The New York Herald Newspaper, April 14, 1860, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND Grand Jury rendered 8 true bill of indictment against Abert W. Hicks, alins Johnson, for robbing Capt. Burr, of the oyster sloop E. A. Johnson, on the high seas. The offence {s & capital one, pun- ishable with death. After the reading of the in- awernrne OPTION N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON Bre. | dictment, the prisoner was remanded for trial, The German Democeat'c Central Club of the city SR a oanan sania het teheed estos | of New York (Tammany wing) held their regular risk of the vender, Pi Take conte anna TUM WEEKLY UERALD, soery Santtay, tes cons , OF $B per annum; the Buropean Edison every Wedncaksy’ Stoke conta por copy, tH per fe any part of reat Brash, 9 $8 anu part of the Both to include portage, California r) ‘on the Sth and of each a alia aaa On Wadneeday, at four conte por Worowbany CORRESPONDENCE, contstuin, ng isportan liberally paid am ¢ ‘Peano. 4 SF ONDENTS ARB . Bar Vue jw CORRES O! . PauricvraRiy Buquasrap vo Bast 411 LETTERS AKD Paox. Acre Saxe DE, anonymous corretpondence, Wedo na return " 1: advertisements in- was RE MAMANTS senetss Fiskiy unui, and tn the Gayman STING, anccutad wlth noatness, cheapness and do- Volume RXV... cree eeee Prereret ANUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. CADEMY OF MUSIO, Fourtesoth sireet,—Ivatiin oe cADTfince at One o'Ulock—Dom Pasguatee” NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Ravestniuan RM 4N0m8—FISLp Of THE or Gow. oe BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Niox W: eB py Sy Bors—Jack SMRPFARD ON fan eed INTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond stree.— ae ‘at One o’Clock—La Traviata, Byvening—CorsvaaL LessoN—TO PaxBNTS AND GUARDLANS—Konant MAcatme, WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Lavyaran—Evuxr- popy's VRIEND. LAUBA KEENS’S THEATRE, 6% Broadway.—Coiess Baws. NEW BOWEBY, Bowery.—Tux Lauriigurex—WaLtace— Yours THAT NAVER Saw 4 Woman—Morare Goo. MES. SROUGHAM'S THEATRE, 414 Broadway. —Tux RIVAL. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Brosdway- Day and Bresing—Liny OY LYONS—Jeanis Deans—Livine Ovaiost mins, dc, ANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanica’ Fall, 472 Broad- Konueeques, SONGS, Dances, &0.—Tux Sraanarn. Ni3LO'S SALOON, Broadway.—Gro. Onisty's Mux- smais |» SONGS, DaXces, BURLESQUES, 40 —WIET0, QOOPER INSTITUTK.—Exarerrton or Praue’s Onion at PAuvrinG OF Tux COUNT OF DRATH—Aftermoon and Evening. HOPE CHAPEL, 720 Broadway.—Gex, Tox Tavus’s En- raacainaeaT— Afternoon and Evening. NATIONAL CONOSRT . SALOON, National Theatrs.— Boscs, DANCES, BULLESQUES, &0, ONDERDONK HALL, 405 Grand street.— Harri Minstunis iy Foxcs, Dances, BURURSGRS, £0,—BAL Masque. Munstaeis in Srasorn. 1s. BS? IPLE SHEET, New York, Saturday, April 14, 1860. The News. The affair of honor between Messrs. Pryor and Potter, members of Congress, respectively from Virginia and Wisconsin, has ended without a smell of gunpowder. All the particulars of the affair that have transpired are given in another part of to- day’s paper. But little business of importance was transacted in Congress yesterday. In the Senate the House bill for the admission of Kansas into the Union was referred to the Committee on Territories. Mr. Wilson's resolution relative to the suppression of the African slave trade was referred to the Com- mittee on Foreign Affairs. - Mr. Sumner presented the return of the Massachusetts Sheriff who took part in the Sanborn affair at Concord, Mass., on the 3dinst., and availed himself of the occasion to animadvert upon the conduct of the Harper's Ferry Investigating Committee in not summoning Gov. Wise, of Virginia, before them. He was promptly rebuked by Mr. Mason, the Chairman of the Com. mittee, and the papers were laid on the table. After the adoption of some verbal amendments to the bill amendatory of the Patent laws, and the passage of several private bills, the Scnate went into executive session and confirmed a number of army appointments. Nothing of general interest occurred in the House. In the State Senate yesterday several bills were passed, among them those relative to reducing the capital stock of the Sacketts Harbor, Rome and New York Railroad Company, and to the amend- ment of the Albany Police act. The vote on the New York Department of Public Charities was re- considered. The Supply bill was considered and amended. The New York Police Court and City Hall acts were ordered to a third reading. In the Assembly numerous reports were made, including the Quarantine bill. See our reports and despatches for details. The Goyernor has vetoed the bill providing for the zale of the West Washington Market property to the city. . f In the Court of Appeals yesterday the judgments in the Lemmon slave case afd the Qaimbo Appo case, against the appellants, were affirmed. The ground for such decisions is, that in cases of felony no criminal court has the power to grant a new triai on the merits. The New Board of Police Commissioners d®& not meet yesterday afternoon, but it is presumed they will organize on Monday. Mr. Bergen was not sworn in until yesterday, and it was reported that they had drawn in Albany for the several terms— Mr. Bowen drawing for six years, Mr. Bergen four and Mr. Pilsbury two years. Considerable interest is felt as to who will be selected as chief clerk, it being reported that Mr. Embree is to be removed. Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, the republican candidate for Speaker of the United States Heuse of Representatives, made his début before a New York andience last evening, at the Cooper Insti- tute, under the auspices of the Young Men's Re- publican Club, We give in another part of to-day paper a full report of Mr. Sherman's speech, to- gether with other proceedings of the meeting. Mayor Wood, accompanied by deputations from both Boards of the Common Council and a number of other gentlemen, paid a ceremonious visit yesterday to the Brazilian ship-of-war Donna Isa- bella, which has been at anchor in our harbor for the past three weeks. The ship was gayly drossed with bunting, and the visiting party were received with all the honors by the officers of the corvette. An interesting account of the affuir is published in to-day’s paper. The proceedings of the New York Methodist Conference, now holding its session in St Paul’s church, were very interesting yesterday, by reason of the presentation of a resolution from the Erie Conference in favor of altering the Discipline so as to exclude slaveholders from connection with the church. An exciting discussion followed, in which the leading men of the conservative and anti-slave ry parties tovk a part. A fall report is furnished eleewhere. We publish in another part of today's paper much valuable information in regard to the Charles- ton Convention, which meets on the 23d inst. The list of delegates will be found materially revised and augmented. The article also contains the previous ballotings of democratic Presidential con- ventions; the Presidential elections since 1944; Congressional apportionments; the Presidential votes of 1852-56, and the lists of fare to and from Charlestoh, making a complete vade mecum, and very useful for politicians and others from this time until after the Convention shall have com- pleted its labors. A fire broke out in Canal street, Whitehall, N. Y., yesterday afternoon, which destroyed twenty buildings, including two banks, the Post Office, and the telegraph and express offices. At last ac- counts the fire was still raging. {a tho United States Circuit Court yesterday the | monthly meeting last night in the Union Assembly | Rooms, 105 El zabeth street, Mr. Jacob Hoff, Vice | President, in the chair. No business of Pablic im- | portance was transacted, and the Cl | until the next regular plac hate Ex-Alderman Thomas §. Stephens, appointed by the Board of Aldermen President Commissioner of the Croton Acqueduct Department, was sworn in yesterday afternoon by the Mayor. Tho salary is $3,000 and the appointment is for three years, ‘The sales of cotton yesterday embraced about 1,000 bales, closing dull on the basis of 1130. a 1140. for middling uplands; ordinary and poor grades were heavy and more or less nominal, while the higher and finer qualities were comparatively scarce and firmly held. Flour was again active and Armor, while sales wore pretty freely made, chiofly ‘0 the domestic trade, and some Purchases wore made for export. Southern flour was also in good request, and closed at firmer prices. Wheat was less active and buoyaat, with fair sales making, including some lots for shipment. Corn was heavy and lees active, while sales were fair at rates givea in another column, Pork was more active, and rather firmer, with sales of new moes at $17 6234 a $17 68, and new prime at $l4a $141235. Sugars were more Active, with sales of about 1,500 bhds. on terms stated elsewhere. A portion was said to have been purchased on speculation. The sales of coffee embraced about 5,000 bags Bahia, on private terms? aud a cargo of Rio, on board vessel in Hampton Ronds, was cold here, dolivorablo in Baltimore, on terms given in another place. Froights were steady, with fair engage: ments. Agnong the ehipments were 26,000 bushels wheat to ‘iatgow, and come 2,000 vbis flour to Liverpool, at rates given elsewhere. Important Financial Revolution—New York to be the Great Contre of Com- mexece. One of the most significant and conclusive indications of the successful march of this oountry to commercial pre-eminence and power, is found in the existing condition of things in the two great money centres—New York and London—and the flow of exchange between them. Advices received by the Persia state that the rate of interest in London had advanced to four anda half per cent, at which price money was stringent. In Wall street today the rate of interest is five per cent, with a lax demand and a large over supply of money seek- ing employment. This is, in practical results, an equalization of the rate of interest in the two great centres of financial operations, and flowing as it does from natural and indepen- dent causes in both countries, it can only be looked upon as an indication of the increase of accumulated capital here to an extent which makes it equal, in its relations to the great field of employment, to the accumulated capi- tal of England. The attainment of this point, to which we have long been approaching, will soon begin to produce other and very palpable effects upon our relations to the industry