The New York Herald Newspaper, May 2, 1865, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. rt ——_~__-_-__- OFFICE M. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASGAU OTS, | | ieee aeeeeaed TERMS cash in advance, Money sent by mail will be ‘tthe risk of the sender. None but bank bills current in New York taken. THE DAILY HERALD Four cents per copy. Annual subscription price, 914. ‘THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Fiva cents por copy. Annual subscription price. Three Copies. - & Five Oopies.. . 8 Ten Coples.. sereceeeee 1S Postage five cents per copy for three months, Any larger number addressed to names of subscribers 01 50 cach, An extra copy will be sent to every club Often. Twenty copies, to one address, one year, $25, and any larger number at same price. An extra copy will be pont to clubs of twenty. These rates make the ‘Wana Hunt the cheapest publication in the country. ‘The Evnorzax Eprriox, every Wednesday, at Srx conte per copy, @4 per annum to any part of Great Britain, oF 96 to any part of the Continent, both ‘to include postage. ‘The Causronma Eprmion, om the 3d, 13th and 234 of @ach month, at Srx cents per copy, or $3 per annum. Apvanismanets, to a Hmited numbér, will be inserted inthe Wanaiy Henaxp, the European and California Editions VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing tm- portant mews, solicited from any quarter of the world; if ‘sed, will be liberally paid for. gqg- Our Foasicx Con- RRSFOUDENTS ARB PABTIOULARIZ REQURSTED TO SRAb ALL UPPERS ABD PACKAGES SENT US. NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspaadence. We de not return rejected communications —————— Volmme EEX... .:.ccesecseeseseesseec es NOs 1B AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. iF O, Irvin 1. — Gi _ Br} ae mUaI 8 place.—Genuan Oren: BROADWAY THEATRE, Brosdway.—Lous XI. eR oes" Broadway.—Granpratasn Wurve- ‘vor ax Hovx. NEW be aks 4 THEATRE, Bowery.—Crrv or Deata— WALLAOK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Sinaiz Lira. hese aid THEATRE, Broadway.—Porrina 1HB Quss- Bravrr. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Uncie Tom's Cam. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Fancuon. BARNUM'’S MUSBUM. Broadway.—Two Mauwora Fat Woxan—Laving Sxeuztox—Dwaar—Giant 1—ORAN Gian. "Open Day and Evening. gmeivgters BRYANTS’ bg a Mechanics’ Hall, 472. Brand. way. —Erui0rian ances, BUI u! — = ‘Oks, migsues, 40.—Tur WOOD'S MINSTREL HAL! Broadway.—Ermorian: 103, DaNona, &0.—PRTROLEOMANIA, O% O1L ON THE BRAIN, HOOLE?'S MINSTRELS, 199 and 291 Bowery.—Sonas, Dances, Buntasaues, &c.—Live Inc. SALLE DIABOLIQUE, 586 Bi oadway.— ito! eLLER! Iutosioms anp Sous Souos—Semuit SACK. = . HIPPOTHEATRON, Fourteenth street.—Equrstaian, anv Acnopatio Exraatat>: ncaa Decorate Granastic AMERIOAN THEATRE, No. 444 Bro = Parromuans, Msomunngusss ho, "Ssttan py tr ad IRVING HALL.—Sr. Avzan's Bazaar AND Prommyape MUSEUM OP@NATONY, pea greek OE ae ONY 618 Brondway. New Yerk, Tuesday, May %, 1865. IMPORTANT BUSINESS NOTICE. Advertisers are requested to send in their ad- vertisoments as early in the day as'possible. AN hose reosived after eight o’clock in the evening vill have to take their turn in publication. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY. Advertisements for the Waax.y Heratp must be handed a before ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. Its cir- ulation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, aerchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisements in- orted in the Waxxcy Heraxp will thus be seen by a largo ortion of the active and energetic people of the United bales THE SITUATION. ‘The formal surrender of Joe Johnston’s army was to ave taken place on Saturday last, 2%h ult., at Greens- ore, N.C, Arrangements were made by which General “chofield was to receive the surrender in person, take saarge of the arms and artillery and parole the rebel oops, It was reported that many of Johnston's troops had been disbanded during the late truce, while maay others had gone home, in the belief that ue war was ended, or soon would be, by the sooptance of the terms originally proposed. It is pro- vuble that the force to have becn formally surrendered ithe 20th ult, will hardly represent moro than two- irds of the actual offectives of Johnston's army. An impromptu procession of citizens and military at Norfolk celebrated the surrender of Johnston on the ith ult, The armies of Georgia and the Tennesseo, ecommand- respectively by Generals Slocum and Howard, wo under orders on the 28th ult, to move North via chthond to Alexandria, where they will be disbanded + sont to more important and active fields of the rebel. vm, if any can be said to exist. Our correspondence abraces an important order from General Howard to © citizons along the route of the proposed march, ad- sing thom to remain at their homes, and assuring them (hat, aa the war had virtually ended, no indiscriminate raging Would be permitted. ‘The Unionists of North Carolina have taken strong rounds against the restoration of the old State govern- mont of which Vance was the head, and also in favor of ihe adoption of the constitutional amendment abolishing savory. Dearing of Lee's surrender, and the evacuation of the Yor four years the countenance, the voice tity by all those able to get away ensued, The poor citi- 1 ental influence of England and zens plundered the stores of all that was valuable whiol yrs oo Naltchunnee” end "yregresteo” had been left bebind in the hante of the fying