The New York Herald Newspaper, December 19, 1869, Page 3

THK LOTTERY GIANTS THE COURTS PLAYING “POLICY.” The Wood-.orrissey War Resolved Into a Case of Greek ‘Meeting Gree 7 agape center Judge Barnard’s Views on “Ben” and “Ben's” Views on the Whole Subject. Vanderbilt and Wood as Card Players. The lottery case given in yesterday’s HERALD mmvolving such sharp wilted, well known char- acters as Ben Wood and John Morfissey, promi- ees to Jast a little longer before turuing stale and un- interesting. From beginning to end it is easy to perceive it was a clear case of diamond cut diamond, in which Wood, to all appearances, got the worst of tt, and the honorable John came oif, as he has often done in other trials, with colors fying, It is un- necegsary Lo allude to the part taken by the Supreme Court in this inatter; the facts speak for thenselves, and if it be right and proper for the judiciary to interfere in the case of Wood vs. Morrissey or Mor- rissey vs. Wood, where the matter of contested “eaimes in an WMegal lortery is concerned, it is no tess right and proper for the same autnority to step in and adjust the dimerences between the disagreeing parties in any Peter Funk business. The Jottery concern carried on at 204 Rowery fs hot sanctioned by the laws of the Siate, and consequently has po rights which the couris aré in anywise bound to respect. In the hauds, however, of such distin- guished beneficiartes as Hon, Ben and fon. Jon the institution had a glamour of greatness and Tespectability thrown around tt that disarmed crtit- cis allogetter, WRALIB OF THE LOTTERY BUSINES The amount of money invested aa capital tn this lottery was said to reach a quarter of a million dol- Jars and its profits were sometiing fabulous. Ls original managers were Messrs. Simmons, Murray and Davis, and the shareholders comprised Jonn and Ben and others equally skilled and wealthy operators. John Morrissey, in December, 18U7, sold Dis shares to Simmons for $100,000, and if the jat- ter failed to meet the provisioas of the contract he was to forfeit any sums already paid and all. title to the property sold. It was avout this time that the report went abroad that Jonn had given up all kinds of gambling and turned himself to virtuous ways of living, Siim- mons had easy ierms from Jon, but, whether from falling business or disinclination to fulli! the terms of the contract, John did not receive Irom Simmons what was stipulated for. Nearly a year elapsed, ana Jn Seprember, 1868, Jonn brought a suit in the Su- preme Court against Simmons, Ben Wood and ana merous following of jottery lights, who, according t the complainant, had contedcrated to defraad him of his rights and destroy the business in wuicu he had a consideravle interest. A COMPROMISE CONCLUDED, There was a good deal of time and argument spent on the case before Judge Cardozo, and a good dea! of astouishment expressed by some people that any consideration should be given tbe case in a cuurc of justice. Before any decision was rendered the lot- tery men got togevher and arrived at an amicable compromise among themscives, Ben Wood agree- ing to purchase Simmons’ interest in the cone: and take the control of it under a contract to pay Simmons out of the proceeds a certain sum per month and settle the difference with Morrissey. Wood rao the concern at a@ high pressure and made it pay tike a gold mine, according to all accounts, but Me forgot nis contract involving $160,000 with Simuions and falied to come © time with bis payments. Sunmoos wrote to Wood reminding hin of the agreement and de- claring that from pon-compllance with it he haa forfeited the property. AN ADROIT MANOZUVRE. Wood, apprehensive of belug deprived of the Money Making Machine he might now deem ali his own, went to Judge Buraard to get him to revive the old suit of Morr gey’s against Simmons, ¢ ai, which had nev been formally discoatinued, Judge Harnard re- fused, aud the request was (hen made of Judge Car- ozo, Who assented, Tus was a sharp scroke of business On Ben's part. Everybody had supposed the suit brought over a year ago by Morrissey was dead forever by reason of the compromise, to Which Wood was an asseuting party to a contract over bh signature. This, however, was anerror. The Plaint was still oo file, and Ben knew It well. With- out allowing any of those interested (o know what hus intentions were Wood, througu a friend of his named Dickinson, got an injunction from Judge Car- dozo, and tn adaition got bimsel, aithouga @ fendent in the suit, appomted receiver of the who Jowtery concern. ASSUMING THE DUTIES OF RECEIVER. Ab ordinary receiver would prodabiy have gone to work winding up the concern and placing tae Proceeds to the creait of the shareholder: receiver, Knowing that the business was healthy and thriving, kept it going ai full blast and kept raking 4n the promt. Thursday last Mr. Hennion, covusel for Simmons, went before Judge Barnard with a complaint asking for the removal of Wooa and the appointment of Jolin Morrissey as receiver. SIMMONS? COMPLAINT. Simmons, the deponent, condenses his complaint, as follows:— That on the 24th day of Beptember, 1863, Jobn Morrissey tn- stituted a suit in this court against deponeat, and ait the de- rein, except the decendant Samuel I. Dickinson, y a between deponent and Benjamin Wood, by whom the same ‘was dul9 executed, and that the said suit wos thereafter ro- 1d “as settled, compromised and at an end. ‘Yoat on 6th day of’ Deceiver, 1868 without aay notice whatever to deponent, and concealing, a4 ‘eponent verily believes, the fact of such compromise and froin the court, the defendant, Benjamiu Wood, obtained wn Injunetion agaluai the defendants in the Morrissey suit, aud procured himself to be appointed recetver therein, and, wnuer Color thereof, has possessed bimeeif of a large’ amount of personal property, belonging to the sald business, within the wrisdiction of tule court, aod is now carrying ov said Business under suid lokery grants, In the namepor C. i. Murray & Co., and is interlerimg to prevent depoucnt his co-trustecs from winding up she sald busines as prov by naid trust, and that by these acts, and othere of sald Telating tO aid business, the rigite and property of deponent, and the parties having © bona pute interest, baye ‘been and are greatly jeopardized, snd may be ultimately de- atroyed. That deponent has bed iniorme. and bel the ‘said Morrisey has actually discontinued the and that an order to that effect line been or 1 entered. After the or the Bnd ti said Wood, while subject to {ts provisions, various other lottery nis aod AU interes! and was duly requested, in conformity to the deed, to convey and areign the same to the said trustees, but that be refused 80 to do, aud thereby forfeited wll his rigits Guder the deed. MONKINSRY TO THR RESCUR, Judge Barnard grauted tbe injunction, and Joun Morrissey was duly instailed asreceiver. John wae equal to the occasion, for no sooner did he assume the ution to which he was appointed than be went to work and sold the property for $25,000 vo @ brother of Stmmous, the courplainant mengoned. In toe meantime Wood, who was determined -not to be thas summarily whisked out of his fat placer, a@poiied for another injunction to Judge Cardozo and got it. Friday eveniag seven o'clock it was served upon Morrissey U duly read out for his editicatton. “All right, gentlemen,’ said John. “J am a good, law-abiding ciuzen, and shail cheerfully obey the command of that injunction. 