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

en ee 4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON SENNETT, OFFicu N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. TERMS, cash én audconon. Money com by mall wilt he at the Tk DAILY HERALD, two comnts por THR W. " ine KEKLY HERALD, every Satur: a cee Py. oF ony annem, he Edition ‘naréof Great Briain, or $6 to amg part of the * Fen eiaete THE FAMILY HERALD, every Wednesday, at four conte por OE, OF BE pct sermcan. ‘onmwme te Continent, both Volume XXIII,. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, BROADWAY THRATRE. Brosdway.—Equasreustsa— Grusastics—Jooxo, tut KRArilian APB. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tigut Rors Faars— Uninise—Biaxco BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Riuagp Horruan— Kours. BURTON'S NEW THEATRE, Broadway.—Uncs Tou's Casin—Mucen or Weststosn oars THEATRE, Broadway.—Mexcusnt oF Ve- 10m A KEENR’S THEATRE, No. 6% 5 axnsicas Oovuxe Tar Bowmin Paws. —Om™ BARNUM’S AMEXICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—After- hoop and Reenipg—Tux Binta Dar—Day Ayres THE Fain— Penn 18 AN UPKOAR, ‘WOOD'S MINSTREL BUILDING, 561 and 863 Broadway— Braioriax Sones, Daxces, &c,—Soutszen Lire luvsteatap MECHANIC'S HALL, 427 Broadway.—Brvants’ MunsTees —Naceo Songs ane Boaiesqves—I Gor Tims to faker. Duanscreuisrios, Soscs, 40.—Macic Guitar. New York, Thursday, December 16, 1850. ‘The News. At the latest advices from Halifax, yesterday af- ternoon, there were no indications of the Arabia from Liverpool. Explanations said to be satisfactory to our go- vernment of the boarding of the Washington at San Juan, have been received by the British le- gation from the commander of the English squad- ron, who disclaims any attempt to exercise the right of search. Assurances have been received by the President fiom the representatives of foreign Powers that there is neither intention nor wish on the part of their respective governments to interfere with the policy of the administration in relation to Mexico or Central America. The Senate yesterday declined to take up Mr. Clingman’s resolution abrogating the Clayton-Bal- wer treaty. Mr. Cameron made a speech in oppo- sition to ad valorem duties on iron. A petition was received from one of our Broadway booksellers, urging Congress to purchase and circulate gratui- tously the Book of Mormon. Considerable business Was transacted in executive session, and all the ap- ents made during the recess, including those is, confirmed. Mr. Preston as Minister to neral Ward as Minister to China, and J. Clancy Jones as Minister to Prussia, were also con- firmed. In the House, notice of a bill to modify the tariff so as to impose specific duties wherever practicable, was given by Mr. Comings. In the Watrous case the House decided the testimony taken before the committee as insufficient to justify articles of impeachment. The steamship Philadelphia arrived at this port yesterday morning from Havana, with advices dated on the 9th inst. Two hundred and ninety- three Spanish soldiers had landed from Cadiz in the wor frigate Petronila, and another vessel with re- inforcements was expected daily. Religious festi- vals and the Maretzek Opera engaged the people fully. Consul General Helm had notified the Cap- tain General that the tax of $2,levied on each Ame- rican sailor shipped or transferred at the Island, would not be paid any longer. Sugar was very dull, with few orders, and thirty-two hou- sand boxes on hand at Havana and Matanzas Freights had not improved. Exchange on New York was at from 2j a5} premium. Some good cotton bad been grown on the island. Six tons of freight will hereafter be allowed free of duty on board each mail steamer of the United States. A serious fight occurred on board the bark Tacony, of Philadelphia, in which the cook was badly in jured. - The Board of State Canvassers met yesterday at Albany and entered upon their labors, which they will continee daily until Saturday. Some infor- mAlity is said to exist in the returns from Patnam or two towns in Westches- ' { State was authorized to send » papers relating to the Congressional and also in for all clection in the Fourth district of the First ward of this city. The special election to fill the Congressional va- eancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. John Kelly, will take place on Wednesday, January 5. The Republican Central Committee met at the nual place in Broadway last evening, the atten- dance of members being very considerable. The recommendation of the Executive Committee, to the effect that on reorganizing the committee for the coming year, that it be done by Assembly dis ‘ instead of wards, came up for cousideration. A re m from the Young Men's Association, that the proposed change was inexpedient, was, after some discussion, offered, and carried by @ large majority. The Central Committee svon after adjourned. ‘The crew of the slave ship Echo, who are to be tried at Charle April next, reached that city on Saturday. On their way from Columbia. ne of their number jumped out of a railway car and broke his leg. The third te f Signora Mario on the Ttalian Revolt J last veaing ze number in in attempting to escape tare 1848 and 1849, was dotiv of ap 1 of t adies t The form in ructer, had was _ te that y supp y the truth of evidenve ; tha dence of the Italians in their P had terminated in the most dis and that the King of Sardinia had hee» » hie people. The historical portion « Wy was very ably delineated, and, a 1 iv on the Papacy, his Hotlines most unmercifully dealt with. The lecture t s out was very interesting, and a “ 1 audience warmly applanded At the meet of the Board of Aldern evening the salary of the Chief Poe! of Vire Department was fixed 100, af port ir us debate favor of donating th Frye and Ear Infirmary was adopted. The Board of Cor 1 evening, and rece up election polls, which were 1 Various petitions of individuals ppointed Commissio of Noeds ferred, together with reports of committres. Cross, in a communication addressed to the Presi wer dent, resigned his seat asa member of the Vie resignation was not acoepted. Mr. Bickford sobmitted an ordinance empowering the Harlem Railroad Company to ase team on the Vourth ave noe from the northern extremity of the iund*p Forty-second street, for @ period of thirty years. It was laid over. The Comptrolier was requested to submit estimates of the tax levy for 1859 to the Common Connell. An ordinance amending the preseut ordinance regolating the Street Degart awebt wax considered wad referred to the Board of Aldermen. ‘The mh bed their « ‘ NEW YORK HAEKALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1858. ‘ emigrants arrived to the &th of December to be ‘75,989, and since, to the 15th, 598. The emigration to the same date in 1867 was 182,802. The amount \ in bank is $215,089 89, and the balance of commu- tation fund $13,506 30. An audience of about four hundred persons as- sembled at the Cooper Institute last evening to hear @ lecture on “The Air we Breathe,” by Charles W. Foster, of the Medical College. Some very fine experiments were exhibited to the au- dience, and the lecturer forcibly contended that pure air was one of the prime necessities of human exietence in health and comfort; and, as this was the case, no effort should be spared to secure it. Maltby G. Lane, the juror in the Cancemi trial who had been charged with improper conduct in relation to the prisoner, was yesterday honorably exculpated, the geutleman who made the charge having stated to the Court that he had been misled by & supposed similarity of names. The boy Stapleton, in the Water street arson case, it seems, has made a full confession of the af- air to Fire Marshal Baker. We publish it elsewhere. t isa very remarkable statement, and, if true, the plan adopted goes far to accountTor many of the fires in this metropolis. The Fire Marshal yester- day caused the arrest of Michael Lynch, alleged 0 be concerned with Stapleton and Leahy. The preliminary examination of Wood, Eddy & Co., charged with being extensively engaged in he lottery policy business, was commenced yes- erday before Judge Russell at his office. Wm. R. Allen, the complainant, Israel Foote, Wm. Clark and Wm, R. Wilson, were examined for the prose- cution, and the investigation will be resumed this morning at ten o'clock. In the General Sessions yesterday, John Con- nors was convicted of burglary in the third degree, and sentenced to imprisonment in the State prison for three years and six months. John Anderson, indicted for a similar offence, pleaded guilty to petit larceny, and was sent to Blackwell's Island for six months. Henry Linn was tried for stab- bing Hugh Kelly, on the 29th of September, and convicted of an assault and battery. Joseph Smith was convicted of an assault with a danger- ous weapon upon Edward Uhlig, intent to do him bodily harm. John Tagen pigg@ed guilty to an assault on John Farley. George A Stewart was convicted of an attempt to commit burglary in the third degree, and George Williams pleaded guilty to an attempt to commit the second grade of that offence. All the above prisoners were remanded for sentence. Peter Dawson, a well known character in this city and Brooklyn, was yesterday convicted in the Kings County Court of Sessions of an assault and battery, with intent to kil. The Fort Smith Times reports Lieut. Beale’s party all well on the 15th of November, encamped on the Canadian river, near Choutean’s old trading post. Commercial advices from Australia, dated at Sydney on the 20th and at Melbourne on the 25th of September,state that at the former place, in gro- ceries, the market was relieved by the prospect of demand for Port Curtis, where a large population was gathering. Flour inactive—£15 15s. a £17. Flour was in good demand at Melbourne. The new line of telegraph between Portland and Boston was closed yesterday by injunction. The demand for beef cattle yesterday was pretty active, with @ somewhat limited supply. A few cattle were disposed of at last week's prices, but the major part of those of first quality were dis- posed of at 10a 10} cents. The offerings general- ly were of an improved description. The supply of cows and calves waa limited and the demand fair, although prices underwent no change. The short supply of veal calves caused a slight ad- vance in price and created an active demand, as was flao the case with regard to sheep and lambs. Swine were plenty, the quality good, and for the best offerings a good demand. Ordinary descrip- tions were in less request. The sales of cotion yeeterday footed up between 2,000 and 8,000 baler, closing with steadiness on the basis of 126. for middling uplands. Flour was generally firm for nearly all descriptions of brands, while the sales were moderate, and chiefly made to the local and Rastern trade. Wheat was firmly held, while sales were limitet, in cluding Southern white at $1 40, and red do, at $1 22, with