The New York Herald Newspaper, January 17, 1858, Page 2

CITY MORTALITY DURING 1857. Tae Deaths, Births and Marriages for the Past Year. the atath ca of mortality in Ne We also give (wo statements ee what purports to be the ages for the elevea months We should state, however, stat in the City Inspector's De- atalirchabic.as the provisions of the uch matters is 0 necessary to perfect 4 comparison of the table of births with (selo! (ue mortality we find that the former does not ex- coed 10,021 for the time stated, or about 78,000 for the whoie twelve months, while the deaths for the same Period Are Bet down at 25,196. According to these figures, * population of (be city must be on the decrease—an in- <nows is not supported by facts, s absurd to say Chat we are indebted for the growth of ur city to emigration, for if such were the case seariy the whole population of New York} must be of forcigm birth The disparity between the two state- 8 doos not, therefore, justify aay such inference, but 4a simply explained® by the negligence exhibited in Compiyiag with the requiremonts of the law. ‘The number of marriages during the eleven months ending November is 3,341, which is equal to about 3,700 for (he whole year. Weare informed that the clergy are ‘very remiss in maitag tuo returns, and thatfor this reason, BiaCsiics presented in this table are nol as reNableas they otherwise would be, Sofar, however, as they go, they arc vory suggestivet aud possesa a peculiar interest. It Wi. be found, however, on reference to the column of figures under the head of color,” that in eleven months no jess Cham eleven mixed marriages took place, and in every Case they wore celebrated between white women and co- fored men—that is, eleven white women were married to clevea colored mea. Surely the abolitionists ought to be ‘Satisfied with sucl a reault, Tho difference in the ages at which tue sexes marry is another interesting feature pre- Beuted by these statistics. While $3 males were married under twonty years, it appears the number of females who became wives at that age was 390. It will be found, howevar, that quite a change takes place after the females have attained the age.of 25, and that from that time tothe cad of the chapter the number of marriages among them becomes small by degrees and beautifully ies. Perhaps its a due consideration of this circumstance which pro. Ouces that remarkably prolonged juveaility in a portion Of cur female population. However that may be, it is cer- ain that the marriageable condition is below the age of twenty-fve—a fact fully borne out by the figures, which show that more females get married from twonty to twenty-five than during any other five years of their lives. Tae marrying period among the males is from twenty five to thirty, although, of course, it is hardly ne- cossary (o remind the reader, with the figures before him, Chat both sexes marry up to the age of sixty-five. There 1‘ one circumstance which does not appear from this registry are aot enforced with that | cc with Our Usual eustom we present our | York table, aad which the City Inspector ought to bring ow! we are aot informed of the com- Perativo ages of the marrying parties. For instance, iC appears Chat.69 males were married at the age of from 45 W 66, and 22 at the age of from 50 to &5; but we are Got told the ages of the females te whom they were mer- Fod A pote at dhe end of the tadle would aupply the de- dheisncy ‘The deaths during the year numberod 23,196, showing tan tacrense of 1,938 over the mortatey Bf 1886. The moet | _ Total. Rowcacuhoon® + Poorer ouommem somes 2 ws memnduBcccocmcanE conus =Bonncoobsunnocen enenenmsocavcesnno » » HeCocenwninmonBoorewobowoanwol arn wconmuvedccounatccoommitncuonmneauact oomunaZnatBawonnnoond = Peomreremerce Bee - g rs Hamm SCCOnmNH Mon BOMannS SH MOUM i ONNSCSCCOMSC OOK CHMonSBocnoocRiacnmuonmeanc issfiiapeenotionel BumaBtvecnaeSuneg bpbiihawdinensterinncbekitegiieeabbbseack = RornnnSnaawetoncoums ~ sz Bromankiooonone: Suv ommononao . HonmaicooncerBonounnoe 2 NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 1858. THR FROM VA- fatal d.saaces mre cholera infantum (1,142), congestien: | TABLE r 5 4 DI384SE8 DURING THE LAST SIX MONTES OF 4755), consumption (2,048), convuloions (2,048), dropsy | Jy “ C56), Covers (2,962), imfiemmation» (1,980), marasmue- July. Aug- Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. ool aaian a ee 434% & 4 SUborn was 1,508, Lo nearly all the diseases which: we . 