The New York Herald Newspaper, March 8, 1873, Page 5

CENTRAL AFRICA. Later from the Egyptian Exploration in the Albert Nyanza Couatry.- BAKER ON THE EQUATOR. Intrigues Against Him by the Ivory Traders. KAMRASI’S CULTURED TRIBE. A Palace with Ivory Pillars and Silken Tapestry. BAKER PUNISHES A POISONER, Bloody Resistance by the Sol- diers of King Kabrega. BAKER’S PRESENT POSITION. SEL REE eae In Possession of Fatuka, Which He Holds Against the Nubian Chiefs. Kuarroom, Dec. 1, 1872. it is so long since news arrived giving any infor- mation in detail of the movements of Sir Samuel Baker that what I have now to write must be read with the greatest interest, and since the frst in- quiry made will probably be as to its authenticity I give the source fully.» On the 7th day of November the merchant fleet reached here, comprising ten sail, owned by Mo- hammed Akad, who is the sole proprictor of the ivory establishment situated south of Gondokooro, It brought about eight hundred cantars of ele- phants’ teeth, the whole of which has been sold at most exorbitant rates, varying from one hundred and thirty toone hundred and fifty-five dollars— the highest rate last season having been $115. Owing toa scarcity of hands the caravan had to leave at Fabo, above Gondokooro, a quantity of about one thousand cantars, which have been en- trusted to the care of an escort numbering 400 men. The total yield of ivory brought to this mar- ket annually is estimated roughly at three thou- Sand cantars, the largest portion of which is owned by Akad, who sends every year .twenty boats to Gondokooro, and six to Bahr-al-Ga- sal. This trade 1s contined to the White River and its tributaries, comprising in all about fifty sail, and employing nearly six thousand persons. ‘The return of the Akad expedition brought also the tidings trom Sir Samuel Baker that you will perhaps regard as more precious than ivory. Baker bimself has not written a line either to Europe or to the Egyptian government, so far as I can learn. I therefore can only report what I have patiently gathered from the men who have seen Baker inthe equatorial regions. Although they come direct from there and from association with him, the reports must, until further advices, be recelved with a cer- tain degree of caution. When Sir Samuel Baker took his departure from Khartoom in January, 1870, he entered into acon- tract with the Shah Mohammed-el-Akad, stipula- ting that the exploration between Gondokooro and the Albert Nyanza should be undertaken on joint account, the proceeds realized from the sale of Ivory, vo be divided in the ratio of the number of men furnished by either of the contracting parties, Akad agreed to furnish men for transportation purposes and to furnish the necessary provisions for Baker’s soldiers. Akad’s portion of the expe- dition was placed under the command of his son- in-law and partner, Abu Saut. DIFFICULTIES AND DISPUTES, Bat before the expedition had even reached Gondokooro dissensions arose—in regard to which It appears that Baker lays the blame to Abu Saut, while the latter seems to regard them as a neces- sary and natural result of Baker's infirmity of temper and too hasty and overbearing disposition. The Bari—negroes employed as carriers—revolted against Baker's severity and ran away, thus leav- ing the expedition without the necessary trans- portation. Baker accused Abu Saut of complicity in the desertion of the negroes and of favoring and encouraging that dissatisfaction among them that led to the desertion. Abu Saut is certainly a great javorite with the negroes and much re- Spected by them, but this is hardly sufficient rea- son for supposing that he would provoke revolt to Bis own injury. On Abu Saut’s arrival at Gondokooro Baker would Not permit nim to unload his boats at the bank of the river, but compelled him to confine himselfto an island at the opposite side. Time, however, was pressing. The Egyptian troops, with Baker, under command of Djebel Redjef, had been already detained several months, and now, with an open quarrel on foot, the only prospect was one to indefinite delay. In this posi- tion Baker found himself forced to make what use he could ef Abu Saut’s influence in the country, -and through him negotiated for @ new party of negro carriers. He was thus enabled to proceed towards the equa- tor with 200 soldiers, leaving the remainder of his forces and all his baggage at Gondokooro under command of Colonel Rau! Bey. BEYOND GONDOKOORO, For several years past Akad has been in posses- sion of several trading stations in the equatorial regions, namely, at— r 1. Férschelé, in the district of Medi, six days’ march from Gondokooro. _ 2. Faldro, three days’ march from Farschelé, 3. Fabo, eight hours seuth of Faldro. 4 Fatuka, in the district of Fadjull, eight hours east of Fabo. (On Baker’s map it is called Fatiko.) yuér (Fauira on Baker's map), situated on the lagango, in the district of the Faloa trives, four days from 6. Musindi, ressdenos of King Kamrasi, five days south of the river Maganga. All these establishments had to be inspected by Abu Sant, and therefore he went on ahead of Baker and visited Musindi, where he found that Kamrasi had died and was succeeded by his son Kabrega. The latter proved an old acquaintance of Abu Saut, who was therefore received with Much consideration. Kamrasi’s tribe is of a higher state of culture than the negroes of northern tribes, Nakeaness is prohibited; all are \ clothed, The residence of the King is highly ornamented. The roof rests on ivory Pillars, the walls are covered with sijken and ‘woollen stuffs and the floors well carpeted, These juxuries are provided by traders from Zanzibar who have @ station three days’ journey south of Musindi, situated in the district of Magango, the chief of which is named Kamrasi. The proprietor of this trading station is Isa Mansur, who, like all his companions, believes in Islam. He cao com- mand 800 musxets, The traders of the Indian Ocean and the ivory traders of Central Africa meet each other at Musindi, and from this pomt there is four days’ journey in a western direction to the Albert Nyanza. In this district Abu Saut has been in the habit of annually bargaining for about five hundred cantars of elephants’ teeth, and during this season has returned, as usual, witha large cargo to the station at Fabo, Baker arrived at Muosindi subsequently to Abu Saut’s visit, and doubtless there had been refer- ence to Baker in the conversations of Abu Saut with Kabrega, the King, for the latter was informed of Baker’s coming and of his purposes. He re- mained quiet, but jealously watched the move- ments of the expedition, MORE SERIOUS TROUBLE. ‘The goods which Baker brought with him were unpacked and exhibited in his tents, The natives, invited by Baker, came to exchange ivory for the | as gospel, goods. In a short time small