The New York Herald Newspaper, January 30, 1859, Page 1

THE NEW Y RK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 8183. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL CAUCUS. Important Proceedings Relative to the Tariff and a New Loan, THREATENED ANARCHY IN CONGRESS, Abuses in the Public Service in California, ‘ &ey &e., &. Proceedings of the Democratic Caucus on the Tariff Question—Opposition to an Inerease of Duties—Attitude of the Pennsylvania Delegation and the Republicans—Condition ef the Treasury—Neglect of the Public ‘Business by Congress—Anticipated Message of the President, &., &e. OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DESPATCH, ‘ Wasurvarton, Jan. 29, 1859. ‘The democratic Senators held a caucus this morning on the subject of the tariff. Mr. Hunter offered a resolution declaring it jnexpedient to change the law at the present session. Mr. Bigler presented a substitute therefor, as follows:— Resolved, That the revenue being insufficient to meet the expenses of the government, it is wise and expedient ' pase the import duties to meet the deficiency. . Bigler’s substitute was voted down, and Mr. Hun- "gs resolution was adopted by a large majority. Mr. Slidell thereupon offered a resolution, which was adopted, that it is the duty of Congress to look rather to a reductiop of expenditures than an increase of ro- venue. ‘There was much excitement during these proceedings, during Which Mr. Hunter expressed the opinion that with a revival of business there would be sufficient revenue for the purposes of the government. Mr. Bigler, it is understood, spoke of the suffering of in- @ustrial interests, and urged increased duties. He said the public debt, now sixty-four millions, would be a hun- dred millions by the 30th of June, 1860, without the thirty millions proposed to be added to the foreign intercourse fund looking to the purchase of Cuba, Messrs. Toombs and Benjamin were willing to favor specific duties on great staples, but against attempting anything this session. Mr. iverson favored an increase of the tariff as abso- Jately necessary. While not favoring epceific duties, he would give thirty per centtm on iron. Mr. Douglas thought it was important that the demo- cratic party should settle their policy as to whether they were for specific or ad valorem duties. ‘Mr. Hunter replied that all seemed agreed on the party policy that the tariff should be for revenue, but that the mode of assessing the duties was not a party test. Mr. Fitch acquiesced in this view, remarking that Sena- torial democratic caucuses held for conference never sought to bind men to vote for measures. ‘The action of the caucus has excited great surprise, the Pennsylvania delegation being especially indignant. AS an ascertained majority of the House declare they will vote for nc Joan bill unless it is combined with a change in the tariff, it is evident legislation must come to dead lock. From present appearances this Congress will end in a discreditable snarl, compelling the President to call an extra session of the new Congress immediately after the adjournment. ‘The Committee on Ways and Means held another session yesterday morning on the tariff, but arrived at no conclu- sion. It was further postponed until Tuesday, at which time the views of the Secretary of the Treasury will be laid before them. The disagreement of the members of the committee is as marked as ever. It is understood that republican members from various States have notified Mr. Phelps, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, that no help can be expected from them to advance the general appropriation bills until some plan is reported from the committee by which the expenses thus incurred shall be met without an increase of the national debt. This explains much of the persistent oppo- sition to the Consular and Diplomatic bill. ‘Tho Secretary of the Treasury will reply to the resolu- tion of the House adopted yesterday that he sees no reason to change the views expressed in his report that the existing tariff will not furnish a sufficient revenue this year to meet the requirements of the government, and that he, therefore, reiterates his recommendation that tho tariff shall be increased by the change of certain promi- nent articles to the higher schedules, the adoption of de cimal rates, and authority to re-issue the Treasury note or otherwise provide tor them. This answer may be de- layed some days in order to present the exports and im- ports tothe Ist of January. The treasury balance on Monday last was nearly four million and a half dollars. The receipts of the previous ‘week were one million two hundred and nineteen thou- sand dollars. The drafts paid wero nearly three hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars, and the drafts issued six hundred and eighty-seven thousand dollars. Increase of the amount on hand upwards of five hundred and thirty- two thousand dollars. It is asserted in this evening's papers that the President ‘will send to Congress on Monday a message urging them to expedite the public business. There is no foundation for this rumor. There is, however, no doubt but that by the middle of February, if the public business is no fur- ther advanced than it is now, the President will send a message to Congress calling upon them to do their duty, placing the responsibility of the neglect where it belongs, and distinctly stating that unless they proceed to pass the necessary laws to enable the government to be conducted properly, ho will not hesitate to call an extra session. It is undoubtedly true that the President feels indignant at the wilful neglect of the public service which the present Congress displays—wire pulling for 1860, instead of legis- lating for the country. Special Despatch from Washington. PROPOSED INCREASE OF LETTER POSTAGE—MIS- MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN CALI- FORKNIA—THE FREMONT MARIPOSA PATENT AGAIN— THE PACIFICO RAILROAD PROJECT DEFUNCT—THE LOBBY IN FULL FEATHER—TAMMANY HALL DITTO— THURLOW WEED AND “FREE WOOL'—THR OLING- MAN QUESTION STILL UNSETTLED—THE TAMMANY DOUGLAS MEN IN A QUANDARY—THE PERUVIAN GUANO MONOPOLY—THE TROUBLES OF THE RAIL ROAD COMPANIES UNSETTLED, ETC., ETC. Wasixaton, Jan. 29, 1959, ‘The Sonate caucus this morning agreed to support an in* Crease in the rates of letter postage to five cents, ‘The special agent of the Treasury Department despatched some time ago to investigate matters connected with tho , California Mint and Custom House, has laid his report be- fore tho Secretary, The report charges gross mismanago- ment and abuse as existing in all tho departments in Cali- fornia. It s probable extensive removals will take place, ‘Thore has boon no renewal of tho efforts to have Collec- tor Scholl removed since the signing of the famous Tam- many treaty, though the Tammanyites complain that Mr, Schell bas not carried out his part of the programme, A person has arrived bere from the squatters on tho SUNDAY MORNING,” JANUARY 30, 1889. PRICE TWO CENTS. Mariposa property, to ask the interposition of the govern- ment in setting aside the Fremont patent, om the groundog fraud in the suryey, The subject has been laid before the Attorney General. J understand that the other evening there was a gather- ing