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

WHOLE NO. 8150. OUR GOLD MINES. Whe Gold Crop of the United States for Twen- ty Years. EX HUNDRED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF @OLD PRODUCED, AND MORE MINES READY—STA- THTICS OF THE CALIFORNIA, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, KANSAS, OREGON, WASHINGTON, ARIZONA AND GILA RIVER MINES— FROSABLE COURSK OF THE SPRING EMIGRATION. ‘We published yesterday soveral interesting letters from ‘Kapsas, Nebraska and Fraser river, relative to new gold fields. Their contents are suggestive of future fabulous wealth for the United States, With the old mines of Georgia, Virginia, Tennesace, Alabama, North Carolina and California, and the recent additions of Arizona, Pike’s » Peak, Oregon and Washington, this country is likely to ‘become the El Dorado of the world. ‘The gold product of the world has been estimated at $200,000,000 annually—allowing $100,000,000 to Austra * Ma, $65,000,000 to California, $20,000,000 to Russia, and $15,000,000 to other sources. Perhaps this is somewha high, but undoubtedly the whole amount is much less ‘than would generally be supposed, But it cannot be @oubted that the vast mining districts in this country ‘weat of the Rio Grande are yet to be developed, and it may safely be predicted that ere long the gold product of ‘this country will tend materially to swell the estitnate. In order to got as near as possible at the actual supply of gold from the mines of the United States exclusively, the subjoined articles on the several gold-bearing felds have beun prepared. ‘The results of the statistics for the last twenty years, @ompiled in these articles, are as follows, in round munebers:— ‘Potal gold product of California... $520,000,000 oo“ North Caroli 12/000,000 “ « Georgia ...... 500 54 Kansas, “ * Oregon and Washington. (260,000 @old product of Virginia, South Gurol nessee, Alabama abd otier sources... 60,000,000 ‘This is probably a fair estimate of the actual product, so fas as any statistics can be obtained from the Mint reports, shipments and other sources. But if the reports concern- tmg Pike's Peak, Cherry creek, and the Gila river, prove ‘true, we shal! have our present product doubled. Since the close of 1848 the new gold mines have presented themre)yves seriatim—California, Arizona, Fraser river, Pike's Peak, Cherry creek, and the Gila river reports have followed one another in quick succession, until we bid fair, among other evidences of our greatness, to be the great gold producing country of the world. At any rate, such of our readers as do not agree with the argument, as well as those who do agree with it, will be imterested in the eencise record which we present to-day. THE CALIFORNIA GOLD PRODUCT. The popular idea of the mineral wealth of California is s@ enlarged that to say a man has just arrived from that ‘State is to excite the belief that he has his pockets full of gold. Nor is this general idea at fault, for the resources f that State in mineral wealth are but being developed, and afford as regular and certain an income as the wheat fields of the West or the cotton crop of the South. True, ‘the time has gone by for the scooping up of the precious metal by handfuls and the acquisition of fortunes by the picking up of huge nuggets; bat the mines are there to yield up their treasure to industry, and by the progress inthe art of smelting and refining large fortunes have been made in sifting and separating gold from ore which thas once passed through the hands of the gold seeker. ‘The great gold diggings are on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and in Klamath and Shasta counties, while other portions of the State have contri: buted their quota. The first discoveries of gold were undoubtedly but the washings from the vast bulk of auriferous quartz in the State, which serve to keep up the gold product of the State. The gold region embraces a space on the line of the Sierra Nevada between five hundred miles long and fifty broad, The rivers whose copions streams flow from the springs of the Sierra Nevada were found to contain in their bars and shoals collections of the precious sand, the amount vary — grated from quartz, or in dust, according to the action of the atmosphere or water. ‘The first discovery was made in June, 1848, and in the ton years since that time a new State is formed from the su mulus of emigration taking a leading position im the Union as the pioneer of our Pacific empire, and now demands from @ the construction of a railroad across the continent to moet the requirements of her people and their trade. Al! this is the legitimate power of « nucleus of wealth; and the purpose of showing the extent of this power, if no- thing else, would warrant a careful examination of al! the facts and figures which can be brought to bear upon the It ig by no means easy to arrive at a correct estimate af the actual gold product of California since the first disco- very. In the crude condition of government during the Grst rush and largest gains, without a mint or proper cus- tom house regulations, and from the natural course of ‘things no reliable statiatigs could be kept. Much gold was exported and much carried away which never reached the mints. It has, however, been estimated that from the time of the discovery np to 1854—the date of our first re- turns from the branch mint at San Francisco—the total prodvetion and distribution in al) quarters was $205,245, 938—a rate of production considerably below the present estimated average. The gold depowits of the branch tant atfSan Franciaco, according to the official reporte, has been as follows, since 1854. — California gold deposits of — a ies xtimated. | 92,000,000 00 DM. rseeees oveeeisnsies «82,009,166 04 Add to this the estimated deposits last year (rom semi Official sources, of $34,500,000, and we have the follow ing: Reported deposits, 1865-67 . «$82,000,656 04 Hetumated deposits, 1898 34,500,000 00 Total deposits of Californian gold at San Francisco Branch Mint since 1854 $116,560 656 08 Addl this again to the reports of California gold coined At other mints, and we have this resalt— . ‘ab » Georgia... ‘ Total deposits at other offices $200,832,977 18 Add deposits at California Mint 116,560,656 04 ‘Total deposit of California gold at United States Mint «ince 1854 $416 402,059 22 Average deposits per year $41,640,265 Sa Thus, with no record but that of the sums deposited in the Mint for coinage, we have the round sum of forty-one millions per year, But, aside from this we have to consider the vast sums which have been shipped to other countries in dust, and the large amounts expended in jewelry and souvenirs of the State, as well as the refining of private aes#y offices, and another eleven millions per annum may be added with safety, when the record will stand thus — Official record af Californw gold deposits at the mint and branches 0... 