The New York Herald Newspaper, April 20, 1859, Page 2

| RUSSIA IN THE NORTH PACIFIC. Organization and Progress of the Settlements. POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH PEKIN, Extension of Russian Commerce with China and California. POPULARITY OF THE AMERICANS LIFE ON: THE AMOOR, RUSSIAN NAVY IN THE PACIFIC, &e., de, de. Sketehes of Life om the Amoor. AARIVAL AT CASTRIES BAY—NICOLAEPSK—DESCEIP- ‘TION OF THE TOWN AND ITS INMABITANTS—PRE- FARATIONS FOR A SIBERIAN WINTER—THE TWEN- ‘¥Y-8ECOND OF FEDRUARY—CEREMONIRS OF THE RUSSIAN CHURCH, ETC, At last, after a lengthy passage of sixty days from San Francisco, we reached the Tartaric Gulf, when we stecred merthward, with constantly foggy weather. On the 12h July, 1857, we entered Castries Bay, latitude 51 dogroes 20 misntes north, longitude 141 degrees east of Green" ‘wioh, Dut missed the proper channeljintofthe inner bay’ veaning upon s rocky point tifat jutted out from an isle galled Oyster Island, and injuring the copper of the svenee). The Russian sloop-of-war Baikal rendered us prompt assistance; she sent a large number of her crew, sables, anchors, &c., and got us out of our dangerous po- sition on the high tide. After a few days delay we pro- seeded through the narrow channel called the Leman, be- ‘tween the island of Saghalia and the main Asiatic shore, into the Amoor river, and came to anchor opposite the Fort ‘of Nicolaefsk. The banks of the river, which is here about ‘three times as wide as the Mississippi at New Orleans, are buff and high, and Nicolaefsk, situate on the left or north- ere shore, is protected by three strong batteries, with nu” merous and very heavy guns. The regulations of the port for the entering of foreign vemsels are very simple, and the Russian officers, physi- | sians and others who vieited us on board were extremely | polke and obliging. ‘We foand but few habitable houses in the place that | sould be rented, and in order to obtain sbelter for tho | ‘sargo of our vessel we had to apply to the Governor, | ‘who with commendable readiness allowed us some gov- | erument barges lying high and dry on shore, and also iaflorded us great facilities in landing the goods. It is pleasant to relate that Amoricans are liked here as much | as they are detested in Mexico and south of it, and we were astonished to perceive upon every occa. | wion, during our stay of nearly @ year at ment were liberal and lenient towards foreigners, and | Americans especially, in cases where native Russans, | ‘who, ef course, bad the advantage of being well ac- quainted with theee ws, were strictly and unceremo™ niously dealt with. | ‘The houses are all built of pine or cedar logs, with moss | er cakum in the crevices, aud very few are finished with | a weather boarding on the inside. The rigor of the winter | weason makes it necessary to lay doable floors, with half a fost or more of earth between, in order to prevent the old from getting in that way,and also to have double | doors and widows. A great part of the available space | im the house is taken up by enormous brick stoves, which ‘are seldom less than five feet square, and reach to the selling of the room. Large apartments have three or four such ovens, and we have been in houses where the entire four walls of each room were composed of brick ovens; in five copecks (eq! wanted q Meolaefsk, that the laws of the Russian govern” | me Ds Se seewiee. a, buckwheat, millel and tea. brick tea, which is brought from China, via Kiakbta, and consui of Mongols, Tartars, tchadahe, &o. squeeze it into flat cakes it is wetted, and bas thus the ap- pearance and solidity of chewing tobacco. The Rcasian soldicr or sailor drinks it with salt, in the absence of sugar or mojasses, and frequently it, thus making a kind of broth, which, after all, docs not taste very much amiss. of Nicolaefsk, and at the mouth of the river, being con- stantly improved and avgmented, a large number of sol- diers and sailors are always detailed for work. Bame manner the government machine ehop, officers’ aad soldiers’ quarters, the laying out of streets and building of houses—in short, every government and public work, is carried on by the labor of the soldiers and sailors, wno are thue employed all the year round as blacksmiths, masons, machinists, shipbuilders, carpenters, joiners, tinners, &e., &. the merchants and private people residing here, aad for | sueb extra work obtain often in a day or two as much as | their annval government stipend amounts to. Waat- NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1859—TRIPLE SHEET. — : not risen!” Is tarned out that cers A WINTER af NICOLARFSK—JACK FROST REIGNS SU- PREMA—AN ANECDOTE OF GOVERNOR KOZAKW ‘VITCH—LIFE OF A RUSSIAN @OLDIER—TETOTALISH AT A DISCOUNT—PHE RUSSIAN PACIFIC SQUADRON, Having described the peculiar eonstruction of the houses Of Nicolaefak, we will say a few words about the severity of the winter. On or about the 8th of October of each year (it hardly ever differs more than three days), the river froezes over entirely. A woek or ten days before thig takes place, all the neighboring Geelacks (the abori- ginal inbabitants of the conntry at the mouth of the Amoor), come for the last time in their swift ca- noes, bringing fish in exchange for bine and white cotton cloth, rice and tobano, Now the immense stream being frozen sufticiently in twenty-four hours to permit of travelling upon the joe, becomes quite lively. ‘The town of Kisi, with the tortified post of Mariensky, about three bundred versts up the river, and some intermediate villages, send down sleighs freighted with meat, polatoes, fish, &c, The Geelock comes with his team of fleet dogs, gome ten or twelve of them attached to « amall sledge’ and far outstripping the horse, whose nostrils are armed with a thick layer of ioe—the frozen condensations of his preath—to the great impediment of his speed. Every article of provision can now be obtained in a state, Milk is brought to in hanging on a string, or stowed away in bags. eggs might be dropped from. Trinity church steeple upon the granite vement of Broadway without the least danger of break- evar ‘The large sturgeon, with its delicate spawn, ‘called ‘‘eckra,” or caviace, i# split open and dissected, not with a knife, but with a heavy The fa. . of meal being very thoroaghly frozen may be surmised by sn anscdote of Governor Kazakevitch, who, while cutting up the roast at bis own table, remarked in good English, ‘Gentlemen, you can have it well done, raw or frozep.’’ In fact, though perfectly done on the outside, it was frozen in the contre. ‘The mercury in the thermometer freezes very frequent ly; at noon it often stands at twenty-four to thirty-six de- grees below zcro; the cold becomes so intense as to make all metals extremely brittle. Tho nails in the outer doory and roof of the house part in ‘two, leaving the boards loose and permitting the snow to be blown into the room; the outer door bandles, made of brass or iron, would break off as readily as if they had been glass, and we had constantly either to repair or replace them. The snow, no looger in fiakes, but fine as the finest wheat flour, enters every crevice, be it ever so small; driven by the wind, it leaves the ground in some places entirely bare, while in others it gathers in immense masses. In walking or bode J out, the greatest care is required to keep every part of your body well protected by an ab of woollen clothing, and besides that a thick fur cloak around you is indispen- sable. If a member is affected by frost it turns com- plotely white, and ought to be rubbed tly with snow, when color and sensation will readily return. A limb once frozen'is very apt, when afterwards but slightly ex- posed, to freeze again. We had become quite familiar with this circumstance, and when oat ia company the conversation would naturally run thas:—‘‘Mr. H., please watch my nose.” “Mr. P., your left cheek is turning white.’ “Captain V., your right ear is in 7 pon which the party cautioned commenced immediately to rub with all his might, which, however, does not prevent the skin from Leh patra and leaves your phiz in a very unenviable plight. The life of a Russian soldier or sailor here is curious enough to deserve mention. The pay he receives from gov- ernment is Laine m the extreme—gomething like thirty- to twenty-six cents) per month; besides which, however, he gets his rations, clothing, and every- consists princi- of salt beef, fresh and salt fish, unbolted rye flour, The latter is what is calied in immense quantities by all the native tribes Iu order to adds butter or lard to ‘Th Yortifications of the town In the Daring their leisure time they work for fast they seemed to be notuing, but stoves and fireplaces, | eyer money they do earn is inevitubly spent for spi- sovered in by a roof. As we were preparing to make our | quarters habitable for the winter, ® task that commences | here carly in the summer, we concladed to caulk the | walls, cciling and floor tightly, and to try the novel expe- | dient of sheet iron stoves, by which we gained immense- | ty Biespace, ai bat sien the facility to remove when no longer wanted, which is not till the | beginning of June. The stoves were made of common | sheet iron, about four feet long, two and ahalf wide and three high, lined inside with brick, and some iron cross- | bars put in toserve az a grate, We were thus enabled to | keep up in the daytime a temperature of sixty-six de- | grees during the cold weather; but at night the stoves cooled off too quick, and were entirely cold in toe morn ig, while the aforementioned brick ovens retain the | eat and give it out gradually for forty-eight hours or | The population of Nicolaefsk consists at present of about 1,200 soldiers, some 100 or 120 civil ant military officers, six or eight Russian, one German and four Ame- riean merchants, besides ao American engineer em- by the government. The soldiers, partly ma- yines, are quartered in barracks, those with families Yrving in small log houses. Toe families of the officers are not numerous, come of the ladies well educated and forming the ‘centre of attraction in this small town or fortified station. The officers have a club, with a Nbrary and reading room, to which foreigners can have admission as guesta by paying fifteen roubies a year. Dur- | jg the season, and out of it, a great many balls and par- ties are given at this club, generally presided over by | the Governor; and to judge from the gay colored dresses of the ladies, the stiff cravate and shining uniforms of the men, the amount of gossip before and after each soirée, the éliqnes formed and dissolved among the iadies eape- cially, one would believe himself in a different country and place than this forlorn outpost of Siberis—or, rather, in, var ‘The 224 February (1853) was duly celebrated by all the American present, who clored ir stores and offices upen that day. The Govervor, his staff and some other officers were invited to partake of @ collation; the room | was tastefully ornamented with Russian and’ Americen | flags, the portrait of Wasbington in the centre. The De- claration of Independence was read by J. H. Barr, Raq. r, the first toast drank in honor of the occasion po inane ‘by toasts to the Russian Emperor, President Bu- whanan, his Excellency Governor Kazakevitch, and so forth, with ample accompaniment of solide and fluids. ‘This province, or government, called ths ‘Eagtern Court @iatrict of Siberia,” includes the whole of Kamschatka in the north ; southward its limits are difficult to tell, as they Keep generally advancing in that direction. There are some fine harbors in itiude 50, 48 and 45 degrees, ail claimed or owned by the Russians; one 1s called Em: peror’s Harbor, where the frigate Palias was sank dariag the last war. Westward it is likely to run up the Amoor river af high as the Zeia, some 2,000 verts from the mouth ef the Amoor. The Governor is an active and enterprising man, and has been in the United States of America, where he ordered some steamers to be built forthe Russian na- ‘vy; be appreciates American industry, and in his endea- vors to foster it and gain from it advantages for the developement of the province entrusted to his care, he is certain to please the Governor General of Eastern Siberia, his immediate superior. According to a report, of which we have seen a copy, ‘the yearly allowance to the government of the Amoor country for al! salaries and expenses is 600,000 silver rou- | Dies. Governor, who bolds the rank of rear admiral, | recelving about 12,000 roubles per annum. His term of | office is five years, but it may be prolonged or curtailed, | at A ot of the Pw geal He is surrounded by a | waite military and ¢ivil officers of great intelligence, Pees in all administrations, old fogies or young, bi upstarts are not wanting to throw obstacles in the way of good and prompt action on the part of govern- nent. There are two echools in Nicolacfsk, one being for sol- iers’ male children, who are instructed in the rudiments of education and afterwards made soldiers of, the other for raising pilots and mates for the naval service. The of the first, called “ cantonists,”” also act as chorist- ers at church, and on holidays turn out with their teacher | and sing ut the honses of the few families and foreign wetanetons reeiding Lat 1a ‘ous #ervice was held heretofore in a small church attached to the military hospital, but a new and | which is muttered ana hurried along by the pricata in the Belavonic toi , the people understand no- . The inauguration of the new church was certainly a curious sight Toe sprinkling of bely water, the cross- and genufiexions having at ist subsided for a moment, a dozen priests, with the high archimandrite of the Yakutzk district, who had come for this eccasion a dis- ‘ance of many thousand miles, began to rab and scrub the altar and holy shrine with al) their might and mam; each of them was provided with a common apron in order ‘te protect their costly paraphernalia, and during this por- formance of washing, rubbing, drying, nailing on curtains | ‘and other operations of the kind, which occupied an hour ‘and a half, the soldiers and all the people stood up or patiently on the cold and damp floor of the ‘Not less than three or four times in a year the pricets bok a ‘Around this town (and in all the towns aod o¢ Runa), sprinkle holy water aoe walls rooms, ashort prayer, receive gmail] change asthe inmates can afford to arrives, the (asting is at length completed, | or butter week, as it is called, 18 at | ity of the people know no bounas. | house, greet each other witn the igen!” recesve the response, “Verily | then embrace and kiss each othor. | and mistress embrace their ser- | Hers; all distinctions of rank and | nd handsome Indies in vain | of the meu. The officers walking sailor or soldier disguise but ‘at the 6 of kieses; bat a pane 4 the bw of faith and . The only, ussian subjete soos A Oouriant, Livone end Vatnou's wis creed, are exempted, and may, if oe rariatlana) stating that they are Emperor Nicholas, that Bo sapped ont of tle tpnrthale, t has risen), leaning forward at the game time 10 OMDTICO Ibem, Hoe men Starved back ang k ie E 3. re if Ad 3 i f i Hg | 5 B é i tities. Though they receive rations of rituous liquor, of which they can drink fabnious quan- vodka, and extra rations on holidays, the fact of a Rosman soldier or sailor ever having refnsed *‘another glass” is unheard of. Intoxication is, of course, quite common, and no fines, arrest or castigation have any effect iu sup presaing it.” After the process of whipping with sticks tied together like a coarse broom, soldiers often declare their willingness to take two or three hundred lashes more, if they can but get another bottle of liquor. A good many deaths occur from intemperance, and every ‘winter records some cases where drupken soldiers, lying out in the cold, are found frozen to death. ‘The Russian government intend two make Nicolaefek the chief naval arsenal and headquarters of their Pacific squadron, which they seem determined to place upon a reepectable footing. After the peace the frigates Pailss