The New York Herald Newspaper, December 29, 1869, Page 3

ee FOREIGN MAIL SERVICE. War Between the Government and the Mail Steamship Companies. The Reduction of Rates the Cause of the Trouble—Postmaster General Creswell in the City—What He Will Do—No Delay Apprehended, and Other Parties Anxious to Obtain the Contract—What the Contractors Say. Postmaster General Creswell, accompanied by Joseph H. Blackfan, Superintendent of the Foreign Mails, arrived in this city 1ast evening and put up at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The express object of Mr. Creswell’s visit 1s to put an end to the resentaiMceulty between the department and the four lines of steam- erg which have heretofore carried the foreign mails: and which have refused to carry them at the reduced rates. Mr. Creswell states that according to the new ar- Tangements, Which will go into effect on the Ist day of January next, the steamers carrying the mails are guaranteed a sea postage of six cents per ounce, three letters being calculated to the ounce. This wonld give the steamers ninety-six cents per pound or $2,150 perton. Inasmuch as the matis are no better cared for aboard ships and are not half as much in the way as the same quality of ordinary first wlass freight would be—ior which the steamers only get forty shillings or ten doilars per ton—he tbinks tbat the steamers have no good reason for grumbilug at the rates. When letters bore twenty cents post- age the companies made $6,000 per ton, and the small sum that they would get by te new tem, ag compured with the large sums they have bi ac- customed to get, and not the fact that tney would make no proiit under the new treaty, 1s, in bis opinion, the real sure spot for the companies in the whole matter. In reference to what he intends to do in case the four lines hold to their preseat position, he says that the mails of Saruylay hext must be provided for, and that people” sending letters abroad need have no apprehension that they will not be despatched as regularly as ever, There ars other lines of steamers which would be glad to get the carrying of the matis, and tf the companies that now carry them will not do so on the new terms the profitable privilege of taking the letters across the ocean will pe given to some other companies. In his opinion the carrying of the malls has been a golden harvest for the tour lines which are now put- Ung on sich airs of injured innocence. If the four companies choose to alter their determination and do as the pew treaty binds the Post OMce Depart- ment to do, they are welcon:; but it is not the in- tention of the departmeat to xo down on Its Knees and beg of them to take the mails, when there are other lines whtch wouid oe only too glad to get whe opportunity of taking them. THE OTAER Si b OF THE MATTOR. The Post Office Department is In a temporary quandary. This quandary has reference to the foreign mail service, The case looks now as Vhough the public would soon be involved im the quandary, although at present im bliss- ful ignorance of anything connected with the maii service, either foreign or domestic, involving in any special degree its Interests or convenience, The *following elucidation of Jacts will serve to explain the case:— For the last two years the British mails, as is well known, have been curried from ths city by the Cunard, Inman, Hamburg and Bremen linea of Steambhips. The contract with our Post Oftice De- partment was by the week, at s0 much a letter, the Price paid being twelve cents a letier of an ounce weight. Of this sum tne United States received two cents on each letter for mland postage, the British government the same amount on eacii letter, and the remainder going tothe steamship compa- pies. WHAT THF COMPANIRS SAY. ‘This rate of allowance was considered too high by the late Postal Convention, and the result ‘was sending letiers from the Post Ofice De- partunent on the 2:4 inst. to each of the steam- ship companies named, giving notification that In pursuance of the action of the Postal Con- vention the rates of allowance on letters carried on their respective steamships on and after the Ist of danuary would be reduced to six cents for each let- ter of an ounce weight, These letters reached tbe companies on the succeeding day, and on their re- ceipt aconference was heid by the directing inter- * esta of these steamship companies, ‘The letters each received being couched in the sume terms, a letter of response, also couched inthe same terms, was ‘agreed upon, and sent to the Post Onice Depart- ment, Like the letter of notificauon, the answer was brief, each company refusing to carry the malls at the reduced rates. The reduction, it should be explained, allows the same compensation still toour government and the Briush government—that is, two cents to each government on each letter for inland postage, as was the oid arrangement, thus leaving only two cents for each letter to be paid to the steam- gehip companies: It will be seen that this 1s a large reduction; bat great as if is the steamship com- panies, as stated yesterday upon inquiries at their re- spective offices and thus wrote to the Post Office Department, that they do not object to it, provided the fame be made pro ra(a— that is, if the allowances for inland postage be reduced to one cent a letter, which 4s just one-lia.t, and tier own rates of compelsa- tion be only reduced i proportion. WHO I8 TO BLAY ‘Thus stands the case ax above described. If there js any delay in forwarding mails io Great Britain after the commencement of the new year it is claimed that the onus of blime must be thrown on the Post OMce Department, and not on the steamships. There is a general sapposition that the pay for transporting cur European mails aggre- gates to each steamship company a handsome sum— enough, indeed, to pay the runaing expenses or their steamers. ‘The facts that it does not pay one-tenth ©f the expense incurred for coal, and, therefore, as far as the steamships are concerned, the withdrawal of the mails from them will be attended with no pecunmry loss. Under the present system mails lave been despatched to Europe fone times a week by the four steamsnin lines in question. ‘This arrangement and tie prompt and speedy trans- portation of the mails have furnished every required Faciiity to the public. There are other and slower steamers Which will be glad to carry the mails, butno arrangement that can be possibly made with them will so fully and surely satisfy the public demands. Meantime the Postmaster General has taken the ter in band, and in @ conference with the Post ONtce authorities hereand We steamehlp companies will eudeavor to bring rbout a satisiactory adjustment of wwe vase. i ANOTHER SXTH WARD MURDER. An Inhuman Wretch Beaty and Kicks Aged Mother to Death, On Saturday, December 18, Michael Mead, a des- perate charac ter of the Sixth ward, aged forty years. residing at No. 14 Baxter street, hecarne enraged at bis mother Margaret Mead, aged eighty years, nna fell to beating and kicking her im an inhuman man- ner until he had rendered her tnsensibie, when he reported to Mr. George Kellock, superintendent of fyutaoor Poor, that she was lying in the house ina sick and destitute condition. Mr. Kellock immediately despatched one of his oMciais