The New York Herald Newspaper, December 31, 1858, Page 4

32 JAMES GoRDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ce x. W ¢O-NE OF YOLTON AND XASRAG 578 mat? will be at the ved ws subscription ore an advance, Money sent r. Postage stamps not This DAILY HERALD, two cents por THE WEEKLY Ronvay ay every eat ftom 5 cents per copy, oF Bi per the | yoy SY PF 2 iivcad Briasin, or 86 eon art of tho THE fe VY HERALD, every Wednesday, at four cents por Movin tant col “ARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing important nace, solicited from any quarter of the seorld; ¢/ use !, reall be if \WUR FORRIGN CORRESPONDE ~* \ 0 po REQUESTED TO ALL Lerrers AND Pace- aeNO NOTICE faken of anonymous correspondencs. bey weer! ae come VERTISEMENTS renewed every eel the Waxy Henan, Fumie Borepemn Balitions “ro PRINTING executed with neatness, cheapness and de We do not 3 adveriivements in BALD, and in the AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, mmoanway ZSzATER, aber —Rqurerarasisa— MN °TICS—Sr. GEORGE AND THE DRaGon, BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Acaric—Po Ca-a0-Ta3— Pioveaman Tuxxep Lorp. BURTON'S NEW THRATRE, Broadway—Mvcx Apo Asour Norning—Myr Overcoat WALLACK’S THEATRE, Brosdway.—Maucnat or Ve mice. LAURA KEFNF’S THEATRE, No. 624 Broadway.—Ovr Aupuicas Covsix—Loan or 4 Loven. gnseuuns AMERICAN MUSRUM, Rroadway.—After. ‘aod evening~Fete DANSante Bri. aNte—Stack Brevce Yarkre—Haaugeuin Vinge, ‘WOOD'S MINSTREL BUILDING, 561 and 56% Broadway— Brnrortan Bones, Dances &c.—Sootueey Lire [iicsteateo, MPCH ANTICS’ HALL, 427 Broadway—Brvaxts’ Mivsrrris —NEGKO S0NGs aNd BuuLEs AUNT GOT fime TO TaRky, AMPBELL'S MINSTR! Oncvarrensericn, scenes eo Broatway —Eraiortan we THRER Hiv Als. ‘To Paper ‘Manufacturers and Azeuts. ‘The proprietor of tho New York Hxzaun wants to make arrangements for a constant supply of printing paper, such as the Heap is printed upon, to the amount of 1,000 to 1,200 reams per week, payable in casb at the end ofeach week, Apply immedtately. ‘The New York Weekly Herald. APPAIRS IN WASHINGTON NEWS FROM EUROPE, CALIFORNIA AND SOUTH AMERICA, MEXICO NDIES, EYC.—LATEST IN- TELLIG! ETC., BTC. Tn consequence of New Year's day falling on Saturday, the Waexty Heeatp for this week will be published at five o'clock this evening. Its contents will embrace:— News from Europe, California, Central America, New Granada, the South Paciiic, the Sandwich and Feejee Islands, Mexico, Cuba, the West Indies, &.—Afluirs in Washington—The Gold Crop of the United States for Twenty Years—Fditorials on Leading Topics of the Day— Latest News by Telegraph—Financial, Commercial, Reli- gious, Theatrical, Sporting and Maritime Intelligence— Weely Review of the New York Cattle Market—Mar riages and Deaths. ‘Together with a largo variety of in- teresting local and miscellaneous items. Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, can be had at the counter, Price six cents. The News. We publish this morning very interesting reports of the progress already made by some of the ves- sels of the Paraguay fleet towards the Parana river. The steamers Fulton, Harriet Lag and Water Witch had, as already reported in the Heraup, put into Pernambuco for coal. The Ful- ton and Water Witch left that port on the 26th ult., and the Harriet Lane took her departure on the 28th of that month. The steamers encountered heavy southeasterly gales, with « strong adverse equinoctial current, after leaving Barbadods, and were thus delayed on the voyage. All behaved nobly but were forced to put into Maranham and Ciarra, as stated. The Brazilians and foreigners resident in Pernambuco sympathized cordially with the objects of our government, and entertain ed but little doubt that Lopez would strike his colors without a fight after causing as much ex pense as possible. The Fulton was appointed to take Commissioner Bowlin up the Parana. All the crews were in excellent health and spirits. A com. plimentary address had been presented to ex- Consul Clements, of the United States, by the trading firms in Pernambuco. The letter of our correspondent at St. Thomas, published in another column, states that the United States steamer Atlanta, of the Paraguay fleet, had arrived there for the purpose of obtaining a supply of coal. Gen. Paez was on board the Atlanta, He had not suffered any unusual discomfort on account of his wounded foot, and was improving in health. Our Valparaiso correspondent, writing on the 16th ult., states that during the late fire in that city the private residence as well as the baginess office of the American Consul was burnt, but that only a few of our countrymen resided in the burnt district. Tt was expected that Gov. King would yesterday issue & proclamation removing the troops from Sta- ten Idand. It was delayed, however, owing to the non-receiptof documents from the Sheriff of Kings county. Captain Me@luney has been appointed to the command of the Home squadron, in place of Com. Mcintosh, who returns home on account of ill bealth The Tammany democracy held their primary elections last evening, to choose delegates to the General Committee for the year 1859. Everything riotly, excent in the Seventeenth ward, wasaslightrow. The anti Tammany ticipate, and the regulars, who met 1 their intention of issuing o we of their own. last night, ane cal wy t ats of Senator ‘The Douglas, General