and Diane having been destroy- ed, and the Aurora frigate, and Olivazz> and Dvina sloops-of-war being returned to Europe, there was nothing left here but a few small vessels; but in the summer of 1857 @ considerable squadron was despatched from Cronstadt, which bad arrived at Hong Kong, and was expected at Nioolacfek when I left, in August, 1853. It consists of the Askold frigate, three screw corvettes and three clipper ships, under the command of Rear Ad- miral Kuzretzotf, appointed Governor of Nicolaefsk and commander of the Pacitic feet, in lieu of Admiral Kezake- vitch, whose term of service bas expired. On my arrival at St. Petersburg in January, 1850,1 was informed that Commodore Popoff bad sailed from Cronstadt the preced- ing summer with a second squadron, composed of, three ships of war, which will probably reach their pisce of destination in June or Jnly next. ‘It will be seen, there- fore, that the Ruseisns will soon have quite a formidable force in theee waters, and I have no doubt John Ball will be keeping a sharp look ont after them. PASSAGE UP THE AMOOR—STATE OF THE STEAM FLO- TILLA—MARIINSKY—TUNGOOZ PILOT—ASPECT OF THE RIVER ABOVE MARLINSKY—THE USSURI—PRO- POSED CANAL TO THE PACIFIC—BHUDDIST TEMPLE — TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA—COUNT MOU- RAVIEFF AMOORSKY. Having applied to the Governor of the coast district of Fastern Siberia, Rear Admiral Kazakevitch, for a paseage up the Amoor river, he designated the steamer Amoor, Capt. Norwick, which would Jeave Nicolaefsk ou the 5:b August, 1858, offering us a free paseage in the same. There are at present five steamers belonging to govern- ment, three of which—the Lena, Shilka and Nadeshda—are out of repair, the Argoon {it only as a towboat, and lastly, the Amoor, the only boat running with any regularity oa the river. She was built in Philadelphia, of iron, low pressure engine of 65 to 70 horse power, 434 tod feet draught, with fuel and passengers, runs ten to twelve miles against the current, and twenty with it; is the only boat that has answered its original purpose and given en- tire satisfaction tothe Russian government. The Leaa, algo built to order in the United States of America, is of iron, high preegure, stern wheel, draws 33¢ instead of 2, and may be considered a failure. She was intended to run from ey river to Tchita, but her steering apparatus is defec- tive, and ber draught in no proportion to the depth of the Channel in that part of the river; in consequence of which sbe has been aground numberioss times, and is 80 seriously injured, since she took Governor Mouravieff on his last Ly 2 that she is laid up ap invalid at present, and will be for some time to come, at Stretinsk, about 400 versts above Port Straika. We left Nicolaefek on the 5th August, old style, (17th August, new style), and after some detention at iaterme- diate villages, arrived at Mariinsky,a Russian fort some three hundred and ten versts above Nicolacfak, on the 8th. Within a verst of it is the village of Kisi, with about forty families of soldiers and Russian peasants, who inhabit smell houses, possess some horses and cattle, and cultivate a few acres of land, raising with dif. ficulty potatoes, cabbages, radishes and other vegetables, during the short summer, whicb, however, is much milder here than at Nicolaefsk. ‘A branch of the river connects here with the Kisi lake, ‘a beautiful sheet of water seventy verats long, which ex: tends in a eoutheasterly direction to within twenty eight versts of Castries Bay, situated in lat, 61 29 north., Joog. 141 east. Nicoinefsk being in lat 6817 north, it will be eeen that from the mouth to Mariinsky the course of the river is not, as laid down in all old maps, west, and turn ing away from the coast, but south and a little east of it. Je company on board consisted of some ten Russian officers, with their families—an old archimandrite, who bad lived ten yeare at the Russian mission in Pekin, a couple of Ruseian and two American merchants. Nothing but the parrage being furnished, one of the officers under. ‘wok to act a8 quartermaster. A quantity of provisions had been bought at Nicolaesfk, and wherever a village or lation could supply us with anything the steamer stopped, and the cooks, of which we had two, wont ashore and returned with eggs, fowls, mutton and vegetables. The captain and first oMlcer joined in the ral mess, and very sociable and friendly feeling existed between them and the passengers. The weather boing dolighttul, our meals were frequently taken on deck, which was pro- weted by a large awning. As oon as dusk changed into darkness the boat was stopped and an anchor brought out; in places where the current runs very swift it required ‘poth . The principal pilot, Tungooa, born and raised on the river by Tungooz Cossacks, was o young fellow of twenty-five oF thereabouts; he spoke enough Russian to direct the men at the wheel, and seemed to rely more upon bis acquaintance with the chanoel of the river than upon the Russian charts spread ont in the wheelhouse, These are in twenty-six large plates, on a scale of two versts to an inch, com- prising, from Nikolesfek ap to Zeya river, about two thourend yerste, They show soundings of the chan- nel, the nature of the banks on both sides, and are got up ‘with considerable skill, A new set, on a still Jarger scale, js being published at Irkutsk, much more exact and de- tailed, If the Russians instruct a pumber of pilote, #0 af to have two or three to each boat, they may infavoreran voth day and night, which they dare not du at pretext, Up to Mariineky both shores of the river were lined only with pine and spruce; newr that fort, however, they aseumed @ more variegated agpect: birch, ash aad black and white oak were scattered around, and a luxurious growth weet grass and wild flowers covered the ground. Aftor having left Kiel, we parsed the moutit of the irivatary Goryn on the 10th, and travelling constantly southwest and gouw,tombed Ue mouth of ie Uesgri river on she | ih, ‘Mantchooria, claiming EAR g et tilt thay were Soally Over: ears, were ‘We now enjoyed the most beautiful sommer wosiber, only rather too \, the afternoon to ninety- ‘The banks Sar she ane ee ary er a now rupted by extensive bottom Jandg, with rich verdure. Except the Roasian settlement andp gaard of Manicboos who were stationed here, we saw np natives itviag in this beautiful and rich sectian ef 5 ‘Where the Ussuri enters the both rivers spread into a labyrinth of countless bi by mrming eae and Jakes, and extending far beyond the range of vision. The width here may be forty versts upwards, and is still greater one thousand yersta above, at the entrance of the Yeya, leaving the Mississipp! river’ spect. The current rung very versts per hour—and where hi in by stecp rocky banks not less than five to eghs versts. ‘The Ussuri river bas recent jored by a Rus- sian engmeer, Lieutenant Varikoff, to its head waters in latitude forty-four degrees, tance of sixty versts separate it from Viadimir Harbor and a direct communication with gen. According to bis report, a canal and road be made across op navigable point on the Ussuri, thee establishing a direct connection between the Amoor, a versts above ta mouth,and the ocean. If thisiproject sbould be car- ried into effect, Viadimir Harbor become the port of entry, instead of Castries Bay, (which is blocked up by ice nearly six months in the year) and Khabarooka the emporium of Eastern Siberia and tehooria, instead of Nicolaetsk. The Jatter would remain an important naval point to protect the entrance of theAmoor, and Transbai- kalia conld send its agricultural produce, meat, hides, wool, hemp, &c., direct to the Pacitic for export. Near the steep bank upon which Khabarooka is being built, we saw a Mantchoo temple, built of logs and mud, surrounded by a low fence, on which hung the skeletons of some geese or ducks, brought there ag offerings by the de- yotees. @ Beemed deserted, and we entered the temple, after trying with an iron red ‘the sound of an iron bell, both suspended on the outside. An altar