The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1872, Page 7

Papers and, if found correct, the merchandise delivered to the at ela and the invoices sent TUE APPRAISER'S DEPARTHEN Assessment on Coods Its Chief Functions. 92,766,138 G4 Saved to the Gov- ernment in One Year by Raised Valuations. ——-—_—— WHAT MAKES MARKET VALUE. Involees Made Out in Every Civilized Tongue— ‘The Classification of Importe—-What the Several Divisions Have To Do—Where Our Ladies Obtain Their Tresses—The Enormous Business Transacted— New Additions To Be Made to the Buildings. ‘We have from time to time published a series of articles on the various departments connected ‘with the collection of customs at this port, giving minete details of the several branches, BACKED UP BY FIGURES ‘whieh never lie, the items became solid facts which Smyeated the intelligence thus imparted with the wmtmest interest and gave our importers and the ‘pubtic a store of information which heretofore they @id not possess, Considering that four-sixths of the entire revenue from imports in the United States ome through the Collector of this Port, it is not tobe wondered at thatit takes a small army of @@icers to collect the same. Yet, with all the cir- cumlocution and vexatious restrictions consequent 4A MIXED TARIFF OF UNCERTAIN TENOR, ‘the herculean labor of accomplishing such great re- @ulte with comparatively only one-half of the re- quired force, the work of collection is admirably Performed and refiects the greatest credit upon the chief oMicers of the Customs Department. ‘The practical and scientific branch (the head of which may properly be termed the Assessor of the government) connected with collecting the rev- enue is THE APPRAISER’S DEPARTMENT, presided over by Mr. William A. Darling, late mem" ber of Congress from the Ninth district of this city, and a gentleman well and favorably known as Pres- ‘ent of our Third Avenue Railroad, before the present incumbent, and a business man of great eapability. While the Appraiser virtually acts by erder of the Collecter on invoices sent to him for a@ppraisement, yet he isin a great measure inde- Pendent of the latter as far as APPOINTMENTS OF EMPLOYES ‘4m his office are concerned, and which are made on ‘the Appraiser’s recommendation by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Appraiser’s Department has eharge of THE EXPOUNDING OF REVENUE LAW ‘as far as it applies to assessment of duties and im- posts, and all appeal cases are decided by the Sec- retary of the Treasury on reports made by this @epartment, Colonel John B. Frothingham, law ofMicer and private secretary to Mr. Darling, who @onducts the correspondence, made within seven. teen months past over nine hundred reports, aver- ‘ging three pages of foolscap paper, on appeal cases and other subjects. These are only the official Teports going to the department, while corre- gpondence with merchants and others is even greater than the former. The beginning of the ‘work in the Appraiser’s Office is at THE INVOICE BUREAU, ‘which is in charge of Mr. Adolph C. Rau, a gentle- man well versed in the business and for a long time in the government employ. The invoices of goods are sent from the Custom House for exami- Ration, either ‘warehouse entries” or “duty paid.” 45 a usual thing the Collector orders the required ‘umber of cases (the established rule is one out of ten) for appraisement, under a penal bond, which signifies that if the said case does not correspond with the invoice the importer can be called upon at any time to produce the entire importation or, tm the event of failure, forfeit the security. The tmvoice is examined according to the quality of the and alter being transcribed on a blotter is Bent tothe division to which it belongs and re- eeipted for by the Assistant Appraiser iu charge. ‘The invoices are mdexed regularly. On the first of each month they COMMENCE WITH NUMBER ONE, and usually embrace from fifteen to twenty thousand at the close thereof. The following list, composing one year’s transactions, will convey an idea of the magnitude of the business transacted here, showing how many invoices for appraisement ‘Were passed, the number of packages received in store and duties received on advanced rates :— Passed Packages Duties d- Invoicesand Received vanced over Appraisement in Public Entered Store. Ra 21,260 17,068 135,809 222,305 128,670 118,361 137,992 $1,766,138 THE APVANCED RATES OF DUTY sed upon goods which may be undervalued 216,549 gre impo: by the importer, or to make “market value.” The amporter very often purchases stock below be ah prices, which is invoiced accordingly. In order to ‘eacape penalties which the law imposes he raises ‘the cost thereof, and pays his duties in comformity ‘with the advance. This is the market value, Should Gees however, on being examined, be found to undervalued ten per cent, then THE APPRAISER IMPOSES A PENALTY Besides the additional tax. Any undervaluation below that sum is not subject toa fine. If the im- ris dissatisfied with the Appraiser’s decision matter is referred to two arbitrators, one on the part of the bo and another appointed by the merchant. both fail to agree the Collector of the Port decides the subject finally, unless the matter is taken to the Treasury Department on ap- peal or to the courts onsuit. AFTER GOODS ARE EXAMINED, ‘the prices compared with the invoices, the latter re returned to the Chief Clerk of the Entry De- to the Liquidating Department at the Custom » Where the most minute comparisons are made. A large book is kept here in which is entered a record of advanced rates on imports, from which the total for Lop Ake! in the year may be ascertained at a glance. Besides this, there are Kept the ‘Correct Book,” the “Incorrect Book” ‘and the “Warehouse Book.” The entire business s conducted by MOF CHECKS, A SYSTE! ‘which makes it an impossibility for any errors to @ccar. Should goods arrive at this port and the rter have no invoice, the Collector calls for @n appraisement, upon which a report is at once mgnade. If the value of the goods is under $100 the Appraiser has power to pass the wares. If this mount is exceeded the Collector must decide the ‘question. The merchant, a8 @ matter of course, @ives bonds to produce the original invoice within @ given limit of time. Attached to the office of the f entry clerk are eight assistant clerks and two Messengers, all of whom are constantly lee ae ‘with important duties. Invoices come to this de- partment in EVERY LANGUAGE OF TOR WORLD @nd in every known currency, weight and mca- . A practical education is necessarily required ‘to reduce the latter to the American standard and @t the same time do justice to the importer as well sto the government, No less difficult is it to the worth of goods comit from remote and compare the prices with the ruling rates ofthis country, than it is to estimate the money ‘value thereon. To do all this the appraiser has his proper officials, and it is only a wonder that he can retain so much i talent at the veggarly salary paid them by the government. THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS | to which are assigned Assistant Apptatiers Humber Each one has diferent qualities of goods to examine and appr It is singular to note the fmoongruity in th ification of merchandise to one division, which makes the labor d@imMcuit for the examiners. They are required to have a thoro! knowledge not only of one article but of all fabrics coming under their notice. following statements will give a full idea of the GLARS OF GOODS COMING UP FOR APPRAISEMENT. In the First Division, under charge of Mr. Albert Glibert, the assiguments consist of cigars, cigar- poof snuff, tobacco, iniormal appraisements, per- effects, sample office packages, seizures, Sie 8 and steamer examinations. This te Ww! lea the ‘damage division,” which examines all goods on which al ce is claimed sor damages on the voyage of importation. Mr, NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1872-QUADKUPLE SHEET. Gilbert has ten assistants, each of whom ts highly practical in various ‘THE SBCON! over which presides Colonel James Burt, has the examination and raisement of antiquities, bronze: coniectionery, epaulets, fancy - every description, small and fancy manu- ‘of alabaster, giass, marble, porcelain and spar, fancy bexee, gold beaters’ skin, my and ver galloon, gold and silver ware, jewelry of all Kinds, li ic musical in- strum opticals, optical, philoso phic pparatus, precious monte Tegalias, v8, za a . Se ween watchmakers’ tools, glucoae, hol 19, mo! sugar. SNOOP EXAMINATION OF one’ seg and fabrics con: Of parts of ailk and other material come under Assistant Appraiser Thomas W. Gibson. The mode of ascertaining the com- ponent parts of silk and cotton in mixed goods is critical and of great importance to the merchant. The nature of the goods determines the rate of ook. On silks the tariffis from fifty to sixty per cent; besides, on British the invoices cannot be relied upon, a8 the oath accom the same from many manufacturers is wholly unreliable. In England perjury is not a felony. A swora-to mani- fest is only a declaration or affirmation. To prop- erly come at the component of silk and cotton the Assistant Appraiser cuts a small square part from the article under examination. This he un- ravels into threads, separating the silk from the baser material. 4 GOLD SCALE, OP MINT STANDARD, which balances toa shadow, is used to weigh the silk and cotton. If the former predommates the higher duty is exacted; if otherwise, then the im- porter pays the lower tariff. Pop! give the ‘catest trouble to examine. If cotton is of such ingethe’ thread, ilk onty 1e . on glummers; cotton burns, This hint should Drove Valuable to the shopping community. Besides the above, this division examines and appraises:but- tons of every description, embroideries, except of gold and ‘éilver; hatters’ plush, laces and iace Diced of bid Sencrtption, ladies’ weari Apparel mad . , tram and organzine, an manufactures of ailk; tri THE FOURTH DIVISION, of which Mr, Lawrence W. Moore is Assistant Ap- praiser, has charge of the examination of bagging, ets, cotton, gutta percha and india rubber cloth and w -bbing, manufactures of cotton, flax, grass, Hemp iit 3, Or of which either of these arti- shall 4 component. of chief value, exeeRy ; carpets, carpei.ug, mats, matting and oilclot! rope ‘ana cordage, Rnreaa of linen or cotton, twine, ware, WORSTED GOODS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, bunting, busks, corsets, feathers, crude and or- namental; flowers, artificialor natural, dyed and dried; gloves, hair braids, hats, portery knit goods, linery goods, parasols, straw brai ids and Umbrellas are assigned for examination and ap- praisement to the h Division, of which Mr. Clar- ence W. Meade is Assistant Appraiser. THE MOST IMPORTANT division is the Sixth, im charge of Mr. John A. Baush, who ia likewise Specia! Deputy Appraiser, and has held office in that branch for upwards o! thirty years. Mr. Baush considered one of the Desk dea 8 of wool and furs in the country. The ar longing to this division consist of coir, saparte and grass, fibre, fax, flocks, hair of all kinds, hemp, istie, Jute, shoddy, wool, and all materials which enter into or form a component rt of texile fabrics, except cotton and silk, risties, canes, unmanufactured; carpets, carpet- ing, furs, and all manufactures of fur, mats, mat- ting, oilcloth, palm leaf, rattan, whalebone, whale- bone for stretchers, woollen cloth, woollen yara and all manufactures of wool. HUMAN HAIR AS A LEADING IMPORT must sound rather harsh, and speaks volumes for our extravagance. Yet this article peas a very heavy revenue to the government. The duties on hair are twenty per cent on raw, thirty per cent on clean and forty per cent on manufactured. The circular of Leon Pelleray, of Paris, is taken as the standard scale of prices by which to estimate val- ues of other manufactures. Within three years this article, owing to its scarcity and full demand, has increased in value thirty per cent. THE SEVENTH DIVISION, in charge of Mr, William 8. Headley, is very exten- sive. and has cognizance of the fellowing merchan- dise:—Anatomical preparations,. apothecaries’ glassware, asbestos, asphaltum, bituminous sub- stances, brimstone, cardamom seeds, chalk, chem- izals, clay, corks, cork tree bark, dextrine, drugs, dye stuf, earths, extracts, gelatine, fre ayP- sum, isinglags, leeches, lemon juice and peel, lime, medicines, mustard seed, paints, perfumery, ‘plas- ter of 8, printing ink, pumice stone, quicksil- Yer, resinous substances, saltpetre, soap for toflet, apecimens of botany and natural history, sponge. spun lls, surgical instruments, varnishes, wax, nd vegetable; water colors, moist. LIVING ANIMALS SUBJECT TO DUTY, and boots and shoes of leather, brick, buildin; ma- terial, burrstones, carriages, casks, coal, crockery, drain pipe, earthenware, felt for roofing an: sheathing, glass, glassware, gees uano, gutta percha (unmanufactured), hides, hide cut- tings, hoofs, horns, ice, India rubber (unmanufac- tured), ivory, {vory nuts, junk, laths, leather, lum- ber, mother of pearl, oakum, paper stock, Parian and porcelain ware, polishing stones, rags, shells, skins (not furs), slate, spars, spiling, stone for building, stone monuments, tiles, vencering, wood (cabinet and dye), come under the jurisdiction of the Eighth division, of which Mr. David B. lish, an old and capable member of the press, is Assist- ant Appraiser in charge. THE NINTH DIVISIO! 