The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-13

The ex-Alinister to Austria, appointed ~ the exc
cutive Of the United states, We Thought had COM
pleted his labor of squarng the diplomatic circle
but the appearance on Saturday, in his Cow1r am
Enquirer, or in its supplement- of ponderous mani
festo, meant u supple exposition Of an American
vew through Austrian spectaces, of the hungarian
struggle for independence, has changed our opinion.
The ex-Minister appears to have received instruc-
ton from the Vienna college Of diplomats; and he
pours out historical lecture against Kossuth and
the Hungarian rascals-as he would teach the world
to believe them to be-not only generally, but speci
fically-turnng the Unions Of all Christendom up
side down, and making out that the struggle, like
that Of the Greeks, carried by pirates, or
something worse. Weconfoss we do not understand
all this, except in the belief that Mr.. Webb has
been honored as Commissioner Extraordinary Of
Austria Public Opinions, or Austrian Minister
Plenipotentary on Historical Precision. However,
as we propose to 60 to Europe next summer, and
have full intention to visit Vienna, we think it
advisable and safe not to give any opinion against
agent jealous and industrious in behalf of
Austria and it may be necessary to have his signature
to passports. If there cruelties on the side
Of the associates of kossuth, there equally de-
porable acts the other sde and in investigating
the subject in all its relations, historical justice de-
mands that one side should be treated as fairly as
the other
In this bulletin extraordinary, which Mr.. Webb
has issued he to have lacked originality, for,
while he has been absent, Prof Bowen, of Cam
bridge, has been over the same ground, and has
been dislodged from it. Mr.. Bowen has obtained
more kicks than coppers because he was not an 40
credited agent of Austria. What Mr.. Webb's fate
may be, We cannot tell If he is the authorized
agent Of Ausria-with ffty-two thousand dollars,
more or less, for his mission-it makes a mighty
difference in the consequences. Prof Bowen Knocked
his publication into cscked hat, and lost, we be-
| lieve, his professorship-a severe rebuke for an
honest ayowal Of opinions but the fate of one who
defends Austria, from impulses gained at Vienna,
viii not be so hard frst because the new manifesto
is not ingenious the original one by Mr. Bowen,
and is evidently published with some show of autho
/ rty; and secondly, because it cannot have any
weight with the public, from the circumstances I'M
der which tits published. 1t is special plea, in
every sense of the term and like all special pleas.
| will have but little inaueeee.
| As to the republican rights involved in the con-
| troTersy-the democratic elements which were to
have been preserved by tho Hungarian struggle,
there to be little scope fer debate-at least,
SO we imagine from Mr.. Webbs mode of handling
his argument Hard names, applied to Kossuth
and his policy, appear to be the points most relied
upon and as for proofs, they seem rather too er-
1arte, on the part Of the ex-Minster, to be taken
for more than assertions colated at the court of
| Vienna They may be deemed very brillian. there,
and may bring Mr. Webb some lofty distinction
an order, perhaps, or even an appointment as
Al'edeoamp Ct Grand Ma,tchal de lHelchausen,
or Of Humbug. In one Of the States of Austria
there is appointment known le Colonel dc
Didcrlhs. This might lie more acceptable than
the others, as Mr.. Webb has enjoyed the reputation
Of being colonel, without any specific distinction,
and this genuine Austrian honor would probably be
much relished by the descendants of Diederch Knck
erbocker On the whole, we.think that this mani
festo is pretty plausible refutation of MIR. Web
ster's letter TO N. Hulsemaan, the Austrian Charge
at Washington, which viii be properly appreciated
in every proper quarter.
TIE NOPE or ASSESSING PERsoSAL PROPERTY IN
TINS CIrY.-Our attention has been called to a case
u the assessment of personal property in this city
! which certainly shows very loose way Of doing
business Mr.. James Maxwell, of No. 130 Four
teenh street. on the 18th of II bruary last received
the following notice from the assessors of the Ninth
/ ward =
| estate IL assessed at 5000.
r. PrrERsoS. NJ. Il Troy street, Assefors Of
q. I. WoRpNL. No. % Blocker street, Ninth Ware.
New York, Feb. Is, 1851.
From the fact that Mr.. VI. had never been spoken
10 by the assessors, in relation to &c value Of his
personal property, and he had not before been
assessed in that section Of the city, to which he
a comparative stranger, he addressed note to the
assessors, stating that the assessment was incorrect
lie received the following reply;-
WORK, Apls 81.
sors u the 9th ward Received. in which you
state that You Received note from That
VI Personal Estate was assessed for tooD dollars,
and that YOU not nj al clear wcther the note
was intended for you or not II undoubtedly
for you You say you reside ~ $50 lith you say
will Particularly obligc you u we viii roUt cut he sal
Property and assure you the ownership you will pay tho
Tar with Pleasure you are now Informed that IL not
Business 70 do that But your buinecs II you
studied your Interest 70 ntsure that you arr
not worth amy. baye acted according h. Law under
Oath in which We required 10 as-e all the Read and
Personal Property in the Ward and whom receive in
formation Il Personal Property bound Enter IL
The Book. and let all before tn tex C0ulnth0l
ard It III " they can which Nv thu by Il you d.
net attend to- you will have to Pay wcther you
worth IL az not The mode We aIontcl # nnefvins we
thought would decidedly the Convenlaut 10 Per.
assessed. to call than g. y, compelled to np
pear b, fore the Commissicn nd swear o W. had n,
Idea II giving eencc 10 any bat u appear. from the
tenor II your note i has TO you The contrary has
given general subtraction.
I
paincd perhaps 10 entire Satisfaction that Won were
not liable and should have Checrefuy erased ysnr
name. Bat have not the Power our duties
ended the lst of April you ample time - DO
r. our notices were issued on the 10th Feb
In the last Clause II your note you ay when are
ready give you the Information requisite you can b.
found a 40 llth t. al 25p f9wcry In u that
have STATE. however Painful il y q a. that
shall BE- under the disagree shl, necessity declining
your very generous Request. Very Respectfully Yours
PETERSON
OF WARUELL
Assessors 9Th Ward
This 7idcntly is very queer business, and leaves
the a very small amount Of labor to per-
form. According 10 our idea Of the law, It i the
duty Of those elected for tho purpose to carefully
inquire into, and a. correctly az possible, place the