6 eS ewe & bare cnumeraied the mortality wax greater tan during a ee oe a ee | the precoding year. Jt is partteularly interesting in this ae See : he 4 « -@unection to be dbke to state that, notwithstanding the o © 09 1 6 0 & — PPrebension regarding the increase of deatus from small Bus Hh in Pp 9%, 8 comparison of the mortalitrfrom that disease shows | — son ® : iM : : ; (mat, whiis 579 die@-during 1859, the deaths in-est did | AREUTIA: : Oe ae tm Sane tae n exceed 426. Thiv, it will be perceived, is less thanan | Aorta. oD ie Gk Sa oe | a terage of one in each week Angima.. oe at Bree It 4 painful to see the increase winieb Las taken place in yexy 4 4 6 2 16 8 tu Sumber of cases of svicide, thirty-five more baving | Asphy xia. Bs Bie moe: Ce oc uered Curing the past yoar than in the year 1856. ie eae 3 ; HW ; Yo How fever, we are gind to percotve, bas entirely. dis- S. woe ee ap reared from the List, mo death@ haying occurred S ee go ae from Chat disease in 1857. There wore thirty-eight 4eaths $ $ $ ; Hy bs from unicnow= discases—e fact whick dees not spealbwery eS oD ie a ae fay >rably either for the knowledge of seme of the medi @ 0 @ © o 32 cal fraternity, or the progress of medical seience. The ; : 4 ‘ e nud aber of deaths among children under fire years od is, aie ES ee ie Sad | a2 Beal, more than one-balf the whole mertality, being ae el a ee BE 14,9 4% While on this particular sub'vet we must cad at- | 4 bs i | ¥ (oot Ou {9 (he large number of cases of suliborn and pre- ee tall a a ie may velrtte which together are patdown at 1,988,or 4 3 3 4 ny s aout @netwelfth of the whole mortality. The deaths ; § ? ; ; ‘ angz malo childrea preponderate largely over tae fe- ae an ae Mee a monies, for while 7,089 of the Iatt er died during the year, a, eS 6 SS {ue nurober of the formoer decease d wea 9082. The-mor- AE eg tame Se aneag mea and wowes wawas foHows:—Men, 4,071; » ae ae i aes pe. women, 3,074 To mike up for tthis disproportion will a Se oe ee ee be foun that there are: more males thaa females been. Ae sak EE a ae Lo the publ'c institut ons the aum ber of deaths wea2,675. $ a. SS TASLE AEHLBITING PAR BONTRE Y DEATHS PROM ¥A- 105 453 40 9% «lO 4) RIOUO DISKASES OURING TH® FIRST SIX MONTHS = we ae ae cr 1067. . oo oe ae Drecases Jan, Reb Mitch. Apl. Migs Ine, | Colic... aS ey ee ak Oe Abscess. . s 8 & & & FE Pet orem a oe ae Se ae. Kidaeys % 9 L 6 & 1] Compr ession brain, . Pere 8 2 Lumbar 1 6 @ 1 F 1 f Conc asion brain. . a oe ce ae a Bowels i 6 0 oO : © | Congr stion bowels, Rae Bee oer Ge ee Throat... 1.8 & Gt Gime “ cre rr) ee ey ed Bra. 9 1 » 8 1 v a ee ee ee ee Liver see ®& # & boas 8 18 9 He ulaiion of ar oo & +. 2 2. * 2 E albeminaria * sue un 2? 170 20 252 902 247 385 Ansursme.. *¢ t+ & £-s ee ae ae ie Aorta a Aue > ges ae 108 213 162 142-7 119 6 a Fo goes (Bex Sex Ge ey eae | ’ 1 o 1 oO ° » 3 by | 4 be uuBwW Bw M a “6 . oe ae ok 3 . =. 1 wu 6 2 3% OW 2 * 2 © & 64 4 0 4 4 i ¢ See ow oe ete se &. B. dood % 166 119 SL 26 26 ‘oe n 0 6 28 I 16 Ste ete (es Be Te Sie a Se Sogo i a a a ols, a Te ae ee | ee ee i. ree & 2 68 8 é eS = Se ee Broach) o 4 2 9 a a ae ee) Burned @ scyuied a at rs ee ae ae Gancer . 5 eee, ee Liver eet ae ee ae 1 te ae H ° 1 s a ie a he ° 6 = . = oe a. H 0 @ #- os Ss Ss" 3-8 8] as 2 3 8 . et a ae oe 0} S:48 848 4 @ oS en ee 2 | a ie i ee ee Be eee 2 s & *} 3.8% 9 Se, Be 2 2 | Exposure ee: eet le a ee > oS wok 1 0 | Fauoting vi 2S ”» , | « 18 «12 | Fatty kidneys... ee * 6:4 cs o 6| ; ere Sas ee t 1 0 6) co ie ee Eb fee | bo oo BF my Sey io, Ore or bas... A Re 4 1) Site Be a> @ Girrbows of liver... hg ok oe eck ounce Onlic ae HY oe sae | eo 0 ° 3 s 3 ympresa.cf vrain 1 1 3 3 1 4 Sentence ran 6 & 48 1} a ea eo Congestion bowels ae a 2 eo eee ee Bra. oS 1 om a Oi ae ee Liver a &. 2 om | ae ee ee, a ae Tangs 1% 8 @ 8 16 et 8. 648 & Const pabon bowe: a oe ae . - oa o. 2) £ aa ee Oompumpion ..... ee = ; 201 268 186 | “a % 0 3 5 a ony lane 3 ae ee 1 2 2 oe Oatantle ee a ee 1 18 1 1h 12 16 Tuerpere!. 7S $3 4 % 2 0 0 6 Croup oe 8 OF St 2 . 2. 3 2 ee Cran ee ea Be . ee Se are Debility 6 8 » 2-8 * oo 4. even ~ Yofeatiie . u7 1H mM D a ae ae ee weve Wena , "on 2 2 @ * 4°90 6-8 hele 1 1 0 L 1 se ae, SS nom hs a 3 i is 4 i ee ee ee Fosvove » ow at (Mt Oke he Shoat Ld a “ 18 18 4 33 (19 ae! u % Tl 86 60 A i, A Tae ae Hoart “. o o 2 2 Se! Ovari™ i © 1 1 0} Heart discase i i a on 1 4 5 2% 2%| Valvolar, he hes Ax Se 18 8 7 4 wu MiP. sce e cece 2 6 1 0 2 2 oO 3 0 1 a ‘Ossification.. . 