4 is administered by General James F. Hall, Assistant Appraiser, to whose care is committed a most im- portant branch of imports, consisting of bronze powders, coach hardware, cutlery, Dutch metal, emery, gold and silver leaf, hardware, harness, iron and manufactures of tron, machinery, metals, mica, minerals, needles, ores, pen tips and holders, pins, saddicry, steel and manufactures of stcel, steel pens. ARTISTS’ MATERIALS, PAINTINGS, ale, beverages, blacking, books, cocoa, cordials, fireworks, food, fruits, grain, grease, groceries, ex- cept molasses and sugar; gunpowder, hops, malt, mineral waters, nuts, not drugs; oils, except essential and medicinal; paper, plants, porter, printed matter, seeds, sealing wax, soap, not tollet; soap stock, sopaline, spirituous liquors, stationery, statuary, types, vanilla beans, wafers, wines, Works of » are eX- amined by the Tenth division, in charge of Mr. David'C. Sturges, Assistant Appraiser, and isa very important adjunct of Mr. Darling’s department. Before the duty was taken off coffee and tea these articles were appraised by this division. No less important is the examination of imported liquors, likewise belonging here, which requires a very able judgment and discrimination. The specific duty on this article is $2 per proof gallon, AN ENORMOUS BUSINESS is done by the appraisers, as must be admitted after perusing the above facts. It is mo more than just to state that under the able administration of Mr. Darling the ponderous machinery of his department Operates like clock work. A capable officer is never removed, although the utmost pena pressure is constantly brought to bear on him, to make a place for some aspiring office-holder. The only removals or appointments made are of openers and packers, who need not necessarily be experts. THE SCARCITY OF ROOM in the appraisers’ stores is as much bewalled as it isin the Custom House. But ‘arrangements are now on foot by which more space will be added to the former, as also to the public store. Mr. Mul- let, Architect of the Treasury Department, has re- cently been In this hays and with his assistant per- fected specifications by which two buildings on Greenwich and one on New Church street are to be added to the present structure. This will afford some relief for the present, but if imports con- tinue to increase at the rate of the past five years the government will be compelled to erect a new Custom House, Gy cn ed and public stores, and the most eligible site, therefore, would be the Bat- gs of this city. ORPHANS’ OHARITY BALL. From the extensive preparations which have been already made and are still progressing, the ball, which is to take place in the Academy of Music on the 22d of January, 1873, promises to eclipse all previous efforts of the ‘Young Men’s Association.” The intertor of the building will be handsomely decorated for the occasion, and two full bands will supply the music during the evening. The accom- modations of the supper room are to be of the most ample character, and nothing will be left undone by the various committees to promote the pleasure and comfort of the company. The marked success wh ich has hitherto attended tnese balls isa grati- sying-evidence of the popular nature of the deserv- ing and truly noble charity which they are intended to assist. The gentlemen of the associa- tion, which is composed of representatives of nearly every profession and branch of business tm the city, have, by their zealous and well directed efforts, added largely to the means of the institutions to the benefit of which the Bdge are to be devoted, The tickets are $5 cach, and can be obtained from the commit- tee and the honorary members of the association, of which the following gentlemen have been elected ofticers:—President, Jeremiah Quinlan; Vice Presidents, Charies O’Conor and William J, Kane; Treasurer, P, Malone; Financial secretary, John 7, McGowan; Corresponding Secretary, 8. 0. H. Murphy. When it is remembered that the pro- ceeds of the annual ball form & large portion of the revenue of the Catnolic Orphan asylums the importance of the affair as a matter of charity will be at once appreciated. In these asylumps nearly two thousand children are supported, and the city is thus relieved of an expense which would other- wise be incurred for the maintenance of the help- less and homeless littic ones who are carefully pro- vided for within the wails of those institutions, SERIOUS EMBANKMENT ACCIDENT. Yesterday forenoon, white @ gang of laborers Were working at an ombankment on Thirteenth avenue, between High and Howard streets, Newark, an immense mass of earth suddenly gave way, bearing beneath it one of the men, named Michae! Behan, ot West Newark. It was at first supposed that he was killed, but on being dug out it was found that though bié head was terribly cut, his leg broken and body crushed, his injuries were not likely to prove fatal. He was removed to the hos] aM Seven other workmen narrowly escaped jury. BLUNDERS OF BUILDING. Sham Wooden Structures That Have Re- cently Been Erected in New York, Under the Eye of the Super- intendent of Buildings, The Thin Iron Disguises of Splendid Tinder Boxes. Insurance Men Condemn Them Unreservedly. Horrible, when viewed upon the most vivid and most appalling side, have been those disasters of fire which, since the laying of Chicago in ashes, have come, one after another, upon the public with startling and terribie ruin. But as there Is no sweet without its bitterso there is no bitter without its sweet. The bright side of the picture is the fact now presented that there: ts aroused a strong popular feeling in favor of @ radical reform in the architecture of cities, so that the principles of humanity will take precedence in the considera- tion of the builder# to those ef artistic ostentation. Our most pretentious structures will be sound as a rute to be less thoroughly fireproof than many which present far plainer exteriors, but are, in fact, very carefully erected with reference to the greatest safety for humgn life and for property, THE LATE FIFTH AVENUE FIRE has again very recently made only too palpable this by no means flattering fact. Ina recent interview with Mr. Macgregor, the chief of the inspection of buildings in New York, he was reported to have declared that he had: no power to dictate in what manner a building should be erected. Yesterday a representative of the HERALD called upon Mr. Macgregor again and opened the conversation by calling his attention to the alleged saying of his above referred to. “The printed words are slightly incorrect per- haps, through an error of expression or through a misapprehension on the part ef the gentleman who repeated them. I really said that I had no power to dictate an alteration of a structure which had been erected before the passage of the law creating my authority unless enforced by a special act. In the building law of 1871, section 31, there is the following :— THE POWERS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILD- INGS, “The Department of Buildings namea under this : act shall have full power in passing upon any ques- tion relative tothe modes, manner of construc- tion or materials to be usea in the erection, altera- tion or repair of any building in the city of New York,’”” “and you interpret this as an enactment only ap- plying to buildings erected subsequent to its pas- sage ?”” “Yes, I do.” “Supposing, then, that such is the case, why were not the fire escapes provided for by special act placed upon the Fifth Avenue Hotel over the interior court yard ?”” “Ido not think that any more lives would have been saved than were, if those escapes were there. In my belief the girls were smothered while in their beds asleep—at least the greater number of those who were killed were smothered. if they had had the strength to escape why did they not do so through the hall and down by the other statr- way? SHAM STRUCTURES. “Does not your power over the manner of con- struction of ail new buildings enable you to be the judge of what constitutes proof against fire and what does not ?” “Yes, sir.’ “f understand, sir, that there have been erected quite recently in several parts of the city buildings ofboth a novel and @ dangerous character, as specially devised as food for the revels of the fire fiend aiter he should become wearied with attack- ing rotten tenements 1” ‘There are several wooden buildings in various arts of the city that were built before the present few against their erection came into vogne.” TRON COVERED TINDER BOXES. “But are there not some structures built of wood, covered with iron, and Claimed to be fireproof, that were recently completed ?”’ “There are two such buildings—one in Centre street—No. 42, Ibelieve. It belongs to Messrs. Noyce & Wines, This building has walls ot wood, but they are sheathed on both sides with iron. Its exterior presents an appearance of great solidity, massive- ness and strength.’? ns ae do you think of such @ method of architec- ure “[ do not approve of it myself. I do not think it astyle of building which ought to be encouraged,” “Why then do you permit it to be practised 7” “Weil, I think that the walls are as nearly fire- prodf as an ordinary iron building, as they are pro- tected on both sides.” IRON AS A CONDUCTOR OF HEAT. “Will not this iron sheeting communicate more speedily any heat caused py a fire in the interior of the building to the centre of the walls than if they were built of brick ?” “Wood in that position withstands the heat very well. Besides, the plastering is a great protection, as it isin dead floors. It takes a long time for the flames to work their way up through the ceiling. Insurance men who have inspected these struc- tures accept risks upon them just as readily as they do on others with walls entirely of iron.” “are there not other buildings of this sort in the city recently finished ?”’ “There is one at the corner of Worth and Centre streets; but itis merely @ low, temporary struc- ture, built by the trustees of an estate whose heirs are yet minors. HEPWORTH’S NEW CHURCH is also constructed in this manner, but the walls are of brick, covered both outside and inside with fron. Dr. Scudder’s iron temple, in Brooklyn, is a frame structure, with walls protected by corru- ated iron. When the plans were first drawn for this I disapproved it, and also when I went over to see it while in course of erection | remarked upon its faulty architecture, but my opinion was-not con- sulted,’? WHEN HIS OPINION WAS CONSULTED. “But your opinion was consulted in the case of similar buildings in New York, was it not ?”” “Yes; but those are considered by the insurance men to be Lhe ll safe. And what a terrible op- position I should meet with if I should suddenly be- gin to fight the architects and owners of these structures!” THE ILLS OF OFFICE. The interview was much longer than the portion given above, and Mr. Macgregor uttered many very original suggestions about his department, which, however, he declares it would be a herculean task to fs in practice. Mr. Macgregor aiso re- viewed his course since he was appointed Superin- tendent of Buildings, and said in conclusion, after dweiling on the ills and vexations of office for a length of time, that he would have had peace long ago it Mayor Hall had only seen fit to accept his resignation. Se Inquiries Among the Insurance Men. Subsequently the reporter went down in the in- surance region of Broadway and made inquiries among the learned ones in risks and valuations. The Surveyor of the Underwriters’ Association was first visited at the office, near Cedar street. Mr. Kingsland volunteered whatever information he could impart with the utmost courtesy. He was first asked :— 3 “What do you think of the corrugatea tron buildings recently erected in the city so far ag con- cerns their fireproof qualities ?” “I think very little of them, indeed, did meet with my favor. the first.” “For what reason do you condemn them?” “Because they are far less proof against fire than almost any other kind of building to be found in the city, excepting, perhaps, those which are en- tirely of wood.” HEPWORTH’S NEW CHURCH. “Are there many now in course of construction?” “I know only two or three. There is Hepworth’s new church at the corner of Forty-fifth street and Lexington avenue, which is partly of brick, partly of wood and partly of iron. The interior of the front wall is built of brick, while the other walls are framed with wooden timbers, All the walls are finished with plates of corrugated iron, both om the outside and inside, The building 42 Centre street, hi ver, is only sheeted with iron on the the timbers of the frame ng This style of architec. used to the atest extent in the erection of churches. In Brookiyn Dr. Scudder’s ‘iron temple,’ as it 1s called, isan ex- ample, and also Talmage’s Tabernacle. the former is nothing more than a slight frame covered with corrugated sheets of metal.” “In the case of @ fire what chance do you think there would be for these structures to withstand the flames?” “Very little chance, indeed. The heat would be communicated immediately to the wood, and THE WALLS WOULD Go. Mf there was a Gre ov the opposite side of a street They never Icondemned them from to that upon which one of these buildings stood the fames, when they became to any degree in- tense, would heat the iron on untl ere and then the wood would ignite and burn. “Do you remember any instance in which a beg rad Of this character has been consumed by nn “Ido, There was one not more than four months ago—a large slaughter house at the corner of First avenue and Forty-ith street, It went like a indlingwood box covered with tin, The plates of CURLED UP AND CRACKED OFF on both sides and the walls vanished like magic. ‘That ia just the way I expect those big churches in Brooklyn and that of Hepworth also will go.” “Are these buildings insured at the same rates as ordinary brick fireproof buildings ?” “Well, the snbject is now under investigation by myself, and after! make report the rd are to fix the rates which, in future, will be charzed for insurance on these buildings. itis ouly recently that our attention has been specially called to them. They will, however, be much higher than those on brick buildings,” The interview was here ended, and the reporter then called upon Mr. Dayton, the Surveyor of the American Fire Insurance Compauy, who, like several other gentlemen in the insurance business whom he had already met, CONDEMNED UNRESERVEDLY THK CORRUGATED IRON PULLDINGS, as being unsafe and incapable of resisting the at tacks of fire. From another source, the designa- tion of which is reserved by request, he learned that the rates to be