The New York Herald Newspaper, April 11, 1859, Page 1

BUILDING IN NEW YORK. Revival of Material Enterprise in the Mr- tropouts, With the revival of business ani general confiience aroughout the country, the material developement and in- ternal enterprise of our city is resumed. Buildings «h'ch ‘would be considered as ornaments to other cities are b»- ing razed to the ground for the erection of more stately and magnificent structures, The fret of May will in tiate such » rush of this business as the city has not seen for some time. The principal arehitects are burdened with applications for plans for new buildings, Some {dea of the activity that will pervade this kind of enterprise in New York during the ensuieg season can be formed from th: ‘work upon the hands of the different architects in thecity, sm summary of which is here, in part, presented :— MUSERS. JAMES RENWICK AND R. 'T. AUCHMUTY, NO. 83 WALL STREET. Awhite marble hotel, on the corner of Broadway and ‘Twenty fourth strect, 100 feet on Broadway by 117 feet on Twenty fourth street, five stories high ; Freach style of architec'ure; at a cos: of about $100,000 ; for Franklin 8. Kinney, Esq. To be commenced oa the firstof May, ‘and Snished as soon as possible. A white marble store for Ball, Black & Cq., on the cor- ner of Broadway and Prince street; to be fire proot ;60 feet by 100 feet, five stories high, and in the Italian atyle, to be built at a cost of about $80,000. ‘This frm are putting an additional story on the Mer- chants’ Exchange, for the American Bank Note Company, to be fireproof, material granite, and cost about $80,000. Mast be fivished by the 1st of June, Also erecting a brick store, on the corner of Broadway aod Forty-sixth street, for J, R. Mantel, sizo 25 fect by 100, three stories high. Cost about $15,000. Likewire building an English basement dwelling house, four stories bigh, in Twenty-third strect, near 5th avenue, fer Henry Van Schaick, at a cost of about $15,000. A fine house of brick and stone, on Maison avenue, for ‘Wm. H. Townsend, Ezq., to be 30 feet by 75; will cos: about $25,000. Constructing the magnificent new Catholic cathedral (St. Patrick’s), concerning which the public are already ‘well informe@, on the coruer of Filth avenve and Fifty- first etreet, at'a cost of $860,000, fhe architects of the wathedral aro Renwick & Roderigues. FREDERIO SCHMIDT, NO. 8 WALL STREET. Afour story basement dwelling house, on Lafayette place, being the continuation of the building on the cor- ner of Broadway and Fourtb street, which is at present used partly for assembly rooms and partly occupied by the International Art Union, House tw be of brivk, with marbie trimmings; will cost about $12,000, Built for Henry Mason, Esq. Kina & KELLUM, NO. 179 BROADWAY. Astore where the Broadway theatre at present stands, which will be 75 feet on Broadway, 175 feot deep, 75 feet on Worth stroet, 26 feet on Pearl street, and 200 feet from Worth to Pearl street. This is all to comprise ono store, which will cover pearly half an acre of ground, being the largest store ever built in New York at one time, avd nearly as Zirge as the whole of Stewart's cetablishment. It is to be five storles-—or 85 foct—high avove the sidewalk. The Broadway front will be of solid marble, ia the Norman le of architecture. The store is butit for James R. iting, Esq, who has leased it to C. W. & J. T. Moore, goods merchants. The cost of the building will be wt $200,000. The work of tearing down and removing the’old theatre has cominenced, and the store is to be finiened by the 1st of December. Amarble front store, in Beckman street, five stories Digh, at a cost of about $20,000, for Norrie & Gregg. Be commenced on the first of Muy, and finiehed py the ‘fret of November. Asvperior brown stone four story dwelling house, on ‘Thirty-fourth street, near Fifth avenue, to be got up re- garolees of expense, in the ranatsrance style. Two very fine brown stone dwelling houses, on Gramer- i. oe Friende’ meeting house, to be built on Gramercy park, of Dorchester stone. It ig to be 70x90 teet, in the Grecian etyle of architecture. ‘This company has made plans for several other build- Ings, some of which are to be very beautiful and very fonuiy; but as he Dagotiations ia regard to land and otter w 2 See devined Advisable W Kooy Quek sa regard 19 Bom tor ‘the present - BF BABE Ys 41. WALL. STREET... Is about to commence. aa James Owens, a Diock of four houses, first class, with brown stone fronts, ‘on the sonth side of Thirty-fourth street, between Lexing- \ tomend Fourth avenues, to be 20 feet front and 52 feet » deep, four stories, high stoop. D. LIBNAN, NO, L11 BRoavway. * Three stores on Broadway, Nos. 577, 579 and 581, to run from Broadway to Mercer atreet. They are to be first class mores, five stories high, with solid marble fronts, marble ‘cornices; to be commenced:on the 1st of May and finished by tbe lst of November. They are bailt for the Langdon “RRYNOLD HL. SMITH, No. 11] BROADWAY, A three story brown stone dwelling house, 25 by 75 feet, in Twenty third street, at a cost of about $12,000; to be commenced in May and finished next fall. ISAAC G. PERRY, NO. 229 BROADWAY. An office building at 92 Broadway, 28 by 90 fect, four stories higb; with basemont, of Dorchester free stone, for the Meesrs. Suydam, at a coat of about $25,000. To be commenced on the Ist of May and finished on the Ist of August. HENRY INGELBERT, NO. 300 BROADWAY. Fonr stores on the corner of Broome and Greene streets, six stories high, each 25 by 60 feet, brick trimmed with marble, for Dr. Homer Bostwick, at a coat of about $45,000; to be commeuced on the Ist of May and finished about November. JAMES It. GILES, NO. 300 BROADWAY. ‘Two stores, at Nos. 88 and 8834 Leonard street, to be five stories high, built of Dorchester stone, 37 by 100 foet esch, in the Italian style of architecture, for Paton & Co., at a cost of about $30,000 altogether, commenced now and finished by the T& of August. A storo, at 76 Reade street, five stories high, with baso- ment and sub-cellar, 30 feet by 60; and a store on 78 Reade street, five stories high, 60 fect by 100, extending to Church street, forming an ell there, with 25 fect front. Both aro built for G. W. Read, Keq.