some unsound Chicago at 70¢. Corn was beavy, and sales light at 760, « 770. for Western mixed, and new white Southern at 73c. a T6c., and yellow do. at 76c. a TIc. Pork was beavy and prices unsettled. The sales em braced old meas, on the spot, at $17 50; new do. at $17 75, cash on the day, and $13 75 for prime, check on the day and 600 bbls. mess sold, deliverable in February ana March, at $17 75. The inclemency of the weather had a tendency to check operations in sugars. The market, however, was firm, while the sales wore confined to about 300 bhds. Cuba muscovados and 100 boxes at rates given im another column. Coffee was quiet, while priow were steady. Freight engagements were moderate, while rates were steady. To Liverpool, 1,500 bales of cotton wore engaged o private terms. Presidential Movements at Washington and Among the People. The Presidential aspirants, intriguers pipe- layers, scene shifters, cliques and coteries at Washington, in various shapes and forms, are at their old work of plotting and counter-plotting, mining and counter-mining, for the next Presi- dency. Among the’ Virginia democracy, also, movements, principles and issues have been broached, with reference to the succession, in di- rect hostility to the administration by one clique, and in the shape of open war against Doug- las by the other. And so, throughout the country, here and there, the organs of the democracy, the republicans amd the rump of the American par- | ty, are taking their soundings upon men and mea- sures, sections and factions, in order to ascertain the channel to the White House in 1860, In this connection. upon his faith in the old maxim that “the early bird catches the worm,” Mr. Nathan 1 has been calling together a little private ntion of Know Nothing managers at Wash- ington, to see what can be done for Mr. Critten- den or Mr. Joho Bell, upon the basis of a recon- struction of the opposition factions, with their | principal front looking South. + | In the meantime, adhering to General | Scott ae embodying the true man and the true platform for the opposition In 1860, attention has been attracted to an interesting | and euggestive Scott reminiscence, which we | find in the ‘editorial columns of the New Yor« Hrnatn of Nov. 19, 1839, or nearly twenty years ago, and which, for the edification of our readers, we reproduce in our colamna to-day. The sub | ject is « popular Presidential meeting at Roches- ter in behalf of General Scott; and from this point | let ue briefly show how that venerable patriot | has heen tricked and cheated by the sourvy poli- | ticians, from time to time, down to the present ay | In 1839 there was nothing of the glory of the } Mexican war identified with the name of General Scott, His national character and popularity, at that day, rested chiefly pon his brilliant ser- vices itt ghe war of 1812, and hie services, as the guardian of the public pesoe, along our Northern border during the Canadian insurrectionary dietarbancee of 1857, A large body of the people, however, at that day, had discovered in General Scott the elements of o popular candi- date and the qualifications requisite to » good edministration of the civil affairs of the country; and hence this enthusiastic i cting at Rochertor. The boll thus actively eet in motion wert if ngth and volw 1to”* our rt at Harrisburg, of 1840, There, héWevé?, he was overreached by the whig pollticiatts, and General Harrison was nomfwated aud elected. ‘The triumph (hus achieved stands as oue of the most extraordinary events in the history of thia or any other country; but its promising crop of fruit turned to ashes in the ripening. Within a month from his inauguration, General Harrison was worried to death by the hungry dogs of office seekers that followed him to Washington; and from that point began the active demorali- gation and inevitable dissolution of the old whig y: In 1844 the whig politicians at Baltimore, by acclamation, proclaimed the nomination of Menry Clay; and but for av unfortunate Texas letter or two, intended to operate in Alabama, he would have doubtless secured that little anti- slavery balance of power in New York which decided the election against him. The result was, however, the return of the whig party, iu 1848, to the “military chieftain policy” of 1810. But here, again, General Soott was overslaughed by tho politicians, on account of that Marcy cor- reapondence, and because of their belief in the more taking claims and name of “Old Rough and Ready.”’ The popular sentiment had been run- ning in that direction, and the “Slaughter House Convention” at Philadelphia were resolved, this time, to strike while the iron was hot. General Taylor was elected; but the same fatality followed in this case which followed the election of 1840; for, within five months from his official entrance into the White House, poor “Old Zack” was carried out of & 60 the grave. This calamity was followed by the second chapter in the “ decline and fall” of the great whig party. Mr. Vice President Fillmore, thus promoted to the Presidency, led off in a different tack from that indicated by General Taylor, and such, in consequence, were the discords in the camp, ex- cited by Mr. Seward and his followers, that neither Fillmore nor Webster could touch bottom at the Baltimore Convention of 1852; and so a sort of compromise was adopted in the nomination of Gen Scott. But the Fillmore managers were sorely disappointed, Webster and his friends were soured to the point of active rebellion, and, though Seward and his faction supported the nominee, they did “ spit upon his platform,” and they “execrated it.’ And thus, full of personal jealousies and enmities, and wrangling factions and cliques, the old whig party went down, with all on board, in the gulf of oblivion. She went down, like the Royal George at her dock, simply by losing her balance, and careening over on her side. It was not Gen. Scott that defeated the whig party in 1852—it was the sinking whig party that carried down Gen. Scott. In 1856, with that unconquerable distrust of a beaten horse which bas governed our managing party politicians since the defeat of Van Buren in 140, of Clay in 44, and Cassin ’48, it was held that the defeat of Scott in 1852 had rendered him utterly out of the question for another race. The new name of Fremont was started—it pleased the people; ond their corresponding movements in his behalf compelled the Republican Conven- tion at Philadelphia to adopt him. But here, again, the disappointments and cross purposes of the Fillmore and Seward factions resulted in the success of the democracy, and this, too, with an opposition popular majority throughout the Union of nearly four hundred thousand. It was only #0 much good ammunition thrown away. Now, what are the chanees for 1860? Mr. Buchanan will not be a candidate. The demo- cratic party in the North has been almost anni- bilated by Douglas and his fellow conspirators; and the democracy of the South, upon free trade, the slave trade, filibustering and what not, are in a very deplorable condition. A cordial fusion of the opposition forces in 1860, from all the signs of the times, will be as decisive against these factions and fug ends of the democratic party, North and South, as was the election of 1840—quite as decisive in the popular vote, and much more decisive in its practical results. But where is the man upon whom the opposition can thus cordially be consolidated? It is not Seward, nor Banks, nor Chase, nor Crittenden, nor Bell, nor even Fremont. But it is the man who has been go often tricked and cheated by party con- ventions and party traitors. It is General Scott; and his baif a century of public services is his impregnable platform, North, South, Kast and West. In 1839 the first popular demonstration in his bebalf came off at Rochester. Are not some of the men concerned in that meeting still there, and etill attached to the name and fume of the old patriot? If eo, let them pick the flint and try it again. The field is open and the coast is clear. ‘The New York Herald and the Government of the United States. Some very remarkable and astounding de- velopements as to the manner in which the go- vernment of this country is carried on have ap- peared lately in minor and obscure prints, with which the metropolis and the rural districts abound. According to the often repeated asseve- rations of the journalists of the Tom Thumb order, it really appears that the constitution has been subverted—that the government of the country, instead of being vested in the President, his Cabinet Ministers and the two houses of Con- gress, and located at Washington, has been trans- ferred to a newspaper establishment of some ce- lebrity, situated at New York, and known as the Herat office. The world is informed by these journalistic petit-maiires that Mr. is inade no longer a ruler in the re over all his powers to ended rnifi- cent, all powerful newspaper—the New York Jivnsty—with its four or five hundred editors, reporters, correspondents, printers, clerks, news- boys, and so on, and its immense isene of nearly one hundred thousand shects per diem. This is a novel and remarkable phase in the history of journalism, and we opine that it will he likely to astonish the statesmen and politicians of the Old World. The. power of the press is unanimously acknowledged. Napoleon said it was more to be feared than bayonets in large numbers. But he never replaced the bayonets with the compositor’s shooting stick. That vie tory of peace has, according to the small fry editors, been reserved for Mr. Buchanan to ac complish. It is a wonderful revolution—the most extraordinary circumstance of an age fraitful in miracles, The vast and overshadowing influence of this single journal, as admitted on all hands, is « potential as to neutralize altogether the thousands of other newspapers, big and little, with their isenes of from fifty copies upwards. ‘Well, we suppose we must wear the honors which are so unanimously showered upon ue. We don’t really know how to express our thanks for euch a tiettorine recognition ofour ef: forts ‘nthe ranke of jonrnaliem; coming, too, froin quarters where itmight he lenat expested, the or Ww | | efbilitios with that degree of modesty whiz the ] businces is completed. So thls ms,” be called eense of unlimited power always creates, aad to | set all the little fellows of the little journals 4 | wholccome example, One word, bowever, at parting. We take the rile of a Mendor for once, and advise all these Tom Thumbs not to be so foolish as to attempt to conncet the Président with our business affairs, We can manage them pretty well, ater our own fashion; and though it is possible that if its ser- vices were required, the New York Heratp could govern the country properly, yet the President never could manage the Hera. office, He and all others without its walls are entirely ignorant of the secret system of management of 4 great daily newspaper—the first in the country, as all the Tom Thumbs admit—which are as silent and mysterions as the operations of nature hertelf, and as swiftly potent av the influence of electricity. The President does not meddle with matiers in which he bas no business. Is it too much to hope for a similar degree of prudence on the part of Tom Thumb? A Novel Mission to Engiand.