Houston and Speaker Orr, now in this city, are fully deiailed tp our columns to-day. Mr. Douglas received bis friends at the Everett House, bat had no public demonstration. Mr. Orr received his friends at the City Ball, and made a speceh in reply to a congratulatory address from Mayor Tiemann. General Houston received his visiters quietly at the Metropolitan. Mr. Douglas will receive his friends at the City Hall today, avd will be serenaded inthe evening. Michael Cancemi., tried for the fourth time forthe murder of policeman Eugene Anderson, and con- victed on the last trial of manslanghter in the first degree, will be brought op this morning before the general term of the Supreme Court for sentence. The punishment is imprisaun.eut for life or not less than ten years. The Board of Aldermen met last evening. Con siderable routine business was transacted, and re ports concurring in the expediency of laying down Belgian pavementin Fourth avenne, from Seven teenth to Thirty-second street, and in the Fifth avenue, from Washington square to Forty-second street, were adopted. Alderman Tusker moved to discharge the ‘Swill Milk Corumittee” from further labors, but the motion was cut off by a move to adjourn until two o'clock to-day. ‘The Board of Councilmen were also in session lost evening, but the business was of a routine cha- «ter. A resolution directing the Street Commis- ner to cause to be opened a carriage way actosa 1 + tower end of the Park was lost and laid on the «. A petition of Wm. B. Astor and others in » of extending Beekman street across the Park ion the table, The report of the Confer. exce Committee in favor of the constraction of # y voden building in the Park, to be used as a tem- porary locstion for the eteam fire engines, was con- curred ip. Toey aleo concurred with the Aldermen te pave Fourth avenue from Sqyyatocuse street iv NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, Thirty-second, with Belgian pavement, and a - Journed to meet to-day at twelve o'clock. ‘The genoral holiday on the Ist of January being close at hand, comb ued with the inclomency of tho weat r, almost suspended transactions m trade yesterday. il the exception » otton and one of two other artic», (hv busmess done wa very light. The sales of cotto), how ever, reached about 500 bales; about 1,200 or 1,410 were in transitu. f, the si of the pen or otherwise we were made to give 51,000 ba'e- in yesterday's edit on as the sales of the previous da . when 3,100 were anined— @ fart mo doubt quite obyous to the tute. The market yesterday closed with «ore steadine s, without quotable change in prices. Fil» r was ra her firmer, especially for common grades of State aii Western, Wheat and corn were heid with steadiness, while sales were limited. Pork was du | and lower, with sales of old mess at $17 @ $17 1234, new do. at $17 70 a $17 75, old Prime at €13, and new do. at $18.50. Sugars were quiet, Laving been checked by the severity of the snow 1m, while they only embraced 50 hhds. Cuba ut 700. a 8 >., and New Oricans on terms giving in another place. Coffee was also quiet, and sales triding, Freights were un changed, and engage vents limited; 600 bales cotton were taken to Liverpool at 3-10d. a 7-82d., 1,800 bbis. crude turpentine at 2. 74/d., and 200 bbls. pork at 2s. 6d. ‘The European Outcry against the President's Me ssage=—Can Cuba be Purchased? The excitement that has been caused in Cuba ly the bold and energetic language of the Presi- dent’s Message is but an indication of the outcry we shall have from Europe in a few days, from the same cause, From Madrid, Paris and London we may look for a general outburst against the American poli- cy that has been so ably laid down by Mr. Bu- chanan. But this is nothing more than what we expected. The conservators of European theo- ries ani the sycophants of European despotisms are fierce haters of every thing that smacks of Ame- rican progress; and they howl and hiss whenever the United States takes a new step in advance, or annunciates a principle to be sustained before the world. The noise of their outery and the fierceness of their anger are always in exact pro- portion to the true value of the act or principle sustained; and therefore we may know from the measure of their attacks the worth of the prin- ciple they oppose. Some of our own old fogy journals, who habitually side with those of Eu- rope whenever a question of American policy is concerned, have recently awakened to the fact that the policy proposed to be established by the administration of Mr. Buchanan may not quite suit the Derbys, Walewskis and O'Donnella of Europe, and they have begun to give play to their natural instincts, and howl against it. But in proportion as the outery comes from the European interests against the policy of the President's Message, so will the support of it from our own people increase in strength and numbers. Before another year has rolled round we may have an elucidation of Robert J. Walk- er’s idea of what a popular man is. On one o¢- casion, when Mr. Polk was President, the Secre- taries were discussing at a Cabinet dinner their respective prospecis for the Presidency. In the course of the conversation Mr. Walker addressed Mr. Buchanan pretty nearly in these terms :— “You are a prominent man, have a statesman’s reputation, a fine intellect, a broad knowledge of men and things in