The New York Herald Newspaper, March 1, 1859, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFION ¥. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. TERMS, oush én aidoance, Moncy sent by maid will be a: ths vig Uesanler. “Posage sanpe act Matlocd ne ewecrip ton "Tilt Das Y BERALD, toe cents |» 81 per annum. THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at six cents por Ee BS per annum; the een gape) ever veo? Continent, to lucie ye; the Gadfornte a heh nd 3H fetch month at obs cena or $ um. PS aM raaicy WanarD, ons Wednesday, at four cents por or annem. HoT UNT A RY CORRESPONDENCE, containing smportant mews, solicited ‘any quarter of the world; Y used, will be Uberalty paid e@- OCH Fortian Comnesroxpents 4uE PaxricthaxLi REQUESTED TO Seat aul Larrens ay Fack- ‘See? 08. vo orice taken of anonymous correspondence, We do nob Feturn rejected communicntiona, i JOB PRINTING exccuted with meatness, cheapness and de AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Brosdway.—ASMoDEvs—LITTLE Kary—Maxninp axe. NTBLO'B GABDEN, Broadway.—Cincvs PerrorMances— Famy Srsctacie oF Civ peaelia, BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Waitina ox tax Walt— Raovr—Keweaarpa. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Tam Verenax ; on, RANCH AND ALGRRIA. ‘FENP’S TOEATRE, No. 62%4 Rroadway —One INGTON. BARNUM? AMERICAN MUSEUM, Resetinen tte moot--Livenick ToY—ALARMING Sacnurice, Bvening—~ Lovise—Don'r JupGk nv ArPRANANCES. 1 MINSTREL BUILDING, 661 and 663 Broatwas— Buorns bones, Dascus, £0 OUR AFRIOAN COUN, BRYANTS MINSTRELS, MECTLA NICS’ BALL, 427 Brond- wey—Necko Songs avo Bowtasques—He Wouu am Ax Actox. Hew York, Tuesday, March 1, 1858, The News. The topic of the day is the sad tragedy at Wash- ington. The examination of Mr. Sickles did not take place yesterday. The death of Mr. Key was appropriately noticed in the Circuit Court and by the members of the bar at Washington, and the latter resolved to wear the usual badge of mourning and to attend the fanera}. Our despatches report Mr. Sickles as being as it were paralyzed by the dreadful event, while Mrs. Sickles is prostrated by illness, It is said that as the circumstances which led to the homicide are brought to light, public sympathy for Mr. Sickles rapidly increases. Throngs of citizens congregated about the prison yesterday, but admittance was refused to all but the most intimate friends of the prisoner. We refer to our despatches for additional particulars of this de- plorable affair. In Congress yesterday the Senate refused to take up the Homestead bill—26 against 29. Gen. Hous- ton delivered his valedictory, reviewing his public life and paying off some old scores due to his ene- mies. Conference committees were appointed on the Consular and Diplomatic and General Appro- priation bills. The bill making appropriations for Post Office expenses was taken up. The House passed the Naval Appropriation bill. Leave to re- port a bill authorizing the re-issue of Treasury notes was refused—93 against 108, The Miscellaneous Appropriation bill was taken up,and an amendment to discontinue the Atlantic and Gulf Coast survey was rejected. A report was presented from the select committee appointed to examine into the accounts of the late Superintendent of Printing, with a recommendation that the papers be sent to the prosecuting Attorney of the District of Columbia. Despatches from Gen. Lamar, our Minister to Nicaragua, of a late date, received at the State De- partment by the last steamer, state that neither the British treaty nor the Cass-Yrisarri treaty had been ratified. A terrible catastrophe happened on the Mississip- pion Sunday last. The steamboat Princess, while at Conrad’s Point, near Baton Rouge, exploded her boilers and caught fire. There were on board about four hundred passengers, mostly residents of Louisiana and Mississi of whom it is believed two hundred lost th: Se By an arrival at this port we have news from Rio Janeiro to the 15th of January. A treaty had been agreed to by Brazil, the Oriental Republic and the Argentine Confederation, but its objects had not been made public. The coffee trade was dull: Our correspondent at Cardenas, writing on the 16th ult., says:—“ The better class of Cubans are decidently against the government, while it is well known that the lower classes of the population would join any party that would promise a repub- lican form of government similar to that of the United States. The exports of Cardenas during the past year comprised 287,416 boxes sugar, 49,000 hogeheads molasses, besides honey, wax, fruits, tobacco, &c. The plantations for cotton and coffee are being extended since the introduction of coolie labor, which is regarded as far superior to slave labor.” By the arrival of the schooner W. L. Richardson we have received Porto Rico papers to the 12th ult., but they contain no news of interest. From the French West Indies we have news dated at Martinique and Guadaloupe on the 12th of January. The journals express great satisfaction at the relaxations which Prince Napoleon caused to be made in the régime of the colonial press. The crop of sugar in 1858 in both islands is de- cleared to be fine; that of coffee in Martinique was indifferent, but in Guadaloupe the yield of coffee ‘was greater in 1858 than has been known for seve- ral years, Count de Fitte, Governor of the two colonies, was, on account of ill health, about to leave for France. Advices from Hayti to the 5th ult. have come to hand, but they contain nothing of importance. A report has been issued by the Central