—the firat at a cost of about $20,000, and the second at a cost of $30,000, They ‘will be commenced on the 1st of May, and finished by tho Ast of August. They are intended to be splendid build- ings, built either of marble or Dorchester stone. ‘A store on 29 Reade street, 25 by 79 fect, five stories , with basement, of Dorchester stone, at a cost of $16,000; to be commenced on the 1st of June, and finished about the Ist of October. A house on Forty-eeventh street, near Fifth avenue, 37 fect by 66, four stories high, with & basement and cellar; ‘8 plain brown stone front. ‘The house will bo hhandsome—so large that a lower partition wall can be Duilt, dividimg® it into two houses, It will cost about $17,000, is to be commenced by the middle of May, and be finished in November. WILLIAM FIELD AND SON, NO. 746 BROADWAY, Are adding two stories to Thompeon’s saloon (350 Broad. way), and extending the whole building thirty-five foot Dack, forming an L on Franklin street, with = front of twenty-seven fect, faced with white marbio, Italian style @f architecture. It will cost about $35,000; to be com. menced by the 1st of June and finished as s00n as pos- sible. ‘They are completing three dwolling houses—with a store under the corner dwelling house—on the coracr of ‘Twenty-fifth street and Broadway; brick, with brown stone trimmings, five stories high; twenty foet each on , two sixty fect, and one san feet deep; these e nearly completed, and will cost altogether 00, They are owned by Teaac Townsend, Have planned nine houses in eth atrost, between and Fifth avenues, making a whole block, except the corer buildi They will bo four stories high, with Basements and sub-collars, twenty-three feet by sixty feet. Tho whole to cost about $108,000. Two houses have just been commenced on Madison ‘avenue, between Thirty-necond and Tuirty-third streets, on the west side, Twenty-five fect by sixty four feet, four stories high, with hi ent and wab-cellar, brown stone fronts; French and Italian style of architecture. ‘will coat about $10,000 each. To be commenced in a couple of weeks, a dwellin house on the corner of Thirty-ninth street and Mad won avenue, twenty-eight fect by fifty-seven fect, wit pe age Or car a with basement snd sub cellar; brick, w 1@ trimmings; will cost abou $20,000; is owned by Preston Hodges’ ‘Also three English basoment dwelling houses in Rem- fen street, four stories high, 17 fect by 60 fect cach; brown stone; will coat altogether $20,000, tre building a number of extensions for introducing ‘water into Brooklyn houges; cost $10,000, GRIFFITH THOMAS, NO. A70 BROADWAY, Is buildings store in Fulton strost, betwoon Nassau and William streets, 60 by 100 fect, extending to Dutch street; marble front; five stories high, with basement and sib collar; will cont about $40,000; is for Angustas Downing; has been commenced, and will be finished by tho lat of daly. A firnt class store at 86 Leonard stroot, west of Mroad ‘way, 2 fect by 100 foot; five stories high, with basement; fireproof, except the floor; marble front; Italian stylo of architoctnre; owned by Mr. Kottletass; cost $20,000; to be eommencod by the Ist of May, wnd finished thie your. A store at band 7 Morcer wtrect, 50 fect by 100; tive C00; fret class in every way; is for Joba J. Phelps; already commenced, avd to be finished this year. A store in Read, street, near Onurch street, 25 foot by ‘70 feet; five stories bigb, warble frout, first class ia every way; Cost about $18,000; i# for Alexander Roux, A store on the weet side of Broadway, Nos, 413 and 445, 50 feet by 200 feet, extending to Mercer strect; five stories high, with basement; Italian style of architecture, heavy projections, balconies, revolving iron shutters throughout; all the windows will be of piate glass, w.th hes avd frames of natural wood—»ak snd mabogany intermixed, which is a novel feature; doors of mahogany, stairs of oak, and everything elae to be of the beat, most beautitul, durable and costly materiais. This store is expected to be the fineet in our metropolis; will cost about $100,000; the fronts on Broadway aad Morcer sircetare Ww be of beautiful white marbie. It is owned and will be built by Nicho'as Ladlam, and is intended for wary gfoos joonig house. It will be commenced ia Yay’, and wi'l be finished some time in this year. A beautiful marble store on the northwest corner o Broadway and Grand etreet, to be united with the marble store at present being erected on the two adjnving lois, by Samuel Lord; the same etyle of architecture is to be carried out im the intended building thot obtains in the present one—the whole to Myrm in ap pearance but one structure. It will cost 000; is owned by Samnel Lord, and will be ocoupted by Inn as a dry goods retail joobing house; is to be commvaced the let of May, end laished this year; windows throughout to be of plated glaee, with iron shutters. The waole building ie to be heated by steam. This will, doubticss, be one of the most magnificent of the palaces that orna- ment Broadway. A Baptist church (Dr. Hague’s), on the corner of Madi- ton avenue and Th.rty-tirst street; to be buiit in the Byzantine style of architecture, 75 feet. by 180 (including tbe Jeeture room); @ tower and high s¥eple oa she cerner; to be finished in gant and cvatiy manner, the win- dows of stained glass. The material for the builiiog has not been decided upon. It will cost avout $50,000; is wo be nag Sage immediately, and finished as soon as prac- tieable. A dwelling bouse on the north site of Twenty-third street, near Filth avenue; 26 feet by 70 feet, four stories high, brown stone front, is Gret class in every way, for Agron Arnold. Cost about $20,000. Commenced now, and to be finished within a year. Two dwellitg houses in Forty-second street, between Sixth aveome and Broadway, 25 by 60 feet euch, four stories high, with basemeut aud sab-cellar, with brown stone front abd all the modern improvements; are for Mr, Robinson; will cost about $18,000 each; commenved now and fined this yeai Two dwelling houses on the east side of Madison avenne, between Tweuty-pinth and Tutrtioth streets, 26 py 65 feet each, four storics, high basement aod sub-cxllars; browa stone fronts; cost $18,000 each, for Mr. Usher. One house in Madison avenue, between fuirty.seventh and Thirty-eighth streets, 87 by 72 feet each, four atories bigh, basement and sub-cellar; brick froot with browo stone trimmings; to be finished in a very haadsome style; cost about $25,000; commenced now, and to be fuished tbis year, ’A Gothic Epigcopal church, (Dr. Gihon's,) on the corner of Washington and Johnson streels, Brooklyn, 76 by 108 feet, tower and eteeple on the corner; to be a first class church; finished in a handsome atyle; cost about $59,000. WILLIAM M’NAMARA, NO. 68 WILLIAM STREET. ‘Two stores en the corner of Tenth avenue and Twenty- fifth street, four stories high, with vaults under the side- walk, 20 by 60 feet each, built of Philadelphia brick, with iron columns; cost about $8,000 cach; tor John Pnelan; commenced Ist