quantities of elephant . tusks had thus been bartered for. Thepatives were much surprised that Baker—who, on his first visit, was satisfied to live as they did, on “‘melochies,” a wild-growing vegetable, simply boiled in water— now bore the dignity of aPacha. ‘The notion of the natives, it should be remembered, is that there exists no greater king than either Kabrega or Kamrasi. Baker’s attention was subsequently turned toa tribe of Nubian servanta employed by Akad and stationed at Musindi, Alleging that the contract with Akad had expired, Baker endeavored to en- list these men and te induce them to acknowledge him as Rajah of the Sovereign of Egypt. He also proposed to make contracts with them for salaries considerably less than those paid by Akad. The men, whose nationality is Danagia, refused sub- mission, left the establishment and turned towards the north. Pursued by Baker’s forces, twelve of the men who had fled were killed by order of Baker. MORE BLOOD AND A BATTLE, On @ subsequent day King Kabrega regaled the Egyptian soldiers with a drink called “merissa”’ (a beverage distilled of corn). All drank, and drank to excess, The men fell sick and fainted, the. symptoms appearing dangerous, Remedies were promptly applied,’ and fatal consequences averted. The “accident” had been caused by one of Kabrega’s courtiers, and Baker, highly incensed, aemanded the culprit to be handed over to him, This was refused, whereupon Baker ofdered a bimbashi (that is, a captain) to go, aceompanied by two soldiers, to fetch the culprit, if necessary, by force. Now, a negro never permits force to be used without taking revenge. When the soldiers came to fetch the courtier they were attacked by the natives and all three were killed. This, of course, was the signal for a general attack. Baker declared war; and on both sides the fire was opened. The issue did not remain doubtful very long. Kabrega, in addition to an army of lancers, has 200 muskets, Thirty soldiers fell, and Baker was compelled to give way. He retired before an overwhelming force, leaving arms and muni- tion, as well asthe ivory, tents and all he pos- sessed, to be consumed by fire, in order to prevent their falling into the handsof the enemy. In his re- trograde movement Baker was pursued and ha- rassed during five days until he reached the River Mugango. Arriving there he remained twelve days before he was enabled to cross the river, no ferry or boats being procurable. Baker attributes this dis- aster to the intrigues of Abu Saut, PREPARATIONS FOR MORE WAR. A short distance from the point where Baker came to halt there is an island inhabited by a tribe whose chief, Rionge, is, at enmity with the Kam- rasi tribe. This chief was induced to send a feluka, and enabled Baker to ford the river Ma- gango. Atreaty was entered into with Rionge, stipulating that Baker should bring the rest of the soldiers from Gondokooro. Thus allied he would proclaim Rionze King, and protect him as such. Rionge has granted the necessary escort to enable Baker's return to Fatuka, where Baker Is supposed to sojourn at this moment. At Fatuka, as already stated, there is the largest trading establishment owned by Akad, and here Baker repeated his demand tnat the servants under whose protection rested Akad’s establishment should henceforth take allegiance to the Egyptian government, the contract with Abu Saut hav- ing expired. The districts over which Abu Saut traded must be thrown open and Baker Pacha sent for the Vakil of the Seriba (chief of the station), named Woad-el-Mek, son of the King. This person sent two of his men to apologize for his non-appearance owing to sickness, and to take the orders of the Pacha. This circumstance confirmed Baker's suspicion of an intended obstinacy on the part of the Turkish Rajah, and of a refusal to obey orders. Humanity will revolt at the idea—if the report should be confirmed—that the Egyptian soldiers ill treated the two emissaries ina most Darbarous manner. A FREE FIGHT. The torture to which they were put led to most deplorable consequences. The negroes belonging to Baker's expedition joined in the mélée and attacked subsequeitly the Seriba of Akad. Before the men of the iatter could take to means of defence several persons were killed. The Danagia took to arms and fired on the colored men. Baker's forces opened fire on the traders, who, following the orders of their chief, did not fire on the Egyptians, but retired. About one hundred and thirty men, Berbers and Danagias, fell in the fight. The traa- ing station has been taken possession of by Baker, with all the goods, munition stores, and also 300 donkeys, Abu-Saut, who during the occurrence was at Fabo, bas received from Baker a letter stating that the Danagla provoked the fight, and that he was thas compelled to punish them, When Abu Saut reached Fatuka endeavors were made to induce him to acknowledge the fact that the responsibility of the occurrence rested on the trading associa- tion, This he refused, believing that the evidence given by his own men proved the contrary. BAKER OUSTS THE ARAB TRADERS. Baker Pacha was in consequence induced to call in the man Woad-el-Mek, and to install him as chief of the entire trading establishment. A circular was sent to the other branches, and the forces were ordered to swear allegiance to the Egyptian government, and to serve it henceforth. The Nubians held councils among each other, and in- formed the Pacha in writing that they remained loyal to their former master, and that force would be met by force. The inference to be drawn from the foregoing is that there is seemingly an intention to establish a monopoly ef the ivory trade in the interest of the Egyptian government. This isa point ofsingular im- portance, since trade with the interior ef Africa from the first cataract is guaranteed by treaty. Under these circumstances Abu Saut resolved to abafidon the country and to return to Khartoom. Owing to the warlike preparations he was unable to secure men for the transportation of ttre 1,000 cantars of ivory, which he left behind at the Seriba of Tabo, The 400 men left in charge have received orders not to fight in case of an attack being made by the Pacha, but simply to abandon the seriba and the ivory, to take to the boats and return to Gondokooro. APPEALING TO THE KHEDIVE. The trading enterprise of Akad is thus interfered with, and Abu Saut proposes to go to Egypt with the view of personally reporting to the Khedive. Retuil trade has flourished hitherto at this place by reason of the extensive and important inter- course with the White Nile, where an outlet was found for all articles. From six to eight thousand Egyptians, sabjects of the Khedive, are sud- denly deprived oof means of subsist- ence, and the ational exchequer is subjected to a loss of more than one thousand sacs, which Akad and his employés