The New York Herald Newspaper, November 10, 1865, Page 2

. The Execution of Wirz to Take Place To-day. Ne Likelihood of a Reprieve from the President. : Preparations of the Prisoner to Meet His Doom. : "resentation of the Hi } Republie'to the President. SENTENCE IN THE CASE OF GEN, BRISCOE. , He is Dishonorably Dismissed the Ser- | viee, with the Loss of All Pay and Allowances. &e. &e, &e. Wasuincton, Nov. 9, 1865. - RBPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION OF WIRZ TO- Y. ‘The looked for execution of Wirz to-morrow is excit- img more remark and occupying the public mind toa much greater degree than did the hanging of the con- mpirators. This is probably due to ‘the fact of the ex- tended notice given in this instance beforehand, while in the case of the former execution scarcely more than ten hours of daylight intervened between the public an- ‘mouncement and the appearance of the condemned upon ‘the scaffold. Wirz is said to be in better condition to- day, physically and mentally, than any time during bie Confinement. He has had considerable sleep, a moderate appetite, and appears to gain more stamina as his hours of lifetime approach the last. His spiritual adviser, Wather Boyle, was with him during much of the afternoon, and left his cell about a quarter past six this evening. Mr. Schade also visited him after an interview of tho former with President Johnson this morning. The interview is known to have been Productive of nothing to indicate that Wirz would be weprieved, though on the streets and in the hotels to-night popular belief seems to be gradually and account- ‘ably settling into that conviction. Mr. Johnson is known te bave met the petition of Mr. Schade for a commuta- tion of the sentence with kind and attentive regard, but ‘uttered nothing to cause a belief that Executive clemency will be exercised in Wirz’s case, nor does Mr. Schade @atertain the shadow of such a hope. About five o’clock this afternoon Wirz was called upon ‘by the Chancolidr of the Consul General of Switzerland, who stated that he had just delivered to the President, im accordance with direction of the Consul, a docu- ment from the latter urging the commutation of the death sontence, The Chancellor was also charged to proffer any assistance to Wirz that he might neod in communicating his wishes to his family and countrymen after death, Wirz replied, with some bitterness, that he had no commissions to intrust, and that the Consul @oeneral had done him irreparable injury when he had wefused, during the progress of his trial, to receive the contributions of hie friends that were offered to obtain ‘Bim every advantage that he could summon for his ac- quittal. He only asked that the aspersions that had been cast upon hie previous character, and forged in this country as coming from public journals in Switzerland, might be called to the notice of his countrymen fm their mative land and returned with the unqualified denial ‘they would give. ‘Wirs intends to occupy most of this, his last night upon earth, in writing, and has obtained permission for ‘Mr. Schade to be admitted, with the Reverend Father r 4m attendance upon him, at eight o’clock to-morrow morning, when he will make final disposition of the let- tevs he has written, Two guards, since the announce. ment of the sentence to the prisoner, have constantly @veupied the cell with him, though he earnestly dis- @laima any intention of committing suicide. Upon the feat intgoduction of his watchful keepers he exclaimed, ‘with a shrug, that ‘he should not do away with himself, if by refraining he only achieved the satisfaction of put- fing the United States government to the expense of ut of her mind, Mrs Wirs speaks of their believe that the authorities and that if the members of they had suffered, a speaks of President Fat i FE il I i Yeniently. ‘The lest paragraph of the letter reads as ané, taken with ite whole tenor, would indicate ‘that there wes no fowndation for the assertion that there ‘was no kindly feeling between Wirs and hie wife;— j ‘ Daan Bosarp—Bear ee tenenty, sheterer fate way be. If 1 could but seo one hou I ghevld be so much T cannot describe to you on, paper the distress of my mind. ‘The priconer was asked bys Indy to-day whether he fhad hope as to another world. He replied, “Madam, I Bave hope; the greatest sinaer has hope, and why should, * 1 mot—I, fecling myself innocent of the charges for ‘which I have to suffer?” sane gt W iiiie os ten seeereoe BY THE PRESIDENT. + @olonel Don Domingo F. Sormiento was to-day intro. duced to the President by the Secretary of State, and de- 7 Hiveved bie credentials as Minister Plenipotentiary and Bavoy Extraordinary of the Argentine Republic. He following remarks on the occasion — ‘of credence appointing me Minister Pleni of the ntine zt fi Hl i Hy i H HE re Necessity of inventfng new ibinations that are Gangerous inasmuch not the sanction experience. So to pass that in the questions which by ite practical workings and commentators are consulted and followed, a# are the decisions of the Su- of the United States in anai Cases in lence of our own tribunals, “Kor wit the to dispnted 38 ity | i tF | = e the recent war bas given apn . points here be barren for our government {ft is well understood, moreover, that it would not be eufMficient to em mad if we did not ostablish the republic on basin on th it reste here, by di ing the To the tam of Wash agton, Froak fit art . namer ington, Lincoln is edded to-day that of Horece, Mann, - ster of the Argentine To which the Fraident replied:— MR. SORMIEY