Committee of Gonaives showing the origin of the revolution. It appears thatin December last eight men, of whom President Geffrard was the most prominent, signeda document, and took the name of the Committee of the Department, swearing to die or release their country from Soulouque’s power. In three days Gonaives and the surrounding country gave in their adlesion to the revolutionary scheme, and fn eight days more Geffrard found himself at the head of ten thousand willing men. The subsequent events of the revolu- tion are too recent to require recapitulation. The popularity of Geffrard continued undiminished. The Republican Central Committee held an ad- journed meeting last night. Alanson S, Jones, chairman pro (em. presided. Ex-Judge C. A. Pea- body was elected chairman for the ensning year, on the second ballot. Theodore Glaublenskee and ‘Thomas Little were elected Vice Presidente; James Kelly, Treasurer; H. T. Clevelaud and George Sparrow, Secretaries; Charles Missing, Gorgeant- at-Arms, The meeting then adjoarued. ‘The joint municipal committee appointed to con- sider the best means of protecting the city from undue Albany legislation were to have heid their thira meeting last evening; but at the Sppointed Lour, there being no hope of obtaining quorum, the chairman adjourned the moeting snb- ject to his call, At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors yes terday the special coumittee on the expenses of the courts and other objects for 1:°9 made a re- port, accompanied by the draft of « bill to be pre: sented to the Legislature, authorizing the Board to raise the sum of $1,900,906 to meet the contam- plated expenditures, Among the items in the bill are $1,226,365 for police salaries, $5,000 for police , Gnd $136,730 for arrearages of the Police Department, making a total of $1,398,095 for the Metropolitan police, whose services would be dearly purchased at half that sum. The report | | and inflexible against the party claims of drunken was adopted. The Mayor's veto of the resolution directing the Comptroller to provide agusast tue mutilation of the tax lista after they have been ap- proved by the Supervisors was discussed, but no \ action taken thereon. The Recorder and City Judge were directed to report the names and Gutics of the attendants upon their courts. Several bills were ordered to be paid, and tie Board & co: rned til Monday next. Cotton was firmer y:sterday, with sales of abort 4,500 bales, closing stiff at 1174, for middling uplands. Floar was active, with free sales at full prices for uoariy 41) dercriptions. Wheat was more active, with sabos of K. tucky white at $165 a $175, red do. at $1 40, and South- ern white at $165.4 $160; prime red Western at $1 40, | and prime Muwaukie club at $1 22, Corn was heavy, solew Juste’, Pork was less buoyant, wud tao uss v( ologed ai lower rates, eapecially for new mess, whic! old at 817 (6 a $18, and prime at $13 26a $13.35. Bee! was firm and active. Sugars were steady, with gales of about e.,chictl, New Orleans, the stock embraced 465 =) apa'NBt 12,198 at the kame porind last year, snd 5 969 boxes, against 3,750 last year. Coffee waa in rather better demand, with sales of some 1,500 bags Rio und Maracajpo, ist rates given in another columa, Freight engagements were moderate, and rates unchanged. Vhe Recent Texrthle Affair in Washington, On last Sunday afternoon, in the most aristo- cratic square of the federal capital, and under the very droppings of the Executive mansion, me of the {most distinguished members of the lower house of Congress encountered and killed he Jaw officerjof the government for the District o Columbia. Both Mr. Sickles and Mv, Key were men of high attainments, good social posi- tion and extended popularity—both in the prime of life—both in the outset of distinguished careers, One’ deliberately violated the sanctity of his friend’s fireside, inficting upon bis honor the deepest: possible stain. The young wife of Mr. Sickles had forgotten her marriage vows, her duty to her husband and her children. The proof was indubitable; the outraged husband obeyed the firstimpulse of injured human nature; he polished, highly bred, insvaciant man of the world was"changed in a moment to the savage secking the life of his enemy, who was seni to bis Maker unrepentant, unannealed. As amatter of course, such an affair, with such circumstances and such surroundings, could vot fail torcreate the most in ens: excitement wherever the ewift wings of the telegraph con- veyed its particulars. In all its aspects the atiair is a most lamentable one. Here are two families desolated at one hlow—one life sacrificed and others made forever miserable. Pub- lic opinion will, we apprehend, be almost unanimous in favor of Mr. Sickles, He had ad- mitted Mr. Key to his fireside and his table, to the societyfof his wife.and children—to that magic circle where the man, wearied and baited in political discussions, could seek and find the only repose he might know on the face of the earth. The circumstances go to show that this peaceful and happy existence was deliberately invaded, and then desecrated, by the seducer. It cannot be denied that such circumstances will go far to excuse the sudden vengeance which Mr. Sickles wreaked upon the head of Mr. Key, answering his hand, offered in the disguise of friendship, at the muzzle of the pietol. Distinct, also, is the inference that the punishment to be meted out to Mr. Sickles, who has deliberately violated the laws of his country, which he was especially bound to support, will be mitigated by the fact