were annually pay- ing as tulba (taxes). Business men are somewhat discouraged. Khartoom, a city which has existed barely fifty years, was mainly dependent on its in- tercourse with the negro countries, If trading with the White River-be interrupted or interfered with the capital of East Soudan will lose all mercan- tile importance and be reduced to a fellah village. Furthermore, in a scientific point of view, we sshould lose all chance of making progress toward the Equatorial regions. Dr. Schweinfurth, in re- cognition of the many services rendered by the Vakil of Akad, Abu Ssamat, while in the western regions of the Bahr-el-Gasal, has obtained for nim two decorations from the Sultan and from the Ger- man Emperor. The people of Soudan have thus learned to dismiss the prejudice against frangi (Europeans), out the operations of Baker have again awakened suspicion, and every white man is looked upon as a spy. Regarding Sir Samuel Baker, whose contract ex- pires very soon, we can form no idea, Whether he will renew the expedition or whether he closes his mission at Fatuka, and whether he returns via Gondokooro and Khartoom, all this is conjecture. In the meantime, Mr. Higginbotham, the engineer, has mounted the movable steamer destined to explore the Albert Nyanza. Mechanics and ma- chinists have been busied at Gondokooro, and we conclude that operations will now commence, We repeat and expressly observe that the re- ports as above emanate from traders; what we have said must not be taken explicitly bus be received with caytion until Baker's reports are received. It seems doubtful, if not ridiculous, when we hear it asserted by Abu Saut and his com- panions that Baker had never seen Albert Nyanza on his first trip; more than that, Baker connects the River Magango with a waterfall and the lake, while they pretend that the river never nears the lake, but turns towards the north. No boats have returned this season from Bahr-el- Gasal. We have, therefore, no news from the dis- tricts of Djur, Hjiemnjem, Monbuttu, &c., and, con- sequently, have heard nothing of the traveller Miani. ART MATTERS. The Cesnola Cypriote Collection—The Unpacking Begun Yesterday. Several weeks ago the HERALD published a two- column account of the Cypriote antiquities re- cently discovered by General L, P. di Cesnola, the Unite. States Consul to Cyprus. In the course of that account it was mentioned that the 275 cnests, in which the collection was packed, were in the Custom House; that the magnificent Douglas man- sion, on Fourteenth street, nearly opposite Mr. Fechter’s theatre, had been leased by Mr. John Taylor Johnston, President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and that workmen were busy making such alterations as would enable that man- sion to accommodate the antiquities until the Cen- tral Park Museum should be ready. It is now necessary to add that the grounds and base- ment of the Douglas mansion are strewn with the casks and chests containing the Cypriote treasures, and that in a chamber on the second floor, at the northeast corner of tie house, sits General di Cesnola himself, a desk be- fore him, enthusiasm within him and a chaotic sea of Cypriote antiquities surging and frothing at his feet, The unpacking began yesterday morning. Admission to this apartment—in fact, admission to the house—is not allowed, even to a@ HERALD writer, and it is to be regretted that it cannot be said tnat for any of the facts herein mentioned in- deptedness to General di Cesnoia is to be acknowl- edged, That gentleman found it impossible to yield any information or to give any clew as to What was being or would be done. The public will be interested in learning, however, that the officers of the Metropolitan Art Museum have ,en- gaged the General to superintend the arrange- Inent of the collection and ‘that our Consul to Cyprus will remain in this city unth the work is completed. This will not be so soon as was at first expected. Only three rooms oi the fine old mansion are at hivernat at the disposal of Cesnola. The rest are Lalas ele by the owner, and will not be vacated until May 1. Nor must the public flatter: itself with the anticipation that these archwologi- cal curiosities will very soon be ready for inspec- tion. The officers of the Metropolitan Art Museum were at first sanguine enough to think that the work of sorting, labelling and encasing these 10,500 curiosities would not occupy more than three months. But the closer Cesnola buckied to the task the more convinced he became of the impes- sibility of doing the work in that space of time as 1tought to bedone. It is not at all probable, therefore, that the Douglas Mansion, metamor- phosed into a temporary museum of art and archie- ology, will be thrown open to the public until next August, The scene there at present is bewildering, Two or three large reoms on the first floor, east wing, are in the first stage of transformation. Glass cases, & few of which have just arrived, are to run along the sides of these rooms.. The congervatory is presently to be stripped of its flowers and foliage and to re- ceive the disentombed statuary. At present im- mense chests, swollen wih Cypriote relics, lie on | every side about the grounds and in the basement, A tew boxes are still in New Hampshire, whither they had been conveyed, awaiting transferral here. Only a very small quantity of the Cesnola spoils have yet been unpacked, but these will repay, at compound interest, the inspection of all who are lucky or ingenious enough to get sight of them. | Most of them are statuettes, vases, bottles and lamps, fora more detailed account of which we refer the reader to the HERALD’s description, pub- lished a couple of months ago. But probably when every chest shall have been emptied and the entire display shall be open to the eyes of the world, nothing will be held to surpass in singularity and beauty a set of giass bewls among them, which gleam with the most delicate iridized tints, that re- semble these of. mother-ol-pearl. These tints are due to the chemical changes produced on the glass by centuries of interment. Some specimens which ‘we examined were more than opalescent in beauty and almost miraculous in their fairy-like splendor, In some the surface had scaled off, and the mate- rial had been thus worn down to the thinness of an eggshell. One of the mospsingular of the curto- sities was the figure of an hermaphroditic god. Another was @ bronze patera o! high antiquity and Arabic character, representing the worship of Venug, with altar and vases, pues, musicians with double pipe, lyre and timbrel. Of course there remains much to say of this collection in future, The Bust of Dantel O'Connell by O’Kelly. The failures in portraiture among sculptors are by far more nunf€rous than those of painters in the same direction. This paucity of success