go—I regret the del Hepa i ‘ace hereas the Minister of the tribute £ Jou have to the Hatlewaae i, att oar framed for: ves a constitution for their civil govern- ‘ment which so maay of the new, cajun ting sau balight ened States which are growing up on this continent | thought worthy to be adopted by them ag a model. Tact, i nowever is one which nes toca with it tousa eres y of conducting the administration of vat our ‘cherished system in such a manner as to maintain, Preserve and increase the confidence of mankind. This consideration is. ee ‘sufficient to induce us to regard the republics on this continent with special favor and af- foction, 1 trust, therefor you will readily accept the assurance that we receive you with pleasure on this occasion as the representative of the Argentine Republic. bind leasure is enhanced tag fog Ct st ogpong of the fact that the proceedings of Tepublic, 80 far as we have had intercourse with it, have been seein Fas and cord.ally friendly. I trust your government will ex- cuse me for expressing my regret that entine Ke- public is at the present moment encountering the evils of ‘8 foreign war. q hope its calamities may be mitigated, and that the issue involve no detriment to the re Public or the cause of republicanism. THE MEXICAN MINISTER. ‘The rumors on the street late this evening that Senor Romero, the Mexican Minister, had asked for his pass- ports, with the intention of returning to his government, can be traced to no credible authority, and are supposed to emanate from interested Philadelphians. THE DIFFIOULTIES IN PREPARING FOR TRIALS FOR | TREASON. ! It is known that President Johnson has expressed the greatest anxiety to bring toa legal issue the question whether treason is a crime, and whether it can as such be punished. The following from to-day’s National Re- publican is believed to be substantially correct: — The President has not only consulted his constitutional advisers, bis Cabinet aud the proper law oftcers of the government on the subject, but he has also invited to this council some of the most eminent constitutional and criminal lave yors in the land. Among these may be named Chief Justice Chase, who came here from Ohio some time in August last, at the special invitation of the President, to consult on the general subject of trials for treason. ‘Subsequently, about the 1st of October last, President Johnson addressed a letter to Chief Justice Chase, informing him that it might become necessary for the goverument to prosecute some high crimes and misdemeanors committed against the United States within the District of Virginia, Chief Justice Chase’s cir- cuit, and inquiring whether the Circuit Court of the United states for that district is so far organized and in condition to exercise its functions that the Chief Justice or either of the aesociates of the Supreme Court would hold a term of the Circuit Court there during the autumn or early winter for the trial of causes, About the middle of October Chief Justice Chase replied to the President. He positively stated that his Circuit Court for the dis- trict of Virginia, either to be presided over by himself or one of his associates, would not hold aterm during the autumn or early winter. He stated that the regular term authorized by Congress would commence this year on the 27th of November, the present month, only one week bofore the annual term of the Su e Coury when all the Judges are required to be present, allowing but one week for the Circuit Court to sit, which in the opinion ofthe Chief Justice would be too short aterm for the transaction of any very important business. But the Chief Justice adds that were, the facts otherwise, he so much doubts the propriety’ of holding Circuit Courts of the United States in States which have been declared by the Executive and Legislative De- partments of the national government to be in rebellion, and therefore subjected to martial law before the complete restoration of their broken a with the nation and the supersedure of the mi dhe Ae civil tetanic hold such courts in 1 cult, which includes Virginia, until Congress shall ha an 0) tunity to consider and act on the whole thd be positively aseprts er; asserts gt he could not Thiak that it becomes the Susices of the Jina Court to exercise jurisdiction under such cont ions. THE SENTENCE OF GENERAL BRISCOE. The sentence inthe case of Brevet Brigadier Genera) Joseph C. Briscoe, Colonel of the One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, tried by the cours martial of which Major General G. 8. Green was Presi- dent, upon the charges of larceny, in violation of an act of Congress approved March 3, 1863, and conduct to the Prejudice of good order and military discipline, has just been promulgated from the War Department. The order concludes as follows :— does therefore sentence him, Brevet joseph C. Briscoe, Colonel One Hun- and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunt to be cashiered and ‘dlshonorably dismissed the United States serv! ‘and be forever disqualided from any office of honor, trust or It under the United States rnment; that he forfeit all pay and OF which may to fined at hard labor, at such place Secretary of War may direct, for and during the term of five years. The findings and sentence are approved and confirmed ; but in view of the high testimonials to the former character and gallantry of General Meade, Hancoc! #0 much of the sentence as im By order of the Secretary of War he was this morning discharged from custody, and has since devoted considera- Die time to