established by the Board of Underwriters on buildings constructed of corru- gated iron would undoubtedly be as high as torty or fifty per cent above that charged on ordinary fireproof structures. This rather plainly indicates the opinions entertained by capitalists of the style of architecture which Superintendant Macgregor has permitted to come into vogue, although he saya that hedoeg not approve of it. 2 Sa OBITUARY. betta Prine he Justus Lawrence. Justus Lawrence, a popular and much es- teemed citizen, died at his residence, in Yonkers, N. ¥., yesterday morning. He was taken {rom life suddenly. Mr. Lawrence was President of the Continental Life Insurance Company, and during many years past a most active business man, and held a first place in the commercial community and social circle. Ambrose R. Wright, By telegram from Augusta, Ga., under date of yesterday, we were informed last night of the occur- rence of the death of General Ambrose Ranson Wright, one of the editors of the Chronicle and Sentinel newspaper and member elect to Congress from the Eighth district of Georgia. General Wright expired at his residence, in Augusta, at an early nour in the forenoon, He was carried off by general debility, resulting from an attack of nervous fever, which endured upon him, with more or less severity, during @ period of three weeks. He was an exceedingly popular man, and to some exten’, @ representative Georgian, of rare abilities. His death causes very profound grief and is mourned throughout the State as a public calamity, for the reason that he was dis- tinguished alike by his military record, his legal attainments, political abilitiy and fine social amen- ities. General Wright was forty-seven years of age. Robert Macpherson. Foreign society in Rome, particularly the mem- bers of the Scotch representation in the Holy City, has just lately lost, by death, one of its most genia, and gifted members, Robert Macpherson, who may be called the father of photography in the Italian capital. Robert Macpherson was born in Edinburgh in 1816, While still a lad he went with his parents to Canada, whence he returned at the age of seven- teen to study medicine in his native town. Asa Medical student he was the friend and companion of Edward Forbes, John Goodsir, George Bell (nephew of Sir Charles), William Edmondstoune Aytoun and others of that brilliant Burchenschast, while he was a constant and welcome visitor at the houses of George Combe and the members of the Siddons family, then residing in Edinburgh. His health gave way before the completion of his studies, and he had (o renounce the career of an army surgeon in India for the hardly less congenial one of that of a painter in Rome. Thither he went in 1840, and labored assiduously with palette and brush until he had acquired considerable pro- ficiency in his art, particularly in portraiture. An ophthalmic aifectiou—the sequela of an Oye prevailing in Rome in 1852—so impaired his eye- sight in that year that he seemed again on the point of abandoning his profession, when the acci- dental arrival of an old Edinburgh collegian, Dr. Clark (late of Capri), gave him a fresh start in his artistic career, he Doctor had come to Rome with a camera and lenses and all the apparatus of the then novel and fascinating art of photography. MaspReey singie-handed overcame all the diti- culties with which photography was at that time beset; bet? epee its value in a place so rich in antiquarian and art treasures as me, applied it to the reproduction of the various objects of in- terest around him. He produced the largest photo- graphs then known of the ruins and relics of the ‘Eternal ony Besides his fame as a photographer, e enjoyed considerable reputation as an art critic and a triend of artists and men of letters. He was the discoverer in 1848 of the famous picture by Michael Angclo, purchased by the British National Gallery, and was also the collector aud distributor of many curious and valuable old paintings, whose merits he was the first to perceive. The intimate of Thackeray and Father Prout, the life and soul of any a genial gathering of brother artists and authors, to which every weil accredited visitor was always welcome, his death is deplored by the constant resident in Rome and by the stranger within her gates. His literary capacity appeared to more than ordinary advantage in his letters contributed in succession to Father Prout, some five and twenty years ago, while his occasional communications to the Atie- num, and his criticisms and lectures on the treas- ures of the Vatican, always commanded and re- warded attention. A finer or more typical speci- men of the “kindly Scot”’ it was seldom his coun- trymen’s pleasure to find in a European capital, and men of all sorts and conditions from both sides ofthe Atlantic were among the mourners when, after a painful illness, Robert Macpherson’s remains were borne to the grave. John De Haga. The Australian mail from Melbourne brings news of the deliberate suicide, by shooting, of John De Hage, a well-known basso, who was formerly at- tached to opera companies in America and the British Australasia colony. Prior to his arrival in Australia Mr. De Haga had a very chequered career. His travels had been extensive both in Europe and America, and he first studied the art which he subsequently adopted as a profession in Italy. He was well connected and moved in good circles both in London and Paris, but a disposition for roving scems to have led him to America, where he soon joined the Nevada filibusters and became captain of that body. This was in the feverish gold and silver days of that territory, and Mr. De Haga, like everyone else, speculated before starting on the filibusterin, expedition, On _ this expedition he received a severe wound, which confined him to the hospital for some time. While there his mining speculations turned out trumps, and in a very short space of time he became worth something like one hundred thousand dollars. Fortune was fickle, however, and Mr. De Haga, failing to sell out at the right time, found that he could only secure some three thou- sand dollars out of what had been a very considera- ble fortune. With that remnant he went to Cali- fornia, and lived in San Francisco for about a couple of years, aus which time be experienced some vicissitudes, and could tell some very amus- ing stories of this period of his lite. From Califor- nia he went to Melbourne. Mr. De Haga has been before the Melbourne public for some eight or nine years as a musician of large ability, although his voice latterly has failed very considerably, and his recent public perform. ances have been anything but satisfactory either to himself or to his audiences. Still his skill, as @ “coach” was well known and availed of by the profession, and his services in this line were in frequent requisition. It is known that for’Some time past Mr. De Haga was embarrassed by pecuniary obligations and impecu- niosity, but even his best friends were not aware that matters were so desperate with him. He had been in a very