1 was appointed re. ceiver here; but the fact is, gentiemea, my occupi tion’s gone, for there i# notaing wore to receive, the whole concern 1s adld.’* ‘This was acruel disappointment and provoked much heavy swearing; and now, what's to be done mext is an awkward question, for if the first ‘thereln, injunction granted by Cardozo be declared pull and void, as it is expected it will, the I ne HY Barnard will fall mto the same caia- gory, and this lottery business will have to withdraw 18 brazen presence from the courts or be prose- cuted, aod from the temper of its managers it is likeiy to become a regular Kilkenny cat aftair, Tw ventilation, however, is sure to take place, and very curious developments may be expected there- from. What Judgo Barnard Snys. A HERALD reporter called on Judge Barnard yes- terday to ascertain lis viewa on the subject, with the following result:— Ruevorrer~What were the circumstance atiend- ing the appointment of Mr. Morrissey as receiver in the lottery concern diMcuity ¥ Judge BAKNARD—Well, there 18 very little to com+ municate in addition to what appears in the legal documents in the case, which [ presume you have already seon, The complaint made to me by Mr. Simmons was manifestiy well founded; and Mr. Morrissey having some time ago been connected with the business, and understanding ite mtricacies theroughly, 1 deemed him a Proper person to take cbarge of the property of the concern. ReronrRA—What is your opinion of the appoint mentof Mr. Wood as receivery Judge BaRNaRp—I am not prepared to express an opinion apon that point betore dudictal mvestiga- Uon has been made, but It seems ravner st e thas Mr. Wood sifould be placed in sole oharge Anterents bt tbe some time taat ne wad a defeodunt . ‘NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1869—TRIPLE SHEET. i of the hi He tal ownership of a part REPOKTER—Have you seen the News of yesterday, ip which ig made oo Spepipsee Judge,” Seige itary Wiece th tea» proms ge BARNAR ang en, that means me, ‘anit Thave Considefauie curiosity to seo wha. Mr, Wood has tw say, He talks about tiny jt drunk, receiving presents, committing per jury, dc. ‘Those are rather serious allegations f adt- mit, bat we will see 1ow he makes i guppose that as some see party u SAY pave Soneene i , a at ig what he Bi HS ee aS i, make the most of fe He says {| have received PY coco Well, 1 believe have. Senator UrpRy some ume ago gave me diamond | for oe Seek i n years ago Mr. Twi ve a ia . WW sve mes dom, t6d; but he Was full of flead, fwo days | Kicked iim bre Ue house. Ag vo perjury, that iy simply n ua RetonreR—Bat do you think that Mr. Wood will nOt carry out the threat to all ite apparent extent 7 Judge BakNakb—Oh, he may do anything. He hag a crowd of gamblers and roughs at bis nod who will swear to anything. Fortunately, however, my Official duties have posted me pretcy well concerning: that class, and when the) as witne-ses inany such case they will find it rather hot. Wood don’t seem to realize his exuct position, He thinks that because his brother has been Mayor and promiment gentlemen once admitted him into tneir society that he 18 all powerful; but matters nave changed. Ile alienated @ good many of his best friends by his own conduct. Why, some time ago, when he was in a light piace, he went to iny fatwer-iu-law, Mr. Anderson, and plead for aloan of $50,000 to save him, Mr. Anderson loaned him tie money and re- ceived as security certam docaments representing Wood’s interest. in the lowery business, and then when the note came due and Mr. Anderson called for his money Wood laughed at hig and — said was already paid with the interest In the lottery concern, He served Mr. Frans Work and other gentlemen in the game manner. He seemed to regard his best friends as hetng merely instruments for self-aggrandwement, and alter getting money of them on lottery securi- ues would not only try to pay the debt with his lot- tery shares, but publicly accuse (hem of being lu the business with him. Wood still has a few influential friends; bus they are not many. ‘There is Commo- dore Vanderbilt; he wsed to play caras with hum, but he don’t do it now. KsrorreR—Do you nos think that this dificulty will lead to the exposure and breaking up of we lottery business in New York? Judge BaRNaRD—I hope so. It robs and ruins thé poor and is doing more harm than whe whiskey shops. The whole thing 18 a gigantic fraud, some time ago 1 bad occasion to investigate the matter and witnessed some of the drawings. Wheu a large prize came out the managers would consult whether Vo lebit Rtand or not, ead generally threw it back again, The whole drawing is @ farce, and the inan- agers only let prizes enough go out to lead on the public to bay uokew. ic 18 @ common practice to ure wen to apparent draw jal pr and make agreat nolso abdut their good Nek it someimes they with put a $1,000 bill in @& stool pigeon’s hands and send him out to create a sensation among the insh, German and negro policy buyers. Wood has been running the thing so Jong that fe thinks he is beyond the reach of the He Muy have a sudden awakening some day fo bis exact number of available friends tw shield him, and to some of tne featurds of felony. if he wants Co commence villitying me [ chink I can give }m something that will Keep bit busy the rest of nis if RerorrEn—Is it your opinion that Mr. Wood has ceased to be a dangerous opponent? Judge BARNAKD—Decidedly, He aabbies some in ward politics and, as [said before, has a awarin of gamblers and roughs whom ne can nake use of. But ‘as for intiuence in the priucipal aifaira of New York, he bas none. J suppose he thinks that he is very powertul, ReroRTER—In case that he does make the threat- cned attack in the Sunday News, | suppose there wiil be some interesting legal proceedings to follow. Judge Bakna Usb ub so0n asl can get into court. Ihave been quite sick with pneumonia, but Lexpect to be out by Monday, when this lottery re- ceivership case will come up in court. [t may be delayed until Tuesday. If Mr. Wood makes the attack he has threatened J will give him something Wo do that will last him for the rest of bis IIfe. Kien’s Side of the Story. The following facts from a thoroughly well-in- formed source may be accepted as a reflection of Mr, Benjamin Wood's theory of the whole lotiery busi- ness, as well as the proceedings 10 the sults now under cohsideratiou:— Fires, “lotteries? on @ gigantic scale exist througbont the Uniou, from Sas Francisco to New York aud from Buffaio to Fort Wayne there are thou- sands who have tnis day invested in policy and o:her Funbling speculations, and who to-night will dream tiemseives into thousands, which they will never have the pleasure of counting. Along tie wild prairies of the West and oy tite frutttul banks of the Missiasippi aud Missourl, where ajteeming son and & Sparse population necessarily make aud aimost buke bread tor every one, there arg men, and women, two, witove {a!th 18 not in labor, Who ostracize Indus- try from their creed, to whom the elatter of dice is thie divinist melody, tar more enraptaring than Han- dels “itallerujan’ or the “ies Ire,” and wao, like Whang the Milier, would freely take away the corner