The New York Herald Newspaper, February 21, 1859, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STs. ERMS, cash in advance. Money sent by mail will be at the pity ienader. Poonnge sampe mot ‘as culecriplion money. THR DAILY HERALD, tieo cents ), $1 per annum. THE WEEKLY HERALD, coory Saterday, pe ped fet, prin Moa annum to any part of Great nx ¢ " a or SS toons, part of the Continent, both to include podage: Gatiforvia on the Sth and 2A of each month, at wbx cents ‘per a eee rub kAMILY HERALD, eve Wednesday, at four cents per MoLUNARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing importan’ females fom eee, iM cotins Gaveves ane 2 age Ou Four Paameutanty Hequeste to Seat aut ‘AnD PAGK- ‘aces Sen cs BO OTICK taken of anonymouacorrespndence, We dona return rejected communications. VERTISEMENTS: wed every ; advertisements in- seal inthe Weexuy Hence, Paxity tismaip, and tn the ia and an Editions. California and Europec JOB PRINTING executed with neatness, cheapness and de- apatch. Volume XXIV -+No. 51 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Green Bususs— Swepisn NiGaTincaLe -Kine or Css. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Cincus PerroRMaNces— ‘Trained Hoxses, Muues, 4 BOWERY THXATRE, Bowery.—Pizdneo—MASANIBLLO— Ero Bor. TON'’S NEW THEATRE, Broadway—A Dose or GasuracreOun Feuace amexicay Coosix—Dvas Brite. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Tum VETER4x ; OR, France aND ALGERIA. LAURA KRENE’S THEATRE, No, 624 Broadway.—Ovm Auavican Cousin—Jenny Linn. NUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—After- aoe nad ‘Rvening— Necro Mixstaxisy—Cuniosirixs, £0. ‘00! NSTREL BUILDING, 561 and 563 Broadway— Thorius Sonon, Dascen 40 Meri SPEC. NTS' MINSTRELS, MECHANICS’ HALL, 427 Broad- whys Neono aN anp Bousssqves—He WOULD BE AN Actor. New York, Monday, February 21, 1859. MAILS FOR EUROPE. Whe New York Herald—Edition for Europe. The Cunard mail steamship America, Capt. Millar, will Jeave Boston on Wednesday for Liverpool. The European mails will close in this city to-morrow af- ternoon at a quarter to one o'clock to go by railroad, and at three o'clock to go by steamboat, The European edition of the Hratp will be published at ten o'clock in the morning. Single copies, in wrappers, six cents. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of the New York Huratp will be received at the following places y ‘o id Hill. 5 AT te Hill. ee eee, Sart & Co. tt King Wil street. Parw...... Lansing, Baldwin & Co., 8 place de la Bourse. Livereoot..Lansing, Starr & Co., No. 9 Chapel street, R. Stuart, 10 Exchange street, East. -Lansing, Baldwin & Co., 21 Rue Corneille. ‘De Chapeaunge & Co. ‘The contents of the European edition of the Hxratp will eombine the news received by mail and telegraph at the office during the previous week and up to the hour of publication, MAILS FOR THE PACIFIC. New York Herald—California Edition. ‘The United States mail steamship Star of the West, Cap- tain A. G. Gray, will leave this port this afternoon, at two o'clock, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific ‘will close at one o’clook this afternoon. The New Yorx Wernty Heaatp—California edition— ontaining the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, will be published at ten o'clock tm the morning. Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, six cents, Agents will please send in their orders as early as pos- sible. ‘The News. The steamship Black Warrior, which left Havana on the 15th inst., with the mails, passengers and a valuable cargo, for New York, went ashore on Rockaway bar during a dense fog early yesterday morning. She was in charge of a pilot at the time. Three steamtugs were despatched to her relief yesterday afternoon, and as she lay easily on the bar there is little doubt but that she got off at high water, unless the northwesterly gale of last night prevented the tugs from rendering assistance. Her mails and passengers were taken off in safety, and, with our files and letters, reached the city early last evening. There is little news of interest from Ha- vana. An unusual number of American visiters were enjoying themselves on the island. The weather was delicious, and the city healthy. The sugar market was firmer, while freights remained as last reported. The Black Warrior has on freight 208,000 Mexican dollars from New Orleans and Havana. We have accounts from St. John’s, Porto Rico to the 2d inst. The brig Julia, of Boston, h cleared for New York in ballast, but was waiting the result of the trial of her captain, who was charged with wounding his mate with a sabre, and also wounding the mate of the brig Francis Jane, of Baltimore, by shooting him witha gun. Both the wounded men were recovering. We are not informed as to the nature of the“difficulty, nor the names of the persons wounded. Barbadoes advices of the 27th ult. state that the weather was moist, but more rain was wanted. The produce crop was going into market in small quantities. Flour was dull in price. The public health was very good. The steamer Metacomet, Lieut. Macomb, of the Paraguay expedition, sailed from Barbadoes Jan. 16 for Pernambuco. We have files of papers and correspondence from St. Thomas dated on the Ist inst. The Danish war steamer Heimdal had arrived at the island, on her way to Dominica. She hada commissioner on board empowered by the King to demand of the Domini- can government reparation for the seizure and detention of three Danish vessels during the admin- istration of President Baez. General Santa Anna corresponded as usual with his partizans in Mexico but it would scem as if no result