May; finished let October. Two dwelling houses in Twenty: fifca street, near Tanth avenue, three stories high, with browa stone basement 19 by 50 feet each; to cost $10,000 each. ‘Three stores on Second avenue, between Thirty-ninth and Fortieth streets, four stories high, 17 by 50 feet eaca; built of brick, with iron columns, for John Fettrevch; coat about $6,000 each; commenced Ist of May; to be finished in four months. One store in Second ayenue, betwoen Thirty first and ‘Thirty-second streots, four stories high, 45 by 60 feet; built of brick, with’ brown stone posis; for Francis Burke; cost about $8,000; commenced now; to be faished this year. One store on the corner of Fifty-fourth strect and Eghth avenue; four stories high, 25 by 60 feet; nrick; owaed by James Grant; cost about $7,000 ; to be commenced in two weeks, i Hayo underway eight brown stone dwelling houses in Thirty-third street, that will be floished about the ist of July; four stories, basements and sub cellars; 19 by 60 feet each; firet class houses; cost $10,000 each; belong w Jaines Fannin, ‘Two dwelling houses in Congress street, Brooklyn, four stories high, basement and sub-cellar, 25 by 45 feet each; firs class houses; cost $5,500 each; belong to Taomas Vheeler. JOHN M. TRIMBLE, NO. 88 WALKER STREET, The Veter inery College in Twenty-third street, near Sixth avenue, 60 by 94 feet, prick, with atone trimmings, circ lar front; cost $40,000; built for a medical corporation; commend on tha: Inh of February and to be finished by ‘The new owery theatre, between Canal and Hester sticets, in the Bowery, being 100 feet on Elizabeth street, 76 feet on the Bowery, and 200 feet deep, to hola 64 people; built of brick, with siapeteiminns 6p lites ou the Bowery; cost about $80,000; owned by James R. Whiting; theatre leased by Fox and Lingard; ‘commenced on the 10th of March; to be completed by the lst of Sep- tember; Corinthian style of architecture; F.C. Latham is ‘the baiider of it; he also has the contract for removing the oid Broadway theatre. Plans have been made by some of the most popular chitects in the city, for the of Music, to be situated in Montague street; it is to be 92 by 225 foot deep; to goat 2,600; to be built of brick and stone, at a cost of $120,000, Aigo plans for the Plymouth church, (Rev. Henry Ward Beocher’s,) to be situated in the same street; it 18 to be large enough to seat 6,000 people; will cost about $110,000, Estimates have been received for a bank and office buildyng in Brooklyn, on the Wail street plan, to cost ,000. RESUME OF THE WORK ON THE HANDS OF DIFFERENT ARCHITECTS. James Renwick and R. T. Auchmuty, D. Lienan,... Isanc G. Perry. Heory Inglebert, James H. Giles... William Field & Son... William McNamara, Jobn M. Trimble. Griffith Thomas, Frederic Schmidt... ar- Kivg & Kellum, (rougi 000 H. G. Harrison, 000 Reynold H. Smi 12,900 Architects unnamé 310,000 Total........ -- «$8,089,000 The above will merely give an idea of the material en- terprise and developement of the city. There are m under way or planned, which, for vari- , are not permitted to’ be made public. Quite a number of archit;ects are out of the city, while others could not be round so the above must be cousider- ed rather ag an jadex than as a complete resumé of the building enterprise of the metropolis. The activity of building enterpriso in the country—churches, public builéings, country residences, cottages and farm houses— iw almost as great as it 18 in the city. Architects who have not been geen are requested to send in a summary of their work. The Fine Arts. “INTERNATIONAL ART INSTITUTION. Another and most happy addition has been made to the collections of pictures already in this city, in the Inter national Art Institution, to be opened to the public to. day, at No, 694 Broadway, corner of Fourth street. The design of the originators of this gallery is this:—The professors of the schools of design at Berlin, Dusseldorf, Dresden and Munich, anxious to make the American pub. lic acquainted with the works of tho most eminent liv- ing artists of their different schools, hayo deter. mined to est: hk & permanent exhibition of paint- ings in New York. We know vory little of\German art in this country, and what we do know is only from the Dusseldorf Gallery, Mr. Belmont’s, and some other private collections, We look upon this project, then, as of great value, and we hope the caterprise will Prove so successful as to insure its permancnce. The pro- sont collection was openod for private view on Saturday; but as the catalogues were not ready, it would be difficult to give a detailed description of the paintings. Enough to say that quite a number of them are, however, of raro merit, and are excellent examples of the schoole they rep regent. Perhaps the finest landscape in the gattery is a view of the Jang Fran at sunset, by August Berkor, 0; Dusseldor!, which is truly a great picture, but its iooa- on does it injustioe, It cannot be seen well froma any point of viow. There are two sunset Iandseapes, with figures and cattle, by Oswald and Andrew Achenbach, which strike the attention at once. They are painted in a broad, sketchy style, with a delicious mellow tone per. voding them. 1. Rausch has a rich and pleasant summer landecape, with the foliage admirably handled, and tho perspective marvellous, A teamster endeavoring to con- trol his restive horses, is a very bold and faithfal pic itis painted by Louis Patornostre. Moyer Von hastwo en pictures, models of coloring. There are several cabinet pictures, which we canuot now enuino- rate, of ne av apie beaut) =. mon a Dearie inting the finest specimen ts a large picture, by Aiwald, br Queen Klizabeth signing the death warrant of Mary Stuart, which, though perhaps not historically true as ro- gards the ‘Virgin Queen,’ is finely drawa, judiciously colored, and allagewber most effective. p The merit and originality of tho ad are vouched for by a committee com of Profes- sors Schrader, Kretschmar, and Mcycr Von Bromen of Berlin, Leuize, Achorbach, and Michacls of Dusseldorf; Kunmer of Dresden, and Dietz of Munich, to whose in- Spection they were submitted provious to being slipped to this country. Arrangements, we understand, have beon made with several American, as well as French, Belgian, Ly Dutch and Italian artists, to conteibate their workn to this collection, #0 as to render it, in the etrict fenso of the torm, international. The institation has been placed in charge’ of Mr. Wm. Auferman, We commond this really valuable collection to the noice of the art ioving public, It will well repay a visit. stories high, with bavement and marble