stone of their source of subsistence in life with an imaginative view of findmg beneath i a pan of gold and diamonds, ‘The grest cies and towns are, however, the grand scais of adventurous gambling. essiess and Vagavondista slways Lew In ¢ 8. London and New Jork, Paris aud Baden-Bacen—the gambiung metropolis of the World —at contain gumbiers of every possibie species. Nature. whiel 18 full of tribes in al departments of science, organic and Mmorganic, 18 no so feenud 4s imagination, beated up by gold in tae urt of increasing and muitiplyiog. Nor is this the game of Jools only, It nimoers among its votaries the shrewdest, the keenest. the most calculating, some ot the wisest and withal the most veuturesome and reckless spirits of the age, m dl women, to whom the denurium of one hou Fuccess Tih than count Aauces Ut disappointments, WHAT THE LAW WINKS 4 With that utter want of logic which characterizes all human institutions, lotteries are prontvited by law, yet the law recognizes their existen and not only recognizes them but grants a Iicense, specionsiy called a ‘special tax,” for conducting them. ‘The proceeds of these nominally called illegal gambles is devoted by a delicate piece of State ’harisaisin to the support of pudlic charities, to schools, orphan- ages and other benevolent institutions. Under the fostering care of this ill-disguised but nagracerul patronave a network of semt-spurious policy shops has been spread over tue Union, working in opposi- uop to the genuine ticket offices, and thas tis city nus been the fraud termmus of the many diverzing senemes and the wnholy bourne to whieh mauy a huudred thousand trevelling doiars proceed never to return. PHICKS Of Len LhouNs WHO DOS THE BUSINESS. Lottery granis wand large coutracts have veen held ior during years past in ubla etty, oy Mevars Sunmons, Murray & Davis, andjhave been worked un- der the ttle of the firm Known as C, H. Murray & Co. Wich tus business Mr. Jobn Morrissey has been for many years sucogssfuily bound up. It was pot any Becret that prioe’ wo last year he disconnected lumself with these transactions by the sale ot bis shares to xr, Ephraim Simimons by a coniract full of severe conditions, Siunmons forfeiting not oniy all lille to the shares, bub also all moneys pant up Wien ne became a deiaulter to Mr, Morrissey. Policy O3game of hazard, Simmons experienced tts ups and downs. Sometimes he was fush of money as & nanod and times out of mind he was poor as @ churen mouse, O1 course he falled to meet the de- juands of Joun Morrissey and sir. Morrisey, itri- tated by the apparent dackslidings, called hlin— Hot out as one Would naturally expect—but into We Supreme Court, implicating Mr. Beu Wood, Mr, Joan Andersou, Mc. Jovn A. Morris and others, THR FATIGATION, Seemingly an indetinite Mitigation followed. Tue Ayiug embers of ihe eloquence of the late dir. James ‘. Brady, who appeared for Mr. Wood, seeww- ingly daunting the dauntiess Jona Morrissey from further proceedings, While Albert Cardozo was equipoising the facts and taw of th case in bis judicial mind Mr. Benjamin Wood found a Mnch readier way of settling it, He bought out Siaumons bodily, and at the same time guaranteed a regular monthiy payment to Mr. Jolm Morrissey of the $214,000 forming the backone of wus transaction, only the sinali balance of $18,000 re- mained to be pald, and Mr, Morrissey, like Pootios Piot's wife, had a fine opportanity of washing nis hands cyean out of the concern. WHAT BEN DID, John, however, returned to hts fret love for Teasons to be presently stated, Hurfy in thiv monn Mr. Wood having scented trouble irom the reckless spints of ths ring, took up the suit whien had been “nanging fire,” and the facts presented by him ied Judge Cardozo to ixsue an order appointing Mr. Wood receiver of the property, Assets, credits and effects of the business and of the grants, franchises, corporate privileges or property of any nature held im trust or claimed to be held in trast by C,H. Marray, Zachary EB. Simmons aad Lewis Davis for the use aud benefit of themselves: and the other defendants or any of them and of all the aad es Bo Tights of property held or owned or controved by the firm known as ©. H. Murray & Co, He ordered Mr, Wood to execute a bond ta the sum of $10,000, with suiicient security for the faithful pertormance of this trast, and that all persons hay- ing money, books, papers, choses in action, estate, grants, tranchises, corporate privileges or property of any kina to transfer and deliver the same to the sald receiver. + WHAT FOLLOWED, ‘Thus matters atood on the 6th of Decomber of this year, Mr. Wood took possession of the ofice, but ‘al the books and many of the papers connected with the firm were claudestinely removed, aud never came into his possession. The business, nowever, Went ou as usual, and each day recorded its diary of gains and losses. A coljateral transaction has thrown the whoie business into chaos and brought this matter proml- nently before the public in the si Of @ war to the knife between the head centres ‘ive between the judges of the Supreme Court. is fruitful germ of trouble originated in the sale of about $50,000 worth of si by Mr. Jonn Andgraon to Mr. Dickinson, the nature of the com- pact hemg that sala Dickinson shouid repay to An- dersom the principal out of the profi of tne under ing § ps M a as much as eighty per cent of the reoe |p! ing on the slender remnant ane‘of ant. and fortune. Fate wos ontind, and Mr, Dickinson was unable to y. Business was dull, money getting RNthe while anderson'stemoustsences Finally he waxed wreth, Decne wold Belog robbed, and them. He took Mr. rew apace. im he was John Morrissey into lis confidence (or Mr. ‘Morrissey Wok hin), and the result was a league, offensive aad to nuilify the order of Judge Cardqzo and get the mastery of the business once more, A CALL ON JUDGB BARNARD. To effect this purpose Mr. Simmons waited on Judge Barnard at his own house through counsel on ‘Thursday last and made application for the removal of Mr. Wood and the appointment of a new receiver. Ths “ie cates wee sate 'e the interest <<) Mr. Anders2%, the father-in-law ‘udge Barnard, J Barnard \ieeodiate vagated tue order of Jud: Cardozo, depriyd Mr, Wood of the receiyersbip and appointed Mr, Joli? Morrissey stead. MORRISSEY’S COUP D’ Next day the new recetyer gold out Michata Wo ‘hie Mtues ie ket throughout, Since then a main clause M the funda- Mental covenant regulating whe lotery firm which hands over the absolute control of the property to the vote of those holaing seventy-five per cent of the shares has been used in reference to if suarc- holders, ‘They have been told that this seventy-five i cent power has been put tn full requisition and as declared that they no longer own & share or interest whaséver in the concern, To cap the climax of dificuities and produce @ storm of turbulent litigation Judge Cardozo hay issued an injunction order which pullifies the action of Judge Barnard and ties the hands of John Morrisey uli the first Monday in January, when the argu- ment of the motion for the perpetuation of the in- Junction wilt be beard. Such a8 given above are two versions of the case, and olu world wisdom has it that one story if good ull auother is toid. Here they are 5 and the new and the old worlds may judge for themselves whether it 18 not