1 o o oO ° oe 6 an 4 Inflammation i or a ae 2 £ 2 © 0! Bladder... ae vee ie 0 - 18 3 3| Gm. ee a aa 0 J 1 2% 0 i Lt Bowels | 2 8 u“ 4) 36 . ea f° S'S Bi ® 46 37 BB az . 2 BR oS eo ae i - oe oe i{ | dae Va ae 0 8 Se eee ae we Bie ee oe a oe v Lungs ose 6 © 79 108 8% 107 a oe oe 0 Knee joint... H H 3 o 0 ® a oe 4 Spine oe. @ i a 1 Smack 6 uw 8 1 4 (10 1 2 2 1 9 0 Threat ° 2 1 4 © i ao ° 2 o ° ° 6 0 1 o 2 9 2 0 0 1 0 1 e 1 “ ° 0 4 1 2 @ 1 8 @|. Womb Se 2 eet we if 2 1 8 2F 1 O} Infuenss ae Ge oe oe ae. aa oS is 0 | Insanity i 1 az @ 12 1 12 18 6) _ Puerperai SB’ ie ae So eae By oe 6 | Intemperance 5 10 ; er ee Wil 164 190 148 173) 78 | Jeune ss ae ae St Se 2 2 3 | Kidneys, disease ee a ee 5 7 10 I 12 11) Killes or snurdered a ae ie al juin ih ane 6 1 0 +O B+ O| Tver ae or ae 2 ears os. i ae 0). ae ae ae Se Se ee a ‘ fi a oe 1 201 . 2 8 the we y us mw = at a Of tho apine zy. 1 o a ee a ae ee Fung , 1 2 i nae oS Gon 24 cough wo 2 wo mw 8B! . 23. oe 4 *. Oct, Ni consr0bz00kh 28.8 ss & Crrenwclomcooonce nckoconma-tme~Sde ~ my HH ORCOnH amoonme DOmMOO BH OMn Naser weonnCcooNee HececHc@4mncomPoomnoozoconmenanccooconnactHoommenoon “ i=} = | F HOMUH HH HnonenDSeoancct-ncomsctniteccenccctSeonentoro-~2he! | Hecwcoonnecoccokonacon | ~ ~ nies ten ee | Mower Ho HmnMoHERoecocc SounmmDone MouonHnneanbooonnoontea® = 5 e » 2 COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF DEATHS DURING THE YKARS 1856 AND 1857. 1857. i Diseases. 1856. . Diseases. 1856. 1857. Abscess 65 83 Hooping cough. 265 280 Amputat 4 2 essecee @ 3 Albuminaria Bydrophobis... 2 2 Bright's dis- Tuflammmation.1878 1980 ease kidneys. 141 45 Influenza. o 8 9 Aneurism, 23 27 bB Ancuria. 1 120 12 ou 1 ou 39 O68 45 18 6 at B 1677 213 4 5 2 198 1 130 DD cod 4 2 2 421 4 Oo 39 3 235 Dharr! 26 Dropsy 428 Drow: 43 Dysentery 2 Dyspepsia. 8 Falarg’n! me a psy Fruption $ ty ‘posure 4 6 16 8 2 ww “ 298 4 “ 4 73 3 38 74 2 6 3 oid le 21,263, ey “sawed 2up 27pug “omg 07 7G shee eoeney wsor/ig 0) wy ! | S8Seeseses4g Aw 0 wafg ++ aap Apaoany, 07 Anam, Misys, 04 2 Rraomy, Dare hag 9 Ment se Miga o hung £| Seesseuauszé Bl SESRS5SEERSE B) SREEsPeSERZE fiars 01 Rifig 9 6 F “ Rywoaay 01 faery .| TABLE SHOWING THE DEATHS AT THE PUBLIC ENSTI- ‘TUTIONS DURING THE LAST 8(X MONTHS OF 1867. Inititution. July. A t. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total Aimshouse B. I.... Fd pr % 26 2 80 108 Bellevue Hospital.. 55 33 G6 6T 2 62 363 City Hospital... ow % 1 a Cit; 2 @ 2 & £8 92 7 3 6 6 4 o 1 0 0 2 2 & er ae Se ee be 1 2. . =. 2 2 * @ )b Goo 1 eb & 2. fr4 6 2 8 5. 2 oe 36 6 & & 2 3% e.0°4 8.3% 5 a he ae ee a o 0 0 0 hae ee 6 FO" 2 Ss Mm 44 3 8 uw 19 WW 16 4 WH 1 104 oe 4 2: 3° 1 nm WwW WwW 6 2 & 13 1 0 a 2 a 35 43 «70 (BT 1 & + DD. 4A vk BD Monthly total... 217 220 244 205 198 211 1,870 TABLE RXHIBITING THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK DURING THK ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER, 1857. . *aoquieaon| qn 3 SSEELETS . Ea Lg & & s aan ; s ai eheseseree| ULE “aon | & | ca F3 5 e [oceeeammar | & j Ge eae Oommen oe!) i AERESIIS Sei Pe eae 18 Bi PRR \2 Elie week ceces| 2 a ee Peery Fi le veecramuscl i | panLe EXIdITING THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER, 1857. Sex. White. Black. amen, gamete, poset, Male. Fem. Male. Fem. Male. Fem. Total. #61 800 $59 «797 «2 31,861 729 «728 «7M (TOS 4 ABT S70 «789 0«86T: TBS SS C1850 706 651 700 648 6 3 1,367 816 718 813 716 «8 2 (188 88 755 «816 50 8S BTS 867 813 851 «807 «6B C870 a a a ee S16 822 «795 «Ol «21 «Mh t6s8 72 719 768 716 4 3 14m ce a ae ood $40 8,081 $482 $003 58 58 16,621 ‘This Court is held every Tuesday, Thursday and Satur- day, commencing at 9 o'clock in the marning, and is pre- aided over by the Police Justices, who occupy the bench alternately. The following are the names of the Justices and Clerks for the year 1858:— Police Justices—Osborne, Connelly, Welsh, Brennan, Steers, Kelly, Quackenbush and Brownell. Clerk—Robt. H. Johnson. Assistant Clerks—W1 Rockwell, E. M. Skidmore, George W. Riblet, Jobn Lalor, Jas. M. Murray, Mervine R. Jones, Chas. M. Vandevoort. Cases di | Sessions for of by the Churt of etght rom May 1 te Dec. 31, 1867—since its or- ganization under the new city charter — convieTED. Assault dod battery. 