The New York Herald Newspaper, January 27, 1858, Page 1

THE: NEW-YORK HERALD. HOLE NO. 7817, IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO, 3 Position of President Comonfort— mafentes Against Bim--Vidaur- ri Again in the Field—The @apl- tal in a State of siege, der de. de. —— NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. New Oncaams, Jan. 25, 1868. steamship Tennessee bas arrived from Vera Cruz, ce rho sailed on the 2istginat., bringing highly Im- news from Mexico. country was in @ complete state of anarchy. rly ali the mail stages between Vera Cruz and the ia) had been robbed. Nearly every State and town he republic were issuing pronunciamientos against cat Comonfort, and the city of Mexico was in a ¢ of siege. the lth the Zaloaga Brigade, which first declared the dictatorship of Comonfort, pronounced against hi. 3 the citadel and barracks of San Augusting and ito Domingo. Comonfort had been refuge” admission he last named, had assembled two thousand troops at the ce, with artillery. Ho hed also arrested Gencral oaga, but afterwards released him on parole. portion of the Zuloaga brigade wero in favor of Gen. forthe Presidoncy, while others advanced the of Santa Anna, Da the 15th the barracks of San Augustine were at- ed by Comonfort’s troops, who were repulsed. the foreigners in the city had hoisted the flags of ir respective countries for protection. Confusion pas supreme at the capital. ‘THE REPORTED BOMBARDMENT OF VERA CRUZ. New Orreans, Jan. 26—Midnight. hero is no possibility that the rumor of the bombard- tof Vera Cruz by the Spanish fleet could have ori- ated in this city. Ihave consulted the best authorities im regard to the subject, and they have heard biog and know nothing about it. We have received Yater Mexican dates than those brought by the Ten- NEWS BY MAIL. PREDATIONS OF THE SAVAGES RENEWED IN YUCA- AN—-REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS IN NORTHERN MAXICO. [From the New Orleans Picayuno, Jan 19.) By the brig N. Stetson, Captain Trenis, arrived yester- from Campeachy the 6th inst., and Sisal the 10th, we ve séveral days’ later advices from that distracted untry—the very latest possible. Negotiatious for peace ween the two political parties have thus far proved rly fruitless, and the general relations of the com- nis show uo material change. The government forces still encamped beneath the walls of Campeachy, hile the revolutionists within the town show no disposi- n to make concession of whatever kind. he last attempt at negotiation was made the first days of the present month, soon after the news of recent coup d’etat at the federal capital reached peninsula, The new order of things was seconded oply at Campeachy, but at Slaal and Merida, by b litical parties; and this with the retirement of Sirrera, and the succession of Peraza, a less objec- nable man, to the executive power, seems to have ed afair basis of an ment. Governor Peraza ited Campeachy in person and was there courteously by Gen. Garcia, leader of the revolutionists, and eryihing for a time promised a speedy end of this ost unnatural war. Al) at once, however, on the 4th, e offence seems to have been given and negotiations suddenly broken off, and up to our latest dates no mpt had deen made to renew them. Jud from je tore of the y Bulletin nothing will now sa- ly the revolutionista but their complete and flnal m0) in the meantime the Indian savages have again emerged m their hiding places, and are committing fearful te- dations in various parts of the country. The week ng the 26th a band of 150, under the lead antations in the vicinity one Raiz, overrun several Chivic, and after putting to all who chanced to 0 into their haads, laid waste everything, even to the owing crops, 80 far as possible, to be tound thereon. at will be the end of this war of races no one can tell. the available troops and resources, of the State are being spent by the dominant people in an unheard of among themeelves, and the time will soon come iben they will be unable, all combined, to make head inst the savages. ‘As to the besieged in Campeachy, they seem to be pro- ded with everything necessary for holding out wo the ammunition, provisions, &c.; besides, they have ag free communication aloni whole coast, whence, }eed , their supplies come. government forces have esame free communication with all parts of the inte- or, and hold, besides, the port of Sisal, so that there oald seem to'be no probability of a speedy close, except b some fortauate accident, of this singular and most sui- war, ("rom the Brownsville Flag, Jan. 13.) ‘We leara from reliable authority that preparations ve been making by our neighbors in Matamoros, and nerally throu; the States of Tamaulipas and Nueva y Coahuila, for a revolt againet the dictatorial bwers recently assumed by Sr. Comonfort at the po of the reactionary party, who, it seems, promised t! dent a profusion of ail that his ambition might crave the ehape of power and wealth, if he should overthrow ¢ present liberal order of things and aasame dictatorial pwer in tote—to which proposal be readily acceded. Governors Carga and Vidaurri declare their intention to tain the beral lea as ret forth in the constita- pa that bas kept onfort in power, and, in fact, under hich instrument he was elevated to that bigh position. 1 the liberalists of the country feel their rights trampled pon, anc wnless & congress is called to adopt some earures that will cede to the su; of the original nstitution the rights belonging to them as froe citizens, general revolution may be ted, and the Comonfort herents wil) doubtless finally meet with a just retribu- Mon: and despotism cannot sway the sceptre in ico. ¢ liberal minded are true to democratic prin- plee, and contending for these sacred rights caased their paration from their mother country, . and when- aristocratic notions or restrictions are being forced them by any pow yan *S themselves insulted pd their free homes invaded. We hope the state of af- 8 ia pot po Dad on this side. We have as represented that Puebla, Tampico and Vora Cruz have declared vea in favor of Comonfort, and also Tacubaya was tate of revolution. . Zalonga is raid to be gt the head of it. This Gene- bas been engaged in several conflicts with Mexico, aad filled a great many honorable military positious iv the intry. I is eaid that when he revolted that he was manding a brigade at Tacubaya, a fow miles distant pm the city of Mexico, and that he was seconded by the on at Vera Cruz and the troops at Tampico. The son given for these outrageous is that the Ne are Gissatiefied with the constitution and want to vo Congress; apd of course place all the power for- ly enjoyed by Santa Anna into the hands of Gomon- Since penning the above we have received a