Greek meeting Greek, with @ lively tug o1 war on the tapis and very imum nent. ST. VINCENT ¢ Whoie pro- “Fog ction? HOME OF BROOKLYN. Au Institution for the Care and Chrsatian, Moral and Mental fustruction of Destitute Boye—A Laudabie Work. It is not generally known, even in the City of Churches, where 80 many nobie and charitable insti- tutions abound, that still another bright evidence of self-abnegation and disinteresteaness of seif has been brought to light in the worthy and successful efforts of a few good citizens banded together in the conferences of the world-renowned charitable asso- ciation of St. Vincent de Paul, The subject referred to 1s the newly opened home tor newsboys and /riend- Jess children, irrespective of creed, who may have no piace whereon to lay their heads; who, deprived of their natural protectors, find themselves at @ tender age thrown upon the cold charity of the world and compelled to eke out a sustenance by honest industry, or other- wise if needs be. Thesag boysof the street, so nu- merous in all the great cttles, are to be found in con- siderable mum bers in Brooklyn. They come o parentage professing various creeds, but are, tor the greater part, chilaren who werg baptized in the Catholic faith. About three or four Years ago a “Home” was opened for friendiess boys in Poplar street, under the auspices of the Chiluren’s Aid Society, where good shelter, clean beds, fair ratious, &c., were furnisned tne juvenile inmates, ata very small expense. Being, of course, Protestant in ite sectarian influences over the boarders to the Catho- lie mind it had its objections, yet but utile com- Ment was ever made upon tho enterprise iu Catholic circles until witnin the past year and a half, About the period named, however, the enterprise of estab- uushing @ Home for Catholtc boys, was considered tbrongh the agency of Mr. Bernal gan, President of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea) church, and the Right Rev. Bishop aughlin encouraged {ts fulfilment, He advised the board of directors of the undertaking, com- prised of twenty-six gentlemen, presidents of the several comferences of tne order, to make this chart- tavie enterprise a “speciaity’ m the fleld of their general labors—that is to say, apart from the Well, beaten path gof their tg of the poor and affordiug them tem- poral) and spiritual reliel, such being the principal mission of the society. ‘Krom the neces sities of poverty, boys grow up im Indifference and crime, and they who might become intelleciual and moral members of society by proper religious traming become in many inetances useless and dangerous.”’ This 1s the view quoted of the neces- sities which exixted, when the présent work was oe among the founders of St. Vincent’. jome, The society has purchased a fine and commodivus house and lot No.7 Poplar street, running through to No..23 Vine street, uso Owned by them aun ae ‘The 8 BgO, labors—the visit mirably adapted for the purposes designed. latter buil gg Was occupied about six we and has already twenty-four boys lodged beneath its comiortabic & heatering auspices. Jhe rules of the house, Which are strictly in accdrdance with seoitery pri pies and pnighly calculaved to incul- cate proper pect among the inniates for discipline ana good Morus, Are, Nevertheless, framed with an evident itention to accord to each boy a fecling far foreign from undue restraint or anything akin to severity. The superintendent aud matron of tue Home, Mr. Dolan and his wile, enforce the regula- tons with a 1 erts a bene! id and tempering myor which ¢ nt influence among their misceila- neous boarder ‘Phe boys are furnished with clean aud contfortabie beds at nigat, to which they retire at nine o’clock, having spent one hour (from eignt to Line) 1b the classroom in study. In the morn- Ing, aiter Pariaking of a substantial breakiast and taking with them a luneh tor noontime, they go forth (o Lneir respective daily vocations— sciling newspapers, blacking boots, going errunds, &ec. ‘There are a few who are unemployed, and for such Persons as may be in need of the services of # boy in any honest capacity St. Vincents Home presents am excelent employieat agency at wich to apply. Upou the return of the youngsters in the evening a bath is indulged im with wuich factlities Whe house Is Well supplied, alter which they partake of supper and then adjourn to the recreation dormi- tory where they bepuile time as best suits them- uA the bell riogs for study. Such ts the p routine lie of ihis admirable charity, a visit ani inspection of which will more than compensate any well disposed citizen for the trouble meurred in the fatigue. The location is very weil suited, ing only two minutes’ walk from the Fulton fer Additions ave being made to the number of lodgers so that the Council of Direction of the work have almost perfected the opening of tbe their arraugemeute for Popular atrect house at carly aay. The expenses wre vers great, constderiug the limited means at the disposi tion of the association, and contributions are earnestly sollcised from all thetic well wishers. Mr. Richard Tiernan 13 President, aud tev. Dr. rei, Spizitual director of the Home. Snbjomed are we Hames of the incorporators of the fasututien:— Rigbé Rev. John Laughlin, Very Rev. John F. ‘Turner, Rey. Francis J. Richard Tiernan, Jobn Lane, Maurice Fitzgeratd, Thomas Code, ‘Taomas: Johnson, Francis Curran, Thomas Horan, Matthew Boylan, Charies J. O'teilly, Patrick H. Thomas O’Brien, Jr., Bernard Bogen, Jam K O'Mahony, Charles MeConneit, Thomas mags Michae! Lowry, Jaros Ormond, Michael Phibin, Mic 1 Kirwin, Jonn M. Ferreil, Willtam Orr, Wu- tam Brown and Thomas Farrell. an inn, ANEW YORK CONPIDENCE MAX IN BOSTON, e Churches nad Snbbath chools. Bosron, Vec, 18, 1869. Tt leaked outin the Municipal Court this morning that a very simaré confidence man from New York city, by the name of Richard H. Mead, has peen in- Hix Operations in gratiating himsel? iio =the = good opimon of @ number of gentlemen prominently connected with one of our North End churches, and has succeeded in playing nis confidence games in a masterly manner. It sees that Mead came to this ciiy about two weeks ago, aud took rooms at the City Hotel. He is a tall, weil dressed man, with bewitching conversations! powers, Dne address, and just as ministerial ia had bearing and imvercourse with Dw fsellow-men as is possole for a man io be. Im ovher words, he tuily understands is basiness—that of swind- ling the elect. Aiter making the acquaintance of the gentiemen above referred introduced =o thelr Sabbath school, where he prayed and snug and exhorted the young to mend (hetr ways and doings, and In al Tespects Was Very devout and Christianlike. He did #0 well in the Sabbath school tuat through his newly made friends he was invited to fill the desk ata fashionable Sodth nd church last Sabbath, whic be aid, utcering words of truth and holiiess with true apostolic emphasis and fairly electrifying his hearers With his Christian eloquence. Mead liad now got the good seed all planted, aud it was about time, as he thought, to commence tw put it the sickle, 50 be approaches one of lis churcn fricnis and gets twenty-ive dollars in Money Without the least trouble, giving therefor a check for the amount on the seventh Ward Bank of New York, where he had funds, as