The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-07
Correspondence Of the Republic.
New YoRK, Sept. 81 p. m.

New YoRK, Sept. 81 p. m.
THE PRESIDENT AT NIAGARA.
Our latest accounts represent the health of the
President to be improving rapidly The President
was delighted with the scenery of 'sthe Falls !"
His reception was gratifying in the extreme. He
took up his abode at the eagle hotel" where the
most hospitable arrangements had been made for
his reception by Mr.. White, the proprietor.
MIR. CLAY.
We were favored with only very brief visit by
Mr.. Clay. He left last evening in the steamboat
for Albany. am informed that Mr. Clay intends
making call upon Mr.. Van Buren, at his beautiful
and secluded villa at Underworld. Mr.. Clay will
return Immediately to Kentucky Uia the Lakes. His
health is much improved.
THE Aston LIBRARY.
The erection Of the building for the reception of
the library bequeathed with it to the citizens OF New
York by the late John Jacob Astor, has been com
menced; or, at least, the preparations for laying
the foundation of the structure rapidly progress
ing. This edifice will be one of the grandest pub
lie buildings in the United States 1t is to be built
in the style of the Florentine palaces very rich
and orid style of architect It's length will be 1870
feet width 65 height 67 ii will be built of brown cut
stone. The Library hall, on the second floor, will
be 100 feet long by 60 wide, with shelving for OO-
600 volumes; the first floor will contain the reading
and lecture rooms, where 500 persons may study
without mountaineering each other The hall,
furniture, and shelving will cost $4,000 TO $50 900.
The architect is Mr.. Saeltzer.
Iron work will enter very largely into the con-
struction of this building. The I" truss BEAMS"
supporting the roof, will be of cast-iron pipes, Of
parabola form, on the same plan with the iron
bridges In France, thus securing great strength
and fine effect. II is supposed that the building will
be completed in two years.
The entire appropriation for the library and
building is 100000. One-half of this munifcent
sum is to be funded for the benefit of the library.
Mr. j. G.. Cogswell, the industrious and accom-
plished gentleman who Is to act as superintendent,
lately made visit to Europe and collected up
wards of twenty thousand volumes for the library
many of them of rare value in all departments
of art science, and general literature. These books
are now open to the public, in private dwelling
in Bond street. 1t is designed to make the library
one of reference chiefly 1t is needless TO point out
the vast influence for good which this institution
will exercise upon American authorship
TRIAL
Levi, the ualet of Mr.. Clay, has been of the
subjects of town talk for day or two. 1t seems
that he was induced to run away by an offer of
$500; but, when he got to Boston, his new friends
insisted ON his refunding the money and going on
board ship at $40 month. Levi did not like the
bargain, and got back to Newport and his master
a soon as possible.
THE PAcKEr-sH HENRY CLAY BURNED.
The splendid packet-ship Henry Clay, belonging
to Grinnell, Minturn & Co.'s New York and Liver
pool line, was destroyed . 6re this "wednesday
morning, at the foot of Maj, h Lane. She had only
e L.. II cd Al h.
were engaged until late hour Tuesday night,
that she might be ready to start upon her voyage
on Saturday next. There was on board, at the
time the fire took place, about 200 bales of cotton,
some barrels of rosin -four, and tobacco, the aggre-
gate value of which probably $4,000. The coal
was a part of the cargo from Europe, and had not
been discharged. The cotton was in the lower hold,
where it is supposed the fire originated, but from
what cause is unknown. The whole of the lower
part of the ship fire before il discovered,
which was about three o'clock II was discovered
by John Howard, the carpenter, who Immediately
gave the alarm, and obliged to rush through
the flames TO reach the pier, by which he was
severely burnt. The sight was terrific, especially
when the rosin came in contact with the flames;
and 30 great was the heat, that the efforts of the
hremen, who were promptly on the spot, were Of
little avail As possible she was scuttled ON
the starboard side, when she Immediately caSeened
TO the arboard that the water could not run into
her She was again scuttled on the larboard side,
but the fire had made such progress that the water
seemed TO have no effect in quellng the flames
The shrouds and masts which were partially burned
were cut away, when she partially righted, which
gave the firemen chance 10 work 10 more advan-
tage; but by that time many Of the lower timbers
were destroyed, and there is certainty that the
hull will be worthless.
The Henry Clay was launched in lS45. She Is OF
800 tons burthen, and cost $s5, 900 In the month
of March, 1885, while her second voyage, she
was wrecked Squam Beach, when she was con-
siderably injured, though the crew and passengers
were saved There insurance upon the ship
of S64, 900 in the Atlantic and Sun Offices and
there was insurance upon her cargo at the other
side. The ship has been most unfortunate one.
The Patrick Henry, which was only few days
since withdrawn from the Liverpool and placed on
the London line, will take the place of the Henry
Clay, and, Immediately taking in cargo, will
leave ON the 18th instant
At O'Clock she sunk 10 the bottom but il is
not known how far her lower part, injured.
Her stern Sides two upper decks, masts, and spars
are destroyed. She il, in fact, total wreck
Bosros, September 4, Is49.
THE PRESIDENTS VISIT.