The New York Herald Newspaper, January 4, 1871, Page 5

me ment growing stronger in the actual means of reieemig its ciroulating paper. ‘Lue tederal ‘Treasury has had in circulation for many yeurs promiasory notes of its own, payable on dewand, Ww the amount of 000, ‘These notes, made # lawful ten.er jor debts, coa- stitute now the money havitual.y used by banks and the people ta all trausactiona, These promises the ry does not redeem, and this non-redemnption aud nothing else, makes the present condiuion of things, which is known as a suspension of specie ayiuents, if the iederal Treasury were redeem! its notes in coin Lhe Lotes Would be worth as much @ gold; in other words, the mo now used by banks und the people would then the same as gold, and such a condition of things would be, of it- seif, Without any further arrangements, a tull and cowplere retura to specie payments. All that is neces-ary to estabiish such ® condition is, that the federal Treasury make itself ready to redeom 1ts own notcg, and nothing will be reqnired to main- tain that saine s und condition but that we federal Tieusury heit continue to redeem the notes. Te banks dre not responsible for the preseut suspen- Biv; they hive no duties in respect to it; they a helpless to pul an end to 16; at pay ther own debis now in the lawial money of the country; that Jawlul money cunsists of government noies, which the government ulone make worth a3 much a3 spevie. That once gone, banks and people, wie couvinuing lo pay tielr devis in tus same kind of money, Would be dealing In all transactions on the Bpecie basis. ‘shere would be no shock to business in a transt- Uon so edecied. No contraction of the currency, ad cnnsequently no striagency in the money mar- et, need precede it, No demand jor the actual un of vin, a.nong the people, would follow 3 lor maa festing, as they do now, great confidence dn the legal teaver nows, ‘they would have still More faith 1» them when it was established that the nows command com at the Treasury on demand, and ney would for conveniengs, preier the notes to gold itself, Anytu.ng that ihe government shall do in order to promote a return to specie payments, except fois one thing, the making of lis own notes worth @8 much as gold, wi!l be hot only needless but mis- elie; uus. No new regulations for the banks are necessary to Luis end; and neediess regulations alwaya do harm, ‘The banks paid their debts in legal tender noies year before lust, when tuc notes were worth seveuty-tive cents to te doilar in gold; they have continusd to pay, during the past year, im the same netes when Worth ninety cents; they will, wiih the same-ease, pay in lésa, tender notes, they being equaily abuadant, when they are worth one hundred cents, and that will be paying Specie, ‘Lhe Treasury mighi easily have put itself in a con- dition to pay its legal tender notes on demand long betore this, From Apri 1, 1366 (the cloge of the war), down to the 1 t July, 1870, the !ederal treasury has Feceived, through iis Custom Houses, an aggregate Of $¥24,000,000 tn go.d comm, If it had laid aside only dollar in five of these receipts for the purpose of re- deeming its legal vender notes, it would have now in its Vaults $180,v00,0u0 of coin absolutely belonging to itself, exclusive of what is retained from time to time to meet accruing interest, and exclusive also of private deposits, ‘Che whole amount of legal tender notes outstand- ing (including tracuonal currency and maxing no allowance for what 1s lost) is (3395.000,000.) The fund on hand for the redemption of notes would be now, if one dollar in five had been saved, nearly one-half of the amount of notes in circulation; a proportien much larger that a private bank in good credit finds it necessary to keep on band to meet its circulation. ‘The superior credit of the federal Treasury wouid, of course, main:ain its notes at par with gold on a mach less reserve of coin than wonid be required by @ private banxing incorporation. I cannot doubt that the governmeut notes would rise to par wita ea and be kept there, with a fund of coin devoted ‘0 thetr redemption not exceeding one-fourth the amount of notes outstanding, Under this jvl.cy we would have resumed specie payments, naturally and easily, more than two years ago, and it could have been pursued without iicen- venience to t.e Treasury. For, ever since the war, Doth the aggregate surplus revenue of the govern- ment and iis surp'us of gola revenue have been so great that it could have well afforded to put aside one dollar in five of tis coin rece'pts. It could have been pursued without inconvenience to private bust- meme [et ous mines were producing more gold than the jury would have laid aside. ‘ihe only com- mercial effect of the proposed process would have been to make certain the retention in the country of 60 much coin that might otherwise go abroad, and that resultall men agree is a proper and valu- ae means tu couvenient and permanent resump- n. Under this policy the government could now re- sume specie paywents in jess than a year’s time. - The Tieusury tad, on the lst of December last, $40,000, 00 of coin of its own on band. Is gold in- come 1s now nearly $20,000,000 a year, of which Jess than $120,000,0v0 13 required to pay interest. li ‘the ‘Treasury would simply reverse its policy of seil- goid, ess than a year would give it a fand of ey 4,000,000 of coin agalust 1ts circulating notes. ‘he coniinuaice of large sals of gold during the past season. when commercial causes have been operat ng poweriully to keep down the preminm, ‘Was especially unecessary and Wastetul. ‘The Trea. sury may save either the whote of its surplus gold income or oue-nait of it or one-quarter. The result would be equally certain in any of these cases; it ‘Would simply be postponed in preportion as the pro- cess of saving was mude rapid or slow, ‘There wou.d be no longer any speculation in gold after it was Known that the Treasury haa avopted a Rey, Keer? at mvvitably, to an early resumpuen. fo one Would buy, except for immediate use, an ar- ticle which was sare soon tu be worth no preminin. If, however, 1 ve deemed wise that the Treasury hold part of its surplus gold revenue for the purpose of checking, by the sale o it at times, possible specuita- ‘tion, let it do so, but ict tt retatn another portion absolutely and sacreily for the great purpose of re- sumpuon. Our path to the restoration of a sound currency 18, in my judgment, so sunpie, plain ana direct that I cannot help regarding ihe financial course of the federal governineut us lacking the common sense Wh.ch 18 every day appiied by men to private bust- ness. Nv private debtor would be regarded as wise arcely nonesi) why, having in circulation a large amount of notes payable on demand, amd having at the same time an income in gold sar in excess of any other demands on him, shoula neglect to apply his gurplus mcome to the purpose of redeeming his notes. It would not be received as an excuse that he preferred to pay 1m advance certain obligations Dot maturing for inany years. It is Obvious Lat specie payments are not to be restored sv long as te iezal tender notes are in ex- istence, except by maxing these notes and gold equaiin curreit value, ‘This can only be done by making the proportion of co n in the Treasury to its outstanding notes sub as the Treasury may safely undertake to redeem tie notes on demand, Such portigu May be established e.thgr by contract- Ing the quanuiy of the notes m circhiatton or by in creasing the quantity of Coin tu the lreasury., Con- traction in the quantity of the notes was triea by Secretary McCusiveh; but the process Was 80 dis- tressing 10 the business of Lhe couutry that, after a few moutns, ne was conpelied by public outcry to abandon it. Contraction of tus legal tender money, however gridual, will Le found, if tried agam, ful’ remedy. A8 the notes become ‘cer debtors Will find it less and less easy to procure tue money they need. Banks will find it iess easy tv keep on hand a proper reserve, and will be compelied to press their debtors. Tie confidence of crediors in their deptors, including the confidence of depostiiors in the banks, will be continually growing less with the growing scarcity ofmoney. Capita: wilh wilhdraw itself more and more from acive enterprises; and labor, conse- queutiy, will fod euiployinent with constantly in- creasing diiculiy. That these would be the resulis of @ persistent contract.on 13 proved by experience in instances where combinations of speculators have succeeded in locking up temporarily a small quan- i of the legai Leader notes, ‘ It net Obvious that it would be wise economy for the federal ‘Treasury to get back, a8 S000 a3 possi- bie, to paying its debts incom? For then, with its credit perfected, the negova.ion of loans at very Jow rates of inirest, whch it is anxious to effect, would be pra_ticable. 