The New York Herald Newspaper, February 10, 1861, Page 4

4 . NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. sent by mail will be at the IS, cash in advance. Mor Trp the center” ‘None but Bank bills current én New York risk of the sender. None but taken. THE DAILY HERALD, two cents per copy, $1 per annum. THE WEERLY HERALD. every Saturday), tt wi conte per copy, 0 $8 per annum: the European Edition every Welnentiy, oer cents per copy, $4 per annum fo any part of rent B Py | to any part of the Continent, 16th Tinlad pte the California Paition om the Lat, Lith and Blt of each month, at mix conta per or $1 0 per annwon, THe FAMILY HERALD, on Wednesday, at four cents per copy, or $2 per annum. Volume XXVI. AMUSEMENTS ROW EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth street —Iraniaw Orz- Ba.—UN Batio 1 MASOHERA. NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Pisanno. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond atreet.— Mercnant or Vaxicek—Two Bonwycastixs. BOWERY THEATRE, Bewery.—A Nigut ix Worpes ‘Worn. ‘WALLACK'S THFATRE, Broadway.—Witp Oats, LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, No. 62% Broadway.— Seven disTeKs. NEW BOWERY TABATRE, Bowery,—Taring Ir On— HaRiKQuin Jack—WaLLace. BARNUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM, b peareialy, Fron and b acm ‘Tuk Lavy or Sr. Txorxz—Living Cuniosi- rixs, BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad. ‘ay.—BURLESQUKS, SONGS, Dancky, &0.—SCRNES AT 'MALON'S. HOOLEY & CAMPBELL'S MINSTRELS, Niblo’s Saloon, Broadway.—Ermiorisn Sonos, Dancxs, BuRLEsquas, &c.— ReTURNED UaLirORNiANs. COOPER INSTITUTE,—Rav. W. H. Mivsurns's Lecture: ox Wart A Buinp Man Saw, ano Tax BxGlisn Gentix- MAN. CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 663 Broadway.—Ticut Rorx, SonGs, Dancxs, BuRLKSQUxS, &C. MELODEON, No. &9 Broadway.—Sonas, Dances, Bur- Lxsquns, &c. ART UNI@W, No. 497 Broadway.—Buruxsquss, Sonas, Danes, &c. New York, Sunday, Febraary 10, 1861 TAILS FOR THE PACIFIC. New York Heratd—California Edition. ‘Tho steamship Northern Light, Capt. Tinklepsugh, will leave this port to-morrow, at noon, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific will clove at ten o'clock to. morrow morning. ‘The New Yous Weexiy Aamap—California edition— eontaining the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, with a large quantity of focal and miscellaneous matter, will be published at half-past eight o'clock in the morning. Single copies in wrappers, ready for mailing, six cents. Agents will please send in their orders as early as pos- Bible. The News. * The newa from the South this morning is of the highest importance. The Southern Congress at Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday unanimously adopted a constitution fora provisional govern- ment. It is in substance the same as the constitu- tion of the Union. It gives the Congress ample power as regards the questions of revenue and taxation. It prohibits the importation of ne- groes from Africa and other foreign coun- tries, as well as the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of the confederacy. The Congress yesterday unanimously elected Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, for President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for Vice President of the Southern confederacy, and the President of the Congress was directed to ap- point committees on Foreign Affairs, on Fi- nance, on Military and Naval Affairs, on Postal Affairs, on Commerce and on Patents, An ordinance was passed continuing in force, until repealed or altered by the Southern Con- gress, all laws of the United States in force or ‘use on the Ist of November last. It is understood that under this law a tariff will be laid on all goods brought from the United States. The Provisional Government is now fairly under way. ‘The city was thrown into great excitement yes- terday forenoon by the receipt of telegraphic de- spatches from Savagnah announcing the seizure at that port, by order of the State authorities, of five vessels owned in New York, namely, the bark D. Colden Murray, the brigs W. R. Kibby, Golden Lead and Adjuster, and the schooner Julia A. Hal- lock. This act of the authorities of Georgia was in retaliation for the illegal and unjustifiable seizure of arms in this city recently by the Metro- politan police, said arms being in Process of ship- Later in the day the arms were restored to the agent of the owners. The seizure of these vessels also created considerable excite- ment in Washington among all parties. In the House Mr. Jobn Cochrane offered a resolution call- ing on the Secretary of the Treasury for informa- tion on the subject, bat the proposition was ob- jected to. He will renew it on Monday, and an inquiry into all the facts in the case will probably follow. Up toa late hour last night the govern- ment at Washington bad received no official advices relative to the seizure. The public are furnished for the first time with a complete his- tory of this conflict between Georgia and New York through the columns of the Hxrap, this morning. The Peace Convention at Washington transact- ed no business yesterday, save filling up the com- mittee appointed to report a plan of adjustment. This committee expect to