together of such politicians as Ike Fowler, Sanders, Walden, Dean Richmond, Haskin, Dick Connolly, and others of that school, upon the question of what shall we do with Mr. Douglas? This question, therefore, may have much to do with this otherwise mysterious gathering of the Tammany sachems. The spoila of 1860 are a delicate game, and Tammany is taking soundings, ‘he sachems have been devoted to Douglas, but they are now some- what befogged. Slidell’s thirty million bill and some other things have broken up their previous calculations. ‘The Douglas sympathisers had a sort of informal caucus ‘at the Judge’s house the other day, with reference to the Presidential programme of 1860, Fowler, Connolly, George Sanders and others of New York, with several Southern members of Congress, were in favor of Douglas remain- ing in the democratic party until the Obarleston Conven- tion. Forney was opposed to this,and desired the Judge to make an independent party. He was ruled out, and now stands alone, as a monument of bitter personal parti- sanship. Whatever may be the secret movements of these leaders of New York politics, they are not prepared to enter into the impracticable schemes of poor Forney. They look more keenly to the spoils of office. Forney is savage at this cavalier manner of treatment. He dies bard, The Railroad Convention adjourned to two o’clock this mornipg, and after a stormy time adjusted all their diffi- culties, The promincat features discussed by the Conven- tion Were a8 follows:—First—Free deliveries of freights in cities, which was agreed to be abandoned. Second—Pay- mezt of commissions to express companies by all of the connections of the Erie road, It was agreed that this should be stopped, and if continudd™hat the road in question should be cut off from all business over either of the four lines. Third—Agreement as to the manner of changing rates; to avoid a change by one road without notice to allothers, Fourth—Agreement as to form of handbilis and advertisements, which in future are to be submitied to and approved by the umpire, Barlow. Fifth—Change of rates 60 as to meet the low rates by the Ohio river, which have controlled all the Western and Southwestern shipments, and by means of which change the Erie and Central roads can now geta share of the business. The discussions on many of these points were of the most ex- cited character, and there was danger that the Convention would break up in a row. But they finally all quieted down, and at the adjournment every one seemed satisfied. In fact, they all admitted that, by means of the existing agreement, each of the four roads was saving at least a hundred thousand dollars per month, whfich would other- wise be lost by ruinous competition and unnecessary ex- penditures. They are to have another mecting in New York on the 23d of February. AS we approach the last month of the session, the visiters of all sorts to Washington, on business or plea- sure, increase. The hotels are crowded, and the name of the lobby is legion, The streets swarm with genteel idlers, as well as with the unwashed democracy of Tam: many and the Pewter Mug. Thurlow Weed has been here, but has posted back to attend to the heayy business of the Albany lobby, leaving behind his principal fugleman, Farmer Able, to look after the “statistics” of “free wool,’ in connection with the modification of the tariff. The lobby birds are hungry, but they are maturing their plans for a grand haul amidst the confusion of the last two days and mghts of the session; and from the ‘backwardness of the appropriation bills, they expect to slip through, at the eleventh hour, a lot of handsome prizes, in the way of claims, indemunities, Indian annuities, contracts, &c, Old Tammany is largely represented here just now, and it appears there is anything but harmony among the sachems, Indeed, it is said that there is an inside fight going on between a clique headed by Fowler and another headed by George Sanders; but what it is all about has not transpired. At any rate, the war bas not yet beon ro- opened against Collector Schell, nor is it very likely that any further attempt, if made, to displace him, will amount toanything; for the President will doubtiess hold all con- cerned—Tammany and anti-Tammany—to their late treaty. It is still believed here that Mr. Senator Clingman has made @ mistake in declining to notice the suspicion with which he has been associated in reference to those news- paper slanders against the Lady Gore Ouseley ; and so long as certain conversations of his upon Central American af- fairs are remembered, go long will this aforesaid suspicion continue, unless put to rest by that decisive explanation which it is to be hoped he is competent to give. ‘The State Department is pgbparing to submit to Congress a long correspondence on the guano trade between Peru and this country, under the call of the following resolu- tion, presented by Mr. Slidell, in the Senate, on the 4th instant:— Resolved, That the President be requested to communi- cate, if in his opinion it be not incompatible with the pub- lie interest, any correspondence with the goveroment of Peru or its agents on the subject of trade in guano, and all information which may tend to explain the manner in which said trade is regulated, and whether such regula. tions have not the effect unduly to enhance the price of guano to the consumer, or to deprive vessels navigatin, under the flag of the United States of the fair and equi competition with those of other nations, guaranteed by the treaty with Pern of the 19th of July, 1852; and if so, whether any and what regulation is expellient to counter. act the effect of such regulations. The correspondence will show that Peru extends her system for monopolizing the sale of her guano, not only over its shipment from the Chincha Islands, but into all the ramifications of its distribution, handling and sale in every part of the United States; and that this system of mono- polizing its freightage and retail sales doubles the cost of this unequalled fertalizer to the American farmer without lering the slightest increased advantage to Peru, It is known here that the Peruvian agents in this country have made immense fortunes out of their monopoly of the agencies. A large portion of this immense tax has been paid by the agricultaral intorests of Virginia and Maryland, upon whom it is peculiarly onerous, and they have formerly made great efforts to have it broken up. As the use of guano is rapidly increasing in this country, it is desirable to have its cost to the consumers diminish- ed, and it is hoped that Mr. Slidell’s action in the matter will tend in that direction. Captain Whiting, ot the Sonora Survey, is now in Wash- ington, and reports most favorably of Captain Stone's progress. He had already surveyed twelve millions of acres, and will soon have one-third of the entire State sur- veyed. A large immigration is expected in the spring. A report presented to the State Department on the condition of that part of Mexico confirms and reiterates the news received from time to time of the utterly disorganized con dition of the country, requiring the intercession of the United States, or some other strong arf™ of power, to save it from ruin, The Pacific Railroad bill, which