circular Matamoras, issued by order of Gov. Garza to the ple of the Stave of Tarnaulipas, condemning the course en by Puebla, Zacatecas and other States, that have clared themselves in favor of Comonfort. He calls on hie crnstituency of the State of Tamaulipas to defend i ta and Mberties guaranteed them by the constita- on of 185", and says that th; owing named States are ly to fill im the same § with them —Onxaca, heacan, Queretaro, San Luis, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Za pcan and Nueva Ion y Coahuila; besides several other tea, whieh he feels confident will join in the struggle br liberty. It seems from this a general revolution is pecterl, aad that preparations are being made throagh- the cowtry for asevere and probably long conflict ween the two contending parties. our pext issue wil) doc>tless be able to give more reliable informa- m, BL Resto the 2d instant contaim: the proclama- of Governor Vidaurri to the of Noeva Leon and huila, har} them to it for the constitution of OT. Letters General Moreno of Tampico, and Gov- Morett, of San Lais Potosi, aro published in the samo in amwer to letters written to them by Governor ri, asking their cooperation with him; but they ‘ure to do so, they having declared themselves in favor Comonfort. Preparations are being made in Monterey resietance, A great number of troops has already n collected together, and the leaders seem sanguine of The same paper of the same date states dy de la Liave had left the interior ef Mexico for Vera 2a few days previous, with $00 men and four pieces of ery, to attack the military who have rebelled against Mberalists at that port. =o A Wire Porsonay Her Hussann's Necro herr ren. Great excitement rxiata F Henry ny | Ey conseqvence of the ing of Mre, Porter by a slave oman, who had Bees en terme of intimacy with the hand. The Shelby News gives the an lg f account the sffwr:—On Thursday, 24th of December, the wife of . Hous Porter died, three or four days after her ac- hement, under circumstances which induced a strong mach vas made and ‘steyehnine found A negro. gil om ine " ™ girl, ‘Tuoeday, the Sth She aye has been ing to get her to kill Mrs. P. for sevoral mon’ A tening io kill her if she did not. That P. told her if she didn’t kill hie ; that thet was the last time he would ask her; if she used he would cut her throat—or words to that effect. gave her strychnine and told her how to une it, Sho id not wart to use it; had nothing against Mrs. P., and eved she was & good womnen, but she feared P. wonld iit ber, and done it to eave her life. Tt wae shown that orter bought strychnine last August—that he ie disso. pte andi unrestrained in bis morals; and, many other cir- mmetances being Drought to light throwing mspicion on p, he wae arrested and placed in confinement. REMOVAL OF QUARANTINE. Meeting of the Citizens of Staten Island at Richmond—Report of the Quarantine Com- mittee Recommending its Removal to Sandy Hook. Pursuant to the aubjoined call, a select but very influen- tial meeting of the citizens of Staten Island was held yoa- terday afternoon, in the Court House, at Richmond, abr jo, Bix miles frem Vanderbilt’s landing :— been yee se MESTING. sICHMON | TTR ND—Q' Pcl of tbe inhabitanta of —A meei Removan favorable to the removal of Quarantine, 4, Island, Jourt. House, in |, on Tuesde be held a thg Richmond, o'clock P. M., to hear the report of the > January and to take stich action as may be nr _,.araatine tendance is requested. By order ” A general at- TT, Chairman. ae BARRE Notwithstand'”,¢ the rain storm, which rendered trayel- ling Very aiMoult, the qnict village of Richmond presented alively aspect yesterday. The large number of “teams’’ which were “hitched” under thefeheds of the hotels, and the presence of so many distinguished residents of th island, indicated that they had vital interests at stake, and that the object of the meeting was interesting to all. ‘The meeting was called to order at half-past three o'clock by Judge Cropsey, who nominated the venerable Dr. Jobn T. Harrison—formerly Health Officer for many years—to preside. The nomination was ratified with ac- Clamation. Heary M. Beohm, Hsq., was appointed Secro- tary. r SPEECH OF DR. HARRISON. The President spoke as followa:—Gentlemen and fellow citizens:—I thank you for the honor you have conferred ‘upon me in selecting me as chairman t pregide on this occasion; especially go as this meeting is hold for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the best measures that may be devised for. the removal of the nuisance that has existed in our county for so many years. For more than fifty years have the inbabitante of Staten Island submitted to this evil, for much of that time without remanstrance and without complaint. Several efforts, it is true, have ‘Deen made within the last few years to remove the pre- sent quarantine establishment from its location, but these efforts have proved altogether abortive; not only abor- tive, but the evil has been increased; for, instead of one establishment of that kind, we now have two. Another effort is now about to be made. Much time has been spent in endeavoring to tix upon a proper situation to which to remove this establishment in case it was removed frem our island. That peint, 1 consider, gentlemen, is settled. From the northern shores of the Atlantic to the southern point of New York, no but one, and only one, is to be found that can bo made suitable for the purpose of a Quarantine establishment, and that one is Sandy Hook. After careful examination it has been decided that this point alone will answer the pul es intended for a quarantine statien. That territory ‘ubfortunately belongs to a sister State, and lies within its waters and its jurisdiction. The question that comes up now ie, what steps are most necessary to ‘be taken?’