make their report early next week. Twenty States are now represented in the Convention, and delegates from another will probably reach Washington before the next meeting. The report published some days ago as to the seizure of the United States Arsenal at Little Rock, Arkansas, was somewhat premature. That event occurred on Friday last. The Argenal con- tained nine thousand stand of arms, a large quan- tity ofammunition and cannon, including the famous Captain Bragg’s battery. The Twenty-five Million Loan bill was signed by the President yesterday. It is believed, how- ever, that the capitalists of Wall and State streets will nov exteod auy financial aid until the existing Political troubles of the country have been adjusted General Scott, in a letter to the officers of the Boot Life Guard, of New York, who tendered their services for the defence of the capital, states that the government does not contemplate calling any troops to Washington other than the militia of the District, and some detachments of regular troops. In Congress yesterday the Senate passed the Naval Appropriation bill, and discharged the Con. ference Committee on the Deficiency bill, they being unable to agree upon the amendments. The Indian Appropiation bill was discussed, and a large number of memorials on the crisis were presented, In the House Mr. John Cochrane offered a resolu. tion directing the Secretary of the Treasury to in- form the House whether any information hag been received by the department relative to the recent alleged seizure of New York vessels at the port of Savannah, and, if seized, by whom, and by ment to Georgia. what authority, Ag pmondment extending the | t Mr. G. B. Lamar, the President of { N inqviry so as to include the facts relative to the seizure of arma in New York was accepted. The Proposition was objected to, but will be renewed on to-morrow. The remainder of the session was devoted to debate on the crisis. A vote on the re- port of the Committee of Thirty-three will be taken on Thursday. We publish in another column some additional intelligence from the Pacific, received by the last overland express. The dates are:—San Francisco, | Jan. 23; Victoria, Jan. 12, and Honolulu, Dec. 31. The California Legislature were busy with the nations! crisis. Three seta of resolutions on the subject were under consideration, and the question of electing a United States Senator would not be entered upon until the resolutions had been disposed of. A grand Union demonstration is to take place in San Francisco on the 22d inst. There is no news of importance from Oregon and Warhington Territories. * Quite a number of vessels, principally engaged inthe lumber trade, had been wrecked on the coast of British Columbia. The British gunboat Forward was believed to be also lost. The ship- ments of gold during the past two years and a half amounted to $2,850,000. A fire in Honolulu had destroyed a steam flour mill and thirteen other buildings, involving a loss of property valued at $56,000. The sugar crop of the Sandwich Islands promised a fair yield. Busi- ness was very dull, and there were but nine whal- ing vessels in port. We publish this morning some interesting cor- respondence from China and Japan, eontaining in- structive information concerning the quaint in- habitants of those swarming Oriental empires. To the religious world the letter of one of the Chinese missionaries, now laboring among the rebels of Nankin, will be found to be of the highest im- portance, as they will therein perceive that great privileges have been accorded to the Baptists in that country. The general information contained in the communications will fully repay perusal. The Hon. Francis W. Pickens, the present Governor of South Carolina, who has gained great celebrity as a leading secessionist, has a suit against the North Atlantic Steamship Company now pending on the trial term calendar of the Marine Court for to-morrow, for loss of baggage and musical instrument when he was on his recent return from Russia, where he had been American Ambassador up to a recent date. The question will here arise as to whether the plaintiff (Gov. Pickens) can maintain an action in this State, he being, as he claims, @ citizen of an independem sovereignty which is at war with the United States, The ice in the Central Park was yesterday visited by ninety-five thousand persons, the largest number at one time this season. Nearly four thousand vehicles were on the drive, and the greatest excitement prevailed. The weather, being mild and cheerful, drew ont a large number of ladies, and if no change takes place there will be splendid skating to-day, for the ice is in first rate order after the flooding. An order has been issued by the Governor for a special Oyer and Terminer, to be held on the last Wednesday of this month, to try Charles Jefferds, the principal in the Walton-Mathews murder. The will of Frederick H. }tief was admitted to probate yesterday. It distributes the estate of the deceased exclusively among his relatives. The steamship New York, reported aground in the Weser, got off without damage, and arrived at Southampton January 26, She would sail for New York on the morning of the 27th. The cotton market yesterday was without change of moment in prices, while