and commerce of the world. England, through the possession of ber abundant and cheaper capital, has had an advantage over us in the broad field of enter- prise, against which we have had to compete in the march of commercial and industrial devel- opement by the use of other advantages which we hold, and which have enabled us to gain upon her in the race. Before considering the results which we may attain in this contest of peace, if the blind fanaticism which has seized upon our Northern communities is defeated in its present revolutionary and destructive de- signs upon our bond of union, it may be well for us to review succinctly some of the causes which have enableg us to come up with England in the great work of the creation and aceumu- lation of wealth. We must undoubtedly place in the first rank among these causes the entire freedom of our domestic trade from every impost, restriction or artificial stimulus or restraint of any kind, and its extension, though’ the guaran- tees of the constitytion and the Union, over an extent of soil and a range of climate embracing a greater abundance and variety of natural productions than are to be found in any bare enumeration of these natural products covers, with a surplus, with the sole exceptions of sugar, coffee and tea, the entire range of-the staple requirements of civilized society for food, raiment and use. Under the advantages of a free and untaxed exchange of these natu- ral productions throughout the wide extent of the Union, every branch of industry has been able to co-operate with its fellows in the work of self-developement and the elevation of the social state. Next in order we must place the admirable character of our institutions. Here individual enterprise and energy are free from all the trammels of social classification, from excessive exactions for costly systems of go- vernment, standing armies and vast public debts, and from the restraints that dynastic sympathies and hatreds place upon communi- | cation between communities. | In the secondary rank of causes for our rapid commercial developements we must class the | great surplus production of staples, which we have been able to attainunder the benign in- fluences we have just cited. If, instead of hav- | ing a surplus of production in these staples, we | | produced only evfficient to supply our own | consumption, nothing would be left tous in | the shape of accumulated wealth. This is | abundantly evident in the contrast presented | in the crops of cotton and hay. It has been | frequently asserted that the hay crop of the North exceeds in value those of cotton and | several other Southern staples together. But | the Northern hay crop is mostly consumed on the spot where it is produced, for the suste- be used as food, while the cotton crop of the present year has given a surplus for exporta- | millions of dollars. A portion of this returns in a form for consumption, but a large portion also comes back in the shape of accumulated ca- pital, to lower theprice of money and strength- en the hands of industry and enterprise. This deduction is warranted by the fact, unusual at this eeacon of the year, that the rate of exchange on London and the other monetary centres of Europe rules ats point that leaves no profiton the transfer of currency from New York to Europe. Besides cotton, we may cite the great sur- plus production which we exhibit of the pre. cious metals, the yield of the forest and the fisheries, tobacco, naval stores and minerals. | ‘These surplusages come to bear on the accu- mulation of capital in the same way, although not to the same extent,as does cotton, It is ee NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, APRIL” 14; EE PAE a AE A A ONE eee ee tenses other one country in the civilized world. The | our surplus production, therefore, that bears a agg stipe appar capi we nO surplus to to foreign countries, the different phases of active industry within our borders might, and would, cause the capital of the country to accumulate in certain more industrious or more favored centres, but we should not receive the flow of capital from abroad, whieh hastens our rise to the level of other countries im the relations of Capital to the great field of employment. Having attained this level, the up-hill work ceases, and we enter upon the great contest of industry and trade un- der new conditions “and advantages. Capital is merely an instrument of industry and intel- lect. It assists the industry of the agricul- turist, the labor of the manufacturer, the en- terprise of the merchant, the skill of the arti- gan and the energy of the miner. These pro- duce capital of themselves, but capital without them can produce nothing. It can only assist them to greater production of itself. The sac- rifices which our farmers, manufacturers, mer- chants, artisans and miners have had te make in the shape of a higher rate of interest for the use of capital than what their competitors in Europe paid, they have had to make up from the natural advantages of soil, climate, institu- tions, and greater exertion of energy and en- terprise. The levelling of the rate of interest removes this drawback, and enables us to dedi- cate all our energies to the field of competition in the developement’ of natural resources, This point being