1s 10 not equally ovvious that B return to spece paym-nts, if brought about by a Wise metho, wuld resut in great good to the peo- ple? For the industry and business of the country, once rid of the embarras:ment aud lack of confi- dence arising Irom the use of a currency of shifting Value, would take a ire h start on a career of active, stable and weil assure | presperity. We must, sooner or later, return to the use o1 goid aud silver; until ‘we do we shall cuutinue to be subject to frequent @nd discouraging nuctuations in values, of which ‘We may not yet nave seen the worst. The people naturally shrink irom the harsh remedy of contrac jou. Tuey ;ook upen it as one Which threatens, perhaps, gteater eviis than those Which they now suet, tis unjusiiiable to resort toitwhcn another method will accomplish the re- is FEDERRAL INUER?ERENCE IN ELBCTIONS. Since the adjournment of the Legislature the federal goverpinent has assumed to interfere ett ie by tts oMicers and armed jorces, with elections In this State.» The pretext was, fear that the right of suffrage would mm some Way be denied te the class { persons upon whom it had been conferred by the teenth amendment to the constitution of the United = states, it Was @ mere pretext; for our State Legwlature, at its last session, promptiy ait-red our election laws to conform with thet amend cnt so .000 as it Was declared adopted. Moreover, this cla-s ul voiers haa exercised thetr new right ireely and without the least molestation, St our ptate eiecuion, which took place in Mag last. Congress, neveriiieless, enacted a law tor the ostensible furpo-e of supervising the cicetien of Congressmen oniy; aod the President was author. | ized to employ tie urmy and navy to enforce oer- tain of its provisions, Under celor of this act the President aud other United States oflicials claimed the risht to supervise the entire election, not only far representatives in coag but for State and locar officers. In the city ol New York special preparations Were mide Wo enlorce tunis claim, A large number of United Sites deputy marshals and supervisors were appointed, mauy of whom were men of well- Known disrepu'abic character, and some of whom had been convicted cr minals; a class of dangerous men never before chosen by any ruling anthority, m any community, a8 conservators of the peace, ‘They were insiracted, uuder advice of the Atterney Gene- ral of the United States, to submit to no tuter- ference, from any quarter, under State or municipal autuority, Orders were fssned which authorized them, in the discredon ofeach one of thent, to arrest at the polls citivens claiming the right to vote, as well as the inspeetors Who were charzed by law win the custody of tie baliot boxes, ‘hese arrests were to be cied Withvut process of law, issued upon formal complauits. ‘ihe peaceful conduct of the elec- on aud the govd order of the city were thus made to depend on Lié discretion of these hastily selecte inexperienced and undisciplined men, some of them habituated to le:onious violations of law, and all of them unused to ihe exercise oF delicate and impor- tant trusts of power; ail haviug been appointed in one political intcrest and having @ common partisan Purpose to subserve. The police and civil authori- eg Of the city aud State, whose duty 1t ts ty preserve NEW YORK HEKALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUAKY 4, I87L—PRIVLE SHEET order, were ignored, under inatructions from Wash- Ingtov, a8 completely as if the people of the State were In repeluon against the government of the United States, it was a bold attempt on the part of the federal government to assume absoluie control of tue State and local elections in order to accom~ phsh partisad ends, and officials, both judicial aud execulive, seemed determined to prosecute tt with- out any regard to the righis eltuer of tue local oil- cers or of the people. ‘The 1aw of Congress under which he was acting required the federal judge to appoint one-half of the whole number of supervisors from each political party; yet he deliberately refused to appout, any of te political organization which he well knew rep resented the great majority of voters m the city, Every popwar right wes ostentatiously denied, as If the purpose was to irritate and excite the people and to provoke tumult, which might resuit in breaking up the election and depriving tie cliy of ita vote. The President well Knew that the pevpie mtended no forcible resistauce to the law. ‘The. determina- tion was to meet it, simply and exciusively, by the force of public opinion. it must have been appa- rent to every rind that the interest of the great ma- jority in the city was to have a quict and orderly election. It could be the interest only of the ini- nority to promote an outbreak, ‘The President knew also that even if disorder, of any degree, should ensue, the whole clvil und police power of the State, sustained by its national guard (a nillitary organization of our own citizens, composed of men of ajl classes and all political parties, and imatntained by the State to do Servige, as occasion may denand, for the State or the United States, and which bas never ye? failed in its duty to either), was both ready and able to reserve order and to protect all officers of the law a the execution of judicial process and the dis- charge of official duty. NOiWithstanting ail this, by the President’s orders, United States troops were brought ‘roi «Qs. tant posts and quartered in the city of New York, and ships of war were anchored 10 its harbor, it was certainly not unreasonabie to expect that the first drop of citizens’ biood shed in the e1y of New York by federal troops in time of peace might lead to terrible reeuits, involving great loss of life and in- oaiculable destruction of property. ‘Theretore, as chief mugistrate of this State, charged with the duty ot enfoicing its !aws and preserving order within its boundaries, | used every exertion and made every preparation and provision in my power to preserve order and protect the people in their rights, their lives and property. At the last moment, that tg to say, the alternoon !mmediately belore the etection, the omcers of the United States, fortunately and wisely, abandoned the extreme ground they had taken, and entered into a stipulation with the local authorities of New York city, in my presence, which resuited in preventing any armed interierence by troops, either of the United States or of the Siate. Nevertheless it is well known that about two thou sand deputy United States marshals were appointed in the city of New York, who were, each of them, armed with what is known