and had the nufortu- hate woman removed to Bellevue Hospital, where whe lingered until Monday last when she died. Upon hearing of the death of his mother Michael disap- fax but the ever vigilant Captain Jourdan, of the Sixth Precinct, being informed of the facts of the case, set to work to arcertain (he whereabouts of the anarderer, and last night discovered him concealed ‘dn the rear of his residence and conveyed him to the m erheta house in Franklin street, where he will be @ held 10 await the action of Coroner Fiyon, who il hoid an inquest on the body to-day. ! ~ BASE BALL AT NEW ORLEAAS. \ New ORLRANS, Nec. 1869, The Mutnals, of New York, and the Melicans, of this city, played @ game of base ball to day, which ya m layor of the Mutuals by a score of od * NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1869—TRIPLE SHEET. CHRISTMAS SCHOOL FESTIVA! The Children of the Schools of St, Johu’s Chapel Receive Thelr Christmas Yester- day~Large Attendance and Numerous GilteThe Services. Yesterday afternoon nearly 3,000 children filled the body of St. Joha’s church, on Varick street, as well as the south and west gaileries, while the north gal- lery was also crowded with members of the congre- gation. Just in front of the chancel was erected the very giant of a Chrwtmas tree, every branch and twig of wit bent under the weight of some bhanasome toy, a cornucopia or ether present. ‘This tree, standing in the full glare of a caleiuro light, shedding its bright beams upon it from above, near the celiimg, presented quite a charming appearance, ana, probably, this was the frst time that a Christmas tree was illumi- nated with a calcium light, On numerous tables in fyout of the tree were arranged, by classes and achools, the pumerous gifts, near 8,000 in number, which were distributed among the children. These gilts, graded according to nex, age and merit, were procured by the congregation at an eapense of over $1,000. ‘The religious exercises consisted of the ante-comumnion service of the Protestant Episcopal Church, read by Rev. V. Brace; a number of Christ mas Carols were sung by the children, and Rey. 8. H. Weston, D.D., gave the young wards of the church the benetit of his Jearning and experience in an appropriate sermon. ile was assisted by Rev. W. U. Cook and Rev, Aivah Wiswall, The chotr was in charge of Mrs. Leggett, Mr. Harrison voluntecring on the organ. A bewutiful silk bauner Was presented to the schools by Mrs. McFadde: it tas on its obverse a medal- n paling represeauing the Saviour as a cutld ou the shore of @ lake, with a rudder in His hand, aud tbe foliowing thscripuon, “EL the light of the world—the — divine Pilo fie bringeth them unto the nuven where they would ve.’ Ac the conclusion Miss Cena A, Butier was sented by Kev. De, Weston, on beliall of the clergy of St, Jonun’s chapel and the Ceachers of the imdastrial school, some forty In number, with complimentary resoluwons, Most artistically engrossed, iu 4 royal qaarto volume, bond in moracco and handsor embellisued, ‘This Chapel now maintains one colored Sunday school, one colored mausitlal School, One Gorin Sunday schoo! and & general industrial schoo) al) under the general superiutendence of Miss ©. 4. Butier, No aisunction of creed is wauc, as Was shown yesterday, over ¢ight hundred Cathoile children participating in the festival. ‘The atiend- ance is increasing from week to week, Alt . families, especiaily the poor, are visited 1n turn. So! of the poc it children here taught to cat and sew dresses, and thus eurn an honest living by ihe tune they are old enough 10 be dismissed the school, This is a worthy undertaking, aud it is gratly ing chat it is so generously supporied. wr Ffaundred Happy and Chape! of Pree Gracve=| Witty Childrea Made tables Four hundred and fifty chtidren, brignt-eyed and tastetully dressed, gather last evening fa tue Chapel of Free Grace, one of the mission schools of the St George Protestant Episcopal church, located on East Nineteenth street, near Tbird avenue, to mingle their sweet voices in Christmas carois, listen wo appropriate addresses and become the recipients of carefully selected presents, articles comprising ihe whole range of toydom, the art of the contec- fioner and the skill of the tailor and dre maker, The chapel was elegantly decorated with evergreens, every window and ieing entwined, and every gas burner, which jets are placed in pretty und novel positions above the pews, becoming interlace iswith ut, so that, standing in the rear of the room, the Whole effect waa pictar- esque and varied in the extreme. In the centre of the main aisle, in front of toe pulpit, a linge tree was placed, upon every limb ef which hung the gifts designed to be given to the happy bovs and gicis, Who had, with Inany of their parents weuded Wwe Way thither throngh the rain to receive them and experience the great happiness of such a fesuve oc- casion. Behind the pulpit, the letters of which were aiso Jormed by evergreens, were texts typical of the virth of Christ, ail worked in sucit a manner as to produce exquisite harmony suggestive ol nimble bands of talented Christian ladies, Besides tue gigantic tree, tables laden with the luxuries that children love, could also be seen by thein which renewed the sparkle in their eyes after teast- ing upon the dolis, Wagons, carts, cradies aad more substantial articles it contamed, After singing, in quite good tune and melody, a “Christmas Halle- Jujan,’? and other equally de'ightful carols, and ad- dresses by we Rev. Dr. ‘Tyng and Rey. Mr. Alexan- der, who were peculiarly happy in their remarks, the distribunon of gilts Was commenced, occupying fully an hour; and whea the work was finished every heart was myeger whan before, and every little hand and eres tat the present to their humble domicits fe1t indeed weary when their owners re- tured to beds made sweeter by the forethought and kindly alfection of Christian men and women. and Com. A GAME OF ‘ALL FOURS.’ Heury Clay and John Quincy Adams Play- ing for a Picture. (From the Charleston (S. CU.) Courter, Dec. 22.) Tn the suramer of 1838 one of our editors was an attaché o1 the South Carolina ratiroad delegation to Lexington, Ky,, to attend a barvecue given by the citizens of that place to Mr. Rovert Y. Hayne as President of the Louisviile, Ctocianatl_ and Charles- ton Railroad, designed to connect the Queen City of the south with the Queen City of the West. The delegation consisted of Mitcheli King, Benjaintn 'T. jmore, K. G. Mulls and Dr. Hardy, of Asueville, directors of the railroad company, who were joined vy Paul Fitzsimons, of Georgia; Mr. Ben Taylor, of Columbia, 5. C., and Mr, Yeadon, of she couriers General liayne. who had been on an extensive railroad tour, met the delegation at Lexington on his return southward. The barbecue came off with vat and enthusiasm, Generai Hayne, of making an cioquent speech, in reply toa complimentary toast, and Robert Wickilfe, Jr., gracing (he Occasion with an admirable address, redolent of South Carolina and her past history. Robert Wickiiife, Sr., a great laudho.der, agriculiu- rist and breeder of fine cattie, furnished from lis herd a half-breed butfalo, which was barbecued or roasted whole for the occasion. Alter the barbecue Mr. Clay invited the party to dine with