1,189 1377 Kytrg 0; fry a aus » frying | : Dl Saceceueeee-psmpuny og how | os 2 st ot eee scce once spnudn p poping up “nou eb rn TARLE SHOWING THE SEXES OF THE DECEASED OF THR YRAR 1857. Month Men. Women. *. Girls. Total January 3505 AT 2,200 312621 583s 36 = 80285721200 ™ Coil aan 14% ™ 538 458 1.630 ae 76 or 1,989 ly. 233 76 851211 y= ae 337 «805,887 B42 500 September. 40 300.160 1.017) 2938 October. 5 326 7 7 1.696, November December Total. TALE EXBINITING THE DEATHS IN THE PUBLIC INeTT DURING THE FIRST TX MONTITS OF 1857. St ” lan. eb. Mh. Ap. May. Ine, Tot . R. Teland 23 21 20 17 «20 17 «118 repital 7a 49 68 47 49 47° 80 City Hospital 623% 21 Wo City prisons i ae Se oe ae Coiored Home Hospital h 3918 9 0 @ Colored Orphan Asylum... 4 9 1 1 1 2 8 Home for the Friendlies. © 7 2 2 1 1° 6 Institution forthe Biiod.. 9 © 1 0 1 6 @ Jews” Howpital.... « 202112 8 lake & Watts Orph. Asy., «1 0 0 T OH g Lonatic Asylum, Bisiand 9 6 § 6 10 1 40 Jonatic Aeytum Bl'gdal Bats » & | 8 Lying-in Agylom o ° i New York Insane m tt 9 6 Pen'y Hospital, B Island, 6 3 0 spl 2 8 0 o Ay St. Vincent's Hos 4 50 Smallpox Hompital 8 W. 1, Pmigrant Hosp Workhonse, 1.1 169 1,105 . seeeereeee VB N5 | Assount Qf dines Colleded,... sive ssev sees Monthly total sor the yew ‘ we pty 1 ‘ Keeping dizorderly honse.. Saliciows mirc 10 Dog fighting .... bolhee diseased meal... 3 Violating Quarantine laws.. 9 Ince cent exposure of person . 5 Gambling. ......+ tee 8 Inducing 9 person to vote illegally 1 Violating Corporation ordinavec.. : 1 Removing aud concealing propert, Process of law... teeeeee oe 1 Soliciting em grant passengers. 1 Pubiisbing ob books and pr 1 Aiding priget ape from city i Bestiality (with acow)....... 1 GOB. cic, bop eeessonese ose 2,064 seqrirren Assantt and battery. 0 Petit larceny..... 186 Fmbevrlement....... 3 Keoping disorderly house, rT Mabcious misebiet,....... 8 Personating: 1 Seliing obscene books 1 Mew ose 1 Croelty 1 Tow! . . 44 HRCA RERD (% sae 431 nt uM rent exposiire of peTron Obstructing railroad car. ’ Soliciting emigrant passengers 2 Violating corporation ordinances 2 Gambling. +s ; 1 1 1 1 1 Total sal ORDERED TO CESPRAL SRRSTONS. Assault and battery ’ ° Petit lnreeny Keeping disorderly ho Malicious mischief, Embezzlement. esses Soliciting emigrant pagwengers....... Wilfully causing collision between ferr Removing goods to prevent execution Selling lottery policies... . Violating corporation ofdinanee eo. mortgage | em amnnoos Total nomber of caes.... Rentence to Penitentiary-males. Do. do. femal Do. Honse of Refuge—boys De, do. Do. to Juvenile Asylum... Total,. Account of the Russian Set- tlements on the Amoor River. Our Ban Francisco Correspondence, San Francisco, Dec. 21, 1857. Account of Mr. P. McD. Collins’ Journey through Siberia— The Trade and Resources of the Coun- try—The Hospitality of the People—Bne Amoor River—Deascription of the Country—Prospects for Trade with San Francisco—Kyackta and Mia- mattschin—Interesting Slave Case—Judge Mor- ton Decides that a Slave Cannot Recover Wages without a Special Agreement—Product of Bread- stuffs for the Year—What Decreased the Ex- penses of the Local Government—The Vigiiance Commitee versus the Democratic Legisiature— The Libel Suit agaist the “ Morning Cail —The Jury Disagree—Colonel Fremont's Land Claim for Sale to Pay Taxes—Population of Califor- nia, &e., &c. Mr. P. McD. Collins, who has just arrived in San | Francisco from the Amoor river, has furnished some | very interesting information to the Herald, of this | city, concerning his journey from St. Petersburg ae of opinion our wheat evep, & Bp falling baking through Siberia and along the borders of China to the Pacific. The notes taken by Mr. Collins have formed material for a number of articles in the | ‘Herald, and are certainly valuable, inasmuch as they communicate to the public important informa- tion concerning the vast region through which he travelled and abont which so little is known. Mr. ©. held the position of United States Commercial Agent, and the object of his visit was to obtain knowledge in relation to the trade and resources of Siberia, as it is believed that before long a profitable traffic will open between this port and that country. His journey occupied just twelve months, and he speaks in the highest terms of the Russian officials with whom he had intercourse. Americans are everywhere highly regarded by the Russians, and are always treated with kindness aad respect. Mr. Collins states that Siberia isa very diffe- rent country from what it is generally