rebels. of Burope—bave been given in favor of ‘The funeral trainfbearing the remains of the late Prési-| 44. couth, ‘The governments of France and ——n shee aotaea siesta sacs = “eo Chicago next day. people on all points of European polity, turned out in strong force to do honor to the illustrious they instinctively saw that the side of the South dead, ‘The body is to remain ip state st Chicago until | was the side of tyranny and despotism—the three o'clock to-day, when it will be taken to Springfield | sido of the enemies of the people and of popu- for final interment on the 4th inst. ‘ler development on this side of the water ‘The steam transport Iilinois, Captain Kittredge, ar- | He: it was their side, the side that they rived at this port yesterday from Norfolk in twenty-six | ouy 11! id nye ——- to as: hours, She bad on board the Fourth regiment Ohio | ani they favor eir_ ui Volunteers, Colonel Charles 0, G. Thornton, commanding, sued proclamations to give the cue, telling their en route for St. Louis. Tho paroled officers and men are | creatures evorywhere that par fang Spine daily arriving at Norfolk, taking the oath of allegiance, government was not & bacics rs elther hi 088 and returning tothelr homes, The land in the vicinity pager pragma il rn 2 on advancea | Wel readily. - ieee cana mess oman Cotton loans, blockade runners and piratical rete a ieee oraft followed, and did their share toward help- MISCELLANEO! ing the rebellion and getting the wealth of Sermon Seer ne ke te ares, | Burope interested in its success, The press did regu eet oe Li é ite share also, The London Times, reputed a plague” in that city as a ‘great hoax.” The disease told pl without pre- great newspaper, consented not to publish one seamen a lzghold Shasnetes esis ote line of truth in the course of four years about Sonia ATE ty XO TEER, the only great events of the age. It was suppos- PP cat bis eisgial rately ed that such a course would help the rebel cause fined to the hospitals, The statement that the Sibe- immensely, and it did help it, at the expense rian plague, which te nothing moro than the malignant | of the English and French people—the deluded pustule, had made ite appearance is, therefore, sald to be amp me were inmost Pray in rebel unfounded, ans lockade runners by the daily aseeve- Ritapye ee ee post) iene: yetecnurstet rations from the oracles of European opinion el e of « i) tes strontastences-obtentiag: tho: errvtl ct the paket | oT en Nieeene © Rouneen ae rsp privateer Shenandoah in the waters off Melbourne, the | te North was contemptible and powerless, action of her commander, Capiain Waddell, inobtaining | that the South Could hot possibly fail to achieve recruits for the rebel navy, and the overhauling of his | its ‘The great work of the Sues Canal, undertaken and carried out by the French, has been opened for traf¥o, although not fully completed. On the 6th of April M. Lesseps, the contractor, was met in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, by one hundred and twenty gentlemen, representing the Chambers of Commerce and great trade centres of the Old and New Worlds, who were delegated to witness the ceremonial of uniting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. Here he entertained them at a grand banquet, and the entire party set out the next morning for the Isthmus of Suez; so that we shall receive a report of the event in a day or two, and hear in a short time that the canal, which is now readily navigable by tugs and barks of thirty tons, has been deepened so as to admit the largest seagoing vessels; and if so, the route to India around the Cape of Good Hope will generally be abandoned. There is one view of this subject deserving of consideration. It is that the completion of this canal will insure the supremacy of France in the Mediterranean, and give an easy access to the East Indies for her powerful navy and immense military foree should a rupture take place with England. The press of the latter coun- try bas long considered this result,and often expressed its apprehensions of its reality. Nor is the route unknown or unused by the French, though traversable only as yet by railway. Between the years 1860 and 1863, especially in 1861, eight thousand soldiers and thirty thou- sand packages of war materiel crossed the isthmus, and_at other times several thousand more. - Sir Henry Bulwer, it ts well known, not « vessel, in a somewhat tardy manues, by the British au- thorities, A great many English colonigts expressed their sympathy with the officers of Jeff. Dav! unprejudiced portion of the population exp: ume Delief that the conduct both of the rebels and their friends was not very creditable to either. th of March, reports very fully the concluding sc@ues of the war between Brazil and Uruguay, and sleo fur- nishes @ copy of the peace convention concluded at Mon- ‘and met with very general approval. Buenos Ayres still maintained her course in the path of social progress and solid improvement. Last evening General Butler, who is stopping tem- porarily at the Hoffman House, addreseed the members of the Loyal League Club, at their rooms, Twenty- seventh atroet. ‘There was a large attendance and much interest manifested to hear the sentiments of so promi- nent aman at this crisis. The address of the General -} was brief, but pungent, and his remarke were loudly ap- plauded throughout. The Board of Metropolitan Fire Commissioners have not yet been organized or sworn into office. The reason is the refusal of Samuel Sloan to