—what additional steps can be taken to secure the transfer of that territory to the State of New York? Thope that this meeting, in its wisdom and discretion and moderation, will do something at least to promote tho success of the great object wi we all have in view, The Chairman resumed his seat amid considerable ap- plause. Judge Cropsey then rose and said, that at a large public meeting held in the Lyceum, near the old Quarantine, on the 22d of December, a special committee of eight was appoiated to examine into the subject, and were now ready tosubmit their report. Mr. N. Dain Extiuncwoop proceeded to read the fol- lowing REPORT OF THE QUARANTINE COMMITTEE. Whereas, at a _— oper Shane on the 22d day of December fast, in the county of mond, for the pur- pose of considering whet further action was necessary or expedient for the entire removal of the Quarantine from Staten Island, it was resolved, among other things, ‘‘ that acommittee of seven persons be appointed by the Chair- min of that meeting, to be styled ‘The Quarantine Com- mittee,’ who shall have to collect funds, employ counsel, and do such ot! things as in their judgment will aid in procaring Sandy Hook for a Quarantine site;”” and, whereas, the undersigned were duly appointed mem- bers to compoee said committee; now, therefore, we, the individuals 60 appointed, do report that, in the discharge of their duties, the committee have felt a diffidence in their own ability to do justice to a subject so important; they fee! that any measure taken or devised for the progress or ‘otection of the great commercial mart of the country. Cecaten e materat serious moment; ‘and that the city of New York, although within the jurisdiction of the State of New York, is to be regarded as the commercial metropolis of all the States, in which they possess a community of interest and feel a common pride. After much deliberation Committee have arrived at some conclusions upon the subject entrusted to their one, which they now submit to the consideration of the people of the county. e Commitiee believe that.no Quarantine establish. ment for the protection of the public health can be effec. tively and judiciously located, unless such location shall combine the two important requisites of insulation and commercial convenience, whereby the public safety may ‘de preserved with the least possible embarrassment or hindrance to commerce. ‘The present site of the Quarantine establishment was originally selected as combining these important advan- tages. But more than halfacentury has since elapsed, and in the meantime the city of Brooklyn and the suburbs of Jersey City have extended themselves in the direction of the present site, nearly encompassing the entire bay or harbor. This imor population, together with the modern ape ae eee oe entirely destroyed the jpsulation y establishment, which once afforded. pre protection, become, to the million of inbabitants who surround it, a terror and &@ scourge. ‘The committee, therefore, believe that under existing circumstances the removal of Quarantine, not only from its present site, but from the island, is a matter of impera- tive necessity, and they fee confident in saying that upon no portion of our shore can there be formed a site for its location whic shall combine the requisite insulation for pubhe safety and that convenience which the commerce of the port requires. If permitted to remain on the northern and eastern shore of the island, the cities of New York and Brooklyn and Jersey City, with their suburbs, are in danger. If placed on the western or southern shore, it is brought into an almost immodiato contact with the populous towns of Perth Amboy, Eliza- bethtown and Keyport, with their surrounding neighbor- hoods, besides being comparatively inaccessible w the shipping of the hya r a careful examination of all the localities proposed or suggested for a quarantine establishment, the commit- tee feel no hesitation in saying that Sandy Hook is the only eligible site wp the requisite advantages to protect the port of lew York, upon a scale commensurate with the future wants of the growing commerce of the country, of bich some opinion may be formed when we state that - mercial marine of the of New York has more than doubied itself during the last ten years, and that one in ten of every vessel that enters the port during the qua- ranting season is subject to quarantine regulations. 3 Linn e, — interest ve the State of New jersey feels in prosperi the metropolis of the nen, jn common with hone States, sho has a direct and immediate interest in its welfare which the intelli- = of that State readily ryery committee jee! avsureu that the consent of that State for the occupa- tion of Sandy Hook for Qaarantine purposes is attainable, and will proceed pow to state the reasons for that confi- dence: — 1. The commercial! and manufacturing relations now ex- isting between the city of New York and the principal towns of New Jersey = we might also add the val tural products of New Jersey), are of that and importance that the interruption of those re! fora single season, from whatever cause such intesruption may proceed,’ would be attended with the most serious uences to the prosperity of New Jersey. 2. The proximity of Jersey City to the city of New York constitutes them in effect parte of one city. The former promises to become a commercial depot of great import- ‘ance not only to the State of New Jersey, but also to the State of New York. Already the surplus shipping which bas been crowdp ont from docks and wharves of the cities of New Yérk and Brooklyn, find there commodious and cheap moorings for the taking in and discharging of cargo ana passengers. Any interruption then of the pros- perity of the city of New York mast recoil upon her sister en eaeres Nae hundred thousan pet transact business daily in the chy of New York who reside beyond its limits. Of these the State of New Jersey ban her fair and aliquot proportion. This circum. stance alone gives to her citizens a direct and immediate interest in the preservation of that city from a calamity or misfortune of any sort; and, position of the States of New world, makes it a duty on the part of the formor to pro- vide sanitary means for the protection of its own citizens. Ry uniting with the State of New York in procuring a tine establishment on Sandy Hook, to be subject to ir joint control, it can, without any tax upon ite treasury, discharge that duty, and atthe same time aid — of the great commercial mart of tho There are some of the leading reasons which have war- ranted the committee to anticipate the favorable action of the State of Now Jersey for the removal of the quaran- tine from its present dangerous location. ‘The committee will here, and in thts connection, state that his Excellency, the Governor of the Stato of New to the Legisinture of that State, Jersey, in his late = his @jection te the removal of the quarantine to indy Hook upon the grounds that a transfer of the quer- antine estabtichmgnt fram its present site to Sandy Hook would, in effect, transfer ft with all the evils attending It from the State of New York to the State of New Jersey. ‘So long as the insulation of the owas on the eastern shore of county, which was done for ey years and more, not a single case of infect disease was known to have been communicated by Ite ageney. Should an ep- portnnity be afforded us L the Logisiatare of New Jersey to meet this objection, we feel eanguine to be able te show {ta utter groundleseness. The committee deem it a matter of great importance that the State of New York should be r before the Legisiature of New Jersey in the applicatian which ts Abovt to be made for the removal of the