this country and Europe, and are strong on all sides; but you want one great thing tobe a popular man.” “ What is that?” said Mr. Buchanan. “ Why,” said Walker, “you have not got the devil in you, and no man can be popular unless he has the devil in him.” “Well,” replied Mr. Buchanan, “po one knows where the devil is until he has shown himself.” In the workings of the policy laid down in the Message we may yet find that there is more of the devil than any one an- ticipates. Instead of reasoning on probabilities, we will take one fact that has already developed itself. In speaking of Spain, Mr. Buchanan complains that our intercourse with Cuba is subjected to continual trouble, because of the want of power in the Captain General of Cuba to treat inter- national questions. The Captain General re- plies, in the semi-official press of Havana, that he is a subordinate to the crown, and asks if the Governor of California bas any power to treat similar questions. So far goes the theory. But let us look now at the practice. Certain diffi- culties occur between the Spanish Consul and merchants at Tampico and Governor Garza. The Captain General of Cuba sends Captain Topete down there with two or three war vessels, and orders him to protect the Spanish merchants. ‘The difficulties are arranged between Garza and Topete, subject to the approval of the Captain General of Cuba. No mention is made of Madrid, or the Queen, or the Court. The Captain Gene- ral does not approve of it; and assuming to him- self the powers of arbiter and protector of all Spanish interests in America, orders Topete to obtain the money or blow down the city. Here we have theory and practice. The | olicy which Mr. Buchanan would adopt, and which it depends upon Congress to sanction, would do away with all this. The Captain General of Cuba should have the same authority to give satisfaction that he has to demand it, aud our go- vernment would do well to adopt the Topete diplomacy in bringing the Cuban authorities to account. When Gov. Garza referred to his su- perior authority, the Spanish commander, acting under orders, ignored all Presidents and national Powers. Why should not we ignore kings and queens In settling with Cuba? The excite- ment caused in Cuba by the recommendation of the President to Congress to authorize ite pur- chase, and the appropriation of « eum for prelimi- nary payments, shows that the measure recom- mended by the President is a living measure, and goes home to the subject. It will aleo cause @ great commotion in Europe; and if Congress follows out the suggestion and grants the au thority and money as ed for, it will make a still greater impression there. We are told that we cannot buy Cuba. Then there is no harm done in giving the authority to purchase, and the money will not be spent. And if it does not bay Cuba, the very fact of Congress approving the policy will gain us something. Spain will see that we are in earnest, and may come up to the scratch, and settle all other points at issue between us. But we are not eo sure that Cuba cannot be purchased, notwithstending the loud assertions to that effect. Mr. Buchanan has asked for the means to make preliminary payments, and he would not have done this had he not had good reason to suppose that something can be done with the Court of Spain. Congress should, there- fore, by all means, give him the opportunity to avail himself of the favorable conjunctures he may sce forcarrying out this high step in our national advance; and the louder the European outery against it, the more is the reason why the President should be armed with the money. If Spain is so resolved and so virtuous, what danger does she incur by the simple act of our Congress? And ifshe runs no danger, why make such a pow- wow! We suspect some other feeling than one of confidence ie at the bottom of the outer) of the Cuban officials; and certainly Wey know their gn covet best. The Desecration of New Year's Doy. The political and social demoralization of a people always proceed with equal and exact steps. In this city the municipal government has been gradually growing more and more | corrupt, weak and inefficient during the last twenty years. It has been administered gene- rally by irresponsible and disreputable persons, who have attached to their skirts a crowd of leeches clamoring violently for the spoils. If any respectable or responsible man found himself among these cormorants, he was glad to get out © such company as soon as possible. The poli- te'ans, a8 a sort of security for their tenures of office, have been the ready advocates and pro- tectors, before the law, of the bullies who con- trol the primary elections and monopolise the polls. This evil example has not been without its mc ral effect upon the rising generation, and the city of New York can now produce a more plentiful crop of juvenile rowdies, seamps and scoundrels, than any other metropolis in Christen- dom. Encouraged by the companionship, coun- sel and example of rascals older than themselves, these young rowdies think there can be no limit to the exercise of their peculiar appetites, and they act upon that hypothesis. On ordinary occasions, the exploits of the rowdy population are usually confined to their own special cliques, but in a season of general festivity like the holidays which we are now enjoying, the barrier between them