The New York Herald Newspaper, January 16, 1858, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. eee JaMES GORDON BESUETT, OFFIOR N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU 873. én advance. Fax paler meear, hoo conte per copy, $T per annum. MBRELY HERALD, every, Saturday ot iri cents per wn. ‘er Buropear in exlition, $4 annum fo Expire Great Britain, ior Shs any part ofthe FR FAMIEY ERRALD, every Wedneeday, at four cents per ADVERTISEMENTS renewed ccery tm the Weesiy Hera, ditions. advertisements in Fant uses and in the . No. 15 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. THE. Broadway—Aftemnoon and Brent Raveersian, Gvesasric, Muxaceatat xD Mus sea. Emrear, we THEATRE, Bowery—Afternoon — Mazerra— — evening Maarra—Grauxastic feaTs—Berey Ba- BER—PutKam, URTOWS THRATRE, Broadway, opposite Bond street— ome Gen fawe—in Wovrp we 4X Acton—Covcmacs. eeaces THEATBE, Brosd4way—Tus Poor or Naw LADRA KERNR'S THEATRE, Broadway—Mozereee oF gence AN Unmevar —_. DEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenthetreet—Orsea Maries ot ee tacane im Alem, ‘3 BARNUM'S ermal! Broadway —Afternoon end Evening: ee <i ‘Woo! BUILDINGS, S41 and S61 and 563 Daey-Ganen omnurs 4 Woo ‘Minetaais—New Yass BUCKLEY'S SERENADERS, No. 444 Broadway—Neauo ‘Mxrcopiss arp Buxesqurs—Waak's Ma Mammal MECHANIC'S Bats, a ony laa Minereews —Braortas Soxcs—Trar RMPIRE HALL, 596 Broadway—Dronama or De. Kane's Apvertures iv tux Axctic REGions. “New York, Saturday, January 16, 1858, BAILS FOR EUROPE. @he New York Herald—Edition for Europe. The Collins steamship Baltic, Capt. Comstock, will leave this port to-day, at noon, for Liverpoel. ‘The Furopoan mails will close in this city at half past ten o'clock this morning. ‘The European edition of the Hmnatp, printed in Fronch gad English, will be published at ten o’cleck in the morn- New Yous Huss will be received at the following places is Europe:— tom furvpeta Expres O01 ing William st ‘Rariyi0 fekanee sttecs Fat ve... B. Oisert, 10 Brchange are Bue Cornette The contents of the European edition of the Hxnain wil @ombine the news received by mail and telegraph at the fice during the previous week and up to the hour of pub- Seation. The News. The House of Representatives did a good day's work yesterday. The repeated calls for an inquiry into the various charges of corruption met with an emphatic response. Resolutions were passed autho- rizing special committees, clothed with full power, to investigate the facts concerning the sale of the Fort Snelling proper*y, and also to investigate what- ever charges may be preferred against members and officers of the last House in connection with the disbursement of eightyseven thousand dollars of the funds of the Middlesex Manufactur- ing Company in aid of the passage of the | Tarriff act of last year. Our readers will find this interesting subject alluded to in the edito- rial columns. An effort was made to pass the joint resolution extending the time of the action of the | | an advance of full of President respecting the naval officers affected b the Courts of Inquiry; it failed, however, notwith- Btanding Mr. Bocock stated that if the resolution ‘was not adopted it would render inoperative all the courts have done. The Senate bill making appro- priation for indemnity for slaves carried from the | Southern States by the British during the war of | 1812 was taken up, when Mr. Giddings obtained the | floor and moved an adjournment, which was carried. ‘The Senate was not in seasion yesterday. Despatches received from Commodore Paulding by the Star of the West announce his intention of re- turning home shortly. As no leave of absence has been granted, this step of the Commodore is, it is said, received with much disfavor by the authorities at Washington. Colonel Anderson and his party of filibusters will be taken to Key West in the Wabash, there to await orders from the Navy Department as to what final disposition shall be made of them. ‘Twenty of Walker's men arrived at this port yester- day from Norfolk in the steamer Jamestown. Gen. Walker was treated toa banquet at Richmond re- cently. He made a speech which created a very favorable impression. At last accounts he was at Petersburg, Va. A. jomt resolntion was offered in the State Senate yesterday directing the prosecution of the railroad companies that have failed to make reports to the State Engineer, in compliance with the law. Mr. Mather gave notice of a bill for the erection of a new City Hall ia this city, and Mr. Schell introduced a bill to establish a sa police in New York. ‘The Assembly spent the day in fruitless attempts to elect a Speaker. Two weeks have now been lost in this senseless quarrel over the spoils; but perhaps, after all, the people have cause to be thankful that no more mischief has been done. An interesting letter from our correspondent at Balt Lake City, written as late as the 7th of Novem- ber last, may be found on our inside pages. It fur- nishes an account of the closing scenes of the semi annual conference of the Saints, together with a list of the Fiders present, and reports of the speeches delivered by the Mormon leaders on the occasion. Many of the most prominent and influential of the Mormons were absent from the con ference, being on