billiards at Willard’s in company with many military friends. He will go to New York to-morrow, and from thence to the South, where be has landed Dosseesiona. be ee OHANOBS 10 THB MARINE FORCES. ‘The death of Lieutenant Colonel Reynolde at New York has occasioned the following important changes in the commend of Marine stations:—Colonet William Shut- Meworth, United Stotes Marine corps, detached from the Navy Yard at Philadelphia and ordered to © Marine barracks in the Brooklyn Navy Taree tear, Y. Field, detached from the Washington Navy Yard and ordered to succeed Colonel Shuttleworth ®t Philadelphia; Captain Charles Heywood, dotached from the reoraiting rendesvous at Philadelphia and or- dered to tho Washington Navy Yard; Captain G. P. Houston, detached from headquarters and erdered to rendezvous at Iphia; Captain L. L. Dawson and Lieutenant J. . Young, ordered to Pensacola, Fla. hey changes are expected to be made at Norfolk, va, Mound City, Ml. _, DEPARTURE OF THR INDIAN DELEGATION. The delegation of Fox Indians from the remnaatof oe to obtain some portion of the ansfeities of which they are now deprived by reason of @bandoning thelr reservation in Kansas, started homewerds to-night. No decision has been made concerning their requosts thus far. Previous to their departure about two hun- ae Presents wore distributed among 7 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICERS OF CUSTOMS. ‘The Secretary of the Treasury has issued the following circular instructions to officers of customs authorized to receive moneys for duties on imposts, under date of November 6:— are instructed and Seamea in payment of duties on imports gold certificates of deposits issued by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, under the aa- jority of the act of March 3, 1808, which Provides that “certificates for coin’? shall be so ived. Officers are instructed im no case to receive such certificates for duties in excess of the amount tobe paid. Should the certificates presented for payment of customs be inguf- ficient the residue must be paid in coin, CLAIMS AGAINST THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT. The Joint Commission for the > claims of citizens of the United Star Jombian government, growing out” Isthmus of Panama in June, 1865, } Journed until Wednesday next, when * appointed. THE INDIAN COMMISSI ‘ Information hag beon received at thy Indian Bureau, from the commissionors now in the Indian country treat- ing with the Indians, that the season is 80 far advanced that they are apprehonsive of severe wintor weather and the cloning of navigation, which it is desirable to oscape if possible; but, owing to the importance of the duty of the Commission, and in view of an evident decision on the part of the Indians to stop the shedding of blood, the commissioners will remain as jong as possible, 60 aa © accomplish all the good that can be done. TRE VETERAN RESERVE Conrs. Tt has been ascertained thas eighty-five per cont of met and ad- apire will be the six hundred and forty officers of the Veteran Reserve corps have been wounded in battle, some of thom as MANY a8 seven times; Give per cept have become dis. abled from other causes, and ten per cent from disease contracted in the line of duty. Ninety-one have under: gone amputation; and there were cight dissections of the pum Phone to = wrokebilite thet thie core wil) be <<<: internal peace is the nob, of the Ui States; and to cultivate with gia Pe Caled Seiees fraternity which the Y eetablished Ti re eng en mer ant of the United States that they have made permanent by the coming Congress, as its mem- bers have rendered important services in war, and it is not doubted that they will efficiently perform their duty in time of peace. THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL'S BUREAU. ‘The ‘Provost Marshal General’s Bureau dies hard. A Corporal’s guard of clerks are engaged in settling up the affairs of this once terrible branch of tbe government. It is supposed that Congress will abolish the bureau, and General Fry will return to his rank as Lieutenant Colonel 4nd Assistant Adjutant General, PERSONAL. The rebel General Longstreet was at the White House during the day, but had not been accorded an interview with the President at a late hour, Ex-Governor Billy Smith, of Virginia, and Hon. Robert Date Owen, of New York, are stopping at the Metropoli- tan, APPOINTMENT OF POST SURGEON, Dr. J. J. Craven has received the appointment of. Post Surgeon at Fortress Monroe, the position he has so ably filled there for several months past, His rank is lieuten- antcolonel. It 4s a happy and well deserved compli- ment to one most worthy of it, not alone for his high Professional acquirements and social and scholarly cul- ture, but for his long and eminent services during the war as medical director of an army corps. RETURNS TO THE GENBRAL LAND OFFICE. Returns the most extensive received during this month of sales of public lands were opened at the General Land Office this morning. At Broonesville, Mo., 16,700 acres are reported entered, accompanied with cash sales to the amount of nearly $4,000. From Lacrosse, Wis., 7,500 acres were entered, with $1,200 of cash sales. The State of Indiana bas notified the Commissioner that she will accept the agricultural land grant. awarded her by Congressional enactment. The Mercantile Library. CELEBRATION OF THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. The forty-fifth anniversary of the founding of thé Mercantile Library was celebrated last evening in the reading room of the Institute, Clinton