—New Moves. in Mexican Affairs. An English gentleman who has been many years residing in Mexico, and who recently made his appearance in Washington and had several interviews with the President, left Boston yester- day, on board the steamship Europa, for the pur” pore of laying the true state of Mexico before the British Cabinet, and endeavoring to induce it to concert with our own government some line of policy by which the influence of the United States can be extended over that unfortunate re- public. Mr. T. HJ Worrall, the person referred to, is connected in business relations with some of the most wealthy houses in Mexico, and there is lite doubt but that in this uovel mission he has the sanction and support of a large number of the most reepectable citizens of that republic, as well as of all the British and other foreign rest- dents there. The disorganized state of the country—the precarious tenor of life and property for both natives and foreigners—the deep distrust in all the political parties and partizan leaders, that has taken possession of the Mexican people—the suspension of trade and suppresston of industry, and @ widespread want of confidence in the social and political future of the republic, have led to this movement, of which Mr. Worrall is the active representative. The foreign resi- dents of Mexico, who are nearly all Europeans, see that a European intervention in Mexican af- fairs would only embitter and prolong the pre- sent strife. The impulse which Mexico obeys is an impulse towards republican representative government and toleration in all things. Aoy attempt to establish another order of political and social rule would come in direct conflict with the spirit of the age, in Mexico and out of it. This impulse wanis both guidance and coatrol, and nowhere can one be found more powerful, or that would be more readily accepted by the Mexican people, than in the American govern- ment. These are the views which we have rea- son to believe Mr. Worrall will endeavor to im- prees upon Lord Derby, or whoever else may be in power In England. While these movements are taking place here, it will be seen, by the news which we publish in another column, that the foreign fleets are gath- ering before Vera Cruz, and that in the domestic strife signs of coming change are beginning to appear. The forces of Gen. Echeagaray are said to be preparing to attack that stronghold of the liberals, which has hitherto been protected from siege by the dangers ot its climate. In the Western States Gen. Degollado and other constitutional eaders are preparing for operations against Marquez and Miramon, while in the North the scattered forces of Vidaurri are being gathered for a new campaign against San Luis Potosi. In the city of Mexico the friends of General Robles are endeavoring to bring him forward as a compromise between the constitutionalists and the Church party; and should the forces of Zuloaga suffer any great reverse we should not be surprised to see him resign his power to Gengral Robles, and an effort made to reconsti- tute a mederado government. But whatever changes may take place, they can only be ephemeral in their character, and will convey no peace to Mexico. Whichever party triumphs now will find itself under the constant necessity of undertaking operations against bands of guerilla insurgents, that will consume its scanty revenues and prevent any permanent organization of the government. The finances of Mexico must be reorganized before a government can succeed there, and these can be placed upon a stable footing only throagh some guarantee from the United States. Whether this guarantee shall be only a moral one, or whether it take the material form of a protectorate, has yet to be decided. But our government should not clese its eyes to the fact that it, and it alone, can give peace to our sister republic. Tur Haskin Ixvicrment.—The Haskin ‘in- dictment case has been removed, by an order of the Supreme Court, from Westchester’ county to this city, for trial. A considerable effort was made by Haskin and his counsel to prevent its removal from Westchester county, but the Judge of the Supreme Court before whom the motion was argued considered the case imperative. The order was accordingly issued. We understand that itis the inteution on the part of the de- fendant to bring on the trial as soon as possible; a trial which will be a sort of investigation into the conduct of a committee of investigation at Washington- being no other than the famous Willett’s Point Committee. The original state- ment on which the indictment was found was contained in a telegraphic despatch from Washington, personally unknown to the editor of this paper, and, therefore, its publication was entirely destitute of malice or unkindly feeling towards Has This despatch made somo state- ments in reference to the conduct of some mem hers of the committee, intimating, we believe, that some dates and portions of the evidence were altered during the passage of the report through the Congress printing office. will, therefore, bring all the member mittee and many of the witnesss—including Haskin