front; will cost | bout MORNING EDITION—MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1859. TWO CENTS. PRICE HARBOR AND LAND DEFENCES OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Since the bombardment and fall of Sebastopol the matter of defences for large cities haa acqnired unusual interest ; and the various diplomatic questions which have lately arisen between this country and England and other nations, having a speck of war in the distance, have awakened the serious con- sideration of a proper defence of our own coast by several officers of the army and engineer corps of the United States. In view of these facts, we deem it a matter of much interest to farnish our readers with some information touching the protection of our own harbor and the adjoining shores of Long Island. We have, therefore, prepared the annexed map, to aid in the better comprehension of the accompanying article, on the coast defences of New York and Brooklyn :— showing PTHE LAND ano WATER) Cp APPROACHES ERD) water pe iy EW yorKs aul the localities of the existing cently suggested cknsive warks. = ERNE. = } Siri KOSI ro) Ward's Point; (s) Rovbin’s The above sketch has been compiled chiefly from the surveys and charts of the United States Coas' Survey. The Now York City Hall is in latitude 40 degrees 42 minutes 7 secoads, and west iongitude from Greenwich 74 degrecs 1 socond. Sandy Hook light is in tatitude 40 de- grees 27 minutes 7 seconds, and west longitude from Greenwich 78 degrees 59 minutes S seconds. There are two approaches from the Atlantic to New York by large ships. One is by the Narrows, and the other by the Sound and East river, which separates Long Island {rom the shores of Connecticut and tho State of New York, and to reach the city from which vessels have to pass through Holigate and East river. Hellgate is somo ninety miles distant from the sea. ‘Another approach to the inner harbor of New York, it has been contended, exists through ‘Arthur’s Kill,” New- ark Bay and the “ Kill-van-Kull.” It is bolieved, how. ever, thie approach is not of much consequence. Staten Island, of which the Kills are the western and northern boundaries, separating it from New Jersey, was acquired by the original grantees of New York, under an agreement that all the islands contiguous to the harbor should be in. cluded in the grant, which the grantees could sail around ina ship-of-war, and the sagacious land speculators taking out the armament of a vessel of the smallest class, were enabled to pass through that channel, and thus secure Staten Island in the grant. “Blunt's Coasting Pilot” (last edition) states that there are four channels over the outer bar of the lower bay of New York. The first is along and parallel to the Jeracy shore ; the second or “ South’? channel is outside of the first; the third is the main ship channel, and is outside the second ; the fourth is the “Gedney channel,” etill fur. ther out and nearer the Long Island shore, and runs near- ly west by north, and “ is used by our largest class ships of war.’’ Besides these four channels, the same authority subso- quently states thore is the “East channel,” and that it is further north and nearer to Long Island than Gedney’s. And the United States Coast Survey charts of New York bay, &c., and also Blunt’s chart of New York harbor and entrance (taken chiefly from the Coast Surveys), lay down ‘still another channol, of fourteen feet wator, further north and nearer to Long Island than the East chanae!. From all these channels unobstructed entrance exists to Graves- end bay. The following table shows the names, &c., of the castles aad other fortifications built or in progress of construction for our harbor defence, and the localities and relative po- sitions of each can be seen by reference to the letters on the map, as below explained:— 2° g > 3 ; = .§ g ry Interior Hartor Defences. 2 : e Fort Gibson, Filis’Isiand (a) $6,006 15 — 5 é Fort Wood , Bedloe’s “* hy 245,689 69 8 (77 350 Fort Columbus, Gov. Tal. (c, lol 4 ie) Castle Wiliiom, b+ c) 260,467 78 — 78> 800 South Battery, = Co “4 — Uj Exterior Harbor Derences. Ft.Tompkina,* Nar.,8.1. (d) 600,000 70 16 86 Bav'y Hudeon, ©" (4) 20,08) 50 — 60 1 yo99 Bat’y Morton, « « 3508 9 — gf 1000 Cas, Richmond,“ =“ ) 505,808 116 24 uo} Red’t,to becom. fd) 62,06 — 2 80 Cas. Lafayette, Nar. Tate) aay 4 78 970 Fort Hamilton, * (o) 634 67 Redoubt of do." “* * (e) 52,900 12 Ft. at Sandy Hook Pt.,N.J (1) 1,200,000 252 89 Vort Schuyler ,Tarog s Point, (g) 978,018 902 116 one sree e(h) 086,000 = 1,608 7,146 Excepting the items marked (#), which are given from other data, the foregoing has been compiled from the Re- Port of the Engincer Bureau for 1851; but it is supposed the estimated cost there stated does not include all the ox ponditures made since 1851 upon those works, nor wha will be hereafter required. The terms “heavy guns” include 42, 92, 24 and 18 ‘pounders and heavy eight inch sea coast howitzors, and heavy eight and ton inch mortars. “Light guns” include long twelve pounders, flold pieces, flank and light ight inch howitzers, light eight and ton inch mortars aud coe- horns, and gixtoen inch mortars for throwing stones. It ‘8 understood that eight inch Columbiads, or sixty-four pounders of 85 owt., and ten inch Columbiads,or 128 Pounders of 128 owt, are to be substituted for tho solid shot heavy guns under forty-two poundére—the latter being retainod for use with hot shot, Besides the above specified works, others have been suggested, by diferent army and navy officers, as wol] for additional harbor defence from naval attacks as for de, fenco againét land attacks. Some yoars since a distin- guished officer of the United States Engineers (Major Chase) suggested, in official reports and in ablo articles \ Retf; (v) Coney Island Point. communicated. to this paper, the erection of.s forton Concy Island, a8 preferable to tho extensiveand costly fortress proposed to be built on the northern point of Sandy Hook. Other works of different kinds have been talked of by different officers of intelligence and ability, to be made at various points of the harbor, as well for the exterior as interior defence thereof. General Totten, how- ever, in his report of 1851, states that the fortifications mentioned in the above table are all those ‘intended to be built” for the defence of the harbor of New York, Entirely different means of resistivg naval attacks have been devised, and some sanctioned by Congress. Stevens’ iron floating battery, yet unfinished in the building yard at Hoboken, it is maintained by somo will, if it is ever finished, equipped and manned, of iteelf