Quarantine, by a committee of three or more of the most prominent citi- zone offour State, to be selected for this special purpose. Such a measure would be an earnest of the importance with which th ea propemn J negotiation is regarded by this Mate, and to secure a result alike bevetioial, fair Hs H fide ri i | i g : 3 z | g 2 E i a oe Ay . Clark CLARK Was proceed! of statistics, when our order to reach New York last evening. Affairs in Hayti. OUR FORT AU PRINCE CORRESPONDENCE. High Charges—Burial of Poor Jack by Negroes—A Call on the President, Thave already several times alluded to the condition of our sick houses, for we have no hospitals, but only mise- rable, dirty buts, supported by persons who manage not only to derive a livelihood, but moderate wealth from that curse ef the West Indies, the yellow fever. Thaye counted as many aa eighteen American vessels, exclusive of those of all other nations, lying at the same moment in this port. A few days ago thirty-four sail, of all countries, crowded the harbor. But to speak only of American vessels. On an average, say that there are at all times—and I take @ number that is probably less than the actual one—six American vessels in port; that the hands alltold on board of each, including the offlcers, steward and boy, are ten—there are, therefore, about Se Seas eee eae at Port au Prince; and of these sixty one-balf are seized with the fever. To these sixty, sixty other Americans, brought here by va- rious causes, may be added, and all are subject to this plague of the Gulf of Mexico,from which at this port no portion of the year is exempt, and nowhere doos it as- sume amore virulent form. The Haytien government makes no provision for the sick of foreign countries, while her own people, inured to the climate, are rarely or never attacked. On the contrary, they assist owaers of sick houses by appointing health officers whose duty it is to visit the vesse!s lying in the harbor, and force all captains tosend their sick ashore, while they provide no place for their reception. These officers receiving no salaries, are readily got rid of with some trifling douceur; but still there is somg risk in keeping the sick on board, as the veseel is liable to & fine of $600 for any death from fever that may occur on board while lying in the harbor. If, on the contrary, they are sent on shore, they fall into the hands of unskilfuland igvorant men, whoee interest it is, after having kept them as long as ible, to kill them, as the law allows a fee of three hundred Haitien dollars, or about twenty-one Ame- rican dollars, for each burial. The burial service for poer Jack is simple enough. Placed in a rough box, he is carried on the shoulders $f Smeaienty Uinees Berend the inadest the city, the box is lowered in a pit, a little earth is tossed in, and the cere- mony is completed. I have already alluded in other letters to the expediency, or almost necessity, of the United States government in- quiring into this . Mr. Lewis, the United States Com- meroial Agent at Port au Prince, has addressed several communications on the subject to Wi be es re- yet ‘ashington. ived I have not ascertained. been attempted, and the evil every day worse. It is said thatthe American government does. net favor the plan, knowing that some difficulty might arise from the subject, and that the authorities of Port au Prince would throw every obstacle in the way of its ac- complishment. Then, too, it ia urged, the hospital might je poe the bands of Americans, for no stranger can realestate in the dominions of his Majesty, The constitution is express on this point. One of the Condemned. STATEMENT OF JAMES SHEPHERD, CONDEM NED TO B RXECUTED FOR ARSON. James Shepherd, the unfortunate man now confined in the city prison, and sentenced to be hung on the Sth of February, for setting fire to his own dwelling, ia which his wife was burnt to death, sent word to the Hxxatp offlce that he desired to make a statement to the public. One of our reporters was accordingly despatched, and through the courtesy of the city prison officials obtained an inter- view with the condemned. The reporter informed Shep- herd that two statements which he had given him ata Previous interview were necessarily omitted from our last article on the “Prisoners in the Tombs”’ on account of their libelous nature, charging, as they did, the crimes of conspiracy and perjury upon the principal witnesses for the prosecution. Shepherd remarked that he was not sorry that they had not been published, as he was very angry when he wrote them, and did not now cherish such harsh feelings. He beileved that he was reconciled to his fate, and was glad they had not been published, as he bad no doubt they would have injured nono but himself. Now, he said, be was prepared to give our reporter true statement, and asked if he bad a book and pencils to take it down. The reporter produced his paper, and was busy sharpening his pencils when Shepherd asked for the loan of the knife, ostensibly to pare his nails. The request being declined, with an offer to ask the permission of Mr. Cunningham, the jailer. Shepherd objected, and said. “ Never mind it” He then gave tho following statement: — SHEPHERD'S STATEMENT. Ifelt very bad atthe first of this affair, and much ex- cited, for God knows I was innocent of the great crime laid to my charge, 1 felt very bad about being put in prison for nothing. But] now feel that my days are num- bered, and I have prayed to God to give me sucha spirit that I could forgive my enemies. Ihave prayed to him thrve weeks, and I bave got nothing now against them. They know what they have done, and God knows they have confeered they have done wrong to me. They have come here and told me so. There is Mr. John Ginn, who faw me come out of the second story window in the rear. Why was he pot called on the trial? He ran to the fire ¥ it cither boots or shoes. He had nothing on but bis taloons and shirt, and he saw the fire on the Grst floor. can bring many other witnesses who know all about the fire who were not called. There are a great many others who _s where ee took place. . At the suggestion tae regmreer, Shashera ve the following detailed account of all his know! go of tho fire which he stands convicted of having caused :— ‘The first thing I knew of the firo was, that my wife woke Jue up and said to me, “My God: Jim, the house's on fre.” The fire was so far advanced that I could do nothing, al- moat, and the fire was down stairs. 