The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-16
Dome stic Mlscellany.

COMMERCE OF THE FLORIDA STRAIrs-In letter
rom the Treasury Department, received in tho
senate Yesterday, IN answer to resolution Of that
body, an estimate is contained of the commerce Of
the Straits of Florida, which, large as our notions
OF the extent Of that commerce have been, fairly
distances them all From the best data in posses-
sion of the department it is calculated that the
amount of ocean commerce Of the American ports
on the Gulf, inward and outward, foreign and do
nestle, exceeds two hundred and fifty millions Of
dollars per annum, besides that Of the Mexican and
other ports on the GulE--Nationat hteHigenco,
June Is.
FIRE AND Loss OF LrFE.-The dwelling of Mr..
Lucy, in the town Of Stockbridge, Madison county,
Ohio, was consumed by fire on the 25th ult. Mrs.
Lucy perished in the flames. Mr.. Lucy made his
escape, but in dying condition, his body being
burnt to crisp.
FUGITIvEs FROM JUSTICE KrLLYD.-Andrew L
Secrest and James Davidson, two desperadoes, re-
Gently escaped from the Arkansas penitentiary, and
subsequently made various threats to destroy the
lives and property Of the residents of Little Rock.
The citizens finally became so exasperated that .
number armed themselves, surrounded the shanty
where the two men lived and as they came out de-
liberately shot them down
HoRRID DEArH.-The Staunton, Va MeseenqN>
states that Mr. Enos Humphreys, q man Of about 50
years OF age, who has been engaged at the woolleo
factory near that town. as principal dyer, acciden-
tally fell head foremost into vat of hot boiling lie
qud on Thursday last and was so dreadfully scald-
cd that he died in fifteen hours
SNOW STOHM IN JUNE-Ine x'HtS0nrg (fd Seee9
states that very severe storm was experienced ON
Seven Mile Island, in the Ohio, below that city, ON
Wednesday night. Snow fell quite heavily for soma
time.
BRIDGE OVER THE PoIoMAc.-The committee Of
congress on the District Of Columbia, with other
gentlemen OF Washington and Georgetown, on Sa-
turday last, made personal survey Of tho Potomac
river hence up to the Little Falls with a view to q
selection Of the best site for bridge or bridges u
roconnect Of the Virginia shore to the District
ordered the following lands to be reserved from sale
until the roads designed are located For tho
Pacific Railroad, all Of Clinton and Springfield dis
tricts; oil of Fayae and st. Louis, South Missouri
clvsive in Jackson district; aud for the Hannibal
Railroad, thirty. miles on each side Of range line
between townships AZ and 4S.
New DIsEAsE.-A malignant disease called by
the physicians "spinal mingitis,' prevails in San
Augustine, Texas, and vicinity. In Dewitt county
the cholera has appeared. In Fort Bend county, tho
small pox is prevailing among the negroes.
SALE OF NEGROES. AT an extensive sale Of ne
groes, at Aiken y. G., the average price was sos.
A few sold as low as between seven and eight
hundred dollars, and some as high as thirteen
and fourteen hundred dollars. The number seld
was about scventy-fve.
The JOINT WoRN.--It is stated that in the coun-
ties Of Orange and Madison, Va, the wheat crops
have been SO materially damaged by the joint worn.
that many farmers have turned their cattle into the
wheat fields to feed on the straw.
SINGULAR IsvENrroH-It is stated tIDa geu-
tleman near Louisville, Ky, has applied the tels-
graph to an entirely novel and unique use. Ho haa
nearly completed an invention for writing music -
IS played from the pianoforte the notes upon tho
sheets being produced as FAST and the exact time,
as the keys are touchedDby the performer. Stra-
kosch, it is said, has offered him $4,000 for the
patent right when the model is finished. Rathee
doubtful.
A CALIFORNIA PRoDucrroN returned CaK-'
Ca, sc ayh, -
bear, of the Pacific coast, weighing upwards Ol
1000 pounds