camp duty in the “army of defence; but still the remarks of those present convey no doubta correct idea of the spirit which pervades the Mormon community. Among those who took part inthe conference were several whose names are tolerably familiar, President of the Twelve Apostles, and leader of the party of Saints that recently evacuated Carson Valley; C. C. Rich and Amtasa Lyman, Apostles and founders of the San Bernardino settlement; and Erastus Snow, who had just returned from a mission 4 St. Louis and the Western States. According to our correspondent the Mormons have not the slightest intention of leaving the Territory in the spring. There is another interesting Lunatic Asylum case pending before the Supreme Conrt, wherein it is complained that a young German lady, named Louisa Wolfsohn, is incarcerated for the purpose of “cutting down her pride.’ Dr. Covel, the physician of the city prison, deposes that the fair captive ic not insane, but that she is a very intelligent young lady and not a fit subject for a lunatic asylum. A most extraordinary feature in the case is one which will lead to further litigation, namely, the mo‘ron, Mre. Laces, has been suspended because, jy obe diemee to & wubpans, she attended the Court aud Letiied to ber belief that Miss Wolfsohn was not insane “The Ashlanders,” the admirers of Henry Clay, held their annval fe-tival last evening. A report of the proceedings is given in another column. The Grand Jory of the Court of General Sessions presented an additional number of indictments yes ferday, and some of the prisoners pleaded guiky to the charges. John Correll and John Collins, indict wd for highway robbery, pleaded gui to assault and battery, and were each sent to the penitentiary for six months. Thomas Hart pleaded guilty toa eimHar charge, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for one year. On motion of counsel for Michael Wo- gan, Jr., charged with mardar, warranta were issued or the arrest of two witnesses for the prosecution who were not detained by the Coroner. Morris Piatan was tried and acquitted of a charge of re oriving stolen goods. We are indobted to Mr. W. F. Dean, of Adame’ ex- viz., Orson Hyde, | NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1858. i press, for the delivery of our European files, brought by the North American at Portland, on the arrival of the midnight tram from Boston ‘last night. On examination we find that the telegraphic summary, published in yesterday's paper, covered all the im- portant points of the news. A telegraphic despatch from New Orleans states that the steamship Philadelphia, which left that port on the morning of the Sth instant for New York, was aground at the Outer Pass of the Mississippi. Letters from our correspondents at Havana state that it was reported that Santa Anna had arrived there from St.Thomas, but that he had preserved such a strict incognita that the fact was known only to a few personal visiters at the palace of the Captain General. Whether the rumor is true or otherwise, the progress of the revolutionary movement against Comonfort in Mexico, as detailed by our correspond- ent at Vera Cruz, whose letter we give elsewhere, would seem to point to the pregent as the auspicious moment for Santa Anna’s return to the halls of the Montezumas. We have advices from Port au Prince to the 28th ult., which contain information of importance to those interested in Haytien affairs. It seems that a certain broker, well known to all persona engaged in trade with Hayti, and whose name, or initials en- closed in a circle, appeared upon every draft drawn upon New York or Boston, had absconded, leaving liabilities variously estimated at from a million and a quarter to two millions of dollars, United States currency. This individual, it is said, had already failed twice, yet during the past year he was entrust- ed with a greater credit than ever before. The money panic, and the sudden decline in coffee in Eu- rope and the United States while it maintained a high price in Hayti, are alleged as the causes of his insolvency. It was supposed that he had made his way to New York. Other failures at Port au Prince were reported, and more were expected to follow. We have files from Bermuda to the 30th ult., but the papers contain little news. The weather at Christmas was as mild as in the middle of June. The Wesleyan ladies had opened a bazaar for the purpose of raising a fund to liquidate a debt on their church, which realized $270 the first day. The Free Masons had subscribed $70 to the Indian relief fund. Advicgs from Zanzibar of 26th September state that the kingdom and personal property of the late Sultan of Muscat had been divided among his sons, as provided in his will. Among the effects of the deceased were found $50,000 in American dimes and half dimes. The kingdom has been divided into four parts, over each of which one of the princes will reign as Sultan. We have received files of papers to the Sth instant from Havana. The Captain General had issued a decree organizing an Exchange for Merchants, and giving them a set of laws under which they may meet to transact business. Both Signor Amodio and Brignoli were announced to appear in the opera “Il Trovatore” on the evening of the 8th, which would seem