Hall, Astor place. There was an exceedingly large attendance, among which were anumber of iadies, The programme was inaugurated by the performance of the grand march from Meyerbeer's posthumous opera of L’Africaine, by Dodworth’s band, ‘Throughout the evening the following additional pieces of music were performed with consider. able tae Scherzo—L'Orologio (The Watch). Waltz—La Meseagere d’Amore.. Rataplan—e la Gloria—Il Forza: March—Medley of Popular Airs Song—TI ask you, Pretty Bird March du Sacre—Le Prophi Galop—Qui Vive. Polka—Humoristen Quick March—La Promenade Mr. Irwin, the President, in rising apologized for the absence of Mr. Hunt, the intended chairman, after which he briefly enumerated the advantages derived from the institution. The next address wae delivered by Mr. Isaac H. Bauy, ex-president of the institution. He congratulated the audience on this the forty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Mercantile Library. In the year 18200 notice appeared on tho bulletin of the Daily Advertiser, calling for a meeting of the merchants’ clerks, in order to form a library. Thie was the first step taken to- wards the establishment of the magnificont institution they were now in, Everything was very much changed in New York since that day. © The entire amount of the city tax at that time little ex- ceeded that whiel many individuals pay now, and he did not see that much moro value was given, Trae, the Aldermen and Councilmen did not become nich 0 casily. There was a tradition somewhere that there were men in office in those days, but that in hardly consonant with the position of a city magistrate as now it is understood. Meeting with discouragement and reverses, the little band formed at the meoting re ferred to battied against all, and on November 2, 1830, the hall at the corner of Bockman and Nassan, where the Naseau Bank stands now, was formally opened. At this time there were but one thousand five hundred Arditi. jounod, - Verdi. members, with’ a library of six thousand volumes. In 1861 the brea od on the building was cancelled. At this time the hall was found insufficient, Subscriptions were raised, and, in June, 1854, the present hall was opened, a dedicatory service having been given at the Church of the Puritans, together with an address by Governor Seymour, then Governor of New York State. In the years 1855 and 1856 call was made on the merchants of New York for sub- scriptions, to which they responded nobly, $77,000 being collected. The institution was still considerably in debt, and in 1864 another call, as nobly responded to, brought in $62,000, which defrayed the entire debt, leaving a sur- Dee ae ded in the purchase of s. ‘The with nearly five the finest of the description in the world. @ Mayor of New York was next introduced, and made a few remarks on the advantages young men in the city were able to obtain from such an institution. |., who was received with loud ap- pleasure Coot plause, remark: m4 it gave him considerable it on such an occasion, and to see in whata ing condition the Mercantile Lil was intensified ibrary Th by hearing that was free of all iH i Q £353 j a Bt 33 i Hi oP Hits | i 80 of their associates. applause followed Mr. Cochrane's IRMAN Tead a letter from A. T. Stewart, re- his inability to be present, after which the ied the un halls of the building the bend pectormed oa ‘admirable selection of usic, The Harris Divoree Case. THE DECISION OF JUDGR PHELPS ADVERSE TO MRE. HARRIB. New Lonvon, Conn., Nov. 9, 1866. In the Harris divorce case Judge Phelps has rendered ‘vorce and the custody of all his children, and she gets no alimony. By the laws of Connecticut both can marry if they choose, asta Vrouw Soros. —At Steinway’s Hall a rather novel ma- sical entertainment took place yesterday afternoon, when Monsieur Jehin Prume appeared before a select party of gentlemen and ladies, who were treated to some on the viola. This was in this city; but Mons, Prume is a OPERA IN THE WEST. Mr. Grau’s Chicago Campaign—The New t Last Evening—Im- ‘Cmeaao, Nov. 9, 1865. This evening an entircly new cast appeared in Faust, none of the artista having sung in Trovatore last night. It was the first appearance of each of them in America. The cast was as follows:—Signorina Leonilda Boschotti as Marguerite, Mule, Olga Olgini as Siebel, Signor Anastasi as Faust, Signor Felice Brandini as Mephistopheles, and Signor Augustus Fellini as Valentin. ‘The house was again well filled. Faust 1s exceedingly Popular, and there was evidently much anxiety to see and hear the new instalment of Grau’s triple company. At Orst the artiste were diffident, and the audience waited patiently for a demonstration of their powers; but they had not to wait long, for the second act was very finely sung. Anastasi is a tenore di Grazia, with a clear, sweet voice, highly sympathetic and of great fresh- ness withal, He is a handsome tenor, and made @sengation among the ladies. The Mephistopheles of Brandini was a splendid piece of acting. His voice is not profound, however—the cold of the climate evi- dently affected it—but the high notes are very fine. Signora Boschetti is incomparably the best Marguerite we have seen on the American stage. She has a beauti- ful face and a tall, graceful figure, and her acting was a combination of infinite race and simplicity, and in the garden scene fairly held the audience spellbound. She recalled at once the sentiment of Goetbe and the ideality of Schaefer. We are not eur. prised that the Italians invested her with the title of the Queen of Marguorites., Signorina