turned, we shall be able to develope our vast resources of coal and iron, our advantages of soil and climate, and the energies and enterprise of our people, to a de- gree which will soon astonish our competitors in the cheap supply of the markets of the world. But if an absurd and blind fanaticism should succeed in its attempt to rend the Union, to impose trammels on our now free and great domestic exchange of products, and to turn the enterprise and energies of our people from the paths of peaceful labor to a bloody conflict for the establishment of certain abstract moral aphorisms and exaggerated ideas of the rights of men, the accumulated fruits of industry, whose benefits we now re- ceive, will be absorbed, and disappear in the universal ruin. end colored gentiemaa of Augusta. Quere: Are not some of our Northern ministers owned by their congregations too, and are they not occasionally bought aud sold for what their services are worth? The lirepresible Comflict im the Metho- dist Eptacopal Church. In another column we publish » report of the interesting proceedings of the Methodist Episcopal Conference of New York proper, from which it will be seen that the subject of debate which overshadowed everything else is the irrepreesible conflict proclaimed by Wil- liam Hl. Seward in his declaration of war against the South issued at Rochester, and inaugurated in blood by John Brown at Har- per’s Ferry. This is now’ the issue of the Presidential election. As the democrats are to have their Convention at Charleston in ten days, and the republicans their Convention at Chicago next month, so the Methodist Episcopal Church North is to have its convention at Buffa- lo on the 1st of May. Every four years, juston the eve of the Presidential election, the North- ern Methodists hold their General Conference, and one of the objects of the arrangement is to influence the choice of the chief magistrate of the Union. So itwasfour yearsago. This time it ig intended by the political clergy to bring the quadrennial Conference to bear in a spe- cial manner on that question, and the Episco- pal Methodists being by far the most numerous body of Protestants in the Union, their action assumes a highly important aspect. At the general Conference, or Convention, to be held at Buffalo, the slavery question is to be taken.up, with a view to make it a test of |, Christian fellowship, so as to operate in favor of the republican candidate, and the district conferences, or conventions, have elected, or are now electing, their delegates, who are to decide the question. The New York Confer- ence, is important, because it will send Seven voles to Buffalo, and its decision, which will have a great effect, has been looked forward to with more than ordinary interest- The form in which the question will come up at Buffalo will be the same as that which the Erie Conference has given it, that body having led the way in the agitation at its annual meet- ing ten months ago. Hence itis called the Erie resolution. itis a propgsition to change the rule of discipline which admits slaveholders to “the communion of saints.” The conserva- tive portion of the Convention will resist the innovation, and the conflict which is now be- gun at various points will then fiercely rage in the bowels of the church. The delegates to Buffalo have been and will be elected by the several local conferences according to their opinions on this question. It is understood that already a majority are elected in favor of the change which cuts off slaveholders from the kingdom of Heaven; butas it requires a two third vote, it is possible it may not be effected. It was lost at the last General Conference held at Indianapolis, four years ago, for want of this constitutional vote. We believe the supporters of the resolution do not anticipate that they can carry it, but their object is by the discussion and the exhibition of a majority to produce a moral and political effect throughout the North. Thus, into every department of life is this dangerous question now being introduced. Even in the peaceful sanctuary it has become an element of division and strife, and religion is basely prostituted te political purposes, and these purposes, too, of the worst kind, involving | anarchy, bloodshed, the destruction of the government, civil war and all the calamities that follow in its train. And this is the position of ministers of the Gospel, whose mission is to preach “peace on earth, good will among men’”’—a religion whose spirit is represented by the gentleness of the dove, and not by the fierceness of wolves, savage even when they wear sheep’s clothing. In 1844 the Methodist Episcopal Church split in two on the slavery question, and thenceforth there was @ Methodist Episcopal Church North and a Methodist Episcopal Church South. The two divided sections quarrelled about the property and a law suit, carried on for years, was the consequence. The Church South gained the suit, and with it the bitter enmity and hostility of the Church North, which ever since has periodically renewed the anti-slavery crusade, and is in a great measure responsible for the present deplorable condition of the country. This question is used as a wedge by which fanatics are splitting the Union into twe halves, North and South, but it is splitting also the North into two sub-divi- sions—the conservative and the revolutionary elements. The Methodist Episcopal Church North is sharing the same fate, as may be seen by reference to the report of the Conference in Connecticut, which we publish today. The New York Conference has not yet come to any decision, the debate having been adjourned till to-day; but from the tone of the proceed- ings there is every indication that a split will take place in this Conference also, and that the division will probably be extended to the whole Church at the Buffalo Conference, Thus does even-handed justice commend the in- gredients of the poisoned chalice to her own lips. Invi ance oF Portticat. AGITATION ON TRADE.