and the respectable classes of the commu- nity is impaired if not broken down altogether, They make New Year's day the period of a Bac- chanalian festival of the most disgraceful charac- ter. It should be properly the time for a general settlement for all the shortcomings and errors of the past year, and a hopeful, earnest desire to avoid similar derelictions in the future. Inter- changes of friendly courtesies between neighbors and intimate friends is proper upon New Year's day, as a matter of course; but there is really no more special occasion to pay a visit then than on any other day of the year. In fact, with the usual influx of bores and fellows who know nothing of the ordinary courtesies and propricties of life, the practice of New Year's visiting has become so far unpleasant that many persons, visited and visiters, have dropped it altogether. The voluntary abrogation of the custom seems to bea fact almost accomplished. It is abrogated the moment that it ceases to be a untversal rule to pay or to receive visits, especially on that day: In the fashionable world it was once the custom to issue invitations to soirées to persons who had the entrée of the house on New Year’s day; but that has been done away with long ago, and the mere fact that a man visits a house on New Year's day gives him no warrant to enter its doors again on any pretence. Nothing could keep up the cus- tom of New Year's visits were it not for the vanity of some silly women, who boast of the number of “calls” they have had during the day. Of all the small female ambitions this is the pet- tiest. It is gratifying to know, however, that the custom in its exigency has received a severe blow at the hands of many respectable people, who will not permit their hearths to be invaded and the household gods polluted by prying strangers, with their strings of common place and dull, ceremonious compliments. A heavy snow fall and no refreshments will nearly do the business for the great bulk of New Year's callers to-morrow. The snow we are pretty sure of, the absence of creature comforts will be marked, as we learn, on all hands. Extraorpmnary Driicence or tHe Common Couxcn.—If the two boards of the Common Council had only exercised the same diligence and activity in the right direction during their whole term of office which characterize the closing hours of their career, they might have provided some measures of good government, if it was possible for any good to emaffate from such a source. They have met daily for the last week, and each board seems to vie with the other as to which shall excel in the silliness of their pro- ceedings. The attempts to re-organize the de partments of Street Commissioner and City Inspector, which have occupied their time for the past few days, used up so much stationery, and cost so much money for printing reports, are nothing more than a reproduction of the Charter, with a few small alterations, for the most part creating some minor offices, to satisfy the maws of hungry office seekers. The proba- bility is that the resolutions on this question of neither board will be assented to by the other ; and if they should happen to do so, it is still more probable that the Mayor will veto them. The members of the Common Council would be better employed if they spent the last week of their official existence in doing penance in sackcloth and ashes for the misdeeds of the past year. Present Canptpates tN THE MeTroros.t- tan Anexa. Whatever objections may be taken to the metropolitan pretensions of New York by large country villages, such as Boston and Phi- ladelphia, the justice of its claims is daily made evident by the fact that when any one has got a particular interest to push, an article to exhibit, or an object to sell, he makes his way straight to our city. No political reputation can be proper- ly endorsed, no position of any kind can be firm- ly established, until it has passed through the ad- vent of our fiat. New York is, in short, the great exhibition ground or trotting out course of all the pretensions— literary, scientific, artistic and political and of all the celebrities, domestic and foreign, which seek to curry favor with the American public. For some time past our city has been unusual- ly alive with these rivalitics. We have had ex- hibitions of new operas and of new opera sing- ers; we have had exhibitions of new preachers on a new stage; we have had exbibitions of new inventions and new inventors; and now we have an exhibition of new Presidential candidates. Close after the bewildering excitement of a Piccolomini campaign, we have the campaign of the aspirants to the honors of the chief magistracy. Between the number at present here and those that may shortly be expected to follow, we shall soon have sufficient to make up a grand procession and pageant, after the style of one of Mr. Wallack’s revivals. Foremogt in the list ix the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Douglas, one of the most distinguisied and talented of contemporary American statesmen. Next comes the venerable Senator from Texas, General Sam. Houston, who has rather strong ideas upon the subject of an American protectorate for Mexico. Then we have the Hon. James L. Orr, of South Carolina, Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, an excellent head for a turbulent body, and, generally speaking, a