him at Ashland, bis beautiful country reside) and rich catue farm, The dinner was epicurean in viands and wines, and the ice cream, made entreiy of pure creat, Irom his own dairy, of i sa with sugar added, was exquisite la taste and coolness. At table one of the guests called attention to two beautiful paintings oa the Mantelpiece, Wucreupon Mr. Clay, pointing to one of ihe paintings, said arcily, and suniling, “I wul tell you how came by that puluting, provided (bowing to one of his guests) fi does not go inte the ewspapers, as It Involves aa anecdote at the expense of my old ‘friend, Mr. Adams.” He tken proceeded thus:— ‘Mr. Adams, Mr, Gallatin and myself—three of the commission for negotiating @ treaty of peace with Great Britain in 18i3— were at Ghent, boarding at the same hotel, One morning We went to & great exhibivion (or sale) of paintings and each of us purchased one. On re- turning to our ii arteré OUF paintings Were sent Us. Adouring Mr. Adams’ purchase very much, | said to bun, ‘Mr. Adame, | would like to win your painung from you; I witli stake mine against yours at a game of cards.’ ‘Agreed,’ sald Mr. Adams. ‘What gaine Wul you play?’ saul, ‘All Fours,’ said Mr. Adams, We ‘cut Jor the deal; | won it; dealt; turned up Jack, and scored high, low, Jack and the game, and “the next hand counted out and won the etake. “i then tarned to Mr. Gallatin (who bad purchased afine painting of the Virgia Mary) and said, ‘Mr. Gailatin, | would like vo win your painting from you in the #ame manner as I ‘have won that of ‘Ar. Adams,’ ‘No. gait,’ said Mr. Gallatin, 10 bis broken Enghab, ‘1did not win the \eergin so, and | shall not 1ose heer #0.’ "? ‘The company were all nighiy amused at the anec- dote, and at the manner in which Mr, Clay narrated it, fully coming up to hia reputation as a raconteur. ‘The cream of the anecdote was that Mr. Adams, a staid and demure gentieran, should have not only assented to play cards with wr, Clay, but should have proposed a game of “All Fours,” at which Mr. Clay was a perfect adept. The anecdote, in due respect to Mr. Clay’s admonitory proviso, has never been im print, but now that the Ulustrious parties concerned have gone to honored graves we feel at liverty to give it a place in our columns, A FATAL MISTARE—TASTING CORROKIVE SURLI- MATE.—About ® quarter past twelve o'clock last ‘ht Mr. Daniel Strong, aged sixty-nine years, died ui the effects of @ dose of corrosive sublimate taken through mistake, Avout four o'clock tn the aiternoon he went up stairs at his home ana found a vial of something, he Knew not what, He mhaled some of it and then knew not what it was. He took some it his mouth, but only awallowed a very littie of it, spitting the rest out. He went down star and ina few moments felt @ burning sensation in lus stomach. His daughter, after finding he had tasted what was kept for bed-bug poison. gave him something to throw it off, and Ore Doage and Clark were called and gave bin antidotes. At first be suffered a terriple burning at the stomach and vomited blood, but saortiy before he passed away he breavhed easier and died without a struggic. Jat one inoULh ago to-day his wile died. —Woriand (Me) Argus, Det, the WHO KILLED BYONRWALL Jacks tion Js just now quite an interesting one to our Northero friends. he last article we bave seen on the sabject says that he was killed by Pleasanton'’s aruilery, If the simpietons who discuss the ques. tion would remember when and where It was that Jackson was wounded they would have no occasion to commit such blunders as they do. ‘The letter of General Kevere gave the facts of the case as far as it went, But not wishing to mortify 100 much our Yankee friends who are claiming to have killed “the greuiest of the Southern generals,” we would remind one and ail of ther that Jackson died of pmeumonia. Me wasn’t killed by anybody.—ichmgnd Dispaich, ‘This ques- ; gation Christmas Eve. THE BRA fh DEFAULTERS, The Merchants’ Exchange National Bank Victimized—A Defalcation of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dol- lass—Reticence of a Bank Pxesident—A Screw Loose Somewhere. It looks as if a regular epidemic of swindling and defaulting had set in of late and was raging abroad in the business world with wnchecked violence. Detaulting cashiers are becoming a8 common as pickpockets, and forgers, swindlers and counter- feiters run in teams beyond the ability to keep count ofthem, The worst of it among the cashiers is that of late they happen to be nearly all old and trusted men, some of them as long as twenty and twenty- five years in the service of banking and insurance institutions, growing gray in the harness aud bear- ing the unlimited confidence and regard of weir employers. When men of this stamp break down near tne end of their usefulness and dishonor the long and honest record of their previous lives there must be some radica) rottenness at the bottom of business society. ‘The Jatest case furnishes the key to most of the recent financial defalcations. ‘The monomania for speculation, che discontent with small, fixed incomes and the ambition to live up to the extrava- gant style of the period are the impelling forces to fraud and breach of trust among tellers and cashiers of banks and other moneyed institullons, E. J. Oakley, Cashier of the Merchants’ Exchange Na- tonal Bank, 13 the fast addition to the list of de- faulting cashiers, in the sum of about $150,000, 1t appears that about a week ago Mr. Sproulis, presi- dent of the bank, discovered some inaccuracies 11 the books of the cashier, which led bim to notify the board of directors, who held a meetmg and ap- pointed & committee, which Commenced its investi- ‘yhe examimation of the books and of the cashier in person was resumed Monday and is stall continued. Yesterday the comimit- we reported to the president that they had discovered a defaivation in the cashier's account to the amount of $150,000; that the bank had @ large surplus on hand and was in a thoroughly solvent condition. UVakley was merely suspended from the duties of his office pending the investigation. He appeared betore the committee in response to their request und made a full and detailed statement of the manner In which the defaication originated and was carried on. The information thus furnished the com- mittee, Which consisted of Messrs. William A, Thom- son, John G. Davis, Robert Seaman, Henry Collins and Benjamin C, Bogert, would have been exactly what the public desired to have and what would ce vainly be to the true interest of the bank to give to the press, Why it should Dave been withheid it is dimcult to say. All the news of this kind Js legiti- mate public property. Whea a Wan 18 dis. covered to have been no wean transgressor of the jaw and defaulver to lig Jtrust it is vain to sereen hum irom the exposure® which his offence entalls. Nor is It possible for any bank in which a desaication of such a magnitude crops up suddenly one fine morning to prevent the press from getting information o1 the matier, The reporter of the HERALD called yesterday upon the president of tae roulls, and requested to know the par- uculars of the occurrence whieh was causing 50 much excitement among the stockholders and de- positors of the bank. . Mr. SPROULLS—Tne committee have authorized me to say that, after investigating the D00Ks OF the bank aud receiving the volunteer statements and explanations of the cashier, Mr. Vakiey, they find a aeigication Of $150,900, The work Of ilvesti- gation is not yet quite completed, and the amount cannot, therefore, be defiuitely stated. 