0.6... . 8410 402,608 5 Fatimated California gold carried ont of the country, refined by private assayers or used in jewelry and specimens ‘Total product of California, 1849 to 1860. $526,402,685 32 Mhese figures support the idea held forth by President Buchanan in one of his moseages, that the average pro duct of California gold is $1,000,000 per week But lot ws look at it in another light—that of the ship mente of gold from San Franciseo — ‘Re estimated shipmente of gold from Sen ‘Francisco, from April, 1849, to January, 1867, were valued at.. $822,309 ‘The actual shipments to 110,000,000 0) were 34,222,908 The actual shipmen 858, e ‘by the Hilinots, now due, was 38,284,005 . $802,901 725 ‘Total ebipmenta eince 1849 ‘These figures do not include the amounts carried by passengors, of which no record can b. kept, or the sums sull remaining im the State. Tf we estimate these at $190,000,000, which ia by no theans a heavy estimate, we have the following — Shipments of California gold sinee 1849... . $908,001 ,725 Estimated amounts carried by passengers. an recorded, of still remaining in the State, since 1849. . 139,000,000, Toti® product Culifornis gol, from 1849 to “59. 901 726 These figures again support the estimate of the California gold product at $1,000,000 per week. It Said that the total product of the Fraser river mines has not been equal to the monthiy product of one California goid mine, which sends $40,000 every month to the San Francisco mint; and, as before observed, the goid crop of the State may be considered as regular and certain asthe grain crop of the West or the cotta crop of the South. NORTH CAROLINA GOLD MINKS. ‘The North Carolina gold fields, near (ireensborough, are worthy of note. The fresh gold ore yields, it is suid, about $12 to the bushel on the average. The statistirs of coinage of North Carolina gold give the lollowing figures: — Total a of North Qarolina gold at par the branch mints from 1838 to 1 ‘These figures are not very large, but at the same time they show that gold exists. The Richmond Whig of the ‘20th inst. would seem to signify that the suppty has no: been yet exhausted, for it testifies to secing a perfectly pure piece of this gold, weighing ten ounces, taken from Mr. Cbristian’s new mine, in Montgomery county, from which $30,000 worth of ore has been taken in two months. He has just been offered $300,000 for the mine, +o that it is probably safe to say that the total gold pro- duet of North Carolina since 1838 has been $12,000,000 in round numbers. @EORGIA GOLD MINES. “As one story is good until another is told,’ so is one gold mine El Dorado until another is forgotten. The gold mines of Georgia have shared the same fate threat_ ened to those of California by the discovery of Fraser river. They have ceased to be called E! Dorado; yet their products form an annual item in the record of coin age at the mints. The centre of the golt fields is in Lumpkin county, at Dahlonega, in which a branch mint has been established. The following sums of this gold have been actually deposited in the mint and branches for coinage up to 1857 Philadelphia $2,571,251 56 Gee Orleans. 39,681 00 Bablonega. 4,112,676 36 Asxay Office 55,443 28 $6,579,052 10 1,000,000 00 Total gold product of Georgia, 1838 to 1858.$7,579,052 10 GOLD IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON. ‘The recent discoveries ou Fraser river have directed attention to the general wealth of Oregon and Washington Territories. Previous to that goid had been found near Fort Oxford, and on Powder and Burnt rivers; and in Willamette valley, about 100 miles above Oregon city, up to 1854, about $14,000 had been deposited in the Mint for coinage from Oregon dust. It has been recently reported that gold can be found somewhere aboye Fort Simcoe, in Washington Territory; that gold has been found at the heads of the Verqually, Pugallup, White Cedar, and other rivers, taking rise in the springs of the Cascade range. Muiers have also worked on the eastern slope of the Cas- cade, on the Yapima, but they were driven off by Indians. Gold was also discovered on the We.Nat—the river—but not in large quantities, The mineral wealth of this sec tion of country stretching down our territory, in the line of the Cascade range, has yet to be developed. We may set down the whole product of Oregon aud Washington gold, thus far, at $100,000. THE KANSAS GOLD FIELDS. Although the reports of the discovery of gold in West- ern Kansas have been cried down as but a@ stale trick to induce emigration to that locality, it cannot be denied that the precious metal can ve, and has been, obtained there at most remunerative rates in proportion to the labor ne- eessary to the dixcovery. The first reports of the dis- coveries at Pike’s Peak and Cherry creek only reached us as late as September. The gold district is very exten- sive, and not confined to the beds of water courses. A pan full of the auriferous earth which ts found most any- where in the region, is sure to repay the trouble of separa- tion, even with the rough tools yet emplagred. But, with ‘sluices, long toms, gold washora and experienced as- Bayers, the prodnot of the ore will be materially en baneed in value. It is said that the appearance of the gold Gelds is ae if the precious metal had been triturated and scattered over the country by some unknown pro- cess. ‘The location of the most remunerative diggings is not at Pike’s Peak, a® at first stated, but upon tho Piatte ‘and near the mouth of Cherry creek, where it empties into the Platte, and where the enterprising miners have built up towns, called Aurora, Montano, St. Charles, ‘&c. A short distance from here the washings are sid to realize from ten ceuts to four dollars per pan, to wash whieb but four or five minutes are required. The gold is seldom found in large graine, and when coilected the dust much resembles that of the California mines, the first pro- duct of which was received at the New York Heaton office in 1848. The diggings along the Sonth Platte are said to be excellent; but as yet all reporte agree in the fact that the particles of gold are small, the largest spoken of being worth but forty-four conts. The bed rocks, or mountain mines, from which all these grains must have been washed, have yet to be reached. It is said that with the rudest implements the miners now average from two dol- lars to tive dollars per day; that there are millions of acres which, with appropriate implements, will y from twenty dollars to forty dollars per day for each man: that the guld ie more generally diffused. thas insur tog a support for each man, that more than huadreddifferent places have been prosperted, aud of them found to contain gold ‘The only extimate we have thus far seen of the gold product of the Platte river (Cherry creek) diggings ie $100,000 far the fall operations, whieh is prubably very iow indeed, as Chore aro