The New York Herald Newspaper, December 11, 1858, Page 1

TURDAY, DECEMBER WU, 1858. ' WHOLE NO. 8134. MORNING EDITION— AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DESPATCH. MOKH VISSELS ORDERED TO THE GULF OF MEXI): — POPULARITY OF THE TRESIDENT'S FORBIGN P @Y—KIGOGNITION OF THE BERVICES OF OUR CON- BUL GINERAL AT JAPAN TO THE BRITISH ENVOY THE )¢S4TION OF SENATOR DOUGLAS, ETC. Wasmmvaron, Dec, 1°, 1858. ‘The President's grand programme for the progress of evr great country will overshadow the miserable political squabbles of partisans and: Presidential aspirants. The xixth of Devember is ap epoch in onr history. ‘Tho belie! that Congress will sustain the President in his foreign policy grows stronger the more the message is diseuseed, In this he will be supported by several oppo- ition memters. ‘Orders have been sent to get the new steam sloop.of-war Brooklyn, at Now York, ready for sea, Captain Farragut hhas been assigned to command her. She will be sent tothe If, She will leave about the Ist of January. The St. Louis bas als) been ordered to the Gulf, Tne want of suitable verses for the service is much felt by the Navy Department. ‘A recent note from Lord Napier to the Stats Depart- ‘ment informs the Secretary of State Uaat the Earl of Elgin had expressed to his government the obligation he was ander to our Consul Geveral at Japan, Townsend Harris, for importantaid rendered him and his icterpreter in ne- gotiating tho treaty lately concluded with that empire. Lord Napier add that the Queen is anxious to confer upon Mr. Harris «solid testimonial of her gratitude for his conduct inthe shape of a snuff box, with the royal cipher; and his lordship desires that Mr. Harris may be authorized to receive it. Secretary Cass has replied to ‘Lord Napier’s letter, and has also communicated the mat- ter to the Chairmen of (he Senate and House Committees on Foreign Allaire. The President bas sent tothe Senate the China and Japan treaties, They have been ordered to be printed, and will be considered at once, so that Mr. Bradley, the bearer, whe is now here waiting, can return at an early day with them. ‘The contract for the boilers of the stean.er Jacinto his been awarded to James Murphy & Co., of New York. Toere were cleven bidders. ‘The republican members of the Senate had a caucus to- @ay, to decide whom thoy would like fron their sid) on the dilferent standing ‘committees. The pr cticr of the Renate has been for the majority to be courteous’in this way tothe minority in the matter of arranging the com- miteoes. Co, Forney and several other yolltical renegates who favor Indge Douglas, are here wading in the mud of poli- tics, and are endeavoring to make the action of the Senate caucus in reference to Douglas and the Committee on Ter- ritories another martyrdom for their chi! The more ra pidly Douglas declines the more his followers affect to be Heve he is rising. Drowning men catch ot straws. Little ie said of Kansas just now, and it is certain that ‘all the power of the big and little republican magicians cannot conjure up te ghost of that dea 1 humbug. Senator Hammoud,of South Carolina, has loomed up hhigh above the political horizon since th» delivery of his speech. He will conriye to hold a dignified position in the Senate. While he vill act with his party in sustaining the measures of the administration, be will uot participate @ the tricks and polithal machinery generally used to wecomplish political objects THY GENERAL, NEWSPAPER DESPATCH, ‘Wasttixoros, Dec. 10, 1858. The Interior Departiomt has awarded the contract for supplying ready made clothing to Messrs. Whiting, Gal Joupe, Blies & Co., 0° Heston: for supplying hardware, to Thomas Poultey, of Biimore; and for supplying guus for the Northwest, fi. KE. Leman, of Lancaster, Pa. All the above suppliee we for the Indians. It is not yet decided as to whow th coutract for blankets and dry goods shall be given. ‘The Treasurer's statenyat shows that the balance in ‘the treasury on Monda; was $4,000,000. The receipts for the week were $651,0@, aud the amountof the drafty paid was $1,568,000. Tie amount of the drafts issued wa $2,858,000—a reduction ‘vom last week of $1,700,000. ‘The resignation of Cajt, Thomas J. Brereton, of the Ord nance Department, has yeon accepted by the President. Mt will take effect on the Ih of December. A recently prepared oficial document shows the catire amount of the public and private appropriations (exclusive: of the salaries of public diicers) for the District of Colum- Dia, from the time the government was located in Wash ington to the 30th of Jum last, to be nearly twenty five millions; the asvessed vahe of the government reserves, exclusive of the reservatvns formed by the intersections of streets and avenues, is upward of thirtecn millions and a half; the cost of the public buildings, including furni tore, s'atuary and paintings, is nearly fifte on millions—the Capitol costing over six millone—and the private property assessed at thirty five millioss. Four of five more speeches are to bo made in te House ou the Judge Watrous iimpactment c THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. SBUOND SESSION. Senate. Wasntworox, Dec. 10, 1858. A report was received from the Secretary of the Inte rhor covering the amount 0° expenditure: for the District eof Columbia; aleo a report fom the Secretary of the ‘Treasury, enclosing Lis accouns. [oth were lad on the table. Monday was fixed for the apyoint‘oent of the co mmit tees Considerable routine busines woe transacted, after which the Senate, at half past iwelve o’elock, adjourned uli Monday No additional Senators ere present to-di House of Representatives. Wastuxcros, Dec. 10, 1 Mr. Borex, (adm.) of &. C., wked leave to introduce a regolution to amit Lieut. Mowry w the floor of the House a3 a delegate from Arizona, Mr. Jones, (adm.) of Tonn., otjected, saying that Ari ova is part of New Mexico. aud he suw no ase ia admit fing two delegates from oue Terriory TUR CARR OF SEDO WATRECS, OF TEXAS. ‘The House resumed the considsration of the Watrous impeachment case Mr. Brctixencner, (opp.) of Wie, favored the tinpeach ment. He wald that the charges made agajust Watrour ‘were that the Judge had entered jato a corrupt conspiracy for the onlawful insiitation in bis court of eaits in which be was personally interested, for the paryose of having them removed beyoud the verdict of « local Texas jury. He bad entered into « couspirwy t deprive individuale of their land by means of forged payets. He had presided at