as @ navy revolver, Worn in belts bearing whe designation of the federal armories. They did not, it is wae, form any portion of the regular force of the army or navy; they were undisciplined and without a military commander, but they were men armed by the Unite. States gov- ernmentand paid out of its treasary, and were stationed, thus armed, at the election polls, havmg been taught that they were the superiors of the law- fully appointed peace onicers of the State, upon whom the preservation of order in a large city de- pen It was due to the patient forbearance ot the people and to the earnest endeavors and great coolness and discretion Oi the peace oficers Of the city that order ‘was preserved. I deem it my solemn duty to protest now formally agaiust these outrages, whi it 18 given out, Will be renewed at future elections, with prepara- tons looking to a greater degree of intimidation and coercion, bh this protest the people of this State do, 1 am confident, by an overwhelm- ing majority, earnestly unite. They are not to be misled by the pretence that wilitary fores is necessary to prevent fraud. For they well know, what ail history proves, that military eloctt ns are never honest hor free; that military force at elec- tons has always been used by ambitious rulers to hinder a full and fair expression of popular senti- Ment; in fact, to perpetrate and cover fraud, not to vent it, If elections are not honest they should ye made so by the force of public opinion and by Jaw; mllitary force asserts Its supremacy over both, and ts itself a fraudulent and final overthrow ol a Tree ballot. _No State is or ever was more devoted than New York to the Union and to the federal government; none more submissive to that governments consti- tutional authority; none more. ready to defend its nights and vindicate its power. But our Union isa union of States; the elements of its great strengtt are the home governments oi the peopie. To weaken the paris is to endanzer the whoie. Half a contnry ago, when federal oficers were ac- cused of interfering with State elections, not by armed forces, but simply by exerting au influence through the arstribnuon of patronage, De Wit! Clin ton, then Governor of this State, addressed the Legislature as tollews:— As a member of the American confederacy, it is not only our duty, but our, interest, to sustain the respeciabiiiiy and te promote the authority of the national government, by a patriotic and eni exercise of our auf and by contributing all our energies to establish a wise and public spirited administration, Mut in attending to measures so important we ought not to overlook the duties which Wwe owe to Our government is in its organization ft in essentially necessary to preserve the State governments in their purity and energy. A free government could never exist on a country. 60 extensive as the United States without a judicions combination of the federal and representative pnnciples. apprehensions which some of our wisest statesmen entertained at the formation of the constitution, that the State governments would constantiy encroach on the powers Of the national government appear. not to have been re- alized. ‘The practical Nendency has been in the opposite direction, The Fores of the general administration tae fo creased ‘with the extension of its patrouage. And if the offlcera uncer its — appol an an organized and disciplined corps, to interfere in the State elections, J trust there wi!] be found a becoming dispo- tition In thepeople to resist these alarming’ attempts upon the purty and Independence of their local governments; for whenever the pilints witch support the edffice of the general governinent are undermined and prostrated the whole fabric of national m and prosperity will be crashed fa ruin, Thave consi tered it my solema duty to protest against thess unwarrantable Intrusions of extraneous Influence, and T hope that the national legislature will not be regardless of its duty on this occasion, These words, more applicable now than then, are so forcible and eloquent that 1 quote them, in the hope that they may Impress themselves upon the mynas and upon the hearts of the whoie peupie, ‘To depend, for the peace and order of localities, on the federal army, /s not self-government; to sub- stitute the regular soldier with his musketas @ peace officer, In place of the constable with his writ, is not to preserve the peace, but to establish the condition of war; to surrender elections vo the control of the President, supported by armed forces, is to surren- der liborty aud to abandon a republic. JON T. HOFFMAN, FINANCES OF THE STATE. Abstract of the Annual Report of the Comp- troller. In the following synopeis we have endeavored to Indicate as nearly as possible the chief salient potnts in the comprehensive report of Comptroller Nich vea, and REDUCTION OF THE STATE DEBT. The funded debt of the State, after deducting the sinking funds, was, September 30. 1870, $32,406,'42, veing a reduction of $2,438,891 since the same day Jast year. Iv is made up as follows:— General fund... $3,031,050 Contingent. 50,007 9,816,605 19,511,390 THE CANALS. ‘The tolls collected tor the fiscal year 1869 were... sees «+ $4,112,878 ‘The tolls collected for the fiscal year 1870 were 8,080,893 ‘The expel ere in 18 és 1,278,507 In consequence of the long neglected ~ condition of the canal they were in i870 2,537,164 The Comptroller recognizes the necessity of a liberal canal policy, carried out with the strictest economy and Mo Ba The canals are among the chief elements of the growth and wealtn of the State. In 1869 their tolls, at high rates, decreased $304,215 and their tonnage 580,145 tons. A great and injurious change in the course of trade—its decrease through this State and ts increase else- where—in four years is shown by tie following data:— 1866, 1869, Burtfalo, bushels of grain re- ceived (Including flour). 58,388,087 Montreal, do. do. 10,100,881 Philadelphia, do, — do, 8,458,275 by Ene, do, do. . 15,950 2,411,879 Upper lake porta, Chicago, Milwaukee, Toledo and Cleveland.....- 0.0.06 4... 89,584,346 118,969, 906 DBCREASE OF TRADE AND ITS REMEDY. Transit of vegetabie food on the canals fell off from 2,122,237 tons in 1861 to only 1,302,613 in 1860, Flour fell off from nearly 2,000,000 of barrels in 1847 to less than 6,000 1n 1869. It became clear that in- creased speed and cheapness of transit must be ob- tained, or else the trade would be intercepted by other routes. For these reasons the navigation of the canal has been improved, and the Canal Bourd, last May, made important reductions m_ tolls, espe- claliy On the great staples of food. The principle of reduction mnust be gradually carried out, until, the debt being paid and tho tolls taken of, to the point of maimtenance and repatr, the canal will be- come substantially tree. r EXPERIENCE OF THE YBAR. Time 1s necessary to restore what it took time to lose, but the experience of the year justifies the ex- pectation that the diversion trade has been ar- rested. In 1869, under high tolls, the shipments of grain and flour decreased 134,258 tons, At this rate the whole of this valuabie trade would have been en- trely destroyed in eight years, Tolls on flour were nearly twenty-three cents, while the whole freight Was forty cents. Stmilar rates apply to other arti- | cles in which the trade was being | In 4870 the aiminntion of trade on the canals was about one- seventh of that im 1869, and, but for an unusually de- ficient crop of corn, and consequent iigit shipments of it, there would have been a large increase in the Lounage of grain, 4 Prices almost unprece- dentedly low, excessive speculation, the destruction of through lines from the West by bigh tolls, and the bad condition of the canals, causing