to contradiet the story of the former being down with yellow fever. The Police Commissioners “yesterday transacted but little public business, simply taking measures to have the police further instructed in their daties with reference to enforcing city ordinances. In secret session, however, the Board passed reso!u tions providing for the purchase of twenty-eight horses With equipments, for the purposes of a mounted police force, the horses not to cost: over $175 each, and $18 per month far keeping. The immediate cost to the city, for the horses and equipments, will be about $6,000. The foreign news received by the North American im- parted greater buoyancy and activity to the cotton market yesterday. The sales embraced about 3,500 bales, in- cluded in which were about 1,500 bales, on the spot, at ‘sc., and the remainder was sold, in transit from New Orleans to Liverpool, on private terms. The news had a depressing influence on flour, and sales of superfine were made, in some cases, at about Se. per bbl. decline. Prime wheat was scarce and firm; femal! sales of Kentucky white were made at $125 0 $1 90, and prime white Virginia at $1.35, with smal! lots of Milwaukie Club at $105 a $106. Corn was steady— new yellow and white at 70c. a 72c, and 73c. Pork was firmeg, with sales of new mess at $14 873; 0 $15. Sugars were quict, with sales of about 300 bhds. at prices given in another column. Coffee was in fair demand, with sales of 1,000 bags of Rio and qbout 2,000 bags St. Domingo on terms stated in another place, Freightsa—Engagements were moderate, while rates were without change of mo- ment. The Virginia Resolutions—Gov. Wise Over board—The Beginning of the End. We publish to-day, from our special corres- pondent at Richmond, a full report of the late Democratic Legislative Caucus of Virginia upon the Kansas question, from which it will be seen that Gov. Wise’s Tammany Hall letter is without an echo among the Virginia democra- cy, but that they sustain emphatically, and with « remarkable spirit of unanimity, the Lecomp- ton policy of the administration. Our correspondent says that the Know Nothings and the friends of Senator Hunter de- sired, but failed. to secure any direct expres- sion of censure against Gov. Wise; but this was wholly unnecessary, for there is a censure involved in the resolutions adopted quite suffi- cient for all practical purposes, The erratic and refractory Governor, in that Tammany Hall letter, issued his own political death war- rant as the Achilles of the Virginia democracy. He has “fallen from his high estate,” and his more cautious rival—Mr. Hunter—now stands at the head of the column. Gov. Wise, per- haps, was led astray by the noise which the coup d’‘tat of Mr. Douglas has made in the world, and by the applause which it has received from all sorts of anti-slavery people in the North. It is reported, however, that Gov. Wise docs not intend “to give it up so,” but that he will soon astonish the country again with another manifesto, defending his position against the Lecompton constitution. Leaving him to ex- tricate himself from his present dilemma, if he can, we return to the great issue as it now stands before the two houses of Congress. The administration holds its ground; it is supported by the Indiana democracy, where, it was sup- posed, the Douglas defection was particularly strong; and now the demooracy of the Virginia Legislature, acting promptly to repair the mis- chief attempted by Gov. Wise, have taken the most emphatic step in the right direetion. In the meantime, following up the ratifieation of their constitution with slavery, the Lecompton party of Kansas have secured, according to the latest accounts, the State officers and the Legis- lature of the new State, so that nothing now re- mains to be done to settle this Kansas imbroglio excopt wt net of Congress admitting her into'the Unier Hic Lore it is that the shoe pinches; and here ve etend upon the threshold of, perhaps, the mm st f erful, and certainly the most momentous Coute+t upon the slavery question simce the or- ganization of our general government before plunging ) this conflict of sectional passions, prejudices and animosities, we would admonieh the members of the two houses of Com gress, of both sections and of all parties, to pause and reflect upon the tremendous contin- gencies involved in the work before them. There is asimple plan of pacification upon which they ali may meet, if they can al! be brought to yield to the paramount considerations pe and harmony of the Union. That plan ted sufficiently heretofore. It is the good old plan of admitting © slave State and @ free State together. But in this case it wil! fe two free States against one slave State—Min- Ana | nesota and Oregon to the North, and Kansas to the South. And while the South will only gain the mere abstraction of slavery in reference to Kansas, the North, in addition to Minnesota and Oregon, will certainly secure Kansas itself as a free State within another year, from the unob- structed action of her people left “perfectly free to manage their domestic institutions in their own way.” Why, then, should there be any serious diffi- culty in Congress upon the subject? True, it is given out by Mr. Douglas and by certain black