the trial of cases in which be was personally interested knowing that he wre disqualified from so doing: and he has permitted to pass without rebuke repeated ilegal nets of eof his court. Mr. Billinghurst contended that Uhese charges were sustained by the evidemce. Mr. Reavy, (opp.) of Teun., said that no clamor or out ride ure would induce him te cast «stam on the character of Judge Watrous by sending him to the Senate for trial, unless he was satisfied the result would establieh his guilt. ir. Davis, (opp.) of Md., inquired whether there was y evidence to show that Judge Watrous was cagaged im fn Feries of speculations in Texas, the cases connected with which were to be decided in bis court’ p iat there was not a syllable of tes- y to show that Jndge Watrous ever engaged to buy Imore than one tract of land at any time, the principal of which was rig . There 6 proof that the Judge i# poor man that be was Jed inte the purchase as a matter of favor to persone in Alabama, who had the cap tal. He argued that, from the evidence, there is nothin to show corruption of malfeasance in ofice. Adjourned. THE OREGON QUESTION BHALL ORFGON BECO! A STATE?—-THR POSITION ‘OF THE QUESTION BRFORK CONGRESS—TRARITORTAT, AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN OFERATION—THEE ELECTIONS SLAVERY QUESTION RESOURCES OR OGRAPHICATL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION— THE NEW ENGLAND OF THE Wher—aKeTcHns OF SENATORS ELECT, ETC., BTC ry a vote of thirty five to top, with ffieun adopted a constitution of State govermiment which is publican in form and in conformity with the Constivution of the United States, and have applied for the Union on an equal footing with the other fore, Bé it enacted by the Senate and House of Ropresents ti bled, that Oregon be, and she is hereby’, received ints tie Union on an equal footing with the other s speots Whatever, with the following boundaries Oregon shall be bounded us follows, to wit one marine league at sea due west from the point woere the forty-second parallel of north latitude interso said river; thenve east, on said pal 28 to 28. ‘We learn from Washington that as soon as the case of Jndge Watrous is disposed of, Mr. Stephons, of Georgia, will move to take up the bill for the admission of Oregon wa State, which it was thought would have pasned last seczion. The question of organizing a State government ane been for three years before the people of Oregon, anv ‘to June, 1897, it was, by » large majority, dectared in the affirmative. The Constitutional Convention assembled ht Salem in August, 1856, owl, after a pretty my session, adjourned in November, after Ldopting a constitution for submission to the people members absent. The constitution was adopted in Docem | the “North American continest, at once Doautify) and pic der, 1867, by the people, and the slavery question was de cided in favor of free negroes. Genera) Joseph Lane, the present Senator under the State organization, was ehoten Territorial delegate, which office he holds at present, to gether with his Senatorship. After much postponementandt debate, the question of the admission of Oregon as a State fina'ly came to a vote in the Senate on the 18th of May Jast, in the form of the following bi! FILL FOR THE ADMISSION OF OKBGON INLO THE UNION, Whereas, the people of Oregon have traimed, ratified y mission inte tes; there 8 of the United States of America, in Con ccess assein tates in all re. onder jat the boundaries of the State may be known and estav- lished, it s hereby ordained and declared that ae Stato of irinaing s the same; thence northly at the saine distaace trom the line of the coast, lying west and opposite the State, including allislands within the jurisdiction of the Uaited States, to @ point due west and opposite the middie of the north ship canal of the Columbia river; theace easterly to and ap the middie cbannel of sail river, and where it is di vided by islands up the iniddie of the witest ebannol thereof, to a point near Fort Walla Walla, the forty-sixth parallel of north jatit the middle of the main channel! of the Shosbones or Shake river; thence up the middie of the iain channel of said river to the mouth of the Owyhee riy thence due south to the paraticl of latitude forty two ce grees north; thence west along said parallel to the place of beginning, including jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases upon the Columbia river and Snake river, eoneur rently with States and Torritories of which those rivers form a boundary in common with this State. Sec, 2. And be it further enacted, That the said State of Oregon shall have coucurrent juriedicuon on the Columbia and all other rivers and waters bordering on the said State of Oregon, so far as the same shall form a common boundary to suid State, and any other State or States now or berealter to be formed or bounded by the same; aud said rivers and waters, and all the ‘navigable waters Of said State, shall be common highways and forever free, ag weil to the inhabitants of said State as to all other citi- zens of the United States, without any tax, duty, impost or toll therefor, Sec. 8. And be it farther enacted, That until the next census and apportionment of representatives, the State of Oregon shall be entitied to oue representative’ iu the Con- gress of the United States. The fourth and fifth sections of the bill provided for land reservations, and that the residue 0° the Territory should be annexed to Washington. The bill was taken up on motion of Mr. Douglas, on the casting vote of Mr. Breckiuridge, there beiug a tie yore— The pending motion was that of Mr. Trumbull, for a postponement until December. Mr. Gwin, of California, opposed the postponement, and endorsed! (he se of the constitution whigh probib: Chinanen from ie. Mr. Doug, of Minole, favored the admission on the ground thet every step in the formation of ber constitution and apy ‘mission was legally submitted and Fatitied by the people of the State. K, favored the admission, and e the Kansas question. Mr. King, of New York, suggested that perhaps the Population was not sofilcient. He deprecated the restric- tions cn free Dlaeks in the constitution. Tho subject was then taken as a text for some bun- combe debate, and the question of postponement until De comber was lost by a vote of 38 16. The bill then pass- ed by a vote of 26 against 16, as follows — Yeas—Mesers, Allen, Bayard, Benjamin, Bigler, Bright, Broderkek, Brown, Cameron, Chandler, Clay, Cineman, Collamer,’ Dixon, "Doouttie, "Foot, Foster, Green, Gwin, Hayne, Harlan, Houston, Jones, Jobnson of Tenn. son of Ark., King, Polk, Pugh, Sebastian, § Shiekls, Simmons, SUdell,” Stuart, Toombs, W Yulee. Nave—Mesere, Bell, Clay, Crittenden, Davis, Durkee, Fessenden, Fitzpatrick, Haie, Hamtia, Hammoud, Hender’ non, Hunter, Iverson, Kennedy, Mason, Trumball and AngkNTSke—DMeesre, Bater, Clark, Fitch, Mallory, Pearce, Reid, Rice, Sammner, ‘Thompson of Ky, Thomson of N. 3.5 . The bill, in the hurry and excitement of a closing ses- sion, dit not get through the Senate, and so Oregon was not admitted. There was not, apparently, any sectiona or political obstacle; but the uncertainty as to the exten: of population was considered a grave objection, aud wil undoubtedly be the basis of any opposition during the present seesion. It is said that the republicans intend if Oregon is pressed, to saddle the bill with a strike forthe admission of Kansas. Should this be done, the question may possibly prove too knotty and agitating to survive the buncombe which must ensue and come to a settlement during this session. There has been no enabling act granted to Oregon as was passed for Minnesota; and to obviate this difficulty the people, in order to be ready to step into the Union at the rliest possible moraent, went to work, and organized a State government, with the following rs. considered to be a demoeratic trintaph — Governor... sotin git and J.D. Boon. . - ~Ashahe! Bush. 2 The Legislature was decidedly democratic, and in July chore as representatives in the Senate Messrs, Joseph Lane and Delazon Smith, more generally Known as “De- Jusion @mith.”” SKETCHES OF THE SENATORS. Gen. Lane was born in North Carolina, and went to Kentucky with his parents, spending the greater part of his time until his emigration to Indiana in the position of wood chopper and boatman on the Ohio, where he was a great favorite, and was universally known as “Ilonest Joe Lane.” He soon realized enough to bay a farm at Evansville, Indiana, where he was soon buried in politics, ond was for a series of yoare a representative in the State halls of iegislation. During the war with Mexico he en- listed as a private, rose to the rank of Colonel, and was finally chosen Brigadier General of the State of Indiana, He won high honors during the war, and General Taylor, in reporting him as slightly wounded, after the battle of Buena Viste, gave the addition, ““Bebaved gallantly before the enemy.” He raised the siege of Puebla, and fought his way to Mexico city, and almost captured Santa Anna at Orizaba, besides numerous other engagements, in which his valor always told. He was styled by the army “the Marion of Mexico.’ He returned home at the close of the war, and afterwards served a term as Governor of Oregon, which he is to represent fa the Senate as soon as she is a State Delazon Smith first became known to the world asa very prominent politie'n in Ohio, He turned up a vory ac- tive supporter of Tyler after he was read out of the whig party, and Mr. Tyler, in return, gave him a sort of roving mission to Central America, with a semi-diplomatic commission, which continued until the incoming of Mr. Volk, who would have sacrified him immediately could his locality have been discovered. Since then he has not been prominent until bis turning up as Senator from Oregon. He waa nicknamed “Delusion” from the re- semblance to his rea! name and his habit, when speaking, of using rather strong, of porsibly “highfalutin,* Ian- Ruage. He went carly to settle in Oregon, doubtless foreseeing the probability of ite early admission a® « State; and how far bis political aspirations hdve suc ceeded hie position will show Of the Congressional representative, Mr. Lafayette Grover, we have no epecial information further than that he is an energetic man, THE ADVANTAGES OF OREGON. Of the mutnal advantage which would result from the admission of Oregou into the Union there cannot be the slightest question. She ie destined yet to be the New Kngland of the West, She has plenty of water power jumber and fisheries, should the gold discoveries of Fraser river and Washington tot draw off the emigration will be settled rapidly, and before Washington, ‘The terri torial extent of Oregon at present has an area of 185,080 equare miles, and @ bounded ou the north by Washington Territory cast by the Rocky Mountains, south by Utah and California, and weet by the Pacific, Ht is 750 miles in length « 0 io width, i formerly bad the addi tioual ares of Washington ‘Territory, which was cut ont of it, amounting to 129,022 square mile ‘The Torrito nto thr rtiome—the ap per country the Blue and Rocky Mountaina, eto the Car. Ing the ocvan extending from th the lower country ad the middl cade Mount. Te bas large agricultural and my advantages, which have never yot been developed, and, according to tye messoce of the Governor Inet July, is well worthy becom: ing a Stateor this Union. Hens what the Governor gays Oregon is probably one of the most eitractive portions of turesque, with a healthy an adapted ‘to thy salubrioas climate, well production of all the cereals and most of the other grains common to the United States; a seaboard of some three hundred miles, with nemerous harbors: and inexhaustible fisheries; arable land sufficient to supply three millions of souls with bread; grazing land sufieient to supply twice that number with meats; probably no country better adapted to the produc: tion of Wool, Hax and hemp, and it is admitted that Oregon excels in her growth of fruit; her monntains are covered with the fineet of timber wad underiaid with gold and recent disgoveries show that we are not without a goodly snpply of lime and coal; her streams afford some of the best water privileges in’ the world, and her rivers are hie for steamboats at all times of the year, Oregon htand might be au extensive exporting country, (yet, on the contrary, she imports many articles that mizat be manufuettred in the conntry,) thereby increasing ber prosperity, growth and fmnportance, When our people become a metnufacturing poche, when they produge thos articles of necessity for which they are so eminently capa ble, when our exports shall equal or overbalance our tov poris, then, and not until then, will Oregon become truly great, Surely this isa flattering picture, and if the malcontents in Congress can only be made to understand that the re quisite population is resident in the Territoy, Oregon will be a Btate of the American Union before Mach, 1859, ana her Congressmen and two Senators will