Washington telegraph., 1851-06-18
correspondenoe 9 Of the Telegraph.
NEW YoRx, May 81, 1851.

NEW YoRx, May 81, 1851.
On Friday last went with friend-a stranger
in the city--to Hoboken, popular place Of resort
on the Jersey sldo Of the North River, gust oPpo-
site this city, between which and Il numerous
ferry boats are constantly plying My companion
was in ecstases with the beauty Of the place, the
charming cottages, handsome public houses, sylvan
! walks, sc. We little thought then that SO peace
full and lovely place was SO soon to be the scene
Of battle, bioodshed and rapne. To-day It is full
of the traces of recent violence and turbulent fury
| Yesterday afternoon a large number of Germans,
men, women and children, were celebrating at the
EIysian Fields in Hoboken some festival of their
Fatherlanc similar to the English May day. and
were epioving themselves to the top Of their bent
when gang of rowdies called the "Rock Boys"
| (not unlike the "KIers" Of PhadeIphia) sought
! fight with them by helping themselves to their
refreshments without either leave compensation
The result was row and finally rot-the ag-
gressors being compelled at length 10 seek refuge
| in McCarthys saloon, which the enraged Ger
mems then demolished over their heads-:he pro-
prietor striving 10 vain to keep the assaiants at
bay by firing upon them. Every weapon int
aginabe was in iequisition, and the battle covered
large space and included hundreds OF combat
ants, all fighting furiously for three hours. when
the Germans succeeded in putting their opponents
TO flight. The fugitives then proceeded TO drum
up recruits among the citizens of Hoboken and a
large number Of Irish laborers, whom they de-
ceved with the story that parcel Of drunken
| Germans were cutting the throats of the Ameri-
cans in the vicinity OF Jersey. II was about
p NJ when with these reinforcements, the Rock
Bows returned and made another onslaught upon
| the Germans, who, sated with victory, and having
gratted their wrath By many acts of violence
and boodshed during the absence of their real
antagonists, were now scattered, and returning IN
| small parties TO the city.
/ Al house Of iefreshment (called by the mil
lionaire Stevens soto Cottage in honor of Mad
am Otto) near the ferrys the Rock Boys and their
recruits way-laid these parties, and beat them
terribly The Germans soon gathered again, and
pitched battle between the two main bodies
of combatants opposite the Office of Magistrate
Browning, at the corner of Washington and
| Newark streets. Again the Germans were VIC
torious, and perhaps the Rock Boys were sorry
| they had enlisted large number of the for
| eipne were now observed 10 wear white coats,
! and TO answer TO the sound Of horn carried by
| their leader.
The victors then demolished several houses and
did much damage. The battle was renewed at
the ferry but in the meantime many special con-
stables were in, and they proceeded TO
make arrests. About fifty prisoners were sent to
! iail No police assistance was rendered from
| New York city, except in the prevention Of the
passage Of gangs of rowdies who sought to cross
over at the foot of Barclay street. Alter the
| d
military and firemen came from Jersey City to
assist in restoring order. The Germans were at
length ousted and fain to retreat into the woods
and swamps. 1t is said that many persons were
killed
The election of Hon. Benjamin Thompson as
the Congressional! Representative OF the Massa-
chusetts Fourth District only effected we are
told after about fifty ballots, extending through
period Of two years, and never until now resulting
in choice The Free Soil candidate, John G
| Palfrey who opposed him is the friend of Charles
| Sumner, who, under the cover OF aiding hlm IN
this canvass, wrote the communication which
Edmund Quincy, Garrison, &c, had demanded
of him as offset to his "Union" letter. Mr.
Thompson is the very opposite OF Charles Sum
ner, physically and psychologlcaily; being snort
thick set, rosy faced, easy, quiet man, with q
great deal of firmness, candor, consistency, and
practical good sense.
I During that portion of mans life in which hts
opinions tastes and general character are formed
Mr.. Sumner lived in foreign lands, and almost
estranged from his country. He passed great
deal of his time in Paris, and there mbibed Il in
fer from his course) the visionary philosophy o
the French political and social school. In many
respects he resembles the French pseudo states
man Lamartine; just about as brilliant, as consis
tent and as practical Knowing him intimately
as do, shall not be surprised at any of his feats
| at still vaulting.
Hon. Rufus Choate: OF Boston, commenced his
argument yesterday in the U. S. Circuit Count in
this city in the great Methodist case. in which the
Southern division of the Methodists sueing the
Northern division for share of the general prop
erty consisting chiefly of the Methodist "Rooh
Concern Mr.. Choate, usually very brilliant ane
declamatory, and extensive in his gesticulatory
action, was yesterday very quiet, clear, cogen
and argnmentative, confning his physical em
pIiasis to frequent forcble thrustng down Of his
fists-n this and other respects resembling Mr.
Webster.
By the way, the Secretary Of State is expected Il
address our citizens ON Thursday or Friday. y
The Sioux INDIANs-Mu2aer.-