1 slopt on the second floor. The fire commenced on the first could not stairs. the door of the passage, bat IT mean we could not get was up that was bateighteen inches high to got out by. We had such a email to get out, T bad no time to ‘break the sash out. The fire was sofar advanced that T could scarcely do — T did my best to bear my wife out until the fire overt us, both her and me, and T had hold of her at this time, but missed my hold and went out in the yard. I lost my hold, you can aay being such a small place, and I saw my wife no more, T left her at the window. She would have been saved had she jumped out, and tried to got out. Thon I camo front of the house, having got over the that Ree eS ae ee wi the such a thin, The next morning they wore looking money. I know my wife had mone: herself, and eome that I gave her. ‘MORNING EDITION-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1858. MUNIGGPAL AFFAIRS. Annan nnn” Board of Supervisors. ‘The Board of Supervieors met yesterday at 3 o’closk, in the chamber of tho Board of Aldermen; the President, E.ab F. Purdy, im the chair. ‘The petition of Jacob Berbold for the post of interpreter to the Police Court was referred to the C»mmittee on Criminal Courts. Several petitions for remission and cor- rection of taxes ware referred to the Committee on Annual Taxes. ‘The bill of Edmund Jones for printing for the Recorder’s office was referred to the Committee of County Officers, Several other bills were presented, and referred to the proper committees, The Committee on Annual Taxes reported in favor of the remission of taxes in several case:. Mr. Keepy objected to the case of Mr. Esmor, whose taxea were remitted because he was a foreigner, and igno- rant of our laws. fle thought that the reavon etated wa a very bad one, and if accepted, there would be no end t ‘ap plications for a similar remission of taxes. Mr. Brot explained that the man was a poor illiterat German, who did pot speak the language, aud who awor that be never bad the money upon which he was taxed. Mr. Kxxyepy said he would accept the report, if tha: part relating to the man being a foreigner was struck out. Mr. Brunt consented tothe alteration, and the resolu. tien passed. ‘The Committee on County Offices recommended that the foes of the Coroners for the past quarter, ainounting to $3,315 66, be pald,and the report was adopted unani- mously. ‘The following communication from his Honor the Mayor was then read, and ordered to be placed in full upon the minutes, and referred to the Committee on County Othices:— Mayor’s Orvick, New York, Jan. 26, 1858, To THe HONORAHLE THE BOARD OF SUPKRVISORS: GextixMEN— Legislature, by an act passed at tho segsion of 1855, esiablished @ commission denominatéd the “Commission « Records for the City and County of New York,” wica full power to examine into the condition of the records, documents, maps and indices in the offices of the Clerk, Register and Snrrogate of this city and county, to have the same copied and printed in such form and to such an extent as they might deem proper, and to do such further acta for the preservation and convenient examination thereof as the public interests might re quire. The County Treasurer was also, by the same, directed to pay the necessary expenses to be incurred by said com mission upon their application, aud the Board of Super- visors were authorized to raise, by tax, the amount re- quired to defray the same. Under the provisions of this act the comissioners thus appointed made contracts, one with Mesara. Bowne & Has- brouck for certain work and pritting to be done in and for the county clerk’s office, and one with Measrs. McSpe- don & Baker, for the other work and printing authorized ‘by said commissioners for the Register’s office. Besides this, they employed a number of persons in each of these offices for the of arranging, assorting and classi- fying the papers and documents ‘lod and recorded there- in, and aleo others in the Surrogate’s office for the same Purpose, as well as to prepare indices to the books of wills, letters of guardianship and other important papers recorded there. For the payment of the work thus authorized and con- tracted for, and tho persons thus employed and also the other ¢’ to be incurred by the commissioners, the Board of Supervisors, at their request, raised, under the authority [anaes by the islature in said act, fifty thousand doliars in the year 1856, one hundred and firty thousand dollars in 1856, an4 three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 1857, making together the total sum of five hundred and fifty thmusaod do lars raised from taxation during the last three years for the purpose of this commission, and of which sum there has already been paid by the City Chamberlain, as will appear by roference to the annexed statement, made by him at my request, the sum of $466,273 55 to, and including the t#th inst. Without alluding particularly to the injustice done this city and its tax payers, by the passage of the above men- tioned act, whereby a body almost, if not entirely bo- ond control of its authorities, is given unlimited power vo have work done and to incur expenditares toa large amount on its account, J deem it my duty to call your at- tention more expecially in this communication tw the heavy outlays already made by the commissioners, and to the utter inutility, in my opinion, of much, if not the greater part, of the work authorized and contracted to be done by them. It may have been, and no doubt was necossary, that the old, and in some cages, nearly worn ont papors, " ments, maps and books in the several ottices above men. tioned should have been arranged, assorted aud classitied, and in some instances entirely replaced by new ones—not only for their better security and preservation but tor the greater convenience of the public—and even that indices should have been made to the books of wills and other important decameuts recorded in Surfogate’s office; but that the py , copying and rinting of the records of judgments ices of other fe and documents fu the County '# otter, aud tne indices of the couveyances in the office wore necessary or required by the public interests, or were ever contemplated by the Legislature to the extent to which er, been done, may well be doubted, espe ci in view of the enormous sum which bas been ex- for the work alreaty done in this respect. For this work there has been paid for the County Clerk's office, t0 Messrs. Bowne & Hasbrouck, who have the contract for this office, the sum of $316,463 05, and they will be entitled, f am informed, on the completion of their contract, to about $17,000 to $20,000 more, making over $390,000 alone for this office, berides the expenditures which have been and are yet to be made in the payment for the services of the persons employed by the comm sioners to arfange and classify the old papers and doca- ments, and re bind the old books therein, which bas ai ready amounted to about $12,000. By the contract of Mesers. Bowne & Hasbronck, the records of judgmenta