followed, as be was employed actively in his favorite amusement of cock fighting. The weather was very fine and the island healthy. Flour sold at $6 75 a $8 per barrel, according to quality. Freights were taken for Turks Island and United States at nine cents per bushel of salt. The annexed table shows the temperature of the atmosphere in this city during the past week, the range of the barometer and thermometer, the variation of wind currents, and the state of the weather at three periods duringeach day, viz: at A.M., and 3 and 9 o'clock P. M. “eeu wey Fybie aved wo} BSSES | soo FS REMARKS, Saturday—Morning, overcast, afternoon, light snow. Sunday —Clear all day. Monday—Morning, cloudy; afternoon, clear; night, overcast. it, Overcast. -—Morning, overcast, with light rain; after- . on, clear and pleasant; night, clear and moonlight, ‘vursday—Morning, clear; afternoon, overcast; night, ' ‘ay—Morning, overcast, with light rain; afternoon, « at alight wtorday—] ing, out dense fog till nine © «, after ‘which it became cl .y. Dr. Cutler, of Brooklyn, yesterday delivered, *. George’s church, Beekman street, by appoint- i of the Board of Managers of the Protestant copal Church Missionary Society to Seamen, a ‘eral discourse on the late Rey. Benj. 0. C. Par Vo NEW YOKK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1859. youth, his struggles to obtain an education, and his subsequent successful labors in the ministry, are described in the report of the discourse published in another column. After several days of fog and drizzle and rain, the wind about sunset last evening came outstrong from the northwest, clearing away the vapors and refrigerating the atmosphere. A number of acci- dents occurred to the steamers and ferry boats on ibe rivers during the dense fogs that have pre” vailed, and several sailing craft are reported ashore. No serious casualty, however, has happened. We give elsewhere a pretty full report of Pro- fessor Mitchel’s lecture on “ Astronomy and the Bible,” delivered at the Academy of Music on Saturday evening last. It will be found very in- teresting. The third discourse of the Rev. Dr. Cheever on the Iniquity of Slavery, was delivered last evening at the Church of the Puritans, before an immense assemblage of persons. The discourse occupied nearly two hours in its delivery, and commanded the strictest attention. The preacher also made a passing reference to the church matters which have agitated the city during the past week. We supply an epitome of the sermon and remarks in another column. ‘ihe sates of cotton Saturday embraced about 800. bales closing steady at the slight improvement previously notic ed. We continue to quote middling uplands at 114¢c. Flour was leas buoyant, and easier for common grades of State and Western, while sales were fair. Southern brands continued in good demand, with sales tothe domestic trade and for export at unchanged prices. Wheat was steady, with moderate sales, Corn was easier, while transactions were fair, Pork was again lower, but more active at the decline; new mess sold at $17 874; a $18, and prime a $13 25 a $13 35; thin mess was sold at $17, and clear mess at $20. Sugars were in fair request; the sales em. braced about 800 a 900 hhds., chiefly New Orleans, and 1,030 boxes, at steady prices, Coffee was quiet and sales limited, while prices were steady. Freight engagements were light, and rates without change of importance. The President’s Message and the Factions in Congress—Members Must Work Now or in the Summer. The special message of the President to Con- gress, on Friday last, is the genuine expression of what every man of sense and patriotic feeling has experienced for a long time past. Our existing treaties with New Granada and Nicaragua compel us to guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus routes through their territories, and yet Congress has failed to grant to the President the requisite power to comply with them. Our citizens are increasing their inter- course with Mexico, under the liberal policy of its constitutional government, the stimulus of the opening of the Tehuantepec Transit, and the in- creasing trade between our Pacific ports and those of Mexico, while the ravages of the ban- ditti who infest that country subject them to continual danger and spoliation. Yet the Presi- dent has no other power for preventing the con- tinuance of these evils, or procuring their redress, than the sending of diplomatic notes, and, as a last resort, withdrawing our legations, He has called the attention of Congress, in two annual messages, to the necessity of altering this state of things, and removing a stain upon our go- vernment, because of its laxity in protecting its own honor and the lives and interests of our citizens, which has caused the name of American to become a byeword and a reproach throughout the anarchical countries south of us. He has urged upon it the establishment of a policy in our foreign relations, and particularly in refe- rence to Cuba, which, had it been followed, would have made our country respected, our citizens safe in their pursuits abroad, and se- cured us the benefits of lasting peace. Congress has given no heed to the wisdom and urgency of his advice. With a strong working majority claiming to support the administration, it has been compelled to rely upon the patriot- .sm of those opposed to it for the passage of all its measures. A set of selfish cliques and fac- ious fools, with their imbecile ambitions fixed upon their own petty chances for the succession, has striven to delay every measure calculated to advance the public good, to elevate