that his sufferings have already been more terrible than any torture which the most ingenious inquisitors could ever have invented. No jury in Washington will over convict Mr. Sickles of the murder of Mr. Key. The punishment preceded the crime, and so long as the assailant shall live, so long will the memory of that terrible Sabbath be present in his waking hours, and dis- turb his deepest slumbers. If the aim of the law is entirely exemplary, its action is entirely unne- ceseary in such cases as this. No judicial action could point a moral with more severity than do the circumsiances attendant upon the killing of Mr. Key by Mr. Sickles, ‘The effect of this melancholy affair upon the public life of the survivor will be tempoxarily disastrous. The people of New York, whatever may be said to the contrary, have a deep seated respect for the law, and, under any circum- stances, will view its abrogation with repug- nance. They may excuse the act, but will hesi- tate to reward the author. But the services of a brilliant man like Mr. Sickles will not be alto- gether lost to the country, which is wide enough for all. In some of the border Territories, where, from the laxity of society and the weakness of infant governments, the theory of violent reme- dies for violent social evils is necessarily recog- nized, he may commence a new career, unstained by social ban. We hope and trust he will do so. Few young men in public life had more promise than Mr. Sickles previous to this affair. He was the recognized leader, as he was the cleverest man, in the delegation from the commercial me- tropolis of the country. An eloquent orator, a keen debater, and a hard working man in com- mittee; and, witbal, not losing sight of those so- cial amenities which adorn the life of the public man, be had all the pre-requisites for a first class statesman. There will be those who will be glad to return him again at Washington after time shall have in some degree softened the bitterness of the cup which has been presented to his lips, Tne Brooxtyn Navy Yarp Corrvprroxs.— The Committee of the House of Represeniatives on the subject have exposed such a mass of cor- ruptions and rottenness in the management of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, that it demands imperious- ly a thorough cleaning out. The Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Toucey, has, in this matter, been en- tircly too amiable and lenient. He has allowed the Congressional and other managers of these spoils too much rope, thinking, no doubt, it would be best for the peace of the democratic family here to give them all they asked. He finds himself now very much out of his reckon. ing, and the only way whercby he can escape the charge of complicity is to purify the Brook- lyn naval establishment, beginning with the exe- cution of the navy agent and the naval storekeeper and following up the work with the dismissal of all hands concerned in the jobs and compound ings disclosed by the House Comumittee’s report. Mr. Toucey must ask this of the President, or the President may have a word or two to say to Mr Toucey, to whom the eupervision of this business has been entrusted. The same set of spoils mana- gere who have thus ruled the roaat at this Brook- lyn Navy Yard have for two years been moving heaven and earth to oust Collector Schell, be- cause he was not the man for their purposes. In these movements these epoilsmen have had the ear of Mr. Secretary Cobb; but Mr. Schell, having proved himself satisfactory to the President as a good Collector, has been excused from the charges of an unfair division of the spoils of the Custom House; and thus that establishment, most likely, has escaped the spoils jobbing cor- roptions of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Thus, too, it appears that the honest pubiic officer iv in reality the best politician, even if he be obstinate vagrants and hungry loafers, NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1859. Foresuapowine oy Tae Skrriement OF THE Paraguay Dirvicuury.—The advices from the River Plate, which we published yesterday, af- ford very strong indications that our pending questions with Paraguay wii: be settled without 8 resort to gunpowder, It 3s evident that th» weak and treacherous rulers of the republics in that quarter are very much alarmed at the preparations made by the United States to bring matters toa point; bat the most frightened man of al) of them is Presi- dent Lopez himself. This is indicated in several ways, ‘there is no doubt he has male as exten sive preparations for defence as bis means and his avarice would permit; but these are mag- nified by the most pompous bragging, in which Lis resources are set down at aa incredible figure, and the presence and advice of Eaglish and Freuch engineers are constantly paraded. Next, after so many years of insult and con- tumely to his neighbors—Brazil, Montevideo, Buenos Ayres and the Argentine Cuntedera- tion—he is now imploring their mediation, or, in case of the failure of pacific measures, their co-operation. Then, all of these rulers are evidently suspicious that we are going to take possession of and annex them, or, as one of their papers terms it, found a new Culi- fornia; but the most instructive evidence, to any one acquainted with the Spanish-American cha- racter, of the abject fear that holds possession of President Lopez, is the personal abuse which he lavishes, through his weekly newspaper, on President Buchanan and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. We published some wecks since