passed the Senate Thurs- day is not likely to pass the House. The special commit- tee, have had an informal meeting, and are averse to it, and will defeat it when it comes before them on Mon- day at their regular meeting. Mr. Gwin will make an ef. fort to bring it again before the Senate for modification. From the disposition of Senators there is little hope that he will succeed. Several projects for a railrond on Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, are on the tapis in the Senate. The fighting, lobbying and rivalry of competing companies will probably defeat the measure, The republicans will meet in caucus for the pur. pose of conferring together as to the course to be pur- sued in regard to the tariff and other questions, as also in reference to the Cuba question, Great diversity of opinion exists among them upon that question. ‘The prospect is favorable for the thirty million Cuba bill in the Senate, and it is daily gaining strength in the House, ‘The difficulty between Messrs. Douglas and Fitch is not ended yet. The publication of the correspondence by Mr. Benjamin has created a good deal of indignation on the part of Douglas’ friends, who publicly denounce it. Hawkins and Pryor, it is expected, will come out in a day or two, in acard couched in strong terms, and calling Mr. Benjamin to account, not only for the publication, but ac- cusing him of Ralicising the correspondence different from the originals. THR GENERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. ‘Wasurvaron, Jan. 29, 1859. ‘The bills establishing Territorial governments for Ari- zona, Dacotah and Jefferson wore yesterday introduced by Mr, Stephens in the House, on his own notice. They are not, therefore, reports from the Committes on Territories, though exactly similar to those agreed to in the committee excepting the name of the Playte river country, which in his bill is called Jefferson instead of Colona or Tohoss. As adopted by the committee, Jefferson rans from the one hundred and first degree tothe Rocky Mountains, and from the forty-third degree to the Mexican line. The ob- Ject of introducing the bills in this way was to have them printed, so that when the Committee on Territories is reached in the call, the bills then printed can be put on their passage, the House in the meantime having the op- pertunity to read them. It is considered material to correct an error in Wednes- day’s House report, What Mr. Barksdale, of Mississippi, said was:—He regarded the discussion of the question of re-opening the African slave trade as ill-timed and out of place; but at the proper time and under proper circum- stances he would take his position upon it, and would do it with reference to the effect it would baye upon his con- stituents and his section of the Union. It appears, from recently received official documents, that the coolie trade to Havana is principally conducted at Macao, and escapes the jurisdiction of the colony. The emigration of respectable Chinese to the gold fields of California and Australia is about thirty thousand per annum, Many of these return again, and American ves- sels receive a good share of the passage money; but this Dusiness, £0 far as California was concerned, was cut off by ihe law which took effect last October, and which sub- jects the vessel to a fine of six hundred dollars for every Chinese brought into that State. ‘The House Committee on Indian Affairs have unanimous- ly agreed on a bill relative to the great Indian reserve in Kansas, known as the New York Reserve, embracing nearly two millions of acres of land, and all pre-empted by whites, Its details have not transpired, but it is un- derstood that it Is satisfactory both to settlers and Indians, and that it will enable all the settlers to obtain titles after one year. The Committee on Elections decided this morning in fa- vor of Bird B. Chapman as the rightful delegate from Ne- braska, in place of Mr. Ferguson, the sitting member. This contested case has been pending from the commence- ment of the present Congress. THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION. Senate. Wasnmncrton, Jan, 20, 1850. THB PACIFIO RAILROAD, ETC, To-day was set apart for District of Columbia business. Previous to its being taken up, however, Mr. Gwin, (adm.) of Cal., made a motion to reconsider the vote on the Pacific Railroad bill, and prefaced his motion with a few remarks, stating that his object was to make tho esti- mates advertised for more specific, to prevent straw bids, and to include estimates for a branch to Oregon. Mr. Brut, (opp.) of Tenn., said a few words to show that the bill is adequate as it stands. Mr. Davis, (adm.) of Miss., spoke in support of Mr. Gwin’s views. Mr. Srvarr, (adm.) of Mich., moved to lay the motion on the table, but the hour of one o’clock arriving, the vote thereon was postponed till Monday. The rest of the day was occupied with the local affairs of the city of Washington. The subject of a horse railroad along Pennsylvania ave- nue was debated all day. ‘The proposition to concede the right of the road to the Metropolitan Railroad Company was lost. The motions now pending are the District Committee’s bill to grant a concession of the road for twenty-five years to Messrs. Vanderwerken &Co., and the Douglas amendment to make over the right of the road to the cor- poration of the city. Finally, there being no quorum present, Mr. Brown moved a call of the Senate, but was prevailed on to with- draw it, when the Senate adjourned. House of Representatives. ‘Wasuraton, Jan. 29, 1859, The House went into committee on private bills. THE INDIAN WAR IN THE PACIFIC. A message was received from the President enclosing a report from the Secretary of War, recommending pay- ment to Governor Stevens for the purchase of munitions and subsistence stores during the Indian war in Washing- ton Territory. Mr. Hovstox, ) ‘@ bill authorizing a loan of fifteen millions. Objections were made to this from the republican side. ‘THE TARIFF. Mr. Pataer, (opp.) of N. Y., asked leave to introduce a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to report a bill so revising the taritf as to make the reve- nue adequate to the expenses of the government, eco. nomically administered, and discriminating in favor of American products, and’ substituting specific for ad va- lorem duties. Moser were made from the democratic side, when the House adjourned. THE ARGUMERT AGAINST CUBA. VIEWS OF A MINORITY IN THE HOUSE. Ritchie, Royce and Burlingame’s Opinions on the Slidell BUl—They Would Stop the American Slave Trade and Concede the Right of Search—A Plea for Spain and Her Colonial Officers—The Amistad Claim De- nied, and Cuba Refused, if to be Acquired, &e., &e. In the House of Representatives, on the 24th inst., Mr, Ritchie, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, submitted the following report of a minority of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the proposed bill authorizing the Presi- dent to purchase Cuba:— The President of the United States, in his annual mes. sage of the 6th of December, 1858, recommends the ac uisition of Cuba by purchase, if possible, from Spain. le gays ‘The publicity which has been given to our former negotin tions upon this subject, and the large appropriation