our national policy, or to redeem the country and the government from their disorganized fand disgraceful condition. Delay and dispute for precedence of measures in discussion have been resorted to in both houses, not with the honest purpose of advancing the measures they pretend to have at heart, but in reality to smother and kill them, because they fear that their success may give the President or some rival pretender a popularity that may defeat their sixpenny claims to a Presidential nomina- tion, And these are not the acts of black re- publicans or Know Nothings, but of men claim- ing to be democrats; and after they have by their factious selfishness prevented the ad- vance of any measure before Congress, they hie them to Mr. Buchanan, and hypocritically pre- tend to have labored to forward the views of the government, blaming others for not having given way upon some measure that perhaps would have been brought to a conclusion but for their own factious proceedings. In this way they have dilly-dallied on the Cuba proposition, which could have been brought toa vote long since. In this way they strove to defeat the admission of Oregon. In this way they have fought over a parcel of inane dis- tinctions in the revenue measures, the diplo. matic bill, the public expenditures, measures of public economy, and every other matter that has been brought before them. Their proceed- ings have been marked with treachery to party affiliations and to patriotic duty, and have de- graded the character of the representatiye branch of the government. Three days more of such disgraceful conduct and they will leave the President no resort but the obnoxious measure of calling an extra session of Congress early in the summer. The state of Earope demands more than ever that the President should have all the power and moral support which the action of Congress can give him. A failure to pass the Cuba proposi- tion by cither branch will leave him without moral weight in the direction of our foreign re- lations. Its passage by the Senate can save this point, and that body should pass it without de- lay. When this sanction is given, let Congress pass at once to the consideration of the other measures of importance, Finish up as you go along, and let us have no speeches for bun- combe and no factious and time consuming dis- putes for precedence. In regard to our rela- tions with Mexico, Central and Spanish America their condition has long been known to every man of sense in the country, and if any member of Congress now wants the whole nation to wait while he can learn some- thing about them, he is no statesman, and should immediately resign and go home to his constituents, and tell them what is the truth—that he is not fit to be a public or a representative man. Mr. Buchanan has done his duty nobly, *, for the past sixteen years chaplain of the | patriotically, and with a single eye to the good society above mentioned. The circumstances of. ' of the country and our citizens; and we now his singular conversion to Christianity when ‘a call upon Congress to go to work during this last week of the session with the same high spirit. Let faction be forced to hide its head, and bring up every measure to a fuir and aquare vote, If this is not done the country will hold every member to his responsibility before it, and we will to¥e care that the whole country shall | know where the responsibility lies, If the fac- tions will not permit this, and strive by delay and their own foolish quarrels to kill off each other’s measures, when all are good, then the President should announce at once his determi- nation to call an extra session ; and he must ad- here to it. The state of our foreign relations, the intrigues of the maritime Powers of Europe against us, the condition of affairs in Mexico and Nicaragua, and the safety of the transit routes of our great and increasing trade with the Pacific, which is again reviving, imperiously demand such a step from him. Ur Town Improvements—Cestrat Park Spe- cuLarion.—In another column will be found a communication deprecating the extravagant prices paid for building lots in the vicinity of the Central Park. It states that the region of ground from the Fourth to the Ninth ave- nue, and from Fifty-fourth street to Harlem, is at present the most unhealthy part of Manhattan Island, no unacclimated person being able to live there three successive months with- out having the fever and ague. To bring the land within those limits into a fit state for peo- ple to live in will, the writer thinks, take at least ten years, and then at an expense of a thou- sand dollars a lot for opening, grading, flagging and sewering the streets and avenues, Supposing that there was no exaggeration in these calculations—which there unquestionably is—the prospect would not deter people from investing . in the localities referred to. The neighborhoods of great parks will always form exceptions to the conditions which govern the value of property elsewhere. So many private persons, preferring such neighbor- hoods, enter the field of competition with specu- lators, that land there must always fetch higher prices than in more closely inhabited quarters. But the vicinity of such an immense gpace of open and cultivated ground as the Central Park, is in itself a guarantee against the sanitary ob- jections taken by our correspondent to the dis- trict in question. When the works in the Park are completed, it will probably be found that the miasmatic evils of which he com- plains will be in a great measure removed, and that a comparatively small assessment on the property owners