is naturally attributable tothe more difficult mate- rials in which the votary of the plastic art must work. He is robbed of color and all the accessories of warmth, light, and the “setting,’’ which we call background. His werk must stand by itself. It must embody, not merely the features of the person portrayed, but also by an exquisite touch viv- ify those lMneaments until they live through every line. In the very pose of the head, limited forming it sestimate, No wonder, then, sculpture is named the higher art, even when it does not walk in the realms of the ideal. In bust portraiture the most lamentable slascos are met when the sub- | | ject is no longer living and the artist cannot obtain | @ sitting. The heroic bust of Daniel O’Connell, the great Irish tribune, at present on exhibition at Schaus’ Art Gallery, 749 Broadway, ts a posthumous bust, and one of those rare triumphs of art, knowledge and power which gladden tke heart of a virtuoso, The “Liberator,” as his admirers love to call him, is brought before us at the zenith of his power and ripe in his manhood, The | treatment is at once forcible and delicate. The | balance of the head is that of the dignity of con- ; scious sway over men, and in the stern calmuess of the face we see the advocate of the people’s rights on the verge of uttering a weighty appeal, charged with humanity as well as statesmanship. It is essentially a statesman’s tace; and, although traces of the humor of the man may be discovered about the eyes, these are wisely subordinated to the expression of intellectual majesty, which the artist has made so markedly predominant. ‘the massive forehead, the compressed lips, the breadth of jaw and the strong chin are gauges of what power and magnetism were in the man. The nose, short for the face as it was, expressed irresistibly something of O’Cennell’s unconquerabie willing- ness to combat for his ideas Here the same effect is produced and in fine harmony with the mould of thought to which the whole face gives expression. The hair is boldly treated, failing 10 @ mass of gracetul curis off his tace. Beyond the general effect of marked character- istics lies what will most delight the critic. This is the subtlety and delicacy of the flesh modelling. Here are no Wide wastes of flatness of the Keyp- tian school, which so-calied modern artists have, | | for want of training, revived. The flaccid suriace so often mistaken for “fleshiness” by a more pre- tentious but Sioaiy, untrained school will not be | found here either. It is heaithy flesh every inch of it. Te lines beneath the eyes and around the mouta gre wonderfully delicate and truthful, and the manner in which the check bones are indi- cated betrays rare skill. In this combination of delicacy and force is the secret of triumph, as it is the seal of genius. Around the shoulders a mass ot classic drapery falls in ample folds, The artist is Mr. John Charlies O'Kelly, of London, who comes e/ a family of sculptors and painters. The bust has been selected by @ committee of Irish pate te og of whieh Congressman William R, oberts is chairman, for presentation to the city of New-York, and to be placed in bronze in Central | Park. It isa work of art in every way creditable to the committee's taste, and to our Irish teliow- citizens, for Whose especial gratification it is in- tended It may be said that the likeness is pro-, nounced Cog RY those who knew O'Connell in his great days. Father Burke, at a ve view betore his departure for Europe, said It gave hima clearer idea of the character of O'Connell than any- thing he had seen since his eves rested on O'Connell himself. The Knights of St. Patrick have obtained permission to display the bust at their annual banquet on the 17th instant. m1 BANK ROBBERY. ak Thieves Succeed in Gctting Away with $20,000 Worth of Sccuritics. About noon yesterday two gentlemanly appear- ing men made a successiul attempt upon the prop- erty ofthe Tradesmen’s National Bank, corner of Reade street and Broadway. They succeeded in entering the office oi the President, and, appearing to be waiting their turn to converse with President Berry, no suspicion was entertained regarding them. Soon Mr. Berry had occasion te walk out into the bank with two cus- tomers he had business with, and left the men in the office. During his momentary absence the thieves pulled open a drawer over the President's desk, and abstracted two certificates of one hundred shares each of the stock of the Lake Shere and Michigan Southern Railroad Com- pany. These certificates are numbered 18,523, in the name of Vermilyea & Co., and 16,677, in the name of Robinson, Chase & Co. The value of the certificates, which are negotiable, 18 $20,000. The | munity can be trified with, is the range, the imagination must be aided in | pad sake} Sgt | of & man as distinguished and as eminent as Gov- transfer of them on the books has been stopped, but. the thieves are not likely to be arrested, as no one seems able to describe their appearance, NEW YORK HERALD. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET. THE CASE OF FOSTER, THE CAR- t HOOK MURDERER. What a Juror Says After Having Passed on the Trial and Reflected om the Facts. New York, March 7, 1873, To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— D8AR Sik—I was a juror in the Foster case, and have been called upon to sign affidavits, petitions and to write to Governor Dix; but I have declined to interfere in this matter, believing that when IL left the jury room that ended the matter. The recommendation to mercy would cause the whole case to be reviewed and other hearings had; and I was of the impression that the two jurors would be perfectly satisfied with the verdict if the Judge’s rulings and charge were sus- tained. They have been, if I have read the reports correctly, Judge Cardozo’s remarks were of this character. He says:—‘‘If a man was walking in yon- der park and was struck with a light walking stick and it resulted in death it would not be murder in the first degree, because ninety-nine times out of one hundred it would fail to kill; but if he struck with a bar of iron (did he not mean car-hook?) it would be murder in the first degree.” And why I, the only one of the twelve jurors alive, do not ask His Excellency to change the punishment is because I don’t see how | can consistently, ‘The stery is very brief of the doings of the jury. Thave not seen it im print. The first move was to take slips of pence and get the sentiments without discussion, The result was ten for murder in the first degree, and we afterwards ascertained that two were not sure that he premeditated it or that @ car hook was a murderous instrument, and thougat a lesser punishment would cover the crime, but still thought aman that did not care whether he killed or not ought to be hanged, One of the jurors mentions my name