the sales embraced about 800 a 900 bales, closing within the range of 11%c. a 11%c. Flour was inactive, the market closing at a docline of About fe. per barrel, while sales wero moderate. Wheat was inactive and prices heavy, owing to the firmness in freights and the heaviness in sterling exchange. Corn was lower, but im fair demand, with sales of old Western mixed, in store, at 650. a 653c., and dolivered at 66c. a 67c.; new white Southern at 680. a 74c. Pork was*quiet, while prices were steady. Sales of mves were made at $17 50 and new prime at $13. Sugars were dull, with sales of 400 « 600 hdds. Cuba, in- cluded in which were refining goods, at 47%c. a 5340. Coffee wae more freely dealt in, aud the sales embraced about 4,000 bags of Rio at p. t., and 500do, at Ilc. a 1334¢. The firmness of shipowners tended to check any engagements. The sbipments made were at full rates, Startling I Migemce from Georgia— Seizure of Vessels im Retaliation of the Robberies by the Sew York Police—Has Civil War Begun? Full details will be found in another co- lumn, of the most grave and momentous event that bas yet occurred, in the progress towards civil war and military despotism, of the revo- lution which convulses the country. Two barks, two brigs and a schooner, the property ot citizens of this metropolis, were on Friday seized by the authorities of Georgia, in retatia- tion of the robbery by our police, under pre- tence that they were contraband of war, of goods belonging to individuals of that State. It is the firat act of reprisals, at the South, against abolitionist aggression in the non- slaveholding States. It is tantamount to a decree of non-intercourse, that may pave the way for open hostilities between members of @ confederation, which, only two months ago, were bound together by ties it was fondly hoped could never be sundered. Every sober- minded, intelligent, patriotic American citi- zen, will be startled and alarmed by it, and will shrink back with horror trom the prospect of blood, carnage ahd internecine strite, which it threatens to’ inaugurate. The history of the facts which culminated in the reprisals that were witnessed, on Friday last, in the port of Savaunah, is speedily told. Some weeks ago, merchandise was purchased in New York, by several Geor- gian gentlemen, including varéous descriptions of firearms, and their shipment was ordered to their destination. The relations of the States with one another were peaceful. Neither the federal government, nor any competent autho- rity, bad recognized the existeace of a breach between sections of the republic, outside of the competency of Congress and the Chief Ma- gistrate to heal, Either Governor Morgan or bis advisers assumed, however, the responsi- bility of ordering the Metropolitan police to invade versels lying in the harbor, and to seize upon such wares as, in their discretion, they might deem to be “contrabund of war.” No war had been declared anywhere, and no act could have been more offensive, ancalled for, unwarrantable, and illegal Lt was an in- vasion of the rights of private property, almost without a parallel io modern times. Never- theless, it was ruthlessly perpetrated. Im- mediately afterwards, ex-cenator Toombs, of Georgin, addressed a telegraphic despatoh to the Mayor of this city, protesting against what had been done, and alluding to the inevita- ble consequences of such lawlessness, Mr. Wood's reply is known. He disavowed parti- cipation with it, and declared that it met with his own disapproval, and was reprobated by the vast majority of the people. In the early part of the present week, another despatch was received by telegraph by the Governor of New York, from the Chief Magistrate of the State of Georgia The latter simply demanded that the property belonging to his fel- low citizens, should be handed over a ee EW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1861. i the Bank of the Republic. Governor Morgan chose to cap the climax of absurdity, folly and political iniquity, by sending back a telegrapbic answer, that the snbject was too grave one to reply to cursorily, and that he must await a more detailed communication from Governor Brown by mail, before giving it his attention! This was, of course, equivalent to an endorsement of the robbery which the Metropolitan police had committed, with an at- tempt at evasion and to gain time, similar to those which bave characterized every public leader of the Seward school of Massachusetts politics, since the beginning of the crisis under which the country is laboring. The Georgia administration have met it with true Southern promptness. They have ‘retaliated by taking possession of five New York vessels with their cargoes, and this is the latest and most fearful developement, as yet, of the great “ irrepressi- ble conflict.” No comparison can be drawn between the occupation of federal property, and the seizure of fortresses, by seceding States, and the act which has been consummated in the port of Savannah. The latter stands all alone. Forts Pulaski, Sumter and Pickens; the arsenals in Charleston, New Orleans and Mississippi; the defences of the Belize and Pensacola; and even the custom houses and sub- treasuries in Southern cities, are a part of a copartnership fund, of which