which may be required to effect this purpose, render It expedient, before making another attempt to renew the negotiation, should lay the whole subject before Congress. This is éspecialiy ne ceasnry, an It may become indispensable to success that should be entrusted with the means ot making an advance to the Spanish government immediately after the, slgning of the treaty, without awaiting the ratification of it by the . In conformity with this recommendation, the majori. ty of the Committee of Foreign Affairs have agreed to report a Dill placing the sum of thirty mil lions of dollars at the disposal of the President, for the purpose stated by him, go soon as the treaty shail be rati fled by Spain, and without waiting for the ratification by the Senate of the United States. There are threo reasons alleged by the President of the United States why we should “acquire Cuba.” The first is, that we may puta stop to the slave trade, and thus give hopes for the civilization of benighted Africa. He blends, however, somewhat, this first reason with his second reason, derived from “the imperative and over ruling law of self-preservation.” His message on this part of the subject is as follows :— The truth is that Cuba, in its existing colonial condition, isa constant source of injury and annoyance to the American le. It is the only spot in the civilized world where the African slave trade ia tolerated, and we are bound by treaty with Great Britain to maintain # naval. force on the coast of Africa, at much expense, both of life and trensure, solely for the purpose of arresting alavers bound to that island. The late serious difficulties between the United States and Great Britain could never have arisen if Cuba bad not afforded a market for slaves. As long asthis market shal! remain open there can be no hope for the civilization of be nighted Africa, ist the demand for slaves continues in Cuba, wars will be waged among petty and barbarous: chiefs in Africa for the purpose of seizin, jects to supply this trade, In such « coudition of aifairs it is Impossible tha he light of etvilization aud religion ean ever penetrate these lark abodes, Ithas been made known to the world by my predecessors that the United States bave, on several occasions, endeavored to acquire Cuba trom Spain by honorable negotiation. If this were accomplished, the last relic of the African slave trade would inetantly disappear. We would not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any other manner. This i due to our na. tional character. All the territory which we have acquired since the origin of the government hasbeen by fair purchase from ee, “pain and Mexico, or. by” the free. and voluntary act of the independent State of Texas in blending her destinies with our own. This course we shall ever pursue, unless ircumstances should goour, which we do not now anticipate, rendering a departure from it clearly justiiable, under the Imperative and overruling Jaw of self-preservation. THE AMERICAN SLAVE TRADE SN@ULD NE STOPPED FIRST. We believe we are quite as much oj to the trade, and quite as desirous that “benighted Africe’ should be civilized as is the President, and yet we do not think ourselves called upon, under existing circumstances, either for the one or the other purpose, to “acquire Cuba from Spain either by purchase” or by conquest. In fact, since the message of the President was sent to Cor y circumstances have occurred which show that the ‘Afrieat slave trade is carried on, if not tolerated, in anothor “spot in the civilized world” besides Cuba.’ It is a fact that slaves from Africa have lately been landed and disposed of in tho United States, apparently with little attempt at concealment, and that hitherto the attempts that have beon made to bring the im; and the purchasers of the said African slaves to justice have been wholly unavailing. It is ope al therefore, that we shonld, in any case, suppress tho siavo trade between Africa and tho United States of America before wo interfere with the trade to Cuba, That trade is contrary to law in Cuba as well as in the United States, and thus in theory as well as in practice the ono seems to be at present, so far as this subject is concerned, ona somewhat similar footing with the other. THE RIGHT OF REARCH SHOULD NE CONCEDED TO ENGLAND. Tho President himself remarks that the lato serious difficulties between the United States and Groat Britain respecting the right of search aro happily terminated, On hin own showing, then, the posession of Cuba by the United States was not n for that purpose, and it is hoped that such difficulties will not occur again, or that if they should again ocour they will again be brought to a like happy termination. The undersigned are of 4 $15,000 Loaw mm. (adm.) of Ala., asked leave to introduce opinion that it is wholly unnecessary for the United States to acquire Cuba for the purpose of putting an end to African slave trade, either to that island or to the United States, or for the purpose of Pi tborge J difficulties between the United States and Great . The benevolent intentions of be and perfectly ef- feted band “with Gr Bri an agreement w eat Britain as to tbe vistelion of vee This agreement can be made in such & way a8 tosbe perfectly honorable to both parties; and under such an nereeiend 6 tow Feet Yamen, Oo manded by active and diligent officers, fully aware of th sincere desire and earnest determination of ent to put down the African slave trade, would be al H i z ! i Hy i i slave trade is quite as much indebt- for its existence to the negligent mancer in which the and treaties of the United States are executed, or not executed, as to the demand for slaves in Cuba. reason effet E i gf i 2 i i i &s E & g E the F the dominion of a distant foreign A} ciate ~ hy di ‘ime of and it being destroyed in war, hitherto been su! etual ance Wie bjected to perp injury and annoy: JAMAICA, THB BAHAMA ISLANDS AND THE BRITISH CANADIAN PROVINCES WANTED. It is believed that the President of the United States is in error in this matter, or, if not in error, that he has at Jeast stopped far short of the point to which it will be ne- cesgary to g0, in order that the United States may be safe and free from molestation. _East of Cuba lie the Bahama islands, and south and east the islands of Jamaica and St. Domingo, which, if the United States had Cuba, would stiil com the immense and annually increasing trade, foreign coastwise, not only of that noble river—the also of the soble island of Caba the acquisition of Jamaica Mecessary at present for the security of our that of Cuba. ‘The great body of the com- merce)to | from the Gulf of Mexico passes along the southern coast of Cuba through the channel between Cuba and Jamaicz. Cuba is owned by Spain—a government weak as a naval power, and whose ports might be casily shut up by our fleet in case of war; whereas Jamaica be- longs to Great Britain, the leading uaval power of the world; and fer that very reason the possession of Jamaica if muoh more important to the safety of our commerce than that of Cube. Great Britain, too, is quite as distaut from the Gulf of Mexico ag Spain; and wi difficuitios occur in the West Indies between the United States and Great Britain, we ure obliged to negotiate about them. either