republican organs that the attempt to force the Lecompton constitution upon the people of Kansas will sound the tocsin ofa civil war there; but we apprehend that the masses of the people of Kansas will prefer the cheaper agencies of the ballot box for any desired change of their organic law. They never have had, as a Terri- torial people, and they never can have till ad- mitted as a State, the full possession of that bone of contention which Mr. Douglas calls “popular sovereignty.” There is no such thing in a Territory, and it can only exist in a sove- reign State, where the people are the sovereign power, and where they can make and unmake their local officers and laws without reference to the executive or kt ive authorities at Washington. We are informed, through one of our cotem- poraries devoted to the political interests of Mr. Seward, that in a late consultation with his par- tizans at Washington he has advised them to refrain from any further agitation of Kansas in Congress. This is a movement which may be profitably seconded by all other parties; and if Mesers. Seward, Wilson, Sumner, Hale, Wade and others of that school are prepared to take still aa- other step towards the good work of pacification, we may safely anticipate the best results. That step is in behalf of the practical compromise of the admission of Kansas as a slave State— sandwich fashion—between Minnesota and Oregon as free States. On the other hand, if sectional prejudices and jealousies, and Presi- dential schemes, intrigues and estimates of a factious and sectional character are to rule this question, we can sec nothing before us but agitation, discord, demoralization and disunion ment and purpose in making an offictal applica- tion to the Postmaster General. It is that for which we contend, not the paltry pennies. The compensation is a mere bagatelle, and does not pay for the setting of the types. Now, if the Chevalier Webb will be liberal enough to state these facts, we may find something to say in favor of high prices for real estate at Tarry- town—knowing, as we do, the interest he takes in that line, and being aware that he has long since done with his “curses on Morris.” ‘The Army of Utah. The condition of the army of Utah has been for some time a cause of much solicitude, owing to the various rumors in circulation represent- ing that the destruction of the trains by the Mormons had reduced Colonel Jobnston’s com- mand to great straits for want of provisions, and that the severity of the season was killing off the cattle by the hundred. We are happy to be able to state that not only are these reports grossly exaggerated, but that the army is in a comparatively comfortable position, sll things considered. It is true that during the march of Col. Cooke’s dragoons to make a junction with Col. Johnston at Fort Bridger, the animals -suf- fered terribly; but this is:no matter for surprise, seeing that they were marching through an enemy's country, where all the grass had been burned before them. Had the result been other- wise it would have proved an unusual instance of good fortune; and the disaster is of a charac- ter which no foresight could have provided against, though it has been made a theme for bitter condemnation of those who planned and conducted the expedition by certain journals hostile to the administration. The latest advices from the headquarters of the army of Utah are to December 4, and they represent the whole force as safely encamped at Fort Bridger, within 113 miles of Great Salt Lake City, 30 miles in ad¢ance of their last camp at Ham’s Fork, and 380 miles from Fort Laramie. On the 26th of November Colonel Cooke, with six companies of the 2d dragoons joined Col. Johnston at that point, where the army—two thousand strong—was stationed for winter quarters, up to the last account, in good health and spirits, with eleven trains of provi- sions, and every prospect of being able to winter all their cattle; so that, despite of the outcry raised against the Commissariat Depart- ment, it appears that the army is in want of nothing but salt—strange as it may seem that they should be in need of that article in the Salt Lake valley! Nor, indeed, does it seem that the troops suffered much from the want of it; for Col. Johneton sent back a wagon load of salt,” which Brigham Young mag- nanimously forwarded to him. But even of this necessary article there is no longer any dearth at Fort Bridger ; for we find that twenty-five mule loads of salt left Fort Laramie early in December, and must have reached the army long before this. It will be remembered that a gentleman named Bell, who arrived recently at Los Ange- les from Salt Lake City—which point he left on the &th of November—stated that Col. John- ston had issued orders for an advance on the Mormon city on the 11th of that month. This intention has not been carried out; for we find the army still encamped at Fort Bridger three weeks later than that date. We have no infor- mation as to Col. Johnston’s plan for the cam- paign; but it is probable that he will not move out of his present position before spring, when reinforcements will have reached him. As for the “army of defence’’—as the Mormon Prophet pompously styles the gang of traitors he has banded against the