will complete the drainage necessary to bring itup to the healthy level of other neighborhoods. The conclusions to which our correspondent would bring us are that the Central Park is both a present and a prospective nuisance, and that in time the sober second thought of our citizens will induce them to curtail, if not abolish it. But few, we think, will be inclined to agree with him in these opinions. Leaving aside the healthy in- fluence which the Park is certain to exercise on the physical and moral habits of our city popu- lation, there are other and nearly as important congiderations which may be urged in its favor. In the first place, it distributes over the whole surface of the island the population which would otherwise be concentrated within its southern limits. Thus, above the Park itself, and in the most delightful and healthy part of the island, new neighborhoods will be created, composed for the most part of the residences of our wealthy citizens, and of picturesque ham lets and villages—all forming charming places of suburban resort. The drives from these elegant country retreats through the Park to the business portion of the city wiJl be de- lightfully refreshing. Besides these advan- tages, it may, with truth, be urged that the Cen- tral Park imparts the most powerful impetus that can be given to the general improvement of the city, and advances its progress at a ratio which it otherwise could never attain. By inducing the expenditure of large amounts of unemployed capital, employing vast numbers of the poor, who would otherwise be a charge upon the pub- lic bounty, and giving to New York the distinc- tive features of a great metropolis, it will have done more than the legislation of half a century to promote the happiness, the well-being, and the prosperity of our citizens. To insure, however, the enjoyment of the direet benefits which this noble work is intended to confer, some steps yet remain to be taken, the urgency of which the last repert of the commis- sioners points out. We allude to the establish- ment of efficient police regulations for the safe conservation of the public property and of pub- lic order within its precincts. The Park will be almost valueless without these precautions. To be sure, the constant passing through the Park of the carriages of those who reside north of it will greatly tend to keep the grounds free of many improprieties; but with our present inadequate police force it is evident that no rules that can be devised can be proper- ly and fully carried out. We therefore call upon the Legislature to ensure, not only by the passage of the most stringent enactments, but by a competent police force, the accomplish- ment of these objects. The popularity which the skating ponds have given to the Park during the present season is a sufficient evidence of the im- mense numbers that will resort there when all its other features are completed. To keep down rowdyism, to compel! the observance of. decency, and to protect the trees and other property from destruction, will require not only the severest legislation, but a sufficient body of policemen to enforce it. Our representatives would do well to take these matters at once into their considera- tion, so as to be prepared for any of the eventu- alities that will arise with the growth and pro- gress of the Park. A great public benefit like this must not be neutralized or damaged in its character from the absence of the safeguards with which it is necessary to surround it, es Tue Artantic TereoRara Oxck More,—We learn from St. John’s that Mr, Henley, Chief Electrician of the Atlantic Cable Company, has arrived there with batteries and instraments to commence operations on the cable at this end of the line. Mr. Henley, it will be remembered, transmitted from Valentia the last semi-in- telligible “wave” of electricity, through the cable, some months ago. We hope he has come here with some confi- dence in his instruments, and that he has left proper persons in Ireland to attend to his batte- ries there. When spring opens, the under- running at Valentia will be commenced again, and it is possible that we may be able to make some use of the telegraph during the summer, If the great Atlantic cable cannot be made to work very soon, it will be looked upon like the great sea serpent—long talked of, sometimes seen, but never becoming a reality, Scandalous Jourvaltsm. Tbe degradation and meanness of political discussion in certain portions of the news- paper press of this country seem to have no limit and no bottom in the present day. A specimen of this degradation receatly ap- peared in certain jour als, which deserves particular notice. Horace Greeley, of the 7ri- bune ; Henry Raymond, of the Times, and Thur- low Weed, of the Albany Evening Journal, started astory simultancously, that the wife and eldest son of the editor of this journal (the Herauy) were expected at Washington in a day or two; and these fastidious editors coupled the statement with as much insult as they dared without revolting the ordinary instincts of hu- man nature. It was a gross, mean and cowardly fabrication all through, coined by the associates of those men, merely for the purpose of wounding the domestic feelings of the proprietor of this journal through his wife and children. We have been connected with the American press for over thirty years; but during the whole of that time, although our criticisms on pub- lic men and public affairs may have been sharp and acute, yet no one has ever charged us, or can charge us, with ever having in the slightest degree lacerated the feel- ings of females