take their seats, draw their pay, and discharge their duties with joy. Four powerful nations Lave, at various times, claimed dominion over Oregon—Spain, Russia, Great Britain and the United States; and now that we are quietly m undis puted possession, it is no wonder that the transition from a Territory to a State excites a lively interest. According to the rule of our rapid progression Pacifleward, it may not be-many years before the New Eugland of our Pacitic empire will testily to the prophetic prediction of the New Yori Hewan. Goroner’s Office. THE FIFTH WARD HOMICIDE. ‘The coroner's inquest in the case of Christopher Calla- gban, alias Goi, who was killed by Michael Forrest in an aftvay at the corner of West Broadway and Worth street, on Wednesday afternoon, was commenced yesterday by Coroner Hills, at the Fifth ward station house A post mortem examination of the body was made by Drs. Fin- nell and Ferguson, and their evidence was submitted to the jury, a follows:— Dis. Finnell and Ferguson, being duly sworn, depose and say:--We have made a post mortem examination of the body of a man vow lying dead at the Fifth ward sta- tion house, forty hours after death; we found three wounds on the body, one on the anterior portion of the chest and two on the posterior part of the neck; on dis- secting Mese wounds we found the one on the lett side of the beck had penetrated the trapezius complexus and sealepus muscles, ending at the fitth cervical vertebra; the wound on the right side of the neck was much of the same character, but not so deep; there was no large ves- sel severed by theee wounés; the wound on the anterior portion of the chest was between the first and second ribs, about one inch from the edge ef the sternum to the right ‘of the mesial line; this passed through the anterior edge of the right lung, the pericardium and root of the aorta, causing fatal hemorrhage inte the pericardium and right pleural cavity. The inquest was then adjourned over unul ten o'clock Ubis morning, When the witnesses who faw the transaction will be examined, and the case will be brought to a cloxe. , Patan Accent to AN Ovp Piror.—Coroner Connery was called upon yesterday to hold an inquest at No. 80 Pike street, apon the body of John Henderson, a pilot, aged 67 years, who was killed on Thursday afternoon un. der the following circumetances:—Deceased, it appeared, Wag engaged in piloting a schooner outside the Hook, when, stepping from the vessel tothe towboat Under- writer, he missed his footing and fell between the tug avd the sehooner ond was crushed to death. Mr, Henderson bas been a resident of the Seventh ward for upwards of forty years, and was highly esteemed by all who came in contact with him in business relations and otherwise. He was a man of reputed wealth, having amassed a respecta- Dic fortuue in the purguit of his arduous profession, Venice Casvanmns.—Hugh MeGee, « native of Ireland, aged thirty.#ix years, died yesterday at his residence, No. 65 Cherry strect, from the effects of injuries accideptally received by being ron over by his own cart, Coroner Hills was notified to hold an inquest upon the body of de- ceased, Bertard Giiigan,a porter in the employment of the Mavhattan Gus Company, wos killed on Thursday evening by being threwn from wagon, at the corner of Se nth street and Broad Deceased was turning the corner ata rapid rate, when the wagon upset, precipitating bim to the pavement with eveh violepce that he died soon afterwards. The body of deceased was taken to the Jef. ferson Market Police Court prison, where Coroner Hills was notified to hold an inquest. Fourn Dean iw ax Atcey Way.—The body of an un. known man was found in an alley way leading from No. 383 Bowery yesterday morning, by policeman Fon- taine, of the Seventeenth precinct. Deceased was about thirty years of age, and was, to all appearance, « German, He was dressed in a drab coat, cassimere pants, and figured vest No marks ot violence were found upon the body. Coroner Hills was notified to hold an inquest upoa the body Police Intelligence, A ORFD GENTLEMAN IN Trovats —William Liscomb, acolored gentioman, residing at No. 196 North Sixth street, Williamsburg, while on a visit to the metropolis on Thureday night, became enamored of a frail dameel named Eymina Clyne, whom he met at a dgnce house in Laurens street, and was indeced by the sable beauty to visit the i No, 102 Weet Broadway, where, it is alleged, mb was robbed of bis gold watch and chain; valued at $100, by one Charley Miller and Mra, Rodney, alias Brown. Pol Fields, of the Fifth 4 on being notified of the affair, wentin search of the of fenders, and succeeded in taking Miller intocustody. The coniplaluant, in describing the modeyadopted in ys prises him of bis:repeater, said that while Mra. id a carving knife at hie throat Miller rifled bis pockets and made a clean sweep of everythin; hie possession Justice Osborne committed the acc) for examination. CarTene ov a Sremer Tuney.—A young man, named John Filiot, was caught yeaterday afternoon in the act of steal. ing tab of butter from the store No. 28 Front street ‘The prisoner had a boree and wagon in his possession, and att ted to escape throvgh Whitehall atreet, but Before he poseed the Bow ling mm he was captured by police man Hitt f the Firet preeinet, and subsequently con reve Tombs, where Justice Osborne cominitted hin to the for trial Nroro Bcxerans in Cretopy.—Two negroes, named Jo. sph Long and John 1. Blanchard, were detected in the act of entering the premises No. ‘Thareday night, by private watchman Miller, and on being bronght before Justice Kelly, at the Jefferson Market Vo lice Court, they were committed for examination. Atprnmax Craxcy ix Cover © Justice Osborne, at the lower Police Court, yester nd gave ba‘l in his own recognizance to answer the barge of libel preferred against bun by Mr. Stephen P. ae oue Of the late candidates for the vilive of Comp. trofier. Theatrical and Other Amusements. Broapway Tamatee.—The circus company will give ® Brand juvenile entertainment this afternoon. An atirac- Uve programune bas also been arranged for the evening. Nuto’s.—The Ravel corps of pantomimists, dancers and tight rope vaulters are to perform in four of their best pieces for the benetit of te French Benevolent Society. Bowsey.—Mr. Ryner's snecessful dramatization of “Rolfe, or the Red Right Hand," and Mr. Fox's amusing pantomime called “Asphode!,”’ are announced for the last Lime together Bertox’s.