in Washington or London. ‘The British minister, morcover, hag no right to make treaties or settle difficul- ties except in pursuance of authority from home, and cases frequently arise where we are compelled to wait till he can write to London and receive an answer. But this is notall. Tho possessions of Great Britain lie along our northern boundary, all the way across the continent, from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic ocean, and endanger our safety the whole way. Her possessions also in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, from their geographical position, command the main body of our commerce with Europe. If, then, the theory of the Pre- sident be correct, that it is necessary to acquire Cuba for safety, it is still more necessary for our safety that we should aequire Jamaica and the other British possessions in North America. But it is manifest that, under all the P circumstances, the fears of the President of to our commerce, arising from the possession of Cuba by Spain, are groundless. Great Britain and France are Much nearer to each other than the United States and Cuba, and either is a much more formidable Power to the other than Spain is to the United States; and yet it would surprise the ‘ civilized world” to hear either of these Powers allege it was necessary to its own security that it should piceeone or conquer the territory belonging to the other. The truth is that we do not require Cuba for the sake of security; and if it were in the possession of Great Britain or France we should probably hear little either of offers to purchase or of threats of conquest, for the sake of s rity or for any other reason. If we manage our affairs wisely we are entirely safe with the territory we have. If we manage be gs unwisely, the ownersnip of Cuba would only add to general confusion, A PLEA FOR SPAIN AND HER VIEWS ON A SALE. There remains to be considered another reason offered by the President for the acquisition of Cuba. He says, “whilst the possession of the island would be of vast im- portance to the United States, its value to Spain is com paratively unimportant.”’ In other words, Cuba would, in tHe President’s opinion, be worth more to us than it is to Spain, and therefore wo,ought to havo it. If any such theory as this is tobe adopted and acted upon in the United States as the standard with regard to the rights of property, practical results will probably flow from it more wonderful and more une: even ‘han would be the acquisition of Cuba by purchase from . But at present we shall stand upon the theory of the rights of property as generally understood throughout the ‘ civil- world,” and w that theory it is acomplete answer Saba be Sp and that she willing to sell not to for tovart wit it oh aay tor, Spain’ Ie hestelt disposer of her own a ets f and bas the absolute to say whether sho will sell {t or not, under any circum- stances or for any ion. From tae history, more- over, of the attempts to “‘acauire Cuba,” it is hardly pos- sible that any one should believe that Spain will seli it, or that an offer to it on the part of the United States will be looked upon as anything else than an insult, or as t ye pretext for a subsequent attempt to take the island yy force. The President says “our relations with Spain, which ought to be of the most friendly character, must always be placed in jeopardy whilst tho’ exist- ing colonial government over the island Il remain in its present condition.” In our opinion the President may easily maintain friendly relations with Spain by re- fraining from offers to purchase or threats to conquer Cuba, The moment the Spanish government perceives that he pas laid aside allghoughts of acquiring Cuba, and gociree nero we. foster an amicable commercial inter- couree,it will dSubtless be ready to ai@bim to the utmost of its power. Instead.of‘fears, ‘and mutua! com- plaints, we shall have the interchange of benefits and mu- tual confidencay Spainsdoes notask to purchase or tocon- quer territory from us sake of her security, al- thoughyperbaps thefeat of,danger would be quite as rea- sonable on her part as it'is on ours, The President has only to imitate the conduct of Spain in this respect, in or- der to render our relations with that govcrament of the friendly character which he desires. BUT SPAIN MAY SELL, AND WHAT TITEN ? But on the supposition that Spain woul! sell Cuba, we do not approve of any attempt to purchase it at present. We have now so many discordant elements in the United States, that for some time to come it will probably be dificult enough to carry cn the government with the requisite degree of barmony. The acquisition of Cuba at present would add to the difficulty, and it would not be wise in us to go out of our way to seek unnecessary trouble. Even the hope of great and immediate pecuniary profit to the United States to arise from the puachase of Cuba is probably altogether falla- cious. The area of Cuba is set down as 47,278 square miles, and its population is said to be over one million. Her population to the square mile, then, must be nearly as great as that of Virginia, The lands worth owning are, and haye been for generations, in the hands of private owners. The United States would acquire by purchase nothing but the political control of the island, and would be charged with its protection and defence in return for the right to Jevy taxes and duties on imports. In all pro- bability the income under the system of the United States would not by any means defray the cost. The taxes levied by Spain are gaid to be ehormous; but no such taxes would be levied by us, and our expenditures would necessarily be very heavy. We should be obliged to support avery costly establishmer , or surrender the island as a prey todisorders little / wrt of those of St. Domingo or Mexico, In the present tate of our finances, $200,000,000 are too much to payf the privilege of expending many hundred millions me ¢. Itis not proposed by any one that in this acquisition private rights of property shall be violated. If they are to be respected, then, upon the pur- chase of the island from NO person from the United States would acquire a right to eettle in any part of it ex. cept upon purchase or rent from the present owners. We should acquire, as above stated, nothing but the political control of Cuba by purchase. In that view of the case, it is important to consider the character of the present popu- lation of the island. It is said to contain over a half a million whites, about two hundred thousand free colored people, and about three hundred and fifty thousand or four hundred thousand slaves. The following table shows the area and population :— ‘ THE SOCIAL ELEMENTS OF CURA, AND THRIR DANGER. Humboldt states the area of the island to be 43,380 geo- graphical square miles, Turnbull puts it, with its dependencies, at 32,807 square miles. cee History of Cuba, by M. M. Ballou, published in 1854.) Colton puts it, with its dependencies, at 47,278 square miles. Whites. Free cc Slaves .. POPULATION STATED BY COLTON, IN 1854, VL 176047 Total. Of the Spaniards . Cavarylslan peo] + -8,000 A very considerable portion ofthe slave populatipn may he said to be entirely savage, and all the inhabitants o the island are utterly diverse