The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-19
Correspondence of the Republic.
New YoRK, Dec, II, lS49.


progress of this great city in striking light. The
departments of trade and commerce pursue their
onward course, undsturbed by the mutations Of
parties the conflicts of Congressional fe the strife
for speakcrships, the details of calamous vista
tons murderous deeds, which have been such
prominent topics of discussion and interest for the
past fortnight.
CONGRESS AND THIRD PARTYIsM.
That the great commercial interest of the coun-
try has looked with Indifference upon the proceed
ings of Congress rather the interruption of its
proceedings-is not pretended. In common with
the judicious and patriotic of all parties, bust
ness men have hoped for an adjustment ofthe ques-
tons which disturb and divide the National Legis-
lature. They feel and know that calm and prac-
tica course is best calculated to advance the public
interests and that when all questions affecting the
interests Of the country tinged by political and
sectional strife, and when this feeling of rivalry
craftsmanship dcscends to personal feeling and hos
tility, they suffer less injury, through
wrong prejudced action, or by postponement.
There is strong feeling here in favor of the settle
| ment of the disturbing questions i'll Congress, by
the adoption, by the two great parties of the coun
try of some course which shall torestall intcrmedi
ate bodies, bent upon inficting mischiefs upon
both, and resolved to keep up agitation upon ques
tons which threaten the tranquility Of the Union,
| by demanding concessions to third parties, who
| claim TO hold the balance of power in the House oi
! Representative. Whether third partyism acting
| independently of both the principal parties of the
country, proceed from the North the South, il is
equally the dictate of patriotism and devotion to the
! Union to arrest its power to control or prevent &C
ton, and that some common ground should be
taken by the great body Of the two prominent par
ties, in and out of Congress, to produce such re-
suit With the general confidence in the wisdom
and patriotism OF the present Administration, and
| their friends in Congress, and the belief that the
Locofocos generally would cooperate in it, it s
not too much to say that it is desired here
PASSENGERS FOR CALIFORNIA.
prominent feature of the week has been the de-
parture of the steamships for New Orleans, Cha
gres, and California. Notwithstanding the late
stage Of the season, and the return of many adven
turers from the golden regions, the number OF pas
sengers was still considerable IL is true that
there was a marked deduction from the previous
month. Then the Ohio took out the unprecedented
number of four hundred and fifty five, and
the Crescent City, 2SS but these were the results
of the lateness Of the season. and the natural impa
tience to pass to the distant field of adventure,
Notwithstanding they were informed by the pro-
prieors of the Ohio line that they would necessarily
be subjected to inconvenience from the crowd in
the Falcon But they could not be deferred. Now
the number, although less, was still large-the
Ohio, 2ll the Cherokee, IL; and the Crescent City,
so. The departure of three large steamships on
the same day, and at the same hour,
usual occurrence; and the scene at the respective
wharves of the steamers of great ANNA
ton and excitement. The embarkation of passen-
gers and their effects, the hurrying ON board of
stores the melee of carriages and carts, the crowds
of friends, the hustle of getting off, and the leave
r. of
this kind.
cALIFoRSIA MAILS.
The letter communication between the Atlantic
! region and California exceeds all expectation At
, the November passage, the Ohio carried out up
wards of fourteen thousand letters and the Crescent
City about five hundred. On Thursday, the num-
Der of letters mailed in the Ohio was fourteen thou
sand hundred and eighty six; in the Crescent
City, hundred and fifty one; and in the Che
rokee, one hundred and twenty five.
Upon inquiry at official sources, have ascer-
tanned these facts and is ascertained also that for
the last three months these large mails so far as
the Ohio and Falcon steamers concerned, have
, been taken promptly to Chagres, and there delv
cred to the proper authorities. Why they not
taken across the Isthnus to Panama or, if carried
across, why they not carried forward in the
Pacific line of steamers is not positively known
here The mana cement of this matter from Cha
gres to Panama, under the general charge Of the
local government, has been dilatory and imperfect,
undoubtedly; but il is incredible that the Pacific
line of steamers should have left for successive
months without the Atlantic mail, if proper efforts
were made TO secure its transit the Isthmus
or to place it on board the Pacific line. Letters
ccived by the Ohio from many persons in Csifor-
MIA very naturally complain, that for the previous
three months they had not received letters from
home; and many of them had not received a line,
although absent then from six TO eight months. 1t
is stated that the last mail steamer from Panama,
{ for San Francisco carried three months mails on
! board Whether the irregularity has been owing
TO the nattention and imperfect means Of the New
Grenadian local agents, to the appalling bulk Of
the mail bags at Panama 10 a desire 10 afford prac
teal proof of the necessity Of a railroad, To the
occupied attention of the proprctors of the Pa
cic line, in getting up rivals 10 the regular mail
line the Atlantic sidcto whatever cause II is TO
be attributed, il is fortunate that the American
, Government has taken the matter in hand and has
despatched competent and efficient agent, DIR.
{ CHARLES A. SEYMOUR, whose duty il is made 10 re
ceive the mails respectively at Chagres and Pan
anna, and accompany them at across the 18TH
mus and deliver them on board the mail steamer.
From the known energy and intelligence Of Mr..
SEYMOUR il is doubted that for the future these
Z PROVOKING ueiays VIII DC aNolueu'
THE STEAM MAIL LINES
OF the great steam mail lines, the ships already
in progress are going forward to rapid completion
The Collins line TO Liverpool, two Of which have
been launched and two others building will be able
to enter upon the business Of its contract in the
course Of few months. These are ships of great
strength, tonnage and capacity, and will eclipse
any thing in the English mail service OF the Law
or Chagres line, the Ohio and Falcon, il is known,
have been in active and efficient service, the latter
for year. and the former for four months; and the
, Georgia, the consort of the Ohio, will be brought
+ out in January. These as yet unsurpassed in
speed tonnage and model, by any thing in the
American waters; and, although nearly double the
size required by the contract with the Government,
yet they have been pressed forward with vigor,
and il il is believed, will add greatly 10 the advans
tages Of the Government and the public in the
perior size Of the ships, the convenience of passen