Olgini made a charming Siebel. She is quite young, exceedingly pretty and petite, ‘nd carried the house by storm in the flower song, which she had to repeat. Hoschetti made such a triumph in Marguerite that Gran will probably be compelled to devi- ateffrom his design of not repeating any opera. To-morrow evening Arnani will be produced, with Noel Guidi, Musiani, Orlandin: and a new basso (Ladis. Jaye Milleri) in the cast, Grau has at hix command the largest opera troupe ever engaged by any impressario in the country, and he appeare disposed to employ them to the full desire of the public. Several operas are now in daily rehearsal under the un- flagging exertions of Muzio—among them L’Africaine, Satjo, Lenore, Semiramide, OteUlo and William Tell. The seenery for 1’ Africaine, from the Paris moaels, 1s superb, as we can testify from a careful examination, ‘The cos- tumes, which were made in Paris, ‘by Nannon, are also excredingly beautiful Gazzaniga has not yet ap eared, but is announced for Thursday next, in Favorita, The public are anxious to hear this shining star of the company, and the an- nouncoment is greeted with unmistakable satisfaction. Opera in the provinces has hitherto been of a purely experimental character. Until the present season no manager has ventured to make arrangements for it in the Eastern and Western cities independent of such re- sources as the metropolis affords. ‘The lovers of musle outside this favored centre of the arts had to wait patiently until we had used up whatever freshness of attraction was to be found in the singers imported here. This did very well so long as operatic matters were carried on here with energy and liberality; but as soon as it was found that they had fallen into the hands of mere speculators, whose only object was to make money, regardless of tho interests of art, and whose policy it was to engage only third and fourth rate singers, the people of the provinces de termined to render themselves musically independent of us, They began by building several splendid opera houses in the leading cities, and the erection of that in Chicago completed the chain of arrangements neces- sary ‘¥0 effect their object. This accomplished, Mr. Grau was encouraged to proceed to Europe and en- gage pach a troupe as would throw our New York under- takings into the shade. How well he has performed his task, and how humiliatingly we are now playing second fiddle to a city that has sprung up like a fungus in the wil- derness, igno secret to those who have any acquaintance with musical affairs, But let the people of the metropo- lis find out all this for themselves. If they aro satisfied to be humbugged they can afford to pay for their whistle, We have to deal at presont with that section of the countay in which music ie exhibiting the most marked evidences of progress, and, as its centre and vital source, the following description of the new Chicago Opera House cannot fail to interest our readers :— This magnificent building is one of the most cle gant and commodious of ite kind in the world, and is situated in Washington street, midway between Ran dolph and Madison streets and State and Dearborn streete—the very centre of the fashionable part of the city, and easily accessible by street railways. The style of the exterior is modern French, with dormer windows im the roof, and was designed by Mr. Volk, tho well known ecalptor. It is four stories high, and Is faced with Al The centre of the front, fora width of west ites Teak aes TE & epmicitgular form—p feature which aleo exists in the new theatres of Antwerp and Mayence. The grand entrance is of marble, seven teen pe: Nosed by twenty-five feot high. ‘The spandri are e ly carved and crowned with tasteful méedai- Non cornices, surmounted by a parapet contething pedes. tals for four statues of the Muses, from th chisel of Mr. Volk. Ro or i Favtee Per or te vateing Js devoted to music and confectionery stores, and in tho second story there are socom modations for artists’ studios. ‘The aeditorium and stage occupy the entire rear of the baliding, and cover eighty-six fect wide by one hundred and Gfty feet in depth and sixty feet from parquet to ceiling. Access to the auditorium is gained through the opening in the contre of the front, up a Might of stairs, with quaint carvings on either side, then through the corridor oF passage above mentioned and three large ‘openings. In connection with this corridor are two Tooms, with apartments for the tollet and ward. robe of visitors. The means of egress are ample, not only thrgugh the doors for ingress, but also through specially for that purpose, and lead- ing into Rate street. The anditoriom is eighty-six feet wide by ninety feet in depth, and is divided as follows:—First, the orches- tra, parquet and the dress circle on the main floor. Becond, the balcony circle, with private boxes in the centre and open sofa seats. Third, the family circle. The orchestra is ton feet wide by thirty-six fect in Jongth. The parquet and parquet dress cirgle are com- posed of sofas made of solid black walnut, and @ num- ber of orchestra chairs of large dimensions and of un. usual elegance and comfort occupy the front. The bal- cony cirele is marked by its division into fifty-six private boxes near the centre of the house; these are furnished ‘with elegant carpets and cbairs. The balcony and family circles ‘are supported by light fron columns with orna- mented capitals, whence spring finely carved brackets, supporting the extended balcony. These brackets are carved with grotesque faces and