at least 1,600 miners at work mn the re- xioo, The beat routes to the diggings are said to be those Uy Lewvenworth City , Kausus; Fort Riley road and Smokey Hi! Fork, and that by Council Biull, fowa, Great prepa rations are being made by the residents of adjoining States and Territ to emigrate in the spring, and through the impetus of gold we shall doubtless have Kan- nanling, ant not requesting, admittance into five all THE GILA fIV ARIZONA) GOLD MIN Arizona, or New Mexico, has the credit of porsessing, in cotmon with Chihuahua and Sovora, which are immedi ately south of it, pleatifully supplied gold fields, areding only the capital and treasure to make another California. The reports of large emigration to the Gila river, near its junction with the Colorado, in search of gold, cannot, therefore, be considered very remarkable. As vot, the Gila river mines are not fully vested, or reported from, but the excitement in the south of California is very great about them, It is reported that a man can easily make from $10 to $16 per day, and with proper tools, over $20. One man wrote to the San Diego Herald that he hed prospectod every ditection for thres miles from a given point, and failed in finding gold hut once. fe had, however, buy £20, which be said was the prodact of eight days labor. The reporte of the gold diggings have yet to be confirmed, though there is undeubtedly gold in the region WHAT WILT DF OTR ANNUAL COLD eROP ? With all thie data in view—with the large emigration to Oregon, Arizona, Washington and Pike's Peak the onsuing year—with the fresh developements of new mines by the Active ontorprice and energy of our poople—what will be the annual gold crop of the United States? California gives us a million per week. Al the other tielde, we can eafoly say with what facts we already have, will give us at least half ag much. Our gold crap is therefore tiely to be Sor years to come at the rate of @ million and a half per weds, or seventy seven millions of dollars per annumecpaa cone hall of the value of the cotton crop af the country. Six Hours axp Twenty Mixcres rrom New York—Tue Snonresy Tre ox Reoon.-—The firet train pass- od over the New London and Stonington Raiiroad yestor- day. The train left New York ateight o'clock A. M., and arrived in Providence at twenty minutes pret two, making the trip in six hours and twenty minutes—the shortest time, so far as we are infe |, on record. The tune from Groton was one hour and eighteen minutes We suppose that a morning train will be immediately put on the route, and that the time will be made in about seven hours between New York and Providence. An evening train will follow when the completed. —Providence Journal Tne Coast Servey—There are now My 5 six const survey parties in the field and afloat—on the Atlantic coast eighteen, on the Gulf coast twelve, and con the Pacific coast six, These are distributed for the four, and three, coast of Alabama, Louisiana and Misaiasippi const of Texas two, and coast of California, Oregon Washington Territories eix. Our Winter Amusements, SKATING ON THE CENTRAL PARK POND-—GRBAT NOM- BERS PRESENT—A NARROW RSUAPE ROM PREHYING IN THE WATER—THE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANOK AT THE POND—WHAT ISIN CONTRMPLATION POR THB PROTECTION OF LADIR8 AND CHILDREN—AC- COMMODATION OF CLUBS, BIC., ETO. The bright twinkling stare in the clear biue sky of Christmas evening induced many ap enthusiastic young skater to betake himsel to early repose, with the pleasing assurance that however soon he might bestir himself on the morrow, he would find ice enough on which he might glide to bis heart’s content, or till his wearied limbs found pleasure turning into pain; and there was no awakening yesterday to bitter disappointment. At daylight the ice on the Central Park pond was ascertained to be from three to four inches im thickness, and the at- moephere, thongh not go chilling, was yet suiliciently cold to warrant the expectation of an entire fay’s amusement, and in this there was no miscalculation, As early as seven o’clock there was a good number of persons at the pond, and from that hour there was a con- ‘stant increase of numbers till the shades of evening began to render further amusement dangerous. By nine o'clock several hundred youths were on the pond at once. Every- thing was thoroughly democratic. Masters Richard and Wiliam from Fifth avenue, in their furs, and plain Dick and Bill from avenues nearer tho rivers, with bunting fly- ing from joints and middie seams, were all iningled in joyfal unity, forgetting the distinction of home in their enjoy- ment of a common patrimony—free air and free water. NARROW ESCAPE FROM FREEZING. No accident marred or arrested the moruing’s sport till a Yorkville youth of 16 summers, heedivss of the posts of “Danger” and the warning of the ofticors on duty, rushed along from strong to shaky, and thence to the borders of the liquid before he saw the bath awaiting him. His plunge was the signal for a general yet! and a rush to the rescue. Captain Renwick had, fortunately, lis officers stationed at the posts of danger with planks ready, and poles from twelve to fifteen feet long, with attached ropes and grappling tackle. In spite of every precaution, however, the rash Hamilton Bridge, of Yorkville, was very nigh too long in the water. He was more than five minutes in the water before they could secure him, and he was then fast siuking in exhaustion and freez- ing ‘with cold, The officers conveyed him, with com- mendable speed, to a little store corner of Soventy-first street and Eighth avenue, where he had tho best atten- tion a feeling woman’s heart could suggest and a hus- band’s hands conid bestow. In an hour's time Mike and his wife had Hamilton out of danger, “Sure enough,” said the friend of St. Patrick, “he owes his life wo good liquor, for we gave ithim t0 drink and we rubbed him with if from top to toe, ull be waa himself again.” The young fellow was “coal black” from his armpits down- ward to his tocs—they were icy pale and showed unmis- takably that he had bad a narrow escape from drown- ing—or freezing THE SKATING. There was @ large increase of skaters yesterday on the pond. Six or seven hundred persons were on the ice at atime. In addition to the first class shaigre alluded to in previous reports, there was a magnificent “fancy skater,” who made his first appearance on the pond yesterda; He laid no claim to speed, yet he was no “slow coac His yorte was fancy steps and grotesqne skating. He could and did go through the “spread cagle’’ to the left and to the right, and backward and forward, rash through the crowd in the “cross step”? with astonishing ve locity. as well as the other first class artists on the rockers; but his performance of the “cracovieune step,” that he copied from the celebrated Fanny Eissler, put everything before executed into the shade. Being no great proticient