from the people of the Uni- tev! States in language, manners, habits and political and social education for many generations. They have been accustomed to rely on the presence of a large body of troops for the preservation of order, and the necessity and the cost of maintaining them would be the same under the United States as it is under ‘in. People such as those in Cuba are in no way fitted taking part in or living under @ government such as ours. Without discussing the pee agg to Beery dy they are better or worse bey oe people, it is sufficient for our i nee say they are entirely different; so ‘iron’ that, brought as @ State into Union, Cuba would probably exercise a disastrous influence on our public affairs, and Ny perhaps, no one more than some of these who are now very desirous of ite “acquisitien,”’ with reference mainly to the protection of the system of slavery in seme of the 1% OFFICERA JUSTIFIED. to which our commerce has been subjected in Cuba, it be remarked that con- tinual fears of invasion from the United States have rendered the Cuban authorities suspicious and vindictive. They may in some degree, by rash and inconsiderate ac- tion, have exposed themselves to the censures which have been passed upon them; but we should bear in mind that these difflgulties have probably been much exaggerated by parties who desire the acquisition of the island by the United States, and who, for that reason, are disposed to Magnify everything that looks like an annoyance to the commerce of this country. Wherever there is very ex- tenrive intercourse there will always be rome difficulties £0 long as there are diversities of interests and sentiments among men, but, if we were only free of the talk about acquisition, the difficulties with Spain or Cuba would not be poster in proportion to our intercourse than those with any other country. ‘THE JUSTICE OF THE AMIRTAD CLAIM DENTED. Tn connection with bis complaints against the government, und his proposed measures with regard to the acquisition of Cuba, the President repeats “the recom mendation”’ in his message of December, 1857, in favor of an appropriation “to be paid to the Spanish government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in the Amistad case.” He says:— President Polk first made a similar recommendation in De- cember, 1847, and it was repeated by my immediate predeces- tor in December, 163. J emtertain no dount thet indemnity is fairly due to these claimants under our treaty with Spain, of October 27, 1196; and, whilst demanding justice, we ought to Justice.” An kppropriation promptly made for this purpose cotild not fail to exert a favorable influence on our nego with Spain. We are of opinion that the President is in error on this point, and that Spain has no claim whatever on the Uni- ted States in the Amistad case. On this subject we shall cite an authority which the President will hardly feel at liberty to call in question. In his inavgural address, delivered March 4,1857, Speaking of the Dred Scott case, the President saya:— Benides, it is a judicial question, which legitimately belonj to the Supreme Court of the Uniled states, before whom it ARRIVAL OF THE ARAGO, ADDITIONAL INTELLIGENCE FROM EUROPE. Onur Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Genoa, Milan, Jerusalem and Dublin Correspondence. THE YANKEES AT SEBASTOPOL, &e., &e., &. The United States mail steamship Arago, ‘Capt. Lines, from Havre and Southampton, arrived at this port carly yesterday morning. She left Southampton on the 12th inst., and from sound- ings to the Banks had ten consecutive days of strong and heavy westerly gales, with high, rough head seas. The Arago has been detained two days on the passage, from an accident to one of the wheels, and eighteen hours off Sandy Hook by the fog. ‘The Arago brings 126 passengers, the usual mails, and £50 tons merchandise, valued at $2,000,000. ‘The telegraphic report by the Arabia, at Halifax, pubs ow pending, and will its understood, by speedily and nal pay a the Herat yesterday morning, is three days later settle 0 lecision, in common w! good cl eng in the news by the Arago. Se ee es In Ireland, on the 11th instant, everything continued Whatever doubts there may be as to the “judicial” cha- racter of all the questions inthe Dred Scott case, there can be none as to those in the Amistad case, which all arose upon a claim for restoration of property under the treaty of 1795. ‘This claim has already been passed upon by the Supreme Court of the United States, and decided adversely to the claimants. As the President seems to have forgotten or overlooked this decisson, we beg leave to bring it to the attention of the House. The treaty with Spain of October 27,1795, referred to by the President, ‘was commented on and construed by that court which the President himself is co anxious to maintain in its constitu- tional power in ‘tail cases ‘under the constitution ‘and the laws of the United States and treaties made under their authority. Fe ‘The ianguage of the treaty cited by the Court is, (article tranquil, and the excitement created by proclamationa and arrests bas passed away, leaving scarcely a bubble of effervescence behind it. It is said that in various placed parties who anticipated midnight visits from the con- stabulary disappeared suddenly from their respective residences, and are now on their way to the land of tha free across the Atlantic, The Jewish Chronicle says:—We learn from good authos rity that Sir Moses Monteflori has declared his willingness to go to Rome in order to present to the Pope in person tha memorial praying for the restoration of the boy Mortara to his parents. ‘The British Standard says:—Our readers must not ba sufprised should they shortly hear that an offer has been made Mr. Spurgeon of $10,000 to preach four discourses in the splendid and spacious Academy of Music of New "York. The Prince of Wales had commenced his military ca= reer by presenting colors to the One Hundredth (tha Prince of Wales’ Royal Canadian) regiment of foot, at Shorncliffe Camp. After having made a short speech to the regiment, his Royal Highness embarked for Ostend. ‘The London Herald says:—Brom a French paper wa have intelligence that Mr. Morphy is about to play twenty games blindfolded at the same time. Weare informed that Mr. Morphy publicly challenged Harrwitz to play a match of five or seven games for five hundred francs, offering the odds of the pawn and move. This chivalrous cartel was not accepted. ‘That all ships and merchandise, of what nature soever, which shall be rescued out of the hands of any pirates or rob: bers on the high seas, shall be brought into some port of either State and shail be delivered into the custody of the officers of that port, in order to be taken care of and restored entire to the true proprietor as soon as due and suficent proof shail ve made concerning the property thereof. ‘The Court says:— ‘To bring the case within the article, it is easential to establi¢h, first, that these negroes, under all the circumstances, fall within the description of merchandise in the sense of the treaty; secondly, there has been a rescue of them on the high seas: outof the hands of pirates and robbers, which, in the present cage, can only be by showing that they themselves are