quaint devices of vari- ous kinda, The main cornice of the auditorium is sup- ported from the walls by projecting corbels, ornamented with carved mouldings and medallions, The ceiling is panclled with heavy ribs, diverging from the central dome, which is also panelled and ornamented with rich cornices. ‘The ceiling over the proscontam is formed of a single Jarge panel, on which is frescoed an Aurora, copied from the original freeco of Guido Reni in Rome. On the right and left of it are two other panels, frescoed—tho one with an ideal representation of Comedy, the other with an idealization of Tragedy. The three frescoes were executed by Schubert. The ribs and panel inter- sections are wrought with ornamental pendante Mowing from the ceiling. ‘The suditorium is lighted wite Fink's patent reflectors, which are located in carved panels encircling the base of the central dome, containing altogether three hundred and fifty gas jets. They are lighted from above, and the {lamination is deflected upon the audience below. This system of lighting is far superior to that of any opera house in the country, since it throws a brilliant yet sub. dued and mellow radiance apon and throughout the andi- torium, with the exception of the gallerios, which are iMuminated by brackets projecting from the walle. The ‘usual objection preferred against the iNumination of Jarge halle is obviated. ‘The plan of ventilation is very extensive and perfect in details, Tn addition to the windows, there in a large toed lifting itself like a vast turret far above the roof. This flue is constructed in connection with the steam and smoke flues. Then there is large air duct that sur- mounts the parquet and leads directly to the main shaft, thus forming a lower draft, to be opened at all times, There are other ducts over the gallery circles, and in the dome a skylight twelve feet in diameter. ‘The heating is effected by means of Gould’s automatic Steam apparatus. In case of alarm from fire there is also 4 complete apparatus on the stage, fitted with hose and other appliances, by which jets of water may be immedi- ately directed to any part of the building, In addition to the usual mode of ogress there are means of exit from the upper tier to the roofs of adjoining buildings. In fact, nothing has been overlooked which can tend to the safety or comfort of the audience. The fresco painting is admirable. Besides the Aurora there are sunken panels in the ceiling containing por- traits of Beethoven, Mozart, Auber, Verdi, Weber, Wag- her, Gounod, Gluck, Bellini, Donizetti, Meyerbeer and Rossini. The decorations of the proscenium and its boxes and of the grand entrances are rich in stucco, gilding, carving and statues. The scenic department is composed of a large stock of entirely new scenes, painted by Arrigoni, Calyo and Voegtlin. Besides these there are many set pieces, painted to complete the scenery for the extensive reper- tire of operas to be brought out during the present season, ‘the upholstery, designed and executed by Mr. FE, H. Akass, is of the best kind, and the decorations are ex ceedingly costly. The seats, which are two thousand five hundred in number, are covered with blue damask of elaborate pattern, manufactured in Europe ex- Pressly for this palace of music and imported by A. T. Stewart, of New York. The draper ies of the proscenium boxes, which are comprised in three tiers on each side of the Mage, are of brocatel vel- vet, the trimmings and fringes of original design, the lower tier being festooned with gold brocatel, intermixed with crimson silk velvet lambskin, The second tier 1s draped with gold velvet, with trimmings to. correspond, and the third tier is hung with gold brocatel, variegated with blue velvet. The three tiers together are all gorgeous- ly decorated with the latest style of Honiton lace cur- tains, imported expressly for the purpose, the whole showing a harmony of design and combination of taste unsurpassed by any opera house in the United States or in Europe, The stage and machinery have been planned under the direction of Mr, Wallace Hume, the successful con- structor of many stages in this country. Mr, Hume has spared no pains to make this stage the most elegant and pervect in America. The dressing rooms are partly on and partly under the stage, ‘Theso are seventeen in number, furnished with carpets, wardrobes, drawers, marble washstands and all other conveniences. « h of these rooms is ventilated and heated by the samé nieans as the auditorium, The National Thanksgiving. DAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. Boston, Nov. 9, 1865. Thanksgiving Day in Massachusetts i appointed for ‘Thursday, December 7, the change being made by Gov ernor Andrew in accordance with President Johnson’s proclamation for a National Thanksgiving on that day. THANKSGIVING EMBARRASSMENTS IN RHODE ISLAND. (From the Providence Journal, Nov. 8.] Ata meeting of the clergymen of the city, yesterday morning, it was decided to ask Governor Smith to change the day appointed to that designated by the President of the United States. It was that but one service should be held in the churches, and unless the desired change is made, one or the other of the proclamations will be practically ignored, The present arrangement leaves the cleray in an unpleasant position, as they mast seem to show disrespect to either biel Magist-ate of the State or of the nation. News from the Pactfic. PHE PACIFIC RAILROAD—ROBBERY OF THE OVER- LAND STAGE NEAR VIRGINIA CITY—INDIAN OUT- RAGES, ETC. San Francisco, Nov, 9, 1865. Governor Low and