serve ip the Board. When the Senate rejected the nominations on their first being sent in, Mr. Sloan notified the Governor of his wish not to have his name gent in a second time; but as there wes more desire on the part of Mr. Sloan’s friends to have trim confirmed than he had for the oflice, the Gov- ernor was induced to co-operate with a desire enter- tained in the Senate, that there should be no change in the nominees on occasion for thelr reconeideration. Mr. Sloan's refusal to serve is absolute and based upon buei- ness reasons which will not admit of his filling the posi- tion. The Senate having adjourned, the vacancy is, under the law, filled by the Governor. He will be in this city to-day. In the Board of Aldermen yesterday, a petition from the committee appointed to receive subscriptions for the proposed Lincoln monument was presented, requesting Permission to erect a monument at the weet entrance of Union square, on line with the Washington statue, The petition was referred to the Committee on Stroete. A resolution appropriating $1,950 for # full length portrait of the late President, to be placed in the Governor's Room, was presented, and jlaid over. The Corporation Counsel was ordered to discontinue all suits for violation of ordinances, &¢., until further notice. Some unim- portant business was transacied, and the Board adjourned till Monday next. ‘The Board of Councilmon were in session yesterday, ‘and acted upon a large number of reports and resolutions of @ routine character. Applications by parties to place showcases on the sidewalks in Broadway and other streets were granted, which were vigorously opposed by Mr. Lent and other members. A communication from the Street Commissioner suggesting that the drapery used on the catafalque at the City Hall be donate: to the Patriot Orphan Home, was referred to the special com- mittee appointed to arrange for the obsequies of the late President. The Board concurred with the Aldermen in passing apprepriate, resolutions eulogistic ef the late Colonel Murphy. Messrs. Stacom and Lent made appro- priate remarks upon the eareer of this distinguished sol- dier. The death of ex-Councilman Trotter was aygounced, Mr. Lent stating that the gentieman was conffffd to his room by indisposition when the news of the assassina- tion of President Lincoln reached him, from which he re- ceived a shock which hastened his death. Owing to the scarcity of jnrore consequent upon the May moving, there was little business transacted in the law courts yesterday. Part two of the Common Pleas was obliged to adjourn for a week, but the remainder of the courts adjourned over until to-day. -It is hoped the jurors-will be prompt in thelr attendance, as there is a large amount of business to be transacted, There was no business transacted yesterday in the Court of General Sessions, The grand and petty jurors aro expected to attend this (Tuesday) morning, at eleven o'clock, when excuses will be heard by Judge Russel, who presides this term. According to the City Inspector's report there were 497 deaths in the city during the week ending May 1— ‘ decrease of 61 as compared with the mortality of the week previous, and 21 less than occurred during the corresponding week last year, Of the deaths which oc- curred during the past weok, 226 resulted from acute diseases, 179 from chronic diseases, and 33 f oxternal causes, ke. There were 281 natives of the United States, 96 of Iroland, 6 of Englaud, 44 of Germany, 8 of Scot land, and the balance of various foreign countries, | The stock market maintained the advance of Saturday evening yesterday morning, but afterwards ft was lower. Governments were strong and higher. Gold was weak, and, after opening at 14534, closed at five P. M. at 142.5% The fall in gold and the rain storm combined had a depressing effect in commercial circles, and caused a material falling off in business as compared with the previous four days, Domestic produce was irregular, but, asa general thing, prices were lower, in sympathy with gold. Foreign merchandise was rather quiet, but there were some exceptions, Prices of nearly every- thing favored the buyer, Cotton was dull and be. per at the weight in one grand crash of irretrievable ruin. could not prevent Lee’s retreat. But doubtless the news of Lee’ssurrender—the announcement that in ten days from the commencement of the campaign there was nota man or gun left at Lee’s disposal—will finish even Palmerston and the Post. . There will be @ glimmer of ight over the rebel prospects in Burope when the bloody story of Mr. Lincoln’s murder is told there. England will see a little clearer, ft may be, what kind of men she has hugged to her bosom, and the Emperor Napoleon will tremble at the example seen in the logical result of acts that he has looked upon with so much favor. But all Europe believes in assassination as an ele- ment of pOlitical force, and in both countries it wilt be judged that this event must. aid the South by depriving the North so suddenly of a great leader and by throwing the wheels of government out of order; but when they learn that Mr. Jehnson succeeded Mr. Lincoln as quietly as one President ever succeeded another, that there was no change in the operations of the government, no jar, no interruption ; and that, in the words of Secretary McCulloch, we were not staggered for a moment by what would have shaken down a throne in Europe, then, indeed, they will conclude that the rebellion is absolutely and unequivocally put down; and then these European Powers will suddenly begin to inquire in what position the close of the struggle leaves them with respect to the newly discovored giant on this side the water. There will be some shaking in the valley of the dry bones then. Tne Price or Coat.