himself—before the people of this city; so that it will Le, as it were, a re-investigation of the Willett’s Point investigation. We wader. +tand from some members of the committee that all the material allegations in the telegraphic despatch will be sustained by the evidence of the committee itself, and by the report. The indictments which Haskin has been getting up against a number of journals ia West- chester county have, we are informed, created quite an excitement in that region. They are all the taik of the politiclans of Westchester and Putnam, We further learn that efforts will be | made by the next Grand Juries to have Haskin and his fitonds indicted on « the namber of some t the era of indictments and countet tadte. tO xtmong the politicians of Weetohester and Pu” nem counties, The Heraip has been unneces- sartly Inpyred into this business by the mean m+ lico and siatsfer influence of Greeley and bis confederates—the Saine parties who evcouraged ard promoted, aided and abetted , the libel suits of Fry for an independent criticism on his ma- nagement of the Opera a few years ago, There is not a meaner sneak in politics or journalism than Greeley, or some of his associates, as will turn out in the end. As to Havkia himself, we never knew him, nor cared about bim, nor thought it worth while to say anything, good, bad or indifferent, about him. Tux Moonr Vernon Funp—NarionaL Cxun- BRATIONS.—The festival in aid of this patriotic fund commences on Saturday next, and from the array of distinguished names published as its it promises to be one of the most bril- -iant and memorable affairs of the kind that has ever taken place in this country. Itis hardly necessary for us to recapitulate the circumstances which led to the formation of the Mount Veraon Association. It is sufficient to state that it is composed of the most distinguished ladies of New York and other cities of the Union, who have putriotically enrolled themselves into a society for the purpose of raising a fund for the purchase of the home and tomb of Washington. This—our only great national shrine—they seck to place beyond the chances of desecration, by securing it in fee to those who have the strongest interest in such a memorial. ; As it is impossible for Congress to establish a precedent so likely to lead to abuse by the appropristion of money for such a purpose, these ladies have patriotically taken upon themselves this labor of love. No body of men could have worked more energetical- ly, or have exhibited greater fertility of resources than they have done. Means which the other sex would perhaps have overlooked have been turned to account by them with a success which can only be attributed to their personal influence and their earnestness of purpose. Amongst the numerous expedients hit upon were the calling into requisition, as a lecturer, of Mr. Everett, one of the most distinguished orators of the day; the eccentric but happy notion of employing the | pen of the same gifted writer in the pages of that popular weckly, the New York Ledger; and lastly, this mammoth festival, the precursor of a number of similar fees which it is proposed to give all over the country. As national anniversaries may be said to con- stitute the landmarks in the history of a people, it is to be regretted that hitherto so little re- vereuce should have been paid to the memory of the events and epochs which have signalized the growth of our independence. All other coun- tries have their jours de féte, commemorating some passage in their national history, which it affords gratification to the popular mind to look back to. With the exception of the Fourth ofJuly, we may be said to be utterly destitute in this re- spect, although our annals are rich enough in memories and traditions to furnish as full a calendar of celebrations as that of any people— even the most catholic. It is gratifying to find that the indifference hitherlo manifested on this point has been warmed into enthusiasm by the appeal made to our sentiments of national pride by the Mount Vernon Association. All classes, with a single exception, have eagerly rushed forward to partici- pate in this tribute to the memory of the great man who was the principal instrament of our independence. All the most distinguished and estimable of our citizens, the leading members of the bar, the officers of the army and navy resident amongst us, the presidents of the banks, and our wealthiest merchants, have zealously concurred in this movement, and will by their money and presence contribute to render it one of the most imposing and sucecss- ful on record. The only exception to this univer- sality of sentiment is that of the clergy. They have given no sign which can be construed into an evidence of approval. Had the object of the festival been a nigger sympathising demonstra- tion, we should to a certainty have heard all the pulpits in the city ringing with the voice of help and encouragement. It is only the tocsin of abolitionism or the alarm of invaded clerical privileges which can succeed in waking up the energies of the priesthood. They have no patriotiem, and the memory of a statesman is with them only to be cherished when allied with his services to the church. This Festival will, we trust, inangarate a new order of ideas amongst us, and add something to the reverence of great names, in which, up to the present time, we have heen far too deficient. As it is intended to extend this great national and patriotic experiment