in the Terpsichorean art, we will net attentpt to describe the gentieman’s performance, but content ourselves with faying it was exceedingly pretty, and captivated the at tention of the multitude of onlookers, and skaters as wel) This artist was certainly ‘the observed of all observers” throughout the after part of the day, and in bis resting spells he was followed by crowds uvery whore he went— Sage 4 to the very great danger of breaking through the ice. It was only When the glassy surface cracked that the crowd struck out right and left away from him that he could have the quiet of other mortals.” He bas taken part in thiety three wkating matches, and counts among the tokens of his glory two gold medals commemorative of the Occasions, Some syimploms of rivalry were manifest ed yesterday, which are uot unlikely to lead toa match THK YROTRCLION AND ASSISTANCE AT THE POND. ‘There ie a captain and fifteen officers on regular duty that everybody can see, recognise and call, aud tweuty “shadows,’? that nobody are expected to see, recognize 0 eal, bit who are ut everybody's elbow. ‘Bue former ero for the preservation of order and t render assis tance to the unfortuna! for detecting lihttingers at work; but this combined force ia utterly inadequate to discharge all the di assigned to them, and, in addition, to keep up a constant ‘on the rash ih et to keep him from rT. Ageod looke -¥, and the present case should be a waruing to the young “in future. Posts of “Danger were placed wherever the ice was weak, yet, Rotwithetanding the preeantion, about four O'clock auother person, of riper years. went heed. dersly where be had not the slightest exenee for going, and had a tine bath for his temerity. He made a regular plunge of it, but was out in the shortest possi bie time, and started for the Station house to undergo the drying process. We learned yesterday on the ground that, in view of such accidents as the above, and likewise for the accom. modation of ladies and children, who may reqnire rest from the sport, or as on lookers, the architect-in-chief con templates placing buts around the ponds provided with ttoves. It is not expected, however, that carelereness will be more indrlged in by the ekaters beeaute they will Uos get dried again without a mile’s walk in dripping clothes, “The captain and his mew preserved the best order thronghout the day, and have set their minds against row dyiem. One or two little suarling difficulties have already been checket in the bud. They bave only had one attempt at pilfering—that was a pair of skates, The accused war yesterday taken before a district judge and held to bail for $800.” It = hoped by prompt action on the part of the police aud rigid justice in court wo preserve the Central park from becoming another extensive theld for the porsnance of illegal trattic WHAT 1 CONTEMPLATED. As the scaton advances it i naturally enoagh expected that the number of ekaters will increase, und with that in- crease there Will be enthusiasm and not uulikely many To preserve the young from the impulsive Tesh of the «wilt and strong a portion ofthe pond is to be collisions ret apart ¢ vely for children and their parents, and those to be, if possible, of the feminine gender. There will be bor of _ officers Ftationed around rents thereafter from the heed! the risky ice is they will not be permutte This is held out as an inducement to the lady portion of the community to bring their ofpring with them, and (hw id with their fair pres: It ts ead that the Ladies’ Skating Society of Newark ie expected on the pond at an ¢ a a jone, «0 that pa curling clabs are to be encouraged, and an other the bane bas been set apart for their epevial use. urling purposes it is necessary that the ice bo clear and clean. The trea of Water will b tocover the ent e t preceding ary tourna. let on in wufficient volume o ted. #0 that in the morning the club will bave virgi we on which they enn exhibit their skill. All this is contemplated and epoken of, and seem. ingly the only thing necer-ary to rectre ite realization is the ‘presence of the clubs, for the commissioners and officials connected with the park appear to be highly pleased with the jmblic patronage that the pond has a Teady roceiy ed The number of visitors to the park yesterday was very great, and the fkaters more wumerfus, and many of & clues more skilled than on previur occasions. There was a large number of carraget on the grounds and Tkewiee several equestrians. ‘The Indies in the afternoon Were quite numerous, and eecmed to enjoy the purer air of “uptown.” There seemed general good feeding ovory where, and not an inebriate on the ground Personal Intelligence. Lord Bury and his Secretary, Mr. Neleon, have arrived in town, and are at the Kvorett House, whore Lady Bary bas been for a week or two awaiting Lord B.'s return from hig trip to Canada and Nova Seotia ARTIV ALS, From Laverpooh je the seamabip Kangaro. My Lester, Stig re re Raw Loxwer, ar J Bartow Ms fons, Jat and we calidon. Ir Stenson and inde, Mr Moore and eaaes Rilding, Win Fielding, Welch, 6, HA Matthews. Patter fap, James Malcolm, John Tommrey, Botaro, Margual, Opt Daviea—and 117 steerage Prom Barre and Southat J Autick, U8 N. and tady mt, @ rile, RO URI Br on Mahnet, Jean St Aubin irs Thompson, G Kingham, fH sal, R Tang, & dicot ® Gnilinenier, © Amit, lo, G Boel,’ Wolfe Offen and daughter, Dominick Chaappa, nee family. sot, 60 in, the gecomd en d TL Rutherford, 8 © Desbarner, ou. te steamship Arial R JR Sherwoo!, family and er SJarvie J i Racoon, Mise B Wm Cabbie, P Hyrendech, withen, J Porkios, M Vas: ae at. Savannah, in the steamsnip Alabama—W M Fish, J 1) Hinnchards nag eid cae ton. Capt T 1 Mitchell From Che tn the steamship Cobb, cabbeL E Taber it Homecn he Ue Bake, Tieton * Odiam, , Lis U Owen, iM. 3 and two servants, im i sher Hansel ‘Tinkham and lady, JC Maresh, ! Avenir—ai Neston, Menmehip sashes Adger—J P We fe the ste J yoy.) orden F Reber P Peat et ek iter 4 yd Cordn ‘l ‘an . A Favicr. Win TBietirise” ity Menenae Todt Weesh, Mew Yom Taape! and child, @ TI Holden, Indy, two cbildren and ser Yo Misses Goodrich, L Kyron Consett and Sarah Comet WM Connidere, Mrs F Lee, Mre Stagey, three children m servant, Robt Foster, GH Lawrence, indy aud chin, D Caro: Tin—ard 36 steerage. For Char! MORNING EDITION—MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1858. Dramatic and Musical Matters, ' ‘The week bas been, ag usval ab this season, protigal | enough of public aumusemente. The quapsty bas been great and the quality good, but as to the novelty we can- not say much, Not one Christmas plecs af the lighter or. der has Deen brought forward, nor is there any intention of bringing forward anything new till after the holidays. We make this announeement for the infor mation of a number of authors, each of whoa expects that his play—the greatest ‘hing of the irind that has ever been written—will be