delay and un- certainty 1m wansit—the inevitable result ot the con- | tract sysiem—combined to keep the tonnage of | grain down ja 1870; butit is believed another year will turn the tide strongly in our favor. The amounts of the tonnage of ail other articles, eastward and westward hound, are not yet accessible; and the whole question more fairiy Judved on general prin ciples than by the events of one or two years, . THE CANAL DEBT. The system oF reduced tolls is the surest guarantes of the ultimate fulfilment of constitutional obliga- tlocs, No part of the 1 riucipal of the general fund debt, not beid by the State in trust, matures until 18/,. Lhe pringnal of the canal debt matures in 1si2, &c, By proper administration and slight ex- tension it is believed the canal revenues may pro- vide ior them without resort to taxation. In the fiscal year of 187v they were larger than in any of the seven years preceding the war, and @ large in- crease of business 1s expected next year, THE WES! BROUGHT NEARER TO THE BAST. The completion of the Lake Superior and Missis- sippi Railroad, bringing the imme:.se prairie grain fleid of the Northwest practically several hundreds of miles bearer to our own State, auspiciously took Piace the saine year as the increased facilities on our own great thorougatare. The value of the great wize of. Northwestern trade is invaluable. By & ibera! canal policy we foster the honoranle spirit of union with the other States, and enable Western producers the better to compete with foreigners in the markets of the world, whiie every branch of our own home industry is effectually encouraged by bringing the West practically nearer to the Kast. THY OLD SYSTEM. Under the “contract” system great injury was sustained by the canal. Its channel was partly filed up, and its stractures became dilapidated, ‘Mie resuinption of management by the State neces+ Bilated, as inatiers of sound and wise economy, out lays which need not again occur, With the fair average of nicellience and Integrity and watchful- ness commensurate wita tue magnitude of the interests, involved our canals will regain their for- mer progressive prosperity. EX PENDITURUS@-EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE, expenditures are those for edu. Of this amount $2,326,160 were The chie! of th. cation—$2,820,620, tor common schools, Expend tures for the support of asylums for the deaf aud dumb, bitod, insane and idio- tlc were....... anata vo es $326,870 Up to the 16th December, 1870, expenditures on the Hadson Kiver Hospital ior the In- Rane at Poughkeepsie were........... 633,129 Those tor tne Wil ard Asylum at Ovid were., 497,272 KALE SPRINGS AND AUCTION DUTIES, The net revenue from the Onondaga Salt Springs is $33,911, beiag $6,308 less than last year, Revenue from auction duties has increased $20,816, STATE PRISONS. Expenditures for the State Prisons were $918,627, and the earnings were $490,336. The cost to the State in 1870 was $134,469 less than in the previous year, THE NEW CAPITOL, The sum paid in 1870 towards the new CAPILOL WAS. ... 5000s Whole amount yet pat ks, $1,578,120 2,157,515 Tn 1860 the State tax was. 5,446,640 in 1870. 14,285,976 In. 1860 the tax all purposes to the Comptroller's oitice was. 18,956,024 Tit 1870 it WAS... 0. ce cee eee eee - 50,328,684 The gross valuation of taxable property in 1859 was.. +1 1,404,013,679 Tt reacted in 1869 sone sees 1,860,120,770 ‘The increase in ten years was. 456,207,091 The gross va uation in 1870 was. ++ 1,967,001,185 The annual average o! increase for ten years was. 45,520,709 The increase + 106,880,415 Taxation in 1870 was at of 7.41—160, pro- ducing $14,285,976, Yet the appropriations of the last Legisiature were so large that the (estimated) defictency on the 30th of September, 1871, will be 14,748, But the Comptroller estimates that with prudence as to appropriations and ex- clusive of extraordinary work on the canals, &c., this large deficiency can be made good and the calls. on the treasury met by a tax of 54¢ milis—equal toa reduction of about $8,500,000. Allowing one-eighth of @ mill jor canal purposes, he believes the total tax ecessary lor 1871 18 0% mills instead of 7.41—150 in 70. VOICS OF THE PZOPLE. Life Insurance—A Hint to the Superintendent. To tHe Eprror or THE HERALD:— The disgraceful fatlure of the Great Western Mutual Life Insurance Company, I think, ought to suggest to State Superintendent Miller the necessity for a more particular scrutiny into the assets as made up in the usual statements rendered by life companies, Accordiaz to the statement of the Great Western that company appears to be solvent, less $23,000; while the facts are that, in order to make up 80 favorable @ showing, they have put into their schedule of assets six items amounting In the aggregate to about the sum of $470,000, which in the winding up will prove to be worth less than a “twopenny rushlight.”” They are as follows:— Premium notes. : Interest accrue. on notes. Due trom agents (policies never taken). Ollice PreMMUMS. ... 22. eee eesere In order to reinsure the outstanding risks it will take, say $5-9,000, and I suppose thos> of the policy holders that have given notes and accepted loans upon their policies for a portion of the premium to be paid wu) not be entitled to anything, or, in other words, be paéd off in kind, Yet, when the Superin- tendent gets his final report from the receiver of the defunct concera, he will find there Is a deficiency of about $340,000 instead of the $26,000 as shown by the staiement. Now that Mr, Miller is about passing upon the annual reports of the various lie institutions doing business in this State, would it not be well for him to look to the matier tiiat they have money, an not “cuts and dogs,” to pay of the heirs of confid- lug policy no:ders? Any good business man, had he known anything of the Great Western, might easily have foretold the ultimate result. One general agent received torty per cent commission, besides his entre expenses, the two items absorbing over seventy-five per cent of his cash receipts. That same agent, ia connection with an onicer of the company, aas been engaged 1n all sorte of wild cat” operations—texas coal lands, ‘Pacific Mail,’’ Patent Gas, “irass Valley,” &c., cc. How much of their paper was paid or kept afloat out of my money and tha: of others stuularly situa:ed Leannot say. 1 Jorgot to mention that ‘silver bricks” from Nevada shown In thai odice by a director of the company fauied not to draw like magnets somevody’s mon: w the tune of $25,000 to 00, The home oltice expenses were over $30,000 per aunum, all the force having avout an average Of six policies per day to write, F.nally, the statement plainly shows that very dollar of tie funds entrusted to “The stern Mutual Lite Insurance Company” for sate keeping has been eaten ap. More anon about the $50,000 Cash im hand and the Chatham Bank debt. A VICTIM, ‘Taat Fatal Explosion in Brooklyn. dersny Crry, De 1870, To Tne Kprror or Trak HERALD:— In your edition of this date I have read an ac- count of the boiler explosion which took place in Miller & Co.'s Novelty Works, Williamsburg, wherein Mr, Thomas F. Powers, the examining engineer, says he has information that the engineer was re- quired to perform other duties besides attending to his engine and boilers. Now / would ask on whom should the blame of this disaster rest—on the unsor- tunate engineer or on ihe men who required him to neglect his legitimate duties for the sake of per Joruing some other work? I can give you my expe- riedce 1m this way. A short time since a call ap- peared in your help wanted column for an engineer at ihe Westmmster Hotel. 