or children because we might have been publicly opposed to the principles and policy of the husband or father. We have been a long time newspaper cotemporaries with Greeley, Raymond, Weed, and their dastardly collaborateurs, without having dragged into brutal newspaper paragraphs, or insulted in the remotest degree, the personal character of Mrs. Greeley and her children, the social reputation of Mrs. Raymond and her children, or the domestic standing of Mrs. Weed and her family. None but men lost not only to all the feelings of gentle- men, but to the common feelings of humanity and decency, would perpetrate such an outrage as this. Mrs. Bennett, at the time of her marriage, was a mere girl from school, about seventeen years old, and has never concerned herself about pub- lic affairs or the business of other people, but has always, when she was not travelling, at- tended te the duties of her household and the edu- cation of her children, either in Europe or Ame- rica. The eldest boy, yet a youth of seventeen years, returned from his education in Europe two years ago, and is still engaged at his studies, and will be for some years to come. He has oc- casionally, during the summer vacation, availed himeelf of yacht excursions, but never could provoke the rivalry or touch the sensibility of Greeley, Raymond and Weed, who have again and again, in the most dastardly and contempti- ble manner—unworthy of men and fathers—as- sailed him in a way that will recoil on them with tenfold retribution one of these days. “Curses, like chickens,” say the Arabs, “ever come home to roost; wanton insults to women have the same destination, and sooner or later these cow- ardly poltroons—Weed, Greeley and Raymond— will find out that “even handed justice com- mends the poisoned chalice to their own lips.” On this subject one of the Washington jour- nals—the Star—has the following apposite re- marks:— {From the Washington Star.] A FEATURE OF NEW YORK JOURNALISM. We regret to see the New York Times and Tri- bune compromise their respectability and the dig- nity of the press by introducing into their columns the names of private ladies in a manner to annoy if not disparage them. The Times, in order to have a fling at Mr. Buchanan, makes an unjustifiable use of the name of the wife of Sir William Gore Ouse- ley; and the Tribune, to gratify its hostility to the New Yor Herp, attempts to cast ridicule on the wife of its editor. We protest against such delinquency, as being not only unmanly, but un- American. The worst enemies of our country and its institutions have invariably admitted that our deference to woman was the redeeming feature of an otherwise (alleged) semi-civilized people; and we put it to the journals in question to say whether they mean to rob us of the reputation for that chi- valric trait, which has extorted the admiration of our bitterest foreign detractors. Has the administration of Mr. Buchanan become so invulnerable, or the editor of the HERALD go for- midable, that the Zimes and Tribune are obliged to turn their shafts upon defenceless women, whose only protection against such odious personal as- saults is in the polite usages of society and in the taste of our public writers? Have we really de- generated to such a point as that journalists shower their pitiless gibes upon shrinking, sensitive women, who are in no manner legitimately subject to newspaper criticism? No, happily, our national press has not yet descended to such depths as to make us wish, in behalf of decency, for another Louis Napoleon to putit under wholesome restraint, in this particular atleast. The comments we have heard on every side go conclusively to prove that these discreditable attacks, no matter how in- geniously disguised, excite no other sentiment than disgust, if not actual abhorrence. The question is, notthe position or merits of the ladies alluded to, but rather the taste and manliness of the Times and Tribune journalists, as well as the refinement and civilization of our country. Neither Lady Gore Ousely nor Mrs. J. G. Bennett have in any way obtruded themselves on public notice, or exposed themselves in any manner to newspaper comment. Lady Ouseley moved last winter in the society of Washington with that noiseless, unassuming grace so characteristic of English women of the higher ranks, among whom she has so long lived. She was only known here for her liberal hospitalities,»and only appreciated for ae undisputed excellence of character and dis- position. Of Mrs. Bennett we know less; but if rumor is to be credited, she is a woman of highly cul- tivated mind, refined and courteous manners, and extreme kindness of heart. Though enjoy- ing a large income, and able to command, through the influence of her husband, the flattering attention of the best society, yet she is said to content herself with the quiet attractions of her country home, and studiously avoids even the harmless publicity of sitting within sight when at the Opera. But were these ladies the opposite to what they are—were bom as eager for adulation as a fashionable leader of the haut ton, or as am- bitious of ibe ed our strong-minded females— yet are they for this to be rudely dragged into print, and their ‘sensibilities coarsely wounded, because the New York Times has a political spite against Mr. Buchanan, and the editor of the Tribune seeks to indulge a personal grudge against the editor of the Heratp? It may be that the conductors of these prints have not reflected with suficient care on the gravity of these gross irregularities: that, for the sake of writing a piquant paragraph, they have sacrificed be bl to sarcasm, and run the risk of lowering the tone of their journals and impairing their own consideration in the public mind, The editor of the Hgratp, in this matter, acts wisely in trusting to the good sense and correct feeling of the com- munity to avenge such indefensible affronts; for public opinion in this country, as in Europe, will not tamely suffer political rancor or personal malice to exude their venom on unoffending women, in no way legitimately subject to newspaper criticism. Tue Brrrish Government ann tHe Garway Line.