the other Commissioners appointed by government to examine the recently completed por- tion of the Pacific Railroad, extending from Newcastle to Colfax, a distance of twenty-three miles, approved of the same, and forwarded their report to Washington. When the report is endorsed by the President the com- pany will be entitled to eleven hundred thousand dollars in government bonds, or forty-eight thousand dollars per mile, The company announce that the bulk of the work to Dutch Flat, nearly eighty miles from Sacramento, will be completed in December. ‘The overland stage was attacked by six robbers, armed with double-barrelled guns, near Virginia City, on Mon- day night, who took all the valuables of the express and Passengers, amounting to three thousand dollars, Among the passengers was J. L. Batcheldoor, of Boston, who was robbed of thirteen hundred dollars. No one was in- jured. A despatch from Oregon states that lute arrivals from Portland bring news of Indian outrages in the vicinity of Cottonwood creek. Some California cattle drovers were fired upon t . About forty bead of horses and a Be met 4: sha bing > News from New Orleans. New Ontaans, Nov. 7, 1665. Genera) Fullerton has just issued two circulars, one re- minding the frecdmen that the time is approaching to make contracts for labor for another year, and the other directing all officers and agents collecting the school tax to report to him with their collections. Colonel Wm. Christie, a veteran of the war of "1812, died in Texas lately. He was well known. ‘The planters have sdopted a plan to get the froedmen to pick their cotton and it is meeting with success. When the day’s work is done the cotton picked by each freed- man is measured and he is paid according to the amount of cotton he has picked. ‘The cotton fields of Texas continue unpicked, the fleld- men refusing to work. Arrived steamer George Washington from New York. Governor Humphreys, of Mississippi, calis upon the people of that State to organize companies to aid the civil authorities in maintaining law and order, and can- tions them against oppressing the negroes in any way. Trade between Texas and Mexico is increasing. New Ontxans, Nov. 8, 1865. Cotton extremely dull and irregular; sales of middling at b4c. Sugar 1730. Molasses inactive. Gold 149%. Receipts of gold this week fully a million of dollars. Exchange firm. Checks on New York % per cent dis- count. Eastorn advices were unfavorable for transactions in cotton to-day, which closed dull and declining at 38c. a 42c, For a small lot 40c, was offered and declined. Cotton continues to arrive in large quantities. No large shipments or purchases have been made Captain J. 0. Remington, Quartermaster at Chatta- nooga, was robbed of $25,000. His counting room was entered and the money taken out of the safe, Suspicion Treats upon four persons who have been arrested Two att have been made to rob the safe of Capt, kine at Chattanooga. e river is at a stand, and twenty inches deep on the shod. Convention of Colored People. Povannweram, Nov. 9, 1866. The State Convention of colored men adjourned at a late hour on Wednesday night. The proceedings throughout were very harmonious and of an instructive nature. A State Central Committees was appointed to urge the franchise and other questions affecting the in- toresta of colored Americans. Previous to the final adjournment of the Convention the following resolution was unanimously adopted Resolved, That this Convention is of the opinion that there be & lored in, the olty of Wasnington from the dttforeat sectiong, tor be. there during the session of upporied. ¥y the people, whose tmnportanoo of having The Status of the colored American i fired in-the land that’bis color shail not be. bai to his occu pring ST Can 3.40 the enjoyment of ‘ell the rights (hat Quite a number of counties were represented, the dele. from which returned to their respective homes ‘The B Forre: "ike Sohooner Boston, i High has ed by ate ob cope Ane, on ro} ire y Orew faved. () for Buckysene oni cork and hoer, poviawe Frovioes: for Bur with corn an ir, pol town cn tee Re inak, leaking badly. Mbo will have to _Nenillatory shaft opreared from the wround Boom sp@ ! rornir_ PRICE FOUR CENTS THE CALIFORNIA CATASTROPHE. Details of the Explosion of the Yosemite. Forty of the Passengers Reported Killed and a Large Number More eed Injured, NAMES OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. FEARFUL SCENES AT THE WRECK. Speculations as to the Cause of the Disaster. &e. &e &. Our San Francisco Correspondence. San Francisco, Oct. 18, 1865. The new and magnificent steamer Yosemite, of iho California Steam Navigation Company, Sacramento and San Francisco line, was blown into a perfect wreck by the explosion of one of her boilers last evening on H¥r downward trip to this city. She was lying at the wharf at Rio Vista at the time of the catastrophe. It is reported that forty of her passengers have been killed and many were wounded. It is supposed that the cause of the catastrophe was the neglect to let off steam while tho boat was lying at the wharf. The following is acopy of the despatch received by the Navigation Company :— ff 4 Sacramento, Oct. 18—6 A. M. Captain James Wiutyey—The Yosemite burst her star- board boiler at Rio Vista wharf last evening. Her upper works forward are a complete wreck. The Chrysopolis brought up thirty wounded and five dead. Captain Poole and crew remain on her. Captain Poole, Enos Fourat, pilot, and Johnson, clerk, are almost unhurt, Paurhyte, engineer, and Creigh, freight clerk, aro injured, W. H. TAYIA ADDITIONAL DETAILS. ‘The following details I have gathered from private despatches to citizens of this place:— Among the killed are Mr. Henry Regensburger, resi, dence corner of Pine and Stockton streets, and Mr. Lin- daner, of Lindauer & Hirschman. Mr. A. Fenkhansen, liquor dealer, is reported badly scalded. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s letter messenger, Colden Cooper, was blown across the river, but was not’ injured, He immediately awam back to render all the assistance in his power. Welle, Fargo & Co.'s regular-meseenger, Wiltiam Ahearn, aro escaped. THE TREASURE, which consisted of silver bars and gold to the weight of about a ton, is safe. The stanchions were blown off, and the whole mass was capsized into the hold. The Chrysopolis took up the wounded and dead to Ss- cramento, where the former were placed under the care of the Howard Benevolent Society. The citizens are alto aiding in the care of the wounded, many of whom were taken to the old Court House, corner of J and Fourth streets, Mr. George Seaton, Senator elect from Amador county, was wounded, and died soon after reaching Sacramento, STATEMENT OF A PASRENGER. The following was prepared by Wm. W. Barnes, one of the passengers, and is as full @ report as can be gathered up to the present: — as Orrick StkaMER CuRYSOrOUB, Friday, October 13—2 A. M. I undertake a painful duy in attempting to give & des- cription of the terrible disaster on the steamer Yovemite, which occurred at the Rio Vista landing last evening, and from which I providentiall; . Afow sainetes past six , M., as the steamer was ieev- ing the land boiler exploded, throwing all the upper cabin, pilot house, and everything forward of the smokestack into a total wrock, creating 2 scene of death and disorder most terrible to look upon, and which I will not attempt to describe. All1 can hope to do in this letter will be to give he as correctly as possible the ter- rible record of the killed and wounded. J. H. Myers, comedian, of Maguire’s Opera Houre, killed, J. M. killed, < infor, machinist of Maguire's Opera House, killed. Wm. H. Stephens, of Maguiro’s Oper « House, killed. — Washburgh, musician, of Maguire's Opera House, bes gf scalded. yj. Barnes, killed. F. S. Sutherland, Bank of British North America, wism ing. ME Decker, of Central Pacific Railroad Company, missing. ‘A. Lindauer, of Virginia, Nevada, missing. A Millecreaty, badly neaided. George L. Smith, badly scalded. Polk i jughes, badly scalded. Dennis risosil, deck hand, badly scalded. James P. Dunn, leg broken: = pennines, check taker, badly scalded. D, Barrett, discharged soldier General Grant’'e army, badly scalded, Thomas Collins, an old resident of San Francisco, badiy wa omeph Middleton, of Virginia, Nevada, slightly realied Fallon, treasurer of Maguire’s Opera Houre, and injured. Four Chinamen badly scalded, Joe Bullet, chief cook, slighty scalded, Gord ok oe haat acaided, pot ex: % y ; pected'to liveasade bis will on board tho’ Obryso! polis. William Wilkinson, deck boy, badly scalded and in- Jured, clerk of the Yosemite, slightly ecaided. Rs. ow ent tr Neate, term the boiler deck forward to the main deck, but received no serious ry. ‘of tacramen cut in the face. ry on, of Bad Franclaco, bedly tealded andl wrist broken. |. W. Haskin, late Senator from Mono, was blows into, warts, oak teem to the opposite shore; slight contu- sion. Bowen, of Sacramento, badly scalded. £ Tr Maa, of McArran & Kelly, slightly scalded. se 1 ey, fog broken had be Sears Ga otha ans eek for ninety. k of the head. “iemy GrimMths, slightly cut in the head and scalded, the I oO anton’ Wilking, of Sacramento, slightly scalded ond ha] opporite shore, ly scalded. Crowell, coal , killed, Captain W. Campbell, of Gillig, Mott & Co, badly bruised. William Lew naed of Branch Bank of Catifor- ia at Virginia Ci t contusion. " Gapinte Ager han cinco, badly burned L. J. Chase, known at Yankee Jim's as King, log ken and scalded. vrdaarom of Janson, Bond & Co., walded and ankle slightly injured. ‘ Sei hererphyte, Chief Engineer of the Yoremite, badly scalded. Byron Crosley, of Strawberry Valley, killed. fiomto this at given, by Mr Barnen, it wan ition to this list, given by it nese ies were were ty or twenty-five “Chinemeal im the hold of the steamer. Their fate le ae yet un-: certain. as it was impossible to clear away the wreck be~ fore the Chrysopolis took the ill-fated passengers. Itis ba toy there cp npc ra the missing pansen- inder the ruins of the " eeFou will readily understand in tl mon arising from the disaster, it is impossible that thie, whic! T send to you by the first overland mail, can be a full account, and many may have been lost who bad no friends or acquaintances on board to tell the tale. ‘The injury sustained by the Yosemite is not yet a Bes Kine, to be coe RRS hall te su) 5 wit the ‘moment of the explosion the Lg iy valve walt ing off steam, wi ® pressure of twenty four Lecel ‘The Yosemite's certificate allows thirty-tve ds. wine steamer had been detained from five to seven minutes at the landing, on secount of the quarterly nt. fHement with the }, and had juet commenced to’ back from the conjecture which I have hen Py! the ‘Seplonten wes (be py a, given as a couse to the shore mde, causing @ list which threw tbe water of the boller water too much to one Large Robbery in Chicago. rc m4 Umeasoo, Nov, 0, 1865. While the American Sxpress a a iin Laney 1a row ‘o sand dollars, had been tak the wagon. tective force is at work, Dut a# vel mo clue bas bees 4 oovereg W the Wed was among the <