—It is time that the price of coal should be reduced to a fair standard. We have been paying outrageously for this arti- cle for a long period only to put fabulous profits into the pockets of speculators and the carrying companies. Large consumers, such as owners of steamboat lines, foundries, factories, sugar | houses, and so forth, usually make their yearly contracts for coal about this season. Let them hold on a little while, and they will find that the rates must be considerably reduced. The duction of our naval force. “duce the consumption considerably. independence, But all these efforts to bolster up a bad caure, and to sustain an attempt to destroy the gov- ernment of the United States, had no effect on this side ‘of the water but to make the people more determined in’ thelr purposes, and to show Our correspondent tn Buenos Ayres, writing on the | them more clearly the true character of their enemies, by showing who it was in all the world that felt the most affinity with those ene- tevideo, by virtue of whieh General Flores was inaugu- | mies, And, in spite of the assertions of the rated Provisional President of Uruguay. Flores’ new | whole illiberal press of our two European cabinet waa made up of men of experience and talent, foes, in spite of all their deelarationa that the South could not be put down, we went on put- ting it down every day; in spite of their decla- rations that we could never succeed, we went on acoumulating success upon succees until the great rebel confederacy went down under the Even the London Times admits now every day that it may have been wrong forsthe last four years, and goes so far as to admit and argue upon our military power, and to praise the abilities that have taken us through the strug- gle. It is, after all, a little nearer to the English people than some other papers, and it feels the firet turn of the tide that already begins to rise as the people in one land hear and learn that the people in another have gained a great cause, The London Post, the government organ—far away from the people in every tense—does not feel the change in the least as yet, and atill fights away thoincvitable disaster. It believes that the loss of Richmond will not be final, as, even with all bis success, Grant | demand for coal by the government will fall off | immensely, probably two-thirds, with the re- ‘The factories em- ployed on government contracts will also re- Labor at the mines and collieries will become more abundant, and consequently cheaper. There is no necessity, therefore, why people should be pound lower, On ‘Change flour was 100. a 16c, lower, bound by the quotations of the “coal auc- while wheat was dull and drooping. Corn was scarce | tions,” which it must be understood are not and firm, while oats were lo, a 20, lower, with leasdoing. | garried on merely for the sale of coal, but to fix Pork was also lower, but quite active, Beef wat in| | 11406 whereby a combination of coal dealers ge frm ana | &P y ion of coal deal limited request but steady in price, Lard was firm ai and carrying compenics are enabled to put the Chief Justice Chase and Treasury Agent W. P. Mellen, ave loft Washington on a tour to the principal coast and river ottiew Of the South, to arrange for tho re-cstablish- cons of the United States courts and establish new trade ulations for the different porte. ‘The rebellion hae fallen to piecos at all pointe, and is ving wound up ate rapid and encouraging rate. Gen, iborne has leaned the rebel gueri lias out of West Ten- wee by a successful expedition in that district, 10 larger part of the remrant of John Morgan's 4 command, consisting of over one thousand on and officers, surrendered to General Hobson at ‘rams Sterling, Ky., on feadarlay. Hasiorh Kentucky now Glear of rebel troops, and but few gueriiia bande fost any part of the state. Jeg, Thompson and his = ro sald to be endoavoring to leave the country. The rebel fags Albermarie, gunk by Lieutenant Cushing, ery 4 Hid HI Worchod the Gosport Navy Yard, jur correapondence from Fortress Monroe embraces an scout Crom 8 varcled rebel officer of the evacuation of cae quite active. Freights were as dullasever, Whiskey steady, screws on the public. The price of coal-bas for a long time been maintained as high as twelve Tun Last ov THe Reset. Home-Mave Navy— | or thirteen dollars a ton, while we have reason Accepting the report as true that the rebel | to know that the article Is delivered at the ram, the Webb, in the desperate attempt to | docks of the city for nine dollars and thirteen ran her down the gauntlet of the Mississippi, | cents per ton. Some of these transportation had her machin deranged that she was | companies paid as high as sity per cent to the abandoned and blown up, we may set her | stockholders in 1864, in cash and dividends. down ag the Inst craft of the rebel home-made | The “fixed prices” of the auction sales, there- navy gone to Davy Jones’ locker. One hun- | fore, do not indicate the value of coal as much dred millions of dollars would probably fall | ay they do the grasping propensities of the short of the expenditures of the rebels in their monopolists. defensive nboate, fron-clads, Tams, floating ED baitertes ar Tranapéria, and where are they | Tum Reser Ram Sronewatt.