he repte- sented, But this amount woud hardly mect his pressing Wants, so Ke, on the same day, called upon another Christ brother, @ dealer boots wot shoes in Hanover street, from whom be purchased a pair of ton dollar boots, giving in payment bis Check for fifty dollara oa the same bank, receiving forty dollars chan, In aday or two these checks were sent to New York, and on Thursday they were returned, the holders being informed in the abbrevi- ated cliuracters of the paying teller that Mead had no funds in that bank, the abbreviation reading by, “No ac't.”” This brief epiatie opeued up the smell of a big mouse, and parson Mi WAS ac- cordingly waited upon by his Christian brothers, who invited him down to the rican to he was theslip, At iast jonet retreat, whither he went, ai by close watching did two ges ont into the street and strike @ 5 Dut officer Almon Warner, of the atat had deen well covered, and caught him In a few minutes r in Sudbury stroe js morning he wi brouguttots aa canee or tos Maulewpel udetn ane, Keeping himeseif as well con ea trial at she Buperior Court on charge of munguliag, Imderuult of which. by Was locked Up. "ue HOt righteous overmucn,” ° MOSES H. GRINNELL Pleasing Type of an Old New York Worchant, The Shipping Tradc as It Used to Be—Mems- ries of Oceanic Packet Ships—Eleetion to Congress—Connection with Various Mone- tary Institutions aud Chamber of Com- merce aud Commission of Public Ohazitien and Correetion—Col- lector of the Port of New York—Personal Life. ‘There is no man better known in this city shan Moses H. Grinueil, aad no one held in greater esti- mation for plain and persistent rectitude in busl- nessa, for honesty in politicai life, tor zealous fidelity to public and private trusts committed to his con- trol, and for those bigh and generous attributes of the heart, probity of life, warmth of friendship and charming geniality, giving completeness to charac- ter and stability to reputation, He 1s a nople type of our old city merchants—that class whose progress to wealth was by slow and honest means; that class to whom mercantile credit was as dear a8 honor and life Itself, and which, it ts to be feared, in these days of gigantic speculations, immense enterprises and breathleag haste to get rich, ie fast fau- ing away. A yoitig man when he began business, and though entering upon his mer- cantiié career under circumstances more sayora- ble than many, it tm to oneness of purpose and conscientious uprightness he owes hia success, ‘These qualities, ingrain and inborn in him; these qualities, nobly derived from ms mingjed Puritanic and Huguenot descent, shine out in beautiful domi- nancy in every path of duty and endeavor—as bank president, as director of other monetary tetitu- tions, as member of Congress, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, as Commissioner of Public Charities and Corrections and as Collector of the Port of New York. Tne subjoined record of his life. though compressed within briefer compass than most of our previous biographical sketches, shows a life unsurpageed in its ceaseless activity and unin- termitient ye News, GENEALOGY AND BARLY Days, In the paternal line Moses H. Grinnell is descended from the Huguenots, the first representatives of the family consisting of three brothers, having in 1632 emigrated to this country and settied in Rhode Island. His mother traces her anceswry back to John Howland, who came over in the Mayflower. The father of Moses was & successful shipping merchant at New Bedford, Mass, and at one time was quite extensively engaged in the whaling trade, The subject of our sketch, who was boro in March, 1804, was one of six brothers—there was one daughter besides—most of whom had made for Wempelves distinguished reputations in commercial life, Among these brothers, as 1s well kuown, is Henry Grinueil, whose expeditions under Dr. Kane and others to the Arctic regions have linked indissolubly wis name with these heroic veniurers into the far-away re- gions of the Frigid zone. Young Moses was kept pretty steadily at school until he was sixteen years old, having completed his education at the New Bed- ford Academy. He was a tolerably assiduous student, but was not burdened with special predilections tor scholast pursuits. He early deierinined to be come a shipping merchant. Leaving the Academy he entered as clerk the store of William R Rotch & o., large importers of Russian goods, and also Jargely engaged in the whaling business. He re- muined here three years anda half, recetving & sulary of $100 & year and boarding himself. He rap- idly grew into an eiiicient and accomplisued clerk, and very soon acquired ™ complete mastery of all the details of te shipping trade. His employers, as a mark of thelr appreciation of us services, after a while allowed him to make business ventures of his own, most of which were attended with successful flnanctal results. His keen sagacity and discrimination in these veniures gave early revelation of the shrewdness in later years exercised in a larger fleid and bringing with 1t proportionately Jarger rewards. Owing to tie length of sea voyages, and particularly the long wbseace of . whaling expe- ditions, it Was a jong time before some of these private speculations were heard from, and, indeed, very many of then were not settied untii after be had gone ito business tor himself. TRIP AS SCPEKCARGO AND THE TOUR OF EUROPE. Not yet twenty years old, young Moses began to feel a Yearning desire 40 see something more of the world than taat afforded by tie narrow horizon of his counting room and the not much broader hon- zon of the then small, quaint geaport town of New Bedford. An opportunity presented itself for the gratification of this wish, in going out as supercargo of @ vessel bound for South America, The voyage to Brazil, the vessel's destination, was accomplished without difficulty; but disposing of tue cargo to advantage did not prove to be so easy a task. The revolution of Dom Pedro was then at its height. Attutervals along the coast active dghting was lo progress. Dodging in and out of such ports as he coud along the coast he fiually succeeded in als- posing Of bis cargo on mauch better terms than he expected, and then ioading with coffee he set sail Jor Trieste. Landing at Trieste he could not resist the temptation to extend his wavels. Going to Liverpoo) he made @ hasty tour of Great Britian and the Continent. He travelled with his eyes open. He visited every spot of tnterest he could. His young und eager Mind enjoyea a perperual feast. where every siep of his progress Was marked by so many hallowed memories of the pi 118 only vegret was having to complete his trip 80 soon, From Liver- pool he took passage on @ packet ship for this city. And here we will relate a somewhat remarku- ble coincidence, concludtag the return voyage of himself and his own ship, from which, as already stated, b¢ parted company at Trieste, Just ninety- three days bad passed since then. Thig was before the age of sieamtugs, aud satling vé$sels had to beat their Way to the clty, Just asthe packet ship Was rounding tie pier foot of Burling slip nis own ship came under her stern. “Tsay, captain, {8 tliat yout” cailea out young Grinnell to the captain of his shi “L say, Mr. Grinpell, is Wat your’ shouted pack tho captain. ust in 1? ‘Just int? “Please