in an affidavit as having said that I did not believe that he had designed to kill Mr. Putnam. This juror is in error. I did not say 80, and I cannot believe that when he (Foster) told Mr. Putnam that ‘‘he would ride as iar ashe did and when he got off he would give him hell were idle words, for they were spoken between 'Thir- tieth and Fortieth streets, and he went to the tront door and waited until Forty-sixth street was reached and the car stopped. He saw him (Put- nam) getting eff, and catches the car hook (not a wire as the Sun says, but a bar of iron) and starts for his victim, ‘The driver ‘catches him by the collar, warns him, but he pulls away and strikes from behind, not caring whether he kills or not. Is he drunkt ie knows that they will miss the car-hook if it is not on the car when it reaches the depot, and he runs forward and throws it on, What 1s premeditation in the eye of the law? Dr. Tyngin his letter says it was done upon the impulse of the moment. I think the Doctor inerror, The Doctor further says that he Was a good Sunday school scholar, Ah me! is it only those that haven’t heard of our Father in heaven and never knew the better influences that are supposed to make better men and women? My School, my education tells me that if pity is to be extended to any one it is to those that have never come under those better influences that we find in our Sunday schools and churches, Ihave been on juries in civil and criminal cases nearly every year for sixteen years, and I would strongly recommend that the law may be so changed that nine out of twelve jurors may convict. was a juror inthe King case. Two juries had the unpleasant duty to perform jury duty in this case. One stood eleven lor conviction and one to acquit; the other, ten jor and two against conviction. epee WALTEB F, BARTLETT, 218 West Filty-third street. ‘Will the Governor Save Foster and Apologize to Stokes? New York, March 7, 1873. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— You deserve the thanks of the entire community for your editorial in to-day’s HERALD, written as it is in the interests of public safety and showing a temperateness, yet firmness of tone which I wish Governor Dix might imitate. There is one strange spectacle in this matter, thata juror, upon whose particular pleading the verdict was rendered, should be, as he is, visiting our prominent business men, and particularly the bankers and brokers of Wall street, telling them if Foster dies his blood will be on his (the juror’s) head, and imploring them to sign the petition to the Gov- ernor for commutation of sentence. I do not know what or how many signatures he has obtained; but I do know that many of our best men have refused to sign the petition; and, writing from Wall street, I know, further, there is a very strong feeling manifesting itself against any commutation of the sentence, There is a strong feeling that this is a test case, and that if. Foster is toescape the deliberate verdict of tne Courts justice will become only a stinging sarcasm, ‘and the value of human life consist in the privilege of taking it. People say it Foster's offence ig to be condoned what murderer should suffer?’ If Fos- ter’s crime 1s not murder—murder in the first degree—then we need a new dictionary! If maudlin sentiment, and letters and memorials of reverend and irreverend persons; if the appliances of wealth, now so freely used in this case in every conceivable way (of which a certain very busy ex- juror in the case may know something) ; if these are to defeat the ends of justice, let us no longer f? through the farce and expense of court trials, { Foster is to be saved the Governer should at once apologize to Mr. Stokes and set him at liberty. crave no man’s blood—I never saw Fos- ter nor Putnam, and | am opposed to capital pua- ishment, excepting that while the lawis on the statute book I believe it should be enforced. I cannot and do not believe these efforta in behalf of Foster will avail. Clearly they ought not to. If they do it will be a blot upon Governor Dix’s ad- ministration; and it will show how justice, how mercy to the helpless, how protection to a com- nd all the more piti- able will it be that, if done, it will be the direct act ernor Dix. He gave us golden words the other day in the Gatmey case. Has he given the word of ene to the public ear only to break it to the Ope F NOUS VERRONS, A Few Words in Behalf of Law and the Security of Life in New York. NEw Yor, March 7, 1873. To THE EpiTor oF THE HERALD:— llike your remarks on the Foster case in this morning’s issue. Iam giad that there is still one newspaper in this city that can take a common sense view of murder. With your permission I will improve this opportunity to pull a little at the long ears of the public to see if their heads may not be put in the right direction, In the first place, what is the object in punish- ing criminals? Is it to hurt them—to have re- venge’? Nota bit of it. It is simply to protect society, Society has no right to do anything for the sake of vengence. The life and liberty of a man is free from ite touch unless he has com- mitted a crime that renders it necessary to take that life or that liberty in order to deter others from committing a like crime. New, Foster committed a brutal murder, and such a form of murder as each man in the community is liable to be made the victim of. Are we to have no adequate protection against such ruffians? Are they to be let off just because they say “We didn’t meun to?” It does seem as if we had failen upon an evil time—an age of bosh and gush—an era of maudling, sickenmg sympathy for bad, dangerous people. if man intentionally kills another, if no motive for the act can be shown, he gets off, cither on the ground of insanity er that-he didn’t intend any harm when he caved in his victim’s skull; if motive is shown, why he is let loose on the score /| of “justifiable homicide!” I am reminded of thé Italian who gouged out another’s eye. On looking in his face, he coolly said, “I beg your pardon, i've got the wromg man.” Iam inclined to think that “hanging is played out in New York.” Therefore,I recommend that the Lantn ty thar murder be made imprisonment for one month. ‘The result, then, would be this: Murder would be such a mean, low er, one but the mean and low would commit it, one blow we turn it over to the roughs. Then the roughs would take care of themselves. Take an example. Scannell killed Donohoe becanse he alleged that Donohee killed his brother. If we could send Scannell to prison for one month, when he came out some brother or friend of Don- ohoe would play pool with him; and thus it would go on until all the murderously inclined had disap- ared through self-destruction, and we should ave @ glorious exemption from murders and hangings, M. The “Most Bratish of all Murderers.” 