— Notwithstanding the efforts of the black repub- lican organ, to put good face on things, there is no denying the fact that the trade of the North has been affected toa very serious ex- Soca, Extravagances iy Mercantine Com- MuNITIES.—We gee that the Liverpool papers are assailing vehemently the social extrava- gances of the merchants and traders of that town. They say that to such a height are luxu- rious living and rivalry in expenditure carried that it but too frequently happens that for- tunes are made and dissipated in the lifetime of those by whose industry they have been accumulated. Instead of observing a style of living consistent with the rank which they occupy in the social scale, the families of traders vie with those of the nobility in main- taining a state which their incomes do not justify. The consequence is that bankruptcies have become of much more frequent occur- rence, and that the permanent retention of wealth, which formerly enabled mercantile fam- ilies to pass in the course of a generation er two into the ranks of the aristocracy, is much rarer than formerly. This result is in a measure attributable to the gradual breaking down of the lines of de- marcation which divide society in England. With the progressive increase of the power of the democracy, as developed by the concessions wrung, year after year, from the privileged classes, there is a natural tendency on the part of wealth to outrival the pretensions of hereditary rank. But itis also due, in great part, to another cause, and that is the facility with which, in these days of daring speculation and adventure, fortunes are made by commer cial men. The gold discoveries in California and Australia have imparted a stimulus to modern enterprise which enables it to dis- tance, in rapidity of achievement, the cautious progress of other times. The same causes are producing like results, but toa much greater extent, in this country. The accumulation of wealth in the hands of in- | dividuals here is without precedent in the his- | tory of any other commercial community. Twenty years ago we could only count about half adozen millionaires; to-day we can number them by hundreds. But it is equally true that the fortunes thus rapidly acquired are almost as rapidly spent. In the course of a few years we see a man become suddenly rich, cut a fig- ure in society, and then get ruined again, without its exciting almost any comment, When Lord Napier was here. he observed of the Fifth avenue, that it was a street of palaces, and that there was no single street in Europe to equal it. How surprised he would have been to have been told that it was the calculation of one of the most experienced house agents and real estate brokers in the city, that the average tenure of those magnificent mansions by the families of our commercial aristocracy did not exceed three years. It takes, in fact, only that brief period to ruin the great majority of the pergons whore ambition to cut a dash and live in palatial mansions outweighs the sug- | gestions of prudence and the measure of their | incomes, These evils will, however, cure themselves in time. Assoonas the disturbances caused to our equanimity by the influx of a large gold supply and the speculation which it in- Guore eutsice, our habits of living will con- toim i. em-elves to more prudent notions, and | nance of cattle engaged in other labors or to | ) tion to foreign countries of nearly three mil- | | Vions of bales, valued at one hundred and fifty | w ted more er lese by public opi- Rios emeanwhile \t ia some consola- tics: to retect that the extravagances charged age! sare not peculiarly our own, When | aete:d people like the English are tempted into the commission of similar follies, we may well be excused for yielding a little to the extravagances induced by a sudden flow o! prosperity. . A Reverenp »“Cuatre.” ty Grorera.