several of these articles, which wound up, however, with a most Jame peroration. It was to the effect that the Americans made the most extraordinary in- novations on the established etiquette of diplo- matic intercourse, and if the American Commis- sioner insisted on these being consented to, his communications would not be received; but if he gave up these unusual innovations, then an arrangement would not be difficult. These inno- vations were: that we always sent our communi- catjons in English, when the whole world had adopted French as the language of diplomacy. As for the story of such tremendous English and French engineers, who can whip the Yankees as easily as say “Jack Robinson,” being in the em- ploy of President Lopez, it is all fudge. We have seen a good many of these highly scientific and capable engineers in the service of the Spanish-American republica, and, as a general thing, their only ground for the title of engineer was that they knew how to start and stop an engine, or had had six months experience as draughtsman for a railroad company. That President Lopez has anything better than many of his brother Presidents we see no good ground for believing. ‘We should not be at all surprised if the whole Paraguay squadron is on its way home again at this very moment, without having had a chance to fire a gun, except in the way of exercising the men. At all events, they will soon be back, and afford the President the means of sending a number of small vessels with large guns to the Mexican and Central American ports, with orders to put our foreign relations there on a stable footing. Spain, England and France have done this In Venezuela and Mexico without fringa gun. But it is necessary to show to those irresponsible and ephemeral rulers that ye are ready to fire our guns, in order to make them preserve the peace. Had we done this years ago, we never should Lave had the Central Ame- rican imbroglio, the Coss-Yrisarri treaty would not now be laid on the shelf, nor would our Minister have been driven with insult from Mexico, and our citizens resident there plun. dered of their hard earnings to feed a remorse- less civil war. CLAIMS UPON THE GOVERNMENT.—While the Washington lobby, from its unscrupulons and ingenious operations in bogus cases, has thrown a cloud of suapicion on almost all private claims that are brought against the government, there are yet some which are perfectly clear, which should have been settled many years ago, but which still remain unpaid. The claim of Mr. Haym N. Salomon, the legal representative of Haym Salomon, banker, at Philadelphia, during the Revolution, for several hundred thousand dollars of cash loaned to the United States at that day as the sinews of war, is one of these just claims, which should be paid without further chaffering or delay. Its justice has been recog- nized by the Treasury Department, and by va- rious Congressional committees, from time to time. At the present session Mr. Shields, from the Senate committee on the subject, has pre- sented all the evidences needed to justify ihe committee's report recommending the payment of this claim. The applicant is an old man; he has waited and waited for years upon Congress Why should he wait any longer ? The claim of Jacob Barker on account of moneys loaned to the government during the war of 1812, whose case is now pending be- fore the Court of Claims, is another cash claim. Upon a technicality or two, it appears the Court has ruled adversely; but, from the document of the plaintiff, which we publish in another part of this paper, it will be seen that the spirit and the equity of the law are on his side. It would appear thmt one objection raised against this claim is that Mr. Barker advanced his funds to the govern- ment, not in specie, but in bank notes, and that 8 those bank notes were not a legal tender, the claim is void; but the plaintiff answers that “the acceptance of bank notes as money precludes a subsequent plea that sach notes were not a legal tender.” True; and if there be no stronger plea against this claim than this quibble the claim in- volves a debt which should be redeemed without further quibbling. We think Mr. Barker must be mistaken in supposing that Judge Blackford considered the notes of a broken bank money ; if Not, it is the first time that such unsound and unconstitutional doctrines has been put forth in any court in the United States. Exouisn Reror AnD Rerronmers,—Mr. Bright’s propoeed meaenre of Patliementary reform begins to occuvy a good deal of the pub- lic attention of Enyloud, it involves sweep ing changes in the electoral aystom of ab Britain, and adds an additional million of voters to its present constituency. In connection with this subject, the arrival of Mr. Cobden amongst us has a certain signifi- cance. This gentleman has been the associate of Mr. Bright in all the leading of re- form and retrenchment urged upon Parliament during the last fifteen years, and, shoulder to shoulder with him, fought the battle of the cora laws. The extension of the franchise contem- plated by Mr. Bright’s present measure will be resisted hy the English aristocracy with even greater obstinacy than they manifested in that memoroble struggle, They wust feel that it te as property owners—to oppose & barrier te the further extensiog of this plan of building beyorrd the Jimits of the Central Park. It is obvious that if persevered in it will ultimately drive all thoee who love pure air, epace and the pleasant aspects of euburban life to New Jersey or Lonz Island, and thus in time