authority of the government—they are represented to be ina poor condition, badly armed, clothed and pro- visioned. And though nearly the whole avail- able portion of the male inhabitants are en- rolled, we are informed that they do not exceed ten thousand men. They seem to be stationed, for the most part, in the defiles of the Echo pass, the Probo pass, the Weber river, and other defiles which command the valley of the Great Salt Lake. The city itself and the outside settlements are most wholly deserted by the men; and it is evident from the tone of the speeches delivered recently by the Elders, which we published yes- terday, that this desertion has created no little trouble and disaffection among the women, who do not seem to relish the mode of life they are compelled to lead in households without a lord and master. In the event of our troops ap- proaching the city, we should not be surprised to hear of a general stampede of the gentler portion of Mormondom towards the camp of the “ruthless invaders.” We shall see. Ovr Crry GoverNmenT—Tur ~ Boarp oF Epvcation.—The abuses that have crept into our public school system under the Board of Education are contributing to swell the tide of indignation that is setting in against the corrupt machinery of our State and city government. Under the old public school system the Com- missioners were, generally speaking, men of education and integrity, who had some regard for the grave responsibilities of their position. The enormous annual amount to which the ! expenditures have been forced up under the present Board has of course stimulated the pidity of politicians and office seekers, and (he result has been to thrust into the school management a set of men who have neither the qualifications, the habits, nor the instincts that are required for the satisfactory performance of the duties entrusted to them. Even when some few are actuated by honest motives, they are neutralized by the outside influences that are brought to bear upon them, for with an annual expenditure of twelve hundred thousand dol- lars it is not to be supposed that the Board is without the usual controlling feature of all our public bodies—a lobby. While there are such prizes as the spoils tobe made out of the school disbursements, there will, of course, always be rogues to contend for them; and we have only ourselves to blame if we leave them the opportunities of enriching themselves at the public expense. It is not the men that are to be censured, but the system—a system which freely opens the door to corruption and invites officeholdets to share in its profits. So long as the Legislature recognizes the existence of independent departments in our city govern- ment, all of them possessing co-ordinate powers and acknowledging the control of no single head, so long must we resign ourselves to be plundered and outraged with impunity. With the most perfect model for a corporate system that can be found—that of the federal govern- ment—we patiently submit to the most anomalous, inconsistent and dangerous form of municipal administration that the crudest state of society could have conceived. Com- posed of separate and independent jurisdictions, with a divided responsibility, and without any bond of interest or principle, it is no wonder that it should work badly and expensively. Year after year we are compelled to witness, through its action, a progressively extravagant increase in the amount of our taxation, without possessing the least power to check or control it, The city officials do just as they please, being fully aware that any effort on the part of the public to call them to account must end in failure. It is clear that there can be no remedy for this state of things until the machinery of our civic institutions is assimilated to that of the general government. All the power and responsibility of controlling the departments should be centered in the Mayor, subject of course to the approval of the Board of Aldermen. We would even go further, and render that power despotic, if we found the corrupt influences in the Board coun- teracting and overruling the efficacy of the Mayor's authority. Without some such sys- tem as this it will be impossible to stem the tor- rent of corruption which is invading and pol- luting every department of our civic adminis- tration. Carrera. Triats anp Carrrat — — Some indignation has been caused among the public by the unexpected delays which have occurred in the vindication of the law in the cases of the convicted murderers. In one case, stupid blundering on the part of the Judge has paved the way for a new trial with all the chances of an incompetent jury, or a jury con- taining one obstinate blockhead who will pre- vent their agreeing; in another a writ of error has been granted, and the whole case handed over to a new court for review. The first im- pression among the public on dearning these matters, was that the Judges had entered into a conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice; but a closer scrutiny of the law proves that they have only done what they were bound to do. It was not generally known, even by the pro- fession, that there exists a law in this State by which every man convicted in this city of a crime of which the least penalty is imprisonment for life, is entitled to have his case reviewed by almost every Court in the State; so that, with proper man- agement, a culprit under sentence of death may if he can secure counsel, protract his struggle with the law almost indefinitely, and postpone the execution of his sentence until, perhaps, na- ture in the ordinary course relieves the execu- tioner of his painful duty. Such a law, creating farther impediments where too many exist already, and hampering that which is already so hampered and compli- Curvatoen Wenn as a Looiciax.