pirates and robbers; and thirdly, that Ruiz and Montez, the asserted proprietora, are the true proprietors, and have establiahed their le by competent proof. ‘The Court gays further, (15 Peters, page 593) :— It is plain beyond controversy, if we examine the evidence, that these negroes never were the lawful slaves of Ruiz and Montez, or of any other Spanish subjects. They are natives of Africa, and were kidnapped there, and were unlawfully trans- ported'to Cuba, in violation of the laws and treaties of Spain soa: the mont solemn edicts and declarations of that govern- The French government continues to give the greatest mi By those laws and treaties and edicts the African slave trade is utterly abolished; the dealing in that trade is deemed a heinous crime, and the ne thereby introduced into the dominions of Spain are declared to be tree. Ruiz and Montez are proved to have made the pretended purchase of thee ne- groes with « full knowledge of all the circumstances; and 80 cogent and irresistible Is the evidence in this respect that the attention tothe navy. There are several new gunboatg being constructed at Toulon on a new model. Ordera have been received to prepare two steam frigates tor sea as quickly as possible, and ten other sail of frigates and light craft are to follow, ‘The tender for the remaining portion of the £1,000,000 representing the first issue of the large loan contemplated for the construction of railways in Port Philip, Australia, were completed in London on Monday, Jan. 9. ried tnt Cube, an slleged in thelr answers to tho libels case. The snpprese igeryed interest of Ruiz and Montez is completely displaced, if we are at liberty to look at the evidence of the admissions of the District that they were entitled to look at Attorney. The Court held, also, the evidence, and that \abine papers und documents ac- compapying property, under the laws of nations, are but prima evidence of property, and are of no force IRELAND. when shown to be fraudulent.” Finally, the Court says Lege om emrien (page 596) :-— Our Dublin Correspondence. Upon the merits of the case, then, there does not seem to us Dvusu, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1858. tobe und for doubt! - 8 reer aed that the Sonniot treaty eee ee ughtta bedeem: | Commercial Improvement of Ireland—Her Backward Con- the just assertion of their rights. dition the Result of English Laws Inimical to Her Indus- Really, it would seem that if anything could be settled to the satisfaction of the President, this matter has been 80 settled. We have a solemn judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States, giving a judicial construction of this treaty with Spain, and deciding ‘this very case of the Amistad. Such a decision, in the opinion (above cited) of the President himself, is entitled to the cheerful sub- mission “of all good citizens,”” THINKS WE DO NOT WANT CUBA, ANYHOW. Medan PA nm eed reason why we attempt to “« pire ‘Saber ae ‘ond that be talked 73 potnt- ing out amy mode in which we could “ acquire Cuba’? if we desired to doso. Purchase is manifestly out of tho question, and an attempt to take the island by force would probably embroil us with other nations, and in the end be But admit for the it admitting, sake of argument, the asquisition of Cuba to be desirable and possible, we look upon the act pers by the majority of the committeoms of the most langereous character. We are not willing to give the President thirty millions of dollars to be een of by him before the proposed treaty is submitted to the Senate of the United States. After what has already occurred, it is clear that, if Cuba is to be acquired at all, it will be in open day light, in the face of the world. ‘If the pur- chage .can be made at all, it can be done just as well without these thirty millions as with them. The cases of Louisiana and Mexico are not in point. No party to the proposed transaction is engaged in war, and tho whole matter is in such a position that either haste or secrecy with regard to it, is out of the question, The bill proposes that the money sball be paid upon tho ratification of the treaty by Spain, without waiting for the action of the Senate of the United States. The effect of such a course would be to compel the Senate, so far as the fear of losing $30,000,000 could compel them, to ratify the treaty, whether they ‘spnroved of it or not. In short, we look upon of the proposed mea- sure aga precedent which, if followed hereafter, would lead to placing the whole power of the government in the hands of the Executive. In this particular case it would amount to that. The House of Representatives isto be dispensed with, by placing the money in the hands of the President in advance of the commencement of the busi- ness, and the Senate is to be dispensed with, by giving the President power to use the money without waiting for the action of the Senate upon the treaty. Tn conclusion, we beg leave to remark that, so far as territory, population, and magnitude of resources are con- cerned, the United States are now entirely safe. Expres. sions of fear, or appeals to ‘the imperative and overrul- ing law of self-preservation,” as the motive for further , acquisitions jof territory, are so groundless as ecarcely to be worthy of any very serious consideration. The maty of the United States depends upon a wise education of their own people, and a avise developement of their own resources. Let them follow, at home and abroad, the golden rule, which the President himself, in a former com- munication to the Senate (of January 7,'1858, relative to the capture of General Walker), has declared to be of di- vine commandment, and no power on earth can harm them. In that is their safety. Let them habitually vio- late this rule, and no power on earth can save them. In that is their danger, Like all other people, we are go- verned by the laws under which the universe was created. and, like the nations which have gone before us, we shall reap the rewards of ebedience or suffer the penalties of disobedience. Tn every view of the case, we are opposed to the bill submitted by the majority of the committee, and recom- mend that it be rejected by the a. A RITCHIE. HOMER E. ROYCE. ANSON BURLINGAME. Dramatic and Other Amusements. Broapway THeaTRE.—The classical play of “Gisippus”’ is to be revived to-morrow evening, with a very good cast, in which Mr. Eddy is named for the hero, 6 ter- rifleg but gorgeous equestrian spectacle of the “Cataract of the Ganges” follows. Ninvo’s Garpax.—The numerous and almost exclusive Patrons of this establishment have thus far been greatiy pleased with the performances of Messrs. Nixon & Co.’s circus troupe. See the novelties advertised for to-morrow. Rowrry —The enterprising managers of this eetablish- ment, like their Broadway cotemporaries, are indisposed to withdraw a very protitable piece to make room for novelties; hence they adhere to the ‘Three Fast Men” and the dashing Western sisters. Bortoy’s.—The new comedy, entitled “Our Female American Cousin,” is to undergo its initial representation to-morrow night. It purports to have been written by an American in America, and is, of course, legitimately American. Wati.ack’s.