The New York Herald Newspaper, September 4, 1858, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. ————e—ee. JAMES GORDON BENNETT EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. Tod OFFION K. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. Be otis aah ercoe baste 2 mabe Yepy, or $3 per annum, the Bur ‘Biition #4 per annum, to nate reat Briain, oF Wo to any part of the Contindny THE FAMILY HERALD, every Wednewtay, at four cone per MPN UN TANT CORRESPONDENCE, comers ooo Bec pet fo agro Fontan Sanne as e ane ARTICULARLY SRQUESTED TO BRal ait LETTERS ves PRINTING executed with meatnass, cheapness cmd dis- ADVERTISEMENTS: renewed every a fn- terted in the Waexcy Henatp, Pasir and in the Oakifornia ond Eurcpean Bai ACADEMY (OF MUSIO, Fourteenth street—Orens Mau wee—La SOMBAMBULA, NIBLO’S GAEDEN, Breadway—Money—PRomeN ade Concert. BOWERY THEATRE, Rowery—Bueax Hivis or Kain Ponco- roxzt Horse —Beian O'LINN. BURTOW'S NEW THEATRE, Broadway—Soupren oF FOR: rore—Wrone Piceecseraie Hoseann’s dust, ‘ALLACK’S THEATE! Broadwag—O’FLANNIGAN AND ea Faiares—Bouci ANON SSTAOR ‘Struck Bamser. LAURA KENE'S THEATRE, 624 Broadway—Tax Ap- voouar:—Lovs aNp LiGaTaINa. KKIOAN Broadway—Afei- Py BNCWS ARERR eee or Amt,on Am: maven Wouid—Coriosirins, &e. ‘WOOD'S BUILDING, 661 and 663 Brosdway—| Boner Bawess, (£0.—-KOUTHERN PLANTATION FReTIV (TIES. MEOHANION HALL, 472 Broedway—Bav aris’ MIwpraass ‘MaLoptns. kone &¢.—Lis WouLp Bz AN ACTOR. CAMPSELL MINSTRELS, 444 Broadway—Eeniorian CuaRactaknTics, 80NGs, 40 —NecRo Sociasiity, PALACE GARDES, Fourteenth street and Sixth sve av; — Ooncent—Fireworss, £0. BROOKLYN ATHENAUM, Allantic street—@rgxon Butz Tex MAGICIAN ap VENTRILOQUIST, WITH His LRARasD Canary Brnvs. New York, Saturday, September 4, 1858, THE CABLE CARNIVAL. @he Weekly Herald, with Fuli Descriptions of the Great Cable Carnival and Banquets, The Wrexty Hsravp, to be published at ten o'clock this morning, will contain the fullest descrip- tion of the great cable carnival of Wednesday, and also the fullest report of the sayings and doings at the cable banquet given by the Corporation on Thureday night, at the Metropolitan Hotel, to Mr. Field and the officers of the Gorgon and Niagara. It will also contain a full report of the proceedings at the reception and dinner to Capt. Hudson and officers of the Niagara, by the authorities of Jersey City last evening. Single copies in wrappers, ready for mailing, can be had at the publication office at that bour. Price sixcents. Agents had better send in thetr orders early. ‘The News. Nothing remains of the Quaravtine buildings at Staten Island but a mass of smoking ruins. All the hospitals, offices and outhouses, together with the barge office, boat houses and physicians’ residences, fell a prey to the flames. The second attack made a clean sweep of all and every building occupied by the Quarantine authorities. The sick men and women were removed from the hospital and placed upon the grass before the work of incendiarism commenced. In the fires of Wednesday and Thurs. day nights thirty-two buildings were laid in ashes. The Commissioners of Emigration met yesterday to consider what was best to be done. Governor King, Mayor Tiemann and the Police Commis- sioners, were present and took part in the delibe- rations. After all the mischief was accomplished these worthies concluded to despatch one hundred policemen, armed with repeating rifles an# ~ \* pounder, to the Onarenti=s Suey arrived last eve- umg. Gov. King made a requisition upon the Com- missary General for a sufficient number of tents to lodge the sick in, and they were as comfortable last night as circumstances would permit, though they mast have suffered greatly. Apprehensions existed that a further hostile demonstration would be made by the mob last night, bat up to a late hour no intel- ligence of an outbreak had reached the city. Else where we give a full account of the occurrences at Quarantine, together with a diagram of the burned district. The Commissioners of Health, at their meeting yesterday, received a statement from Dr. Thompson, | for more than two years. NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1858. pending in the Court of Common Pleas. It presents the Excise law in a somewhat singular phase. The suit is brought under the sanction of the Excise Com- missioners against John Kearney, and the complaint alleges that the defendant is liable for a year's vio- lation of the Excise law, at the rate of fifty dollars a day, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of $18,260. Kearney's counsel recently made a motion to compel the pleiatifis to make the complaint more certain in respect to the particuar description of liquor alleged to be sold; but Judge Daly decided that the pleating alleging a sale of liquor in general terms, without specifying whether brandy, gin or rum, was in accordance with the provisions of the Code, and thereupon denied the motion, There are, perhajs, tea thousand liquor dealers who are liable, under a strict construction of the Excise law, to this daily penalty. ‘The sales of cotton yesterday embraced about 1,590 baka, the market closing firm on the basis of about 10%,c. #180. for fair to atrict middling. Flour was some- whet irregular for the better grades, while common graces were in fair request, including