—The Cheva- lier Webb in his career asa fire-eater has ex- hibited several very brilliant points. The affairs with Duff Green, poor Cilley and Tom Marshall are all episodes in that line. But he has seldom exhibited the traits of a philosopher or logician. Hence his efforta to prove that we are inconsistent in applying officially for the Post Office advertising, (when we despise the advertisement) are by no means logical or worthy of a philosopher. The fact that we prize is that we have a daily circulation greater than that of any other journal in the civilized world; to establish that fact officially is our principal motive in applying for the work— not the paltry compenration, even if it amounted to fifty-two thousand seven hun- | cated ae to be a’moet useless, is a fit and proper | dred and twenty-five dollars and sixty- | type oft the legislation at Albany. That con- seven cents (952,725 67). The cirerla- | temptible body, the State Legislature, is so ab- tion of the Chevalier Webb's journal, | sorbed and engrossed with considerations of which bas vibrated between five and seven thousand for the last twenty-five years, ia alto- gether a differnt affair from the circulation of spoils, offices, plunder and ‘corruption, that whenever it undertakes the real business for which it existe, the result ie some cach abortion a journal If the Henatn © ich has advanced | as the Metropolitan Police law, or the Law for every yeni remut sression, till it has | Preventing Criminals Getting their Deserts now re sty-three thonsand | (that ought to be if it is not the name of the law dail to eig’ y-nine thou- | under review). If anything could—with the fa, hich» || probably in | epectacle now presented by the House of As- fen ort as amount of one | sembly—increase the scorn with which the State enouaand Legislature is regarded by all honest people, it The establishment of this fact is our induce- ' would be euch lawe ae these. Corruption tn Congress—Appointment of In- We are rejoiced, and the whole country will be rejoiced to learn that @ongress has at last made a move in the right direction, and deter- mined to investigate some of the charges of cor- ruption that are so fygguently made and so generally believed, in conneotion with the trans- action of the public business at Washington. For years we have been laboring to attain this end, and the general result will be a good one, whatever may betide the present investigation. It will be seen by reference to our Congres- sional report that the House of Representatives has determined to appoint a committee of five, with power to send for persons and papers, to inquire into any charges of corruption growing out of the disbursement of a sum of money by Lawrence, Stone & Co. to procure the passage of the tariff bill last year. Notice of a motion to inquire into the position of Mr. Matteson, who was expelled from the last Congress for corruption, has also been given, and the House exhibits a very laudable disposition to take up the matter of these charges géno- rally. The cool manner in which Congress has hitherto treated the numerous accusations that have beén made against if'as a body, has tended greatly to increase the boldness of the lobby, and the step that was taken last year in appointing an investigating committee was the first great check which that body of hangers-on in Washington has ever received. We do not know that the state of affairs in Washington has yet reached a point to require of Congress the appointment of a standing “Committee on Frauds,” as has been the case in our New York Common Council; but it is the moral conviction of nearly every one that has had any business whatever to transact in the federal city that there isa great deal of something very like corruption going on there. A few instances of investigation and exposure will tend very greatly to clear the political at- mosphere of these fogs, and do the honest mem- bers of the government some good. Let us have a sharp and searching investigation, and bring out the whole truth. The whole country demands it, and Congress owes it to itself to make aclear exhibit. If Lawrence, Stone & Co. have spent $87,000 to assist Congress to legislate for the good of the country, we want to know who were the patriots that pocketed it. Tue ForetGn AprointMENTS IN THE SENATE. —We published, by telegraph from Washington yesterday, a list of a number of diplomatic and consular appointments made by the Presi- dent and confirmed by the Senate. Here it is again, more accurate and full:— ‘There are still several consular appointments pending before the Senate, and among these is that of the new Consul to Bordeaux, Mr. G. G. Fleurot, to which appointment, it is