1, being an emgineer, ap- plied for the position; | was told there was an engine and two boilers to attend te, 1 wonid be required to do the gas and steam fitting, and also take off and put on and do the repairing of the locks on the doors, Not feeling disposed to combine engineer, Jocxsinith and gastitter all in one, [ deciined the po- sitioa; J think aa engine and boiler, however small, always require the engineer’s presence in their im- meayate vicinity. Steam is like fre—a gooa servant, but a very poor master. An engineer should not be hetd responsible if he is required to be in some other part of the building putting on a loek or doing other work if an explosion takes place; it comes very handy though to say, in case of accid that the engineer Was drunk or micompetent. Give the engineer @ chatice as well as the o' ; GINEER, THE COL) SNAP. Frozen to Death in Florida. FERNANDINA, Fla., Dec, 26, 1870, On Friday and Saturday last an intensely cold northwest wind prevailed here. The thermometer marked eighteen deg at six o'clock on the morn- ing of the latter aay. A party of three men return. ing trom this pigce in a small fat bottomed boat late on Friday night had the ith luck to lose their way in crossing the river, and one of them losing an oar they were compelied to remain ov a maud bank all night, coveriug them- selves Wich the sail to protect them from the biting wind. One of thei, however, George Fletcher by name, died from exposare on Saturday evening; the omer two suffered Intensely, the toe nails of one of them dropping offas his stockings were being re- moved. The others also badly frostottten, and weir condition is precartous. Being unable to use their hands they could do nothing, but at rise of ude were drifted into & creek and rescucd on sunday, at ten A. M., by some negroes, ‘tne dead body of Fietcher was with them in the boat fourteen hou he having died at eight P. M. te previous night. Snow Storm South of the Gulf Stream. Captain Maury, of the Pacifle Mail Steamship Company's steansiip Ocean Queen; who has lately artived from Aspinwall, reports having expericnced a heavy snow and hal storm when over filty miles below the Guil Stream, m longitude 72 40 W., latt- tude 82N. Such a thing as snow bas never belore been seen on the occan south of the Gulf Stream, Nov Wuar Was. BarGainep For.—A Roman father, of Briugeport, Coun., had tis son arrested tbe oher day lor robbing him of some small change, and the penaity adyuaged by Wie Court was a fine of seventeen dollars and costs, which, as the culprit was @ miuor, came eat of the pocket of the piainttt, whose reverence tor the majesty of the jaw hes Uudergone & tithog Modilicution, T.E LAL EST FUG? What He Thinks of the Sita Mr. Edmund Gerson, of this city, who had been shut up in the beleaguered French capital for months, arrived ia this city on Monday by the steam- ship Queen, having passed safely through the Prus- sian lines wader A PASSPORT FROM MINISTER WASHBURNE, who sent certaim property by him. Mr. Gerson left the city of Parts on the §th of November by the Porte de Créteil, with a pair of horses and carriage, for which he had to pay 1,20) francs—so valuable is horseflesh in the city, His route was via Charenton, Brie, Melun, Montereau, Louppe, Montargls, Vier- zon, Foucombault, La Blanc and Tours, At Mon- tesson he was TAKEN PRISONER BY THE UHLANS, but after being arraigned before the commander, and delayed, he was released and proceeded on his journey, Between Neberes and Vierzon he Wite nessed the battle of Orleans, on the 11th and 12th, Witch he describes a8 a desperately contested one on the part of both armies, Mr. Gerson speaks in the highest terms of elo- quence of THE HEROISM OF THE RESIDENTS of the clty, who seemto be animated by patriotic impulses to defend tue city to the last, Av che ume of his departure the priucipal articles of det were dried peas and beans and HOKSE AND ASS MBAT, Horse flesh was m demunt at forty cents per pouud, and ass meat Was buoyant ab ove doilar and twenty cents per pound. Cheese, mu aud other articies of the dairy could not be purchased, ALL PLACES OF AMOSEMENT were closed and the male artists were at work on the lortiiications. At the restaurants b DE C* VALERIE, was the popular dish and commande t high At ten o'clock P.M. ali places of b closed and all persons found in the street g lenged or arrested by the provost guard, 1 THE MOST COMPLELE URDER is observed in the besieged city at ail times, and at no period, except on the occasion of the arrest of the late government, has any riotous proceedings been indulged in, ‘epresents Lhe Leeling Low, Americans by both Freach and Pru friendiy, and the American ambuance under Dr. Bool, as universuily praised by the F jor its efficiency, While at Tours he was granied intercourse with Gambetta and other Ministers, and Mr. Gerson leit fully convinced, from the seutiments that animate the leaders and the masses, that evea if Parts does fall the war will be continued for an indetinite period, prices, ss are TRE NATIONS ORPHAY Progress of the Grand Prize Distribution Scheme for the Benefit of the Unios Home and School. The late fair for the benetit of the Union Home and Sehool did not prove to be as successful as those in charge of the noble charity hoped for and as the cause itself should warrant. A number of gentle- men, therefore, have undertaken to raise an extra fund by means of a grand prize distribution, and, in furthering this project, have selected asacommittee Pollce Commissioner Henry Smith, Commissioner of Public Charities Owen W. Brennan, General Henry A, Barnum, Messrs, John McB. Da- vidson, William R. Travers and Assemblyman Thomas C, Fields. Two hundred elegant prizes, valued in ail at $8,000, have been procured, and these are to be distributed among the holders of one thousand tickets, the latter being disposed of at ten dollars each, The prizes are on exhibition at the store of the treasurer, Mr, J. McB. Davieson, No. 581 Broadway, Where the drawing will take place as soon as the tickets are disposed of, which, judging from the interest already evincea, will be ina very few days, Among the prizes are one five-stone diamond ring, one and a quarter Karat; flue diusmond and enam- elled gold hunting lady’s watch, with eighteen karat Geueva leoutine, in velvet casket; ome soluaire dia- mond pin, about one and a quarter karat; fine di: mond and enameled gold hunting lady's waten; on eight diamond and emerald cluster ring; lady's diamond and enamelled gold hunt ng watch; one five-stone diamond ring, elaborately set; one diamond and enamelled lady's goi watch; one very fine three-stone diamond ring; $100 in greenback one diamcnd and enamelled lady's gokt watch; very brililant solitaire diamond Ting; diamond and enamelled ladies’ watch; one solitaire diamond ring; laiies’ diamond and eme- rald gold watch; one solitaire diamond ‘pin; one fine enamelled watch, ladies’ size; one enameled ia hunting ladies’ watch; one diamond ring; filty Ine gold and enamelled ladies? and genuemens hunting waiches; gold, jet, onyx, carbuncle and coral sets; pins and earings; goid chalus for ladies aud gentiemen; bracelets, seal rings and other art- cles of value and vertu, WORK OF THE INDIAY RING IN WASBL TON. Four Thousand People in Kansas to be Driven from Their Homes in Midwinter. From the Fort Scott (Kansas) Monitor, Dec. 29.] We were astounded last evening to learn that General Merrill had received orders from the War Department to repair to La Cygne with troops to drive the settlers rom the Miaini Reserve, This, too, in midwinter, and by procurement, doubuess, of the “fndian ring,’’ Whose operatious are being cueck- mated by the resolution of Senator Ross. General Merrill left Jast aight, and about half a company of United States troops will follow to-day. General Merrill is a kind, judicious officer, who will have to do