render the in- grees of the most powerful hostile fleet through the Nar- rows impossible, Others regard this much ted bat. tery asa humbug. We have been unable to ascertain but little with respect to it, insomuch as great secresy is observed, and admission into the building yard to inspect it has been inuibited. The most we know of it is to be de- rived from the very liberal appropriations made by Con- gress for several years past for its construction. Steam and eai! gupboats and formidable wooden floating batte- rics may also, in case of war, be readily constructed for harbor defence. Excepting the e0-called “Morton defences,’ the sup- posed line of which is indicated in the map by the letters A, B, C, D, no complete system of defence against iand attacks has been oilicially proposed since those projected m the war of 1812 by Generals Gadsden and Swift, be- hind and contiguous to Brooklyn. Major Chase, some two eais since, adverted to the necessity of ome such de- fences in official reports, and likewise in the columns of this paper, and we are informed, by an article recently published in the Philadelphia Press, that several years ago that eminent and able officer, Captain Alden Partridge, formerly Superintendent of the United States Military | Academy at West Point, delivered in this city elaborate | lectures in relation to its defences against an attack by tand, which, it is stated, suggested “earthworks” similar to those proposed by Lieut. Morton last year, and recom. mended by the Seerctary of War to Cougress at last ses- sion. We understand Lieut. M.’s plan to be a series of earth- work redoubte, placed a mile from each other, extending from Fort Hamilton, within cannon shot of the sea coast, and nearly parallel to it and bordering Jamaica bay, and thence across the head of Flushing bay. The line on the map indicating their location is somewhat conjectural, and we learn the exact proposed location has not been dis- clored, to prevent speculators from forestalling the gov- ernment in relation to the sites of the redoubts. It is in- tended ultimately to connect the several redoubts by a continuous line of embankment, with an exterior fosse; but such work will not be necessary till a war is impond- ing, and can then be promptly effected by the militia in the floid for the defence of the city, It issupposed the cost of these earthwork redoubts, including the cost of the sites, will not excoed $250,000, being about $16,600 each. The adoption of the aystem of land defences proposed does not affect in any wise the policy or impolicy of the sys- tem of castle fortifications for harbor defence against naval attacks. Each system depends upon its own merits and demerits, It is not perceived why hostility to one sys- tem should be displayed by the friends and advocates of theother. The object of each is wholly dissimilar. The one is to resist paval assaults, the other is to enable our militia to repel attacks made by land with greater certain- ty of victory, and less loss of life. Both may not only be ba > it both equally necessary. 0 defences propored against imvagion by land are ad- yocated upon the ground that the harbor defences against naval attacks do not, though ample for barbor defence, in any degree gocuro against such attacka by land, or afford aid in repeiling them. On the other band, the’ ad- yocates of the all sufliciency of the system of castle harbor fortifications contend that no prudent enemy would venture to land upon either shore of Long Island, or on the northern shore of the Sound, and attempt to march upon the cities of Brooklyn and New York, They insist it wonld ve & violation of the fundamental military princi- pica observed by ail wise generals, “nover to leave a for- trees in the rear.” They allege that if such landing was © in the Sound o¢ on the sea coast of Long Island east- | of Wiliet’s Point, the invading enemy would, in | hing upon Brooklyn, leave the fort about to be erect- ea at that point on the rear of their right flank; and if the janding Was at Gravesend bay in such march, Fort Hami- ton would be lefton the rear of their left flank; and in either cage the enemy would be exposed to “attacks in the | id liable to be cut off in attempting to return to their ships. On tho other hand, it is contended that the | defence of our cities by attacks of our militia sallying | from Fort Wiilet or Fort Hamilton upon the rear of the invading army is a solecism, based upon an exploded | maxim disregarded by every successful general of the present century; and encountering the invading ene my in frout @ more like a defenoo, than attacks in their rear, And further, that if our militia wero aided by on- trenchments of auy kind, fallon trees, stone, cotton bales, or of earth only, the probability of repulsing the come utterly useless in afew years, on account of the cbanges constant joing On in the bars and channels of the outer bay. ference to the narrow spit of sand on whieb it is proposed to build this fortress, the Coast Survey of 1856 reports as follows :-— The peninsula of fandy Hook is gradually increasing. grow- ing w the vorthward ow We malo Slip casaeat mm asot bow Berth of the Hook where there was forty feet of wateywhen Capt Geauey made ois survey, in Jess than ten youre was pearly bare at low waier * Withia « century it bas increared smile and s quarter, and at arout the rave of 1-16th ot ip ayearon the average for the last twelve years. Figo falco gm tbe north ede of the mala. ship Cyd uot give way ue nt of the Hook advances. and appendix Nos 38,39/p. 264) ae General Totten, in his report of 1851, maintains that a want of stability apd the changes in the bars and chaancis torbid the construction of the batteries formeriy contem- plated upon the ‘‘Kast Bank” and “Middle Ground,” and the Jocation of the fort at Sandy Hook is advocated as af- fordiny very good defeace of the mainchannel.” He states such fort will “provent the entrance to or oxcupa- tion of the lower bay for any hostile purpose whatsoever, avd cover a secure auchorsge there for our merchaotmen aud privateers, and for our steam and sailing cruisers.” Tre idea of the proposed fort at Sandy Hook, when completed, preventing the entrance of a hostile flect through the portheasternmost channele of the outer bay, and jandivg at Gravesend bay, is insisted by many ac: quaintea with the harbor to be absurd in the extreme. Others, who onght to know, contend the reverse. A city paper on the 4ih ult. made the following statement in relation to that fort, apparently upon what it considered credible military authority. ‘The plans of the defence on Gandy Hook are