sound national politician. These are all good candidates, so long as they continue candidates; bnt what they might become in the event of their finding themselves Presidents, is more than bheman forgsight gan be expected to } edict, Of their judgment in one respeci, how- ever, we can speak approvingly, aud that isin their submitting themselves to the personal in- speetion and approval of our New York politi- cians, Nowhere will their weak points be more keenly appreciated or be more critically diseuss- ed; and if they can pass in safety through such au ordeal, they may go their way in confidence and rejoiving. The people of New York have sbown so much discrimination in the selection of the governing heads of their city that the slightest indieation of their preference for » par- ticular candidate for the Presidency will no doubt be responded to admiringly by all sec- tions of the Union. Let the other Presidential aspirants, therefore, come on and enter the field of competition with their rivals If New York is todecide the selection of the executive she should have the full tist to choose from. Movers Exrervtusy——A Gives AY THE Cyciormas Pxoseens ov tHE Day.--The fabulous works of the Cyclopean race that peopled the earth in the ages after the Flood are far outdone by the real works of men of the present age. The giants have to yield the palm to the pig- mies. The Pyramids, and those vast ruing that attest the energy aud power of the nations that have passed, away pale into insignificance before the great and practical works which the miud and industry of the modern nations haye achieved, or on which they are engaged. It is difficult to realize the immensity of the projects which occupy the attention of the people of to-day; and still more difficult is it to have an adequate idea of the great works that have been completed. If we only look at the single matter of railroads, and see the monu- ments that the present gencration has raised to its industry in the network of these iron lines of communication” which it has spread over the two continents, we will begin to appreciate the enterprise, intelligence, wealth and power of the men of this age, And if we turn from that which has been done, and regard only those works that are now in progress, or that have not yet advanced beyond the sphere of projects, we will see that after all that we have done we are on the threshhold of still greater things to be done. To enable our readers to appreciate the mag- nitude of modern projects, we have prepared and publich in our columns to-day a review, ne- cessarily incomplete, of the vast works on which the labor and capital of the men of to-day are being expended, or are about soon to be expended. Although they embrace only works that are fa- miliar to our readers, and do not extend to any of those projects that are being considered or carried out in those quarters of the world that are outside of the ordinary range of our influ- ence and observation, their estimated cost amounts in the aggregate to no less than seven hundred and seventy millions of dollars. The following are the works or projects that we have specially referred to:— ieeens aon Georgian Bay Canal Lake Chamj =| and St. Lawre Ohio Falls Tehuantepec roa Honduras Railrond Central Mexican Railroad The Victoria Bridge over tho St. Tawrence at Montreal ‘AUautic Tele Atlantic and elie Grand total... ..eceeeees This table suffices of itself to give an idea of the immense activity of the age. We have enumerated only some score of great enter- prises, and yet they require for their execution the cnormous sum of seven hundred and seventy millions of dollars. The picture that this pre- sents to the mind is too sublime for criticism. We leave our readers to contemplate it at their leisure. Lost BaaoaGr—A Curtovs Saie.—The Gen- eral Superintendent of the New York Central Railroad has advertised a curious sale that is to take place at the company’s depot in Albany, on Wednesday, the 19th of January, The property that is to be sold on that occasion consists al- most entirely of personal baggage that travellers have left behind them in the cars during the years 1856 and 1857. The list runs from No. 2,107 to 2,668, comprising over six hundred packages. A large number of these waifs have been left behind at Niagara Falls and Suspension Bridge by tourists and pleasure seekers, who, in the excitement of travel and in their eagerness to see the wonders of the thundering cataract, paid far too little attention to their carpet bags and eatchels, and who, failing to recover them immediately, were swept away in the currents of summer travel, abandoning their property, and leaving it tn the hands of the railroad officera. What curiosities may not come to lightin the corners of black carpet bags, or in the capacious recesses of Saratoga trunks! The former may not be peculiarly interesting, as few of them will contain anything more than the shirts and socks and slippers that go to make up the wade me con of a gentleman travelling for business or pleasure. But even in these little leathern con- veniences many stall bits of romance will peep out in daguerreotypes, love letters and keep- sakes, which, to the loser, might be priecless, while to the finder they will only be suggestive of curious speculations. But who would not like to have the rom- maging of one of these Saratoga