—We perceive that the British government, with the full appreciation of the duty of the rulers of a great commercial nation, have con- sented to grant a subsidy of $150,000 to the Gal- way steamship line. This we look upon as establishing that enterprise successfully and permanently. We learn, further, that the company intend to run a line of propellers, carrying freight only, between New York and Galway, during the approaching summer. If this undertaking is carried out, the Galway and the Cunard steamships will monopolize the trade of the Atlantic, Thus, while the go- vernment of Great Britain is fostering in every way her lines of steam conunuanication with all parts of the world, the Congress of the United States is, by its niggardly policy of mistaken economy, crippling all the steamship interests of this country, and be a such splendid ves- sels a8 those of the Collins line either to lie idle at our wharves, or be sold into a forcign service, Retrenchment in the New York Custom House. The recent recommendation of Mr. Secretary Cobb, to reduce the number of employés in the New York Custom House, one-third, and the salaries of those retained in the same ratio, is deserving of careful consideration. The standard of numbers, like the standard of pay, in the various departments of the New York Custom House is substantially—excepting as it relates to merely clerical force on the one hand, and physical force on the other—where it was fixed by law in 1830. In 1830 the entire importations of the country were less than $71,000,000. In 1856 they were more than $324,000,000, of which New York alone received $219,737,868. In 1830 the force was liberally large, while in 1856 it was illibe- rally small; indeed, it fellso far behind the ne- cessities of commerce that its deficiency was the subject of continued and unwearied complaint on the part of importers. In 1830 merchandise was all received by sailing vessels. In 1856 nearly all that part of it which requires care and despatch in its examination was received by steam. Four men could facilitate the business when the arrivals were by sailing vessels as fast as six men can when they arrive by steam; then, too, the system of entering goods was simple— now it is complicated; then merchandise was purchased long in advance of the demand --now it comes but to meet the demand; then import- ers monopolized the trade—competition now spurs them to activity. In one word, imports in 1830 at New York were but $38,656,064, while the duties in 1856 were $45,519,270 18, The importations of 1859 will, it is believed, exceed the importations of 1856. The ad valorem system of valuations requires—if the revenue on the one hand, and honest importers on the other, are to be protected—careful examination. Care- ful examination cannot be had where the force for examining goods is not equal to a fair examina- tion of samples, as is indisputably the case at New York. In 1856, importers frequently were obliged to wait weeks to obtain their merchan- dise, owing to the lack of Custom House em- ployés; and even then were obliged to fee sub- ordinates to work out of business hours. The want of force is greatly aggravated by the vexa- tious checks to which every entry is subjected— checks which neither add to the;security nor pro- mote the convenience of the government or the importer, and which became so onerous to the importers that a petition, signed by Howland & Aspinwall, S. B. Chittenden & Co., F. Cottenet & Atherton, and two hundred and fifty of the prin- cipal importers in New York, for their abroga- tion, wassent to Mr. Cobb. What, then, will the commercial interests of New York say to this recommendation of Mr. Cobb? Will they not point him to the fact that New York collects more than two-thirds of the revenue from cus- toms for less than one-third what it costs to col- lect the other third? Let figures demonstrate:— In 1856, New York received $219,786,868 of merchandise. 104-902,074 “ 1856, All other ports..... 1 Ex of collect at New York. + «$1,082,178 Seen ne eae ber ports; 7 9)258 663 Will they not say to him, New York is the great focus for the foreign trade of this continent, and that New York has not the convenience nor force to do the business as it should be done? And saying this, will they not point to Philadel- phia, and tell him that the force at that port is twelve to one greater, in proportion to the busi- ness, than at New York?—that the expense of collecting the revenue there is nine per cent? Will they not point to Boston, and tell him that the force there is four to one greater than at New York, in proportion to the business ?—that it costs seven per cent there to collect?—that at Baltimore it costs twelve per cent; at San Francisco, twenty-five per cent}; while it costs but two and a half per cent at New York? And will they not demand of him that before a step is taken towards a reduction of the force at New York, the force shall be reduced at those ports to the standard at New York ?