desponding condition for some time, and only a few days betore his death spoke toa friend on the subject of his troubles, observing that he would as soon puta bullet through his head continue to live on with such @ weight of debt hanging over him and no prospect of lasting em- ployment, M. Janet-Lange. The French journals announce the death of M. Janet-Lange, historical painter, in his eighty- seventh year. He was a pupil of Collin, Ingres and Horace Vernet. Many remarkable works of this artist are to be seen in the museums and public monuments of the departments of France. SARATOGANS PROTESTING AGAINST OOOK FIGHTING. SaRaToGA, N. Y., Dec, 21, 1872, An indignation meeting of citizens was held here last night, in the rooms of the Young Mens’ Chris- tian Association, to protest against the holding of the great cock fight, New York city versus Troy, advertised to come off in this village. Resolutions were adopted and ® protest put in circulation, which is to-day veing signed by hundreds of our citizens, Legal steps have also been taken to dis- cover the parties engaged in the match, aud Mr. Bergh, of tew York, has been telegrapned to con- cerning the matter. The matcl will probably not come off here, OUR NAVAL DEFICIENCIES. The Unprotected Condition of Our Great Sea- board and Large Seaports—How New York Harbor Could Be Entered by & Hostile Iron-Clac Fleet. To THE Eprror oF THe HERALD :— It is but a short time since I noticed you alluded to the report of the United States Army Engineer to the Secretary of War upon harbor defences, and you congratulated the people that this most impor- tant matter appeared to command their attention, meaning, doubtless, the attention of the oftcers of the army. Why, that has been the case for years, and would it not be well tor youto make it com- mand the attention of the legislators at Washing- ton, so that by our army and navy our great sea- board cities at least may be protected from being laid at the mercy of an active, energetic enemy? Supply the army with guns and carriages to mount them on, and powder of proper initial velocity to drive the shot effectually to do its work upon the enemy. Give the navy some ships to do their work, repair the iron-clads at League Islaud that can be repaired, have a system of torpedoes {or of- fensive and defensive operation, I wish now to state that the vast improvements in the modern foreign navics give us no timely warning, for they are all ready, and we shall awake to the fact someday (Ged grant it may be soon) that we are far behind them in iron-clads, moni- tors, harbor defences and the wonderful destruc- tive torpedo. Already have we too long acted upon the supposition that we are well prepared, and may not a continuation of tnis- blind policy cause some of our beautiful seaboard cities to fall an casy prey to their iron-clad fleets whenever they may see fit to hurl them upon us? I will im- agine a case and at this time it is not at all an im- probable one. Imagine war with England and their iron-clad Channel fleet, combined with their iron-clad Meal- terranean fleet, with their wooden war and trans- port fleet, ordered to proceed to and force an entrance into the port of New York. We will sup- pose we have thirty or sixty days’ notice, which would be a long notice. It may well be asked, How will we meet them? Possibly some enthusiast may answer, By our iron-clad vessels; the local forts and torpedoes planted about the harbor! Letus see what we have ready and can get ready to meet this fleet of the English, consisting of seventeen ponderous iron-clads, backed with thirty-six wooden war steamers, mounting from twelve to eighty guns each, with @ transport fleet of fifty steamers, They will all readily steam across the ocean from the English Channel and Gibraltar in twenty days, and appear off the harbor of New York. Well, we are duly notified and we send thousands of men to the fort at Sandy Hook, which is without a gun; also we send men to the works on Staten Island; we work earnestly at Forts Hamilton and Lafayette, We next place in commission our availabfe iron- | clads, Let us see what we have. The Roanoke is at New York with six guns; she is an old. wooden frigate plated with four inches of iron. We hurry out the Dictator.irom New London with her 15-in ins; We order up the Saugus from Phila phia or Fortress Monroe, with her two 15-tuc! guns. These two last are the best we have, for, if Tightly informed by the Secretary of the Nays report, all the wooden iron-clads have ~ cayed beyond repair, and only some five or six of the fron ones are considered fit for renal by giving them iron beams and decks, and thisis yet to be done, and will take some months, The monitor Puritan may possibly be got ready. We now callin all our West India squad- ron and commission all the available wooden steamers, and at the very most we get together a squadron of fifteen wooden vessels and four iron- clads, three of which are monitors, The army and navy jointly p!ant the Lower Bay und Narrows with all the torpedoes that can be made, and each and every ship carries a supply of torpedoes, The English fleet comes along in (say) sixty days; our forts have been placed in the very best of condition the time will admit of and the flect 4g alluded to above are at anchor in the Lower Bay. We will suppose a demand is made for sur- render and refused, and with usual Yankee pluck the Dictater, Roanoke, Saugus and Puritan go out- side of Sandy Hook and engage the enemy's best iron-clad. Of course the fire of the Yankee’s iron- clad guns of fifteen-inch calibre must and will have telling effect at first; an English iron-clad or two would be disabled; but when the impinging fire of such guns as they could bring to bear upon the decks ef our vessels were felt, the monitor’s decks would be smashed in like egg shells, and the monitor soon disabled. Again, we will suppose the enemy, with their superior speed of ten to twelve knots to our five to seven knots, lay aboard onr monitors. Here the destraic- tive torpedo comes into play and use, and soon the Dictator, Roanoke, Saugus and Puritan go pone side by side with four of tne, Engilsh iron- clads, So much for our monitor defences of New York. The English Admiral orders an advance into the harbor; he has now, we will suppose, eleven or twelve iron-clads in order; his wooden war steam- ers and transports are still uninjured ; his wooden steamers he wilf order to pass the Bar, and they must take the chances of the first planted tor- pedoes—indeed, he expects to lose say six of them. Suppose they are permitted to pass uninjured and the torpedoes heid.for the iron-clads, that soon follow. The wooden flect engage the Yankee fleet im the Lower Bay inside Sandy Heok, both fighting with torpedoes as well as their batteries, Soon they are grappling ship for ship, and they mutually sink and are destroyed, say side by side, Down they go together. The English iron-clad fleet has been Sebo im line to pass the bar at Sandy Hook, They hardly per any attention to the unprepared fort there. Their leading ship