distribute the princely incomes and expenditure, now confined to New York, over rival neighborh wd It ie fortunate that the Senate Committee have been awake to these considerations in the view which they have taken of the present bill. By ‘mowing the matter over to next session they will afford time to the property holdera to have tbe ground surveyed aud mapped out for streets a cording to its natural configuration, and to prepare a new bill, which will reconcile all the interests involved, It is only in this way that wholesale jobbing and oppression can be pro- vented, and that this beautiful region can be preserved from the execrable taste for levelling, which bas made of the rest of thecity a mono- tonous Dutch flat. | wat prove the death blow to their exclusive ; Privileges, inasmuch as it will give the middle Classes a chance of competing with them in the | public service, and of showin that they are their equala in education, intellig nce and official capacity, Mr. Cobden comes amongst us stensibly on private business; but viewing the importance of ‘he discussions which this new reform Dill will involve, it is not unlikely that his priucipal mo- tive for visiting this country isto study anew our institutions, and to found upon the observa- tions that he may make here modifications of Mr. Bright’s scheme. It is many years—we be- e nearly a quarter of a century—since this istinguiehed orator and stateaman paid his first visit to this country ; and it ie natural that on the eve of a contest which may lead to important political changes, he should desire to renew his acquaintance with the workings of our own sye tem, and thereby prepare his mind for the ma- turing of a measure in which he naturally feels a deeper interest than he has taken in any of the other questions which have occupied his atten- tion during his Parliamentary career. Vie Stare Exeoriox—Pouitica, Revo- Lurioy.—The State election for Governor, Lieut. Governor and Attorney General comes off in the Old Dominion on the 26th of May. The brunt of the battle will of course be for the Governorship? and whether as regards the result to the State itself, or to the country at large, it will be one of the most important political con- teats which has ever taken place in Virginia, or in any other State of this Union. Upon it hangs the contingency of a revolution in the politics of the Old Dominion, and as a consequence a po- litical revolution throughout the whole United States, which will have its culmiaation in the Presidential election of 1860. The campaign has already commenced in the local newspapers, and will soon be transferred to the stump. The two candidates for the Governorship in this Virginia election are John Letcher on the part of the democracy, and William L. Goggin, the opposition candidate, who comes forward on anew platform and with new issues, and will combine a variety of elements which promise the overthrow of the democracy by an overwhelm- ing majority; This opposition may be called whig or it may be called by any other name— that matters little. It is not whig, however; for it does not present the old, worn out, dead issues of whiggery—the fos- sil remains of the past—but living, practi- cal and constitutional issues; and among its forces it will comprise the late disbanded army of Know Nothingiam, who will no longer fight under that banner, but under one more terrible to the enemy. When these men battled under the standard of Nativism, in 1855, they were sufficiently formidable to strike terror into the heart of the democracy; and it was only owing tothe consummate electioneering skill and tre- mendous efforts of Henry A. Wise, the demo- cratic candidate, in canvassing the State and addressing the people from the stump, and also to the fact that the other candidate did not take the field, that the State was saved to the demo- cragy, and Wise was elected by,ten thocsand majority. If this force was formidable then, it will be doubly formidable now, when it is plant- ed on a new basis and operates by a new mode— when the candidates on both sides will stump the State, and when more popular, broader and better issues will be presented by the opposition than the narrow basis of Native Americanism and the secresy and mummery of “dark lantern” lodges. The result of the victory of Wise was that Buchanan had a walk over in Virginia in the Presidential contest of 1856. A similar result will follow in the Presidential campaign of 1860, against the democracy and in favor of the oppo- sition, if Goggin comes off conqueror in the approaching struggle. And there is every pros- pect of his success, The advantages are all on hisside. In 1855 the democracy had the power- ful advocacy of its chief, while the opposition had no such assistance; now the advocacy will be equally strong on each side. In 1855 the’ democracy was united in Virginia; now it is di- vided into two factions—the Hunter men on one side and the Wise men on the other—and both, for some cause or other, cool to the President, which will have the effect of driving into the ranks of the opposition many of his friends— those who support his administration on na- tional and constitutional grounds. By their di- visions and discords these two factions will powerfully strengthen the hands of the oppo- sition, and contribute to the defeat of the democratic candidate. The disunion and divisions of the democracy in other States, its general demoralization everywhere, the breaking up of old parties and the formation of new combinations—in short, all the political eventa which