is duty, however unpieasan!. It will be gratify- ing to him tnat his instrucuons do not compel him to use force until further orders are received, ‘The settlers on the Miami Reservation number fom 3,000 to 4,000 people. ‘ihe wown of La Cygne, which alone has a population of 900 souls, 1s) situs ated on this reservation, and they too must share the fate of the rest. They went upon the land anti- cipating the action of the government in se them tiles, They have beea in quict possession tor years, ana have made substantial homes aud vain- able improvements, the assessed vaiuauion of which cannot fall short of $800,000. Many fine houses aad barns have been built; whole sections of land have been put under cultivation, and numerous orchards, with bearing trees, abound. Yet they are ordered to leave ail, aud surrender thelr homes to a pack of thieves and lobbyists, who have been hanging ‘on to the skirts of the Indian Departinent for years. They have swindled the seutlers on tho Biack Bob lands out of their homes; aud they are now trying to do the same thing with the Miami settlers, aud if they succeed in this, the “next job” that will com- mand their attention will be the New York lodiaa jJauds in this county. Indeed, one of taeir pimps has already been atnong these settlers, and offerea to secure them tties to their lands for $160 aptece. And right here we would like to Know why this agent is sent among the settiers, It this pimp of tne “ring” can secure them tlles to thelr land for the exceeding (rifling amount of $150 apiece, why, then, cannot it be secured to them for nothing, save tie price actually paid government for the land? ‘The settlers on the Miami lands have looked to our representatives in Congress to secure for them their rights. Meanwhile the “Indian ring,” by the wick of bogus and every otner kind of ‘‘nead rigitts,” have been stealing the titles from the set- Uers. And at last, atthe behest of this heartless Ting, they are to be dispossessed in midwinter— turned ont of the houses tnat they built with their own hands, simply because some soailess scoundcels Want to sell their homes from under them and pocket the money. Let the united voice of Kansas goup im conuemnation of this crowning act of villany. Let us, through our press, the State officers and the people, send up such a protest to the President as will cause him to countermand the order of the War Department in such a way that no such order will cver again be issued. A MURDERER MURDERED. [From the Selma (Ala.) ‘Times, | In 1867 Captain J, B. tiarrison, one of the most estimable citizens of Dallas county, was most ioully murdered in Beaca Creek Swamp, some three miles from this city, Every effort to tix the commission of the crime was for sone time baitied, and for a while it appeared that the murderer would never be appretended. In the course of time suspicion fixed upon one Alexander Griffin, & notorious villain, as the murderer. He was arrested, and # true bul sub- sequently found against him for the crime by the grand jury. Griitin was confined in the jail at Ca- haba, and after it was barned was with the other prisoners removed to the jail of Perry county. Daring the past summer with others be eifected his escape from the Perry jail, and his whereabouts have been unknown to me officers of the law, and the peopie generally. On yesterday Coroner Smoke received information that a dead body was in Beach crees, Summonimg a jury he repaired vo the indicated lity and pros ceeded to hold an inquest on the dead body. Sev- eral Witnesses were examined, and they identified the body as that of Alexander Grifin, the murderer and fugitive [rom justice, He was himself murdered and his lileless vody thrown into the creek. Tae evidence beto:e the jury showed that death nad been preduced by a guu or pistol, for there were guashow wounds on the vody, itis a just :etribution, and we trast that there can be no misiake as to is being Gritin, He was a villain of the first order, and ta us de the community have been rid of a desper- ate character. ‘The murder ef Captain Harrison was not the only crime with which Grifin stood caarged; and though we do not approve of te manner of his taking viT, yet we cannot but cougratula e the com- mannity that it has been md of him, The testumeny, so Weare informed, did not disclose the siayer of Grifin; saspicion fas not attached to avy one, and no wrest las been wad Tun Carrne Disease IN MassaonuseTts.—The New Bediord Standard learns that tie new cattie disease has Made its appearauce in @ herd of catue tan nes to Baylies Leonard, in Lakeville, having been fitroduced by sane ogtle beughi at Brighton yarkee | j and try the THE COURTS. Tho Ramsey and Erte Suit Again Up in the Su. preme Court—Important to Taxpayers— Delicate Quibbie on the Sub- ject of Assessment. SUPAEME COUAT—SENERAL TERM. That loterminable Ramsey and Suit Again. Before Judges Ingraham, Uardozo and Barnard. Joseph H, Ramsey vs. The Erie Kailway Com- pany et al.—This is an appeal from an order of the Special Term vacating and setting aside a default taken against plaintiff at the October Spectal Term. trie Railway The successive stages of the suit, from its commencement on November 25, 1869, have been so fully given im the MHexatp that any detailed reiteration of the facts is wholly unnecessary. fhe present appeal grows out or the fact that when the case was called for trial before Judge Barnard, on the 26th of last October, Jor which time it Was peremptorily set down, and the Judge having refused a motion to the (rial belore the Judge then bowing the court on the alleged ground tial he was prejidiced; upon whieh, on motion of defendant’s Coausel, tie Com plaint was dismissed with costs aud an extra atiowance to be fixed by the Court before the eutry of judgment, such extra allow- uuce to be fixed on the second Monday of November, and the judgment to be thereafter en- tered, but with leave to the plaimti? to thea come in use, AS the defendants were proceed- ing Lo enier an order accordingly und to At notice t the fixing of the extra allowance, the plaintit niet both by notuce of the preseut motion, ac- by an order staying ail proceeutngs. vid Dudiey Field opened the argument, ted that the order dismissing the com- plaint not having been entered the motion was premature, that ib Was unnecessary, a8 the direction to dismiss was only upon the coudition that the plaintii? did not elect to try the case; that 1b Was irregular, the matter being still Bub judice; and again, that 1 Was in eliect an appeal from asingie judge to a single judge uvon the sume tae He elaborated these polis, and then br he oT into the ramifications of the subject, insisted that Ramsey and bis counsel were totally Maditierent ake to the requirements of the law and the courts; that they treated witn contempt the injunction issued against them, and last, aud not least, Wished to elect their own judges. Mr. PecKhain entered upon his rejoinder, but had not completed 16 when the court adjourned, He urged that the motion was a perfectly proper one; that the right to tie postpone.ueut of the trial askec ‘Was an absolute leza. right, not resting in discret.on, and the order of te Special ‘Teri setting aside the default was properly granted, without imposing any terms on platutif He had only got fairly under way when the time for adjournment arrived, ‘This morning Mr. Peckham will flaish his argu. ment, aw then Mr, Field wili make the closing Speech, : A Nice Poiut of Interest to Taxpayers. The Peopie ex rel. Benjamin T. Babbitt vs, the Commissroners of Taxes and Assessments or the city of Neto York.