—and that then, if a further reduction is made, the same ratio of reduction shall be made at all ports alike? ‘ But, says Mr. Cobb to Congress, you must not only reduce the force at New York one-third, but you must reduce the pay of those retained in the same ratio. With this reduction, the character and ability of the remaining two-thirds will be reduced in efficiency in the exact ratio of the re- duction of the pay. Competent men will be paid, and the standard of competency will always be regulated by the standard of pay. The compensation established in 1830 was fixed on the basis of expenses in 1830. The ex- penses in 1859 are double what they were in 1830. Congress recognized this fact and in- creased the pay of the Cabinet thirty-three per cent, and its own pay in the same ratio, In fact, there is no order of employment where the pay has not been largely increased since 1830, ex- cepting custom house officers, nor any where the expenses of living do not demand the increase, To reduce the number one-third in the Custom House at New York would be to render it wholly unable to do the business of the port. To reduce the pay one-third would be to drive the most competent of the public officers from the public service, and substitute incompetent men in their place. Had not Congress and the Cabinet better look to the reduction of the annual thousands paid them than to the annual hundreds paid the employes of the Custom House in this city, where the revenue is collected ata lower rate than at any other port in the world? We leave it for our members of Congress to decide, Ivarcration IN THE Sprina—Tue Goin Re, Gions or THE West.—There can be little doubt from the spirit now at work, that when the travel westward towards Pike’s Peok and the Pagific opens in the coming spring, there will be a large emigration in those directions. Those who de- sign to cast their fortunes in the gold fields of Nebraska, Kansas or Wraser river will most pro bably seek those regions through Missouri, and by the new road about to be opened to the Pacific through the British possessions, by way of St. Paul, Minnesota. The’ yet unorganized Ter- ritory of Arizona, which holds forth silver pro- mises to the adventurous, will most probably be reached through the Texas route. Two co- lonization and emigration companies are already in the field, offering tempting terms to those who may desire to explore the silver mines and other mineral secrets of that region, Mexico and Cen- tral America. One of these is under the ma- nagement of General Heningssen, and the other under that of his quondam filibustering confrére, Colonel Lockridge. We publish in another column to-day some very interesting and late accounts from the Ne- braska gold regions, representing the mining prospects as most promising, and the climate of that vast region salubrious and delicious. The roads, it appears, are quite accessible, making the journey, with its bracing climate, fresh and a Ree splendid scenery, aud interesting Vioissit udes, far more acceptable to the young, hardy, pleasure loving adventurer than the tedious sea) route to California was in 1848. Ia view of these facts we should not be surprised to sve an emigration to the Western gold fields next spring larger than any which has occurred since they crisis of the California gold fever. —_— | Arrains iv Mexico—The great variety of | correspondence and news which we publish to- day from the city of Mexico, Vera Cruz, Guana juato, and the northern frontier of Mexico, by way of Tubac, present the strongest practical argument in support of the President’s recent message to Congress that could possibly be given. ’ It will be seen that a state of utter confusion and discord rules there, to the destruction of all government and the peril of every foreign life and interest. The European Powers have gath- | ered over the carcass of Mexico, and are gorging _ upon it. Spain began, opening the ball at Tampico, and preparing a large armament in Havana, of land and naval forces, which were to cross the Gulf. She was stopped in her designs only by the energetic foreign policy enunciated in Mr. Buchanan’s annual message to Congress. England and France have followed suit, and secured nearly three-quarters of the revenues of Vera Cruz, which comprise the greater part of those ot the republic, and their ministers , have waived their demands agains: Miramon, the robber of British and French subjects, and are cheek by jow! with him, preparing to advance against the stronghold of the constitutionalists at Vera Cruz. The advent of Lerdo de Tejada at the latter place, and his at once taking post in the Cabi- net, are good signs for the liberal government. From his political skill and the constancy of Governor Zamora much may be expected. They have an abundance of artillery, and may only be in want of the skill to use it. A splen- did chance is open to some of our young artil- lery officers to volunteer for the defence of Vera Cruz, where they may gain reputation at a short notice. The letters which we publish from that city exhibit a clear and truthful detail of the measures recently forced upon the government by the allied fleet, and the prejudicial effect they must have upon ail foreign interests. In the city of Mexico the farce that has re- cently been performed, in the various Pre- sidential intrigues, resulting finally in the election of Miramon, is fully detailed. What the character of this new leader is may be seen in the summary of his recent acts given by our correspondents. Active, ambitious, revengeful, intolerant, and heedless of the means he takes to gain his ends, little good can be expected from his triumph. His past course demonstrates what his fature will be; and there never wasatime > when it was so necessary to confer upon the Pre- . sident the power of energetic action in detence of our citizens and our national rights as now. It is to be hoped that Congress will act, and ena- ble us to preserve the small remnant of respect and national dignity which we yet retain in the eyes of the banditti of Mexico. Tae Paraguay Expeprtion—Braziian ME- DIATION.