have occurred during the last two years, and all the political transactions that are now taking place throughout the country, will assist in producing the defeat of the Virginia democracy on the 26th of May. The effect of this disaster will be immediately felt on the coming campsign of 1860. A new Presidential party will start into existence, as if by the touch of a magician’s wand. The dragon’s tecth now being sown will suddenly spring up armed men. This party will consist of discontented, disaffected democrats, whose name is legion, and of immense numbers who nominally belong to the pro-slavery and anti slavery parties, but whore utterly disgusted with the violent unconstitutional and dangerous extremes to which the leaders of these parties are pushing matters, and would gladly find any decent banner under which to enlist rather than remain where they are. Then there is besides a host of moderate men who are not known by any party designation, but who are ready to vote for tue man who stands on some sound practical basis—these will join the new constitutional Union party, which will, in fact, largely absorb all other elements, but particulary democrats and republicans, whose rauks will be so thinned on the day of battle that they will be swept away by the solid phalanx of the new party like chaff before the whirlwind or the grass of the prairie by the devouring flames. All other issues will be swallowed up and lost in the new issue, and the most emi- nent living men will be brought out—Everett, Granger, Winthrop, and other distinguished statesmen—who have been thrown out of the po- litical car for the last twenty years, The State election in Virginia, therefore, to be held three months from this date, will turn out to be the most important political event of the resent time, for on it hangs the fate of the de- y and the fate of parties in the Presiden- tial election of 1860, and for twenty years to come. ‘Tar Fivemva Rurieoan bas been sold to Oliver Char- ick, Haq. for $165,000, and it will now be put in order run properly. The Flushing poople and thore on the line of the road may congratalete themselyeq that the ond hee {allen injo energetic beads, Curvater Weep anp His ANGLO-AseRICAN Dirromacy.—In that interesting transition period of France—from the late republic to the present empire—the Chevalier Wikoff, as an amateur American peacemaking diplomatist, had familiar accéss to the buttonhole of both Louis Napoleon and Lord Palmerston, But in the midst of his important duties in this capacity, the Chevalier Wikoff was led off in a wild goose chase over the Alps, in pursuit of a fugitive cof- fee sack (for the crinoline had not then come into fashion); and while felicitating himself at Genoa on the capture of his splendid prize, the tables were turned upoo him, and he was im- mured in a vulgar prison. On his release— fifteen months later-——he found himself and his policy superseded in the diplomatic world of Paris and London by other arrangements, And it was thus that the Chevalier Webb, of New York, as an amateur diplomat, was made the happiest of men, in gaining the privilege of stretching his legs under the dinner mahogany of Lord Clarendon, the left bower of the Pal- merston Ministry. But the refugee question in London, growing out of the Orsini affair in Paris, resulted in ousting Palmerston and his Cabinet ; and hence the present complications of European diplomacy have not called for the presence of the Chevalier Webb in London. In a late issue of the Courier and Enquirer, however, there appeared what is given as “an extract of a letter from a prominent English statesman to his correspondent in this city ;” and from the tone and drift of the letter, and from the circumstance of the Chevalier Webb having dined once or twice with Lord Clarendon, as the Chevalier Wikoff had breakfasted with Lord Palmerston, we must conclude that this “prominent English statesman” is none other than my Lord Clarendon himself. We give the “extract” of the letter accordingly, as from LORD CLARENDON TO THE CHEVALIER WEBB. You will perceive by the Queen’s speech that our govern- ment have found it expedient to interfere in Mexican af- fairs a0 far asto demand aud enforce justice t0 British subjects. This, after Lord Malmesbury’s declaration to your Minister, may at first excite surprise; but upon ro- flection, your fair minded people will acknowledge it was rendered necessary by the course of your President, When Lord Malmesbury made the declaration he did it was based upon your Minister’s declaration of forbearance by your government. That declaration was met in the spirit which it appeared to demand. And yet no eooner did your President receive that declaration from Lord Malmesbury than he deliberately proceeded to violate the implied faith upon which it was made, by asking of your Congress the right to geize the two northern provinces of Mexico, and garrizon them with American troops. This justly excited the indignation of Ministers, and they showed their appreciation of your President's conduct by order- ing our naval commander to act, and added force to the proceeding by the paragraph in the speech from the throne. Of courro, France agreed with our government what further forbearance, aftor what appeared in your President’s message, was impossible. Both Powers, after the interview between Mr. Dallas and Lord Ma\mesbury, were justly indignant at the action of your Executive, an would have been sustained by the country in adopting a still more decided course. They contented themselves, however, by treating