supposed to be. Some of its principal cities are really beautiful, and in them as fine stores and as well regulated streets can be found asin any city in the United States. The general impression is that perpetual winter prevails in Siberia, and that its only inhabi- tants are convicts and the Russian military authori- ties; but this isa mistake. The population is up- wards of four millions, and a large commercial busi- ness is transacted. In relation tothe Amoor coun- try Mr. C. has obtained much valuable information. whole of that vast country, as well as Siberia, is | bed ae from St. Petersburg—which is about 6,000 miles from Irskutsh, the capital of Siberia—with | silks, cottons, liquors and luxuries of all kinds. The are goods: overland, and six months are consumed in the transportation. San _ Fran- cisco is the natural point from which this vast oe of the Arctic continent should receive | hose articles of commerce of which it stands in need. Mr. Oollins is of the opinion that the Amoor | river is navigable for steamboats from its mouth to Chetah, situate at its headwaters, a distance of | about 2,500 miles. From Chetah to Lake Baikal is | about 300 miles, over a mountain road, now travelled by post. Lake Baikal is about fifty miles across, and out of it flows the river which run: by Irkutsh, which is about forty miles distant front the lake. A steamboat now v ies on Lake Baikal, | and the river that runs by it from the lake is also navigable for steamboats. It will be thus seen how | much easier the le of Siberia could obtain the articles of commerce they require from San Francisco than St. » Between them and us there is only 300 miles land , and for the estab- | lishment of this trade all that is necessary is to ob- tain from the Russian government a decree declaring the Amoor river open to our traftic. Mr. Collins be- | par Bere ag a decree was issued gic the ex- virati four years our exports to that region Frould amount to more than ten millions of dol- lars annually. Mr. C. is the first foreigner who has ever traversed the countries belonging to Russia on this side of the Ge, His notes, as published, rive full a baer dly ow So of hat , Climate, topography, religion and soc! Ponaition of the population "in those hitherto un- known regions. ye contributed will form a most interesting addi! to the geography of the continent. yhen the attention of the United States government is drawn to the ad- vantages to be acquired by opening the Amoor river to commerce, it is to be hoped measures will be adopted to induce the Russian government to ac- cede to the request. California and the Atlantic | States would be aay served by the new channel | Import The wages... Judge Norton says, if,they and former relations will revive, with its reciprocal on their part to render service, and on his fur- nish support as well the time those services reese of masting valghie’ coerioes” rom incaj rendering set ‘rom these facta, the only reasonable inference the Court thinks there can be drawn ia that the services were rendered without any understanding or expectation by either pees. tat wages were to be paid; and under such circumstances oD law does not imply an obligation to . re are many cases in the flayeholding States where parties have been compelled to pay for the services of colored Soeeeene slaves who were in fact free, bat they are cases in which the services were rendered involuntarily and were obtained by fraud or force. fortis tivicca and ordered judgmeat in. favor af for his services, and 01 in Senator Gwin. An appeal hag been taken from the decision to the Supreme Court of the State, but the law as here laid down will hardly be disturbed by our tribunal of last resort. . Considerable discussion has taken place between some of or pppere sa to the supply of breadstuflis the State produce this year. e writers im- sist our produce will be insufficient this year for con- sumption, but the best informed and most reliable last year’s, will abundantly meet wants of our population. It will, therefore, be unnecessary te any breadstuffs during the coming year. far, of the assessors show the returns, 80 tions for the current twelve bushels, raised in the thirty counties heard from last year; barley, 4,116,076, which is 313,768 bushels more than last year; oats, 993,764 bushels; potatoes, 1,221,811 bushels; grape vines, 1,847,049; peach trea, 864,438; apple trees, 513,163; pear