—The relator had $345,895 assets, besides $250,000 United States bonds, and his debts were $356,000. The Tax Commissioners taxed him for $200,000, and_he appe d by certiorart to the Geverai ferm, The Tax Commissioners claimed that they had @ right to set off $250,000 against abilities and only balance against taxable assets. He claimed that they were bound to set off his Nabilities agalust taxable assets alone, leaving him nothing to pay taxes on, and that this was an indt- rect ettort to compel him to pay, tax on $250 000 United States bonds noi taxable. The Court, alter hearing lengthy arguments of the opposing counsel, decided in his favor. Delicate Quibdble on the Subject of Assess- ment. In the Matter of the Petition of George W. Doug- lass to Vacate on Assessment Jor Regulating and Grading Sixty-fourth street, Between Lhird and Fifth avenwes,—This 18 an appeal from an order of assess- ment in 1563, on the ground that the law then re- quired any resolution imposing an assessment or tax on the people to be advertised in all the cor- poration papers two days before the passage in that brane: of the Common Council in which the same was offered, and again advertised before the passage by the other Board. It was contended that in this case the resolution In question was published only in the HERALD and 7rtwune, and in none other of the corporation papers, The court Below heid that this provision of the statute was merely direc- tory, and that its non-performance did not vitiate the announcement. Lhe Court afirmed te judg- ment below. SUPERIOR COURT—TRIAL TERM—PART |, Suit to Recover tor Personal Injuries. Before Judge Friedman. Bernard Siwinson vs. Atlantic Mail Steamship Company.—The plaintiff! was employed on the lighter Florence assisting in unloading bales of to- bacco from the steamer Columbia at Quarantine. While thus employed a bale of tobacco in being lowered fell against him, knocking him down, and another fell on bim, breaking bis leg. He claims $1,000 damages. The defence was that the accident Was the resut of negligence on ais part. MaaiNE COURT--GENERAC TERM. Interesting to Real Estate Brokers. Before Judge Aiker. Stephen N, Smonson vs, Samuel Kissack,—The plaintiff in this case is a real estate broker, On the 2d of April, 1870, the defendant put into his hands for sale a house in Fifty-fourth street im this city, the price of which was $17,000. The plaintiff found a purchaser, Mr. P. Giimot who entered into an agreement with Mr. Kissack for the Pparchase o: the house, After the agreement was Kigned some diffcuity arose by wluch 1¢ was not carried out, The plainif ctalmed that the agree- ment having been reduced to writing, signed by both parties, acknowledzed and recorded, was such an agreement as either party could compel the specitic pertormance of, did they see ft. ‘Lhe defendant ciaimed there was no sale, as there could pe no sale Without @ purchaser, and thatthe br ker was hot entitled to his commissions. ‘The lower court held that there was a sale, and gave juagment accord- ingly. ‘The General Term adirmed the decision, COURT CALENDARS—THIS DAY. SUPREME CouRkr—GENERAL TeRM—Held by Judges Ingraham, Barnard ana Cardoz0.—Non-enume- rated mo.ions. SuPREMe Covrt—Cixccrt—Parr I.—Betore Indge Brady—Opens_ halt-past ten A. M.—Nos, 2375, 2440, 2755, 2057, 649, 1063, 1467, 2483, 2785, 2569, 2865, 3093, 8095, 3101, 3105, 2589, 2797, 2799, 111534, 2937. Parr 1L—Held by Judge i Braunt.—Nos. 1608, 8616, 3488, 800, 1814, 1826, 336, 1752, 2450, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1594, 1900, 19u2, 1904, 1906, 1910. SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS.—Held by Judge Sutherland.—Nos, 51, 59, 60, 67, 69. Call 71. SureRiok CourtT—Part 1.—Before Judge McCunn. Nos. 191, 1043, 265, 97, 307, 93, 471, 475, 73, 17, 449, 275, 451, 447, 168, 167, 457, 409, 1173, 297, 33, Part 2.— Before Judge Freedman.—Nos. 120, 462, 43, 456, 578, 546, 454, 418, 570, 442, 146, 476, 506, }, 304, . VOMMON PLEAS—Part 1.—Beiore Judge Larremore, Opens at eleven o'clock A. M.—Nos. 307, 46545, 161, 320, 249, 365, 205, 319, 221, 403, 163, 278, 49, 603,, Marrnz Court, Part 1—Before Judge Alker.— Nos, 4548, 4624, 4718, 4742, 4748, 4749, 4750, 4758, 4756, 4759, 4763, 4764, 4765, 4768, 4769. PART 2—Before Judge Gross.—Nos. 4627, 4000, 4631, 4699, 4700, 4728, 4746, 4747, 4750, 4751, 475435, 4757, ), 4761, 4762, 476255, 1676. Parr $—Before Judge Jodchimsen.— Nos, 6247, 4767. COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS—Before Judge Bed- fora.—The People vs. George Byrne, rape; the Same vs. Ferdinand Wergleman and Caroline Wergieman, felonions assault and battery; the Same ys. John Fisher, burglary; the Same vs. Mary Smith, two cases, grand larceny; the Sdme vs. Pinlip Fitzgeraid, three cases, grand larceny; the Same vs. George Worshurst, two cases, embezzlement; the Same vs. Waiter Logan, grand larceny. BROOKLYN COURTS. COURT OF OVER AND TERMINER. A tickpocket Sent Up. Before Judge Pratt and Justices Voorhees and Johnson. ‘The Court was organized yesterday for the Janu- ary term. A Grand Jury was empanneied and briedly charged by Judge Prati, after which, Thomas Collins, @ notorious thief, was placed on trial for picking the pocket of Mr. Andrew Marshall, Mr. Marshall; on the 4tn of october last, ‘Was In the act of leaving @ Canarsie car at East New York when the prisoner relieved him of # pocket. book coataimng a promissory note for tifty dollars and ten doiiars in money. Collins escaped at the time, but was arrested the same day on the Jamaica road. The jury convicted the prisoner and Judge Pratt immediately sentenced Rim to the State i'vison for four years and six mouths. SUPREME COUAT—SPEGIAL TERM. Action to Enforce a Conveyance. Before Judge Giibert. John C. Buekeriwof vs. Etward Freel and Cath- erin, his wife,—Plainug brings sult to enforce the defendants to convey to him certain reat estate on Bedford avenue. He claims that Freel, through Charlies 8, Trowbrtige, lis agent, entered into a contract to sell him the property for $4,000, he pay- ing Freel a deposit of tifty doliars on the day when the deeds were to be delivered. Freei failed to ap- pear, ahd subsequently conveyed the property to wae David H. Valentine, who conveyed it to airs. ‘reel. ‘The defendants devy the agency of Trpwhridae or postpose tt, the plaimatt aectined to proceed witn | { which Commander D. EEE EEE OOO 5 Ms power to make the contract. They further claim that the transfer to Catierine Freel was a bona flag one, Decision reserved. GAO0KLYN COURT CALENDARS. TPREME ( RCUTY, An Ex-Army Officer Speaks To THE Epiror oF THe HeraLp:— You publish a communteation si iis Penis ol “Justice ® | Telative to an oficial communication from Secretary Welles to Commander D, 1). Porter, complimenting, | him upon the part he took In the reduction apd gur- render of Forts St. Philip and Jacksen, at the mouth of the Mississippi, and tie important pars D. Porter movement upon New Orleans. Will you, with this communication, please pnnlish another letter addressed to Rear Admiral DD Porter by Seereiary W render of the great stronghold of rebel Vicksourg ? nI8O took in the es sh ruly alter the sur om—hamely, Navy Drpat Your deapateh oi the rot Viekab Sir niga. For wie p Misalssipp! aas been Vicks*urg, and the rebel chief who provisid atuked his cause upon its r of the y wader the admirable leaders! ‘ Gravt, and the persistent and power(al cooperation of the mimanded by yourselt, this groat result, under the providence of Almighty God, has been ach: A Rave empire, {by thia rly. ribto eqam: parts, wath Uberty in d treedom npoo ite Waters, cannot ing ree thin uo P of ite bank: exist. The work of arvery, whose \nrest: is neal You have only and chiel whose Lirat act was to dash through the gates by which the rebels assumed to bar the entrance to the Missixaipp!, wiose tree communication to and above New Orleans be has ever since proudly