bis act with contempt, and by changing’ their policy and calling the attontion of the world to their proc . Thave frequently said to you, and to others, that if this country and the United States should ever in become involved in hostilities, it will be the result of some act of folly by your President for the time being, and not the consequence of any ill will between the people of the two countries, The recent conduct of your Executive, although it will lead to no such disastrous results, proves the correctness of my position. From this it would appear that the Chevalier Webb, in an outeide capacity, is still retained in the volunteer diplomatic service of England; but if there be any official vitality in the views ex- pressed in this letter, it is worthy the attention of our own government. Unquestionably, touching the recent proceedings of England and France in Mexican and Central American affairs, this letter gives a very plausible explanation. The late special message of the President to Con- gress does not disclose, on his part, any im- pression of thia sort of Anglo-French retaliation againet the recommendations of his annual mes- sage of December, from which we would infer ibat the British government is playing a some- what treacherous game of fhir promises and foul acts. At all events, the acts of the Anglo- French alliance in the premises, and that mili- tary and commercial “balance of power” to which they are directed, if passed over by this expiring Congress, may soon become sufficiently important to justify an extra session. Let the Chevalier Webb look to his laurels. Dereat oF ANOTHER GRADING AND LEVELLING Jov.—The bill for changing the plans of the streets of New York north of 125th strect and west of Eighth avenue has been reported unfa- vorably by the Senate Committee, and all fur- ther proceedings in the matter may therefore be looked upon as postponed until the next session of the Legislature. Thus the beautiful region lying beyond these boundaries, and crowned by Fort Washington, has been saved for the present from the hands of the Vandals who would level, grade and square everything down to the mea- sure of their own stunted understandings. Of the clase of minds so happily typified by Words. worth’s “Peter Bell,” these persons can see no- thing in the natural beauties and advantages of that part of the island which is worth preserv- ing; or, seeing it, they are ready to sacrifice it for the chances of making fat jobs out of the al- terations proposed by this bill. Our citizens have reason to congratulate themselves on the defeat of this measure, for they, perhaps, even more than the owners of the property in ques- tion, are interested in preserving as many of its fine natural features ascan be retained consistent with the growing wante of our population. If the principle of mathematical regularity is to be carried out in the laying out of streets over the remaining surface of the island, New York will in another half century bo one of the reariest cities inthe world. There will be no escaping in any direction from interminable lines of brick and stone, crossing each other at right angles, and wearying by their geometrical accuracy. Then will be realized, in all {ts deso- lateness, the idea of the living wilderness which the vastnees of the British metropolis, more ix- regular in its distribution, already partially sug gests, It is the interest, of obl—cliizens ae well THE LATEST NEWs., GNTERESTING FROM WASSOIGTO Cfficiat Despatches from Nicaragua the Paraguay Expedition. Neither the British nor the Cass-Yris Treaty Ratified, The Treasury Note, Tariff, Homestead Appropriation Lills in Congress, VALEDICTORY OF GENERAL SAM HOUSTO! &, &o., &. TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE ON THE MISSISSIP| Explosion of the Steamer Princ Hundred Persons Lost und Musing. Naw Onixans, Fob. 28, 1869, ‘The eteamboat Princess, from Vicksburg for New 0 leavs, exploded her boiler, caught fre and burned to water's edge, at Conrad’s Point, near Baton Rouge, Sunday morning. Four huzdred passengers were on board at the ti two hundred of whom are Jo.t and missing, mostly r dents of Louisiana and Mississippi. A large number thoss on board were ladies. Those known to be are J. W. Seymour, of Baton Rouge, Mr. Calhoun, of Daysville, Ky. The pilot and aseistant engineer of the Princess. H. B, Morphy, of St. Louis, J, Hodges, of Mississippi, And three whoee names are unknown, Among the missiog are Charles Bannister and Howard, representatives from New Orleans to tho S Leyis.nture; Joseph Claris, second clerk, and Samd Warte, of Virginia, No other Northern or Eastern namos have as yet bi ascertained. A large number were badly scalded otherwise injured. ‘The toat and cargo area total loss, The former one of ihe finest on the river, Our Special Washington Despatch, ADVIO¥S FROM OUR MINISTER AT NiGakAGUA—1 THER THE BRITISH NOR THE Ca88-YRISARRI TRE, RATIFILD—DESPATCBES FROM TUK PARAGUAY PEDITION—THE OCEAN MAIL SERVICK, BTG., BTC, WaAsmivaton, Fob, 28, 1869. Despatches wer ceived at the State Department General Lamar, our Minister in Nicaragua, this morn He states that neither the English treaty nor the Cass- sarri treaty bad been ratifled, and exprosses no opi when they will be. The government here belicves Sir Gore Ouseley is acting in good faith, It is to be hop he is, as the ratification of his treaty and the reject of ours would necessarily lead to an immediate rup Gen. Lamar’s despatches are to tho latest date, and distinctly says the English treaty had not been ratified. Despatches