trees, 75,340; butter, 1,365,354 pounds; cheese, 541,600 ands; eggs, 408,527 dozens, and 637,775 pounds: of wool, A paragraph has been the rounds of the Eastern papers to the effect that the so-called reforms brought about by theVigilance Committee in 1886 have been the means of saving an expense of $250,008 during the pee Pa in carrying onthe muni government of San Francisco. The statement appeared in the columns of the New York Courier end Enquirer, and is the result of a misappreben- sion. It is true, the cost of maintaining our locat government has been much reduced, ot hed greater amount than stated, but for this - ment the Vigilance Commitice is entitled to as little credit, and moreover they had as little to do with the matter, as the authorities of Philadelphia or Boston. The following statement will establ the fact te the satisfaction of readers in the East; in California, it would be entirely unnecessary to say one word on the subject, as it is wel the committee, or its elected officers, joannot claim any merit om the score of economy. ay the meeting of the Legislature in January, 1856, San Francisco had two local governments—one for the city and another for the county. There were two sets of officers, all of whom were Pe be a salaries: there was no restriction in the cl or outlay of money, and it was the custom to award large contracts, and owing to the exhausted condé- tion of the treasury contractors had to be ne in scrip, which brought in the market but forty fifty per cent of ite face. The ture in the carly part of 1856, months before the Vigilance out- break, passed an act consolidating the governments of the city and eounty, and provided for the eleo- tion of a rd of Supervisors, who were to serve without receiving any remuneration from the oration. Fullone-ha of the officials were | ited out of office, and the salaries of those re: ing placed at a very low figure. But the most im- portant provision in the new bill was, that a certain specified sum was designated for the support of eacla branch of the government, beyond the ‘9 visors were m_ positive terms restricted IP plrpoess also clearly designated; ‘al by ts for purposes also ignated; ry stringent nature of the bill it was rendered imy to expend another dollar more than the had dictated. In this manner $30,000 was to be ap- ae soe annually for the support of the Fire De- artment; the sum of $2,500 per month for care of he indigent sick; a certain amount also stated for paying teachers in the schools and other expenses connected with public education; for the mainte- nance of prisoners, the police department, and other purposes, similar provisions were made. The cit} was secured against any misconduct on the part the Supervisors, as the Legislature inserted a clause in the bill to the effect that any sums appropriated or paid out of the treasury by their order, unleas in the manner stated, par g not be collected, or even ng og ge ye og the ity ill further, it was made felony, punishable with State prison, for the Supervisors use the revenue in any other way as provided. It will be seen, therefore, how groundless is the pre- tence that we are indebted to the Vigilance move- ment for the reduction of our local expenses of gov- ernment. Had that organization never existed the same result would have been accomplished. si RS of trade thus acquire During bis journey Mr. Collins stopped. for some time at Kyackta and Miamattschin. These towns are located side by side. The former is inhabited by | the Russians, and the latter by the Chinese. The ry line of the two nations runs between. It is | marked only by a board fence, They are both wall- | ed in and fortified. At this point all the legitimate | trade of the two countries is carried on. To | Miamattschin the Chinese convey from the interior | their teas and.other on bullocks and camels, | and to Kyackta the Russians bring their commodi- | ties, and in this way the exchange is made. The trade h centres at this point is estimated to amount to over thirty millions of roubles per an- num. While at Kyackta Mr. Collins e to en- ter the Chinese dominions, and proceed to Pekin, which is about eight hundred fifty miles to the south. He an ambassador sent out by the bapa Faby google treat with the Emperor for the pure! of the country lying along t! river. The whole of this region, avcord treaty made in the reign of the ki Catherine, belongs to the Chinese: but