1 myself noticed some little ume ago certain irregu- Jarities, and | had an idea they could be traced to the cashier. I believe my suspicions are vow pretty weil contirined, There need be no alarm whatever asto the bank. ‘This matter will be settled sutis- factorily. ReEProRTER—What are the names of the committee, Mr. SPKOU! LS—Well, that there is no occasion for you to know; you have enough information tor the present. REvoxTRR—I wish to get the name of some one on the committee to fina ont what statement was made by the cashier, Mr. SPROULLS—I can’t give any more information on tne matter, ‘That's as much as the commiliee authorized me to give. Good morning. A few hours after this a cali was made again on Mr. Sproulla, Who seemed a srood deat put about by the condition ot matters in the bunk. RepPoRTER—Has anything wore transpired, Mr. Sproulls? Mr. SPROULLS—NoO, nothing at all.' I believe you calied here once or twice before. Weil, tere'’s ho use. You gotall the lformation that I can give, and I don’t-— RevoxTeR— Well, can’t, you tell one of the com- mitiee that the HRALD Wants the information. Mr. SPROULLS--My word, | suppose, is as good— is suifictent, 1s it not? REPORTER—Devldediy; ! you don’t choose to give it we must look Jor miormauion elsewhere. Mr. SpROULLS—Let me see; walt & minute, (The president was gone a minute or two and returned to sSay)—I Can inform you that Mr. Charies Caiiender, the government bank examiner, is now Investigat- lug inatvers and will probably get through day afver w-morrow. | didn’t know he was 1o the bank until just now, so that you bave the information exclu- sively. Good morniag ! Tuis important item of news was duly treasured up and written out us above. ‘Ihe only comment necessary is that when a bank president has to be told by a committee of directors what to give and what to keep from the press about the affairs of the institution over which he 18 presumed to preside, accidents of some sort are Bure to happen. Mr. Willian A. Camp, manager of the New York Cleariug House, was called upon for some informa- tion of the case, as it Was presumed on account of his visit to the bank in the Morning that he Knew ali the paruculars, When the reporter of the HERALD entered the room where Mr. Cainp, ali alone in nis glory, ornamented the principal arm chair at the end of the director's table, @ very amusing scene was being enacted. Two represeiutatives of a cer- tai daily journal entered the room and while one engaged the Clearmge House mauager tu couversa- ton the other took shorthand noves at a iurious rate a few tet away. The interviewer poured voliey after volley of questions in upou the conjused and unbappy Camp, apparently With the purpose of provoking that genlai gentie- man. “I tell youd know nothing about tne case," shouted and reiterated the tormented Camp, ‘and see here,’? he ¢xcianmed, “I don’t want anybody taking notes of what | say; but all in vain, dowo went, the notes, relevant or irrelevant remarks in- cluded, and hearly all of the jatver kind. Mr. Camp saw two or the committee. They told him tye defaication was the amount already statea, but tat $100,000 of a surplus remained. Mr. Camp thought that Oakley's secarities woulda meet the de- ficiency and that toe atau would turn out to be of comparatively tifliag importance. About Mr. Oakley the following items were gleaned:—He was a man of regular and temperace habits, twenty-fve years connected with the bunk as. cashier aad enjoying the unbounded confidence of the managers and directors. Some say extravagant living Was ove of the causes of Oakley's Srorliany Last year buoseif and his family ateracted muc! attention at Long Brauch by tne costly style in which they lived, Another version of the aflair is that the $150,000 was loaned to the firm of William Gakiey & © extensive dealers in topacco, and that the transac- Uous of Oakley have been known for upward of eigit months to persons oMciaily connected with the bank, It i stated in Wall street that on tye first intimation of the affair beg kuowu Mr. Fisk, of the firm of Fisk & Hatch, despatched his brocher to the bauk to ascertain the truth or falsity of the rumor, The president imdignunuy dened ail knowledge of the alleged defaication, but on Mr. Fisk's statement that if he was not allowed access to the books he. would publish it on “the street” as a fixed fact, the presi- dent admitted some ite “irregularities.” — The whole business presenting such @ strange aspect, a committee of bank presidents, headed by Mr. houn, of the Fourth Navunal, called upou Mr. Sprouil ya a body to Jearn from lin the whole exteut of Uakiey’s operations. Jti# Known 10 most of the parties concerned that the irauds have covered a number of years, and tt 13 very singular that he should have been able to | carry on his operations undetected when every year his books are examined by a commitiee, of which the president 18 the Lead. On the other hand, it is alleged by Mr. Sprouils that Oakiey has deceived him and the other directors by means of the torced balances. The defauiter i# aman who has always been regarded a8 an upright and thoroughly honest business map. He vay a very fue residence in West eThtrty-fourth street. He is married and has three children. s118 Salary a8 cashier is about $10,000 per | annum. \ He has not been put under arrest, but still attends | at the bank mm the Work Ol straightenmg out of ailairs. THK HARCFORD FIRB INSURANCE COMPANIES. — Fire insurance must have beea a proftavie to the Hartford (Ct) insurance companies this year according t6 the following tavie: upuiat. urplis Total As. Abtna..... 000,000 $2,500,000 $5,500,000 Hartford . 1,000,000 1,400,000 4,400,000 PREOMIX. eee 600,000 1,000,000 1,600,000 North American 800,000, 189,000 ‘ 0,000 Ae, 000 | 200,000 175,000 | 250,000 240,000 j Puinam.. 500,000 200,000 | Charter Oak, 100,000 300,000 Total. $6,150,090 isos, 5,145,000 11,846,004 $1,005,009 $4,006,000 NAVAL = INTELLIGENCE. Brooklyn Navy Yard. The United States sloop-of-war Albany steamed up to the Navy Yara from hee late anchorage off the Battery on Monday evening. She will have a new bowsprit bailt and foretopmast put on hier, alter which she wiil be again ready for cruising. The sivop-of-war i cla, Captain Nicholson, is lying auietly at the buoy off the “Cob Doek,”? Navy Yard, where she will probably remain for @ month yet. ‘The iron-clad Miantonomon is also in commission at this station and likely to remain unemployed for some time to come. The morning return of the commandant shows that there are 2,907 men employed in the several depart- Ments of labor in the yard. The vessels fitting out and undergoing repairs are six in number. The most advanced of these is the splendid steam frigate Colorado, intended for the East India squadron, which will be in readiness for commission by the latter part of January. Captain George H. Cooper bas been ordered to report for command of the Colo- Tado on the Ist of January, 1870, No other officers as yet have been