were also received this morning at the 8 and Navy departments from Commissioner Bowlin Flag Officer Shubrick, of the Paraguay expedition. despatches are dated Montevideo, Dec. 28. They nounce that everything was going on well—that the guns had been mounted on tho steamer Fulton, and the Fulton, Dolphin, Perry and Water Witch wore to h left on the 30th for Corrientes. The brigs, with tho Wi Witch, would bo left at Corrientes, and the Comm ‘would proceed up the river in the Fulton. The Harriet | was still detained at Quarantine, and on her arrival wo} tow the Bainbridge up to Corientes. Nothing had b heard of the Relief, Preble, or any other vessel of expedition than those above mentioned. A map of river at Asuncion, said to be reliable, is also foi dj It states the number of batteries at that point to be cle several of them mud, mounting one hundred and guns. ‘ihe Commissioner gives his speculations at o siderable length, und the gonoral feeling was favorab success. Commissioner Bowlin mentions in his despatc! that the Brazilian government tendered their med but that he informed them he had no authority vo cept it. The reports that Secretary Toucey is about leaving Cabinet are utterly groundless, The Senate Committee on the Post Office asked to be charged from the consideration of all propositions for steam mail routes, on the ground that the state of treagury and shortness of the session rendered their p ponement till next sossion desirabie. It is believed the line of steamers in the Gulf of Mexico will be es! lished. The committee regard it as an exceptional a under existing circumstances, The government has received no official advices Mexico since Mr. Churchill’s despatches. Of course step will bo taken till the facts are agcortained, nor is now believed that under any circumstances Senor ‘will be recognized. The most probable course will b send a special envoy to Mexico. THE GENERAL NEWSPAPER DABPATCH Wasnrnatox, Fob. 28, 1864 Much interest is manifested with regard to the orgi zation of the next House, in view -of the present prq bility of an extra seseion. Szveral gentlomen of the position are spoken of for the various offices, and pi nent among them Edward Ball, an cx-member from 0) who, now here, is named for clerk. The Naval bill, which passed the House to-day, posed, as it was originally reported, to appropriate alj ten and belf million dollars, but it was cut down to} extent of two and aquarter millions, It approp $674,000 for the completing of the seven steam slo of-war and site-wheel steamors heretofore authorized, The select committee appointed at the last seasion td amine the accounts and conduct of Goueral Cu the former Clerk of the House, acquit bim of any ruption or dishonesty in the diacharge of his dul They have reported the facts counected with every ch which, on investigation, was found worthy of atte In some cages the committee thought that moro might have been exercised, but this amounted to no than a failure to correct pre-existing abuses. THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION. Senate. Wasimnaton, Feb. 28, 18: POST OFFICR AFFAIRS, Mr. Youmn, (adm.) of Fla., from the Poet Office mittee, reported adversely to a large number of m vials asking for post routes. THR HOMESTRAD BILL. Mr. Pvau, (adm.) of Ohio, moved to tako up the H stead bill, but the Senate refused—26 against 20, agen Bell, Broderick, Cameron, Chandler, ixon, Doolittle, Dougias, Fessenden, F ¥ actin Harton, Sokease 0 Tees votes log, Pua jeward, Shields, Simmons, Stuart,Trumbull, Wade, ¥ Navs—Mesers. Allen, Bates, Bayard, Bigler, liright, Bi Qhesvut, Viay, Clingman, Divis, Fitdh, Fitznatciog, Beuaee ee peas dase nce Todtabe, Ward Wright, Yuleo. ‘ CONFERENCE COMMITTERS ON APPROPRIATION BILLS} Committecs of Conference were appointed to m House on the Legislative and Executive and Consu Diplomatic Appropriation bills. VALEDICTORY OF ORN. HOUSTON, Gen. Hoveror then took the floor to make a dress. He said he had been forty-six years in pub! and would leave it to posterity to dotermine how spent bie time, and he wag content to stand on the fo mn it might placo him. Ee embraced the occasion but the calumnics by which he bad boon assailed. of them had been recentiy circulated by persons aati by the deepest imalignity townrds him. He ited the compilers of the Toxas Almanac, just lald desk, and was very wvere on Rev. Dr. James H. of New York, who had recently lectured on San That person joined the Texana from Patriotism, oo with an attempt to sell a free yellow girl in New O {or the pase tel tdulonly usage f 10 lve years ia deff - heed aa it aot ae gh (Hou would havo been exoo Tenn Bt peldlng couse unication with the then reviewed at considerable his own military career, to defena it from the tations which his onemies bat recently revived an4 Jatod. bir. Houston concluded by saying this was Umo his voice would be heard in chamber. who had gucccssively cocuped these evor attempted to cnitivate friendly feeling. their great abilities, act that thoy will exert ‘orm eens and stabuity to the Union. Hi prayers , know! an mi - that under their influence toll exertions poxoo = Perity may be secured to the latoat posterity. ‘THK POST OFFIOR ALPTROPRIATION BILL. On inotion of Mr. Huwten the Post OMos Appro Dill was taken up. The first section of the bill ap ater for the “transportation of the inlsnd $12,628,000; for compensation to postmastera| 876,000; for compensation to Clorks, for sbip, steamboat and way | letters, for advertising, $70,000; for mali bags, $60,0 Printed blanks,’ 980,00; for wrapplug paper,