lower a buat and | will come aboard.” “AY, wy, wir.” The boat was lowered and pulled alongside of the packet ship, Grinnell jumped into the boat and went aboard his own ship, and, together with te capiain, walked to the sbipping house of Fish & Grinnell, to Whom his Vvesse] was consigned, and Jomtiy made their reports. COMMENCING BUSINESS 48 SHIPPING MERCHANT, Keturning to New Bedtora our young voyager aud tourist was very much inclined to make another sea voyage. His iriends, however, dissuaded him, tear- ing that 1 he induiged his roving disposition ue woud become ® rover all his life, He accordingly came to this city to look about for employment in some shipping house. AD uuexpected opening to go into business suddenly presented iwelf, His brother, Joseph Grinnell, was junior partner of the firm of Fish & Grinnell. This Mr. Fish was Pre- served Fish, at oue tine widely known in commer- cial circles , and the memory of whose upright business life tii held mm such high regard in tie mercantile comiaunity. Young Grinnell met Mr. Fish ov the dock. “1 want to have afew moments’ talk with you,’ aid Mr. Fish to him; “will you be kind enough to come on board the packet ship Leeds?” ‘ieee i wilh go With pleasure,” answered drinnell. “You are out of employment,” satd Mr. Fish to him, after they had gone ou board and bad taken seats Inthe cabin, “Yes,*kir,”? repited Grinnell. “you ike the slipping business ft’ “Yes, sir." “You understand the busiess thoroughly, Tt know.’? “L have tried hard to improve my opportunities and am pleased to hear your good opinion.’? “Now, to the point,” said Mr. Fish, changing his tone somewhat, “On the ist of January your brother Will retire from business. [leave in this packet ship for Europe on Saturday. I want you to take my lace In My absence and your brotier’s place in the rin on als retirement,’” rad I have no capital,” Interrupted young Grin- nell. “No capital ts required,” said Mr, Fish, in his blunt way. ‘‘You have youth, health, ability and honesty and that is all the capital I require from yous h the rest, Will you accept my terms?” “You are very kind,” answered Grinneli, “I hardly know what to say, but——’? “No bata, yes or no»? ele answered Grinnel! promptly, be can OU take my place?” Thus the el: F Was gettied. Within naif an hour Rad entered upon his duties in the Three days later the latter sailed Seyansycogcinded eho” nvly coni remain, pn Grinnell, ap the rest ‘varned Ry did not ater, and on his retire- ment Rovert B. aiinrads tox hia place, LONG BUSINESS CAREER. ‘The events we have just relate) ovourred in 1828, Mouge LL Gripvel) Was now twenty-two years old, He nad been two years a partner. The business had been highly ype He had iepired new life fe of youth, boldness and determina- Roberts B. Minturn was also @ young man. and had been a clerk with Green & Grinpell, the latter neag sen Grinnell, These two young men were now the sole partners and had the aole direc- tion of the business, Thos was established the foundation of the firm Grinnell, Minturn & Co.—a firm second to none m this city for enterprise, fair- ness and upright aealing in business—a firm that throagh al) She shocks of financial revolutions of the past lorty years Rtgod ~———Firm aa the granite Lavhed by the ocean wave. ng 4 firm whose credit has never becu shakea or honor blemished. For five years, however, 1 should be #lated, the business was conducted under the oid firm name of Fish & Grinnell, until, in tact, 1833, When the Legislature passed a law compelling desig- nation of firms to embrace only the names of those actually employed in business. At frst thelr busi- ness piace was corner of Pine and Front streets, and then a few years later ou the opposite cgrnes, from which piace in 1841 it. was moved to No, 7% South street, where the business of the old house 18 BULL conducted. Jt would require a long chapter to desoribe in detail the extended business of this house. Their business was immense, They owned ple iy pans oF ebips sep e pgsiey Sicpoat jory 4! ul be Daviga! love. Iy those days our shipplog interest Was a Skat interest aad the character of shipmasters and crews vastly different from what they are now. This was before the present day of immense modern steamsiips, be- fore ratiroads and telegraphing. Ail our imports and exporis were by saliing vessels. In those days, and long after, the travel to and from Burope, that kind of travel that ts now wholly diverted Lo sieam- ay lines—our Wealthy merchants and fasiiouable an ponayee fourists—was confined to sailing acke' feasrs. Grimnell, Minvurn & Co. estav- ished two fines of ocean packets—the “Siue and White Swallow Tait Line,” running to Liverpool, and the “Red and White Swaliow Tali Line,’ ron niug to London. ‘The sips sailed at lirst every ten days, and then every wee! ‘The only other oceanic lines were Captain Marshall’s “Black Ball Line,” Captain Bell's tine to Havre, E. K. Coilins’ *Dra- mauc Line’ and Burns, Tremble & Co.'s line to Liverpool. it would be interesting to trace the rivalry of lines and also the progressive growth of sailing ships, and how from 500 tons they crept up to their present colossal magnitude, But chix ts Loreign to our subject, and neither will we stop vo enlarge at length on the success of this tamous mercantile house. Mr. Grinnell was an indefatigable worker, prompt aad atteutive to busivess, energetic and wide awake. At one time they owned and were iuterested in nearly fifty vessels, which, laden with valuadie freight, were traversing every sea, Some- times some sweeping storm would bring them dis- asters of shipwrecks, but not @ yeat passed that the profits did not aggregate more than thé 1osse2, It 18 unnecessary to say that boldness of enterprise and skilied management contributed to this result, Its brilliant success was the legitimate reward of enterprise and straightiorward deating. In 1860 Mr. Grinnell reured from the business, leaving to the house t; vestige of unexampled success and an unblemished namé, : ELECTION TO CONGRESS AND POLITICAL LIFE. The cares of business did not prevent Mr. Griunell devotlng some altention to political affairs. Belong- ing to the old line whig party, he was never, bow- evér, an active poliiician, but notwithsranding this the weight of his name and influence carried his nomination im 1838 for Congress. Our city then, a3 is well known, constituted one Congresstonal district, This was in the old times, whei it took three days to get through a general election, when Tammany Hail did not bold apertal sway, and when those receiving the largest Dumber Of votes were sure of beimg returned as elected. On the ticket with Mr, Grinnell (which had 2,000 major- ity over the democratic candutates) were elected Ogden Hoffman, Edward Curtis and James Monroe—a somewhat different stripe of men trom the most of those elected nowadays to Congress from this city, Mr. Grinneil’s Con- gressional career has left no record of lengthy speeches. He made his influence teit in committee roome, and in his votes showed nis abiding fealty to his party, Few men ever went to Congress who were 80 universally popular With their associate mem- bers, Irrespective of party affiliation. His magnifi- cent entertainments, Where the amenities of politics and not its animosities were im the ascendancy, have Not yet been forgoiten. Mr. Grinnell, as