detailed for her, The storeship Guard is undergoing a pretty gen- eral overhauling ana will be ready for sea in about three weeks’ time, She will accompany the Darien surveying party, carrying supoiies, &c. She is a stanch sal ry vessel, and was until recently at- tached to the Mediterranean squadron. The fourth rate sloop of war Yantic ia on the dry dock receiving needed repairs. She will be ready for service about the ist of february, Her destina- tion has not been determined. ‘The steam trigate Guerricre, late Magship of the South Atlantic squadron, which went out of commis- sion last summer, bas had a new spar deck built upon her, and other alterations are being periected with a view to having her avaliable for sea by the begining of March next. Sbe carries ap armament of twenty-two guns, The fine old sidewhee! steam sloop-of-war Susque- hanna is being altered into a propeller, She vasa very good live oak frame, and the change im her pre- sent arrangements wiil admit of her carrying & bai- tery of twenty-two guns. She 18 not ordered lor sea iminediately. ‘The Tennessee, formerly known asthe Madawaska, is having a spar deck built upon her aud other alter- + ations are be: made which will ald greatly to her accommodations. A new feature has been inavgurated in the work- ing corps of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, pursuant to receut instructions of the Navy Departineut, which Will, it 1s beheved, operate most advantageously to the interests of the government in the furtherance Of a judicious system of economy in iabor and its cost. Commander Benham has organized a force of workmen termed “the ordinary corps,” consisting of iifty men. ‘These latter are employed for the Purpose of mooring and unmooring vessels tu ordi. nary and otherwise, for hauling stip alongside the dock, for dismantiing, &c., and doing such work as wus heretofore performed by laborers and riggers who received from $2 to $4 50 per diem. These men are not regularly enlisted, but they sign an agreement todo such work as may be required of them, and recelve as compensation twenty dollars per month and a ration, Tney are quartered temporarily on board the Vermont, but will shortly be assigned to some other vessel which will be set apart specially for their use. This ar- rangement enables the equipmeut department to dispense with the services of several iaborers and thers, and lurmishes a body of mea at low rates Who can be ade available as a “tire brigade” at night, m the event of au emergency for their ser- vices being required as suct One objection with several good old seamen, who woulda fain stay asvore and jola this latter branch of the “nome service,” jies in the fact that the wages are too amail. ‘The threc-turreted iron-clad Roanoke has so far advanced in being fitted out that six fifteen-inch guns, lier fuil armament, will be put on board in the course of to-day. Navel Personals. WASHINGTON, Dec, 28, 1869. Commodore David McDougal ts ¢ from the command of the Powhatan and ordered to command the South Pacitic squadron, Masters P.M, Gove and Robert Impey, and Mid- snipmnen i. McElroy, T. A. Deblois and J, R. Cogs: well, detached irom the Powhatan and ordered to tnis clty for examination for promottou,* Ensigns A. K. Speyera and Willlam ©, Strong, de- tached from the New York Navy Yard and ordered to the Benicl LHS DRAWBACK FRAUDS. Caldwell Extradited=Statement of the Dis- trict Attorney Respecting Blatchtord—He Is Not to be a Government Witness. Intelligence was received at the United States Dis- trict Attorney's office yesterday afternoon that Cald- well. who, as previously mentioned, ts charged with complicity m the great drawback frauds, and who went to Montreal, has been extradited and will be conveyed in custody to this city, He 1s expected to arrive to-day, when he will formally be brought before the United States Court to answer the charge against him. In connection with the stupendous frauds alleged to have been perpetrated agaiust the government it may be well to make the announcement that S, T. Blatcuford, who has been iuicted for the con- version of large sums of money, would be made use of as a witness on the part of the prosecution, has, according to the statement of the United States District Attorney, no foundation whatever. Judge Pierrepont has intimated that the case will come reguiariy before the courts upon its merits. Tne ex- amination of Caldwell, itis expected, will develop some interesting facts. The defalcations alleged to have beeu committed are something enormous, TRE MOTT STREET TRAGEDY, The Denth of Ann rimith=Verdict Against Her Husband=He is Committed to the ‘Tombs. The paragraph in yesterday's Heap in regard to the result of the pust mortem examination on the bedy of Mrs. Ann Griffith, alleged to have been fa- tally beaten by her husband at their residence, No. 195 Mott street, was somewhat premature. At the time of making the examination and before it was finished Dr. Shime was understood to say death re- sulted from intemperance, aud that the wounds on the body were only of a superiietal characte Yesterday the case was oMcially tvestigated befor Coroner Flynn, Michael Butz, of 195 Mott street, deposed that de- ceased was a woman of intemperate habits; on Christmas Day he heard deceased and ber husband disputing; saw him leave his apartments, when de- ceased locked the door and was heard to fall on the Noor; Grittith soon revurned, and finding the door tastened from the inside knocked for admission, but without success; he then crawled into the front win- dow, after which his wife was heard to scream; no more noise was heard in the room, and at three o’clock the following morning Griffith appeared at the door of Butz’s room, and asking for some matches said his wife was dead. Other wituesses were exam- ined, but none of them eaw GriMih assauit toe deceased. Drs. Shine and McEwan. in making a post mortem examination, deposed that on several parts of the body of deceased they found iivid coniused marks, evidently the resuit of violence; there were four contused wounds of the head; death, in the opimion of the doctors, was the result of external violence. ‘The case was then supmitted to the jury, who ren- dered the following VERDICT. “That Ann Grifith came to her death from injuries received at the hands of ber husband, William f- fith, on the 26th day of December, 1869, at 195 Mott street.’ Grimth is thirty-eight years of age, a native of Ireland and by occupation a plasteier. In his ex- amination the accused admits that when his wife was drunk on the floor he gave her two or three kicks to make hergetup. He, however, denies that he 18 guilty of the charge preferred against finn. Gruvith was committed to tbe Tombs to awatt the action of the Grand Jury, AN OLD SERVANT GON:. Death of Ex-Depaty United Stntes Marshal Anaelin. Nearly every one who has had business in the fed- eral courts of this city during the last twenty or tnrty yours will distinctly remember Loreoxo De Angelis, beter Known as “Louis? De Angelis, one of the most popular of ali the deputy United States marshus, Ue was about as well Known as any mao iu the city, aud seemed to make friends of every one with whom he was brought in contact. A few | years ago, however, Mr. De Angelis left the Marshal's omee and engaged in other pusinesa, A few months ago Mr. De Angelis kept a drimkmg place known | as the Excise, corner of Twenty-fourth street | and Fourth avenue, but tt not success. the proprietor, who had nearly ail hte means in the saloon, found hunseif in reduced circumstances. Mr. De Angelis subse- quently took up his abode at the luinam House, corner of Twenty-sxth street avd Fourth avenue, siuce Which time he hag been complaining and oc sionally drank to excess, On Monday evening Mr. De Angelis was found sitting op sick in bed, when Mr. Dantel Francis, clerk In the hotel, proposed to call a doctor, but he declined having one, and ata laver hour le was found de. Dr. Joseph Cushioan made @ post mortem examin- aiton on the body, and in his opinion death was caused by perieorditis (inflammation of the heart). Mr. De Angelis was Ufiy-six Years of age and a native of this city, He was very respectably con- pected, Dr. Schirmir held an inquest ou the vody. THE GREAT BORE. 4 About the Broadway 2Pncu- ‘matic Tunnel. The Law and the Proflts—What Is Doing and What Will Be Done—A New Way of ‘Puffing’? Merchandise— Relief to Broadway. At last there is a prospect of relieving Broadway. The crush and uproar which characterizes that splendid thoroughfare is soon to be abated. Mer- chants are to enjoy the pleasure of seeing their goods, if not themselves, extensively puffed. The Pneumatic ‘Transit Compauy is to do it all, Organ- ized under acts of the Legisiature, the company went to work quietly, but effectivély, to show the Taith that was in them and demonstrate the sound- ness of the theories their agents presented at Albany by actual results, They took for their pro- gramme the transmission of merchandise, mails and parcels under the surface of the city by the system of pneumatic tubes, and unostentatiously to carry it out, Certain papers of alow reputation were considerably exercised over the fact that something—they did not know what— Was being done beneath their feet of which they could learn nothing. In their case, ignorance was the reverse of bliss, Business without biowing had the aspect of treachery. The Pneumatic Company rummaging under ground seemea to them a vast as- sociation for the wholesale robbing of banks and counting houses. In some countries wild ducks are pulled beneath tue surface by clever darky swim- mers gliding beneath them. Might it not be the case, argued these journalistic solons, that tbe mysterious pneumatics iarbored fell designs against the safes in Wall street? There was no proof that the pneumatics were guilty: but, then, no proof of innocence was otte; The company woraed and said nothing. The facts concerning the formatton, organizaiton and intentions of the Pneumatic Conipany have not yet been published; but as an attempt bas been made to surround the doings of the company with mystery by those who lacked the enterprise to ob- tain the facts, we give below a sketch of what has aiready been done and what is proposed (o be done Tor the expeditious delivery of woods and parcels by the Pneumatic Transit Corporation. HISTORY OF THE PNEUMATIC COM In 1868 the Legisiature autnorized an spowered an association of respectable gentiemen to cunstruct and maintain one or more pneumatic tubes in the soll beneath the streets, squares and avenues of New York and Brooklyn. The act of 1868 was amended in 1869, According to "these acts the excavations were to be made and the tubes were to be Jaid under the supervision and direction of the Croton Aque- duct Department, so as not to interfere with the sewers, water pipes or gas pipes, They were not, by the act, to disturd vaults or sidewaiks fronting on private property without the consent oi the owners of such property, Umder these acts the associates or corporators several months ago com- enced their excavations in Broadway, opposite to Deviin’s store, corner of Warren strect. They have come down Broadway a considerable distance, uuder the supermtendence of the Cluef Engineer of the Croton Departinents who has constantly visited aud wiven directions as to good work, to the end that no injury should be done to the street or to the sewers or water or gas pipes.” ‘hus far no such injury hes been done, and the company are pushing their work vigorously aud successtuily down Broadway. THE KESULT BXPKECTED. If, as the success of the operators thus far would indicate, the company succeed in their undertaking, the effect will be to head off the schemes for wader ground railroad communication in Broadway, one of which, called the Arcade scueme, purposes to. dig up the wiole width of Broadway, tear up the sidewalks, stone and iron stoops; dig down twenty feet or wore along the side of the buildings on each side of the street; scoop out the whole of Broadway to the same depth; drive the tenants out of the stores and offices whe this work of vandalism is going on; fill the street with dirt and debris, 80 a8 vo soll and damage all goods and fill all the basement stores with smoke and the odor of engine grease. If this pneumatic tube project sball have the effect to avert such a calamity it will do iutinite service to tne city aud the property holders on Broadway. ‘The following 1s the act of the Legislature alluded to, Which was passed June 1, 1368, and the amenda- tory act of Jast session, passed May 3, 1869, author- lzthg tue company to proceed aud detiding their powers. Tae resolutions of the Croton Aqueduct Joard licensing the company passed alter tue pvo- mulgation of tue law of 1868, Inserted between tue acts. It would bave been better, Pgs if the Croton Department had control of the work of tun- nelling; vutas nodamage has been done to the streets thus far it 1s reasonable to expect that the company will exercise the same caution m their more extended operations. When the success of toe first section hus been secured the company intend to bore the city in every direction and tunnel under ihe rivers to Brooklyn and Jersey. If they succeed the relict to overcrowded Broadway and Church street will be immense, and the citizens will have reasons to thank the Pneumatic Transit Com- pany:— a, APTER 842, ¢ LAWS OF 1868. AN Acrto provide for the nission of letters, packages: and merchandise in the cil of New York sifu Brooklyn and across the North and it rivers by meat matic tubes, to be constructed beneath the surface streets and public places tp said cities and under the waters of said rivers. Passed June 1, 1858. ’ SECTION |. Alfred E. Beach, Kobvert G. Hatfield, Hor: Pr. Caswell, Nathan Kellogg, Moses 5. Beach, Salenett Wales, R. H, W. Chillan, Julius H, Pratt, Frederick H. Betts, Charles H. Nelli, Thomas Grahain, T.'G. Ford, John B. Ague, John Leonard, and J. N. Burns, and Charles W. Whiiey, muel C. Marsh, Jr., aud weir gue ace hereby and empowered’ vo lay down, coostruct and iain tain one o re pneamatic tubes inthe soil beneath the streets, nquares, avenues and public places of the cities of New York and Brooklyn, and under the the waters of the Kast river, betwee: cities, and also under the bed of the waters of th river, [rom the city of New York to the shores of New Jersey, but at such a depth as not to tnteriere with pavigation; acd to convey letters, packages, parcels, mails, merchandise aod property in and through #aid tubes, for’ compensation, oy means of vehicies to be ran and operated therein by the pheumatic system of propulsion; anu to that ead, that the public convenience may be promoted in the operation of the said velicies, the said persons and thelr ansigne are also hereby authorized and required to erect upon the sidewalks of the said streets, avenues and pubtic places suitable ornamen: tal lamp post Loxes, pillars or receptacles not exceeding thirty inches in diameter, connected i pt the deposit of letiers, parces and propert thereii; provided that the said Lubes abull not extend Luroagh y vault nor under any sidewalk, fronting on private operty without the consent ot and compensation to the owner Of such private property, Which shail be ascertained and determined, in care the parties cannot agree, in the a ner provided by chapter 140 of the jaws of , eatitied “An act to authorize the formation of rai road corporations and to regulate the same," and the use of said streets, synat nd public places, and the soil beneath th thereof, as herein aut ned and provided for, is hereby red to be ® public use thereof, consistent with, the uses tor which the sald respective cities or the gorporate authorities thereof Gola the said atreots, squares, avenues and pubsic places; provided further that (he persons berea befure Bawed in this section or the: assignees shall first lay down aud construct ove lin said pneumatic tubes from the Post Orlce, Naswau strect, between Cedar and Liberty streets, in the city of New York, northwardly, not extending mbove Fourteenth street, which shali be put in SUCORESYUL WORKIN PRRAVION © muntiia, and a ot ty time being of tue city Comptroiler of said city or a majority of t the oifice of the Secretary of Staie before p down and eonstruct any vther lines of poue hereinbefore authorize THE REMAINING BECTIONS of this act are explanavory of the power of the com- pany to form themselves into @ corporation and prescribe @ penalty for injuring the machinery used in the work, &c. ACTION OF THE CROTON HOARD. Ata meeting of the Croton Aqueduct Board on the 20th of November, 1868, the following resolutions were adopted for the purpose of defining the powers of the Pheumauc Company in retation to the Goard under the act. Owing to the fact, however, that the expianatory law of Lsv@ took away the powers con- ferred on the Board i relation to the company we license Was nut issued Jand Wo inspector was appointed: ty Resolved, That the sald Pneumatic Transit Company have the permission of this Board to locate and construct their tube or tunnel from a point on Nassau sirect, In front of the Fost Oftice and between Liberty and Cedar streets, throug Nassan and in the middle of eald street to near Ceuar strech thence by a curve to the middie of Cedar street and along the middie of Cedar strest to near Broad. thence on a curve tw the middle Broadway, rthwardiy along the middie of Broa way to Warren street, wita connections with the Post 0) and with the building the southwest corner of W street and Broadway, pursuant to the provisions of 81 The top of the excavation in constructing the salu pueuraauc tubes to be not less than two feet Velow the bot sewers, or water or gas pipes, which niay be located in the Hine on which said tube 1s vo be bul uthorizéd to open the nruet a vertical shatt ad- Jueent to the si K im Nassau street, six feet wide tn w Wirection perfectly perpendicular to the strees and twe.ve foot long, parallel with the street, said shaft io ve enclosed with a close fence, with an opening ac the norierly and foutherly sides only; paid tube to be constructed oF brick laid in coment mortar or of iron, mid Of such strength as shail Insure SAVRTY 10 THE SHAFT and to the water and yas pipes ‘Ihe extreme limits of the excavation not to exceed seven feet in wikth and eight anda haif feet in height. The remainder of the license contains conditions as vo the packing of Lue earth around the brick, &e,, and fixing the rignt of the [Inspector of the Board to ynspect the work at all times; also providing that the Board may at any time withdraw this license, CHAPTER 512, LAWS OF 1869. AN Act, supplementary to chapier 842 of Jaws of 1838, in relation to carrying letters, packages and merchandi by means of pneuinatic tuber in New York and Brookiyn. Paseod May 5, 1569, BEOTION 1, The Lrst section of this act, entitled an aot to 3 provide for the travanission of leiters, packages and mond Chancise in the cities of New York and Brooklyn and serosw the North and Hast rivera, by means of pneumatic tubes, be coustructed bénéath the Turtace of the streets and pul 9 ces in suid cities aad under the waters of said rivers, km Keceby amended by adding the following words Lowever, in case the said postmaster aball neglect or re to give hia consent to connect the same with sald ibe aald persona, or their assignees, iystead of performing t foregoing conditions, and 12 Hew thereof, shall first Cid and construct one ine of pees cane: ae) a street, at its convection with Broadway, i Broadway to the Dotnt of intersect ion of Codar streat (heres with, or to some point within 200 feet thereof. Sue. 2 Hwo of raid act ia herely amonided 40 a8 to (he said pueumatic tubes shall be sv con~ have amean juterior diameter of not ax ur incbes, and the same shall be laid in such mans cually prevent any iugury to or unnecessary’ RFERENCE WITH THE KURVACT of sai squares, avenues aud public places, and tue. Croton Aqueduct Department of the city of New York an the Board of Water Coramissioners of the city of Brookiym: ali respectively have power to establish such reasonable, ules und regulations, not inconsistent with the purpose: respecting the iaying of aaid tubes ae will prevent an unnecessary interference with any of the sewers, water Pipes and gas pipes, or with, any of Ue streets, aquAres, AVE Dues and public places in said cities respectively. ‘The third section of suid act is hereby amended to read ag, follows:-—-*3, During the laying,construction and repairing of pheumatic tubes and appurtanencea and for the purpone of laying, constructing and repairing the same, 1t shall be lawfu! for said persons ur their assigns to make such am opening in waid streats, squares, avenues and public places Ubrough aud under which said tubes are to pass, as may be ceasary and proper, aubject to the regulations hereintofore provided. And in ali cases the persons or their assigue shall, upon the completioa of naid tubes or tromedi- ately resiore the surface and pavements of said streets, aves ares aod public places to as good condition as they fore the making of such openings. EAST RIVER IMPROVEMEN rend asf tracted Work to Be Commenced on a New Canal Basin—Its Dimensions and Cost. ‘Yhe wealthy grain and four dealers of this city have at present a very Important project in view in , regard to the improvement of certain docks an sips lying on the East river at the southern extrem- ity of the tsiand, which, If carried out, and there iff flatteriug prospects, promises to be @ great benene aot only to the city, put to be of vast importance to * the shipping interest of the country. ‘The proposed improvement referred to will consist in the entire demolishment of the rotten wharves aud piers, beiow Wall street, aa far down as plers No. 1, and the building in