to all parts of the country, it is to be hoped that the gratification and enjoy- ment that will be derived from it will lead to its perpetuation on Washington’s birth day, and its imitation on the occasion of other anniversaries. On the refining and elevating influences of such gatherings it is not necessary for us to enlarge. They exhilarate the spirits, promote social inter- course between the different classes, encourage art, and teach men that for patriotism there are more cheering rewards than the cold isolation of the tomb. More Fracos mw ome Crry Tenasery Ovrrous Coxpuct or Some or tus Counow Counen.We publish in another column a report of the Joint Committee of Accounts, which was prepared about a month ago for pre- sentation to the Common Council, but which a majority of the committee, it is alleged, refused to sign or to present. One of the minority, therefore, has enabled us to lay it before our readers. Like all the previous documents which have issued from this committee, it presents « startling array of defaleations and deficiencies og the part of Corporation officials. In one case a Collector of Assessments is shown to be deficient in his returns to the treasury to the amount of $44,758 69; and another, holding the same office subsequently, to be deficient to the tune of $147,183 79. A general view of the manage- ment of the Finance Department exhibits that important branch of the city government in a condition which will give our new Comptroller some Herculean labor to perform before that filthy stable is thoroughly cleansed-—«a labor which we never expect to see him complete. The portion of the committee who endeay to keep back this exposé of official corruption know best themselves the motives which in- stigated them to that coarse, but it is due to the public that they should make eome explanation. ‘The Steamer Wsuineton.—According to the advortics- ment, the Washington ts to leave thi port next Monday for Nicaragua, and will conne:! wt the Hermany, whieh runs on the Pacific tide & the route. The passengers who were bronght be er ane hiandredt alte gether, wit fa) aerate wt th Teme and who ny THE LATEST NEWS. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. tory Mxplanation of the San Jaan atte _Ganfiveautinn of Aippelneneente.« The Chins oy Jopan PreatiesVrean Dall Bervioe, de., Kee 1 com BEEOLAL DESPATON, Wasinnoton, Dec. 16, 1868, Deapatcbos lieve x'eea reosived at the British Legation from the commander Jf the English equadroa at Nicare- gua, explanatory of boara'NS Be Washington, It is un deretood they are sutiofestm,Y % Our government, It is stated they bad no idea of geam. "IDE Our vessels, The republicans of Congress wa!4 Support the Prosi- dent to almost auy extent in bolf Measures against fo- reign interference with our veasels or ict American affairs, but they fear it would strengthen the adiultistration apd the democratic party in the next Presidenfal campaign. Such patriotic calculations are generat. The edministra- tion would find sufficient support, nowever, shovid there be necessity for a hostile attitude. The President will com- municate immediately to Cougreas papers relating to the affairs of the Washington. Tho administration has received assurances from foreiga Ministers that there is no purpose or wish to be in conflict with the United States witb regard to the questions of Cen- tral America and Mexico. How far these assurances cam be relied upon, or how far they have been made through the bold American policy of the President’s message, re- mains to be seca. Atone o'clock the Senate went iato executive session ‘and took up the appointment of Glancey Jones and Me, Preston for confirmatios After considerable debate Jones was confirmed by a strict party majority, the re- Publicane ali voting against bim. Mr. Preston, as Miaie- ter to Spain, was then confirmed. Ail the Iliinois appoin- ‘ments were confirmed without a dissenting vote. The China and Japan treaties, aftor some debate, were taken up and confirmed. Mr. Bradley will proceed at once via Europe with these treaties. General Houston will make a speech in a few days {a favor of a Mexican protectorate, and with regard also te ‘the next Presidency. ‘ ‘The unanimous vote of the Senate confirming the [lu- nois appointments is regarded as distressingly signidcams to Douglas, showing that he bas no sympathizers ia any Party. A bill from the Senate to repeal the fishery bounties, and referred to the Committee on Commerce of the House, is enlisting the interest of members. The committee stand on the question politically, democrats for and re- publicans against it. It wili probably be reported back by the House Committee, with a recommendation that it pass. There will be a severe contest, and the re sult is difficult to predict. Mr. English, Chairman of the House Post Office Commit- tee, is conferring with the Postmaster Genoral in regard to some general system of ocean mail service. A bill to that end will shortly be laid before Congreas. The House Committee on Territories had another meet- ing this morning. The Oregon bill was discussed at leagth, but no vote taken. Itis doubtful if the committee will allow it to be reported. The republicans and Americans will vote against it at every point. They are oppossd te admitting any more States until after 1860. ‘The New York cauldron is boiling. To-morrow will be chronicled arrivals from that city of leading politicians, and the work will begin. Two organizations of the demo- cratic