brought forward at once. The next novelty we presume will be the new mifitary drama at Wallack's, which public romor accredits to Mr. Lester Wallack, who has already written eome good plays. The Mount Vernon Festival—ball and two promenade concerts—at the Academy , was the most interesting event of the week, They have already been fully described, and the public desires nothing more now than a statement of the financial result, which is anofticially stated as fol lows:—Groes receipts, $5,000; expenses, $3,000; share of the Mount Vernoo Fund, half efter expenses, $1,000. ‘The reeult is not £0 brilliant as some people expected, nor 80 dismal as the croakers predicted. The Academy of Music was also opened on Christmas night for the annual perfarmance of the ‘ Messiah” by the New York Harmonic Society. Operatic progpects are still misty, The campaigns in the provinces pay well. At Boston Mr. Uliman has given sixteen performances jn less than three weeks, and stirred © up the Athenians wonderfully. It is said that the groas receipts amount to over thirty thousand dollarg. The critics are all very sweet upon the Opera, vide the follow ing nice bit for Piccolomin in the “Nozze di Figaro’. — Piccolmint made that hvely soubrette—sidsanna—a teasing, couxing, wheedting, rt required it, craceful, tener jimeelf would have been satieied vixenish; and and intriguin; with bor enactme psa she evince the rapid comprehension of poiots a sent with ber parmers, In the letter due ciously bright and sparkling, throwing off she was deli hike p She 1 as to convince every listen lomin: is a better vocalist than she has been supposed, and the style and expression she can give her music is not unworthy of Mozart. The general en Mm respecting her found appropriate token in a of flowers, bright and gay as her own vivacious, sparkling, bewitching self. On Sunday, 19th, ali the artists sang in oratorio. Per- formances were given on every evening, except Satur- day, when there was a matinée. Tho theatre was opened for the first time on the Sabbath on last evening, when the Handel and Hayda Society announced an oratorio. The season in Boston will close on Tuesday week, and we hope that Mr. Uliman will give usa few nights on his way to Philadelphia and the South. The Strakosch com- pany was last week at Charleston, and it is stated that the manager had abandoned bis design of giving an opera season here immediately. The Charleston papers fay many ood things ot the prime donne De Wilhorst, Parodi and Mme. Strakoeeh. ‘The theatrical record of the week is hardly more full than the musical. At Barton's theatre Mr. Barry Sulli- van, an actor of eminent ability, has been acting to moderate houses, vot 80 good us he deserves. The managers should strengthen their company for such pieces as “Hamlet,” “Richelien”’ and “Richard the Third.” With the exception of Miss A. Clifton, Miss Fapny Morant and Miss Lonedalc, who are both agreeable artists, the company is not up to the reputation of the theatre. Mr. Sullivan will remain here another week, and on this evening he will play Evelyn in Bul- wer's comedy “ Money.’ Miss Morant plays Clara Dovgias. At Laura Keene's theatre we notice the beginning of the eleventh week of “Our American Cousin.” It is to be acted every night and on Weduesday and Saturday after- hoons. Miss Laura Honey, © eoubrette and vocalist, from London (last from Boston), has joined this company and makes her debut to-night in“ Loan of a Lover.”’ Mr. Wallack is still attracting large audiences by his fine performance as Shylock, in the “ Merchant of Ve nice,” and the generally admirable way in which the comedy has been gotten wp. It will be weted every night during this week. At the roadway theatre the equestrian drama is all the rage. The company will appear this evening in a spec- tac called ‘3. George ans the “A At the Howery another drama, founded apon a popular novelletie, and called “ Alaric, or the Tyrant’s Vault,’’ will be produced this evening. “ Po-ca-hon-tas’’ aad ano ther light piece make up the rest of the bill. At the Museum the clever juvenile comedians and ballet | artiets appear this afternoon and evening in ‘May Day Sports,’’ the “Stage Strack Yankee’ and “Oupid and his Frolies.”” The colored opera companies—Wood's, Beyaut’® and Campbell <—all announce fine holiday performances. They are all reaping a rich harvest of quarters. Tur Cexarp Sreamsm KAxwak.—The Canard stoamebip Karnak arrived here from Liverpool on Saturday evening, after a paseage of over twenty one days. Sho is to ply between this city, Havana, and Nassau, New Providence, She is un iron screw steamer of 1,200 tons, builders’ mea- surement, and 170 nominal horse power. She is rigged lightly, and as a three masted schooner; her length is 220 feet, her breadth of beam 26 feet, and her depth of hold 4 feet. She is fitted up neatly in her interior, ana she is divided into water Ught compartments. She has two saloons of considerable size, and accommodations for 140 passengers. The Karnak was built in the Clyde; ie four year old, and has been engaged in the Mediterranean tr She is not a very fast veesel, but it is eaid she can run nine or ten knot# an hour, under favorable eircam stanec The Tucker an Sickles Dificulty. TO THE KPVTOR OF THE HERALD. New York, Deo, 25, 1868, Lor the eecond ani last time T reluctantly intrade upon the public the subject of my unpleasaut diderences with Mr. Suniel B. Sickles. That person's card in answer to my challenge, and the unjust comments of a portion of the preea, require of me a reply On the evening of bis banqact at Niblo's, Mr. Sickles mace, in conversation, unmannerly and insulting reflec: | tions upon deceased members of my father's family. These remarks were reported to me in contidence by Mr. Sickles’ quest, and 1 hold myself responsible for tie charge | Almort an entire stranger in my vative city, after an | absence of ton years, I bud heard of Mr. Sickles as a po: litiewan only, and. from the honoralic position he occupies d him to be @ gentleman, His groes, low bred to my brether—-nnaswerably replied to by him— d aud naterally irritated but when,on a festive occasion, in the presence of ladies, choosing polt tics fur his theme, this porson again interlarded his | speech with pothouse expressions, and subsequently per mitted his vile, ous tonge, to utter ingult to those sleeping in thoir gravee-—are there twelve men to be formmd in thik State whe would convict me for challenging him? It there are 1 will willingly exile myself from it ever My brother, having thus stigmatized Mr. Sickles, throagh | pres®, as a and be silently ad tbe appropri terme, it was, under | these circumstances, doubly unpleasant for me to chal jonge bim. His friends pronounced him responsible for all he said, aeserted that #e wae a fighting man, and his tainly warrant such conclusion, Tn a most respectful let | ter Leave bim ao invitation; he preferred letter