—This famous now! Captured, burned, blown up, or sunk; | iron-clad will propably soon make her appear- for a thousand miles along the Mississippi, a | ance in one of the West India porta. She will thousand miles along its quiet tributaries, and | then be seized as a pirate, in accordence with two thousand miles along the Atlantic const— | the proclamation which President Lincoln in- the fugitive Webb, like the Flying Dutchman, | sued early in April. Such is tho fate that awaits bringing wp the rear of the long ond ghasily | hor if the authorities at the port where ohe procession. touches do their duty. great while since visited the works of Lesseps, banquetted with timrat the Lake of Timsah, and afterwards had interviews with Fadil Pacha, Governor of Kench, at Dendara on the Nile, to ascertain the practieability of a coun- ter project which would render the canal,of Suezof no value. This was to construct a rail- way from Cairo to the port of Kosseir, far down the western shore of the Red Sea and opposite Aden. This route would save the whole tedi- ous voyage of that sea, and produce an im- mense saving of time and distance. And thongh Nubar Pacha, the present prime minie- ter of the Viceroy, is distinguishing himself by 8 comprehensive and énergetie policy of inter- nal improvements everywhere, he seems to have ignored the designs of Sir Henry, who finds hie time very fully occupied in Constanti- nople in endeavoring to combat the hourly in- creasing growth of French diplomacy. France has now two great naval arsenals on the Mediterranean in higher condition than any other European Power, and is likely to have a third at Algiers. These give her a preponder- ance of nayal strength in that sea, with the advantage of sudden concentration of large fleets, impossible to be offected by her neigh- bor acroge the channel. So that, by stationing her ships off or at Corfu, ehe would command the Straits of Otranto and intercept all com- munication between the Adriatic and the Egyp- tian coast, while the British vesela at their rendezvous at Malta would have as much as they could do to guard the other channels west- ward, extending over a breadth of three hun- dred and sixty miles, from the African shore to the Straits of Messina. And should Italy become the ally of France—as in all probability she ‘will, for weal or wo—as soon, as Rome is left to herself, a common rendezvous of the squadrons of the two nations in the Adriatic would insure the success of their joint opera- tions. This is by no means impossible. Itis certain that the opening of the Suez canal would do much for several Italian ports which are coveted back from the Austrian government. It is equally certain that the French inflnence has been rapidly increasing in Ezypt, and is now predominant there. Linant Bey, the emi- nent engineer mentioned in our description, isa Frenchman, a map of great ability, and princi- pal director of the public works of Egypt. This influence thus acquired has been steadily exerted in favor of the Viceroy against the Sul- tan, from the time of Mehemet Ali to the pres- ent day, and has been gratefully appreciated. The fortifications at Alexandria and at the apex of the delta are the work of the French. The canal, which will, especially under their management. become a strong military position, will be a barrier against approach from Syria and the Red Sea, and the stations themselves may be easily converted into strategic out- posta, in direct communication with Cairo and Alexandria. It is also worthy of notice that the French have taken possession ofa strong point just outside of the Straits of Babel Mandcb, which has been, or is to be, strongly fortified, and will countervail the celebrated British station at Aden. So, too, aline of French steamers is established between Suez and some of their possessions in the East Indies, between which also ply regular mail packets. This activity is not withont purpose, nor is it even now without ita fall fruite. An American gentleman in Syria writes at a very late date that the influence thus developed is predominant everywhere in Asiatic and Euro- pean Turkey, as well as Egypt; that the French consuls have more influence and authority than the pachas themselves. Large | extents of fertile territory purchased by the Suez Company are being profitably cul- tivated ; towns and villages are everywhere springing up, and the native workmen, well paid, well fed and well treated, are happier than they ever were before, and crowd by thou- sands to the works and villages. It will, therefore, be evident that this material progress of Egypt, the work of the French, gratefully assisted by the present enlightened rulers of Egypt, is giving to France a decided political supremacy. Her strategic power is also immense. The ideas of the first Napoleon are being realized by the third. The facilities afforded by this canal for war as well as eom- merce will be of immense value, and im the event ofa rupture with England the pyramids may be again invoked to look down on the vio- tories of the soldiers of France. Her fron-clads may also be found equal to the task of main- taining themselves successfully against their foe, though even a Nelson were to arise and attempt another Aboukir. It is no longer the victory, but science, machinery and iron ing, in all of which the French feel that are not behind their hereditary foes, oonfederaom soaman nor his sails which can secure # naval te they Swmotep Aoam.