—lit appears that the African Baptist church of Au- | gusta, Georgia, owns its minister, the congrega- tion having bought him from his former mas- ter, and he is therefore now held as what our | Northern negro philanthropists would call a human “chattel” of the church. It seems that | this spiritnal and temporal slave is a very | bright negro, and quite a fluent preacher, and eo the African Baptist congregation, thinking | it a pity that he should waste his sweetness on | the deeert air of a cotten plantation, purchased | him for the purpose of administering the word } from the pulpit. His fellow bondsmen con- ) tribute a thousand dollars a year for the sup- port of himself and family—not quite as liberal an amount as preachers receive in some of our Northern cities, but probably it is quite ade- | quate to the modest requirements of tha rever- tent by the onslaught made by the party on Southern interests. In this city the amount of Southern trade done this spring is much less than it was last year, although the mercantile community were then only beginning to recover from the effects of the panic. In the shipping trade there has never been at any period greater stagna- tion, and in building nothing is doing except what cannot be conveniently postponed. For the moment enterprise of every sort seems to be at a stand-still, and this without any of the usual influences to which such results are attributed. Question commercial men on the subject and they will tell you that they cannot account for the fact in any other way than by the effects ot political agitation. They look upon the Harper’s Ferry insurrection, and the continuous war made upon Southern institu- tions by the black republicans, as being fraught with the most unfortunate consequences to the frade‘and industry of the North. Some take.a most gloomy view of those influences, and fear that Northern interests will never recover from the shock which they have received from them. Of their effect in New England come notion may be formed from the results of the Con- necticut and Rhode Island elections. It is 1860. TRIPLE ‘SHRET, evident that a grent revolution hea been offect- ed in the political opinions of the industrial population of theee States, aad that they now look upon the black republicaas as the worst enemies that the commercial interests of the North can have. Tue Presmest’s Prorest Messsor--Tue Mivonrry Revorr—We publish elsewhere in full the report of the minority of the Judiciary Committee upon the recent protest message of Mr. Buchanap. The report, like the message which called it out, is an able and statesman- like document, and one that should command the gravest attention of the country. The President hes been most grosely assailed by his political enemies, who were set on by the Forney-Haskin clique; so thatthe black republicans have now in their own ranks the very persons who were guilty of the bribery and corruption which they endeavor to charge upon the: President. The report says very truly that the resolution throwing suspicion upon the President waa adopted when there was not the slightest particle of evidence to sustain it, and that therefore the action of the House was “a breach of all those rules of decency and decorum which should obtain be- tween different departments of the same go- |- vernment fdr the preservation of that harmony and kind feeling between them which are essential to the easy and proper trans- action of the public business.” The report then goes on to show tat the proceed- ing against the President was not instituted ia good faith, and that it was not based on any ground, real or pretended, which could afford the color of an excuse for doing it. This point is clearly put and irresistibly made out, and is the main one of the document. Nothing more was required. This attack upon the President, then, has re- coiled upon the heads of those who engineered it, exactly as the assaults upon Old Hickory always turned out. Because Mr. Buchanan is the recognized head of his party, the opposi- tion assails him—to make polifical capital is their only object. They are aided and abetted by some fishy democrats of the Forney school, who did not get all the spoils they wanted, and 80 deserted to the enemy. That was precisely the case in Jackson’s time, and the black re- publicans would do well to take a page or two | out of history. As for Mr. Buchanan, his repu- tation has stood the test of forty years of pub- lic life without a stain, and nothing his enemies can eay will shake the public confidence in their tried and trusty servant. Pryor Suows tae Wire Featiaer.—We publish elsewhere the particulars of the last Pickwickian duel at Washington. The parties were Pryor, of Virginia; and Potter, of Wis- consin, both members of the House. The affair is quite fresh in the minds of the public. On last Wednesday Pryor attempted to pully Pot- ter, but without success. Potter refused to eat his words, whereupon thé truculent member from Virginia made use of the most portentous language, speaking thus:—“The gentleman stands by his language. I understand him to give me the privilege of construing his re- marks as I choose. Whether or no he will stand by it the sequel will demonstrate,” . What is the sequel? How has the mountain labored, and what has it brought forth? Pryor challenges Potter in a Bobadil fashion, expect- ing that, as duelling is especially repugnant to Potter's constituents, he will back down, Not a bit of it. Potter isnot to be so easily moulded. Potter will be charmed to fight. Potter will select bowie knives, a favorite wea- pon with Southern political nigger drivers. Pryor objects to the pet weapon of his class as ‘vulgar and inadmissible.” Potter adheres to the humane and civilizing invention of Colonel Bowie, and Pryor and his friends eay that they really cannot have anything to do with @ person who plays with such nasty edged tools. Whereupon Colonel Lander, the friend of Potter, declares that he will take the place of the bloodthirsty