is sunk by a torpedo, the same as our monitor was at Mo- bile; but on go the others by the main ship channel, perhaps with another irou-ciad suak near Sandy Hook Point or Soutnwest Fire buoy, or dis- abled by a lucky shot from some fifteen or wwenty inch gun, and they steam through the destroyed wooden fleet in the Lower Bay, and up channel, nine in all, they go for the Narrows. Here the lron- clads fear naught from the forts save the chance fifteen or twenty inch shot that can be fired. The snot from the other guns mounted there cannot penetrate them. Torpedoes, of course, may sink one or more, but on they go, seven in all, up past the forts at Bedloe’s Isiand and Governor's Island. Again they take the chances of torpedoes and the occasional fifteen or twenty inch shot, but on they , and, rushing past, they turn intothe North and Est rivers and lay contribution upon rich and beautiful New York. The attempt to enter the strongest front to New York has been supposed, then, how much easier will it be to come by the way of Long Island Sound, past Fort Schuyler and thence through the Gate (thus avoiding Sandy Hook fort, Staten Island, Fe Hamilton, Lafayette, Bedloe’s Island, Governor’s Isiand and Ellis Island)? I have sup- posed no impossible result, prepared as we are now, andi write in no spirit of detraction, but with the earnest wish that we may be awakened to proper preparation amd not be without a perfect torpedo system for both army and navy. Good, substantial Sones. prapert armed with heavy guns; od powder and naval vessels of great speed, Reavy guns and ready to operate with ‘positive’ working torpedoes; our monitors all in good order and at least one torpedo vessel fer each great city. Alone with the view of urging the fatality of leav- ing our seaboard cities open to the successful attack of an active, hos and brave enemy is this article written. Yours, &c., DEFENCE, SUPERINTENDENT MACGREGOR AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, To THE EDITOR OF THE HEKALD:— In your issue of the 13th inst. appeared a com- munication, signed “A Fireman of the Present De- partment,” the writer of which takes exception to some of the views advanced by me in the conver- sation had with your reporter regarding the recent fire at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. In justice to myself I think it but proper to state that the report of the interview was inaccurate in one particular, in making me say that the fire in question could never have attained the headway it did had the old Fire Department been in existence. I did assert, however, and still claim that the old voluntcers put out more fires on 1 alarms than the present force. ‘That circumstance I attributed not to the superior energy of the volunteer, but to the inadequacy in joint of number of men and apparatus of the paid Gepartment. It is no discredit to even the best of men that they cannot perform impossibilities. I yield to no one in admiration of the zeal and dis- cipline that characterize the. present force; indeed, any reflection upon {ft would come with but a bad grace from me, who from the moment the project was mooted was an earnest advocate for the establishment ofa paid department. I think, however, that the force, in point of numbers, is Cyt bee mee to V. ste the wants of this metro} e only to ho} that a calamity similar to that which visited che and Boston may not demonstrate the justness " of my opinion and the delusive character of the economy by which the chief financial officer 0; the city government seeks to establish his reputation as a reformer at the expense of his fellow citizens. In regard to the Grand Central Hotel, which he describes as a man-trap, it was built in accordance ‘ith the laws in ferce at the time of its erection. Mi he would refer to my report for the year in which the Grand Central was rebulit he wii find that I strongly condemned the erection of Mansara roofs built as above. ‘So far as regards the personal allusions to myself in this delectable production, I flatter myself I rd to treat them with contempt. Yours Seavectivllys ‘4 JAMES M, MACGREGOR, NO BIGAMIST, \ ry The Sympathics of Poughkeepsie People with the Imprisoned Tennison. NO CASE AGAINST HIM. Perry Mapes, the Father of Mrs. Tennle son, Anxious to Retire from the Prosecution. Henry P. Tennison, of Rock Hall, County Kil- kenny, Ireland, grandson of James de la Poer. Porter, one of the richest and most influential commoriers in the south of Ireland, and connected with the Marquis of Waterford or Beresford family, still languishes in a Poughkeepsie dungeon, charged with the crime of bigamy, at the instiga- tion of one Mapes, of Poughkeepsie, a retired steward of a North River steamboat and the father. of the young lady whom Mr. Henry P. Tennison made the happy partner of his affections and Rocig Hall, county Kilkenny. Some four or five weeks ago, when the staid and respectable inhabitants of Poughkeepsie learned that one of their daughters ha@ eloped and married a man who had another’ wife living in Detroit, , they rejoiced over the capture of the heartless betrayer of youth and beauty, and thirsted eagerly, for his immediate punishment. He was committed by, Judge J. Barnard and he has since been’ indicted by the Grand Jury, r During the past ten days the tide of popular feel» ing has taken a most decided turn in Poughkeepsie, as from certain matters that have come to light, the public are under the impression that Ténnison: is wrongfully imprisoned and that there were nao just grounds for his detention. The witness frona Detroit that was produced against him proved such complete failure that he was immediately sent back without having proved anything. The prosecuting parties are, it is said, in rather a dilemma, as they do not know how to support the charges they have made against Tennison, In fact, it appegra they would be glad to get rid of him quietly, as over= tures have been made to him to let him out and pay all expenses provided he would leave tl neighborhood. Tennison, however, means to fight it out, and make them prove the assertions by, which they have endeavored to ruin his reputation. Court is now sitting at Poughkeepsie, and ‘Tennison is anxious to have his case called up; but the pros- ecuting parties a0 not appear to be the least anx¢ ious to bring it to trial. f A HERALD representative paid a visit to Mr. Ten-; nison recently and found the proprietor of Rock Hall, county Kilkenny, seated upon an iron bed- stead, which appeared rather destitute of clothing.! He did not apvear very despondent, and gave the following sketch of his career:— Isterted from Liverpool in 1860, and came over to Ne’ York with letters to Richardson & Co., of that ey. Tha been brought up in the wholesale’ produce bush Stopped a short time in New York, and then went to a Louis, where I presented some letters of introduction had received trom Richardson & Co., of New York. After waiting three months L obtained goods of two large stores, belonging to Jecks & Co. While in St. Louis I becames acquainted with a gentleman