The New York herald., 1845-04-16

SrEAMsR GREAT WssrERS. his packet IS now
10 her eighteenth day.
War with Mexico.
Considerable excitement has been produced du-
ring the last few days. by the circulation OF ru-
NOR, that the Mexican government had declared
war against Alleghania, soon after the receipt oil
the intelligence OF the passage OF the annexation
resolutions had reached them. The rumor was
originated in Washington by the Portuguese charge
des afares and attache OF the Spanish legation,
and received additional color from the TACT, that
informalio had been received by Mr. Pakenham,
the British Minister at Washington, from tie Min
lister of Great Britain in Mexico, that he had been
formally notified, in common with the representa-
tives of other foreign powers, that in case the
Senate should pass the resolutions then known to
have passed the House, the act would be followed
by the usual steps preliminary to declaration of
war No communication Of any hostile intentions
on the part of Mexico, has been yet made to our
government.
We may expect, however, very shortly to hear
of formal notification from the Mexican Govern
ment, to such citizens OF Alleghania as,may be
resident within their territory, requiring them to
leave the country and it is not at all unlikely that
the hostile feeling in Mexico may operate so
strongly to lead to some overt acts against the
rights of those citizens which cannot be redressed
in the ordinary and pacific manner The position
which Mexico has assumed with regard to annex
ation the character OF the men who have at present
the reins of power in that republic and the peculiar
condition of popular feeling towards this country,
render it extremely probable that violent counsels
may predominate, and that summarily setting
aside all treaty stipuations, the Mexican Govern
ment may at once assume directly hostile atti-
tude.
The clustering bravado or actual hostility Of
Mexico, it need hardly be lsaid, will amount to
pretty much the same thing. There is little danger
of such an encounter between the two countries as
could be dignlied with the title of war. ANY in
fraction of the rights ofAeghanian citizens in Mex
leo, will be chastised, and the injuries redressed
and annexation will be quietly effected. But still
a great panic may be produced, and as much dis
turbance be created in the commercial and polti-
cal world as if Mexico and Alleghania were really
engaged in bloody and highly respectable war.
Every item of intelligence relative to Mexican af-
fairs. thus becomes invested with the greatest in
terest, and we shall be enabled to keepou readers
fully informed of all that transpires
The New CORPORATION AT Work ALREADY-
THE SPoLLs" versms "CrrY REFORM Last
night the newly elected Corporation held a'caucus
The work OF dividing the spois was begun, but
no progress was made. So numerous--so hungry
so ravenous were the applicants for office, whose
claims were presented that the caucus with all the
past experience Of the members in the business,
appeared to be perfectly appalled,, and it was up
wards OF an hour before they even ventured to ap-
proach the work before them. Several nomina-
lions, however, were presented, and amongst them
that of Mr. Charlick, as President OF the Board OF
Aldermen But nothing was definitely agreed
upon, and it is calculated that at least twenty-five
caucusses must be held before any reasonable por-
ton of the labors of the new city government can
be disposed of in satisfactory manner Already
division into three or four clsyues is progressing
very comfortably, and the prospect of squabbling
and quarrelling opens with degree of richness,
quite unsurpassed the recollection of the oldest
habitant in the regions of corporation corruption
What sad spectacle does all this present to the
eyes of this community Here we have the new
Corporation, instead of honestly going TO work
for the purpose of discovering needed reforms,
and devising the best means OF accomplishing
them, unblushiDgly meeting for the purpose OF
apportioning the spoils. Thus has this city been
cursed from year to year. Party after party,
and one set of men after another, have pre-
sented themselves to the people Of this city, and
appealed to them for their sufiages, under the
most solemn pledges to give us good city govern
ment, and uniformly, no sooner have they been
elected, than they have proceeded with the utmost
cooness and most unblushing effrontery to east
their pledges and promises to the winds, utterly
glectng the interests Of the community, and acting
entirely regardless of every thing except plunder.
We must confess that we were weak enough to
hope that the members of the democratic Corpora
ton just elected would have profted by the expe-
rience of former years, and that they would have
made some effort to introduce spirit of honesty,
fidelity and reform with their administration of the
city government. Already we are presented with
melancholy evidence that the old dynasty has been
restored with all its unfaithfulness to the public in
terests-all its disregard of every thing but the
"spoils'' of Office.
During the past year we have virtually had no
city government at all. The work Of reform is
still more necessary and more difficult than ever.
Abuses have been increased and multiplied. The
streets are in worse condition than ever. The
taxes are more burdensome than ever. The police
department 10 in state of greater discrganization
and inefficiency than ever. The number of petty
offenders il greater than The low grog shops
are greater nuisances than ever. The gambling
houses-the brothels-the junk-shops for the sale
Of stolen property-the haunts of crime-the abodes
Of wretchedness and vice-have multiplied. The
public health is seriously endangered by nuisances
which are more numerous and pestiferous than
ever. The great city of New York, indeed, ex-
hbits at this moment an example Of the evil effects
Of corrupt, dishonest, and inefficient government,
which is disgraceful beyond description With its
filthy and dilapidated streete-with its miserable
police ith its swollen criminal calendar-with
its enormous load of taxaton the metropolis Of the
Union does indeed present a spectacle on which
the philanthropist may well look with pity and hor-
ror.
And yet with the necessity Of reform-impreseed
upon them by every cloud OF dust which suffocates
the "a tvavsIlev in pvo. dua,, u..xu