writin and “expionations,” which I neither asked for nor wanted. ‘There wae no ignorance of the cause of offence, which, at the first inte Was promptly explained and as prompt- ly forgotten by him ikies was bared solel; upon the quarre! y The Secretary of State re the first intimation of my intentions through the ton correspondence of the Hrnat ris person Sickles, ip hie card of the 24th inet. de- 10 meet me, yet, fn the same breath, adds insult by q mode of communicating with him angentle Ashe considers me cutitied to notice when re Jgden only, 1 could still claim it, for yh has never ceased to be my (riend. fueing me A meeting, and etill continuing his in suits, Mr. Siekles gives me the right to ‘post’? him in the eeual complimentary style. The piquaney of each a commse would, however, be lost by a ready reengnition on the part ef the pubhe of bis character so deseribed borides, it i woquestionably a vulgar cud bombastic cus. ‘ation has become longer than Tat first in tended. It shall be concluded, Mr. Sickie says he has he acquaintance with Dr J, ©. Tucker. Tam gratified to say he speaks the trnth, bat be hae had a chance, snd may atany time havea similar opportunity af meoting him now satisfied that the Honorable Daniel F. Sickles, member of Congress from the Third district, city of New York. can write letters and talk, tut—won't hight. Seorn- jog. then, to pursue and persecute a person physically and morally Lowy itated by fear to account for the gratui. tore insults he offers, who oetentationsty parades hie valor sud desire to fight anybody but the man who asks bim to, [leave the chivalous conduet of this honorable representative to the verdict of his colleagnes from other States, and the pablic generally J. ©. TUCKER, | make an amendment t your bili, te the d. | eficeted a triumph in your own Stat The Douglas and Jones Correxpondencee Shi rp Wordy—Tronble Ahead, LETTER FROM MR. DOF LAR. Wixeimerar, August 7, 1465, Your jetter ofthe 2th of July, communrsating to me the fact that there is a ravor in creniation in Galena, supposed to have come from General Jones, of Iowa, that, peboing the inols Centra! Railroad grant in the Sapaue of tho United States, on arrangement wax made be ween him and me, by which toe in of Calena were aac rilieed to those of Dubuque. is received. IT have a dietinet recollection of the facts of the case, aud they aro ia sub: etonce as follows:—The bill, a8 drawn and introduced into Congress by myself, povided for a railroad from the southern verminns of the Mineia and Michigan caval to she mouth of the Obie river, with a branch to Chicago aad another to Galena, the northwestern terminus of the road. General Jones, bie colteague, and perhaps, some others, objected to Galena asa terminus, on the ground chat’ the road would not connect with the Mississippi river, and thus a hiatus would be created in the railroad between the east and wort side of the river. I endeavored to dissunde them from tbeir objections, and to induce them to allow the bill to pass: in the shape I had introduced it; bat shay were immova. ble, and insisted on defeating the bill unless we would ex tend the road to Dubuque. Upon fait consultation with my colleagues in both houses of Congress, it was deter mined to permit the alteravon \ be made, under the be lief that the whole bill would be defeated unless we con. sented to the change, and we thought it was hetter to al- low the change to be made than to lose the bill altogether, although we did not think that our 1 friends were treating us kindly by attempting to defeat a great mea- sure for our State ona point of the kmd, Under these circumstances, [did ebeerfally sequieace aud conenr in the determination of the united delegation of the State, to agree to the change by whieh the road should be extended to Dubuque, but carefully omitting to provide at what point the crossing shouid be— at Pubuqne, at Tete de Morts, or at any intermediate point. T will only add that any insinuation or intimation on the part ot Gen, Jones, or any of bys friends, tuat L him, ana waa willing to saerit to those of Dubuque, or any other point, is basel fal Sa. DOUG vs, Psq., Galena, Mi. EM IN REPLY 4 Dong pwith is enclosed your . 6. Crouch, editor of the G from that paper of the 2d inst: , w orin) pany ing the same, beaded “A Base Calumny ’? 1 will not condescend to notice the scurriions editorial, predicated upon the many wilfal inisrepreseptations of your letter, preferring to deal with you, as more responsible than your instrument. I say ‘“wilfol misrepresentation,” because you ray you “have a distinct recollection of the facts in the case,” and because the journals and debates of the Senate prove your statements to be wholly destitute of truth, so far as you refer to my colleague (Gen. A. C. Dodge), myself and our friends, as having ever expressed or entertaited the idea, a8 you of ‘defeating the bill un- Jess the road was extended to Dubuqne,” though we surely had as much right go to amend it as our Southern friends of Kentucky, Tennesse and Alabama had to suggest and require, as 1 think they did, that you should make the road extend to Mobile, through those three States You knew well that noither you nor your colleague, Gen. Shiels, ever had such consultation, either between yourselves or your colleagues of the House, before | of tered my amendment to make the road terminate at this place; instead of at Galena You know, moreover, equal ly well that when I approached you towards the close of the debate im the Senate on the bill with my amendment, and asked you whether you bad any objections to my of. fering it, stating, as I did, that it was merely to extend your road to Dubuque, twelve or iifteen miles fur- ther weet, you not ouly freely assented thereto, but thanked me the suggestion, and that I immediately thereafter, in your presence and hearing, obtained the assent also of your colleagues to the same efivat, That T then offered Tt, and itwas passed without a dissenting vote or objection from any quarter Whatever, as the re- cords show. You must also recollect that within twenty-four hours after the passage of the bill through the Senate, | inform. ed you that I had bad a conversation with Col. Baker, the representative from Galena in Congress, and that he iared to me that he would not allow the bill to pass the Bouse without haying my amendmont stricken trom it, and that you then said that you cared not what Baker wished—that it was right the road should terminate on tho Mississippi,and so couneet with oar propozed railroad, and that you’ would se state lo your colleagues, Col. Richardson, Major Harris, and others of the House, who ‘would take charge of the’ bill, and would prevent Baker from making any such amendment in that body. The assertion on your part (hut Lor my volieague, or any one of our friends, had detormined to defeat your vil! upon the ground stated by you, or for