The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-05

raj Conventions are held triennially. and they
usually assemble at Philadelphia or New York.
The last was held at Cincinnati.
The Bishops constitute one body, called the
House Of Bishops, which always sits with closed
doors. Clerical and lay representatives of each
of the diocesses constitute another body. called
the House Of Deputies. These two bodies, like
our Senate and House of Representatives, de-
liberate apart from each other; but the consent
Of each is required to every synodical decree or
act. The nature of the General Conventions
doings is purely legislative. All judicial func-
lions are vested in the Bishops, as the Bench of
Judges In their house the senior Bishop is the
presiding officer. A clergyman, chosen by bal
lot, presides in the House of Deputies. The
number of deputies from diocess cannot ex-
coed four clerical and four lay. These laymen
are, for the most part, men of prominence and
talent. who fill the highest offices in our gene
raj and State governments-members of the
cabinet, Senators members of Congress, gov
errors judges, and other magnates.
The Mother Church may well look with pride
the New World, with her family of already more
Bishops thas those who have charge OF all the
flocks in England and Wales, where there are
at present but twenty-eight. including the two
Archbshops. In Ireland there are but twelve,
in Scotland eight, and in all the British CO
lonies together twenty-nine.
The recent deputation Of American bishops
I'll 4o1o Ind;
clses of the jubilee year of the Society Tor the
Propagation Of the Gospel has led, it appears,
to suitable return of kind sympathy. And
the society is now represented here by Bishop
Spencer and the Archdeacon, the Prebend, and
the Vicar by whom he is accompanied. These
excellent men are deservedly receiving many
marks of high consideration and are assigned
prominent parts in the services of the present
season. Such shaking hands with men from
across the deep is certainly good omen. And
we have no doubt that the Mother Church will
ever find it to be, for many reasons. advantage
Gus to all concerned, as it must naturally be
pleasing to her to perpetuate and consecrate
this union and good feeling, which is causing so
many curious spectators and contemplative be-
Christians love one another
CAPTAIN GIBSON AND THE DUTCH GOVERN
tiers in relation to the pending difficulty between
the Dutch government and Mr. Walter M. Gibson,
Of whose Imprisonment and outrageous treat
ment by the Dutch authorities in Batavia full
account was published in the HERALD about a
month ago.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Sept, IL, 1853.
SIR Mr.. Walter M. Gibson has made complaint
to this Department of iltreatment of him on the
part of the representatives OF the Dutch government
in the island OF Java. He desires the Department to
act upon his statement Of facts, and demand salts
faction OF the Government of Holland.
l have received letters stating that Mr. Gibson is
totally unworthy the protection of the government,
and that his statements cannot be relied upon.
YOu among many others, ARE named as having
had business relations with him. and desire to know
what your opinion is of his (Gibsons) character and
the reasons If possible, for your opinion am, sir.
very truly. your obdt serv't, w. i. MARCY.
Jno. D. McGregor, l59 Broadway, N. Y.
New YORK, Sept. 20, 1853.
To Hon. w. L. MARCY Secretary of State
SIR-Yours of the'l2th instant asking for informa-
ton as to the character of Walter M. Gibson, whD
complains of Ill treatment by representatives Of the
Dutch government at Java, was received yesterday.
After much consideration and some inquiry, l
think can safely say that have never known any
state that there is lawyer in this city named PAT
rick McGregor who may have had dealings with
Mr.. Gibson.
Iregret that am unable to furnish the informa.
ton desired, it would be source of high gratica
ton to me to aid the State Department in its pa
trotic abors in seeking reparation for whatever of
injury insult may have been suffered in the case in
question, and Of removing the erroneous impression
Sfth Oco vvhO hot I'M
be regarded as totally unworthy the protection Of
of the government"
Most respectfully and truly, your obd't serv't,
JNo. d. MCGREGOR.
This correspondence is both curious and in
teresting, and the letter of the Secretary Of
State is particularly remarkable for its brevity.
compared with the long and elaborate docu-
ment on the Kozsta affair by the same author.
Instead however, of being addressed to the
Dutch government, demanding reparation for
what the Secretary OF State would in another
case call "an atrocious outrage upon person
invested with the nationality of the United
States" it is written to q private American
citizen, asking for information in relation
to Mr.. Gibson's character-in other words,
Mr.. Marcy desires to know "if he is a
tending over him the protection Of the gov
ernment. Both letters are somewhat different
from the style of diplomatic correspondence;
but they have at least, what is rarely to be
found in State papers, the "virtue Of sincerity
Hereafter, we presume, it will be necessary for
an American citizen to be in good standing in
the community attend church, and pay all his
debts, before he can claim the protection of our
government when his rights are violated, his
property destroyed, and his person subjected to
a long Imprisonment in loathsome dungeon.
Will the Secretary of State read the Presidents
and tell us what it means?
THE RAG PICKERs OF New Y0RK.-We pub |