each, upon an unexpected, sudden disruption, snatches on what is under his hand, to be disposed of as veferees or umpires may finally adjudicate. ‘The withdrawing members of the confedera- tion owned a share in all they had previously taken. They had plausible reasons for believ- ing it to be a large one, and not a tew of their tatesmen pronounced their claim to be exclu- sive. No pretext of the kind will, however, be alleged by Georgia, in behalf of the confiscation of the five vessels and their cargoes, by Colonel Lauton. They are acknowledged to belong to private individuals of this city; but Goveruor Brown will find an abundant justification of the act he has ordered, in the responsibilities of his position, and in the necessity of indemnifying private citizens, who are his constituents, for an unwarrantable robbery committed by our police, for which they could obtain no other redress. It is the very nearest thing to the beginning of a civil war; but let the blame rest where it belongs, upon the republican Ex- ecutive of the State of New York, whose atro- cious usurpation of powers that do not belong to him has led to such a sad result. Thus, day by day, is the Union drifting near- er, and with accelerating rapidity, towards the verge of a precipice, underneath which naught but its mangled ruins will be found, if a remedy is not speedily applied. And from what quarter is any good to come? The bristling of bayonets and the heavy tread of artillery, are already pioneering the “red battle” issue which Mr. Seward has declared ~ball be the last act of his‘drrepressible con- flict.” Congress does nothing; the administra- tion is powerless; one of its members has or- dered that his subordinates shall “shoot on the spot” seceding individuals; Mr. Lincoln and his future premier are straining every nerve to scrape together the sinews of war; and, under uch a régime as we see before us, it will re- quire but a very short time to sink the country to the lowest depths of degradation. Military preparations are visible in the North, ostensi- bly to pave the way for the inauguration of a new chiet magistrate; but whose final results will be the uprising of ambitious leaders, and the submission of the whole of this fair, free and happy jand to the despotism of the sword. From the action of the State of Georgia, on Friday, the conservative sentiment of the North should receive a shock, whose vibrations should be felt from Maine to Oregon. If the strenuous efforts of every good citizen are not used to avert the evils with which we are threatened, imagination itself can scarcely conceive the horrors of the catastrophe with which the re- public is menaced. Cwancrs tn Louis Napo.rons Traian Pro- GRAMME—THE Sarpintans To Occury Rome.— The last steamer brings a rumor that the French army of occupation in Rome is about to be re- placed by Sardinian troops. If this statement be correct, it would establish, first, that some arrangement has been arrived at with the Pope in regard to the future relations of the Holy See towards the new government of Italy; and secondly, that France has abandoned all idea of insisting upon the scheme of an Italian con- federation, and of ignoring the annexation vote in Naples. The withdrawal of the French fleet from before Gaeta would give color to this latter assumption; and in regard to the first, we do not see why a solution may not have been found for the Papal question in the sur- render by the Pontiff of his rights as a temporal sovereign for a handsome revenue guaranteod to him by the two governments. The Eter- nal City would in that case become the capital of the new kingdom of Italy, aud could continue to be the seat of the Ro- man patriarchate, which would exercise over the Catholic world much greater power than at present, weakened as it is by the corrapt in- fluences by which it is surrounded. If it be true that Louis Napoleon has yielded the two points on which he was said to be at issue with the Turin Cabinet, the question arises: jor what object is be making such immense military preparations? It is evident, from the letter of Garibaldi, which we published yester- day, that the ex-Dictator is acting in close con- cert with Victor Emanuel; and this contemplated cbange in the military occupation of Rome would lead to the inference that the French Emperor is deep in their plans It was no doubt under the influence of this conviction that the King of Prussia, in his address to the wenerals of his army the other day, stated it as his belief that they would soon be engaged in a death struggle for the defence of their terri- tory. He sees, as-all the world does, that the war of revolutionary propagandism is about to be carried into Germany, in ofder that Italy may obtain Venice and France the exten- sion of her boundaries to the Rhine. Whar 1s rr For?