stood in the centre of the interior; upon it some wooden vessels filled with ashes from Jogs-sticks, made of the shavings of sandal wood ; several Bhaddiat in.uges, inseriptions and tlags, were al) that was left in the deserted shrine—at least we consider- ed it as euch, and took some of the pictures and inscrip- tons witb us, together with a large wooden tabiet, on which are carved various hieroglyphics, which are now being transiated by the celebrated Professor Schott, the best Chinese and Oriental scholar in existence. Having remained twenty-four hours at this place, suf- fering not a little from mosquitos, which ‘are as plentiful here a8 in the swamps of Arkansas or Mississippi, and taken on board our only pilot, the Tangooz, in spite of his resistance, in a beastly state of drunkenness, we weighed anchor, and proceeded further up the river Amoor. Our course was still southwesterly, and the country throug which it lay beautifully varied by dense forests, undu- lating meadows, watered by clear streams descending from the dark hills and mountains in the background. Ac- cording to the late treaties of General Mouravielf with Chiva, both shores of the river, a8 far us the Ussuri, belong now to Russia; from the Ussuri upward the northern shore is Russian, the southern belonging to Mantchooria. The navigation on the Amoor and its southern tributaries be- Jongs to them jointly, while the right bank of the Uesuri is Russian. The treaty stipulates that the Russian and Chinese flags only shall navigate these waters; that the Mantchoo soldiers and peopie settled on round acquired by Russia shall remove, with their jouses and property, to the opposite pauk of the river, within a certain time, and contain many other stipula- tions in favor of the Russians. When the news of this treaty reached Nicolaefsk, in July, 1858, it was announced from the forts by a salute of 100 guns, and a general re- joicing ensued. Nicoini Nicolaievicth Mouravielt, cousin of another N, N. Mouravieff Karssky, who took tho fortress of Kars in 1855, received from the’ present Emperor, as a reward for the peaceful acquisition of this immense slice of territory, the title of Count Amoorsky, anda pension for life of 20,000 roubie: Telegraphic Communication with America [peta shipbullding—Kusstan ‘rade. {St. Petersburg (Feb. 22) correspondence of the London China Exprees.} A letter from Irkoutsk states that the Amoor Trading Company have undertaken to lay an clectric telegraph at their own expense all the way from Moscow to the coast on the Pacific, through the whole extent of Siberia. It is a gigantic undertaking, but one of the greatest importance to the Russian government, and for that reason the Empe- ror bas agreed to guarantee the company {lve per cent on the capital employed. ‘This is tantamount to a real sub- vention, as for many years to come the private traffic on the line is calculated not to be able to cover even the working expenses. Captain D. Romanoff, of the Imperial Engineers, about two years ago brought out plan for uniting the Oid and the New World by a telegraph (rom Stheria’ to America, but it was at that time thought visionary, and sheived. But now, in cotiseqdence of the above, the project has been revived, and will probably be shortly executed, it being cousidcred more practicable than similar proposals sent in by such scientific authorities as M. Babinet, mem- ber of the French Institute, and the Kelgian engineer, M. Libessart, Capt. Romanoff’s plan is wo lay a submarine tele- | graph from the mouth of the Amoor to the Karile Istes and Kemtscbatl carrying it from thence through the Behring’s Straits (which are not more than’ twenty-five miles wide, with soundingsof from tbirty tosixty fathoms), to the Russian settlements on the weet coast of America. From Sitka is would then be easy to connect the line with those of the Britieh possessions and California, which are partly projected and partly executed, It 1# true that tho route is very circuitous, but ity travels with such marvellous velocity thet distance makes no perceptible delay, and if this project be realized, it 18 within the bounds of possibility that in a couple of years telegraphic despatches from Liverpool to New York may be sent by way of St. Petersburg, Moscow, the Amoor, British Colum- Din apd San Francisco, thus making the circuit of three- fourths of the circumference of the giobe. According to the latest advices {rom the Amoor, there were lying at anchor in the harbor of Nicolayefsk the fri- gate America, the Russian-American Company’s steamer the Grand Duke Constanstine, and the tender Kamscha- dale. The first named of the above was filling out to con- vey the newly appointed Rassian Consul General for Japan, with his family and suite, to his destination. Duke Constantine was shout to proceed to A} Sitka. Three of the clippers of war sent ont last year from Cronstact bad arrived in De Castries’ bay. In the Bight of Nicoiayefsk Mr. Berlin, an American gentleman, had just launched a steamer to ply on the Amoor. The framework was constructed at San Francisco, and then taken to pieces and sent over by a vessel chartered for that purpore. She is 120 feet long, and though propor. tionately wide, only draws twenty-three inches of water, which will enable her to pags atl the shallows in the river, and ascend the Amoor as far as the junction of the Aigan and Schilka, a distance of nearly 2,000 versts. Her steam engine was expected to arrive by the next vessel, and there was plenty of time to get her ready for her first voyage up the river by the time that the frost breaks up, which js not before the end of April. Baron Furohjelm, captain of the first class in the Impe- rial pavy, and hitherto superintendent of the naval works at Ayan jn the Amoor Territory, is appointed chief director of the Russian American Company, and Rear Admiral Newelsky, 1, member of the Ni Board of Education, has had the grand cross of the order of St. Anne conferred on him, as well a8 a good service pension of 2,000 silver roubles, which at his death go to his wife and children for their lifetime, for the satisfactory manner in which he has organized the Amoor province. Conviction In Ohio pig the Fugitive Slave We THIRTY-EIGHT RESCUERS IN JAIL. Some months ago a number of professors in the educa- tional institution at Oberlin, Ohio, and other “friends of freedom,” rescued a fugitive slave named John, from United States officers, They were indicted. and one of the pumber, named Bushnell, bas been on trial fora number of days’ at Cleveland, before the United States District Court. On the 15th inst. he was found guilty. The Prosecuting Attorney then propoeed to proceed with the trial of the other indicted parties, thirty-seven in num- ver, but the defence said they were only ready for the cage of Professor Peck. The defence objected wo the “struck jury’’ which had tried the care of Bushnell, and defore which it was proposed to try the remainder. Judge intimated that the special jary must try all the cages; but no decision on the point was rendered. The recognizances of the indicted partics were cancel- Jed, and they were all ordered into custody, The Marshal then gave them thirty m'nutes to return to their hotel and make arrangements to go to prison, and on their retarn marched them to the place of confinement. It seems from the report in the Herald (republican), that these gentle- men are apxious to become martyrs. Judge Wilson eaid the prisoners (except Bushnell) might go et large on the previous amount of bail. Felden hoped it would be on good security. Judge Wilizon—On their owa recognizance. The prieoners refused to enter into any recognizance, and ingieted on remaining in the bands of tbe Court. fhe mareha) offered to let them goon their word, They bi not yet accepted the offer. jovit 10 judge from the comments of the Cleve- ee whether ‘the friends of the fugitive law”? or “friende of freedom!’ are most jubilant over the in- carceration of the ‘marty The Jerald of Saturday y sre well cared for, provided with apartments in that part of the jail kept asa private dwelling, and well d, and treated with @ kindness and courtesy. are they from being cowed by their im. prisonment, that they enjoy themselves as well a8 js poemie under the circumstances. Last night Most appropriate and affecting religious services wore deld in their apartments, They have been visited by sympatbising friends from among the best of our citizens, and their ss im the jail confers ai on none but thore whore malice sent them there. Last night thoy had beds made up in the upper range of calle they slept. Today they are in the upper room of the jailer’s residence, where newspapers and writing facili- ties have been furnished them. Sherif Wightman has treated ther with kindness and courtesy; at the same departure allowed from the regular discipline of persons in their condition, We understand that this afternoon the All be visited by a large party of ladies from ition of the Prospect Street Church, accom: any other indies residing in the city. ernoon, about balf-past two o'clock, Peck will preach to the “ brethren im vonda,” and sach of the citizens as can be accommodated 'n the jail. The Plaindealer says:—Our reporter visited tho rescuers in jail jast night, and {t strnck him they were an extremely happy band of martyre. Their quarters are snug, but comfortable. They occapy the debtors’ chamber in the front part of the house, ‘The aearcity of bedaing Was fupplied to & considerable extent by the hoteleand the rescuers parsed & comtortable night. Be- fore retiring, Professor Peck read what he termed appro- priate paceages from the Bible, and praying, and the in- carcerated congregation joined in singing a hymn. Bnetinell has not yet been sentenced. The punishment for hie offence i# & fine not to exceed $1,000, and imprison- ment ep w aix wouthe, time they are strictly confined within the walls, and no | HRW BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK. Additional Particalars from the Architects— Over Five Millions ef Dollars Worth ef New Buildings Going Up. Building enterpise in New York the ensuing season, ‘will probably surpass that of any other season in the history of our city. It will probably surpass every other Year, not only by the number of the new erections, but particularly in their size, materials and magni. cence. Our metropolis will soon be filled with the most splendid mercantile palaces, of marble, stone and iron, that the world has ever seen. The summary of the city ‘work on the hands of our architects is herewith eontinued. SAMUEL 4. WABNER, 170 BROADWAY. A fine building at the corner of Wall and Nassau streets, for banking purposes and offices; 25 feet by 75 feet, four stories with basement; white marie front, Italian style of architecture; the whole building to be got up in the best possible manner; will cost about $30,000; is for George Lovets; will be commenced the first of May and finished this year. ‘Three stores on 136, 138, 140, 142 and 144 Duane street (on the site of the old sugar refinery); 42 feet by 100 feet each; six stories high, with basement and cellar, marble front; modern Italian style of architecture; floors supported wholly by iron beams; roots of iron. ‘They are to be very superior buildings, built and fitted up in @ style such 98 bas been obtained in no stores in the city here- tofore. All the appointments of the buildings are to be of the most superior and perfect style. Total cost of the three stores, about $140,000; owned by Benkard & Hut- ton; commenced January 1, and to be finished this year. A store at 65 and 67 Worth strect, corner of Church, 50 fect by 75 feet, 5 stories, with basement and cellar, white marble fronts on beth Worth and Church streets, to be a first class building, in every way; cost about $50,000; owned by Mr. Wymau, of Baltimore; commenced this month and to be finished during the year. A store at 69 Worth street, 25 tect by 75 feet, 5 stories, basement and cellar, with marble front; first class; cost $22,000; commenced now and finished this year. Astore on 71 and 73 Worth street, 50 feet by 100 feet, 5 stories, cellar and basement, with white marble front; Ttalian style of architecture; cost $50,000; for H. D. Ald- ; to be commenced Ist May and finished this pay’ A store on 76 and 77 Worth street, 50 feet by 100 feet, § stories, basement and cellar; marble front; Italian style ‘of architecture; cost $50,000; for H. D. Aldrich; to be commenced May 1; finished this year. A store on 79 and 81 Worth street; 46 feet by 100 feet; cellar, basement and 5 stories; white marble front; cost sbout £45,000; for Henry Young; to be commenced in May and finished this year. A store on 83 and 85 Worth street, 46 fect by 100 feet; cellar, basement and 5 stories; white marble front; mo- dern Italian style; coet $45,000; for Catlin, Leavitt & Co. ; commenced in May and finiebed this year. These are ail to be dry goods housea. A store on the southwest corner of Broome and Crosby streeta; 25 by 100 feet; cellar, basement and 5 stories; white marble front; Italian style of architecture; cost $25,000; for P. Poirier; to be commenced May 1, finished ‘this year. ‘A beautiful and superior dwelling house on the south- cost corner of 30th street and Sth avenue; 25 feet by 80 feet; 4 stories, basement and cellar; brown stone front; Italian style; cost $26,000. Abouse on the north side of 34th street, between 5th and 6th avevues; 40 feet by 81 fect; cellar, basement and 4 storts; brown stone; Italian style of architecture, but very enate and beau iful; cost $45,000; for R. A. Witt haus; commenced last full, to be finished next winter. ‘A house adjoining this, 26 fect by 68 feet; cellar, base- ment and four stories; brown stone; cost $20,000; for R. A. Witthaus; to be commenced in May, and ed this ear, eA house in Forty-second street, just weet of Sixth ave- nue, 25 by 56 feet; four stories, basement and cellar; brown stone front; cost about $15,000; for J. H. Howard; commenced last fail, to be finished thfs year. ‘Mr, Warner is algo making plans for ‘some other very superior buildings, which, it is expected, will astonish even Gothamites; but they are not a8 yet in a condition to be laid before the public. M. E. THOMPSON, 15 CENTRE STREET. Astore in Sixth avenue, near Twelfth street, 263¢ feet by 90; four stories high; iron and brick, trimmed with brown stone; cost about $28,000; for William ©. Rhine- lander; to be commenced May 1, finished by the ist of October. Two stores on the corner of Franklin and Gold streets, 26 by 70 feet each; five stories high; of iron and brick; cost abort $25,000 for both; owned by Ambrose K. Ely; to be commenced May 1, finished Sept. 1. Tabernacle church, on the corner of Thirty-fourth street and Broadway; 80 by 150 feet: built of brown stone; gothic style; to feat 1,600 people; cos: about $80,000; will ‘be compieted this month; for the Tabernacle (Congrega- tional) Society. FRED, A. PETERSON, 363 BROADWAY. Astoreon No, 2 Murray street, 25 feet by 100 feet; five " stories high; brick front and iron floors; cost $10,000; for Soloman & Hart; to be commenced 1st of May; finished ‘as son as possible. A store in Walker street, near Church street; 25 feet by 100 feet; five stories high; marble front; cost about $20,000; for Mr. E. Jones; to be commenced let of May; finished this year ‘A dwelling house in West Twenty-third street, near Seventh avenue; 28 by 70 feet; four stories, basement and sub-cellar; brown stone front; first class in every way; cost $26,000; for B. L. Soloman, Fsq.; to be com- menced 1st May; finished as 8000 as poseible. M’DONALD & CLINTON, 1] PIN¥ STREET. A flour store at No. 4 State street; 28 by 100 feet; tive stories and basement; brick and iron; cost about $12,000; for Joseph Ogden; to be commenced Ist May; finished lat September. W. T. BEER, NO. 473 GREENWICH STREET. Four houges in Grand street, near Thoospson ; 22 feet by 50 each; five stories, basement and -cellar; brick, with brown stone trimmings; first class houses in every way. ‘A store on the corner of Fulton and William streets, 21 feet by 62, 6 stories, basement, cellar and vaults; brick