—Mis# Vandenhot and Mr. Swinbourne are to close their engagement bere to-night. “ Woman's Heart,” “Our Gai” and the «Miller of Whetstone” are to be played. Waiiark’s.—Myr, Wallack wil) repeat bis favorite charac- fer of Shylock in the “Merchant of Venice.” We pub. lished a lengthy criticiam respecting the revival of this play yesterday. Lavra Rien’ —The comedy of “Our Amorican Cousin” will complete the eighth week of ite very profitable run at this house to night. A good farce follows it Awnncay Mosrtm. —Large audiences have roy! anagem - bled in the afternoons and evenings to enjoy the fine pan- tomimic and comic acting of the well trained juveniles. Covoury OveRS.—The managere of the different minetrel bands never fail to tender attractions that secure full houses on Satare conecquently it is only necessary to efer to their r ve bills, Superior Court. Refore Hon. Judge Siosson ACTION AGAINST AN INSURANCE COMPANY, Dee. 10.— Word & Githert es. The Washington Incurance Company —This action was brought to recover trom the plaintiff the eum of 1,000, the amount of a policy issued by them to F. . Morrell, a grocer in Brooklyn, upon his stock of teas and merchandise contained in a building know as Poplar Hail, and used by Morrell as a store house. The policy was issued November 24, 1856; the bnilding in which the property was, with all ite contents, were burn ed on the 6th of January, 1857; several carriages were also in the butlaing, and horses belonging to Morrell, and amongst the insured property claimed to be destroyed were over thirty barreis of salt beef and pork. ‘There were two other policies on the stock of $1,000 each, both of which had been paid. The claim for the joes was agei¢ned by Mr. Morre!! to the plaintitts. The company resisted the claim on the ground that the articles alleged to have been burned, amounting to nearly $4,000, wore not on the pre. mises at the time of the fire; that aome of the boxes were empty and that no traces of the beef or pork were found after the fire, The trial lasted two days. Mr. Morrelt and his clerk were examined ax witnesses as to the pro: perty in the building. A varioty of witnesses conne sted with the Fire Departments of New York and Brooklyn were examined. Counee! for the plaintiff contended that the ciaitn was just, that the ine was not invalidated by apy act of theirs, and the jury rendered a verdict for the plaints for the full amount claimed. OUR RELATIONS WI Our Naval Strength by the Gatt—Our Avalla~ ble Force in Case of Neceasity—The British, | Spanish and Fren ‘The present staty of Gulf Squadrons. r relations with Mexico has na- turally aroused the ationtion of the public mind, and the | subject 18 earnestly discussed in commercial, politiert and Onr nava) strength in the Gulf and the ad od with that of other Powers, in a coliision with any of them, In order that the podlic may know how wo stand in this important particular, we have prepared a fall and accu rate account of the number of vessels now in the Gulf, the available, and that which could ¢-—Sloop of war Jolin Adants, at Nor Ship ot the tine New’ York, on th which is at prese be made so within si ‘The Secretary of the report referring (0 Mexico, says:— udition of Mexico and of the Centra) | and South American necessary that we she frequentiy, and at © is no other mode of a that particular part of bt Tho Hartford, ‘The Brooklyn. The The Richmond ‘The Lancaster be able to approach them extending effectual interests in that or any other ter of the globe where the existing governments lack stability, or, for other causes. cannot be relied on for the performance of international duwes. sence of a ship of war, though not of the largest class, exerts a powerful restraining influence, and will gone rally save our citizens from Che inthetion of grost injue tice. There are still olker reasons for a considerable aug mentation of cur naval force, That the public may see at a glance the eomparative paval strength of the American, English, Freneh and Spanish fleets in the Gulf and the adjacent waters we » said, prepared tho following The frequent pre Seven serew steam sloops Bide wheel steamer Total vos. ce eeee eee For the Guif and adjacent waters... In port in different parts of the Uni Five new steam sloops. have, as wo hi UNITED STATES SHIPS IN THE GULF AND ADJACENT The following are th els which are already in the Gulf and adjacent waters, and all of which may be made available at a comparatively short notice. Steam frigate Roanoke 40 guns, built at Norfolk in 1855, She was at Aspinwall November 20. The following is a list of her officers. — Flag Ofticer-—James McIntosh. Captain —William H. Gardner. Ficet Surgeop—Fab Passed Arsistant Surgeo Total, see BRITISH NAVAL ir ist, A. Lyneh; Aswistant Surgeon, First, E. Lanier; Second of the cable. Third, George Ii. Cooper; Fourth, Nam ’K. Yowell; Sixth, B. Kennon; Samuel Magaw. Captain of Marines. Watson; Lieutenant of Marines, F. H. Fontane, 4m Abner Road; Fifth, Wil Flag ‘Lieutenant, Gulf and ou the North American station — Secretary to Flog Officer—A¥iNiam Zantzinger; do. to Captain, E: St. Clarke; do. to Purser, R. W. Bit Enginvers—Chief, Elbridge Lawton; A. Shook: Second Assistants, John or; Third Assistants, CH. Levy, rst Assistants, James M. Adar W. Moore, Alexan Jon Purdy, P. Inch, Samuel Ayres. Midsopmen—A, P. Cooke, T. H. Eastman, G, M. Blodg- ett, William ©. Whiltle, W. A, Kerr, Albert Kanta, Boatewain-—Jolin McKinley penter, F, M. Ceci The sloop-of-war ¢—Screw steamer Diadem, Com. 7—Recviving ship Imaum, Com. H. Kebet §—Ship lodue, Rear Admiral sir H. Stewart, Capt. unner, John Owens; Car- mei vimaker, W. Bennett, 2 guns, launched at Gos ‘town November 17. Sloop-of-war Plymouth, ordnance ship. sists of 212 sailors and marincs. inch pivot gun and four nine-inch broadside guns, all Sho is now in the Potomac, and is to be despatched immediately to the Gulf. The fol lowing are her officers: — Captain—J. A. Dahigren. Lieutenants—Catesby Ap M. P. Jones, Trevett Abbott, B. P. Loyall. Surgeon—J 1. Chille Beggs. 9—Hteamer Oberon, Lieut. € 10—Steamer Styx, Com. C, Vesey 11—Screw steamer Tartar 12-—Sloop Terror, Capt. ¥. 