—What is the object of this bill of halfa million pending in our Legisla- ture for arming the State? Is itintended as a republican measure of coercion, or is it sim- ply a great lobby speculation in the disguise of patriotism? In behalf of our taxpaying people, we demand an answer to these questions, We hope that the inside machinery and the wire workers in this half # million job will be tho- roughly overhauled. At such a time as this we must all keep a vigilant watch upon our law- * makers, or, before we know it, we may find ourselves the eubjects of a military despotism. The Canada Extradition Case. Possession is said to be nine points of the Jaw; and this advantage is on the side of Cana- da in the famous Anderson extradition case—a | circumstance which she is evidently disposed to make the best use of in her struggle with the Court of Queen’s Bench in England. It spoke wel for the public spirit of the Cana- dians that as soon as they heard of the ob- noxious interference of the British Court they unanimously agreed that it oughtto be resist- ed as an uncalled for invasion of the rights of the Canadian constitution. And it spoke well for the dignity of the judiciary of the province that the Chief Justice was prompt in opposing the infringement, by issuing a writ of habeas corpus to prevent the execution of that issued by the court in Westminster Hall. It does not elevate our ideas of the adminis- tration of the law in England when we read the circumstances under which this writ was obtained. The Secretary of the London Anti- Slavery Soeiety, a man who knows nothing about the local bearings of the case, comes forward and affirms on oath that “John An- derson is a British subject domiciled in the city of Toronto, and illegally detained in jail as a prisoner, without having been legally ac- cused of any crime;” and Mr. Edwin James, the counsellor engaged, quotes a number of erroneous precedents, in which he shows an ignorance ef the geography of America and the history of England that is nothing less than deplorable. If Anderson is a British subject, why was the fact not mentioned on his trial, when the pro and con. of the matter were much better argued and understood than in Westminster Hall? By the State of Missouri this man had been legally accueed of a crime—the crime of mur- der—and by the Extradition treaty Canada was *bound to give the man up to the State of Mis- vouri when claimed, to be dealt with according to the laws of the State in which the murder was committed. This, as we all know, is no modern feature in international law and comity. Under the Roman law every criminal was remitted to his forum criminis, and in later times Grotius has declared it an os- tablished rule that States are bound to refuse an asylum to foreign criminals, and should either deliver them over to the rightful claimants or inflict punishment according to the laws prevailing in the place where the crime was perpetrated. This doctrine has been en- dorsed by Chancellor Kent and other eminent authorities. But, apart from the consideration of all technical points, the active interference of the Court of Queen’s Bench was an unwar- rantable interference with the acts of the ju- diciary of Canada, and one without any appli- cable precedent; for to compare Jersey and the Isle of Man with a self-governing and re- mote province, as Mr. Edwin James did, was ridiculous, That Canada will treat the Eng- lish writ with proper contempt appears evi- dent. But it so happens that were it otherwise the negro could not be conveyed to England jor some months to come, owing to there be- ing po communication between the British territory, where he is now a prisoner, and Great Britain, without through some portion of the United States, where a habeas corpus would at once relieve the British officer of his prisoner if the opportunity presented itself. Thus, at least, while the ice barrier re- mains, the Canadians may calculate upon keeping at bay the hounds of Westminster Hall. Mork Trouste Asout Oip Ase’s Capinet.— Mr. Lincoln’s aid-de-camp, or Grand Cham- berlain, has had no difficulty about arranging the programme for the journey of the Presi- dential party from Springfield to Washington; but Abraham himself is sorely perplexed as to what he will do when he arrives at the federal capital and enters upon his duties. Cabinet making he finds a much more difficult job than rail splitting. The radical republicans in the West are bitterly opposed to his Premier, Mr. Seward, but seem at a loss for some valid rea- son for their hostility. Cameron was set aside, we are told, on the ground that he had been mixed up with some rather high flavored jobs; and if such is really the case, why should not the enemies of Seward open a similar battery upon him? Seward has always been the friend and apologist of Matteson & Co.; and Weed, the Wellington of the lobby, is the right bower of the New York Senator, who has not scrupled to lend his influence in aid of Lord Thurlow’s schemes, It would be easy enough to make out a case against Mr. Seward, or, indeed, almost any other prominent politician who is eligible toan appointment in Lincoln’s cabinet. The new President has our sincere sympathy. Not one name, except that of old Mr. Bates, whom no- body objects to, because nobody knows any- thing about him, of all those propesed for his Cabinet, has been well received by the republi- can leaders. He must make a coup d'état and insist upon having his own way in the appoint- ment of his constitutional advisers, turning them out afterwards in case they do not fill their positions koceptably to the people. As for the politicians, a cabinet of angels would not satisfy them. Tue Orwra tx A Crisis.