were to be commenced from the first day of January, 1844. These re- cords will make about 25 volumes of from, 300 to 700 es each, averaging about 600 pages, and the ocowt of is work may bo seen on reference to the annexed bill, deing a copy of one paid by the City Chamberlain, where: by It appears that the paper and printing for the letters K, L, and M, amountin, other to 1,408 pages, charged at $16 90 per page for £ copies, was $55.010 20; about $8,000 for 1,000 copies of one volume of 500 on, or $3 each volume, besides the binding, $2 Geach, an the cost of preparing and copying the books or records ready for printing, which, according to the contract, is 10 centa for bach folio of 100 words. us making the cost of each volume of these records $11, and total cost of the whole at over $250,000; and yet in a few years thoy will be almost if not entirely useless for the purposes for which they have been printed, if they are not even so, to a considerable extent, at the preseat time, as not only two years have slapeed since their commencement, but many of the old judgments have since been satisfied and new ones entered in the office, thereby rendering a refo renee to the original docket on books absolutely necesrary in the event of am search against any process for judgments. im fact, I consider the whole ex- penditure therefor as in ® great measure wasted, and the work of no blic = utility; at loast a few yeara will make it completely #0, when all the judg- ments will have run out or cease to be a lion ov real estate by limitation of law. So it may be said with reference to ‘the other parts of the work for this office, Thoy will, in my opinion, be found to be of no practical use unless the epee of them i at a heavy expense from year to year. contract with Mosers. espero & Raker, for prepar. ing, copying, tiag and the indices to convey ances in the ‘ister’s office, will no doubt be of more utility and of greater public interest than that done for the County Clerk's office, as the records of conveyances have Acontinued effecton real estate; but I do not think this work was ever necessary, and much lose so w! the county is charged with the cost of its execugon in dices could bave been corrected when erroneous, and ro. at comparatively small expense, so as, in my opinion, to have met the convenience of those baving busi nese with the office, and as well served the public interests. If, however, the printing were desired, or even required, it ehould have been borne by those whose immediate convenience and interest is most concerned. On this con- tract there has been already paid $111,542 80. They have ed the iadices and printed the books of the same % Aad including letter M of grantors, being about onegbird of their entire work; and if continued, s further exftutiture oft teat $200,000 will be necesmary to on dre! whol may be seen on py AY two which have & Baker by the City Chamberlain. In addition, however, to the e; itares on account of these contracts, which have already amounted to $428 606 85, there have been incurred and others fi or the several offices above odod to, amoustigg is eeagure- fate to $98,167 70. A Iargo portion of theee hato been for the services of ip doing the work which form the strict reading of the contracts—I am of the opinion belong to the themselves—viz.; the Fe ep DY ing proof, and other services and work io. ‘Of this latter some $1,827 has been paid for insurance, $81,041 67 for rent, and variow: other items which may be seen on Of this sum of $52,602 23. wever, in regard Ton thured hereby, bea the We paid ql tion eau 'v, lor ita several rte T deem extravagant and what [ am informed Reon have been done for. Ideem it due to the Commissioners, however, to state that they anticipate the county will be reimbursed to some extent the sales to be made of the printed and bound volumes of the records of jndgmente and other books in the County Clerk's office, and the indices to the conveyances in the Register's office. But 1 am satisfied that these sales will be far below the sum which the work has cost, and that in any event the county will baye to bear a large proportion of the expenditure. In conclusion, I trastthat you will give the subject the closest attention, amd scrutinize the whole matter with 9 the Legislature to impos and burdens ‘upon the ee for but by an interested few. Special Jegialation, objactof which is only for the benefit of a favored clasa, should, at all events, be avoided, unless the expense to be incurred is mado in all cases to fall upon those for whose advantaye it is authorized, and not upon even remotely benefitted. And, therefore, it may be well for you to inquire if it is not practicable to reimburse the county in some way from these several offices for the great outlay incurred for them—if not in whole, then in part—by such a change of their ment and increase of the fees for the business had ih them, to be paid into the County Treasury, as may scem to Pe honorable body wise and just. DANIEL FP. TIEMANN. PAYMENTS BY THE CITY CHAMBERLAIN ON REQUISITIONS OF ‘THE COMMISSIONERS OF RECORDS, TO AND INCLUDING THE 18TH OF JANUARY, 1858, To Bowne & Hasbrouck— For paper and printing For work done. }190,802 80 » 119,861 25 For binding. , 5,800 00 For insurar c@. 129 75 441 67 To McSpedon & Baker— 317,635 47 For paper and printin; For work done., SkSsse 112,326 05 23 For drawing uj 4 230 For 8,863 bill ‘ds, 600 00 For map cases... 915 00 For three glass cases. 150 00 For two book racks . 200 00 For 1,000 copies com’tees’ reports 17 50 For janitor... re eeeceseesees 50 00 For carpenters’ work, 29 boards, &c., for storing sheets of books 156 41 3,710 80 New York, April 22, 1857. ‘Tr ComMissioNER OF RECORDS ‘Fo Bowne & Hasnnover, Dr. To paper and printing records of judgments, letter K, 372 pages, at $16 90...........064. $6,286 80 To. ” letter L, 629 pages, ai $16 90. 