18—Steamer Basilisk , Com, 14—Steamer Buzzard, Com. F, Her erew con. She carries one eleven. of the Dabigren pattern. . Jones, William N. Jeffers, 2—Frigate Bullen, 4—Frigate Cortes, Gunner—Allen. $—Serew steamer F Boatewain—Po!! Carpenter—Bad! Storeship Relief, 6 guns, built in Philadelphia in 1836. She was at Aspinwall Nov. 0. Her officers are:— Captaio—James H. Strong. Lieutenants—W. W. Low, J. Howard March aud J. 8. Passed Assistant Surgeon—B. Rush Mitchell. Captain's Clerk—Jamen 8. w Frigate Savannah, fifty guns, built in Now York in 1842. She was at Greytown November 17. The follow ing is tho list of her officers:— j4—St H—Steamer Blasco de &: 1#—Steamer Colow 17—St-amer Pizarro, 1$—Steamer Don Alvarez in 1. Worden, than H. Carter, John Irwin, Thomas Surgeon—James Hi. ©, Caldwell, 1S. Keppard, Jona- P. Pelot, MeCicllaad, Passed assistant surgeon, jamin J. Caboone. Marine officer—First Lieutenant, Andrew J. Hays. Master—John M. Stribil Midehipman—James ©. Forward officers—Boatewain ner, Moran, sailmaker, William Kogers; carpenter, George Captain's Clerk—Fred. R. Curtis; purser’s clerk, James W. Ritchie. Mater’s Mater—Frank M. Harris, Peter McAvoy, Thomas y Uhariee . Reaglon; gun Sloop-of war Saratoga, 20 guns, built in Portemouth, She sailed from Aspinwall Nov. 20, for the Gulf. The following is a list of the officers. — Commander—Thomas Turner. right, Pierce Crosby, Wim. M. Jenwe Taylor, Jr. N. IL, in 1842 Gamble, Jobn R, Hamiltor Surgeon—C. H. Wheelwright. Assisiait Surgeon—Wmn, Purser—C, J. Emery. —W. T. Baum. Purser’s Clerk—J. 8. Whij Marine Ofticer—Second Lientenant Julius E. Meiere. Micshipmen—tienry M. Blue, George B. White. tarver r Charles f. Franklin, A. Howell, Wm. newey, Edward G. Jobn Gimball, Henry L. Howison, Joho A. Kerr, Albert Kauts, Lather ©. May, Allen V. Reed George Storrs, Wi Forward Utlicere—Boatawain—Wm. Daskain. o — uter—Thos. C. Terrall. Salimaker— County contingencs aul. ; ‘The sloop-of-war St. Louis, 20 guns, is now in this port She proceeds w the Gulf imme The following officers have » nearly ready for sea, Ijeutonante—Jared P. R. Mygatt, Joshua D. Richmond Nulick, M. Patterson Jones, aad Sur, Connor Barclay. THE FIVE NEW STPAM SLOOPS-OF-WAR. Of these the following have been already lnanclet and will be ready for sea within three or four months:— The Hartford was launched at Bosto on the 224 of No vember, 1858, and will carry fourteen nine inch Dahlgren Hor length is 245 feet, breadth of beam, 44 fect, depth of bold 2114 fect, tounage: 2,660, and horse pow The Brookiyn was iatinched on the 2tth of July last, from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She is about th dimensions as the Nartford, and will carry sixt The horse power of her engi which she har two, ie 2,000, and her measurement 2 inch Dahigren guns ‘The Lancaster was launched from the Philwtelphin Navy Yard on the 20th of October Inst Jong and 46 fect broad. She will earry cighteon pine: gune and two cloven inch. Her regiater ie 2,260 tone and the Richmond, both of which will be launched during the present month, and will be ready for sea within the next six months at the farthest not differ materially in eige from those alr and the dimensions of which we have given above. HIGHT OTHER ADDITIONAL STEAMERS. In addition to thw foregoing, there are seven new steam | screw sloops of war, and one side-wheel eteame whieh the Secretary of the Navy in bis last roport saya “are tn a state of great forwardness,”* to be Iauebed during the present month, and will be Fach of the seven will carry about eighteen guns, aud the side-wheol steamer will carry Five of these are ready for sea by May next. OTHER VRESELS THAT CAN BR ORTAINED Resides the vessels which have been built and are now in course of coustruction for the navy, there are the steamers of the Collins and Vanderbilt lines, whieh, in ease of necessity, could be brought sition. The Collins steamers, it may be remembered, wore bailt so that they might be awed for war vestols contingency arising which remployment for war purposes neces. sary. The steamers of the Vanderbilt line are also capa. Die of being converted into vessels of war. the Collins steamers would carry at least tea gune, making thirty altogether, while the Vanderbilt would alee carry ten, and the Ariel and North Star five guns ca liner, composed of Bix voesole, would give ify atditional guns to the armament of our navy. epecd of the Adriatic, the Vanderbilt, the J render them doubly eificient ae war and might render Ui VRESELS IN THR NAVY YARDS IN DIPPRRENT PARTS THE UNITED SPATS. ving vessels are TH MEXICO, tt vamed, The greater part are at present iaid up) but could be made ready in a few mouths:— Gan. 1—Frigate Constitution, at Portsmouth, 8. H, oo 2—Frigate Columbia, at Norfolk... igate Congress. at Ploladel phi. oe » 1 Of war Constellation 23 S—Shiprot the-tine Franklin, at Portsmouth, im pro. eves of re-building for a tirst class screw stoat i 1oo))-of- war Levant, at boston. , folk jeate Raritan, ipaie Santee, at T ui aequebannah, at New York. i frigate San Jacinto, at New York, ni frigate Colorade, al Boston... THR FIVE NEW STBAM SLOOWS, pla, seereuies + 13g The following table gives the full armament which 18 lo the Gulf at present, and which could be brought to chat point within six months :— ted State ional stenmers Vanderbilt's STATION. ‘The number of British war vessels (n the Gulf and on the North American station js fourteen, and of these the Jargest proportion is ¢ The Valorous, which left this port some weeks since, with Sir Win, Gore Ouseley, the British Minister to Centrat America, was one of the veasels employed in the laying Her horse power is 400, hor measurement 1,250 tons, aud ber armament sixteen guns. The Leopard was engaged in the first cable expedition. wentrated in or near the Gull, ia the Yhe jollowing is a list of all the British amer Leopard, Capt amor Valorous,, Capt vop Arac .C. Aldbam,... V.O. Tngletield. mn. T. M.S. hey var, Capt. ©.), Hay... Capt. K. Dunloy Total .. THE SI The following are the Spanish vessels of war now in the Guif or in the Cuban waters:— wake Kaperatzs ON. ‘The French squadron in the Gulf is composed of one sixty gun frigate and fix steamers, each about the size of the United States war steamer Fulton, which carries dive guns. Their number of guns, therefure, if ninety. Board of Supervisors. This Roard met last evening, the President, Mr. Pardy, im the chair A Dill from Company B, Light Artillery, of the Fourtt: regiment, amounting to $167 75, for serview® rendered during the riots in July, 1857, was presented aud laid over. A statement was received from the City Chamberlain showing the amounts of payments made from hie ifice from Jan. 110 Deo. %, 1867, on account of appropriations for the support of the county government as follows — 4 x Payments. Asylum for Idiots, . S240 00 $24) 00 Common chools f) 230,30 2) o2 ° iat bs Snpplies for pai zy Arrearages of 1867 MOT 88 County Clerk. TL AstT 46 Superior Court. 