some purchases for export, while prices were without change of importance. Wheat was active and firmer, with sales of about 80,000 ‘bushels at prices given in another column. Corn was beavy and lower for Western mixed, while prime white and yellow were unchanged. Pork was firmer, with sales of mess at $17 60.0 $17 75, and prime at$l5 506 $15 €0. Sugars were active and firm, with sales of about 1,1€0 bhds. and 1,000 boxes at rates given in another place. Ccilee was active and the sa'es embraced 11,000 812,000 bags at 93¢c. a 11c., with other amall lots, particu- Jers of which are given in another place. Freight eagage- ments were moderate, with rether more offering. The Quarantine War. The Heraup of yesterday and to-day con- tains a complete account of the burning of the State property at Quarantine, and a recapitula- tion of the circumstances which have led the people of the ceunty of Richmond to take mea- saree, in defiance of the law, to rid them- aelves of a dangerous and growing nuisance. ‘The destruction of the Quarautine buildings is the moet important event of the day and the leading topic of conversation and discussion with ths publ ¢ and press. The act of the people of Staten Island was not the result of sudden pas- sion—rot the outrageous license of a crazy mob, but the execution of a calm, well settled determination. The time chosen was the night of agrand city cclebration, when the island would be more quiet than usual. The people received a semi-oflicial license from the Board of Health, of their own selection, and resolved in public meeting that the lazaretto should no longer contaminate the atmosphere of their homes; they proceeded coolly and delibarately to remove the sick, and then destroyed the hos. pital and other buildings, including the private residence of th» Health Officer, whose personal unpopularity undoubtedly brought abont this indefensible attack upon his property. We do not defend mob law; but experience shows that when the constituted authorities attempt jo force upon the people a tyrannical and danger- ous enactment, even an illegal check on the part of the sufferers will be excused by a large portion of the community. Certain it is that in all civilized countries such checks have been used from time immemorial. England, France snd the United States have all witneseed exam- ples to the point. They are to be regretted, bat the fault is with the authorities. When official stupidity is carried to excess—when, after repeated warnings, the authorities per sist in oppressing the people—when pest- houses are put up in the midst of a dense population—when all peaceable and legal means to abate the nuisance have been tried without success—then it is not in the tem- per of our people to avoid doing a present wrong that a future good may come from it. Hence the action of the Staten Islanders. This Quarantine w-- bes DOW been going on Not less than four or five parties have been engaged in it, and there has been a eeries of collisions, annoying, ex pensive and inconvenient to all concerned. As we have steadily increased in commerce and population, the Quarantine difficulties have been more and more perplexed, until now, when the people have cut the knot which no one could untie, Two years since the buildings at Seguine’s Point were destroyed; and at that time the Heratp warned the authorities that there would be danger in rebuilding them. But official stupidity is something colossal in its to the effect that Mr. Bean, one of the stevedores at Quarantine, had procured a barge for the accommo- dation of bis men, who had been burnt out on shore. Several captains of vessels attended, with petitions to be permitted to come up to the city, but no action was taken by the Board. Capt. Hudson and the officers of the Niagara were Stted yesterday by the Corporation of Jersey City. A banquet was given in the evening, when speeches were made by Capt. Hudson, Mr. Purser Eldridge and Peter Cooper. For a record thereof, and of what was done in Jersey City on the occasion, see our report. The steamship Cahawba arrived at this port yes terday with Havana advices to the 30th ult. They state that a Quarantine excitement had occurred there. It was discovered that the Quarantine offi- cials were making some $40,000 yearly by illegal fees, and the Captain General had notified them that if they did not resign he would turn them out. The Cahawba brings $314,436 in specie from New Orleans and Havana. Sugars were firm, and bolders rising their demands. The acting Consal for the United States had assumed a judicial power of examination over the vessels suspected of being engaged in the slave trade, but no facts had been elicited by him. A new line of steamships, to carry the Spanism mails from New York to Havana in four days, was pro- posed there. Our correspondent at Aux Cayes, Hayti, writing on the Sth ult., says:—The southern ports of this empire are unhealthy, although very few foreigners fall victims to the prevailing disease. The Minie- | ters of his Imperial Majesty, Soulouque 1, dread a rupture with France, whose Consul is very friendly in giving ear and attention to the complaints of the Dominicans, who never will become reconciled to the Haytien government. The British Consul is neutral, and gives no assurance or intimation what ever of