said, some objections are made. During the past few weeks there has been a great deal of idle gos- sip in many of the disreputable newspapers, in connection with this gentleman’s name, and also in reference to us of the Hxratp. Certain of the mean and silly newspapers of the day have stated that Mr. Fleurot is the candidate of the Henatp—that he is a Frenchman by birth; as well as a number of other statements too ab- surd to be noticed. A few words upon this matter. Mr. Fleurot is a native of New Jersey, and all of his remaining relatives either reside in that State or in the neighborhood of New York. He received a very superior commercial education, and was bred to the calling of a merchant. While engaged in mercantile life his eminent commercial abilities and his extensive know- ledge of tho modern languages attracted the attention of the late John ©. Calhoun. That distinguished statesman of South Carolina, then Secretary of State, appointed Mr. Fleurot Con- sul to Martinique, we believe. In that capacity Mr. Fleurot resided in the island during several years, and gave all satisfaction by his capacity and faithfulness. During the latter part of Mr. Polk’s administration he returned to the United States, expecting to obtain from the adminis. tration, through the influence of his New Jer- sey friends, some better appointment. But a delay took place, and a change in the political complexion of the government postponed the accomplishment of his wishes, On the accession of Mr. Pierce to the Presidency Mr. Fleurot re- newed his application for a Consular appoint- ment, and was promised one of the best Consulates in Europe. But like a great many other promises made by Mr. Pierce, this was never fulfilled. When Mr. Buchanan succeded to the Presidency, “Mr. Fleurot made a similar application, and was appointed Coneal to Bordeaux. ‘These are facts which are well known to the government. During his residence at Marti- nique, Mr. Fleurot, like a great many other functionaries of the government, sent to us items of commercial and shipping news, for which we rewarded him by sending him copious files of the Herann. ‘This is all the connection he ever had with us, We have known him for many years, and always found him to be a highly accomplished gentle- man, extremely punctillious and honorable in every relation of life. This is his character among all who know him best. Since he has assumed @ Consulate at Bordeaux, we under- stand that be has given the greatest satisfaction to all parties who have had business relations with him, by his integrity, capacity and general ability. If, under these circumstances, the Senate of the United States object to ao worthy and competent a man and public officer, a native of New Jersey, out of deference to the trash of a few miserable and disreputable crea- tures of the mean portion of the press, they are perfectly welcome to all the capital they can make out of it, and all the additional éelat it wil add to their distinguished standing in the world. Mr. Sexaton Brown.—We are informed by Mr. Senator Brown, of Mississippi, that we have somewhat misconstrued his late remarks in the Senate, asking the privilege of a further post- ponement of his epeech upon Kansas affairs. He adheres to his position, but desires the latest available authentic information from the seat of war. Very well. We hope that by next Monday there will be facts enough and fizures enough on hand to satisfy every Southern man as to the course he should pursue, aad without any further delay. Saat, We Have 4 Heanray Summert—As old, almost, as the English language, is the quaint adage that “A green Christmas makes a full churchyard;” and like most of these old adages there is enough science and truth in it to keep it afloat on the steady tide of Time. It is natural that any violent reversal of the accas- tomed laws of nature, or vicissitudes of the sea- sons, should produce, sooner or later, evil ef- fects upon public health; the human constituti- tion having been contrived for the purpose of existence under and in obedience to these law, and in accordance with the regular revolution of the seasons. Experience, so far as that goes, certainly shows that those seasons are the healthiest which are preceded by the least unusual weather; that a wholesome summer is naturally preceded by an ordinarily cold winter, and 60 on. ’ It is not unnatural, therefore, that the very marked mildness of the’ weather this season should excite remark and anxious inquiry as to the hygienic prospects for the year. It is in or- der that the doctors should be overwhelmed by questioners who want to know whether the coming summer has'a chance of being mede- rately healthy, and whether or no we shall have yellow fever when the hot weather comes. It is doubtful whether any one, in or out ef the faculty, can predict an epidemic with any- thing like respectable accuracy. Still there are some facts patent and palpable, from which any one may draw deductions. It is obvious, for instance, that yellow fever is om period ofsincrease, that it has not—as many supposed last summer—reached its climax, and begun to decline. It is now raging at Havana, @ very unusual occurrence at this time of year. Itisin active operation, and peculiarly viru- lent at