2 New York, March 7, 1873. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD;— Every law-loving citizen will rejoice at the article in this morning’s issue on the Foster mur- der case. If this, the most brutisn of all murder- ers, goes unhung—hanging ts surely ‘played out.” BONO, The Familiar Weapon. New York, March 7, 1873, To THE EDITOR.OF THE HERALD:— All honor to the New York HERALD for “putting its toot down” against this maudlin sympathy for the murderer Foster. Tosay he had no intention to murder is false. He stood upon that front plat- form eyeing his victim until he saw him leave the car,jand then deliberately took up the weapon, which was familiar to him from his own associa- tion with it, and killed him. He then walked off, leaving him to his fate. If this is not murder— WHAT I8 MURDER? Justice at a Discount in New York. New York, March 7, 1873. To THe EDITOR OF THE H&RALD:— It would be far better for common sense and justice if our courts and judges were abolished that no and at altogether, as they are only an expense and of ne service whatever, costing an immense amount of Money and rendering no good whatever. Let every criminal go free without trial, as every trial in our courts nowadays is only a farce, and let our community protect itself and we will soon be clear of assassins, highway robbers, burglars, &c., and what is still a greater blessing, of corrupt judges and oficiats, t every honest, upright citizen arm himself with a good six shooter and protect himsel{ and our community from a too impudent class of criminals omicials. ONE FOR MANY, Governor Dix Memoritalized in Behalf ot the Law Abiding Citizens of New York— Justice Against Maudlin Sentimental- ism and Oblique-Visioned Charity. New York, March 6, 1873. To THY EpIToR.oF THE HERALD:— Irespectfully request and bespeak a space for the following. The HERALD is apparently the only unbiased, impartial and independent newspaper now left in the city, and I trust you will not refuse my request :— To His Excellency, Governor D1x:- _ Your Excellency has accorded a full hearing to Foster's friends and defenders, and the writer hopes that this appeal on behalf of the people at large will also be heard. If Foster had killed Mr. Put- nam on the “spur of the moment” there would be some just pretense to doubt whether the killing was fully premeditated, But he followed his vic- tim for several blocks, and after an ance of time for drunken passion to subside or get under control we find the murderous instinct and bloody determination unchanged, and the blow is struck in a calculated and Tally. resolved manner. Any one who knows what New York roughs are Knows also that Foster, despite his statement to the contrary, did mean to kill Mr. Putnam, Foster's high-toned friends, and especially Mr. Evarts, who claims to be the ex- ponent of publicsentiment in recommending ths murder to gentie merey, should have ne more Voice in this matter than ordinary honest citizens, pe roo @ question now of law, but of executive justice, If Your Excellency commutes the sentence of death it will be on technical grounds, or from pity, or both. Now, you have been a soldier, and would you in times of war be persistently scrupuleus about condemning a spy or traitor to the rope’ Would you not refuse to temper justice with mercy if the safety of the oountry, of the nation. were Just then trembling in the balance? Now, General Dix, we, the citizens of New York, feel like unto being in a state of war. “Shames and crimes” bemond precedent in number are making havoc in our midst and we need pro- tection, If hanging were not played out” half of the victims of late murders would now be living among us, and, while you listen to Foster’s friends, we call upon you to listen also to us and to think of those who travel the city by night, relying upon the government to protect them trom the terrible “rough”? element. We appeal to you for the pro- tection we need. If Your Excellency does vardon this man the act Will now look like sweet mercy and not to be re- fused by you; but after a while, when the reign of terror and bloodshed will continue in our unhappy city, this act of mercy willappear as an unwarrant- abie act of weakness—an error worse than a crime, If things continue 4s at present the people will either sink into apathetic toleration of crime or else rise up and seek refuge in a vigilance com- mittee, We have in this State an inefficient and superannuated penal code, the laws of exceptions; stays and appeals are corrupted by wrong usages, and our Jury law, by which one weak man in twelve can save a murderer, is a monstrous ab- surdity. Now, Your Excellency, in spite of these clogs on the wheels of justice, this man Foster has been convicted, He was convicted by twelve hon- est men, as honest as youare. The recommenda- tion to mercy was amatter of compromise on the part of the upright and firm jurors to obtain a ver- dict, The verdict might have been murder in the second degree (at the second trial), but it was not. The recommendation to mercy is not an evi- dence of Foster's innocence; on the contrary, itis gratifving and wonderful that the verdict could be obtained unanimously at so cheap a price as the appendage of this recommendation. Will Your Excellency remember that there are thou- sands of men in New York always ready to shed blood and restrained only by that fear of-the law which is fast and entirely disappearing: The law has spoken, Yours is the province of mercy, Show it then to the victims, the weak, the unpro- tected, not tothe murderous culprits. We ask for Executive justice; we predict a terrible increase of crime if that justice is not done, We consider the appeals for mercy made to you as acts of Christian charity on the parts of some, but of only the desire fer notoriety on the part of others, especially the lawyers, and we beg and entreat your exceilency to stand firm by the people and not do an action which now has the hue of charity, but which will grow tn its consequences into an ugly brand upon your name, your memory and your high ottice. L. L., And 203 other citizens of New York. HORSE NOTES. W. W. Borst, having seen a challenge of William Lovell to trot American Girl against any horse in the world, replies that he will trot Mr. Irving’s horse Jim Irving against American Girl, two races, either to wagon or in harness, mile heats, best three in five and two mile heats; the second race to be play or pay as soon as the horses start for the first, These races, if made, Will be a good send-off for the coming trotting campaign. Before making the above matches, however, it would be well to ascer- tain where they can be trotted. Without some com- promise made between the tracks governed by the ruies of the National Association and the drivers no trots can take place. The proprietor of Decker Park, Montreal, an- nounces a racing meeting at that place, commen- cing the 14th and terminating on the 19th of July. ‘The Point Breeze Park Association have selected September 9, 10 and 11 for their Fall meeting. The famous brood mare Bay Leaf, by imported Yorkshire, dam Maria Black, by Filho-da-Puta, died on Friday, 28th of February, at Mr. Alexander's farm in Kentucky. Bar Leaf was bred by the late James A. Bradley, of Lexington, in 1853, Her pro- duce was as follows:— 1858—Bay colt, by Lexington; sent to England. 