any other reason whetever, (alse; and its poblication being deferred un- til the day of Ue ‘late Mlinols election, too late to be con. tradicted by myself or otegs, shows that you, and he (your Galeva organ) who acted for you, designed to mix. lead the Galena people, and thos accomplish your selfish purpose. The journals’ and the debates of the Senate show that Gen. Dodge and I heartily co-operated with you and your colleague in every efort and every vote which ‘Woes KiVeR ON Uist question. For many con=xlerations we Could bad but be deuply: interested In the passage of that bill. At the celebration of the completion of the Hlinois Cen- tra! Railroad to Dunieith, bold at this place in July, 1856, = complimented me in exatted terms in apeech on it occasion, as the person who red the amendment making Dobuque the terminus of the road, and, although you knew that hundreds of your own constituents were there present, you did not intimate that the same had been done contrary to your wishes. You were then ad- dressing an Jowa audience whom you wished to propitiate. Age sir, when you last visited Dubuque, (2 Aw gust, 1857); you had an interview with J. B. Dorr, the editor of the Ezpress and Herald of this city, who had, ‘ever since you introduced the Kansas and Nebraska bill in the Senate, been your bitter opponent, and the opponent of that measure. beat Morning ap editorial article ap peared im that paper, of which the following is an ex ‘tract :— preBree recency ong ee repeats ! m A. r Western Staten’ are indemMed ty rity which is observable Here however, that ov mm Stet it FOREGOING. ov. 9, 1858, August 7, 1898, ) Courier, cat ¥ wereial metropolis of the region y ‘Two numbers of the paper coutuning the abov tract were sent to you the next day,one to Galena and the other to Chicago, with the ae that you would have the honesty to sparn the offer ’ your newly required advocate here, to the detriment of iy self, for whom yor then professed friendmtip. Instead of doing #9, however. ame article was republiched in the Times, your organ at Chicago, and that, tow, within a very few daysatter it came out Lere, ant whilst you wore still at Chicago, necessarily within your knowledge, if not at your request. Thus, #ir, atone time you oxtolied ine in unmeasured terins for Causing Dubuque to be male the terminus of the Hino Central Railroad, when art dressing an lowa audience; at another, you allow burr, your ally and my wuncrupalops opponeat here, to teh it whieh justly belongs to me propriate & to your temporary when arraigned by your const tuents for 3 2 now, jowing me to advantage of Galena, (a8 the people there beliewe,) you’ resort to the dishonest and unworthy pretext of saying you were com vied either to allow the amendment to be made, or to ove the bill ea because “they (myseli and col league) were immovable aod insisted on defeating the bill,” &c. Neither Gen Dodge, his father, nor myself, ever voted against you or Gen. Shields on any amendment or proposition offered to the bill. The vote was generally two to one in favor of the tail, and it finally passed by— yeas and pnaye—26 to 14, so we had not, as you allege, the power to defeat the bill, ax still it would have My amendment was offered without comlaten with, any one, not excepting my own colleague, or any one of my constituent? Tam proud of having procured su benefit for the state which has trosted and honored but T would spurn it had it been obtained “ by collusion “! with yourself of any one elses charge fever within my knowledge made at Galena or elsewhere, wntil now meanly insinuated by yourself ‘This, sir, iethe third time that you have mare - info mously fale’ acrusations ¢ me, and that f have been compelled to fasten the le upon you. Though you may, atthe sacrifice of democratic organization, have as you say, * over ‘ongreesional dictation,” “ft ean but look nlempt open any fame or position yon may have ‘ white epirita and black, blue ti will acquired by a union wit biack republicans, Sout!) Americans, »., we T de upon the misar pithets connected with my Jame, but cover sure eecape Hon. 8 & contingency which gave you « CB), WALLACE JONPS. A. Dovotas, Obirago, Tl. | at the time and pl this was prepar it bears would tave ren it to You had | known As you are suill canvassing to you at vour own home, and me, in order to make sure of ite being seen by yon GEO. W. JONES. ANNEX A T OF NeRRAsKA TO Movement Kansas. —A serious movement '* on foot in Nebraska to an nex all that part of the Territory eouth of the Platte river to Kansas. Thie part of the Territory covers an arca one bun- dred miles north and south by eight hundred miles or more ast and weet. The Nebraska City Vews of the 11th saye— hat there is considerable feeling awakened in the matter anot be questioned. Meetings are being held, favoring ‘he project, petitions circulated to have the ‘proposed meakure carried Out, and considerable unanimity ex ressed in favor of annexation. We understand the coun. es south of us are almost unanimons in favor of the pro- ject. A primary mecting was held last Tuesday in this city, and a committee appointed to draft resolutions for the Consideration of an adjourned meeting, to be held to- day, said meeting to be a mass convention of the citizens of the county. me considerable en may be ex pected hore, stronter, however, in the ability of indi viluals, we should judge, than im respectability of nombers. Supreme Court of the United States. Wastixeron, Dev, 24.—No. 36. MeKinlay, Garrinch & Co., appellants, ys, Win, Morrish, master and claimant of the ship Pons Aclii, &e. ‘The motion to dismiss this appeal was argued by Mr. Brent \nsupport theroof, ani by Mr Rever’y Johnson in opposition thereto No. 31. Frederick 1. Barreda and Brother, plaintiffs in error, vs. Ben Ni. Silsbee et al. The argument of this cause wae concluded by Mr. Nelson for the plaintiff: ie error. PRICE TWO CENTS. AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. Third Week of the Session of Congress, EPITOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS. The Pension Bill—Paecific Railroad—New Territories and States—Appropriation B Passed--Commodore Stewart Bills Passed im the Senate—French Spollation Bill Acquisition of Cu- ba-—Propositions of all Sorts— Calls on the Executive for Information—-Hon, John Kelly's Resignation- The New Senate Chamber, de. &c.,, &e. The jast week was the third of the present session oy Congrese. Although both houses adjonrned 0. Thursday to take a recess over the Christmas holidays, they did no emall share of business during the three or four days that they were in session. Let us present our readers with a recapitulation of the doings of our national legislators, passing over the bigbly ludicrous tableau prosented by two members of the House, Messrs. Pnglish and Montgo: mery, on the avenue one pleasant morning, the one pick hg himec!f up oat of the gutter into which he had