Rio, Para, St. Thomas and the other South American and West Indian ports where its visitations have been usual. When the sum- mer comes, it will, without doubt, advance northward to its old haunts. Last spring every- body expected it here; everybody was disap- pointed. It may be doubted, however, whether it usually advances regularly, in consecutive years; there are reasons for believing that it often passes over a year in its progress, and re- appears the second summer, to continue its deso- lation, Under the circumstances, though of course, nothing can be said as yet with even a plausible appearance of certainty, it would not be utterly preposterous to look out next June for another visit from terrible “Yellow Jack.” There are persons who look to see the greem Christmas revenged by a visitant from another quarter. It has been calculated that the move- ments of Asiatic cholera are regulated by a fixed law, according to which it ought to come among us thissummer. The law is, to say the least, purely conjectural; as in boys’ mathematical calculations, as much allowance must be made for “foreign disturbance” as for the operation of the law itself. But its reappearance in Europe last year was ominous. Of all this we can only say that we are in the hands of Providence. If yellew fever or — cholera come, it must be met as manfuliy as possible; and we hope the doctors will try to learn their business a little better than they knew it year before last. It is also to be hoped that our new Mayor will bestir himself early to see that no invitations are held out to disease to settle among us, in the shape of filthy streets, accumulated garbage, or any other generator of effluvia and miasma. The most virulent attacks of even the worst epidemics acquire their severity from local causes. If these things are done in the proper time, we can leave the rest to the overruling Power in whose hands we all lie. Fine Arts, MR. ASPINWALL’'S MURILLO. This picture, now on exhibition for the benefit of sove- ral charitable societies attracts general attention and much criticism. One of the daily papers objects to the title by which it is announced—The Immaculate Conception.” ‘The title is entirely correct. In the Spanish gallery of the Louvre, at Paris, says Sir E. Head, in his “Hankbook of Paintings,’’ there are thirty seven pictures ascribed to Me- rillo, Especial mention is made of the Conception, of which an engraving is given with “The Immaculate Cos- ception’ as the title, The picture in the Louvre is thas entered in the catalogue :— 546 is. The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. HL. 2, 74—W. 1, 90—C, Nat. 8. In the midst of a glory, and surrounded by groups of angels, the virgin, her hair flowing, ber hands crossed on her breast, her feet resting on the creacent of the moon, whose points are turned upward, is rising from the clouds in the immensity of the heavens. Bought the 16th of May, 1852, at the sale of the collec. originals galleries. first, a amail pic- ture, is in the Murtile 7 A ee, and in the artist's own 'day wan called the Immaculate Conception, and car- ina me'odies enough in “ Don Giovanni" to set up four or five modern composers, The “Don Giovanni always attracts a fine an- dience, and the recent eventa at the Academy, together with the strong distribution of the charae- ters and other inducements, drew a greater crowd than we have ever yet seen inthe Academy. The night was a very stormy one, and there were an acre or two of carriages in Fourteenth street, Irving piace and the viein!- ty. Within the Academy every seat and every inch of standing room in the lobbies and passages was filled. The number of distractingly dressed ladies proved that the World of fashion wits well represented. In fact everybody was there. The distribution of characters waa as follows: — be Mme. De la Grange. Mme. Cas From this ‘cast’ the audience Sad a rigo' to rete grand performance, and they bad it. The renresonewtiom surpassed anything in the operatic way the. | ever beam done here before, and proved what bas tyne ora « mat. tor of argument—that it is possible to give a (hor aghly good and satisfactory performance of “Don Gio vanni,’* extremely difficult as it is both for orchestra and singers. Some of the principal artista have so recently sang im his opers here that we forbear ronewing our aircady re- corded opinions. Mme. de La Grange is a perfectly satie- factory , resigned and Madonnaiike Anna; Carador!, Labo- cotta apd Gassier were all good—the latter admirable. We bave not heard him sing with each vim for many day. The chief events of the night, however, wore the djtuts of Formes and 1’ Angri aa Laporeiio and Zartinn. Mr. Formes gave a new of his versatility, both ae & vocalist and actor, He sang the music carcfully and well, and acted with a Burtonian unctuousness of humor, and not ihe least admixture of baffwonery or ; Wehave novor had here « Leporetio to be — red to that of Formes. Mme. D'Angri’s Zerlina high snecersful: she sang all the delicious morcenme Charmainaly. and acted with considerable esprit, The genoral enecmble of the opera was very fine; the aren full and stro The chorus, “Viva in Libertad,” given with effect as to call’ forth a most cnthunante ud unaniinows demand for repetition The