interference. Trade and business of every kind is inactive; no vessels building, not even gun boats, nor any improvements in the interior, notwith standing the innumerable facilities that are availa- ble. A change is most desirable, and will be accom- plished by France for the exclusive benefit of the Dominicans. Produce is very scarce, which causes higher prices to be demanded and acceeded to. ‘The case of Stephen H. Branch, who was sent to the penitentiary for libelling Mayor Tiemann, was brought up yesterday before Judge Clerke, of the Supreme Court, in chambers, upon an application to permit the defendant to give bail to appear at the general term of the Sapreme Court, pemding the writ of error to the judgment and rulings of Re. corder Barnard. After argument by counsel in sup- port of the application, and remarks in opposition by the Assistant District Attorney, the Judge stated that it seemed to lim impomible to sustatn the judg. ment of the Court of Sessions, and his impression ‘was that the Supreme Court must reverse it; he Could not in conscience refuse to admit the defend- (nt to bail pending the decision on the suit of error, When he believed that it was immpossible to sustain the conviction on legal principles. He accordingly Liberated Branch on bail in the sam of $2,500 for his appearance at the general term of the court. 4 can 66 mpecial lntereas to Liquor dealers it pow proportions, and the buildings were restored only to be again destroyed. Then were com- menced the negotiations for Sandy Hook. The Staten Islanders succeeded in getting s bill through our Legislature, which act provided for the removal of the Quarantine. But the merchants of this city were opposed to the re- moval. Staten Island is easily accessible from the city; the Quarantine has always been there, and the merchants think it always should be there. The State of New Jersey was not pro- perly approached on the one side, and the mer- chants who were opposed to the removal were active in their efforts to prejudice the Legislature of our sister State against the project of ceding part of the Hook for Quarantine purposes. So that affair fell through; and we find carly in the summer of this year a worse state of things than ever before. On one side are the merchants and the Quarantine officials—the latter, it is claimed, greedy, overbearing and avaricious. They have the monopoly of the lighters, and are pecuniarily interested in making the Quarantine as strict as possible. Every fever panic puts money in their purses ; they trade in the pestilence, and traffic upon the fears of the credulous, the weak and the timid. The owners of property on the island find their estates depreciated in value by the con- tiguity of the Quarantine. All the residents view its establishment as an outrage. They are aesisted by the unemployed stevedores and lightermen; popular indignation rises to the | point of incendiariem, and in one night the State property is laidin ashes. We do not say this is right; but we do say, that if it is, as claimed, a bigh-handed outrage, there are many palliative circumstances connected with it. The question that now arises is, what is to be done in the future? It would be worse than uselees to exasperate the Staten Island people still further by attempting to restore the build- ings there. They would not remain ia security aday. But the sickly season at the South will not be over for a month or more, and something must be done with the yellow fever patignts who are constantly arriving heme. The com- merce of the city must not suffer for the want of decent, seoure, safe and well located Qua. rantine buildings. The most available location for them is at Sandy Hook. Bisa little farther off, to be eure, and may be temporarily incon- venient to the merchants, but we must think about something else besides dollars occasion- ally. Then, the Quarantine should be perma- nently establidhed under the authority of the general government. Already there have been serious collisions between the State and the federal authorities, arising chiefly from the stupidity of the former, Under that eg¢tion of the constitution which gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign na- tions and among the several States,” we thould have a general Quarantine law for the whole country, under the supervision of the officers of the revenue. We should then have officers capable of knowing what Quarantine really means, instead of a Board of Health made up of Aldermen and Councilmen, who pay no attention to their duties, and Health Officers from the rural districts—men who never saw the inside of a vessel until they were appointed to discharge the most important duties, to exercise the fullest powers, and to assume the weighticst responsibilities connected with the shipping and commercial interests of the metropolis. Every department of our State and city government is in a bad way; but the Quarantine, with its ware, fights, corruptions, stupidities and hambugs, is the most trouble- some of all. There is some strength in the federal goverpment, and let it be exercised to reform the Quarantine laws, New Jersey wil! eee the propriety of giving up part of the Hook to the government, which already has possession of a portion for lighthouses and forts, and thus the whole matier may be amicably arranged. In the meantime, the temporary Quarantine must be at Sandy Hook. The New Jersey people are nearly as much interested in the matter as we are, and as the Hook is nothing better than a Sabara of cand, the Quarantine can do no harm there. Let it be doze at once. Workina or tue Artantic Caste.