now completed, an¢'ne preli ainury work will be pusbed forward as rapidly ‘a8 possible during the summer, The desiga is hatofa lirge btagenal bastioned fort, with demiunes on the two laud ropis, mourting about 300 guns. One tier in casemates and tae resten barbetie. For this great structore only $250,000 has. et been apprugriated, but it is estimated that pot leas tan 315.00 wilt be required to complete Kk. The wore will cover Bix orseven azres, und will be one of the stroagest and most serviceable in ovr chain of water defences, Armed with the terribte modern guns ~capable of hitting the hull of a vessel five miles ditant—it can eflectually prevent the occupation of the bay as. rendezvous for a hostile tl A reference to the above sketch, and to the Coast Sur- ‘vey and Bluot’s charts of the outer bay, will show that the distance from the site of the proposed fort to the out- Side point of Gravesend bay is quite seven miles; and from such site to the nearest of the three northeastern- most channels is a distance outside the range of tbe cer- tain and effective fire of any ordnance yet invented and in use, a8 18 shown in the report of that iatelligent and reliable officer, Commander J. A. Dahlgren, of the United States ang appended to the report of the Eagineer Bu- rean of 1861, page 66. The extreme range that the Ord. nance Bureau of the army bas been able to attain with al2-inch or 280-pounder Columbiad, and with s shell or 180 Ibs., and at an ctovation of 89 dogrees, and with a charge of 28 Ibs. of powder, at an experimental trial, was f | 5,761 yards or three and three-cighth miles. The timns of fight Was thirty-six seconde, ‘The idea of “hitting,” ex- cept by the mereet accident, the hull of a vessel at five | miles distance, with any gun, with shot or shell, is a delu- sion. At such distance, if the observer be not upon an elevation, the hulls of even large vessels cannot be distinct- ly distingnighed by the naked eye, and the exact distance estimated, and the precise location so certainly ascertained as vo enabie the most expert engineer and artillerist to bit guch hull, though aided by the most profound aud exact knowledge of both sciences. We learn but one 12-inch Colambiad has as yet been made by the United States for army use, ‘The table above givon, it will be noticed, estimates the egate number of guns for ail the castles and forts there mentioned at at least 1,608, of which 260 are stated as “1ight’’ pieces, and 1,308 as ry’’ pieces, including the light pieces for Fort Willet and for the “‘redoudt” on Staten Island. The substitution of the 64 and 128 pounder Oolumbiad guns, as before mentioned, will greatly in- create the weight of metal, without desreasing the num- ber of cannon. The personnel catimated by the Engineer Boreau, as above, to garrison all these castles acd forts for harbor defence in time of war, it will be seen is 7,146, or less than five men ta gun. This is manifestly aa ex- traordinary underestimate, Including artilleriata, officers, statl, commissariat, and the necessary infantsy and re- serves, i; is believed that the entire force to man those forts for defence must consist of at least ten men to each re and especially if the substitution of the Colambiads re guns of lighter weight, above alluded to, is carried ou It will be noted from the Hoge lary thatthe force in guns on the different harbor fortifications of this city greatly exceeds such force on the harbor fortifications at Sebastopol when it was attacked by the allies in 1854. ‘The number of guns in the naval fortifications at Sebasto- pol was 279 pieces for exterior defences, and 386 for inte- rior defences, in all 665, without including, however, the armament of the important earthworks hastily erected for naval defence, and which rendered such valuable ser- vice, the number of their guns not being given in the ac- counts; Dor is the Dumber of that portion of the forces en- gaged in the defence of Sebastopol assigned to the detence of the naval fortifications st The number of guns in the difierent fortifications for the naval defence of Cron- stadt is stated by an English military authority to have been in 1854 about 1,500 guns, lociadieg, the earthworks ; and the eggregate of the garrisons and other 5 to have been 40,000, being upwaras of 16 men to a gun. The guns mounted in the forts at Bomarsund numbered 126 and the garrisons amounted to upwards of 2, men, or about 20 me to each gun. At Sweaborg, there were 1,000 guns alld 12,000 men, or 12 men to each gun. The lesson taught by the capture of Sebastopol is, that though a city can be maie impregnable by fortifications against naval attacks; (for the assaults by the French and English Coal upon those fortifications there, were inoffec- tual; though their failure has been sought to be covered up by the representations of the allies tbat such assaults were mere diversions in-aid of the land forces,) yet, such impregnability is not apy preventive against successful irruptions and interior as:aults by land forces: in other words, though a hostile naval force may be repelled by our forta at the Narrows and on the East river from ¢ trance into the harbor, such repulse would not be any pre ventive against a hostile army iandiog on Loog Island and marching rapidly on Brooklyn and this city without oppo- ition except from such undisciplined militia as coul hastily asgembled, unaided by any defences whatever, ex- cept those to be found in the character of the country through which the enemy would have to march. News from the West Indies. OFFICIAL CHANGES AND PROMOTIONS—DUTY ON RUM AND FISH—THE SUGAR CROPS AND WEATHER—THE STARVING FREE BLACKS IN CANADA WANT TO GO TO JAMAICA—WHALING AT GRENADA—FEVER IN SAINT VINCENT, ETC. By way of Bermuda we have later news from some 0 the other West India islands. ANTIGUA. It was reported that Governor Hamilton was about to retire from the government of Antigua and the Weward islands, and that he would be succeeded, at all events | temporarily, by Mr. Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of St. Kitts, the piace of the latter to be filled by Mr. Price, the President of Tortola, and Mr. Dyett, Stipendiary Magis- trate at Novis to take over the Tortola Presidency. ‘The House of Assembly had been engaged in amending the Militia bill, and @ bill to 1evy an excwe duty on rum consumed in the island. BARBADORS. Mr. Hincks, Governor General of the Windward Islands, having obtained leave of absence, was to haye taken his departure from Barbadoes on the 13th inst. It is stated that his Excellency goes to Canada, and thence to Eag- jand. Mrs. Hincks and family go direct to Fogland. Mr, coe the Colonial Secretary, assumes the govern ment. id ‘The weather has been favorable for the sugar manufac- tures. About three thousand ni ads had already been made, and three or four vessels sailed with cargoes for the United Kingdom, The beaith of the island was generally good, Dyptherea had made its appearance there. ‘The returns for the quarter ending 30th December, how the public to have been in credit at that date The «uty on @sh imported had been reduced one half of what it formerly was. DEMERATA. In Demerara the weather had been dry, and a good deal of ricknees prevailed, Business duil. Produce coming slowly to market, and as there'wore many vessels in the harbor, froights continued low. The Demerarians were very indignant at the assertions made by the Anti-Slavery Socioty at the jaterview that took place on the 26th of January last, between them and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and declare that the statements made by them on that occasion, with re. to that colony, are destitute of truth. GRENADA. Dates to the 26th of February supply a few points of interest. A whaling establishment had been set on foot by a native Grenadian, with every prospect of success, Two fine whales had been taken, and a good yield of oil obtained from them. The Legislature had abolished all tonnage dues on ves- sels trading to Grenada, and it is proposed to admit free of duty al importations ‘of horned cattle, horses, mules, sheep, &c. 1858, £30 JAMAICA, A letter from a gentieman Leeder! oh planter of the sland, but now resident in Western Canada, had sgain brought up the question of encouraging the immigration of the colored and black settlers in Canada for discassion in the press. The lotter writer states that in Western Cana- da there is a large black population ‘ who find it difficult to obtain labor, and who would, in consequence, be very willing were the means afforded them, to migrate to a country whore they would have a certaiaty of a constant livelihood by the exarcise of their industry.’’ The Kingston Jounal thinks “ there is abundant testi- foe would be Increased, and especially ax in the suggested “attacks upon the rear’’ our militia would not have the aid of any such works, Bot it is no: qerhoe the object of these notes to do more wel el seu tn ae hs og an 108 it y land. ‘The relative uses and ad ‘of both systems have been discussed in several of the prints of this city within the last few months, and somotimes in a manner calculated rather to confuse and mislead than to enlighten the reader. We leave the partisans of both systems to maintain thoir respective sides in their own way. The tort at Sandy Hook is not yet commenced beyond the crection of ® wharf and a fow temporary framo buildings for storage and for tho oficers, clerks and work- men to bo omployed in its construction,’ The fort at Wil- let's Point has not yet been commenced. Doubts have existed with many (not of tho Engineer corps) in rola- Hon to the expediency of constructing the costly fortress at Saudy Hook, as contemplated; ,not merely on the ground that St would be of little praction! utility at this time, but alee because of the possibility tbat it may be- | mony to prove that the statement made in the letter above referred to is correct, and that a good flold is open to us to obtain labor.” “ The subject,’’ it adds, ‘ is well worthy of consideration, and we trust it will receive that attention at the hands of bis Excelleticy the Governor and the Com: misaionors of Immigration which its importance demands.” SAINT VINCENT. Fover was prevailing, and a good many deaths had oo- curred. We notice that the admiral has given orders that the gunboat Jasper shall return to St. Vincent, #0 that the offenders om board of her who destroyed the printing oftice of the Mirror and committed other outrages, may ‘be dealt with according to law. Crors 1x New Jersny-—The wheat crop in Cum- beriand county looks as woll ae it possibly can at this a8 is starting woll, and there will soon be pas- J, some have turned out their stock already ; peach trees are in bloom, and the pros grass and fruit crop is very promising. April 8. THE NEW BRITISH MINISTER. Voyage of the Frigate Curacoa trom England t» Annapolis—Arrival at Bermuda Short of Coal—Reception of Lord Lyons by the Awherities=Arrives in Washington and ts Presented to the Secretary of State—The President to Receive Him To-day. Lord Lyons, the new British Minis‘er to Washington, entered the Chesapeake Bay on board the Brit si screw frigate Curacoa, Captain Mason, on Wednesday last, the 6th iuat., from England, by way of Bermuda. He disembarked a’ Anpapolia in the afternoon, and reached his quarters at Willar Hotel, Washington, the snme eveniog. His lordehip’s advent bad been long looked for, but was do- layed ip con’equence of some very rough weather which a'tended the passage of the Curacoa The Curacoa sailed from Plymouth, England,’ on Tu-eday, the 22d of February, She had a pleasant run to Madeira, which place she made on Tuesday, the tst of March. Captain Mason made a little necessary delay here, god all being in readiness, he sailed again direct for the United States, on Thursday, the 34 of the same month, After a few days the Curacoa experienced some heavy westerly winds, which gradually increased in roughness aud violence, driving her as far south as 21 deg. latitade When the gales moderated somewhat Captaia Mason found that the coal oa board was running short, so he deter- mined to ateer for Bermuda, where he'coald obtain a sup- ply from the navy yard of bis own government, The frigate Curacoa, and her commander, Capt, Thomas A. Mazon, of the Royal Navy, are already known t> the American people. She is a thirty-one gan steamer. When she was employed ia conveying Lord Stratford de Redcliffe from the seat of hs Turkish mission in Constan- tinople to England, she ran aground on the Pelican shoal, and was relieved from her dangorous situation by the United States sloop of-war Macedonian, commanded by Captain Levy. A very interesting correspondence, which was published in the Hgraup a short time since, ensued between the two captains, Captain Mason expressing his best thanks for the good ser- vice done him, and Captain Levy recalling the generous relief afforded to the sick and dying seamen of the ship Susquebavna by Admiral Sir Houstoa Stewart and the other British naval officers at Jamaica. ‘The Curacoa reached Bermuda on Friday, the 25th of March. Lord Lyons landed on the island and was re- ceived with marked attention by the Governor and chiefg of the military, naval, and civil departments. He