correct. ‘The London Times says the appointment of an ambassa- dor to the Court from the Emperor of Russia in the person of Baron Brunow may be regarded as a political fact of some significance. The rank of ambassador has not been conferred on a Russian envoy since 1839. The return of Baron Brunow with the highegt rank that can be held by the envoy of ope country to another may be regarded ag strong evidence of the friendly disposition of the present Emperor, and of his appreciation of the interests of tha two countries. The French ships of war intended for China were ap- pointed to leave Toulon between the 20th and 26th af December, and woull proceed direct to Hong Kony witht 800 troops on board, The proposed expedition to Cochin China is understood to be adjourned. It was stated (but contradicted by the Patrir) that tha Emperor Napoleon, in consequence of representations mada by England, had consented to submit the question of tha exportation of negroes from Africa to the French colonies, to a conference to be held in London. A false report having found its way into some of tha English papers, to the effect that the steamship Atlantic, on her outward trip, had passed the Vancterbilt in a dia- abled state off Queenstown, Capt. Eldridge, in a letter ta the Underwriters’ Association of Liverpool, saya-— Had the Atlantic seen the Vanderbilt in such a state sha would not have left her until she bad assisted her eafely into harbor. I cannot understand whence the report hat arisen, ax the Atlantic left the Vanderbilt in New York, not intending to leave for some months. As the report has obtained great publicity and may occasion some anx- jety, I will thank you to contradict tt. Rumors of ministerial changes were again in circulation in London. The London Advertiser understands that Mr. Vernon Smith will leave the Hoard of Control, and be sue- ceeded by Sir C. Wood, and that probably the Marquis o Lansdowne would retire from public life, The Emperor Napoleon, on the 2lst ultimo, gave an au- dience to General Don Juan Almonte, who presented big credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- tentiary of the Mexican republic. The marriage treaty of the Princess Royal of England with the Prince of Prussia bad been signed by the Prus- sian Minister and Lord Clarendon, and aiso by the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer. ‘The report of an intended alliance between the Princa of Orange and the Princess Alice of England, is said to ba totally destitute of foundation. An imperial decree had been issued providing for tha partial enfranchisement of the serfs in Russia. The de- cree institutes very important changes in the relations be- tween the peasantry and the landed proprietors of the country. Along pending dispute betweeu the King of Hanover and the Queen of England as to the right wo some “crown jewels’? valued at over a million sterling, is said to have been recently settled in favor of the claims of Hanover. » M. Walewski, Minister of Frarco for Foreign Affairs, opened his salons for tho first time this season on the 18th ultimo. Crowds of diplomatists and fasbionables were Present, but the observed of all observers were Madama de Morny and Ferak Khan, The Persian envoy said @ rather clever thing. He was asked how he liked France? With more frankpers than civility he replied, Not much, Superfiuities can be had for the asking, but the necessaries of life can’t be had at any price.” The Neapolition government has declared the steamer Cagliari to be a fair prize of war. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has publiched a statement supporting this view. The Engiish prisoners are included in the impeachment, ta be tried immediately. The intelligence from Germany etill repres sate the Onan- cial embarrasements ax very great, although it was thought that the crisis was decidedly approaching its termination, ‘The reduction of the Austrian army waa proceeding with great rapidity In view of the fact that it was unlikely that the King of Prussia would be able to resume his governing fanctona at the expiration of the three months during which we Prince of Prussia was appointed to the conduct of affairs, the question of how the government should be carried on was claiming attention. Official communications from Berlin represent that it had not been decided to create @ regency, and it was supposed that “ extraordinary pow- ors” would be conferred on the Prince of Prassia. The Swiss Federal Councjl has officially laid before the authorities of the Canton de Vaud the question of the cea- sion of the Vallée des Dappes to France. In France the extraordinary trial of Madame de Jeuforse, her two sons and her camekeeper, for the murder of M. Guillot, had terminated in the acquittal of all the prisoners, ‘The affair was a very complicated one, and attracted greas attentvon throughout France. Further attempts to launch the Leviathan wore post- poned until the spring tides at the commencement of Jansary. The hydraulic power was to be more than doubled. The ship remained even and firm on the ways, and at high tide bad nearly six feet of water wader her. The London Weekly Register announces the death at Rome, of the youngest son of Sir John Bowring, Governor * of Hong Kong. The deceased gentleman, who was im hit ‘30th yoar, was a Jesuit priest. Mr. Jamee Coppock , the celebrated Parliamentary agent, ts dead. Beale, engaged in the Leighwoods murder, was Ine night found guilty and recetved sentence of death. ‘The British steamer Parana, at Southampton on ius ultimo, from the South Pacific coast and West Indies, bad! on board— Specie, bullion and gold dust, received acrowe the Isthmus from the Pacitic porta. emo Specie and bullion from Cai fornia 4140n8 Do. from Carthage: eeoee 1028 Do. from Manzanillo. 19,460 Do. from Panama 96 10,166 Do. from other parts of tho Weet Indies 18,460 Total value in dollars (of which $126,133 is in silver and €460,048 in gold) $586,198 Or £117,236 sterling; diamonds, &c., value $600, and @ cargo consisting of 868 serons of cochinesl, 1 seron of indigo, &e., &o. The Cunard steamship Africa, Capt. Shannon, arrived out at Liverpool at 5 P. M. on the 20th wit The screw steamship Kangaroo arrived at Liverpool at noon on the 22d ult. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS IV EUROPE. | The Fatiares tn England—Thetr Cause and Extent--The Crisis on the Continent, &e. EY MARKET. THE LONDON MO. om the London Times (City Articte), Dec. 22.) mn oO arrivals of the reduced de mand for discount, and the rapid fe y taking place at Hamburg, have ¢ a further impalse to the Foglich funds, and they have closed today