—The ex_ citement created by the great fact which we have been lately celebrating is now over, and to the rejoicings by which it was hailed will suc- ceed an anxious expectation of results. After the enthusiastic applause bestowed on the labors of all connected with the consummation of this glorious undertaking, it will be difficult to mo- derate the popular impatience in regard to the enjoyment of its benefits, As itis known that mereages are continually passing backwards and forwards for the fartherance of experi. ments, the public will be naturally desirous to learn the progress made, and the extent to which the hopes of the electricians carry the capabilities of the line. There is no reason, in fact, why the messages which form the subject matter of these experimentel communioations should not have a public object and interest. As well may our merchants profit by the facill- ties thus afforded, as for the telegraph directors and operators to expend their labors in mere personal courtesies. Even should the in- formation thus conveyed prove imper- fect and unsatisfactory, the public will make allowances for it, im view of the conditions under which it is forwarded. The feasibility of the enterprise established, and due credit awarded to all concerned in it, there can be no motive for withholding from us the facts connected with its working difficulties, whatever they may be. We are cufliciently sa- tisfied with the partial success that has been achieved to regard with patience and indulgence any delay that is unavoidable in the general working of the line. We do not see, however, why the receipt of at least one daily despatch of political and commercial news should inter- fere with the experiments of the electricians. Most of the improvements effected in the ma- chinery of the land lines have been carried out without arresting in any way their general bu- siness, As it has been shown that the instru- ments of the Atlantic telegraph, defective as they may be, are capable of doins ~ ~-swin amount of work ~~ sstux that the public are entitled to the benefit Of its facilities to any ex- tent which will not impede their experimental operations. The directors should recollect that we are in the position of the child kept from a coveted plaything—impatient to pull the wires and cet them in ovement ourselves. But even were it not expedient that the line should be partially opened to the public, we can see no object that is to be gained by ob- eorving silence as to the progress of the experi- ments. The public feel almost as anxious an interest in the executive details of the enter- prise as they did in the laying of the cable itself. They wish to be informed from day to day how its organization proceeds, so as to be able to form eome opinion as to the extent of the facilities likely to be realized from the line. As the undertaking isan international one, and enjoying the support of the two governments, there can be no necessity for mystery about the preliminary working arrangementa There is the less reason for it, from the fact that on the other side the public are kept regularly in- formed of the progress of the preparations at the Valentia terminus. Tue Beavriret Worktxo or ovr Mertno- rouitaN Porice System.—One of the chief points on which the passage of the Metropolitan Police law was based and defended was, that it was necessary to extend the jurisdiction of the police authorities of New York to Kings coun- ty. Westchester county and Staten Island, be- cause those euburban places were liable to visi- tations from New York rowdies, and particu- larly because Quarantine riots might break out on Staten Island, in which case it would be ne- cessary to have a strong police force to sup- press them. That was one of the specious pre- tences by which the disfranchisement of our citizens in regard to the election of Police Commissioners, and the clear evasion of the constitution in that regard, was justified. Bat how do we seo the thing work’ Why, here on two successive evenings, and with the cogni- zance of members of the police forco—or at least without any effort at secresy or conceal- ment on the part of the perpetrators—organized bands of men proceed to the Quarantine build- ings on Staten Island, deliberately and openly set fire to them, prevent all efforts to extingutsh the flames, and do this coolly, systematically, and without the slightest shadow of resistance on the part of the guardians of the public peace. ‘There is a practical illustration of the bean tifal working of that model of a police sys- tem dubbed the Metropolitan. It cannot be suggested that the authorities were surprised, or that it was an occurrence against which ordinary precautions could not have been taken. It was known and currently bruited about for weeks that the deed was to be done; and it wae done, and there was no resistance on the part of the Metropolitan Police. And at this time, too, Governor King was in the city, and knew, or ought to have known, that the buildings