—John Bull, in his Invest- monts in the rebel cottoa loan and the Southern 4 3B resources by the withdrawal of government prise is ready for any emergency. It is proba- adapt themselves to the rapidly changing cir- cumstances which surrounded them. The new order which, it 1g understood, the President is shortly to issue, will find the people prepared for extending our trade and intercourse to all places opened by the government. A Tovca or Canapian Ixsovexce.—One of the Canadian journals, affecting » tone of in- dignant virtue, bas been very absurdly excited by the discovery that in the late universal fune- ral precession in this city in, reapect to the memory of President Lincoln, there was a repre- sentative detachment of the Fenian Brotherhood. This offence is deemed unpardonable. Sir Frederick Bruce is therefore called upon by this aforesaid Canadian journal to demand of the authorities at Washington an explanation of this recognition of the Fenians. This ie o rare specimen of Canadian stupidity and insolence. One would suppose that her Majesty’s bine- noses over the border had never fraternized with rebel spies, conspirators, land pirates, in- cendiaries and assassins, and bad wever shel- tered them, aseisted them. or justified them ip their diabolical crimes. But the fact i» the other way, and hence the exceeding Insolence of this preposterous call upon the British Min- ister at Washington for any explanatior of an affair which onty a superserviceable dankey would construe into an offence egninst ber Majesty’s government. Tue Ick Qcestion.—The time when ice be- comes a necessity in the housebold is fast ap- proaching, and we are glad to perceive that our comments upon the attempt of the dealers in that article to charge an exhorbitant price for it has had the effect which we desired, of stimulating a wholesome competition. which hae compelled them tc reduce their rates. We are credibly informed that the stock in some of the ice companies paid a dividend last year of | foriy per cent, at the price then demanded. As the article is more abundant this year we can imagine what the percentage on the stock would be if the companies adhered to the tariff | at first annonneed, which was about a hundred per cent advance upon that of 1864, It is ne use for monopolists to endeavor to impose upon the public at this time when the price of al) commodities are coming down. The standard value of gold has now reached one hundred and forty-five. That is just a hundred and twenty per cent below its highest quota- tions. Everything should conform to that standard, and it must do so. no matter how strenuously dealers may endeavor to keep up the prices of articles of consumption. All the necessaries of life must follow the price of gold, the avarice of monopolies and retail deal- evs to the contrary notwithstanding. Saga- cious people will compete with the extortion- ists and undersell them. This will soon bring things to a proyer level. Locis Napoteon Witt Have To Speax.—The Emperor Napoleon has practised the wisdom of the owl, a studied silence, for some time past in reference to American affairs.” The late terrible and tremendons events in this country, how- ever, will compel him now to speak out, and he may perhaps consider it expedient to speak first to John Slidell and his associate horde of desperate rebel adventurers and outlaws in Paris, At all events the late mysteriously silent oracle of France will now be compelled to speak, and to speak distinctly, for or against the rebel war policy of assassination. Cnorraten.—The British aristocracy over the hegira of Jeff. Davis. He was their best friend, and he bas left for parts unknown. Genway OrERs—Fivett0.—Beethoven's only opert= Fidelio—was given last night at the Academy, In con- ception the opera is highly dramatic, and in its interpre- tation last night there was nothing wanted to carry out the idea of the composer and satisfy the audience. The opera was produced in every respect—whether we re- gard scencry, costume or cast—in a manner which rendered it highly enjoyable, Hermans was exceedingly fine as Roceo, Madame Johannsen, as Lenore, inter- preted the part with a great deal of that exalted senti- ment which the story of woman's love—tried 80 severely as that of the beroine—naturally inspires. ‘The choruses were excellently sung, the prisoners’ cborus, in the first act, particularly so, The orchestral performance was perfect, Beethoven's two overtures pre- coding the first and second acts being given with very grand effect, and eliciting much applause The trio in the second act, one of the brightest charms of the opera, created a marked effect, Itis to be regretted that thie fine dramatic work cannot, be repeated, We are sare, from the manner in which it was presented and received last night, that its reproduction would be most accepta- ble. This evening Mozart's Magic Flute will be given, and on to-morrow evening the ¢Huguenots wilt ve pro- duced in grand style. . ——_$—_$_—_—— Winter GARDeN,—A new programme was presented at this theatre laet night, and Mr, Henry Placido appeared, for the first time in some years, in two parts that wore aterling favorites “‘at the old Park, Sir’—one being Grandfather Whitehead, and the other Sam Hobbs, in the Nabob for an Hour. (randfather Whitehead is one Of the best studies of character as well as one of the best domestic dramas that the stage possesses; and Mr. Pla- cide personated the principal part in it with exquisite truth aud wature, and with all the peculiar pathos of “which the part is susceptible, The other parts were very commendably filled. Other plays in which Mr. Placide had great success in former days are in preparation. Nino's Traatar.