been knocked by bis colleague, and shying bricks after bis as- sajlant, while the latter was in quick retreat up one of the side streets—we say we will omit that feature in oor sketch, as being perhaps extra leg and not particu larly creditable to the pair of Kansas compromisers com- promised by it, or to the body of which they are mem bers. OLD SOLDIERS’ PENSION BILI. Alter about a week's discussion of the bul in commit too, its friends thought it high time to stop the debate and bring the House to @ vote upon it. But while in commit. tee it had been loaded down with a number of amendments altogether beyond us strength to car- ry. In this emergency that parliamentary manquvre which was invented for the Kangas-Nebraska Dill was had resort to. A motion was made by one of the managers of the measure to strike out the enacting clanse of the bil. ‘Ci is motion was carried in committee. The enacting clause was struck out, thus get- ting rid of all the amendments, and the committee rose and reported its action to the House. Then the House re- fused to concur in the recommendation of the committee; & substitute that had been agreed pon in caucus the pre- vious evening was offered by Mr. Savage, and this substi tute, without being printed, was forced upon the House under the gag law of the previous question. It was con- tended by the opponents of the measure that as the rules require all proceedings tovciing aypropriations of money to be first discussed in committee of the whole, this substituie should go belore the committee and be there discussed; but the Speaker decided—rather im ae- cordance with former decisions than with the spirit and meaning 0° the rule—that inasmuch as the bill to whieb this was offered as substitute had been discussed ia com- mittee, it was not necessary Unt the matter should go again before the committee, even though it had recom mended the rejection of the bill By this manmovre the House was bronght to voto upou the substitute, and adopted it by a vote of 122 to Hil, We published in Satorday's Hixkacn the text ef the bill ‘ag thus passed by the House, and the yeas and nays upon ite passage. By reference to the vote the people will see what members have given their support to thie grand pension agency haul on the treasury, The bill as passed is considerably modified {rom that as originally reported. It declares each of the surviving offleers, non-commiseion- 4 officers, musicians and privates who shall have served in the regular army, State troops, volunteers or militia, and oflicers, non-commissioned officers and marinoe, for a term of sixty days or more, or who have been engaged in actual battle with the enemy in the war declared by the United States against Great britain on the 18th day of June, 1812, of against the Indians during oF preceding that authorized to receive a pension from the United States, to commence from the first day of the pre. sent Congress, and continue during bis natural life, the pension to be graduated as follows —For twelve months eervice or more, ninety-six dollars; for six months’ ser- vice’ but lees than twelve months, seventy-five dollars; for sixty days service but lees than eix monthe, fifty dot. lars: provided that the survivor, or surviving widow of an officer, non-commissioned office, musician or private, who participated in actual battle, in said war, shall be en- titled to the maximum pension. If the bill should become « law ju this shape, let as see taking the estimate that has been made, that threo eigbthe atill survive, as correct— The whole number of militia eurolied in service during the war of 1812 was...... evceesce No, that rerved more than two, but lews than six 24,804 16218 ClaRBeR.. Aon Aggregate amount of pensions... . Thus this bill, if it became a law, would entail on the government an addijional annual expenditure of over cight millions of dollars. This. it will bey seen, # some three millions lees than was estimated for the bill am it orizinally stoou ; the deficit being due to the graduation of Pensions according to service, and to the maximum limit of $96.4 yenr, instead of the pay to» which the pensioner would have been entitled sccording to bis rank im the service. In the present condition of the public purse, however, eight millions a year ia no trifling addition to the expenditures of the government. It represents a capital sum of $ 160,900,000. Thus the people's representatives at Washington have actually voted away the enormous sum of $160,000,000 at thie session, without there being the slightest excuse far it, beevuee the benefmiaries under this act are. as a goneral thing, in better cireumstances than the mage of the people {rom whom the money isto be drawn PACIFIC HATLEOAD. The Senate has been chiefly ecenpied during the past week with the discussion of the Pacitic Railroad measure, and the indications are that it will paes that body in some shape w thin a week after the resumption of business on the 4th of Janwary next. The debate and amendments offered look rather to the location of the read than to the principle involved im the moasure itself. The pending bill, as reported from the sefect committes on that sub Ject, proposes that the eastern terminas of the road shall commence “on the Missour! river, between the mouths of the Big Stone and the Kansas rivers.’ Senator Polke of Missouri, offered an amendment, which was considera bly debated, to strike out that provision as to the eastern terminus, and to insert in lieu of it the following — Between a point in the boundary of Minnesota, on the forty ninth par of north latitude, and the southern boundary of th States This amendment was rejected by a vote of yeas 17, nays 29. Senator Ward, of Texas, has givon notice of an amend ment at the same point of the bill, soas to make it read— From some point between the forty fh di of Jatitade and the southern boundary line the United States to the nearest eligible point of the Pacific coast, in the State of California. refereace being had to feasibility, shortness and economy And be also proposes to reduce the maximum advance of money by the government from ,000,000 to $10,000, - 000, while Senator Wileon, of Massactusetts, has given notice of an amendment to insert the words— On the shortest practicable route between the paralleis of latitude 94 and 43. An amendment has been adopted by 25 yeas to 23 nays , providing that all the iron necessary to constract the rail trond, and that may compose the track of the same, shall be of American manufacture Senator Seward prefers to see the road built by the go vernment alone, without reference to contractors, resery ing the public land® as a source from which would be eventually peut back the entire cost of constructing the road, which is estimated at 100,000,060. Tle will vote, however, for any bill that wi) secere the bullding of the and so, 't is thought, will a majority of the Senate, orth road