were to have been fired. Why, then, were there no steps taken to prevent the violation of the law, and to have a police force there, and military, if necoesary, strong enough to check all at- tempts at riot or arson’? After the burning of the Quarantine buildings we hope that no one will undertake to say another word in defence of the Metropolitan police orgauization of New York. The Breaking Up of Mexico—Who May and Should Save Her. The accounts from Mexico, which we publish- ed in oar yesterday’s issue, are such as might bave been anticipated from the long continned internal etrife in that country. The govern- ment that prevails in the capital, and which ar- rogates to itself the title of the National government, has not only lost all respect for the principles upon which public authority is founded, but has turned highwayman, and taken to robbing peé@Ple in the most outrageous man- ner, The subscriptions to a national bank, which were forced upon natives and foreigners alike, and against which our Minister so rightly protested, were done under the forms of law. But the arrest of Senores Escandon and Brin- gas, because they refused to discount the noes of band of a corrupt clergy, is one of the most scandalous proceedings that has ever been performed under the prostituted name of government. President Zuloaga is the creature of the cburch, and is said to be guided by the Chris- tian maxims of the priests on the one hand, and the imperial counsels of the French Minister on the other. But the fruits which these are producing throughout Mexico have little of the appearance of Christian cbarity or of imperial skill. The land every- where a ecene of internecine stzife; one hun- dred towns sacked by the contending forces; private citizens incarcerated by hundreds without a crime; the farms pluodered of their products; foreigners driven from the country because they will not be despoiled in silence ; travel and commerce suspended; the merchants on the brink of bankruptcy; the press destroyed, and destitution etaring the people in the face— such are thé fruits of the conflict between the church and its opponents in Mexico; and this sanguinary strife is maintained under the ery of “ religion” on one side, and “liberty” on the other. But there is neither religion nor liberty in it. The one party is impelled by fanaticism, and the other by a thirst for ven- geance and destruction. It is not to be wondered that foreign citizens should look to their own governments for a shield from the evils that weigh upon them, nor that the peacefully disposed inhabitants should long for a foreign intervention. But these mis- fortunes have a far deeper origin than any that can be reached by the interposition of foreign governments. They flow from the breaking up of the political organization and the diseolution of society in that republic. They can be remedied only by the operation of causes existing within the republic iteelf or by a foreign conquest. There is no national or- ganization from which a foreign government can demand reparation of the injaries to its citizens, or force to impose a respect for the obligations of international duties. Foreign intervention in behalf of the peaceful inhabi- tants of Mexico is a thing out of the question. The duties of government, like those of indi- viduals, are limited to the care of its own household. Conquest is not to be thought of, for besides that it is in opposition to the spirit of the age in which we live, it is a ead truth, but one universally admitted, that Mexico with its present population of mixed and insubordi- nate races is not worth conquering. ‘There is but one remedy for the present dis- orders of Mexico. There exists amid her crumbling social elements a rlece of wualthy =a powortur citizens, which, though being rapidly diminished in numbers, has still the power to eave the State. But they must com- bine for action before their means are gone. They must take the government of the country into their own hands, and re-establish the rule of authority and order. This they have now the power to do; but the day is approaching when, if the present state of thingscontinues to exist and to follow its natural developement, they will not possess it. Their haciendas are being depopulated and destroyed. Their mines are ceasing to be worked. The consumers of the products of their lands are fast losing the ability to pay for them, and when they cannot pay for them necessity will compel them to still wider robbery and greater violence. The ten- dency of Mexico now is rapidly towards a war of races, and the feelings and passions which have been invoked under the cry of liberty, in the conflict with the church power, have given that tendency an impulse which forebodes the direst results. When the conflict does come, it is not difficult to foresee that the classes possessing the feweat wants and the greatest power of endurance of privation must triamph. The men who now enjoy in Mexico, through their wealth, a social position which has hitherto placed them even above the power of the government, will soon disappear. Not one of their sons will enjoy the influence they now possess. They have seen the men of intellect, who were once their compeers, swept away. They have beheld the commanders of the army, who gain- ed their rank and position by yearsof faithful service to the nation, displaced by upstart in- eurgents and highway robbers. They know that their stateemen have been shoved aside by plot- ting priests and plunderers of the public trea. sury. They, too, cannot escape the rule of de- cay which surrounds them if they do not rouse themselves to meet it. It is of no use to call upon Jove and foreign nations. Jove only helps thoee who help themselves, and this truth the men of Mexico must take to heart if they would save themselves and their country from the ruin that now threatens to involve them. Dewocratic Priary Execrions—Tat Onn Pian Renasnep.