—The operatic public of New York is just now in a state of revolu- tion. ‘The associated artists have given to the habitues of Irving place the very best operas, sung by the very best artists, and the result has been decidedly unprofitable. But little was expected from Brooklyn; yet that pious city has turned out to be a grand artistic con- servatory, and its staid citizens are be- coming more Italian than the Italians them- selves. So tar Brooklyn has sustained the Opera, while New York has deserted it. The very last hope for Irving place is in the production of an entirely new opera, Verdi's “Ballo in Masebera,” which is to be brought out to-morrow night. The associated artista have resolved to make one grand effort. and, if possible, to carry the town by storm. If the new opera fails to attract, then they’ will be obliged to secede, and set up Brooklyn as the art metropolis. The prospect is that all the wealth, taste, wit, fashion and beauty of New York will appear at the Academy on the first night of the new opera, to prove that the artistte fire has not yet been extinguished, and that the Irving place house has the recreative power of the phoenix. The attraction of a new opera by the most popular composer of the day ought to be sufficient to crowd the theatre from the par- quet to the amphitheatre, If, however, the pub- lic should decline to give the opera a fair hear- ing, we shall be forced to the unwelcome cou clusion that the musical taste of New York ha departed forever, and that Brooklyn holds un isputed sway over that branch of the fine arts, asc VR ‘Tue Interest or THE METROPOLIS IN THE CoNn- reperacy.—Some idea of the importance of the city of New York, and the preponderance of her intere’’ in the prosperity ofthe whole country, muy be gathered from the figures of the recent census for 1860. For instance, in looking over the census tables, these curious facts present themselves, and they are worthy of reflection:— First. The city of New York contains a larger free population than any one Southero State of the whole fifteen, excepting Virginia and Missouri. Second. It contains more population than any one of twenty States, free and slave popu- lation combined. Third. It contains more free population than any one of twenty-six States. Fourth. It contains more population than Delaware, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, Min- nesota and Kansas combined, including both slave and free. From these circumstances we iafer that the Congressional representation of this great city is very disproportionate to the representation of other cities and States. In the Senate, for example, the six States of Delaware, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, Minnesota and Kansas, with a total population of only 701,000, have each two representatives, while the city of New York, with all its immense interests, and nearly 900,000 people, has in fact not one at all, or at best only a portion of one, because the Senators representing the State of New York are sent by the Western country districts. In the event of a reconstruction of the go- vernment, then, it is to be expected that New York city will be apportioned her fair quota of representatives in both houses of Congress, com- mensurate with her vast population and the im- portant interests she embodies within her limits. A Sxatina Carnival—Princes and Poren- TATES ON THE Icg.—We see, by late arrivals from Europe, that our Central Park skating furor is only a fleabite compared with the grand carnival de glace in London and Paris. The London papers tell us that no less than fitty thousand persons— lords and ladies, commoners and costermongers—have been seen skating on the Serpentine at one time, and in Paris the de- mand for skates is so great that the manu- facturers cannot fill their orders. The Em- peror, we are told, is a “very good skater,” and goes along slowly, stopping frequently to contemplate the animated scene about him. The Empress, not to be out of the fashion, has made a bold essay on the ice, dressed in a “short skirt, woollen jacket and thick boots.” In skating, however, the Empress was obliged to have the assistance of two gentlemen. The Imperial party lunched upon the ice, sur- rounded by the whole Court—Ministers, Mar- shals, Senators, and even grave Judges. There seems to have been little or no formality about the whole affair, the Imperial party taking their chances among the skaters like common folks. The palm seems to have been carried off by American skaters—a lady from Boston and a gentleman from Philadelphia. This is a capital idea, the momentary resig- nation of official dignity for a winter frolic among the people, and we recommend the ex ample of the French Court to Honest Old Abe and his ministers. Why could not he get upa grand skating match on the Potomac, giving to the victors the spoils of office? It would save an immense deal of trouble, and our foreign ministers would be sure to have at least one qualification for their posts, and the secretaries would learn how to keep their balance in the hard times they will have to go through. Ravi Progress Towanps a Murrary Des- potism.