party will not be tolerated. The party expect of the administration that it will save the only democratia city of the North from faction and republicanism, and the administration is determined to do it. Tammany and anti Tammany are now to learn what to do and how to de it, to ground their arms and form one organization. ‘The frigate Niagara has beon ordered w be ready for service and a cruise as soon as possible. It will require two months, probably, to put her in condition asa war vessel. ‘THN GRNKRAL NEWSPAPER DRSPATCH. Wastiwotom, Dec. 15, 1858. There is now mach less apprehension of trouble with Great Britain than was anticipated when the intelligeace was Brat received respecting the recent events in Central America. The rumors that the President intended send. ing Congress a war message are not well founded. The Administration has still under consideration this important subject, and its most prominent friends say its action will be such as will meet the reasonable expectations of the country. & ‘The correspondence called for by the resolution of the Committee on Foreign Affairs was sent to the House to. day, and will be presented to-morrow, until which time it will not be secessible. It is known, however, from despatches of Commodore Mcintosh, that after the steamer Washington was boarded by the British offllcers, he demanded explanations, when Captain Aldbam dis- claimed any intention to exercise the right of search, toying be bad merely boarded the Washington to got the news, in other words, he had merely made the usual friend!) visit, the same as our own officers make to British veaseis. Sir William Gore Ouseley and his Secretary bave ex- plained the matter pretty mach ia the same way. ‘The prominent fact occurs in the correspondence that Great Britain exercises a protectorate over the Musquito kingdom, Mr. Ouseley's Secretary said the British bad abandoned the right of search, and that therefore the visit was not made under it. It @ further etated that a meeting was held at Grey- town, when the inbabitants resolved that they would maintain their independence, and applied to Mr. Ouseiey to astist them in so doing. Mr. Ouseley informed them that the proposition should receive due consideration ia the proper quarter, and justice be done aii parties. Commodore McIntosh thinks the explanation of the Bri- tish in respect to Uke visit of the Washington satisfactory, frank and fair ‘The Fleet Surgeon reporte the health of Commodore Melnteeh such that he should no longer remain i com- mond of the bothe squadron. It is said that Hon. James B. Clay, of Kentucky, hae ‘written a letter dechiaing to be a candidate for re-election Son Jetersoa Davie takea the place of Me Clingman ta Lhe Senate's Committee on Printing, THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION. Senate. Wasurvotos, Dec. 16, 1858. MEMORIAL. Various memorials of little importance were presented, with the exception of ons from the Convention of Irom Masters, who met in Philadelphia, on Decomber 20, 1849. On this memorial Mr. Cammmos addreseod the Senate, showing from the tables of the Secretary of the Treasury that ad valorem ‘duty on iron ts alike opposed to the inte- reats of the government and the consumers of foreign iron and steel. He demonstrated his position from claborate tatistics that the manofacture of iron gives an impetus to agricultaral and commercial interests. The manufac- tore of a thousand tons of pig iron seventy mea, of with families, three huncred and y persons, carn- ing anneally $21,000. Tho present manufacture of million tons represents immonge varied agricultural, com- mercial and financial interests. He quoted from certif- cates (rom lhiladeiphia and Boston machinists, showing that « low price of foreign iron was not advan oy their business, which is better when all the branches of industry are active. The prices of Britieh iron fluctuate grvatiy, and pig jroo from Glasgow bas fluctuated from thirty throe dollars to ten and a half per ton, and bar from fixty ome and a half to twenty-five gotlars. How, then, can we justify a system of dutics on [ron when it is linble to such finctiation and uncertainty? Besides, ad valorem duties induce the import of inferior iron, cauring railroad accidents, and with 16 to 20 per centam of wear, while with good American it wae only one per cent. Mr. Cameron, fees ho remedy but a specific duty. An ad valorem duty of 90 per centum on the New York market for the past five yeare gives $906. Tron masters will be content with a epecitic duty of $9 per ton on pig tron and $18 per ton on bar. Among the petitions was one from Mr. Wright, book. feller, in Broadway, New Vork, asking Congress to pur. chase and cirenlave, gratrittously, @ large edition of the Book ou Mormon. a to 2 nays. THE CLATTON-RULWARR TREATY ‘The Senate then declined to call up Mr. Clayton. Bulwer resolution by « voto of 24 ayes THR PACTIIC RAITROAD, Hause of Representatives. Wasnuneros. Dec. if, 1958. WODIICATROT OF THR TARR Mr. Comes, (Opp.) Of Mate, gave notice of his intention to introdnee « bili to modify the tariff law, aod impose apecific duties on fron and other articles © which that principle can be applied Mr. Bown, (aim.) of Md., introduced a joint resolation, with @ view to Obtain « modification or redurtion of the duty on American tobacee by foreign poveriic! | hich wan re fyrred to the Committee on AgrionNure 1 WTPOOS DEPP AcHeRNt, The copette ration of the Watrow teh ’ LS * tis Wag th vent caw was dest Wane