10,630 10 Do. letter M, 497 pages.....cceee.0.c00" 8,300 30 Correct as to work performed. I certify that the above bill is in accordance with the contritet. ISAAC FITZ. Wo, the undersigned, Commissioners of Records for the city and county of New York, hereby certify that there is due to Messrs. Bowne & Hasbrouck, at the dato hereof, the sum of $25,316 20 for work done by them for the office of the Clerk of the city and county of New York, accord- ing © @ contract made with the said Commissioners of Records, and we do further certify that the same has been iucurred for the necessary expenses of said commission. WM. C. WETMORE, GEO. ?. NELSON, JONATHAN NATHAN, RICH’D BUSTEED. New Youx, April 22, 1857. New York, Juno 30, 1857. Commissions oF Recorns, Crry or New York, To McSrevon & Baxer, Dr. For printing 1,000 copies of Index to Convey- ances, ietier D, Grantors, 382 pp., $18 70 per Correct. SAMUEL Hi. DE Morr, CHARLES N. DOANE. Suuilar certificate of Commissioners as the foregoing Dill of Bowne & Hasbrouck.) New Yorx, October 1, 1857. Tue Commissioners OF Reconps To McSyenos & Baxen, Dr. To binding in full sheep and lottering complete 2,600 vols. indices, Grantors, at $3 50. Leas 20 per cent retained (Seven thousand two hundred and elghty). J certify the above bill to be correct as to volumes. CHAS. N. POANE, Superintendeat. (Similar certificate of Commissioners as foregoing bill.) After the reading of a few unimportant reports from the different committees, Mr. Srewant moved that the Committees on Police and Criminal Courts be authorized to look into the so making an appropriation to meet the expenses of river police and the mounted police, which was agreed to, The Board then adjourned to Tuesday next, a4 threo o’el a Police Intelligence. THE ALLEGED PEFALCATION IN THE COMPTROL- LER'S OFFICE—ARREST OF J. B. SMITH. Joba B. Smith, the alleged defaulter in the Comptroller's office, was taken in custody yesterday afternoon by officer MeDonald, of the detective force, on a warrant issued for his arrest. The defalcation it.is said will amount to some two hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Smith, who has acted as clerk in the Department, has had charge and control of the books and important documents in the above office, Several of the vouchers showing the amount of money paid out of the office, and which ,are alleged to have been in the keeping of Smith, are nowhere to be found. Another person is said to be implicated with Smith, and s warrant has also been issued for his arrest. The Investigating Committee of the Board of Councilmen, appointed specially to investigate this case, will meet again on Friday next, when further important facts will be made public. MORE BURGLARIRS—WNERE ARK THE POLICE? Burglaries continue to increaso, while at_ the same time there is acorresponding decrease in the number of ar- resta by the police. The office of Mr. 0. B. David, com- mission merchant, situated in the second story of the building No. M14 Nassau street, was entered by burglars on Saturday night, and about $80 worth of segars stolon therefrom. The police were unable to make any arrest. Tho dwelling house of Mr. George Byron, No. 186 West Twenty-sixth street, was burglariously entered on Monday night, and an attempt made to off some $60 worth of jewelry from the —— was awakened by the noise of the burgiars, and upon proceeding to the basement Le caught a fellow named Thos. Carroil in the act of making bis escape with the property in question. Carroll was over to policoman Koach, of the Six teenth precinct, and committed to prison for examination. ‘Of late a number of unoccupied houses in the upper part of the YJ have been entered by burgiars, and a large amount valuable property, in the shape of lead pipe, door knobs, &c., bas thus been lost to the owners of the property ‘the Durgiars—of whom there are numerous well organized we succeeded in eluding the ever watchful and it “guardians of the night,” aod mapage to make fresh hauls every day, even under the very nose of the officers of justice. When will tue police exert themselves and put a stop to this crying evil! (CuarGap wire Pasvo Covyranmmr Movry.—Catharine Kingsley was arrestod by policeman Sumstead, of the Nineteenth procinct, on charge of baying witompted to pase a counterfeit ‘ive’ on the Morris County Bank, of Morristown, N. J. The prisoner attempted the game at five diferent stores, bat was unsuccessful. While en. deavoring to pass the bill at the store of Samuel Cardwell, 496 Third avenue, sne b handed over to ~ keep. mg of the poljceman. Yesterday morn! accased re taken $etere ‘rustice Browael! nt the Fourth District Police Court, where sho was commitiod for trial, A man named William Brown, was arrested by the Thirteenth inet police, for attempting to pass one of the same Ind of counterfeits. He was taken to the Fasex Market Police Court, and committed for examination by Justice Brevnan. The counterfeits in question aro exceedingly ‘woll executed, and are well calculated to deceive tho un- wary. Ansost or Lorreny Pouct Dmauens.—Four knights of the “gig and saddle” business wore arrested yostorday and held to bail im the sum of $1,500 each to answer the charge proferred against them before the Court of Gene- the s helping hand t the of werk #0 well begun. io the policy mon may prepare Weoume. ‘Williamsburg City News. ‘Tre Ser Yarns.—The ship yards in the Fastern « trict, and which presented so much activity two and three years since, are now entirely deserted, with two excep. tions. Then, from ten to fifteen hundred mechanics were employed, at good wages, while at the present time the entire number does not exceed one bandred. Mosers. Lawrence & Foulks, foot of North Fifth street, are con- tructing three schooners for the Spanish government, to be employed in dredging the harbor of as. They are 100 feet in length, 23 feet beam, § deep and about 150 tons. They will be launched about the Ist of March, Mr. Simonson, at Greenpoint, bas commenced ® steam boat, to be named the “Zephyr,” for C. Vanderbilt, to bo im the Texas line, She will be 210 feet long, 30 feet pam, 11 feet deep and about 700 tons measuroment, Senate Committee on the Capture of General Walker. Our Washington Correspondence. Wasninotow, Jan. 22, 1868. Appropriations for the Government Expenses for 1858-'59— Valuable Statistice—Appropriations for Deficiencies, for Printing and Binding—Bilt for the Safety of Pamen- gers on board Oc3can Steamers—Improvement of the Har - bors of Lake Brie. Mr. J. G. Jones, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported to the House yesterday—where it was rend Iwice and committed to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union—a bill making appropriations for the legislative, executive and judicial expenses of government for the year ending June 30, 1869. As the different items appropriated for the various branches of government may be a matter of interest to the readers of the Herarp, who comprise no small portion of the govern- ed, [have made a correct epitome of them, as follows, commencing with the legislative departmer Compensation and mileage of Senators. Com) of ofticers, clerks, &c. Senate, of graving, lithographing, reporting, Globe, stationery, &o.... 191,125 Compensation and mileage of members of House of Representatives Com n Of officers, cit Contingent expenses of Total for Legislative Department. Library of Congress. Court of Claims. Executive Departmt Contingencies of said d Northeast executive but Treasury department .. Contingent expenses of said departmen 54,900 General purpoges of southeast executive building 16,100 Department of the Interior....... ‘ 470 Coutingent expenses of office of secretary of said department ... . 