—The Tammany Hall commit- tee appointed to report a plan of organization in reepect to the choice of delegates to conven- tions, have fulfilled that duty by recommending that the primary elections should, in future, be conducted openly, like general elections, at such times and places as the General Committee shall appoint, the inspectors thereof to be agreed upon unanimously by the delegation from each ward in the committee; and if they cannot cor- dially unite on the same men, the committee then to appoint the inspectors of election. The appointment of inspectors by the General Com- mittee, according to this announcement, virtu- ally gives the control of the elections to the committee, for it is safe to say that in nine cases out of ten the ward delegations will fight about the inepectors, The system of ward associations is declared a failure, because of the existence of two irregular, irresponsible bodies in the city, whose members would not join the associations. The committee propoee that every “undoubted demoorat” shall have a right to vote at these open elections, and that they shall be carried on “n a peaceable and orderly manner.” ‘This is all very fine—committees may propose, but the shoulder-hitters will dispose. In fact, this plan inbut # dlightly modified repetition of the old knock down system of the primaries, and just as many “undoubted democrats” will vote under it as have not the fear of shoulder-hitters, rowdies and ward ruffians generally before their eyes, and not one more. If people wko have any re- apect for themselves, and desire to keep thelr noees of that shape and their eyes of that hue which Providence designed for them, are ex- pected to ake part in these elections, we must have a better plan than this. Tue Burning ov THE QuaRANTINE Bur.piInas— Wuo 1s ro Pay Tax Damacrs?—It has become a matter of discussion since the destruction of the Quarantine buildings by the Staten Isiand mob, whether Richmond county is not liable to the State for the amount of damage done to its pro- perty, and whether the county should not be made to pay. A special act was passed by the Legislature, April 13, 1855, entitled “an Act to provide for compensating parties whose property may be deetroyed in consequence of mobs or riote,” of which the first and second sections read as follows:— Sec. 1. Whenever any bui or other real or pergonal property shall be destroyed or injured in consequence of ‘apy mob or riot, the olty or county in which such property ‘was situated sba'l be liabie to an action by or in behalf of the party whose property was thus destroyed or iojured, for the damages sustained by reason thereof. Sec, 2, Such action or actions may be brought avd con- ducted in the aame manner that ober ac\ions may be poe by law, and the judgment may be appealed om in the menner now provided for appeals in civil ac tions; and whenever any final judgment shall be recover- 4 sgainst aby auch city or county, in such action, the tresurer of eaid city or county ebali, upon the pro- duction and gine his cflice, @ certified copy of the judg- ment roll, pay 6 amount of said jcdgment to the party or ‘ties entitled thereto, and cbarge the amount thus ‘to said c:ty or county. The question now arises, were the Quarantine buildings destroyed in consequence of a mob orariot? Did the Staten Islanders comprise a mob on the occasion of the incendiarism, or was the conflagration attended with any riotous proceedings? Let us look at the facts. First, the party concerned numbered, we are told, a thousand, and was armed. Next, the stevedores employed on the buildings, and one, at least, of the physicians, resisted and attempted to beat back this armed party, and in the melee one man wasehot. Here is prima facie evidence, certainly, of a mob and a riot; but the Staten Islanders eay that they did not constitute a mob, because they were acting as a posse comitatus, under direc- tion of the Sheriff,in carrying out a resola- tion passed a few days before by the Board of Health, to abate a nuisance; and also in obe- dience to an act of the Legislature, passed two years ago, ordering the Quarantine to be re- moved. Further, they allege that there was no riot, because the parties attacked were not in- cendiaries, but firemen, who came to put down the flames, and that they only acted in self-defence when struck by the stevedores. The morality of the citizens of Staten Island becoming the executors of the law has been questioned; but if they acted, as alleged, under the direction of the Sheriff, the affair ae- sumes a new aspect. However, it matters very little whether the county is liable fer the damages or not; for as the suit must be brought in Richmond