front, marble trimmings, iron shutters, &c. ‘A church in 28d street. J. F, DUCKWORTH, NO. 8 PEOPLE'S BANK, CANAL STREET. ‘A First Free Will Baptist church, in 28th street, near Broadway, 50 by 100 feet, brown stone front; to hold 8,000 people; cost $15,000; commenced during the winter and to be finished by next September; it is for the church of the rame name. Astore at 390 Broadway, 28 feet by 175, running from Broadway to Cortlandt alley, five high stories, with base- ment; stone front; cost $26,000; for J. F. Butterworth; commenced during the winter; to be finished as soon as possible. ‘A store at 171 Duane street, corner of Staple, 25 feet by 90; five stories with basement; iron front;’ cost $15,000; for J, H. Glover; comuenced now, finished as soun as possible. LOUIS BURGER, NO. 58 BOWERY. Eleven houses on 3d avenue, between 47th and 48th streets, comprising the whole block, 22 by 45 feet each; tour stories and cellar; the first story of all of them being stores; built of brick and iron; cost $50,000; for Messrs, Goelets; commenced now; finished by the let of Sep- tember. Three houses in 41st street, near 3d avenue, 17 by 50 feet each; four stories with basement; brick; total coat of the three about $12,000; te be commenced May 1; finished by October, tor D, Jones, Heq. ‘A house, slaughter house and stable on avenue B, near 18th street, covering two lota, being 50 by 100 feet inclusive: four storie and basement, brick; total cost about $9,000; for Joseph Jantzen; commenced now; finish- ed by let ‘September. A brick brewery in 54th street, between Ist and 2d avenues, 50 feet by 100 fect: 5 stories and basement; cost $9,000; commenced now; finished by the 1st September; tor Messrs, Kress & Schaefer. A furniture manufactory in 79th street, near 3d avenue; 100 fect by 100 feet; five gtories, basement and cellar, ‘with a cupola over the centre part, 50 feet by 60 fect and 60 feet bigh; brick, with brown stone trimmin, Italian style of architecture: for Mesers. Belter & Co.; to be com- menced May 1 and finished November 1. ‘A house in 52d street, near 24 avenue; 20 by 40 feet; three stories and basement; brick; cost $4,000; for O. Hackei; commenced let April; to be finished by the let of August. F awelling house in avenue A, near 18th stroet; 25 fect by 60 feet; five storics and basement; brick, stone trim- mings; cost about $6,000; for Lovis' Trunk; to be com- menced May 1: to be finished October 1. A four story brick house with basement, for Mr. Gock; 25 by 55 feet; cost $3,500; to be commenced May 1; finished September 1. ‘A brewery at Dobbe’ Ferry, for Mr. Peter Borgen, of 824 street; 50 by 100 feet: four stories and basement; Nalian style of architecture; cost $22,000; to be com- menced May 1; to be finished November 1. B. G. WELLS, NO. 12 CENTRE STRERT. A store corner of 3d avenue and 88tb etreet, 20 by 50 feet, 4stories and basement, brick; coet $6,000; to be com- menced May 1; finished this season, A building at No. 6 Bond street, 26 by 54 feet, 5 stories, Dasement and sub-cellar; brick; cost about $5,000; for Anthony 8. Hope, to be used for a hotel and boardiuag house; commenced in March ; 10 be finiehed this season. JOHN SEXTON, 12] NASSAU STREET. Twelve three story brick dwellings, with brown stone ‘basements, on the north Fide of 34th street, between 9th and 10th avenues, 21 by 65 fect; cost about $7,000 each; for 8. P, Towneend; commenced now; finished this year, Four first class four story and basement brown stone , 26 by 05, with two story extensions, and stables r, on the ‘north side of 34th streot, between 5th avenues; cost $25,000 each; for 8, P. Townsend; commenced now; finished thie year, ‘Three four story first class brown stone dwellings, 21 by 60, on Routh kide of 85th etrect, between bth and 64h aventer; cost $10,000 ; for 8. P, Townsend; com- ; Snisbed this year, ‘Ten first claes four story brown stone dwellings, 22 56, 0n the worth side of Sim atroet, between 5th and Madh- fon avenuer; CoBt $15,000 cach; for 8, P. Townsend; com- menced now. ‘Ten dwelling houses on 42d streht, near bth avenue, 22 h, brown stone, first class; cont $16,000 each; for eend; Commenced now, iniehed this year. Eight four story and barement brown atone dwellings, 26 by 66, with two story extensions in the rear, on une cast tide of Madieop gvenve, being the gutire block be. Dg brown stone building, 26 by 60, on 6th avenue, adjoining the corner of 28th street. and femple streets, for Wm. B. White, Saratoga, in- tended for the sees water depot; the ia to be fitted with large vaults, packing rooms, &6., in the most J. B. SNOOK, 12 CHAMBERS STREET. A building at No. 19 Chatham street, 31 feet by 147; five stories high, basement and gub-cellar. There will be & printing office in the sub-cellar, the ceiling of which will be 20 fect high; ren into William street 16 fect and into Chatham street 26 feet; the cellar floor is 32 feet below the level of the street; the front of the building is of marble, orvate Italian style; a brick front en William street; is leased by Fernando Wood for the New York Daily ‘News: cost $40,000; now and November 1. ‘4 store at No. # College stories, basement and sub-cellar; vaults in front two stories; a first class de aeece ne im every way; front of Dorchester stone; Roman style of arcl A about $80,000; for B. M. Tredwell; commenced 1; finished July 15. z ‘A store in Mercer street, to be # continuation of the now store at 693 Broadway, which has just been completed; 80 feet by 100 feet; five stories, basement and cellar; brick and fron; cost $26,000; for Edward Jones; com- menced in March; finished in ey, ‘A store at 538 Broadway; 25 by 120 feet; 5 stories, basement and cellar; marble front; Roman architecture; cost $25,000; for Mra. D. A. Clarkeon; to be commenced May 1; to be finished this year. Four dwelling houses on the corner of 3d avenue and 55th street; one 25 by 50, and the other 21 by 25 fect; 4 stories, basement and cellar; brick; total cost of them about $16,000; for Richard French; to be commenced 1; to be finished this year. houge on Brooklyn Heights, 20 by 55; 4 stories, base- ment and cellar; brown stone front; cont $12,000; Thomas Simpson; commenced now; finished this fall. Another house on Brooklyn Heights; 30 by 4 stories, basement and sub-cellar; brown stone front; 118,000; for Mejor Thompson; commenced now; finished this fail. ‘A dwelling house in 5th avenue, between 40th and dist streets; 25 by 65 feet; 4 stories, basement and sub-cellar; cost about $18,000; for James Smith; commenced now; finished thi fall. A store in Meroer street, near Bleecker, 43 by 47 fect; five stories and basement, brick front; cost $10,000; for ‘A. T. Stewart; commenced now; finished next month. ‘Two rear buildings on lots 11 and 13 Rivington strect, 26 by 28 feet each; four stories and basement; brick; eost $5,000 for both; for Wm. Simpson. One building on Nos. 4ana 6 Pine street, for offices, &o.; 44 by 60 feet; five stories, basement and sab-cellar, marble front; cost about $25,000; for A. G. Rogers; to be commenced May 1; finished this fall. ‘A building on 133 and 135 Canal street, 37 by 54 fect; four stories and basement, with vaults in Cront; brick; coet $10,000; for J. C. Fisher; the first story for a store, and the upper part for a residence. Two houses in 38th street, between Lexington and 3d avenue; 22 by 60 feet each, three stories, basement and sub.cellar; brown stone front; coat $10,000 each; for Wm. Disbrow; just commenced; finished this falt. ‘Five houges on the corner of Lexington avenue and 35th street, 20 by 52 feet; four stories, basement and collar; brown stone front; cost $10,000 each; for different owners; to be commenced May 1; finished this year. Altering the dwelling house on the northwest corner of Thompeo lace, 26 by 131 feet; five Janwary mn and Houston streets, so a8 to make a store of it; extending the building on the rear, 80 as to make the store 2 by 100 feet; four stories and high basement; prick front; cost $9,000; for Mr. Kinnear; commenced already ; complet- ed as coon as possible. Repairs and and alterations on numerous