1850—Bay filly Bay Flower, by Lexington. 1960—Barren, . 1861—Bay colt Beacon, by Lexington. 1862—Barren. 1863—Bay colt Bayswater, by Lexington, 1864—Buy colt Baywood, by Lexington. 1s8)—Bay colt Bayonet, by Lexington. 1867—Bay colt Preakness, by Lexington, 1868—Bay colt Bingaman, by Asteroid. 1869—Brown filly M.A. B:, by Asteroid. 1870—Bay filly Bay Rose, by Lexington. 1s71—Bay filly Bay Bush, by Australian. The bay mare Lindora, foalea in 1856, bred by James A. Grinstead, owned by A.,G. Alexander, of Woodburn stock Farm, died on Friday, February 28, She was well the evening before when put in her stable, but was found dead in her box the next morning, and Bay Leaf nearly so. Lindora was by Lexington, dam Picayune, by Medoc. The following is @ list of Lindora’s produce :— 1862—Brown colt, by Star Davis. 1865—Bay flily Lazy, by imported Scythian, 1set-—Bay filly Austria, by imported Australian. 1#67—Chestnut colt Ocior, by Imported Australian. 1863—Chestuut filly Dora, by imported Australian, 1871—Chestnut filly —, by Planet. * 1872—Chesnut filly —. by Imported Australian. 1873— —, bred to Plai ‘lanet. Not bred in 1863, and barren in 1869 and 1870. Captain Cottrill, of Mobile, lost his valuable brood mare, age dere on Wednesday, February 26. She died in the act of fouling. ‘he colt, by Daniel Boone, died at the same time. This makes two fine brood mares that Captain Cottrill has lost in the last ten days. Lady Cifle was @ chestnut, foaled in 1858, bred by William Roundtree, of Ten- nessee, by imported Albion, out of Endora, by im- orted Priam, her dam by imported Bluster, out of Bet Bosley, by Wilkes’ Wonder. Lady Ciffle was a brilliant ere met on the turf, and was an own sister to Kate Hays, Martha Worsham, Sally Wood- ward, Monica and half-sister to twenty-mile Cor- delia Reed. She is a great loss to the Magnolia stud and fo:lows hard on the loss of Miss aco whose deatn we noted last week. Mr. D. Swigert has sold his bay colt Shylock, by Lexington, Edith, to Mr. J. G. K. Lawrence, of Washington, D. C., for $2,500, Mr. Cameron has sold the young mare Invergarry, by Leamington, dam Nellie Graves, to an Eastern geatieman, The Lexington Daily Press says:—"We under- stand that Tom Bowling (the pride of McGrathiana) isin the best possible shape, amd will be able to measure strides with the ‘fastest this season. ‘We suppose he is the most prominent three-year old now in Kentucky, and trust he will get through the season without injury. He won the Flash Stakes at pate last July; the Thespian Stakes at Mon- mouth Park in August; and the August stakes two days after at the same meeting. He is a first class racer, without doubt, and Mr. McGrath may well feel proud of him.” Mr. Shepherd F. Knapp, has sold his five-year old stallion, Romulus, to 8. W. Wheelock, of Moline, li). The price was large. Romulus was bi v Charles Backman Stony Ford. He is a hand. some bay, standing fifteen hands three inches, and is by Rysdyk’s Hambietonian, first dam M je Jones, y American Star, second dam by Mambrino Chief, He is the full brother of Major Morton, a colt purchased by Mr. Kobert Bonner, when one year oid, for $2,600. He will be used tor stock purposes abund- in fhinois. Mr. Wheelock, we are informed, is or- ganizing an extensive breeding stud at Moline. James iville, the equestrian, has taken his horses to James Cook's, at Newtewn, L. 1., to put them in condition for the Spring campaign. Mel- vVille’s stable consists of the gray mares Jenny and Queen and gray geldings Oakey Hail, Dolman and Kagle, five of the best ring horses in the country. odin is driving on the road a black and sor- rel Black Hawk and Jupiter team, equal to 2:45, and easily handled. John N. Briggs has been driving the dun gelding oung Wilkes, by Geerge L. Fox. His stallion, Soriee Wilkes, is a nobie horse and in fine con- ition. The name of the stallion Jay Gould has been changed to Budd Dobie. The horse will not trot any faster by the change, 5 THE WOBURN CONFLAGRATION. A Square Acre of the Business Portion of the Town Desolated by the Fire Fiend—Loss Over Seventy Thousand Dollar:—List of the Sufferers and Insurance, WosuRN, Mass., March 7, 1873, The area covered by the fire last night is about one acre, and takes what might be called a square out of the business centre of the town. Every building that tne fire touched is ruined. The only walls left standing are a portion of the parsonage of the Methodist church anda part of Mr, Kelly's buildmg near the corner of Main and Everett streets. There is not enough of this left, however, to be of any service, and the fire may be said to have made clean work. The large chimneys in the rujns of the building where the fire started are left standing, and one or two others. The total loss will be about $71,600, The following is @ corrected list of the losses, with insurance, as far as can be obtained :—Joseph Kelly, Main street, two blocks, loss $20,000, insured for $10,000; Cyrus Tay, grocer, stock $4,000, fixtures $1,000, insured for $1,800; L. Thompson, Jr., hard- ware store, valued at $4,500, loss probably $2,500, insured; Phillip Teare, tailor, loss, in stock and fixtures, $600, no insurance; Frank Flint, shoe manufacturer, stock and fix- tures, $2,500, insured; S, F, engineer, loss of fixtures, plans, &c., insurance; Howard E, Stout, photographer, loss $500, no insurance; A. B. Barrett, barber, loss $500; C, W. Nute, shee dealer, loss on stock, $3,000, fully insured; Methodist church, loss $20,000, in- sured for $10,000; G. W. Pollock, loss on building, $1,600, insured for $1,200; loss on stock, $3,500, in- sured for $1,800. The Methodist parsonage on Walnut street, $3,000, insured fer $2,000; house on Walnut street ownea by D. D., Hart, slightly burned, loss $100, insured, ‘The fire, in its progress south, at one time threat- ened to sweep the Lyceum Hail and Bank blocks, 80 that some of the occupants removed their stoc! The bank ofticers packed up preparatory to re. moval; but the fire was confined to the Walnut and Everett street blocks. The insurance ottices on which the logs falls are the Etna, ef Harttord, $11,500; Middlesex, Concord, Massachusetts, Quincy, Mutual, Fire and Marine, Ryeinnaals, North British, Narragansett, and Royal, of Liverpool. The church was insured in the Etna, Royal and North America, of Philadelphia. THE, DARIEN ISTHMUS SURVEY. Voyage of the United States