county, according to the second section of the act, there is not the remotest chance of a verdict for damages being procured from a Staten Island jury, as, if we are correctly informed, every man on the ieland is either particeps criminis or awarm sympathiser withthe perpetrators of the deed, anda hearty approver of the deed iteelf. cs THE LATEST NEWS. Our Special Washington Despatch, TUR PARAGUAY BXPEDITION—THE LAW APPLICABLE TO THE CAPLURED B8LAVERS, BTC. Wasuotow, Sept 3, 1858, ‘The selection of the Commissioner to Paraguay occa- sions the President no little embarrassment. There are serersl applicants who are strongly pressed, but the Pre- sident desires tho man whom he appoints to poseess three important qualications : First, be mest have brains; second, epeak and wrile the Spanish and Portaguese lan- gages; and, third, possess sufficient prominence as a democrat to silence the complaints of such as claim the office on the score of compensation for services without regard to fitness for the performance of its duties. The - matter will be decided shortly, and the decision will re- lieve many anxious persons from suspense which they bave suffered long. ‘The Paragury expedition is becoming every day of greater importance. The President is determined not to fail in the means of bringing Lopes to terms, as it would be a nationa! disgrace if that despot should rob American merchants of millions and fire into a national vessel with impunity. As the Plate squadron is to be enlarged to ‘hirteen or fourteen vessels, part of which will be unable to ascend as far as Assumpcion, it became necessary to have a commodore on the station, ana within supporting dsitance of Captain Page, who is to do the fighting, as he bas done the exploring on this river. Oom. Shubrick, who beads the list of navy captains, bas been placed in command of the whole squadron, and Captain Page is second in command; 80 that they will be tn close connec- tion Im the organization of the squadron and the per- formance of tts dutice. Judge Biack’s force in the Attorney General's office are carefully examining all the laws and decisions relative to the disposition of Africans taken on board slavers. The care reveals & positive obligation on the part of the Exeou tive to send them back to their native land. The propo. sition bad been started that they were free agents, and as much could elect to remain or go back, as might pleseo themselves; buts case was decided by Judge Harper, in Louiaiana, in Joly, 1890, which overruled this point, and left them no agency in the matter. The act was declared to be imperative, It ts generally a matter of ratification © people here that tho slaver was taken to a Southern port, and thet the trial of the crew will take place where the citizens of a slave State can show thelr appre- ciation both of the slave trade and the laws for its sup- ‘The transactions at the Treasury during the week end- ing 901h August were regular democrat, and Dr. Weetoott, iadependent, is war- ing warm. THR GRNERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. Wasmixaton, Sept. 8, 1868, Senor Yrisarri, at the request of President Martinez, has, !t i_understood, withdrawn bis resignation as Minis- ter from Nicaragua. The errand of Gen. Joroz was to negotiate a treaty acceptabdie to our government and bene- cial to both republics, but he has loft the city withont being received in a diplomatic capacity. The Oase-Yrisarri treaty, as amended, was soat by the government of Nica. regua to Yrisarri, and by alm forwarded t Washington through Jerez. Michigan Democratic State Convention. Drrrorr, Le 2, 1868, ‘The Democratic State Convention was hel here to day, and was ded over by Hon. Robert T. McSielland. The fol nominations were made — aries E. Stuart, of Kalamazo> county, Taatenan Geverner-Gee. 8. Monroe, of Hillsdale. Stata—J. ‘Mackinac. Secretary ing, p o instruction—J. G. Jadokes, ot Edward Kanter, of Wayne. Commissioner of Land O john Ball, of Kent, Auditor General—Joun J. Adams, of Lenawee. Attormy General— J. G. Sutheriand, of taginaw. Member of the Board of Bawation, de.—J, Moore, of Kalamazoo. Resolutions were adopted deciaring adherence to the coon Goceares eee eet senneos roniaeet, oy a eenteneiretion; aod confidence in President congratuiating the 60. upon the setuement of tho pow ty ned svleure ‘quosetaa on the Dasis of General Casa’ protest. Arrival of the Propeller at Boston. ‘The Corner Stone of the Pople’s College. Havana, N.Y, Sept. 2, 1868, Eight or ten thousand people essembea here to-day te attend the laying of the coruer atone of the People’s Ool- lege. The procession wasa large one. ley. Mark Hop- kins, President of Williams College, gave theprincipal aa- ¢ress, but the immense concourse and @ ine breese rendered hearing to the majority impossible. Briefer speeches were made by Amos Brown, Presiden of the College; Horace Greeley, of New York; Daniel 8. Dickim 800, of Binghamton, and Rev. F.G. Hibbard, The corser stone war laid with appropriate ceremonies by Jobn L. Lewis, Grand Master of the Masonic fraternity in vais State, The procession then re-formed, and procesded toa tent in the villoge, where a dinner had been prepared for nearly one thousand persons, filled. Chas. Cock, yotnetees pale the college, was President of the day. ‘Aiter ditner sentiments