Wolverine, and ac- commodate Pryor with hair-triggers, or any “gentlemanly,” elegant or refined weapons suited to the taste of the F.F. V.’s, some of whom, by the way, have fought with bowie knives, and that not long ago. But Pryor “has no quarrel” with the Colonel of Wagon Road fame, and so the whole matter drops. Potter goes back to the House, and the repub- Ticans chuckle. Pryor slinks about like a dog with his tail between his legs, and all the decent persons on the democratic side of the House are thoroughly ashamed of him, We hope this ridiculous affair will not be without its moral lesson for those members of Congress, on either side of the House, who havé attempted to cover up their ignorance of the real duties and responsibilities of statesmen by assuming the manner, while they have not the pluck, of blackguards and shoulder-hitters. It dis all very well for fellows like Pryor, who abuse women and non-combatants, until some fine day when they wake up the wrong passen- ger and have toeatdirt. The lesson is a whole- gome one, and we hope that it will have a good effect upon Congress, and keep the bullies straight, for the remainder of this session at least. They can get off all their superfluous trash during the Prestdential canvass. The stump, not the floor of the House, is the proper place for it. As for the mock duel, it is quite time it was abolished. There has not beena serious encounter, according to the code, be- tween members, for the last twenty years and more, and yet there are half a dozen challenges every year. The custom is absurd, and parties concerned ought to be above such boys’ play. Tue ALDERMEN TRacTaBLE at Last.—The Aldermen haye at last become amiable and do- cile in the matter of confirming Mayor Wood's nominee for President of the Croton Board. By a very decided vote they confirmed a for- mer member of their body named Thomas Ste- phens cn Thursday evening. It would be curi- ous to know the reason why the Aldermen re- jected three such competent and respectable men as Gideon J. Tucker, James C. Willet and Thomas Addis Emmett, and confirmed ex-Al- derman Stephens. It would also be worth knowing what tariff was established in the Board on this occasion. Did any of the Alder- men bring more than two thousand dollars? Looxtxa Augap.—A short time ago Congress was engaged on a measure to remove the ob- steuctions from “Hell Gate.” The Albany Legislature is now busy with a bill to in- crease the comforts and lighten the sufferings of the convicts in the Penitentiary, and we hope that nobody will do the members of that body the injastice to hint that in so doing they have apy prospective intentions of a personal character. guiaGi iae Damea Ove Disrixoosnsn Visrrers.—The most dts- tizguiched visiters ia the mietropolis at prevent are decidedly the delegates to the Charlestom Convention, who are pouring in from all direr- tions, wad taking up their quarters at the dif- ferent hotels, in transitu to the South, A short time sgo most of these individuals wore en- tirely unknown; but they hare enddenty risea to fame and distinction. Thoy have for the time beivg a voice in the destinies of the ooun- try, and no doubt wil be great fellows until after the nomination is made, when they q@ill Tetire into the grateful privacy of home, fraw which they emerged at the call of thear country, NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.» Testimony Before the Covode Committee. Protection of American Citizens Abread. THE OVERLAND POSTAL SERVICE, &o, &a., &o. Our Speotul Washingtom Dospatoh, ‘Wassworon, April 13, 1860. THE COMPULSORY ENLISTMENT OF OUR CITIZRNG IN PRUGHA. ‘The President communicated to the Sonate to-day a voluminous correspondence betweem the United States and Prussia, in regard to the compulsory enlistmeft of citizens of the United States by the latter government. ‘The correspondence extends as far back as the year 1840, and presents all the cases down to the last, that of Dayid- £0n, all of which have been amicably settled, and the per- sons released, after careful and thorough examination. Ia almost all of the cascé the persons have been soized and pressed into military eervice by Prussia under misappre- hension. The relations between the two govern ments are of the most friendly and amicable character, THR OVERLAND MAIL SERVICE. The Senate Post Office Commitice aro all at sea again in regard to the overland mail service, The numereus bills which have been submitted to the Senate do met ep- Pear to satisfy the friends of the various routes. There isa strenuous effort being made, by a combination of democratic and republican Senators, to cut down and ultimately destroy the Butterfield route, aad unless the other overland interests obtain what they demand they will probably accomplish their design. Besides hearing the speech of Mr. Corwin in. behalf of the Butterfield line, the Post Office "Committee heard the argument of the friends favorable to the removal of the Philadeiphia Post Office. The subject will be disposed of at thoir next meeting. ‘THE NEW REGIMENT FOR TRXAS. The House Military Committec had under consideration again to-day the Texas regiment appropriation. Since this bill was acted om by the committee, and reported to the House, the Secretary of War addressed a communi-~ cation to them, stating