other buildings, which will coat at least $50,000. CHARLES METTAN, 18 CITY HALL PLACE. Reade strect is to be widened from West Broadway to Chatham etreet, by cutting off twenty-two feet from the north side of the street. This will make a great deal of tearing down and rebuilding in this street. Duane strect ig to be widened from Broadway to Chatham street, by cutting off twenty-five on the north or upper side of the street, which will require the same renovating and re- building in this street during the enauing summer. Mr. Mettan hes drawn plans fer new stores in ‘streets, which will cost at least $200,000; but as the negotiations for the land or lots upon whieh some of them are to be puilt are not consummated, the particulars cannot be laid before the public. ‘He bas drawn plans for some new, very su) modious and healthful tenement houses, for Sanitary Committee of the Legislature. Arrangements are being made for building some of these houses. The rebuilding in Reade and Duane etreets will be very extensive. Some very fine stores are to be put up there, RESUME OF THE WORK ON THE HANDS OF DIFFERENT ARCHITECTS. James Renwick and R. T. Auchmuty.. Detlef Lienau. lor , com $1,145,000 90,000 Isaac’. Perry 25,000 Henry luglebert, 45,600 James B. Giles, 112/000 William Field & Son 223,000 Whiltam McNamara, 160,900 Jobn M. Trimble. 120,000 Griffith Thomas. 535,000 Frederie Schmid: os +. 12,000 King & Kellum (rough estimate). 300,000 H. G. Barrison,. 40,000 Reginald H. Smith, 12,000 Architects nnnamed, 310,000 Samuel A. Warner. 562,000 M. E. Thompson... 123,000 Frederic A. Peterson. 55,000 McDonald & Clinton . 12,000 W. T. Beer...... 40,500 J. ¥, Duckworth 56,000 Lovis Burger. 155,500 B. G. Wells, 10,000 Jobn sexton 766,000 J. B. Snook.... 363,000 Cbaries Metian. + 200,000 Just at this season of the year negotiations dre pendiug in many quarters for the purchase of lands upon which to place buildings. and uptil these negotiations are consum- mated nothing can be made public in regard to the new buildings, So that it must be remembered that the sum- mary which is here presented is far {rom containing a complete representation of all the work of this kind that will be carried on in the city during this year. ‘Alarge offer bas been made for the church and premises ‘on the northwest corner of Houston strect and Broadway, with the intention of building a very fine store there, and it ig understood the offer hag been accepted, It is reported that two stores will be built in the city this year, each of which will cost $200,000. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. You have made a statement calculated to injure my business in your notice of the improvements in the Mer- chants’ Exchange, to the effect that the New Bank Note Company includes “every prominent bank note engraving establishment in the country,’ while the proposei bene- fits of the new company are stated in such way as to lead to the belief that in your news columns you endorse them as affording greater security in their work, with better quality of work and et lower rates than any other con- cern can furnish. AsT bave been engaged in the busi- pees a quarter of a century, and personally have made more original inventions in it than any man, this ferrin eudorsement from you of the new concern is likely to injure me with such of your readers who do not know me to be capable of doing work as securely, excel- lently un cheaply as any one. Ww. L. ORMSBY. News from Honduras, OUR BELIZE CORRESPONDENCE. Bruizz, Hon., Maroh 31, 1859. Close of the Legislative Session—Large Increase on the Imyort Dutiee—Sudden Death of a Good Citizen—Rough Weather and a Drotght—Heavy Gale and Damage to Property, de. I informed you, via New Orleans, of the loss of the English bark Emily, Shaw master, from London to this port, Since my letter a part of her cargo bas been brought in here and gold at public auction. Our Legislative Assembly have just closed their session. They have made m dog tox, a horse tax, and have in- ereased tho duty on imports from 33, to 834 per cent ad valorem on cost, charges and freight; besides, they have put a specific dusy of 123¢¢. on a pound of toa, 50c. on Fosp, rice and bread, and ‘Z6c- on hquors and wines; and these are in addition to the former charge of 25c, on tea, 60c. on wine, 750. on liquors, &e. ‘Last year the treasury was griped all the yoar—the pub- lic officers could hardly get money enough to pay their sajaries. Now the cage wil be widely different—they will Dave m han they know what to do with. On\ the 27th inst. William McKay, the Postmaster, an old and very respectable resident, while in the sacred degk at St, John’s church, was taken with a fit and died in about two hours. He was a very useful citizen, ‘Wind very strong from the southeast. This bas been ‘the case nearly all of the time during the last three weeks, ‘This has made our harbor 80 rough that it has prevented our vessels from loading. For about six weeks we havo had ary weatwer, Our tanks are now as dry as the weather. Water is very scarce, and the poor people are already suffering for want of that very nocessary article, Yor hear twenty years, at times, this pubtic have been boring jor water, but as yet without success. A man aow bas a contract to get @ eupply of pnre sweet water, for the tom of $15,000, He has been at work one year, and I fancy he bas not got any Rearer the end of his job than he was when he began. A beavy gale came down on the night of the 18th, which ‘was severely felt on all this part of the coast, and has dona much damage to plantation houses and other property, The Troubles of Cetebrity, “CURIOUS LETTER FROM ALEXANDER VOM HUMBOLDT, M. de Humboldt has Jately sent the following letter to the Gazette of Voss:—Laboring under extreme depression of spirits, tho result ofa torrespondence which dfily in- creases, and which makes @ yearly average of from 1,600 10 2,000 letters and pamphlets on things ontirely foreign to me—manvecripts on which my advice is demanded, schemes ration and colonization, invoices of models’ machinery and objects of natural history, inquiries on bal: loons, demands for autographs, offers to nurse or amuse me--] once more publicly invite all those who dosire m: wolfare to try and tgs the people of the two conti- nents not to be #o busy about me, and not to take my houne for the office of ‘ectory, in order that, with the decay of my ph lect a fe enjoy some loinure, and bave timo to work. Let’ not th appeal, to which J oniy resorted with reluctance, be in- terpreted with male peas rxAND re EXANDER DE HUMBOLDT. Dury, March 18, 1889, at. THE WEST INDIES. Arrival of the Karnak—Redaetion of the Duty en Food Imperts te Havana—Marine The Cunard West India mail steamship Karnak, Oaptais Brownlees, which left Havana on the 12th, and Nassan,, New Providence, on the 14th instant, arrived at this port at noon yesterday, bringing news from Havaan, St, Thomas, Nassau, N, P., Porto Rico and Tarks Islands, She has also brought advices from San Domingo, which reached Havana by the Ocean Bird. The Karnak and her commauder, Captain Brownless, continue in much favor with travellers, and both are spoken ot in terms of praige. ‘The dates are:—Turks Islands, March 19; San Domingo, March 28; St. Thomas, the Ist; Porto Rico, the 24; Hava- na, the 12th, and Nassau, N. P., the 14th of April. NEWS FROM CUBA. OUR HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE. Havava, April 12, 1869, Articles of Food to be Entered—Some Free and Others a Low Duties—United States Consul General on Leave— His Business Home—Nicaraguan Sympathies—The City: Health. I forward by the splendid, prompt and comfortable Karnak, a voluminous package received from eastern porte by the Ocean Bird, embracing San Domingo, Port au Platte, St. Thomas, Porto Rico, St, Jago de Cuba, Port au Prince, &c, As we derive here by the game vessel, the news is favorable for industriai progress, and bealth was. prevailing of al} the important points beard from? ‘The Captain Generai of Cuba has just issued an impor- tant edict, demanded by our neceesities, for