Ship Tusca+ rora—Strange Sights Among a Strange PeoplemAmerican Satlors in a Grand Fandango Ashore—Ladies Visit On Board and an Attractive Toilet—Cap- tain Seltridge’s Work. ‘The Panama Herald of the 16th of February sup- plies the rollowing additional and very interesting particulars in report of the progress of the Ameri- can expedition for the survey of the Darien Isthmus, under the command of Captain Selfridge, United States Navy. The United States Ship Tuscarora and Her Work. By the coasting salling vessel Antelope, from the Darien, which arrived at this port on the 11th inst., last from Bahia, we have later news of the progress of the United States Darien Surveying Expedition, To Mr. Schmidt, who accompanied the expedition from Panama in the latter part of January, we are indebted for the following par- ticulars:— The United States sloop Tuscarora arrived at Cupica Bay, the base of last year’s surveys, on the 24th of January, in twenty-two hours from Panama, and proceeded thence to the mouth of the River Bahia, where she anchored on the 25th and re- mained till the 27th. Here Commander Belknap and some of the oflicers went ashore, and were much amused with the novelty of the place and eople, Although the village consists of only @ few huts, quite a population exists in the neigh- vornood, living chiefly along the banks of the river, They are engaged rE noaey in collecting tagua, of which Bahia is the chief place of export on the coast, and some india-rubber. ‘The visitors were well received by Don Joaquin Gonzales, the governor or head man of the dis- trict, who is described as a very Intelligent Indian, able both to read and write. ‘ne shospitalities of the place were liberally dis- pensed, .in the shape of an abundance of anisado and a grand fandango, or native dance, 1D one of the cane houses, at which the Governor pre- sided. Quite a number of people had in the mean- time flocked down to where the steamer was ap- chored and expressed their astonishment at the novel sight of a large vessel being propelled with- * out either sais or oars. After enjoying the novel- ties of the place Captain Belknap and party re- turned to the ship. NATIVE BELLES RETURN THE VISIT ON BOARD. On the folléwing day their visit was returned by the leading people of the settlement, who came on board for dinner in full costume, consisting of “waistcloth and paint,” in which the ladies ap- ared highly attractive. The expedition left jahia on the 27th, having femauen procured there the services of Mr. Paul Chesman, an Ameyvi- can resident, as interpreter, stopping at Cuaca to land some of the Indians who came up as pas- sengers, CAPTAIN SELFRIDGE’S POSITION AND PLAN OF DUTY. The Tuscarora reached Chiri-Chiri the same day. This point, selected as base of operations for this season’s survey, is situated about ten miles from Limon Bay. It has no harbor, but merely a beach ofsome halfa mile in extent, with pretty good anchorage about halfa mile from shere, The @x- pedition commenced work on the 28th, Captain Selfridge superintending the same in person, and already the camp was some distance inland, ‘The proposed line of survey,is to the River Bojaya, down it to the Atrato and through the Atrato to the Atlantic. The route is considered more favor- abie tnan that of last year—the Napipi. The work, it is expected, will be completed in two months, The cost of native labor at Chiri-Chiri is very high. Common laborers are paid $3 a day and found. Although the Tuscarora was much crowded, the health on board was remarkably good, there being only one sailor on the sick list, What the Government of Peru Thinks ot the Prospect. Acorrespondent at Panama, dating on the 21st of February, says:—With respect to this canal question information has been received from Peru to-lay that Dr. Valenzuela, the Colombian Min- ister there, has signed a very important protocol ith the Peruvian Secretary of Foreign Affairs, yy which it is provided that the government of Peru will request permission from Congress to aid materially and financiaiy in the prosecution and completion of the proposed interoceanio canal across the Isthmus of Panama. If this 1s agreed to a corps of engineers will be appointed by the Pe- ruvian government to survey and determine apon the most favorable route. This movement 1s very opular in Lima, and it is probable other of the g anish republics may be solicited to take part in the enterprise. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. The stated meeting of the Board of Managers (Was held at the Bible House, Astor place, on Thurs- day, the 6th inst., at half-past threo o’clock P. M., Dr. William H. Allen, President, in the chair, as- sisted by Norman White, Frederick S, Winston and A. Robertson Walsh, Vice Presidents. Rev. Dr. Holdich read the Fifty-thira chapter of Isaiah, and offered prayer. Eight new auxiliaries were ret jized—one in each of the States of Con- icut, New York, South Caroil Georgia, Ar- ansas, Texas and two in Ohio. Numerous and important communications were received trom agents of the society and foreign missionaries in South America, Germany and other parts of poids ae and in India, China, Africa, sending accounts of the progress of the work, which are generally satisfactory and grati- ts of books were made to the Ameri- men's Friend Society; to the New York Bible Society, for supply of vessels to pre rte; with many nts to feeble auxiliaries at the ith and West. he total number @/ votumes tea fs 3,911, including 1,962 for foreign work, ides others to the amount of $260. Appropriations were made for the foreign work to the several missionary societies and to the agency im the Levant amounting to $67,600. A relic was sented from Mr. J. F. Starr, of Philadel through Mr. Vice President Winston, consisting 1 a panel from the pulpit of Rev. Legh Richmond’s church, at Brading, Isle of Wight. The Board voted to hold its approaching anniversary In the city of Philade|phia. A memorial paper on the decease. of the Rev. Joshua Leavitt, D. D., was presented and read. SUMNER’S PLAG FIGHT, Report of the Sommittee on Federal Re= lations—The Majority Give the Peti- tioners Leave to Withdraw. - Boston, March 7, 1873. The Committee on Federal Relations of the Mas- sachusetts Legislature, which has been occupied during the last few days in hearing the petitioners for annulling, €xpunging and rescinding the reso- lutions of censure of Senator Sumper from the journal of the House, reported this afternoon the petitioners have leave to withdraw, The re- port is signed by Senators Torrey, of Worcester, and Lawrence, of Middlesex, and Kepresentatives Gilbert, of Gloucester, and Sparks, of Province- town. The minority, consisting of Representatives Smith (colored), of Cambridge; Taylor, of Boston, and Osborne, of Bridgewater, reported a resalation expunging the resolve from thp journal,