took up his residence at the Admiralty House, Clarence Hill, Hamilton. On Saturday, the 26th of March , the Governor entertained his Excellency, the Secretary of Legation, and his lord- ship’s private secretary, at dinner at the government house, Mount Langton, where he was met by the moat distinguished men residing on the island. ‘ After a few days he took his departure from Hamilton, and reached Annapolis as stated apove. When the Cura- coa was off the port she was saluted with thirteen guns from the United States Naval Academy, The salute was promptly returned from her deck. The people of the ancient town of Annapolis greeted Lord Lyons in a very friendly manner. Lord Napier, the preeent Kaglish Minister, met Lim in the borough and acccompanied him to Willard’s, Richard Bickerton Pemell Lyons, now known as Lord Lyons, is the eldest son of the late Lord Lyons, better known as the famous Sir Edmund Lyons, baronet, one of ‘the most distinguished officers in the Eoglish navy, up- holding, as he did, ite flag with credit for avout Atty years. The present peer was born on the 2¢thof April, 1817, and is consequently in his forty.second year. His mother waz daughter and coheir of the late Captain Josiah Rogers, R. N., and married Sir Edmund Lyons in” the year 1814. ‘The first service rendered by the present peer in the English diplomatic circle was in his capacity of attaché to the embasey in Greece, then represented by his father; the Admiral. This was in the year 1839. From the Court of Athens he was transferred to the Court of Dresden, on the 10th of April, 1852, and came to serve at Florence in the year 1852: Hon. Mr. Lyons was: made Secretary to the Legation at Florence, by Queen Victoria, in the year 1856. Subsequently ber Majesty appointed nim hor Envoy Ex- traordinary and Minister Pleyipotentiary to the Court of » the Grand Duke of Tuscany, from which position he was taken in order to supply Lord Napier’s place at Washing ton. Lord Lyons is represented as being a man of yer; cultivated mind, refined tastes, and frank and unas. suming mapners. He is a spruce bacheor, Tue Lyous family bad its origin in the island of Anti- gua, ana comes in immediate descent from the marriage of John Lyons, Fsq., with Jane, daughter of Col. Samuo! Harmans, both of that place. John Lyons was the grand- fathor of the late distinguished Admiral. The first baronet was created in the year 1840, and Admiral Lyons obtained the peerage, as all know, for his faithful services to the Crown, both as a diplomat and naval commander, shining, as he did, most conspicuously in hisgrofessional capacity during the period of the Crimean war. The motto of the family is— “ Noli irratare leones,”” which, translated, means: ‘‘ [ am unwilling (or afraid) to anger the lions’’—a very sensible resolution when read in a physica! sense, but one whieh we think will nut be much regarded by eltber the people or present Secretary of State of the United States, in a diplomatic view, should his British Majesty of the forest growl at or interfere with us without just cause. Lord Lyon’s first interview with Gen, Cas took place in Washington, on Friday, tho Sth inst. Lord Napier presented his lordship to the venerable Sec- retary, when an exceedingly courteous, but entirely in- formal, conversation ensued. Secretary Cass took occa- sion to compliment the retiring Minister, Lord Napier, in very warm language. Lord Lyons will be presented to President Buchanan to-day, and immediately after his reception will be en- rolled at the foot of the diplomatis list, on which Lord Napier’s name stood as No. 11, Lord L. brings with him Mr. Irvine as Secretary of Legation, and Hon. Mr. Monson as Private Secretary. Lord Napier proposes to embark in a few days for Eng- land, in the Curacoa, on her return voyage. It is ex- pected, however, that he will visit this city before his departure. We are glad to find that the British residents in the metropolis are about to pay a tribute of respect to him previous to his quitting our shores, A preliminary meeting of the leading members of the body was held last Friday, for the purposo of taking the necessary steps to- wards presenting his lordship with an address, A com- mittee was appointed to draw it up, and to take other measures to give it effect. No doubt such a testimonial will be extensively signed, as no British Minister was ever more popular in this country than this distinguished diplomatist. We understand that due notice will be given when and where copies of the document will be found for the reception of signatures. It is thought that the Cham- ber of Commerce and others of our public bodies will offer his lordship a similar mark of respect. Coroners’ Office. Srostva aN Op Man to Deati.—Coroner Gamble held an inquest upon the body of an old man named Jacob Bertrand, at the corner of Sixty-ninth street and Broad- way, who died from the effects of injurtes received by being struck on the head with a stone. The injury was inflicted zome two weeks ago. A party of rowdics at- tacked the deceased and his son with stones and brick- bats, when one of the missiles thrown struck deceased on the head, fracturing his skull, Bortrand lingered until Saturday morning, when he died. A post mortem ex- mination of the body, made by Dr. Weltje, showed that the brain had been penetrated by tho sharp edge of the tone, and that a portion of the missile was embedded iff the skull. After taking some unimportant testimony the Coroner decided to adjourn the inquest until today, when the parties who inilicted the injury wil probably be Fratee, ald wasin hin TOWN yeap. Ha Kept ssl grocery rance, was % a smal ttore in the immediate Steed of the spo where he was killed, and was well known in the Twelfth ward. Fata. Casvattmms,—William Johnson, a workman in the planing mill Nos, 221 and 223 West Twenty-sixth street, died at thé New York Hospital from the effects of injuries accidentally received by being orushed in’ the méchinery on the 11th ult. Coroner Jackmaw beld a8 inquest upon the body. Peveared was thirty-four yours old, and was a native of New York. Patrick Henarebor, a native of Inetand, aged thirty five years, died at the New York Hospital on from the effects of injuries accidentally reecived, by falling tato a cellar way in Dro.dway, om the 11th af February last. Coroner Jackman held an inquest upom the body. Peter Burns, a native of Ireland, aged forty years, died Ai the rame institution, from the oflects of iejuries acciden. tally received on the 16th ult, by @ box of dry gooda falling opon his hen! at pier No, 2 North river. Coroae Jackman eld aa inquest Wa this cage aloo,