The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-28

80. our WashinStsn CsrrssrsuAsns~
-fs - tsa WAsEnaFoH, Dee. =. leGa.
The Weather n Waski~tfo Cawiamas Dsy--
Origin of TIE Fss(ssaI s~1 IT, Obs~ss~oss-- Ns-
tsws of The Fsilsvv At Hslyar-PsvbsSie Actisw sf
che Comminss of Commerce, W,tA reference to ~
owocity s~d tie Fishwly.
The weather here during the Last four Or ave dogs
has been extremely wst and mild, and il there \
any truth In the cid adage that go green Chrisnas
makes full ohurohyar !" We shall havsit. Teddy
It il quite dampsr upon the public obssrvAnes Il
denuded Of the fairer portion Of their eoDgregatsas.
whs have thus been prevented from appearing b
their usual advantage.
The festival will, however, be celebrated vsEy
amply in the culinary department, If any judgment
can be formed, from tho stream Of persons issuing
from the market, all yesterday and last evening.
carrying baskets well stored with the means Of mes
ticatory epjoyments, and around the domestic hearth
separated families viii be assembled, and the hearts
of parents will be gladdsnsd by the presence Of Their
progeny. Occasionally, however, . seat will be va
can't, which Was filed when they last so INST, BY one
who has ''passed thai bourne WHENCE" nos~ith-
standing ...spiritual rappings, mo traveller re-
firing Of crackers and muskets, and by other dis
cordant and annoying noises; not very appropriate
way of common Grating the advent Of one, who was
smphatically the prince Of Peace La. :. 49,
North Christmas day 10 but little regarded, except
by Episcopalians, and in New York, that of New
Year is substituted where it is marked by extenve
and general hospitality, and the paying and re-
where children and servants expect and obtain pre-
sents ut Christmas; . custom Of heathen usage.
originally praotised ut the feast Of the birth OF Sol,
or in Germany, on the occasion OF some peouiar
feast Of that country, but which has become conss-
Grated BY ages and contributes great deal to make
this festival an interesting event In families
The origin of the festival however. is involved IN
some obscufity; and it is contended, that in the
early ages Of Christianity, it was not vedpro-
baby not until the fourth century. Ia the fifth.
the Western Church ordered it to be cele.
Of the birth Of sol-ths twenty. fifth Of December.
although No information as to the day Of Chrisss
birth existed
The failure in Halifax. Of which you published
telegraphc report yesterday, think must DO exag-
gerated as to the extent of liabilities, and Ia not
that Of any of the mercantile houses, it being ro-
tail grocery establishment; and cannot conceive
how it could have incurred debts to tue amount
which is stated in that limited and rather cautious
community.
I think We shall soon have some action in Con-
gress on the question of reciprocity and tho fisher
les in the shape, at least, Of report from the Com
mittee on Commerce, as understand that Mr.. 6ey-
mour it's indefa,igable chairman, is investigating
these subjects; and he will, doubtless be prepared
to report Immediately after the holidays W.
News from Texas.
RETURN OF THE BOUNDARY COMMIssiON-THE FROM
wsh.ve dates from Galveston to th. nth inst ana
news from the interior fully week later thsn before
received. The San Antonio Ledger, Of the 9th inst,
says
ON Saturday last. arrived in town Lieut.. Green
nected with the Boundary Commission 1t viii b re-
collected that this mission left here than
ago severng in two parties, the proceeded to the
copper mines in New Mexico while the other pursued
the routs to California Our readers have long rncs
been informed of the death Col Craig the sndsr
Of the California division The operations of the other
party were confined to the Rio Grande They completed
the survey with the exception OF one hun fred
aud twenty mile, reaching from point cessation to
frequent disasters to their boats and the impassabis
character OF the me untans forbade further pursuit Of
the survey Frequently they forced to circuit Of
three DAYS travel without water effect distance OF
six miles hy the river Often times the banks OF
for continuous length Of thirty miles rose vertical 10
the height of from three hundred To five huudrec feet
Lieut. Green from letter received in town is awarded
the highest praise for his skill and aud ensr
gy With the exception Of DR. Bigslow the botaniss Of
the expedition the remainder Of the commission remains
At I'll Paso
We copy the following items from the Cirian Of the
18th to show the state Of the rivers The steamer Gen.
Hsmer Capt Fowler arrived from the Brazos yesterday
morning with cargo Of cotton, sugar, 50, reports toe
Major Harris the mouth Of the river loaded With oot
on and the William Penn still detained above the falls
low water. Tho steamer Braxos Capt Roach. arrived
and five p~ sengers, reports the river falling rapidly
The Austin State Gazette says, that Mr. Alder: Won
0UHhar, Quartermaster to Capt Shsw's company Of
raers, who returned to Austin city on the 18th inst,
reported oil quiet the frontier Capt Shaw and most
Of his were and had been for time previously
actively securing the country In scouting parties with
out discovering trace Of Indians All the members
Of the company. MT Won Ger Mar says, enjoying
most excellent health when he left.
The Austin .4,secGn says that Dr. P. N Luokstt d.
rect from Fort Croghsn brings intelligence Of the steal
Ing OF three horses from MI Vsndeyer b7 the Indians
about two weeks since while he was a. fort Msson.
With that exception there has been nothing to disturb
the peace quiet Of the frontier in tina. region.
! The Toncshuas and Csddees are at Fort Crcghsn.
They are quite friendly and engaged in hunting They
kill large quantity OF game including bears deer, tur
keys, So Tho country In the vicinity Of tho fort
sbounds In all the requisites 70 render hunters liza
1 Agreeable and exciting.
The Democratic Safe Central COMMITTEES have called
Democrats State Convention, to assemble ~ Austin ON