that in his judgment thero was » great necessity for thig appropriation. The commitiee think otherwise, and have reported against it. THE CANDIDATES YOR THR RALTIMORR NOMINATION. ‘The candidates for the Baltimore nomination are re- éuced to four. The only names now prominent are Metare. McLean, of Ohio; Botts, of Virginia; Orittenden, of Kentucky, and Bell, of Tennessee. ARMY APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED. \ The Senate in excoutive session confirmed « largé num- ber of army appointments made during last year. REPORTED RESIGNATION OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF stats. It is said that Mr. Joha Appleton has communicated to different gentlemen within a few days his intentidh to re- sign tHe office of Assistant Secretary of State, to accept the position of Attorney for the Rhode Island Compasy befere the Paraguay Commission, which is about to com- vene hore under the Bowlin treaty for the adjustment of claims. ARRIVAL OF DELWGATES TO CHARLESTON. The city is fast filling up with delegates en rouie to Charleston. Some will return and take the steamer from Baltimore. Mr. Douglas’ friends have been concontrated here for about two weeks, talking up their favorite, and making all the Buncomb capital for him possible. The appearance here of genuine delegates who are to settle the question at Charleston, expressing sentiments in favor of other candidates besides Douglas, has the tendency ta make the friends of the “Little Giant” wilt. There pre- vails « deep feeling among some of the le@Mling men who have been bere and are now here, that if Douglas shou ‘be nominated at Charleston he would cheat the North ia ‘bis administration just as he did the South on Lecompton. ‘TESTIMTOY BEFORE THE COVODE COMMITTEA. The Covode Investigating Committee to-day examined George Plitt, of Philadelphia. They asked him whether he was Treasurer in 1856 of the Democratic State Central Committee? He repiled that he was. They asked him how much money he received and paid out for lection pur. poses (oe that campaign? Governor Winslow ob- jected to the question. A long and protracted discus: sion ensued, and, owing to the absence of twa of the committee, ended by adjournment. They mot again at half past two, when they ordered Mr. Plitt to answer the qi in regard to the money used. Hs stated that seventy thousand dollars was in his possession, and thet every dollar was expended by Forney’s writtea order. They desired to know what amount Collector Schell gent. He said he would not reply, except that Mr. Schell had informed them upon the subject. He said the | amount received from Mr. Schell was eighteen thousand five hundred dollars, made payable to his (Mr. Piitt’s) order, which was likewise paid out by order of Forney. ‘They then branched off in regard to the fraudulent voting, and aeked him whether he was Clerk at that time of the Court_of the United States? He said, yes. By whom ap- pointed? He replied, by Judge Greer. They asked him whether the seal of that Court was ever used for the purpose of making fraudulent naturalization papers’ He answered emphatically, no. They asked him whether he was aware that fraudulent papers wore iasued by the Court? He said he did not believe there could be without his knowledge. Could any one have accesa whereby fraudulent papers could be issued? He} replied that it was impoesible for him to say what peo- ple might do if they chose. They then desired to know] what his relations were with the Presideat? He replied, kindly ag I hope. They baye been ever since I hat known him. -. Mr. Plitt also teetified that he received, in 1856, W. G. N. Swift, of New Bedford, Mass,, about six! thousand dollars for the above named election, with understandiug that Piitt was to use his influence, if tained large contracts, notwithstanding he was found ‘be the highest bidder when the proposals were opened. Mr. Vandyke, of Pennsylvania, will be called before committee again to-morrow. Forney will be subponaed,as by the evidence thua elicited’in this matteP he is an important witness, to what he knows about the use of money and corru in the Pennsylvania elections of 1856. THE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONVENTION. ‘The Secretary of State has laid before Congreas a i from Lord Lyons, containing an invitation from the government to that of this country to send « to the International Statistical Convention, which~ is’ meet at London in July next. An appropriation of fi thousand dollars is asked to defray the expenses. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD. j The House Select Pacific Railroad Committee made majority report to-day, through Mr. Curtis, the’ ‘There will be two minority reports, one for a northern on Stevens’ route, signed by Mr. Aldrich, ot Minnesota, Mr. Stout, of Oregon; and one signed by Mossrs. Tay! Hamilton, aman and others, in favor of the El ‘and Fort Yuma route. " AFPAIRS IN CHIE. Semi-official advices from Chile state that peace been entirely restored and the people are Mr. Carvallo, formerly Minister to the United States, been appointed in a like capacity to France and THE MORAR TELRGRAPH PATENT. ‘The grounds on which the Commissioner of Pi granted an extension of the Morse patent of 1846 that the tnvontor hes got been adequately reyuner 4