we have stated, was an old line whig. His devotion to cae whiz party was unfaiter- ing, and to Daniel Webster was enthusiastic to an almost unparaiicled degree. ‘lus latter euthusiasia Was most strikingly stown at the Haltimore Convention at which General scott was nominated for the Presideucy. On the forty-eighti: ballot Gen- eral Scott needed only one vote to secure we nom- ination, Mr. Grinnell had ali the way throngh givea hus solitary vote for Daniel Webster. “Won't you change your vote now, Mr, Grinnel!??? te New York delegavon asked him your vote will decide the case and Nominate General Scott.” “I would not change my vote if one hundred thou- sand Mexican piliared dollara were counted out to me,” he energeticatly replied. ‘1 stick to my frends. shall coutinue to vote for Daniel Webster.” THE PHENIX BANK AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. About tie time of Mr. Grinnell’s election to © gress Le was president for a time of the Phenix Bank. The financial crisis of 1587 had served nm soine Way to get Its atiairs entangled, and it was be- lieved its charter would be withdrawn. Mr. Grin- nell took hold of the matter, was ade temporary prestdeut of the bank apd succeeded jn straghten- ing out all its entanglements, fe is stil director of Tae bank, and, by the Way, a sac out necessary com- wentary on the transitoriess of life and 1s duies is the only one now living of the bank directors in 1827, wheu he first became director. It is unques- Uoned that the sound financial status of this bank to-day is largely to be attributed to nis skiliul financtal management. b 1843 Mr. Grinneii was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce, st will be remembered, Robert Lennox, aud pre tue late Peletiah Perit. He filled the postion several years, discharging bis duties most acceptably. IMPORTANT POSITIONS OF TRUST. — , Our merchants’ cierks owe Mr. Grinnell a deep debt of gratitude for the earnest zeai aud devotioa to their interests to taking the initiatory steps, as be 14, toward founding the “Merchants? Clerks Savings Institution.” its benefits to them have been incai- culable, and it 1s pleasant to be able to record that its management since has beeu such as to insure it strength and perpetuity. He is now and bas been for twelve yeurs past iia president, and much of 1s usefulness 13 due to his personai eiforts, His connection with the Suu lnsurance Company, of which he wis one of the earliest divectors and was president at the time Of nis appoilitment a Golector, but resigued on receiving the jsiter appomiment, is wo well known to require more than a passiug notice, ‘This company fas never fauied to pay promptly ali its josses and ranks among tue first companies of the Kind in the city— @ Btalement that speaks volumes tor its manage- ment, ol which Mr. Griunell has aiways been the life and spirit. COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION, For tive years, having entered on his duties ia 1800, Mr. Grinnell was one of the Comuiussioners of Pubhe Obarilies and Correction. ‘ihe duties of this important oftice be discharged with uuremit- tung earnesiness and fidelity. Many abuses tuat had engrafted themselves into the system of manage- ment were, through his energies and those of hts coadjutors, eradicated. Tue stupendous benefiis how conferred chrouga the medium ot tht wation Were many of them planned, mat perfected by them. APPOINTMENT AS COLLROTOR. Pas over many twlnor positions Mr. Grinnell has fif€d from time to time, and some of which he setli tila with credit alike to himwelf and the various institutions with wiich be is associated, we cume to his appointment as Collector. Ope thing worthy of note is the fact that the appointment came tnso- lictted, and another thing equally worthy of note ts the t that it Could have been conferred upon no one possessing a more thorough intimacy with ail the diverse ramifications of our shipping interests, His eutrance upon the duttes of is otilce to the there was as the Pied Piper of Hamelin to the vate in Brunswick. At the drst words he d Uttared You heard as if an army muttered, And the muttering grew to a grumbitng, And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling. is efforts wo clean these Angean stables have only fairly begun. it is an immense task he has get biin- self to accomplish; but the products of his labor, as already developed in this direction, indicate clearly that he intends to prosecute the work toa compiete- ly Successfui termination. {very morning at ten o'clock will always find him at fis office, and he fre- quently says ill long aiter the gas is lit, devouns iis time unweartedly t bts otficial labors. fis courtesy to ail coming In contact witn bim ta a mnarked and pleasing contrast to taat of some of {is predecessors i Oilice. He accepted tne office witha knowledge of its responsibilities, aud these respousi- bilities it 1s evident he means to discharge fearlessly, fartifally and uuswervingly. PERSONAL LIFE. Mr. Gtinnell haa been twice married, first warried tn 1826 to @ lady of N Bedford, wno died leaving no children. is second wife, to whom he was married ten years later, was Misa Julia Irving, mece of Washington Irving. ‘Luey had three children —one son and two daug! are now living. side, where Washington Irving formerly 1 + where Mr. Griunell resided many summers previous to the latter's death, thus throwing bin into per- song) and intimate contact with that most genuial of American writers. Before his reurement from the shipping business Mr. Grinnell and his family made the tour or being absent eighteen months. He bellows’ church, He lived in Coliego piace till 1860, when ho move wo the corner of Fourteenth sirect and Firth avenue, where he continued to reside untit rentin; it t Mr. Delmonteo, whove lease has still seyeral years to run. Mr. Grinnell, though very gray haired and gray whiskered, shows scarcely any encroach- of age. His ruddy complexion, clear 6; figure and elastic step beto! firm health an see erent tows x8 Sekssae jt spirits shows no diminution. te Med nial. tem make him a He was be E E i rT E A leasing parties—the of ‘weal ith, intellect and 5 lineament of hte frank face — a soni. All he requires to know ia that an thy, and his aid js cheerfully given. ‘Phere is eternal sunshine where he ts—the living light of kindness, the ceaseless glow of annapility, the perpetual presence of goodness, fuita aad charity, an WASHINGTON. The Virginia Question Postponed for the Holidays. Probable Report of the Reconstruc- tion Committee Against the Admission of the State, Judge Pierrepont and the Attorney Generalship. WastineTon, Dec. 18, 1860, The Reconstruction Committee—The Admise sion of Virginia Postponed. The Reconstruction Committee met this morning with a clear majority, so it was thought, in favor of reporting a bul for the immedtate admission of Vir- ginia. A large delegation of Virginia radicals were hanging around the doors of thé; committee room, and as soon as the chairman (Ben Butler) made bis appearance they were invited within. George C. Brown, Commonwealth Attorney for Prince Wil- liany county, made an argument in favor of imposing the test oath on the members elect of the Virginia Legisiature, ana was replied to by I. D. Budd, @ conservative member of the Legisiature, whg stated in his retarks that two-thirds