trunks, bearing the name of its fair owner—perhaps « blonde from merry England, or a brunette from the sunny South? Here the lucky purchaser will turn out the rich silk dress, neatly folded and deposited in Its place by the carefal hands of the pretty girl who will wear it no more; here the snowy chemisctte, with its profusion of tasteful designs wondrously wrought by the fingers of the embroiderer; here those pretty gaiters and exquisite little slippers to remind you of Cin- derella; and bere again «a locket with the portrait of a lover or brother, or bracelets that may have been a sweetheart’s gift. We never heard of a lottery presenting balf the attractions that this prosaic sale of unclaimed baggage presents to persons of a epeculative or romantic turn of mind. It fs, too, a perfect lottery, for the parcele are sold unopened, and the buyer may or may not draw a prize, while, however, he cannot possibly draw a blank, The law makes it imperative on railroad com- panies to advertise the sale of unclaimed bag- gage accumulating in this way, and the adver. tisement which has now attracted our attention covers four columns of a newspaper. The object of the law is, however, defeated by the company, which selects for the publication an obscure jour- nal, of a limited circulation, simply because they get it thus pabliched for comparatively nothing, DECEMBER 31, 1858. ‘These sales should be published in the paper hav- ing the largest cireulation throughout the coun- ty; and not only that, but the unclaimed bag- gage should be so advertised every quarter or half year. This sale ehould not be left to the old clothes men and keepers of junk shops in Albany, but ought really to attract curiosity seckers from all parts of the country. Such a chance does not present itself every day. Tim Carthorntan Gorn Cxor.—Perhaps the richest picee of statistical information which we annually lay before our readers is the account of the shipments of gold from California to New York-—-the gold that goes chiefly to pay our debts abroad und supply us with endless Luxuries at home. The following is the auriferous résumé of Califomia steamship operations for the expiring year:- PASSAGES OF CALIFORNIA STEAMBRS (ATLANTIC | BRANOB) IN 1868. AuounE OF TREASURE BROU( oat. Dote of | Day of| Arrival. | Sailing. ca Names of Steamers. tor of the West, Mots Taylor... Star of the Wert, Moses Taylor Star of the Moses Taylor Star of ihe West. Moses Tuy | Star of th Moses Tay Star of th St. Louis. 4 Star of the West... Miinois... SUNUESERRERNEREEEEEEEES| Total. ‘otal amount brought isat years Difference in favor Of 1858,...+.seeeseeeeere $1,966,440 *One of the shipments of last year—amounting to nearly two miliions of dciiars—was eatirely Lost ia the steamalip Central America. It will be seea that the crop is a6 steady as that of the great staples, corn, cotton and to- bacco. The character of mining operations has changed, however. There is now but little ore found upon the surface or in placers. The inven- tive skill of our mechanics has been set to work to construct great machines by which the wash- ing or quartz crushing is accomplished. The hand work was still further lessened this year, by the sudden withdrawal of no leas than thirty thousand Californian miners, who turned their faces towards Fraser river. It appears, in fact, that mining operations in California are only commenced. Centuries, perhaps ages, will elapse before the quartz mines will cease to be productive; and, with the new machinery and clever men to direct it, the product of each suc- ceeding year will be greater than the preceding. The future of California is almost too grand for finite perception. THE LATEST NEWS. Our Special W: he. OUR NEW MINISTER TO SPAIN, AND WHAT Hk SHOULD DO—DESPATCHES FROM THE GULF AND PACIFIC SQUADRONS—OPERATIONS AT TAMPICO—IMPORTANT MOVEMENT OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, ETC. Wastunaton, Dec. 30, 1858, The family of Mr. Preston, Minister to Spain, lett Wash- ington to-day for New York, and the Minister will leave in a few days, with intention to sail for Europe early in January. It does not appear that Mr. Preston goes out with apy well defined plan, in accordance with the general ‘sentiment of this country and the intimations in the Presi- dent's Message, to acquire Cuba or to obtain more liberal ‘Spanish policy in this hemisphere. It is to be hoped, how- ‘ever, be will have ambition cnough, and that the administra- ‘tion will back him, to do something in accordance with the wishes of his country and the necessities of the times, ‘The do-nothing policy of former Ministers is not up to the requirements of this great country or the movements of the age. The Navy Department has received despatches from different commanders on the coasts of South America, Cen- tral America, Mexico and the Pacific. Their despatches contain little that has not been already published in the Fimxatp. The Jamestown was cruising between the Colo- rado river and Chiriqai lagoon, no doubt watebing for the fil:busters expected on that coast. Tbe mate of the American ship Fortitude arrived at San Juan det Norte on the Ist inst., reporting that his ship hhad gone ashore off Cape Gracios a Dios. The officers and crew arrived at San Juan in her Britannic Majesty's steamship Cwsar. ‘The Saratoga, Commander Turner, arrived at Tampico ‘on the 24 inst., thirteen