—One of our evening cotemporaries thinks that there is some truth in the statement that Brazil had offered its mediation in our dif. ficulties with Paraguay and that the offer had been accepted. It will be recollected that this , news went round from Rio to Lisbon, from thence to London and St. Johns, from which point we received it by telegraph. The only cir- cumstance which would at all go to confirm it is the fact that the flag ship, with the American Commissioner on board, had arrived at Monte- video at a sufficlently early period for the offer to have been made. Against all such reason- ings, however, we have the positive assurance of the government that neither the American commissioner nor commander was authorized to accept an offer of any kind in connection with the objects of their mission. If any offer has been made, it will be necessary for Mr. Bowlin to refer it to the President at Washington be- fore he can act upon it. Judge Bowlin was directed to ascend the Paraguay in a small steamer, and then, if he could not bring Lopez to terms, to call in the aid of the fleet. In presence of such positive instructions, it is not at all likely that the American Commis- Y sioner would take upon himeelf the responsibility of accepting a proposition which would only have the effect of delaying the accomplishment of the objects of the expedition. Police Intelligence. AN OL Orrgsper Recocxizkv.—In the month of January, 1858, a couple of river thieves came on board a sloop at the foot of Sixteenth street, East river, and stole a portion of the cargo, consisting of butter. While making their es- cape over the side of the vessel they were detected by the captain, who grappled with one of the fellows, and endea- vored to arrest him. The thieves overpowered the cap- tain, however, and made their escape to a boat which was lying alovgside, Just then policeman Dufly, of the Eleventh precinct, came up and fired his revolver at the river pirates, wounding one of them in the back. Still the thieves managed to make their escape, and nothing was heard of them until Saturday, when one of them, named Nedicutt, was recognized in the Lower Police Court by the Re a of the Me yd sloop on they robbed over a year ago. e accused was prom arrested by the police, and committed for trial by Justice Connolly, vet eae A Mormoy ix Trovtx.—William C. Smith, a distant re- lative, for aught we know, of Joe Smith, found himself involved in much trouble yesterday. In his endeavors to introduce Mormon customs he unfortunately contracted marriage with @ woman who peached upon him, and the consequence was Smith was arrested for bigamy and locked up by Justice Steers. The prisoner marricd hie first wife on the 28th January, 1857, and the second one just two years subsequentiy. As'the evidence of his guilt was Conclusive, the Mormon madea virtue of neces- cd and pleaded guilty to tho chargo preferred against m. Tu Arson Cask in SkventH AveNUR.—Fire Marshal Baker on Saturday concluded the investigation of arson against the colored boy Thomas Smith, charged with wil- fully setting fire to the feed store and stable belonging to Bernard Rickerfeld, situated on the Seventh avenue, be- tween Fifty third and Fifty-fourth streets, The building was burned to the ground, and a horse,a cow and two dogs were consumed in the flames, together with hay, straw, &c., amounting in value to upwards of $600. It seems the Marshal's suspicion of the boy was correctly founded, from the fact that, while in the station house, he admitted to policeman Tompkins that he set fire to the stable, fssignlng as a reason for doing it that Mr. Ricker- teld had accused him of stealing a bridle and some straw, and that made him mad, so he set fire to the piace out of revenge. Justice Connolly committed the accused for tria Caray oF Fause Prerexces,—John Hidolbrant was brought before Justice Steers ona charge of defrauding Frederick D, Schaffer out of $600 by means of false pre- tences. The accused, it is alleged, represented that he was the owner of the saloon No. 368 Twelfth street, and reed to dis of the same to the complainant for $1,000. Schaffer believing in the truth of the statement, eve the prisoner $600 in cash and the balance im notes. it afterwards appeared that the accused was not the owner of the saloon at all, and that it belonged to one Elira J. Brown who now holds poreession, Hidelbrant ‘was held to bail in the sum of $1,000 to answer. Tux Exp or A Sxpuction Cast.—The Broadway merchant who was arrested a few days ago on charge of seducing a German girl named Catarina Stienman, was required, br Justice Quackenbush, to pay the complainant $20 lying tm money and $2 per week for the support of tne child. “the defendant's counsel appealed from the decision of the magistrate to the Court of General Sessions. tne Tur CANADIAN Cariran.—The seat of govern ment in Canada is not to be located (mmediately afounwe City. The approval of the Queen's decision the other day was obtained only by a compromise with the representa- tives from Queber, and in consequence the seat of govern- ment is to be at the Inst meationed city for the next four years, What change that timo will bring ayout it 1 um~ pecesaary Waaho'patg,