of the conservative members of the Legisigture would be unable to take the test oath, When th: delegation withdrew @ controversy ensued between the nembers of the committee. Generu! Farnsworth favored imme. diate admission, while Butler opposed tt and finally suceceded in having the whole matter postponed until after the holidays. ‘This action is regarded by many as favorable to the application of the tert oath to the Virginia Legisiature, The Georgia bill, which passed the Senate this morning, waa then informally taken up, aud 1. wae agreed to report it early in the weei Whe Next Attorney General. ‘The visit of General Port Private Secretary of the President, to New York tately, is rumored to lave some connection with tne snecessor of Mr. Hoar to the Attorney Generalsbip. The wise ones say Pierrepont must be the man, but give no saffl- clent reasons for their belief, It is generally ad-" witted that Pennsylvauta or some Southern State will get the position. The Improved Revenve of Virginia. Supervisor Presbrey, of Virginia, has made a re- port of collections on tobacco and spirits in thas State. The total collections from tobacco in ning mionths of 1868, from March 1 to November 40, were $362,004, while the amount collected from the same source this year reached the sum of $2,911,023, being an excess of $2,449,220, The Second, Third and Fifth are the principal manufacturing districts, The increase in collections on tobacco alone in the Second district was 700 per cent, im tHe Third 1,200 per cent and In the Fifth district 1,000, while in the whole” State the increase was nearly 800 per cent, The shipments in bond for the period aforesaid last year were 10,544,230 pounda, while this year, for the same period, the stapments amounted to 15,993,454 .pounds—an excess over last year of 6,449,215 pounds; the taxes on which would reach $1,721,361, if the tobacco all found a market In the country. The total revenue on distilied spirita in whe State for the fiscal year ending June 20 last, under the two dollar tax, was $256,988, while the amoant collected for nine months of the present year under the fifty cent tax was $469,412. The revenue from miscella- neous sources shows a large increase, particulariv from appie brandy, which will be fully 400 per cent in excess of any previous year. In most parts of the State there 1s a marked improvement both in we efficicney of the officers aud the dispbsition of the people to comply with tue law. A delegation from Florida, consisting of Repre- sentative C. M, Hamliton, Bishop Pierce, a colored jeuber of the State Senate, General Cass, Adjutant General of the State, and J. C. Gibbs, Secretary of the Staje, accompanied by Senator Wilgon, called om the President this morning for the purpose of asking that troops be sent vo the State to aid the civil au- thorities in executing the laws and protecting the luves and property of its citizens, The party com- plain that a large number of assassinations have oc- curred lately, President Grant, in response to their request, stated that he would confer with the Secre- tary of War on the supject, and that means would be taken to effectually carry out the laws, Weekly Fractiounl Curreacy Statement, The receipts of fractional currency for the week ending to-day amount to $723,100. The following shipments were made:—To the Agsiatant Treasurer at New York, $100,000; to the Assistant Treasurer at Bostom $100,000; to the Assistant Treasurer at New Orleans, $100,000; to the Assistant Treasurer at Philadelphia, $75,000; to the Assistant Treasurer at Pittsburg, $25,000; to mattonal banks, $202,100; Treasurer Spiuuer holds in trust for national banks, as security for circulation, $342,533,050; and for pub- No deposits, $19,181,500; fractional currency re- decmed and destroyed daring the week, $401,200; mutiated bank currency burned during the weer, $120,250; total amount burned, $18,433,707; currency issued for notes destroyed during the week, $143,770; total issued therefor, $15,265,920; balance due for mutilated notes, $167 bank circulation out- standing at this date, $299,741, 792, A New Treasury Vanit. Qn the 13th instant the new vauit in tne Trea- surer’s Bureau, prepared tor the reception of United States stocks held in security for circula- tion and public deposits of national banks, was tuken possession of, and all the securiuies, amount. jog in vaiue to about $400,000,000, were safely transierred to it, This vault was finished upon a new plan proposed by the Chief of the Division of National Banks, A. W. Eaton, in whose custody the bank securities in the Treasurer's office are held. It possesses the doubie merit of convenience of ar- rangement and beauty of finish. A Snow Storm commenced here early this morning, and it pas beea alternately snowing and raining ail day, with a strong northwest wind, UMIED STATES SUPREME COURT. WASHINGTON, Dec, 17, 1869, Ro, 97. The Steamboat Bmitie, Plaintiff in Error, va. Thomas Comey eteal.—Error to the Supreme Court af Kansas.—The defendants to error com- menced suit in she District Court of Leavenworth county against the Euitlie to recover damages for an alleged breach of @ contract for affreightment, en- tered Into between the parties in May, 1864, by which the steamboat agreed lo convey twenty-three bal of cotton from the port of Leavenworth to New York, The steamboat was seized In the action, and answered Wat she entered into the contract as alleged, and under it transported the cotton to Weston, Mo., the end of her voyage, ane only plying between Leavenworth and that ports: ttiht the cotton was there transferred forgraliroad trausporcation to New York, but was destroyed by fire at St Joseph, Mo., without any negligence of the steamboat or of hor oilicers. These tacts were agreed upon, and it was stipulated that if the Judgment in the case, when rendered, was not ap- pealed from within thirty days 1% should be paid by the losing party. The action was brought uader au act of the Legislavure the State giving a ilen in such cases against the vessel in all Waters within its territory, and the pleadings did not in any Way raise the question of the constitutionality of this act. The judgment was for the petitioners, and the cage was taken to the Supreme Court of the State, where thera Was an allirmance, to which writ of error Was takea to tls court, Motion was Now made to dismiss tuo writ for want of jurisdiction, it peing alleged that nowhere in the whole proceeding was the Validity of the act drawn in question as being in confict with that clauso of the federal constitution gwhich ex- tends the judicial power of the United “to all cases’ of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.’* In opposition to Motion it is contended that the court will take judicial notice of the provisions of the constitution, and of ite owa motion dismiss for want of jurisdiciion in the Srareetns or will reverse whenever the error is t On the face of the record, although the ov~ Pereicn Se BOS aloes any except or even takew counsel in the A) ciate Court otton by Judge No. 20, The idence Rudder Company ve. , Executor, e¢ a/.—The argument tn chia cause was continued by Mr. Evarts, for the ap- fame) and concluded by Mr, Black, for the appei~ ante, the Court sit! to-day to concinde the cause, t doun Ordronaux, of New York, wae admuitsed to ae bar. .