the Rus- wians are now in possession of several por- tions of it. They are willing to acquire it by chase ; = if an bare pag e Pas” — , they are prepared to take it. Neither the Henstan Ani dor nor Mr. Collins could ob-. tain permission to proceed to Pekin, and they were both obliged to return, The Russians have greater facilities of obtaining correct views in relation to matters in China than any other nation in the world. There is in Pekin what is termed the Russian College. It consists of ten missionaries of the Greek church. ‘These ten missionaries remain for ten we. and are then replaced by ten more. D the decade of their sojourn they are not i to fill any vacancies that may be caused by death or any other casualty. They are treated in the Chinese capital with great ot, and are allowed a pi; of honor. Through the agency of this college the Russian government obtains reliable — infor- mation of everything that transpires at the court of his Celestial Majesty. After his unsuccessful attempt to netrate through the Chinese territory to Pekin, Mr. Coilins proceed- ed to Chetah, situated at the headwaters of the Amoor river. The province of which it is the capi- tal is rich in mineral resources. It is about as large as California. It abounds in mines of gold, silver and copper. The gold is found in river beds and gulches. There are no quartz mines. The annual yield is estimated at five miilions of roubles. The silver mines are very rich. They are both worked hy the convicts transported to Siberia by the Rus- a government, under the supervision of military officers. Private parties are not permitted to take out the precious metals in this section of the country. In other places they are allowed to mine, under cer- Jain restrictions, and are obliged wo eer the govern- ment a certain per centage upon all they take out. A very interesting case, involving the right of slaves brought to California by their master to re- cover wages for services rendered a8 servants, was desided a few days ago by Judge Norton, of the Twelfth District Court in this city. It appears that Joseph Syer and his wife were slaves of William M. Gwin, United States Senator, when he resided in the State of Mississippi, and were brought by him to Ca- lifornia, and while here served him and his family in the capacity of servants. The hustand continued to live in the honse of Senator Gwin for about eight months, and his wife for about two years and eight months. The defendant (Gwin) furnished them | with shelter and board, and no express contract or | promise to pay wages was ever entered into. Syer | srought his action to recover $3,061 as the value of | the services rendered by himself and wife, and the case was submitted for the decision of the comt on mm argued statement of facts. JIndge | Nerton is a New Yorker, and stands de- servedly high in the public estimation as an able jurist and asa man of approved in ity. His decision in this case isconsequently regarded A the light of an unprejudiced exposition of the law on the important pointe involved He considers the question, whether the law on these facts implies & promise or an obligation to pay wages. Judge Norton says the simple fact that one person renders, and another receives, valuable services, does not always create an obligation to pay for them. They may be purely gratuitous, or rendered in considera- tion of love and affection, or in the hope of receiving some favor, sich asa legacy. But where peculiar relations or other cirayfietans exist, a jory is an- thorized to infer that'there is no obligation to pay. Jndge Norton holds that when these slaves were brought into this State they were free, and of course bevame entitled to make a contract with their former master as to the terms upon which they would setya“him, or to seek emp! loyment with other persins. Instead of this they continued to live voluntary with him as they formerly done. During & period of two yeara and eight months as to one, and eight months as to fthe other, thay re- | | geived they sustenagee aud made no claun for ' | which sup It would be an imy lity, under the plain and stern juirements of the law, that it could be otherwise; and whether the government fell into the hands the democrats, the republicans, or any other _strij of party, equal economy should be observed. are in no indebted to the Committee for salutary improvement in our affairs; but on the other hand, the