—In the Senate of this State, on Thursday, a bill appropriating half a million dollars “to arm the State” was adopted by a strict party vote, and it will undoubtedly be put through the Assembly without delay. It is worthy of remark that only one Senator outside of the republican party voted for the bill. This Senator is Mr. J.M. Murphy, who represents the lower part of this city. The passage of the bill gives a fat job to somebody, and shows the temper of the republican leaders more plainly than any of their speeches, They are going in for war to the knife. They will pro- bably invest all their money in Sharpe’s rifles, and make Brother Beecher the chaplain of the new Puritan corps, as a sort of nineteenth cen- tury Praise-God-Barebones. The first move of the army will probably be against Savan- nah, to retake the New York vessels seized there on Friday, and then to Charleston, Mo- bile and New Orleans, Of course the Cheva- lier Webb will have a commission, and will be found in the front of the battle. How. Joun Cocurant’s Revenvk Measure.— Our active and vigilant representative in Con- gress of the commercial interests of this city, Mr. Cochrane, will, itis given ont, report to- morrow, from the House select committee of five, a revenue bill imposing the penalty of seizure and forfeiture upon vessels clearing from or entering such ports as the President, by proclamation, may vacate as ports of entry. This is certainly a rigorous measure, and has much the complexion of a proclamation of war against the seceded States. Are wo, then, to have war? Is there po way of avoiding war? If the Union is hopelessly divided, as we truly believe it to be, what are we to gain by war? and especially by a war which may bring England and France to the enforcement of their commercial rights in the ports of the Southern States? We can gain nothing from such folly, but may lose every- thing by it. The Union, we say, is gone, and peace is now the paramount question. We earnestly invoke the attention of Mr. Cochrane to this pressing and momentous question of peace or war. Parent Exrensions —A bill has passed the House of Representatives prohibiting the ex- tension of any patent out of which the net profits realized by the patentee shall have been proved to amount to $100,000. The policy of this enactment cannot be disputed, aud we trust the Senate will concur ia giving it the foree of law. It will protect the agricultural and industrial interests of the country against unfair monopolies, and will do away with # vast amount of lobby corruption and degisla- tive demorslization arising out of the efforts to perpetuate them. The lavish expenditure resorted to to force these patent extensions D Congress bas done more to debauch stip hen the independence of our public men than any other influence that we know of. Had « law like that proposed been passed some years ago the country wuld have saved millions of dollars, and would have escaped ny of the other tic swindles which have been conmumaded by lobby agencies. A Gummer or Hors Conogrxme Fort Sum- T+R.—It is intimated that, a Southern confede- racy having been organized, the projected as- sault upon Fort Sumter by South Carolina may be turned over to the new general govera- ment, of which she has become a copartner, We hope that this may be done, and that thus some days and weeks of grace in behalf of peace may be gained; for 80 long as we can avoid an overt act of war the door toa treaty of peace remains open. Mr. Hayne bas retura- ed to Charleston in no very pacific frame of mind, and the State forces there assembled are impatient of further delay. They consider the national ensign which floats over Fort Sumter a burning disgrace, and they @re eager to un dertake the bloody enterprise of pulling it down. This is the danger; but still, South Carolina having merged ber war making power in the government of a Southern confe- deracy, there is a chance that she may refer the question of assailing said fortress to the Mont- gomery Congress, We hope that she will do 80, and that that Congress will decree the po- — licy of delay.and renewed negotiations. —_—_— THE NEW REGIM Srrmormmp, ls. , Fob. 9, 1861. ‘The President elect, having completed the first draft of his inaugural, is now busily engaged in arranging his de- mestic affairs. He attends to theminute details of the pre- Parations for the impending removal of himself and family with bis characteristic dutifulness. The close approach of his departure has rendered him unusually grave and reflecting. The parting with this sceme of his Joys and sorrows during the last thirty years, and a large cirole ef old and faithful friends, apparently saddens: nita, and cireets his thoughts to the cherished past rather than the uncertain future, His interviews with the more _ intimate of his friends are more frequent and affectionate, encouraged ; but, although more than ordinarily moved with tender feelings, he evidently fully realizes the solemnity of the mission on which he ig about to enter, and is resolved to fulfil it firmly, fearteas- ly apd conscientiously. The following gentlemen will compose the suite of the President elect:—Col. Sumner, Major Hunter, R. T. Lin- coln (Bob), J. U. Nicoly, Private Secretary; J. Hay, As- sistant Private Secretary; E. E. Elsworth, of Zouave fame; Col. W. N. Lamon, Gov. Yates, Aid-de-Camp; Judge Davis, Hon. J. K. Dubois, Hon. 