the importation of foreign cattle, fowls, swine and eggs, for food, for six months from the 8th instant: in Spanish vessels from Spanish ports, free of duty; in foreign vessels from Spanish ports, four per cent ad ‘valorum; foreign vessels from foreign countries, eight per centdo. The valuation for geet cattle, $26 cach; sheep, $8 cach, and swine, $6 each. ; Consul Generel! Helm sails on the Cahawba for Now Orleans, with bis family, on a ‘month’s leave. He foand on bis arrival here twenty-one months’ arrears of labor belonging to bis predecessors. He leaves with every paper and record closed to its day and date, and all covered with their proper accounts and returns to the Depart- ment, Such labor requires no commentary, but it isa reason why he should be compeneated for services done and extra clerk hire, to do that for which others received the benefit, We are @ little nervous here, as we think the Para~ guay expedition may be assigned to duty in Ni and that the orders for the Commodore went down in the St. Louis yestercay. That wil! not suit ug and our Belly sympathies at all. Our health is good. Havana, April 12, 1859, Departure of a Notorious Slave Trader— Deposit of Govern- ment Funds in the Bank—Spain About wo Buy the Col- ins Steamships—The Reported Filibuster Movement—~ Mar-- kets, hc. The notorious slave trading captain, called Eugenio, who hag been loitering about this city for some time past, sailed two or three days ago for the coast of Africa, ina clipper ship—some say under the Spanish, others under the Peruvian flag. He is understood to have made thirty- nine successful voyages to the coast of Africa, and of course has attained great wealth, x A million of dollars from the public treasury of this island has been deposited in the Spanish bank of Havana, with a gentle intimation, I suppose, that it will not be: called for ina hurry. This, though but a trifliog amount, will gerve to ease our money market a little, it atill being ratber too stringent to suit’ the purposes of business men. The Spanish government is said to be in treaty for the purchage of the Collins line of steamsbips. A naval officer of rank has visited New York to inspect the ships: and give’ his opinion of their value, His report, before: his, is in the bande of the Spanish government 1 have reason to believe it was bighty favorable build and condition of the three ships: us, in hig eg could it with truth be otherwise? It will not surprise me. if, within six weeks, those three magnificent steam«hips,, Which cannot be eurpassed, perhaps not equalied, by any ovber eteamships in the world, should change their flag from the ‘stars and stripes” to the colors of Spain. ‘The stupid report respecting another filibuster expedi- tion being fitted out in the United States to act against ‘bis island, which emanated from the Courricr des Biale Unis of your city, has caused a loag article to be pablishod: in the Gacefa of this city. It was evidently written to got up an excitement in Spain, and to lead to the balief that our present Captain General is the only man living who can preserve this island to the Spanish mouurchy, It pe areas eee my pleagure, to find that ero jong he lea lee of Spain, or ‘haps ‘onor, wb a Fila Maretai's baton. Pr PeTBape suit instituted in the Real Audiencia, by command of the Captain General, against Don Miguel ‘Rubi, for sub- versive conduct and a want of respect to the government. in certain addresses which he presented to it in opposition to the expropriation of his lands in favor of the ia ond Matanzas Rujroad, and of the new suburb catied Concha, and aking payment for the same, hag becn decided ogainst the defendant, and he tas been sentenced to six months imprisonment and $500 tine, with coats. As Mr. Embil has succeeded in securing himself from the clutches of the government by escaping to New York, the prose- cution bas requested that the sentence be entered, permit- ting the imposition of a further pecuniary penalty instead of Ls gh eect This sentence was passed by Judges Corral and Sandoval, who were to thia Court from Porto Rico, to supersede the former Judges who de- cided in favor of Embil on the first trial, as also wo ap- peals. The rates of sugar have declined a trifle, ny « quarter of a real per arrobe. D. 8, No. 12 sold yesterday at 9 reals; other numbers upon that basis. A further decline in rates will have yet to take place. Molagses remains without any alteration. Exchanges have improved. 1 quote sterling 113¢ per cent premium, firm; New York,, &e. , sixty day bills, par to 4 per cent premium: New Or. Jeans (abort), 134 to 2 Percent premium. Freights—The engagements of which I heard yeaterday were the bark Howard, ot Portland, to load box sugars, for Valparaiso, for the round enm of $12,000; she is about 600 tons bur. then; and the Spanish brig ‘Augusta, 800 boxes capacity, to load for Barcelona, at $2 1234 per box. MARKETS, Havana, April10.—€uaars, clayed—The present week opened pretty active with a reguiar demand, principally for the British Channel and Spanish markets. Holders were mostly succeastul in obtaining from 9 to 9% rials per arrobe for good dry sugars basis N. 12. We leave our quotations unaltered as follows :—Stocks are compated at about 245,000 boxes between here and Matanzas, against 203,000 boxes at the same time of Jast year. Muscovado- eugars—The demand has likewise |, Aad We expect a decline will be inevitable; prices were ranging from 7 Mg 834 rials per arrobe, according to quality at outports; stock at Matanzas 6,400 bhds, and at Cardenas sboot 5,500, Here there is nothing doing. Melato—Littie do- ing, 63¢ rials per arrobe being aaked, but not over § riale offered. Flour—Continues abundant and declining ; sales of 1,784 bbls. from Spain at $11 to $12 per qt. Fish Sales of 20 casks hakefieh, from Boston at $334, and 60 casks bake from.N, Y. are offered by retail at same rate, which we doubt can be obtoined; 60 boxes herrings sold at 3rials box, Lumber—White pine boards continue in 200d demand at $34 $8534. No sales of pitch pine dur- ing the week, Sugar box shooks in limited demand- sales at 63¢ rials, Molasses and sugar bhd. ebooks made, sales at 18 rials and dull. Empty hhds. no demand At $2}¢. Hoops $34 and $60. Freights—in the freight. market there has been more activity, with some improve- meut, particularly for vessels to load at outporta for orth ports of the United States, or some to the British Channel for orders. Exchanges ai y firm: we quote:—New York and Boston, 344. a par; New Orleans short, 203 per cent prem. : NEWS FROM ST. THOMAS. OUR ST. THOMAS CORRRSPONDENCE. Sr. Tuomas, April 1, 1859, The Island Peaceable—A British Ship in Distress—Stock of” Provisions Reduced—Market and Exchange Rates— Freight Good Weather and Health— Mail Days for the United States, dc, We have nothing of interest to advise. We continue ip our normal state of tranquillity, Tho British ship Glaumana, Rodgers, 995 tons, in dis tross, leaking, mainmast sprung, loaded with cotton and need, arrived here the 3ist ult, Our provision market is getting reduced in stock, and i¢ Wwe have no arrivals soon prices must advance. Our quo- tations will at apy rate be sustained :—Flour—Philadelphia and Baltimore, $7; Brandywine and Ohio, $7 25 to $7 50; Richmond end Georgetown, $7 60 to $8; meal, navy and pilot, B3 75 to $4; mess beef, $14; prime do., $10; family half bbis., $9 60 to $10; hama, $13 to $143 a to 24c.; lard, 140. to 16c. No codfish in the m Mackerel, No. 8, $10; tar, $4 to $4 60; pitch, , $8 to 83 60; spirits trpen to 660. per gallon. White pine lumber, $15 to $16;'p, p., do, ‘slo we $20;, shingles, cedar, $8 50; cypress, $6 26. Freights bave pot much been more activity, Cork and orders, York from Fajardo, and $8 0n deck; schooner Arroyo 400. Several den ona at these and New York and Northern have been made in the last fortn’ 10c, per bushel from the Northern ports of the United States, ie bh A E i } z Hie f i : Exchangee—Lomi 3 $4 00 to $4 9234; Paris, ‘o, 6.20 to biabive -'Unived State Aralr, par, sixty daye’ right do., 9 per cent premium,