—Miss Maggio Mitchell began an engagement here last night in Fanchon the Cricket, which was played as usual to a full house, Last year, it may be remembered, Mise Mitchell played Fanchon through a whole season, to the exelusion of other pieces; fond it seems probable that the unfailing popularity of this play will carry it through @ven another season, —_——__—_ Laedernier will give dramatic readings, ontitled ‘Road. tings Crom the Posts," at the rooms of the Geographical Mrs. de Les- Society, Clinton Hall, this evening. Gernior is well known to thie community as an elocu- tionist of decided merit, gifted with a fine musical voico and graceful manner. Her selections this evening are from Shakspere, Southey, Poe, Longfellow, Holmes, Hood, Willis and Russell Lowell, The programme is thus both varied and attractive, Gnanp Ongax Concent.—An organ concert, under the direction of Mr. W. Eugene Thayor, will bo given this evoning, at Bt, George's church, Stuyvesant square, The Agyoted to the missions of St, George's proceeds are to be church. WASHINGTON. Sanne - ‘Waseratox, May 1, 1006. ‘VEST? OF OWIS6 RESIDENTS TO THE FaesiDENT. ‘At eleven o'clock this morning ® delegation, composed Of the Swiss residents of Washington, Baltimore, Phils- delpbia and New York, waited on President Johnson, st the Treasury Department, to express their gratification at our recent victories and sympathy in the late national calamity, The delegation was accompanied by Colonel Lecomte, of the Swiss army, who accompanied General McClellan during the peninsula campaign, and was also with General Grant at the capture of Richmond, for the Purpose of obtaining for the Swiss government such military information as the two campaigns have afforded. The Swiss Consul General, Mr. Hitz, resident of Wash- {ngton, after an introduction to the President by the act- tng Secretary of State, Mr, Hunter, expressed the sentl- ments of the delegation in the following address:— ADDRESS OF THE SWISS CONSUL GENERAL. Mr. PreaieNt—Your Excellency, no doubt, will readily supeeniaie why itis that the citizens of Switzer- land residing in the United States were unable tv remaim passive spectators @ important events and ti oceurrences they wd€e witnessed transpire during past month. They now desire me to express (0 you publicly the tmtense feelings of sympathy which have been engendered in their hearts Like all loya! Ameri- cans, my countrymen rejoice over the recent brilliant euccesses of your arms—sucoesses which, having beca planned with marked ability, in a few days gave the deathstroke to tho most. formidable and un- Tebellion whieh bistory bearn record Our joy, like yours, Las been marred by horror at the odiousnes of a crime unheard of ip annals of republics, Well can It be sid that ip death of the late lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, your country was robbed of a dear father, and thus added another, and the most precious, to the tong list of eacrifices which it baz beeu called on to. make during tho late troublous times But the Swiss, as republicans, are proud to bear witness to the fact that the great re- | pubse of the United States, owing to the wisdom of her tustitutions and to the energy of her | people, shows at the present moment tw the world ber ability to pass unscathed throu; the severest mities, to overcome the most manifold trials, and defy aa wel! the opealy planned attacks of anarchy, a2 also the secret conspiracies of assassins, A profound and genera! mourning extends over the land, but devoid of those political convulsions which would infallibly fol- low such events in-miany other cougtries The whole na- tion a afficted, bul retains unmoved and vigilant) the | Jaw tnfiexi! ecarcely veasd not an instant lo_reign supreme, and the great work which 1s being performed continues aninterrupted, May your republic always overcome tn I:ke manner such other trialsas Godin His tngcrutabie providence may yet have in store for you. May the ooble victim whom. we all mourn—the greatest his struggie—also be Its last, and may his tomb be- oft come the seal to the restoration of the Union un & more solid basis than ever before. The time ts near, and we can already hai! with joy the wational greatness which shall succeed all your trials, so fruitful m. sesults. The faith in the fival triumph of right and Jjustice—faith in the right of liberty “and republican Institutions—will everywhere bestrengthoncd We cannot terminate with- out asking your Excellency to accept, also, the oxpres- sion of our entire confidence In your ability go to admia- ister your governm: nt ag to fulfil 1ts important mission at home as well as abroad. Your past public life, already reaffirmed by the wisdom of your acts as Chict Magis- | tate, ia a sure guarantee that the task which so un- expectedly devolved upon you has fallen into geod bands. REPLY OF TRE PRESIDENT The reply of the President was read by Mr Hunter, a8 follow Mr Coxsct Gwxerat Hitz—I thank you for the sym- pathy which you bave expressed, on beball of your countrymen, for our recent bercayement, and for your congratulations apon the success of our arms.” We can have oo distrust of the heartiness of these feelings. Switzerland herself has had wials, and hat been culled on to endure sfices. She has, however, triumphed over all, ner berolst, patience ant self-denial, have bad and 1 continue to have the effect of strengthening similar qualities in the people of othcr