The New York herald., 1850-12-31


what action Mayor woodruff intends 10 take on
the infamous contract which the two boards Of the
Common Council have agreed 10 with 10 the Nov
York Gas Company, for eighteen years. We have
not heard whether Mr.. Woodruff has determined
upon vetoing this barefacei swindle, and of pro-
tecting the community against the eighteen years
robbery of them by soulless corporation, which
that contract proposes, in direct violation of their
solemnly expressed wishes. We have not heard
that Mr.. Woodruff intends to step in between the
Common Council and the peops, and say that, %
far as his action goes, ths community shall be
placed at the mercy of sosl,sss corporation, and
made to extend the already overgrown wealth of
that institution. We are afraid, however, that Mr..
Woodruff is about to escape from the responsibility
to run away from it, and to allow the contract to
become law, by not noticing ii at abby letting
ten days expire, at the end Of which time it will be
a law, if he does not interpose the veto.
We sincerely hope that Mr.. Woodruff has not
determined upon such pusillanimous course of
action. 1t has been our duty to disagree with Mr..
Woodruff ON several occasions; but we never ems
tertained the idea for moment, that he would
sanction piece Of corruption, 80 infamous on its
face, as this contract undoubtedly is. It is well
known to him that to grant new contract TO the
New York Gas Company, in the manner proposed,
would be to 60 in opposition to the wishes Of vast
majority of the people of this city-in defiance OF
their solemny expressed will, in the shape of Pc
tition in due form presented to the Common Coun-
cli, many months ago. We shall see, however,
what course he will adopt. One thing is certain
that If he consults his own popularity, and wishes
to be gratefully remembered by his constituents as
an honest and upright man, he will not allow this
vile and infamous contract to become law, IL he
can prevent it. He has but few days more to
serve. Let him 60 out of Office honorably, and
without mourning the stigma which his appreciation
of this contract would entail upon him.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE CAsK-The proceedings
in the case of Henry Long, the alleged fugitive
slave, which have been occupying large share o.
public attention. and very considerable portion of
the time of many of our law courts for the last
week, are yet unfinished they have, however,
taken an extraordinary turn, and one which will
be calculated to adjust the only apparent point at
issue. Is Henry Long fugitive slave, or is he a
freeman? The counsel for the defence have
issued half dozen writs of habeas corpus,
disputing the legality of the tribunal before
which the accused was being examined None
of these writs have been as yet decided.
and two remain adjourned over till the 9th of Janu
ary Yesterday, the claimant applied for, and OBJ
ained, warrant from the u. s. Circuit Court, for
the body of the allegedfugitive and he was accord
ingly brought before that tribunal where the case
will be proceeded with this day, and the result
may probably lead TO the grave and important ques-
ton, whether State Courts, or the United States
Courts, are paramount in their authority MS to the
disposition of case which comes peculiarly before
the United States authorities. report of the pro-
ceeding will be seen in another part of our paper.
Highly Interesting from Central America.
WAR BKTwEKN COSTA RIGA AND NcARAGUA-rHR
COFFEE CROP, ETC.
We have private advices from Nicaragua of Q very
important character, to the effect that War has been
declared bstwesn the States Nicaragua and Costa Rra.
It appears that Eicarsgua has declared against
Costa Rca and sent troops occupy the department
Of Guapacoste, which has been In litigation between
those two republics. The government Of Costa Rica
had taken measnres ---ai~siy, ~-a svas Gnsna-
coste German ofcsr, who was lately In the service
Of the King of Prussia to act in its behalf General
Guiros who took prominent part In the revolution
against Generals Flores and Castro and who was ex
lied board Of ship anchored ct Psnta Arenas,
and destined to Nicaragua The partisans Of Castro
were preparing movement ct Costa Rics, and revo
luten was expected on the arrival of Gen. Castro,
Who ct the appeal Of his partisans sailed from Londoa
and expected 1t Costa Rica during this month.
Gen Guiros expected in Nicaragua to take part
in the war against Costa Rica.
The coffee crop 10 very good and prices were set at
seven dollars, the highest for several years.
City Intelligence.
GRAND TURN OUT OF FIREMKN-RKcKPTIoN OF THE
wATcHMAs FIRE COMPANY OF BALTIMORE
Last evening the Fire Department Of this city
T. N waf,h
man Fire Company, ffom Baltimore. The companies
assembled in their respective Districts at O'Clock
precisely, at the following places THE First District
at Firemans Hail. the Second District, Fast Broadway,
near Market street; the Third District, Chambers
street. east Of Broadway At half past O'Clock the
line formed In Courtlsnd street and West street. and
from that time till quarter to IL o'clock the hour at
which the Phadelphia train arrived those two streets
and part OF Broadway at the entrance to Court
land street were ed With SPECTATOR anxious for the
arrival of the Baltimorssns The visited by
not S.D .ons.rns where ali the yoanssssrs from
twelve years Of sse down to six, came from or hov
they could stand the cold Every lev minutes some
TO ms ke merry the expense Of the hremen aud the
spectators Who tired waiting the train being de-
received with desfenng chees while the bands struck
up their music, and the procession was arranged In
Is. following order under the direction Of the GRAND
Engineer. Fsne: :1s ... S,ii;':.; =, as H.r.A.'.
H::, sas iss: ia. &C. aat :s q a. ia
Niassra Engine, No.A Howard kngine, a.
Warren Hese, s. Amity Hose - =.
yAckfen Eneine, "a. hareppa knsine, %
Tradesmens Hose, 81. Alert Hose, ti
Engineer. v..s,,sSs; .,Ssli' s... ~ H'y'. r.r'A.
American Engine Co. 40 LArayetts Engine Co.D.
Atlsntic Hese Co. ~ fhenix Hose 20. a.
Manhattan Engine Co. 3. =.
Wstehmsn Engine Company BaItmore with the Balt-
more Apsc cistior, a. Gu ard Of Honor.
Baltimore Band.
Rutgers Hose Co. n. ocesna Hsse Co. %. .
Putnam Hose 90. 81 Lave O.h Engine 20. ~.
r. n. yohnfon Hoee Co. " Howard Hose Cs. ~.
THIRD DIrrpfcr.
Ensine,rs Masiness and nonroe, as MarshAls.
Brooklyn Band.
Nissara Bose Co. Pr,tsetor Engine Co. n
Enrins &C. 13, ,Brco coklyn. Neptune Hose 70. ~.
Liberty Hosc Co. To-
Adhins Band.
Pearl Bose Co. No. ~.
The procession a. II stretched into Broadway, had
most and mposing effect The lateness Of
the hour the cold clear air with the martial music OF
4 ~. lx~w Ilxxa NJ