13,200 General Land Olle . 81,600 Pension Office... , * 25,000 Surveyors general and their clerks. + 144,520 War Department... ......-..000++ . 10,220 Contingent expenses of sald department. 2 General purposes of northwest executive build 7,600 General purposes of building corner of F ant Seventh streets....... ‘ae Navy Department......- ve! + 96/100 Contingent expenses of saia department. + 6,340 General purposes of southwest executive building. 6,213 Post Office Department......... . + 157,800 Contingent expenses of said department. . ie Printing for Executive departuents U.S. Mmt at Philadelphia Do, San Francisco, 1 115,956 Do. New Orleans. see 61,200 Do. Charlotte, N.C. sees 4,500 Do. Dahlonega, > 6,500 Assay Office, New York. . 2,100 Government of the six TerMitories Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Nebraska and Kan- 828. Judie: Ottice of Attorney Gen Independent Treasury. o Expenses of collection of revenue from lands Expenses of penitentiary for District of Colambia, 18,808 Incidental expenses of Presidential mansion, Capi- ie eek tosnsapaniadstasy sos <eoneth coctsa ee —Making the total expenses of these branches of the fede- ral government for the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1869, five million, eight hundred aod fifty.one d, seven hundred and ninety-one dollars At the same time Mr. Phelps reported a bill to appropriate money to supply deficiencies in the appropriations tor T, printing, binding and engraving ordered by the and House of the last two Congresses, providi for the ag ey of $69,133 for paper, $122,564 for printing, 635 16 for binding, ing and litho ordered by the Senate, and $178,321 63 for the same job done by order of the House. Abi been introduced into the House by Mr. Scots to provi for the better security of the lives of gore on board of'steamers nay i the ocean. It provides that all such vessels shall be constructed with at least three wi htcompartments, one of which shall enclose the machloery;, a larger number and better quality of yps and bnckets, for use in case of tire, a insisted on, reat attention is paid, and justiy, to the number and size of life boats. Every steamer not exceeding 1,500 tons must have on board four boats of the best con- struction outbonrd and three inboard, capable in all of carrying 197 persons. Steamers exceeding 1,500 must have boats for 298. Steamers exceeding 2,500 to have boats accommodating 396 people. These visions, ape Hf the bell pesgaee ter | enforesd. No ¢! shall wany a who docs not & certificate of the local in- ors to the effect that bis vessel hae complied with visions of this act. The penalty for any captain pred or violating any of the provisions law is fixed at s fine of $2,000 and Itmprisoument out less than two or more than ten years. The Secretary of War haa sent to the Senate a report of the estimates (er the Improvement of the harbors of Buf» falo, Dunkirk, Erie, Conneant, Ashtabula, Grand river, Cleveland, Black river, Vertnillion Sandusky bay, River Raisin and Maumee bay,on Lake Erie, called for by @ resolution of U ‘22d December, 1857. Several of these har’ are represented to be in a ver bad condition, and all of them aa requiring repairs. Col, Abert, of Lue corps of Topographical Engineers, collected Ube estimates. ey are as follows:— Amount required Amount required during the fiscal & each Improvement of— Dunkirk harbor, N.Y 863 60 27,079 36 113,012 9 16,779 80 Ashtabula Larbor, Obio, 19,006 78 Grand river harbor, Ohio. 498 Cleveland harbor, Ohio. 44;767 81 Black river barbor, Obi 16,940 96 Vermillion harbor, Ohio. 21,428 30 Sandusky harbor, Ohio. 56,068 50 River Rasin harbor, Mich.. 28,857 90 23,867 90 The navigation of Maumee Total... ccc ee cece ese $1,200,641 37 $458,255 08 Hore are somo fat jobs for the Lake Shore men, and plenty of active work for the small fry of the lobby. Wasmvorow, Jan. 23, 1858, Army Estimates—Report of the Quartermaster General on the Year's Deficiencies—How the Lost of the Utah Troops ta to be Made Up—Cost of the New Regiments—Charges for Camp and Read Equipages, Wagons, Horses, Mules and Baggage Trains— Their Amount in Line. Thave examined the report of the Quartermaster Gene ral, Thos. 8. Jessup, showing the details of the calcula- tions upon which the estimate for deficiencies for the present year, and the additional force ordered to Utah, ia based. At the close of the fiscal year, on the 30th of June last, there waa, in consequence of the greatly extended opera- tions in that year, a deficiency in the appropriations for the Quartermaater’s Department of the following amounts, vin On account of regular supplies—fuel, forage, etraw and stationery. ATT 68 Incidental expenser 120,360 20 Barracks and quarters 67 964 Army transportation. 161487 15 Amonnting 0. $1,228,679 3B —And it waa ascertained that for the army a# it was on the 24th of December, 1857, the deficiency for the present year, in addition to that of last year, would be as follows, vin For regular aupplies. .. $300,000 00 tal expenses. . 60,000 00 Barracks and quarters. . 30,000 00 Mounts and remounts.. «+ 100,008 00 ‘Transportation of troops and supplies, about 2,000,000 00 —Making the total deficiency for the two yrs. 3,718,079 31 ‘This amount bas been, and is to be, disbursea through the Quartermaster’s Department, which offeer explains the cause of the present deficiency and wants, as fol- lowe: — Under the head of “Regular Supplies” the for ‘the year ending June, 1867, were $1,441,286 32, which amount $1,901,728 62 wore oxpended tor forage; and the for the present fiscal year is $1 There ie no reason to suppose that the expenditures thie year will be less than those of the last; on the contrary. judging {rom the fact that $27,776 40 bave already bee ; expended on account of the Utah expedition, and that = further som of $21,908 24 will, no doubt, have to be ex- Py MOF nd hn kieeen in the condition it wag vi troops ‘nworth, both unexpected Gisbursementa when the eabinate for this ear wee it is reagonable to suppose they wi hence an appropriation of $300,000, tm edition to th tual deficit on the 80th of June Inst ($279,377 57), ie asked. For “Incidental the the let fiscal year was and xpenditures: 20, —— dette! of $129,960 20, for and an estimate for Feoo,e00 has Teen “ame fot the next fiscal year. It is believed the ures this year will exceed those of the last and De full to those of the next year, and therefore $60,000 is which Will make the appropriation for the presen’ year equal to the estimate for the next. 1 find that for ‘Mounts and Remounts,”” $166, the amount that has already been expended in the Utah expedition, and which will be reqnired to the horses belonging to the dragoons and artillery