days from Aspinwall. The Com- mander went ap to the city to look after the interests of American citizens. Gov. Garza hai surrendered the goods seized from Mr. Schultz, an Americaa citizen, The forced Joan from another American, Mr. Bastian, had not been restored, though Garza bad promised Captain Dabigren, when there, it should be. Ik is proposed there should be @ caucus of Southern menabers of Congress from States bordering ow the Gulf, and otbers, irrespective of party, favorable to a decisive Policy with rogard to Mexico, to urge upon the adminis- tration the necessity of promptly seizing the present op- portanity to improve our relations with Mexico aad to ex. tend oar influence over that country. The time is con- sidered most favorable, and ought not to be lost by delay. THE CRNBLAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. NEW COMMANDER OF THE HOME SQUADRON—INTET RESTING NEWS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA AND aai Wastnwaton, Dec. 20, 1868, Captain MecCluney has been appointed to the command of the Home Squadron, vice Mclotosh, who will return to Georgia to recruit his health. Information was received to-day from Nicaragua, whici shows that Yrisarri bas not been recalled, but that his re- rignation a8 Minister to the United States, heretofore ten- dered, has bean accepted. General Jeroz is still in Wash- ington, ‘The Central American States are more than ever im preased with the necessity of forming « confederation for their mutual protection It is said to be highly probable that Nicaragua will take no decisive motion relative to tho Cass Yrisarri treaty until afer the arrival of Si¢ Wu. Gore Ouseley, who was daily expected. The government has just received Mexican dates to No vember 25, which came overiand by a special mesnen ger. Tt appears from the official despatches that the st. Marys arrived very opportunely at Gaaymas on the 161h of November. The @uth of the rumor that Mr. Ainga (who had beon imprisoned at Guayrmas and set at liberty) had arrived at Acapaico is confirmed. The commotions for the prosent had subsided, and the regniar authorities ‘were restored to the pomession of the city government. The public mind was still agitated by local trowkdes, ag well aa by political animosities, growing out of the recent revolution in Sonors. The commander of the St. Marys fonnd Frede. rick Gverlte, af American citizen, coniacd wm Jail apd procured his discharge. The former bad not palated the Gag nor the Prefect, and it was not hia intention to pay ony milkary honors to the Gov F ten Peequiera, @ho, it was faid, was ow his way to aay ‘nas Pesqniera wae carreing = an active war agninet the adjoming State of Pinaloa, and si Chane hope! gained a victory at ta Mesia, near ope the road the city of Mazatlan, toward which it was said pg 5 heen received of the capture of Guada ajere by Dom by Degolisdo, af the Juarer party after the asseas. sitation of Blanearte, the military commandante, The o had been gree upto pilinge. n this nows reach. et Magatinn inhabitants determined to defend their City againat the constitutionaliets French residents bad banded themaelves tozether for mutux! protection, and all the foreigners bad con tr'buted the means of making an addition of four hundred men to the regular garr sen The following 1s the Treasury statement for the week ending on Monday Inet — Ratanes Non-Arrival of the Americe, Haurax, Dec. 30— 9 P.M. ‘Thers are aa yet no signs of the steamship Ameries, now duo st this port with Liverpool cates of dhe 18th ina, Weather calm and oleor. Counterfelts on Pay State Bank of Troy. ; Aunany, Dec, 30, 1858. A very large quantity of counterfeit twenty dollar bitte on the Blate Bank of Troy bas been circulated im the Western cities lately. The bills are so well executed that the most expert detectives have been deceived, and large quantities taken by the banka. Kight hundred dollars ef this money were received at the Assorting House an4 seat to the Bank Department, where it was examined and pro- pounced a fraud, although, had it not been known that auch bills were in circulation, even the Register, whose name was on them, might bave been deceived. To-day two thousand dollars worth was received by the Stato Bank of Troy with the exchanges from the Western oittes, and returned to the egencies in this city aad New York. ‘The State Bank of Troy bas issued a circular, calling im si their twenties, so that thoy may be destroyod Condition of the Overtand Mall Route. / Sr. Loms, Dec. 80, 1858. Mr. James Campbell, conductor on the Overland mal route between Fort Smith and Red river, bas arrived here, having traversed the line to Tipton on horseback. He re- ports the road from Tipton to Springfeld the worst over travelled by a coach, it requiring forty hours to make the trip, while with ordinary roads the time necessary in only eighteen hours. Tse whole route if now thoroughly stocked and equipped, and every facility is aflurded fer speed and safety of travel. ‘Mr, Campbeil says that Mr. Buttorfield has purghasod large farm in the vicinity of Fayetteville, Ark., and éo- signs to make it his future residence. Affairs in Albany. THE CANAL BOARD—GOVERNOR KING AND THE TROOPS AT STATEN ISLAND. ALBany, Deo. 30, 1856. In the Canal Board to-day the question came up on the adoption of the memorial, prepared by Mr. Ruggles, ask ing Congress for aid