countries. The good wishes whict you offer to me personally, and your con- fidence 1 my adminietration, are geneous and gratify. ing. Trustitig that results may justify this kindness, £ | will add. that in the United States citizens of the Swiss Confederation are always welcome, either as guests or as | member- of the family. My own home, Eastern Ten- nessee, whose inhabitants are distinguished by that love of freedoin which is 60 characteristic of the Swiss of the Old World 4 proud to be known ax the Switzerland of America THE RADICALE AND THE PRESIDENT’S RECONSTRUG- TION POLICY. A number of radical republican Senators and members of Congress are here, endeavoring to shape or control the policy of President Jolingon in regard to reconstruction. They are anxious that there shall be a called session of Congress, 60 thut they may have some hand in the re- organization of the Southern States, They contend that if the right of suffrage is to be extended to all the white population there, the pro-slavery influence will prevail, and the effect of the emansipation proclamations: be nullified, and the abvlitiun of slavery indefinitely retarded, unless the negroes also shall be allowed to vote. A desperate effort will be made to impress this idea upon the President's policy; but he has conned over this whole subject of reconstruction quite ‘as carefully as.any of these volunteer advisers, and, with the Jacksonian firmness for which he is winning @ repu- tation, he will do what he deems right and best for the whole country. THE STATUS OF PARTIES IN THE SOUTH. Letters received here from New Orleans allege that there are indications of the junction of the pro-slavery Union men there with the secession sympathizers against the unconditional anti-slavery Union party. This is represented to be the provable status of political parties throughout the South, REBEL OFFICERS SEWF TO JOHNSON’S ISLAND. To-day forty-nine rebel officers, who have been con- fined in the Old Capitol for some timo past as prisoners of war, were taken out and sent to Johnson's Island, under a strong guard, ADMIRAL PORTER RELIEVED. Admiral Porter has beep, at his own request, relieved of the command of the North Atlantic squadron. CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO ADMIRAL THATCHER AND HI8 OFFICERS AND MEN. The Secretary of the Navy this afternoon forwarded to Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher, commanding the West Gulf. blockading squadron, a congratulatory letter on the downfall of Mobile. Secretary Welles closes his letter ag follows: 1 am happy in extonding to you and those under your command, and the Major General and those under his: command, the congratulations of the Navy Department for the victory which places in our possession, with but one exception, all the chief ports Sh the Southern and one that bids fair to be the 1g naval contest the rebellion. PRESENTATION OF CAPTURED BATTLE FLAGS TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT. Twenty-coven rebel flags, mostly surrendered by Lee's: army, were presented to the War Department this after. noon by Major Goneral Gibbons, of the Twenty-fourth: "PIMPORTANT ‘TO TRAVELLERS TO RIOHMOND. By direction of the War Department, in future no civilian will be allowed to take passage on the govern. ment mail boats for City Point and Richmond except upon a special order from the Secretary of War, Parties desiring to visit Richmond will have to go by the way of Baltimore, from which point a regular passenger lino of steamers has boen established. - THE CLAIMS OF THE HUDSON'S BAY AND ruGer’s’ SOUND COMPANIES. The mixed British and American Commission, by the treaty of 1863, between the United States andi} Great Britain, for the adjudication of the claima of the Hudson's Bay Company and the Puget’s Sound, Agri-, cultural Company against the United States, has beam, duly organized here. Judge Johnson, of New York, ig the Commissioner on the part of the United States, sad Hon. Mr. Roso, of Canada, is Commissioncr on the part of Great Britain. Hon. Bonj. R. Curtis, of Massachu- notte, late Justice of the United States Supreme Court, has been selected as umpire. Hon. Caleb Cushing, of Mamachueetta, represents the interests of the govern font, and Chas. H. Day, Eeq., of Canada, is the attorney of the claimants, Geo. Gibbs, Eaq., of Washington, ie clerk of the commission, The aggregate amount of claims and damages presented by the claimants for al- Jowance is over five millions of dollars, THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. Secretary Usher has concluded not to leave Washing- ton until the termination of his oficial career, when be ‘will be succeeded by Senator Harlan.- THE BRITISH LEGATION, The dullness of the British Legation here !s likely to be, enlivened by the presence of lady Thurlow, daught Lord Kigin and wife of one {of the Secretaries of, Legation. CONDITION OF MRA. LINCOLN. Mra, Linceln is stiil seriously il! and confined to her chamber. Her physician doubte that she will be for some daye able to proceed to Illinois, THB CASE OP MI68 HARRIS. Miss Mary Hurris, who shot Andrew J. Burroughs at the Treasury Department im January last, and who is ia Prison here, is suffering greatly with @rysipelas in hor face. Her trial, which was to have taken place om ‘Wednesday next, has been postponed Gntil May 10, OHARTERED VESSELS DISCHARGED. Sevoral chartered vessels at this olty have already beom Alecharged from service which ia the commenggment af the retrenchment aygom here : ee tee 4 / , ' ‘