maln- tained. When the squadrons of the upper and lower Mixsissipp! ithe noble river be again free to a united eh ue Integr role champions who names of the fn this inval Present and nt rivers, which patriotism and ted, Wil remember with increasing grantuce the nay. eroek who so well performed their part in these eventtul times. ‘To yourself, your officers and brave and gallant sailors, who have been go ferdie in resources, ao persistent and en- daring through many months of trial and hardship, and #0 daring under all eireumstances, I vender, in the name of the President, the thanks and congratulations of the whois country on the fall of Vick pectiuily, Ae GIDEON W ) Secretary of the BRM, commanding Misni " 01 ppl squadron, Vicksburg, Mias. I think this speaks just as the people of the United States think of t8e services of their gallant Admiral Porter, Again, here is a letter from General Sber- man, Which all citizens should read and remerm- ber:— ARADQUARTERS EXPEDITIONARY ARMY,? BLACK Riven, July 4, 163, DrAn APMIRAL—No event of my life could ‘hav me more personal pride or pleasure than to haye me to-day on the wharf at Vicksburg—a ( quent m events as to need no worva or its importance. 1 can app! the intense satisfaecttsn you must feel atlying betove the very monster which has defeu us with such deep and mail your once dismantled fleet aga: chat that made an enclosed sea of mak im the great river broken forever, In so magnificent @ result 1 stop not to count who did doue, and the day of our nation’s birth ie eon in it, secrated and’ baptized anew @ victory won by the united navy and army of our country. God grant. tht the barmony and matual respect that exist between our respective co;amanders and abared by all the tr.e men of the jofut service mtnue for ever and serve to eievate our national character, th with shipwreck. ‘Thus ruse as 1 ait in my solitary camp ont in the wood, fat from the point for which we have jointly striven so long and weil; and though personal curiosity would tempt me to go and sunken pits that have Silent graves so many of our early comrades in prise, I (eel that other taske lle before me and time must be lukt. Without casting anchor, and cespite the heat and the cust and the drought, I mast asain into the bowels of the and to make the conucst of Vickabarg Cui ali the cond > Admira! Porter will ever ‘anc unseltinh zeal in the service of our country. It does seum to me that Port Hudson, without faciilties for supplies or interior cominuntcation, thuat soon follow the inte of Vieksburg und leave the river iree, mains the task of preventing avy more Vic Hudsons on the bank of the great inland sea. ‘Though further apart, the navy and army will stil act in concert, and [ uasure you sual never reach the banks of the river or see a gunboat vut I wiil tiink of Admiral Por- ter, Captaln Breese and the many elegant and xecorp!isied gentiemen it has been my great fortune to meet of armed or finarmed decks of the Miseissip Jaron, Congratulating you and the ollicers of your command at the 4) Which you have borne so conspicuous @ part, I re ever, your friend and servant, y. 1. SHERMA Admiral D. D. Porres, commanding tleet. Tcould send you many more letiers, but I do ne Wish to trespass too mach upon your colunns. 1 know you will be just to our navy’s Most gallant officer by pub.ishing this from an EX-ARMY OFFICER, The Other Side of the Story. To THe Evirok OF THE HERALD:— In your article of December 29 “Justice” endeavors to secare Admiral Porter's confirmation by pinning him to Adinizal Farragat’s coat tail But i ts an old game and will not deceive any one. Tt 1s a fact patent to ali who have any Knowledge on the sub- ject that Fort Jackson was weaker wih ns burning citadel after about five hours’ bombardment (when the uring ceased irom the mortar weet Aud was not restimed untit the next morning) thaa ib was ao the expiration Of 144 hours’ waste of ammunition, The question was asked Admiral Farragut in my pre- sence, “Why is that firing stopped with the citadel on tire; the garrison will Keep the tre trom the mag: fajor General. ail they cau do to 13 the hes; Now lume ior te attack; they are all iced?” =Farragu’s reply was that not like to interfere with Porter; fe had come out there to demonstrate lus hobby, tue mortar, and he supposed it would have te go on until vorter Was sauisied.”” “Jusuee” varps ob the word “harmony,” giving the lupres-tou that there were frieadship and respect in Farragut toward Porver. No such construction shoulda ve put upou we good old Admirai’s conduc lie was a gentic- man by nature, and woul treat courteously even a beggar that crossed his path, He was an oilicer who kn w his duty, and would not decline to act armouiously with whomever the success of the -@ made It desitaple he should co-operate. Porter never did act harmoatously with any oue but Davia D, Porter. In conversation with Admiral Farragut relating to the surrender of Forts St. rhilip aud Jackson and the credit whieh Porter claumed lor limsell, Far- ragut said, bitterly, ‘that he had no business to leave Porter down there, as he might lave knowo tiat he would do some such mean trick.” B WESTWARD, HO! The Immigration of Last Yenr—A Failing Ow Compared with 1869—Germany still Leads. ‘The following 1s a statement of the number of emi- grants arrived at this port each month of the past year and of the total immigration to Us country from every part of the world:— January, 6,216; February, 7,974; March, 14,751; April, 31,572; May, 52,106; June, 36,639; July, 23,795; August, 19,471; September, 16,586; October, 18,000; November, 18,507; vecemver, 9,790. The total number from each country ts as fol- lows:—Ireland, 64,168; Germany, 72,363; England, 38,340; Scotland, 10,731; Wales, 545; France, 2,210; Spain, 156; Switzerland, 587; Holland, 525; Norway, 2,678; Sweden, 11,549; Denmark, 2,441; Italy, 2,081; Portugal, 6; Belgiuin, 88; West Indies, 140; Nova Scotia, 23; Japan, 1; South America, 34; China, 20; Mexico, ussia, East Indies, 13; Turkey, 1; Greeve, 14; Poland, 577: Afr.ca, 11; Central America, 24; Australia, 9—total, 211,190. ‘The number of citizens wio in returning home arrived at this port was 43,316, It wil be seen from the above that the immigra- tion of the past year dves not quite come up to that of 1869 in 1869 the total immigration was 253,99, which was the largest for any une year since the Emigration Commisston was started. “Germany last Year, notwithstanding the war, took the ead in the reat westward movement, Ireland coming next. % must be particulariy satisfactory to lovers of variety to know that the United Staces was last Honored with the august presence of one Turk and the Interesting encouragement of a solitary gentle- man from Japan. The following table will show the immigration to this country during the past ten years:— seve 65,539 16,005 150,344 Mr. Charles M. Briggs, a prominent Brooklyn lawyer, 18 missg from his home, and nis family have grave fears of his safety. He left nome on Mon- day morning, whtie his health was sadly Impaired, Bad has uot since been beard of. Mr. Briggs was & justice of the peace in Widiawsburg im 1347, and aiter the expiration of his judictat erm he prac- Uced law WIth eutnent success for Many years, but for the past year or two his healih prevented lun from appearing in public. On Monday night James Chester, 8 colored man, while partially crazed with Iquor, commuted a muracrous assault with @ razor on Jacopo Riley, also colored, ata place in Johnson street, Willamsburg. But tor tue incerfereuce of a colored woman named Johuscn, Cuester would undoub,edly Dave muruered Riley. As it was he indic.ed cuts of a very aggra- vated bature. He wWos arrested yestent: aod Justice Kames commiued hua for examination ov Satuday Dext