from the general government for ia- provements of the harbors of Buffalo and Oswego. The prayer of the memorial and ali {that portion bearing upea the facts was unanimously adopted by the Board. It was understood to-day that Governor King would | issue a prociamation for the removal of the troops from Staten Isiand. The proclamation, howover, was dolayed, im consequence of the non-reception of the necessary let- ters from the Shoriif of Staten Island, Governor King gives a farewell party to-night. The Case of the Yacht Wanderer. SAVANNAH, Dec. 30, 1858. The Wanderer case was continued to-day. Capteée Christy was recalled, and testified that on December 2 he went from Brunswick to Jekyl Island, and saw mogreea Isnded by unknown white men. He stpposed the number was about three hundred. Some of them were put ou hia steamer and conveyed fourteen miles above Savannak, Other witnesses were sworn, but the testimony wa usim- portant. The case was then adjourned in consequance ef the illness of one of the prisoners, ‘The Navajoe Indlans, Sr. Louts, Dec. 30, 1863. Mr. Yost, agent of the Navajoo Indians, writes to the Republican, from Fort Defiance, that @ peace was oea- + cluded with the chief of that nation on the 20th of Ne vember. Mr. Yost, who is also editor of the Saata Fe Gazette, denies that that paper ever justified the acts of the Nayajoes, as reported im a despatch from Indopen- dence some time since. ‘The Bay State Mills. Bosro, Dec. 30, 1858. The Bay State Mills Corporation, of Lawrence, or. ganized to-day, under the name of the Washington Mills, by electing a Board of Directors and other officers. Joseph ~ S. Fay was chosen Treasurer. His bonds are $20,000. ‘The capital is limited to $2,000,000. An excess of subscrip- tion of over $1,700,000 is to be divided among the credi- tors of the Bay State Milis. Dinols Politics=The Western Gold Mines. St. Loms, Deo. 30, 1858. Daniel C, Conkling is announced as acandidate for Congress in tho Sm&th district of Dlinois, in opposition to ‘Mr. Hodges, the democratic nominee, to fill the vacasoy caused by the death of Hon. Thomas L. Harris. Authentic accounts, confirmatory of the previous ad- vices respecting the richness and extent of the Kansas ‘fud Nebraska gold mines, continue to pour ia. Fire at Columbia, S.C, Corvama, Dec. 30, 1858. Are broke out here yesterday, and seventy bales of cotton, with several mules and horses, were burned up The property belonged to the estate of Richard Sandloy, St. Loum, Dee. 20, 1858. Affire broke out at Booneville, Mo., this moraing, de stroying a whole block of brick buildings, including the Otserver newspaper office. Loss, $56,000; insuranoe, $90,000. The fire was the work of an incendiary, The Imported Negroes. SAVANNAM, Deo. 30, 1866, The Republican of this morning says that iwo of the recently imported Africans have been arrested at Macom, and brought to Savannah. They were en route to South - Weather Reports. Drckwnes 30—9 A.M. Mowrerat.—Clear; thermometer 14 deg. below zero. Ts.ann Poxp, Vi.—Clear; ther. 30 dew. below zero, s Ware Riven Juxomow, Vi.—Clear; ther. 4 deg. below toro. Rovre's Powr, N. Y.—Wind west; thor. 16 dog. below ero. Oopevsnena, N. ¥.—Clear; ther. 10 deg. below ore. St. Jounsmcne, Vi.—Ciear; ther. 23 deg. below zora. Bostos.—Commencod snowing this morning; ther. 16 adove zero. Poatianp, Me.—Clear, ther, 2 deg. below zero. Bancor, Me.—Wind north; clear; ther. 12 below zore. Catam, Me,—Wind northwest; clear; thor. 14 deg. be. ‘Cotton steady sales to day param ee the week add 3,800 bales, and the ee Receipts at ail Southern ports alead vad “io CHARtmeTaN, Deo. 1 Cotton—Sales to-day 1,600 bales. Sales ay — Middiing fair 11%. a 126. Ime ya PRILADeLema, Wheat quiet: white, te, #1 40, lour steady. red, $1 250 an Corn unchanged. Whiskey firm, 24 'g. 4 2350 ‘Civerewan,'Deo. 30, 1858. Flour dull, Whiekey firm at 21%.’ Hoge Ni SF iret eater Woew nes om 10%e. a lle. , and 10%6. offered. vared, setters. “Lard, ——. General Scott's Southern Tour. OUR KEY WEST CORRESYONDENCE. Key Wrst, Dec. 25, 1858. Major Gonoral Winfleld Scott and suite arrived in thie city in the steamship Isabel at a late hour on the night of the 21st, from Charleston, They immediately procoeled to the United States barracks, where quarters were pre- pared for them by Lieut. Bddy, the officer in command, ‘The Geveral appeared quite feeble from the effects of bis Ato fall and the fatigue of the voyage; but he bas rallied wonderfully during the short period he hax been here, ‘and were it possible for him to remain for tho winter, bis health and strength would be ina measure restored. He is charmed ih the climate, which at this period of the year is uneurpaseed for ita salubrity. Tho winds have been from che northeast, genuine trade winds, and the ' oo the whole period Of his s0- Gonoral if partly of « military natore ae eth of, tae Oeee'el tan beallh. Hie ban tapers Fort veston for at Mobile and arrange for a troops at that point, to prevent Aiibumter expedit re ! jew Orleans, Tt is that he will stor gatrin of Vaid. Mata 1 departure of any wre Awrrroan feet: re — This che held ite regular meeting an Weds iv evening, wor. W Geisendalner presiding, when the Secretary, . Heary y Meiga, read an interesting revort, compile | fein di Torent journals at home and abroad, relative to reset improva ronte In yarlows branches of t! > mechwnirarts, _ {| ' EE