5/833 92 oo OR 11 As2 96 Metropalitaa e law expenses. re 13,800 00 Negister's office... - 7907 60 Supervisors, 1867. . - TJs! oo Conrt of Common I 7,000 00 1A wD Hieetion expenees...... = 12,007 76 ‘The statement was ordered to be printed. The committer to whom was referred the bil! of Charles W. Raker, for stationery and printing furnished for the county election, amounting to $1494 64, reported that the Dill should be reduced to $058 48, which they thought was a fair and liberal price for the ar No. 2 recommended the following resolution troller be directed to draw hie warrant for the sum of $1,675 45 for supplics f which they considered amply paid for both demands. Tesoltition was carried, The Dill of the Coroners for holding post mortem exami nations, amoonting 10 $600, was laid over. The Hoard then adjourned. des furnishod; that bill { $2,208 60, should be reduced to $737, and they —That the Comys- shed for the November eh-ction, The ony Intelligence. Posrwaete® Gexenat Brows, who is now in town, is beset by partics interested {n the location of the mew city Post Office but it is anderstood that hie mind is made up, subject, of course, to the action of Congress. Should the appropriation be increased, ae it should be, be will again entertain propositions on the subject; but should no nc tion be taken the location decided upon will be announced by the close of the seesion. The Postmaster Genera) will, tis understood, be waited on today by a committee of merebante, who will again urge upon him the desirability of leaving the Post Office at ita present site, Tur Lect nss ror THe CHILURES OF Tite PeRLtc Sctoots. — Tn part payment of the rent of the hall of the Cooper In- stitute, Peter Cooper has accepted five hi of admission to the course of scientific lectures to be de. livered there during the winter. They have deen placed in the hands of William J. Haskett, and each principal is expected to call on him to receive the proportion of them to which his aehool is entitied. Tae Awenicas Gexerat Commerres met last night at No. 168 Bowery, al Bills were ordered to be paid, and the tike. Resolutions were paseed authorizing the ward councils to elect dele gates tf & new General Committee w meet on the firet Friday in Jomuary, 1860. There wae but a slim at tendance tT wURN.—Mr. Jeveph Coburn states that the bas ended in & manner jnst the reverse of that siated yesterday morning, i which Mr. Cobirn ree Fav Cartts ured tickets ‘1 finished up the business of the year. Pour Rise—Twe Maron Rerwees Kae (not Coburn) pays the instead of heunding 0% Tattersali’s, corner of Sixth ove: nt? secured by the chow, which wil) uv WednesJay vest, aut continue Fu POKCK ON THE NORTH AMERICAN 6 = SETS ite Resin stearate witness Ne i: SE LI TO see 1 Report of the S cretory of the Interior, DRPARTMENT OF THE OSNPPIOK, Deo. 2, 1858 Sm—In the administration ef che Interior Department there it no bubject of greater m iguitude or of deeper inte- rest to the people of the United : tates than that of the pob- lic lands. Our system of disposing of them is the most just and equal, and at the same tine the most conducive to their rapid settiomc nt and reclamation from a wild and mppreduc tive state, that hay ever been devised by any government which has possessed extunsive tracts of unculuvated land, Jtis a system peculiar to the United States, and is based ‘upon the gimple but just principle, that as the pablic do- main is the property of the people of all the States collec- lively, any individual desiring to appropriate to himself aby particular portion of itis allowed w do so by paying into the common treasury a moderato consideration, Large grants have bee made by Congress, from time to time, to several of the States, of portions of the public lanes lying wolkin their resp » Litnits, to be appiied 1 pubse ueck. The principle on whieh this has been justitied 8, that, as a lauded propsictor, the United States receives full remuneration for the grants in the enhanced value and more Teusiy sale of the residue of the public lands, result- ing from the exccution of the respective trusts by the se- vera) States, With but few exceptions, grants have never been mad» to morvie Ppl as a remMaerasion lor meritorious public benefit rier legislation provision Was made for passing the ttle viduels for Limited quantities of land, em- bracing Uy unprovement®, when their only claim of Was possession or settlement at or prior to certain ‘This policy, which grew our of the peculiar con- dition of Freach, Spamish and British settlements, was but temporary, applorbie to certain circumstances, and regarded as A aeasuse OF justice aud tor quieting titles rather than as a donation of lands: In Florida, however, and in the Territories of Oregon, Washington and New Mexico, novoniy was provision made for the allowance of the citims of setters who were lands, without the payment of a con- BALION {rants W. ed to persona te tus settle d periods of Such conatious, thongh inuring to médividuals, were made as a means of public defence, and were believed to be well calentated to promote the military strength of ais taut eettiements exposed to the hostile atlacks and preda- ibry visits of Indian tribes; bat, as @ measure of public policy, it has proved fallaejous, and ought net to be renewer ‘These = proffered donations have always been coupled with the condition of actual setiiement aud occupancy for & period of not less than four years; and th © and benetits accruing therefrom, though not ai by the settler, have been secured WW bis bes ih case of Lid death, On account of the length of resilonce required, aud the ether conditions imposed on claimants, the result thus fur has been, that complications have arwen tn determining titles, and in these complications aud consequent celays the tithes to the adja- cent anus have beep inv ‘The enierprise aud tondness for change which charac. terise the froutiersman, too often make Hinpatient of £0 long a Fessdence beture eajoyi tate control of ment and an iiny uy for their hands, and complete their uvos at once, vaiber than wait for years, and then obieln their patonsy Without ive pay mentofany cousideration his i man ovl- dent by Ube tact chat Congress bas bern eonetramed, fre A Senge Of justice to those who have sor cht to avail Uy selves of the benefit of the several den eon a laws for their relief, substituting payments in es of further continued residence an apt ilustration of tate of armed approved Augue vow fitait ed Hartiedd we » To sof web tere