0. H. Bowning, EL. Baker, editor of the Springfield Jowrnal; G. C. Latham and R. Irwin. Mr. Baker will return here from Indianapolis to escort Mrs. Lincoln and family to New York. Miss Baker will accompany Mrs. Lincoln and agsist in doing the honors of the White House. Mrs. Edwards and Miss Wallace will not be in Washington as heretofore reported. Mrs. Lincoin will start for St. Louis on Monday evening, to make additional purchases for the White House. Dr. Rabe, Jas. R. Mclonald and Thos. Fitch, of Jan Francisoo, are here urging the appointment of a Califer- nia member of the Cabinet. Dr. Rabe is supposed to be willing to take either the Collectorship or Postmaster- ship of San Francisco. ¥ A member ef the Georgia Secession Convention calied and bad along talk with Mr. Lincoln yesterday nao. Be tried to exact a positive committal om one of the compromise propositions from him, but was unsuccessful. Some days since a box was expressed to Mr. Liucula from Tennessee, no letter accompanying it. Some hesi- tation was at first felt to open it. ‘This morning, how- ever, bis private secretary overturned the box, whoa it was found t contain a stuffed figure representing an African, AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Wasmnoton, Feb: 9, 1861. APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE BLACK TO THE SUPREME COURT. ‘The Senate is at a deadlock ou the question of contirm- ing Mr. Secretary Black as Judge of the United States Su- Preme Court. Thero are tweuty-six republicans and twenty-eight opposition. If all the republicans should vote against Mr. Black he would not be confirmed, ag Judge Douglas and Mr. Pugh are also opposed to him, ‘This fact has not been ascertained by any vote, but by @ canvass, and jt is a question with maay repubiicaos whe- ther they had not better vote to confirm the nomi- nation of Mr. Black rathor than risk a worse maa, as Douglas and Pugh will not agree to oppose any other nomination that might be made by Mr. Buchanan, The Massachusetts delegation to the Peace Congress called upon General Scott today, and was received by him with many kind expressions. The General does not forget the handsome vote that the Old Bay State gave him when he was acandidate for the Prosidency. The delegation assured him that Massachusetts would sustain him with her men and treasure as long as he carries the flag and “‘keeps step to the music of the Onion.* The same delegation called this evening upon Mr. Buchanan, TUK DEFICIENCY HILL. The Committee of Conference on the Deficioncy bill failed to agreo, and a new committee will have to be appointed. APPOINTMENT OF PAYMASTERS IN THK NAVY. Alex. W. Russell, of the District of Columbia, and Samuel A. Cooly, of Connecticntt, have béen appointed pay- masters in the navy, and the Rey. Dabney Ball, of Mary- land, chaplain in the navy. The Canada Fugitive Slave Case. Toronto, ©, W., Fob. 9, 1861. ‘The case of Anderson , the fugitive siave, was argued at great length to-day by emineat counsel, and the cue ts. still going on to-night. There will be no decision given probably till next week, but the geueral impression is that the Court will liberate the prisoner on # technically in the commitment. The Morrill Tariff Bill Panavrurma, Fob. 9, 1861, ‘The Board of Tra.» of this city had « special mooting this evening, and unanimously adopted © memorial aub- mitted by James Milliken, advocating the passage of the Morrill Tariff bill as reported to the Senate. The momo- rial approves the modification of the warehousing sys tom, and the adoption of specific duties. The following committee was appointed to convey the memorial te Congress:—James Milliken, Charles Lennig, Joseph @. Grubb and 8. Cholwell. The Great Western Railway, Hasires, ©. W., Fed. 9, 1861. The Great Western Railway traMogfor the week end ng yesterday was $34,300, being an increase of $2,300 over the same week in last year, Probable Arrival of Tom Sayers. Haurax, Feb. 9, 1861. ‘The name of ‘Sellers’ appears in the Canada’s passem- gor list. It is misspelled, and is said to be Tom Sayers, the great English pugilist. A Duel in Kentucky. Ciwcwwwat, Feb. 9, 1961, Messrs. Heffron and Moody, of tho Indiana logistature, left this city last night for Kentucky, to Ggbt a duel at ‘an early hour this morning. [he weapom were to be knives. The police are on their track. Captain Aolmes Pardoned, Poetiann, Me, Feb. 9, 1961, Captain John A. Holmes, seutenced w the state prisoa for life for murder on the high seas, has been uncondition- ally pardonod by the President. The Bohemian Detained. Portiann, Poo. 9, 1881. ‘The steamship Bohemian will not sail till Munday noom for T.iverpool, owing to the non-arrival of the Canadian mails. Weather Reports. Mowrneas, Fob. 2, 1961. Weather clear and cold, Tharmometer 18 deg. bolow oro, The roads are all blocked, and will probabiy re- tain #0 for twoor three days, with snow, No mails came in oF have gone out since Wedues iny. The Steamer General Miramon. Naw Onueass, Feb. 0, 1861. ‘Tho steamer General Miramon ealls for Havana ou the 18th instant ° Marine Disasters. Bustos, Feb. 9, 1961, ‘The brig Poinsett, from Galveston for Bustoa, @ 4, ashore at Kdghrtown. ‘The schooner Joseph Guest, from Boston for New and visits of strangers aro mot / | ~ —————————————————<— eee