were toby ing, Senator Diven, “A. B. Dickinson, Be- Dantel 8 Dickinson, ex-Governor Giark, Heory mretleg of ‘Yates oe ee 4 President Wt, Gecdwin Sevator Upnam of Ohio Congressional Nominations. Cixcinnar: “opt. 3, 1858, ne H. ponlmase tga og croesbeck have mn recominated for Congress dew of the first and second of Unio, . oe. ———_______., Affairs in Boston. Boston, Sept. 8, 1868. David Ripley was instantly killed this bayer fall- pe o 5 eee vat of boiling water, at the ‘Bostoa rolling 1m: ‘The steam frigate Roancke did not @o to sea till yester- day sfterpoon, swing it ts said, toa difficulty between Gardner and Chief Esgineer Laughton, which waa sul equentiy amicably arranged on reference to the Com- mocore, the engincer reinstated. Loss of the Brig Eureka, Baurunore, Sept. 3, 1858, ‘The sehooner Virginis, arrived from New York, that on Sunday night, of Pinepuxent, she fell in with the brig Eureka, ged. She remein- ed Dy wi Han smal Death of a Pittsburg Merchant, PirrssurG, Sept. 3, 1868. Jobn Bisvell, Jr., a well known Pittsburg died to-day from the effects of a gun shot wound rece accidcntally yesterday. Noxri BrinGewarer, Mass., Sopt. 8, 1866. ‘The melodeon factory of A. B. Marston, at Campdoll’s, ns demtroyea by fire last night. Loss, $5,700; insured, Markets. PHILADRLPHIA STOCK BOARD. Putapatrma, 82) Stocks dull. Pennsylvania State 5's, & Railroad, 2425 ; Canal, 43; 1234; Pebpsylvania Railroad, '43 5. . 3, 1858. %; Reading Flour quiet. dull, Whiskey dull at 260. Berrato, Sept. 3~6 P. M. Fiour in fair demand and . uti eupeas Eee Ter oi ete ee , $5 25 a $5 62 for common to choice extra Canadian; $5 75 a $587 for doudle |. good demand for mi'ling; market firm. Sales 40,060 bushels, at $1 for Milwaukie ciub, $115 for red Ohio and Indiana, $1 17 a $1 25 for common to choice white Michigan and Canadian Corn duil, and market steady. Sales 16,000 bushels, a1 6%. a6ic for uns>ucd, 65c. for sound. Ni in otber grains. Whiskey dal! tcnanged, Reoipte by inks a the pash me . wen hours—18,772 bbis. fous, 58,087 Tans bushels corn. Shij mel a meet wheal, bushels flour, 15,205 ‘corn. ‘AGO, Sept. 3—6 P. M. Flour steady, Wheat declined 2c. Corn active at 62c. Oats dull. Shipments to Buffalo—870 bbis. floar, 50,000 Dushels wheat. Shi; to Oswego ~ 64, a fem gag or 28 for Sara. Wheat active and . Whiskey declined to Zic. Provisions firm. EEE News from Havana, ARRIVAL OF THE STRAMSMIT UAHAWBA. ‘Tho Uuived states mail steamship Cahawha, J. D. Bul- loch commander, from New Orleans via Havana, arrived early yesterd:y afternoon at Quarantine. She arrived at Havana on the evening of the 20th ult., but did not eall ‘until the afternoon of the 30th. ‘The brig Nancy atill furnished @ topic of conversation, and it waa not fairly known whet will bo done with her; the impression is that abe will be liberated. Tit in the Of sugars 140,000 ‘boxes. Shipped past week Stock 16,000 boxes. Holders wore firm and rusing in their Lay on London 14814 premium; New York a ; Orleans 3% a4 di Cabawba brings es ovinsmenhtapiaiinn PROM NEW ORLEANS, FROM MAVANA, ‘Thomas Owen & Som ..........006 TOR. .ceeceeeeees . es Lecture on the Cable. New Yorx Crrr, August 28, 1986. Jons Maratr, Beq:— Dean Sim—The interest which has been awakened throughout the civilized world in regard to the laying of the trapsatiantic telegraph cable, demands that a fall and authentic history of that great enterprise should be fornished to the public by some competent person con- ected with the expedition. ‘The fact of your having been on boar! the Niagera from the time she first set sail from this port until after her of o wee ae Joes tas man to oomany Four friends and fellow cltiseas, ourself to Istand 16th of Se; aoxt. Vor, th ; “tig 'Y respectfully, your Daniel F. Tiemsnn, Arehi Haghes,D. D. James T. Brady, ‘August Belmont, ‘Thomas W. Siroug, fepnen broling, s | . ro . Brower a. A James B Kirkor, ‘Allen, . James M. Crone, E. D. Morgan, 1. Hall J, Mortimer ‘da; Polotiak P. rit, Marebail Letterts. New Yor«, August 51, 1858, To Mesens. Daxter F. Trecane, Perer , ARCHRISHOP Hvonss, J. B. Kinxen, Ertaw ALUN, T.,'W. Staono, kind invitation te eo mubject of the transatlantic tele- "a oburch, “upon evening be- gE 3 fies ‘ i a i ri take piace on the morning of Thursday, the 80th of Sep- tember next, off the south coast of Long Island, The race will be from Owl's Head, L. I., om the weat side of which the yachts will anchor, to the Southwest Spit, and thence around the Light Ship to the West Bank off the Mtaten Island shoro, at which point the race will be concladed. Thore ‘will be ® prize of $50 for each class of yachts, As this will bo the Inst regatta of the New York yachts for the year, the members of the club will doubtless take all needful measures to make it pace off with as much eclat ae possibie. ae ‘Tor Came Cetennation.—L. Aquiar, Eeq., the Brazilian Conaal General, took part in the cable procession of last Wodnesday, but the reporters omitted to note the fact, although he wan ina carriage bearing the Brazilian flag. The same gentleman was at the municipal dinner at the Metropolitan Hotel, and sat between Mr. Peter Cooper and General Sandford, Te was mentioned as the Bolivian Consul. From this \t will be seen that the representative of the empire of South Amertea ia alive to the importanca of the Atlantic cable.