their stead of an immense canal basin for the benefit of the flour and grain trade which has for years centred in that locality. There have been severai meetings of the projectora of the scheme, and a joint stock company has been formed, with a capitai subscribed go far of a little over $300,000, and as Soon as arrangements can be effected with @ number of property owners fronting: the proposed work operations wiil be commenced. ‘The necessity of this basin is shown in the Lact that at least two-thirds of the vast crops Of grain grown in the West find their way to this ctty im canal boats and barges from Baffalo, and, for the want ofother and more commodious docks at whiclt, to discharge tucir cargoes, are compelled to bes pressed as Ught as sardines in the illy constructed area between piers No. 1 and No. 5, where somet days between 800 and 1,000 boats can be seen. rhe following table of shipments by Hudson river steamboats for two seasons gives a faint idea of thar enormous trafic i grain which the great metropolist carries ou with Western wheat and corn growing States, the greaier portion of which finds its way va the basin on tie Last river and thence is shipped ta Europe:— 1869, Wheat, bushels 16,180, 000) Corn, busheis.... 4,859,000 4,331, L008 2,766,500 198,300 Total grain, busbe!s. 10,685,500 42,774,000" The Legisiature, by an act passed several years ago, set apurt the present canal boat anchorage grounds for the exclusive use Of the canal interest, and they were at that time considered suflicientip large, but the grain traMe has increased with such’ rapid strides during the past four years that the space is whoily inadequate. Hence the present movement. Oais, bushels. Barley, pusuels Malt, bushel THE NEW BASIN is designed to be a modet of its kind, not only in massiveness, but in workmansntp, ana when com- pieted, which will require more than two years’ time from its beginning, will, in magnitude, compare fa- vorably with the great grain basin at Odessa, on the Black Sea, which accommodates 30,000 barges. It will embrace the same water frontage as for- merly, but the projecting piers will be removed, the bottom dredged so as lo accommodate boats heavily Jaden voth during high and low tide, Beginning at pier No. 1, Mmmediately adjoining the Hamuton Jerry honse, excavations will be made for the granite wa!l during the coming moni, which wil extend up the river as ‘ar as pier No, 5, where a mole or jetiy will project out into the river a distance of some two or three hundred feet. in meun- time negotiations will be pending between the owners of Whariage grouuus between pier No. 5 an@ the foot of Wali street and the company for the fur- ther extension of Ue basin, which will doubtless ssful, a8 other shipping firms on Souta signified their willingness to co-operate with the new cowpany in making the wharves and piers of the Kast river at least a credit Lo the city in comparison to the wooden stractures, The new basin is designed to accommodate at three times the nutnver of boats that the sips minodate, Which will also have a tendency to draw otf the grain trade of Horsimus Cove, in Jersey City, Where hundreds of grain barges lay up during the winter months, durtug low ade floundermg in ihe mud, which dampens and desiroys thousanas of bushels of gram before removal. ; N ENORMOUS ELEVATOR, to be composed entirely of iron aud slate, will be built at the upper extremity of the basin, which will surpass even the great elevators of Chicago and Buf- Jaio. 1t3 estimated cost will @e $200,000. This ele- vator 18 designed vw be of a sufficient height to dis- charge grain from barges inio ships of the largest siete Which Will be quite an improvement upon the old style. THE ENGINEER of this important work is General Egbert L. Viele, Who has made ail of the surveys, which are deemed highly satistactory. General Viele has gamed & reputation as au accompilshed and scientitic engi- neer second to none tu the United States, as nis plans and work on the Park, the Paterson Water Works and the Battery sea wall will attest, and the new basin under his superintendence will, when Hoished, undoubiedly prove # success,’ as well ag being an Incentive to our city authorities and wealthy men to commence the consirucuon of docks and piers of granite Instead of wood, WHEN WOKK WILL BE COMMENCED, it has not been detinitely settied as yet when work will be undertaken on the basin, but the managers expect to get ie work under way by the middle or last of the coming mouth, provided the earth is ins comlution to excavate, i’ EARTHQUAKAKS. Observations Taken in South America=Sep- posed Undergroand Communication Ketween the Oceans. ‘The Academy of Sciences of Paris bas received a higbly interesting comaunication from M. A. Rojas, of Caracas, on the phenomena which in various parts of Souite America occurred simultancousiy with the verrible earthquake of the 1th of August, 1868, Which convulsed Uie whoie of Peru. The ins formation collected on this subject by the author ts exceedingly striking. On the above mentioned day, between half-past thiec and tour o'clock P, M., the walters of the Atlantic receded from the western coast of the island of Granada, and suddenty re- turned, rising above (he accustomed level. At that same hour, at Bolivar, the Orinoco rose futiy three feet; and at that identical time a travel. ler, ling flong the banks of the Arau a tributary of tbe former river, all at once saw the water rise and reach iigher up than his stirrup. At wu point corresponding to the longitnde of San Fer- pundo the Apuro suddenly overfowed, covering from eighteen to twenty feet of ground on each side, immediately alter it returned to its old bed, bat the water kept bubbiing for some minutes, and then subsided (0 ts pristine tranquillity, At the same moment the iMhabitauis ot Juan Griego, north of the Isiand of Margarita, opposite GCumana, fed to tne highest pomt of their village on seeing the waves of she ocean rise to the altitude of twenty feet and more, advancing to tne very doors of the dwetiings. The waters, howe’ speedily retired without domg any damage, The same phenomena occurred m fie Port of Rio Carioe, on the side of Cumana. ‘ihe level of the Jurnari is said to have rigen at the same time, but trustworthy particulars are wanting. from alt these facts, observed at potuts widely distant from each other, M. Rojas conciides that at the time of the great earthquake of Peru there was a general upheaval of tie earth's crust (hroughout the northern part of South Amer- ica ‘the voleanic axis of that continent passes pre- cisely between Sant rancisco and Bolivar, extends westward of La Margariia and ends at a short dis. tance Irom the smatier West India islands. It coin. cides Very nearly with the great circle of the pente- gonal network designated as the primitive one of Greenland and Chile oy M. Bile de Beaumont, Thia axis M, Rojas considers as exercising a decided in- Nuence on the scisintc phenomena which occur from time to time in those isiands, a8 well ag in Venezu. ela and Colombia, and in support of this opinion quotes several remarkable instances of synchronism, Which, In his opinion, prove the existence of a sudierranean fissure, establishing # communication pares the Facitic and the basia of tne West uaies,