credit is due to the democratic Le- qislature that enacted the consolidation law. The ee < Viele is, that the ; ce movement most active in their opposition to the bill tore the Legislature, and now and for a t have claimed for their Fmd the credit, confi- Sently enough, of effecting ref going will shor hat baseless beaten ww, however, on wha! grounds. "The trial of the pro of Cat prietors of the Morning Lewsy for publi a libel concerning Mr. sere rrearerel oe tie Beanch in’ ehieh sn progress at the time of the departure of the last steamer, has resulted ina ene psy oy of the jury— seven being for conviction and five for acquittal. It is not probable another trial will take place, for from the eo circumstances of the case, a like end must cted wt the repetition ot the Resse FR cution before a jury. In the jury room it is not much effort was made to change the opinions of those who differed, and a disagreement rel the jurors from condemning either ‘The tax collector Loy Mariposa county advertises for sale for delinquent taxes the well-known Fre- moet claim, consisting of ten square lea; Tne amount due on the estate is about $70,000, and the sale is advertised to take place on the first of Jana- ary next. "Yrs stated the present tion of California, based on the assessors’ » is 597,000. Of this number 332,250 are A’ |, 65,500 Indians, 38,- 400 Chinese, 15,000 French, 15, Mexicans, 10,000 Germans, 10,000 Irish, 2,000 English and 4,000 ne- This estimate, as far as the European fotion is concerned, is certainly far below their al number. EXPLORATION OF THE AMOOR. [From the San Francisco Herald, Deo. 21. The Valley of the Amoor covers from west to east about 40 deg. of longitude and 15 deg. of latitude from north to south, having for its northern and western boundaries the mountains of Altai and To- blonoy, which divide the waters of Siberia from it-all of the Siberian waters falling in Frozen Ocean ; the head branches of the Amoor in- terlocking with the land, with Lake Baikal, feeder of the Angara and Yenisaisk, and head branches of the Yenesnisk west and Baikal, far into Mongolia. On the south the head h-ree, the Albasin and the Argoon, push’ in fir slnding mearty the woes of tnd er , including nearly the wl soutl shark, sad wealward ind southwest a large slice of Mongolia, being, in fact, situated relatively to soutl Asia as the St. Lawrence and its waters ia to southern North America, admittii Hudson, the Ohio with its tributaries, t! and the Tlinois emptied into the lakes instead of running up to the south and west, be in Ape eae '. s for one of the first empires on the globe, found every natural requisite for the habitation of fifty mmilitons of hu- man beings, with climate, soil, productions, mine- rals and forests proper to their wants. Game is found in the greatest abundance, and the most valu- able of fur animals are found amid its wilds; the rivers teem with fish and fowl, while its mountains Yield silver, gold, Tt and iron. The whole course of the Amoor, with its tributa- ries, as recently explored, reach to about four thou- sand verste, the whole ja is susceptible of steam navigation; boats of proper constri hy its most considerable southern branch, reach to within six hundred versts of Pekin, from which point Pekin could be united by 9 railroad, emg | it within ten daya of the mouth of the Amoor: whence to San Francisco could be accomplished with steamers (touching at Japan) in fifteen days more, while Shangbae and Hong Kopg would be reached in five to seven Aaj ‘Hakosiad in) in three days. From Chetah, at the head of steam navigation on the waters of the Amoor, arailroad will connect with Kynckta and Miamattechin to Irkutach, the capital Fastern Siberia, at which point the overland trade to Nijni-Nove |, Moscow and St. Petersburg will be concentrated; opening up a country the wealth and natural resources of wl have been heretofore unknown to American enterprise. This extensive country, if united under the government of Rassia, with a liberal commercial ,and open to emi- Pee ona poe ond judicious basis, would soon come one of the most interesting in Asia, and of great and rapidly increasing im ince to the com- mercial world, and open up Russia « field, an epoch in her history, worthy the present cen ' Let her forget Sebastopol, and by this greatest oF of poliey—if she will—cl imate ber late foo in Indian annexation. The Amoor, or Sagk-habtin, as it is upiversally