—The elegant scenic play called “The Veto. ran, or France and Algeria,’ is announced for another week, a8 & matter of course. The popularity of this drama, like the generality of good pieces, increases with repetition. Lavra Krexr’s.—Mr. Tom Taylor's comedy denominated “One American Consin’’ has now been performed for ninety consecutive nights, and yet the public rusbsto sce t with as much avidity ag they did during the gecond and third weeks. American Mcskum.—The managers retain the band of try—Spanish Blood and Characteristics in the West of Irdand—The Mayor of Galway's Patristism—Great Meeting in Dublin to Otain a Mail Contract for the Gal- way Line—Postal Statistics, dc, dc. ‘The commercial bones of Old Ireland begin to rattle in their long pent up coffin. A general resurrection of the commerce of this kingdom is nigh at hand. Wemay marvel and inquire, and go to the political sootheayers for adivination, bnt we cannot satisfactorily solve the ques- tion of Ireland’s commercial inactivity, inanition and deadness for the last two hundred years. It was not al- ways 80, however. The history of the past shows that a most extensive foreign trade was once carried on between Ireland, Spain and the Mediterranean, at a period when Oriental commerce was the leading and almost the only commerce of the world. This Irish trade was nearly all from the port of Galway. The ethnological results of that traffic are now visible in the Spanish blood, Spanish habits, considerable Spanish costume, and a lofty bearing and high passion visible in much of the blood of the west ofTreland, The dark hair and eyes, the natural aristo- cracy of feeling—Lola Montes, a Limerick girl, is an ex- ample—¢o often seen in the denizens of the west, attest the intimate social relations that once existed between these two peoples. One legend of this Spanish trade ig preserved, of a son of a Mayor of Galway going out as supercargo of a ship to Cadiz. He was of “fast” habits, and seizing his opportunity he took possession of the ship and sold her and her cargo—an act for which he was cap. tured, taken home and condemned for piracy. His own father, as head of the ‘‘citie of the tribes,” had the par- doning power, but he forebore to interfere to save his own flesh and blood, and this unfortunate youth expiated his crime on the gallows, leaving a father to inherit a nama famous for patriotism and high sense of duty. Treland has had the slight disadvantage of limited mine- ral wealth—the inexhaustible mines of iron and coal of the island of Great Britain not being found here, except to a limited extent. Besides this there are certain facts o history that cannot be put out of sight. After Ireland was captured and subdued by the forces of King William Illy various severe enactments were passed to punish the rebellious islanders for their obstinate resistance and love of liberty. Special laws were passed proh ibiting all mana factures of woollen, and making certain industrial pursuits illegaland penal. And why was this? Simply under the pre- tence that the production of certain articles in Ireland would interfere or compete with the producers of the same in En gland. This was previous to the year 1700. These restric tive acts (many of them) were perpetrated, multiplied and kept up for more than a century, and as as 1780 there were acts of Parliament then ’in force prohibit the carrying of gold and silver into Irelan To this day the precious metals are hoarded up im old stockings and antiquated pouches throughout Ireland, to an extent unknown in any other country. Many of these secret receptacles were emptied after the passing of the Encumbered Estate Act; for of some twenty-three millions sterling (over $110,000,000) invested in estates since 1850, not one-fourth was from English, Scotch or foreign capitalists. In the debates in the Irish Parliament in 1785, the elo- quent Grattan made some of his most powerful appeals im favor of Ireland reaping the benefits of her phical position and natural commercial advantages.” That posi- tion and those advantages have never yet been recogn' The Irish Parliament has been abolished, Ireland annexed to England, her Currans, Grattans, Emmets and O’Conneils have passed away, and though soma of the restrictive laws on Irish manufactures hava been repealed, every particie of vantage ground and posi- tion that Ireland has to-day results from the energy of her gons, the naturally independent character of her peo- ple, and the progress made, in spite of the absenon of government . There has just been held at tha Mansion House—the Lord Mayor’s official residence in Dublin—a breve that in respectability and eminence of position of those that attended, in the calm dignity of the proceedings and earnestness of purpose, ‘would raok with any legislative proceedings in the British Parliament. You have undoubtedly received and printed the proceed< ings of that meeting. The object of it was to urge upow the government the necessity of increased mai service to America, by way of Irciand. The leading, speeches were made by Lord Talbot de Malahiae, Hon. Mr. Handcock, Mr. Vanco, M. P., Mr. Guinness, the emi nent leader, and others distinguished in the political and commercial world. Mr. Lever has offered to transport the mails across tha Atlantic in ten days, an average of over two 3 less than Cunard now docs itn. ‘The Trish cormepondeme America is one groes third of the of kingdom, while Ireland has less than one-fourth of the popu lation. Looking at the fact that the commerce and poolalias tercourse between the United Kingdom and North America led in tho last ten since the last Fihiopian minstrels who last week so pleasantly beguiled | has doubl Mary penal he time while visiters were recovering. from tite fatigues fave been where, Gam’ Lad merits teroteeen ae of examining the curiosties in the different halls. lees than grant a contract to an Prish aoe im now im Dramatic Reapinc.—Mr. H. R. Ball is to read the pucomerel Opa i? There is a unanimity of feeling and ‘ Hunchback” at Niblo’s Saloon to-morrow evening. action, and a d! Procedure on the part of Irish mer- ‘Tu CororEp Orrra is 80 well patronized invariably that | chants and manufacturers, and Irish members of Parlia- it would be a waste of space to do more than mention the ment, that are rarely or never seen. A new and a better fact that they have re-arranged their programmes for to- ‘st hand in the commercial and social state of morrow. ‘Miss Annette Inco and the San Francisco Minstrels were Playing at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, on the 2d of De- cember. Madrid pape début of M. Giuglini <a The Madrid inounce the luglini at —_—_— tho Theatre Re in “a Favorita,” and, without exception, Our Paris Correspondence. describe his success as something quite un in Parse, Jan. 7, 1850. that city. The representation was attended by their Ma- - finedre ote ara hes Giitbrat tn vet | "ae Gn Ctcte rte Denper of Conde Wane 1. 4 ighly spoken of for her singing in the principal female = Effect af Mr. Buchanan's Message in Spain—Asswranceg of Prench Support Offered to 0’ Donnell—Declining Heaith of the Empress, de. , de. The Emperor and Empress held their usual reception ag character. ‘We learn from St. Petersburg that the Ttalian Opera Proceeds suocessfully. Mme. Bosio and M. Caizolari being the conspicuous favorites.