to avail themselves of the benetits of ant is shown by the issuauce of one tkousind thy handyet and tweuty-one aud Sixty acres each, Which AMONG IO Lhe arreEAte fo OAS bandred and ele! ven thousand three hundred and sixty acrer. In the year 1844 @ supplemental art wae passed, substi. Litating Cash payments for the “ andre 4 and patent hundred ond sixty acres Ou the ist or July, 1848, reliel Of those ty Whow penring with continued ‘Thee act required the justtnent of this uting to eighteen thousand five ber oct wos passed for the nits hat beeu granted, dis- ore on the speciti> tract. ett tor the ad ears that Uwe hundred and eighe ‘approved Ana patented, amc rty-ive thouvand two hen ed abd eighty acres. There still ream Ofty-seven claims suspended for various ea thournad hundred aud twenty actos —and few, any, of these will ever be carried into patent—whilst ere ara eight hundred and sixty-five claim which bave been ab- nolutely forfeited amd cancelled amounting to one hun- dred and thirty eiglt thousand fuur hundred acres. From the foreghing statement it will be perceived that ouly about one-twelltl of the whole area proposed to be graat- ed bax been eocured Oualiy to claimants, under the avts of 1842 and 1444 (and 4 smail portion of thit was paid fur); that net ene fourds has) finally sscured under the re- heving act of 184%, and thet more than two thirds has been wholly torfeitet, IT have bo Lesitaney rs, amounting to mine in expressing the 6 this character, while it ix not called for by the hema fide settler, ie unwise, un Just, unequal, and fraught with mechief. | It has embar Tacaed conmunities, and retarded rather than accelerated settlements. Under our system of pabtic sales and pre emption rights, settlements hove been tade on # secure and per. manent basis. The tide of emigration has rolled westward from the Atiantic coast, driving the indian before it, and leaving Ju ite rear flourishing States and pro*perous com. munities, tii! it hae pow reached the beart of the eo Lnent, while trom the shores of the Pectic, for several YEArP pert, tho enterprising pioucer Lae been Oa bis steaty march eastward, exploring unknown territory, and bring ing ta light the rick mine aud the prolific sod which the uatrione settler will soon jroon and improve, The system yielding there results has been the work of enlightened legislation, extending —— half acontury. It is pecwbiarh to the wants aud characteristics of our people. It les at the foundation of our rapid progress 28a nation, has developed our physics! resources, and, ia Wy opinion, nerds no material change of the Commistioner sob accompany scope and magnitude of this branch vice, with whieh une 30, 1858, there have is 9.607 008.46 acres of the ‘h 3.804.908 acres were sold for cash, yielding & snd 6,802,185 acres were located With pulitary bounty land warrants Of the quantity sel¢ for cast 817 5 acres were sold above one dollar and twenty five conte per acre, yielded $1,160,166 73; whilst Z87,807.11 acres were t graduated prices, for which the sum of $966,001 29 veived into the treasury These figures show a gremter diminstion of cash receipts from the alee of pablic lanie than was anticipated. Bout the condition of the peopie im the frmbier States and Territories was such that to bring lnnde heretofore unoffered into market during the past summer was deemed oppressive to the settlers thereon. The crops had, for the most part, failed. In sume localities sick nest, and in others fords, bad occasioned losses and dis tress, whilst the searcity of money wes everywhere pre valent and paralyzing. fut a* a longer postponement of the rales, it is believed, would be prejuticial to the wel perity of the respective communities, and as igonce has already been afforded to the set. nieteret lowda, it wotemplated to bring into open market severa! miltiour af acted during the ea id and located during the Yoar were, in the main, for setnal settlement or cultiva- ion. Un the 80th Bepte T, 1868, the quantity of surveyed lands really to be brougnt into market was 61,961,040 acres; and there were Uen sabject to sale at private entry, at all the land offices, over $0,007,000 acres, UCuder the various acts of Congress of 1847, 1860, 1852 616,708 military 31,990 acres of the in to satisfy them. Of these, 416,832 bad to the 80th of Septemper last, On 44,238,000 acres of land, leaving out-tanding 100.196 warrants, call. ing for 11,408,800 neres of tand he report of the Commissioner of the Gencral Land Office exh bits the progress now being mare in the several Surveying districts in the preparation of other and addi Uenal lands for saie, and it may be confidently expected that during the next calendar rear the rroewpts from the tales of public iands and the quantities cold and located, will be greatly increased. imated that, without some detrimental change ju our «ysvem, the income ft this source will reach at least five mnvitone of dotlare, By the acts of Congress of March 2, 1849, and Septem. her £8, 1850, thote swamp and overfiowed ‘lands ia the several States in the Union, made thereby unfit for calti vation, which remarned unsold, were granted to the States respectively, to ensble Said States to reclaim all the ewarnp and overflowed lands within Caeir limite, ‘The aggregate quantity of land selected and reported to the 30th of Reptember Inet, as inuring to the States « these grants, is 56,129 402.15 acres, of whieh there been approved and certified to said Stater, under the act of 1849, 7 270,004.28 acres, and der the act of 1860, 88,548,187.08 acres, Makipg an aggregate of 40,923,181.61 acres. Fatente have been iene pnder the act of 1850 for 6,804.11 acre: and if tw this quantity weadd the 7 379,904.25 acres embraced in certificates issued under the act of 1849, which have the same effect as a patent, we shall have an aggregate of 36,06,828.94 acres, for which a complete title bas passed to the States, ‘These munidcent grants, { wie ly applied By the re. apective States, will eoable them to reclaim and open to settlement and evitivation the most fertile Innde Lying in the vailey of the M pp’. whiet, kat they been re tained by the United States, ond lect in their natural vou- dition , Would have retarded che growth of the country for an indefinite time, being unavailable (or poduction, aad @ jeath, omg several act# were passed Making jrants 6 Ne s to the States of Jowa, Alabama, Fortin ana, Wisconein, Micbigan, pr and Wanesote, to at nstruction of npatire ern fruittnt eanse of disease « During the Thirty fourth ¢ po ——