and his sister. ‘tte genue- man was a very dear friend, and at his death he confide his sister to my care. I gave her the use of my name, an we were known as Mr. and Mrs. Tennison, although wa she was sixty-five years of age 1 was with her nearly ten’ years. Sh has since leit the country, and is now somewhere in 1 land. Iremained in St. Louis until nine montns after war, when [ went to Toronto and went into business under the name of Tennison & Hunter, We had @ house int Toronto and @ branch in Chatham. Our business wag wholesale and retail clothing. Sold out of the firm la: March trom. ill-health and went to Detroit. While ther Was engaged with C. K. Maby for three wecks and a day, but hearing some bad reports about him from som Canada friends I resigned mer eee. Took a block of buildings on Michigan avenue, intending to occupy three of the stores in the wholesale clothing business and I the others. Set painters anc carpenters to work and startes for New York to buy goods. While in the cars I saw Mrs. Tennison (Miss Mapes that was), and before we were half way between Albauy and Poughkcepsie.1 was donel tor. Never again until the morning we ree mar- ried by the Kev. Mr. Crary, in the Church of the Holy Comfort. Took her to Albany, tothe Delavan House, and when out one day her father came with two detecs tives and stole her away. I went back to Detroit « took a store at 257 Jefferson avenue and rooms at the Biddle House. Wed several telegrams signed by mv wife, and finally eame on to see her, Intending to Oring her back with me to Detroit. When I arrived here 1 was arrested at the instigation of Mapes, her father, on @ charge of bigamy. Tam anxious to have a trial, and. ‘thout one, as my character and reputa- tion must be fully cleared ‘from ‘all stain of dishonor it Justice to the lady I made my wife.” Before leaving Poughkeepsie the HERALD repre- | sentative received the following communications from Mr. Tennison, which is printed verbatim :— To Heratp Conresronpent = My grandiather (lenniso: was James De la Poer, Porter, one of the largest and richest commoners in the soul of ireland, connected with the» Marquis of Waterford or Berestord’s family: but, like other Irish gents of the olden time, ' went} through £10,000° per annum inside of ten yea Waterford people stil! ‘oing to Tramore race nny and Watertc Every Kilkenny man knows who Thomas Tennison, of Rock Hall, hence their devotion to me here when L looked deserted. After Carrick Shock battle, which oc- curred at Tennison lodge gate, or, rather, within five hundred yards of it, a foster-brother of Tennison’s futher ‘was arrested wrongfully, named Zak Ryan, of Conderss town, and those injormers who were paid to swear away, this man’s life, was innocent as his father, showed most sively, ‘they (the informers) showed they were perjarers, as’ this Ryan had some day been purchasing hunters ata fair tor Mr. Tennison, Sen. ‘Twenty other suspected parties were allowed to go free. The son goes, Flood of Flood Hail, and noble Counsello’ Tom Ten. nison, &c. Tennison was introduced in Detroit by Canada’s merchant prince, @ man who has no superior liv- ing—the Hon. John McMurrick, of Toronto—an@ has several letters, among others from one of the most respectable there—Moifat prone ‘statin; how they regretted Mr. Tennison had beeh oblige: to sell and retire owing to ill-health, and that their house alone sold his late firm from thirty-five to fifty thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Tennisom is for six years a subscriber in Detroit to the unt- versally Known mercantile agency of McKellup, Tapman &Co., and McKellup, srecce”s Co., 0! New York. Those gentlemen will, he is sure, see as far as regards his statements of a business nature, confirm them. He takes this php pd of thanking the New York house for their kindness when his character was so grossly asperzed, with- out having communicated with them, ashe felt a prison was not the place to addness trom. For — of Tonnison’s family see Sir Bernard urke’s “Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Treland.”” Poughkeepsie people have now given all their sympathies to tne caged Tennison, although the: credit him with being slightly touched in his heady McGrady, of the Forbes House, still continués to send him his meals, and the officials do everythin in their power to make his confinement as pleasant as possible. POLITIOS IN HUNGARY. (From the London Post, Nov. 7.) The new Hungarian Premier, M. Szlavy, has ac, ceded to his new dignity amid enthusiastic demon- strations of sympathy from both sides, the Deak- ists as well as the Left, whose organ, Elendr, specially welcomes him to his new post. Stil, public opinion in Hungary and Austria doubts the stability of his tenure of office, and public organs openly express their misgivings. But for Deak’s unequivocal expression that “while. he lives Szlavy shall not rise to the Premiership,” the Spee succession of @ conservative Cabinet un- der that statesman would be accepted as an in- evitable fact. M, Szlavy has already received the sobriquet of “Citizen Minister” from the Hun- garian Parifament, not on account of his extrac- tion—which is noble—but of his unpresuming,. almost bashful appearance and the cl resemb- lance of his present condition to that of the hi less “citizen Ministry’ Giskra-Herbst in cis-Leit! nia, whose cxample is considered no Bromising! omen. M. Szlavy was born in 1819, being the s ofa military surgeon stationed in Presburg. education has deen entirely German, and in his appearance the Prime Minister is far more Ger- man than Magyar. He was educated at the Theresianum, at Vienna, and subsequently threaded his way through the administrative ser- vice without ¢clat till about ten years ago, when h was appointed Governor (Obergespan) of a district in Hungary. On the formation of the Hangariam: Cabinet (Andrassy) he was raised to an under sec~ retaryship in the Home Office, and a few years later, on M. Girovi’s removal to the Ministry of Communications, he succeeded that statesman im the office he has but just exchanged for still migher, dignity—namely, the Ministry of Commerce an: Agriculture. His chief recommendation, as com- ared with his retiring predecessor, is his un- loubted integrity, but he is considered wanting in. the strong will aud comman individuality’ which the jeader of a Cabinet should under all cir~ cumstances possess, ; HEAVY HAUL IN HOBOKEN. The professional river thieves, who make a con» fortable living at the expense of the Cunard, Ham- burg and Bremon steamship companies, made ane other descent ut an early hoar yesterday mornings on four cases of valuables which were piled on one/ of Anderson’s trucks, on the Bremen dock. One ot the cases contained iliustrated papers, and th others large quantities of sik and yn mate rials, valued at about $15,000. ae of the robbery is that it was perpetrat eyes of neveral () watchmen. Office! vigitaae and Chief Donovan bp Whe track cf the invisible bareiars ecollect his coach and four gra: His property ‘was in counties of |, freland, i a