The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-08

pitch Of avarcous frenzy, as they seem to have
been, five dollar bill would not have seemed
thing to be despisei, especially if the gratuity
had been accompanied by graceful invitation
to partake of refreshments at neighboring
bar Every thing must have depended upon
the financial ability of the agents employed by
the newspapers If the Cabinet had green.
horn to deal with, they perhaps got $50 or even
! $751; if, on the contrary, smart man was en-
ployed, why twenty dollar bill may have
closed the transaction-a given amount of praise
in the Times being thrown into the bargain.
1t would be interesting to know how much
the Secretaries obtained for their whole stock
in trade in the shape of documents. We know
that the Navy report was worth $40; but then
nobody takes any interest in the proceedings
of the wooden-headed old captains whom il
concerns. We have heard it stated that the
Secretaries cleared three hundred dollars by
the operation. This sum may appear large;
but it must be recollected that each report may
the documents which have appeared in the
papers, and estimating that only one newspaper
| was swindled in each case-that is to say, that
| each document was sold twice--it would not
seem beyond belief that each Secretary may
have pocketed from forty-f to fifty dollars by
| this new perquisite Of his Office.
We New Workers. are not in the habit of re-
| gardng s45 az very enormous fortune; but
| the pay Of our secretaries is so bad, and the
| cost of living SO high in Washington, that the
| Cabinet may well be excused for trying to turn
an honest penny when it can. We see that our
contemporaries, who, like ourselves, did not bid
| for the message when Marcy put it up to auc-
ton, are very angry with the Cabinet for sell
| ing State papers to the Tribune and Times,
and going through the farce Of sending copies
to the Postmaster; their remarks will be found
elsewhere. But we cannot concur in the GEN.
sure. What harm can there be in allowing the
Cabinet to trade in it's wares2 If Cushing and
the others require more money than the State
pays them-i the repletion of the Treasury has
stimulated their avarice into sort Of phrensy
If the habits Of politicians at Washington are
such as to require them to have ready supply
Of cash-in the name OF all that is jocose, why
should we complain of their putting their hands
into our neighbors' pockets? People must
remember that they are obliged to do
the honors Of ever SO many bar-rooms
to the couRtry members. The future des-
TIMES Of this republic might be jeopardized
if the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secre-
tary at War were not able to offer Mr.. Shocks
or Mr.. Jenkins, members Of Congress, gin
sling, or q brandy-cocktail Who knows, too
that some fresh corduroy may not again have
impaired the seat of Mr.. Marcys inexpressi-
bles, and that an excessive modesty may not
have prevented his repeating the extra charge
against the State? Our contemporaries may
say what they like, but we shall not mind the
public documents. 1t is the business of the
civic authorities at Washington to see that they
have proper licenses as hucksters, and it would
be well to provide them with stalls and signs.
For our part we like to encourage trade and if
Messrs. Marcy, Cushing, Guthrie and Davis
were to put their souls into the market, instead
of their reports we should neither be surprised
nor vexed; though we doubt much whether we
could be induced to buy at any price.
The Disaster to the Steamship Humboldt.
Our tesgraphc column in yesterdays paper announced
the fact of the steamship Humboldt Capt Lines from
Havre, bound to this port being ashore about twelve
miles below Halifax. The accident occurred the morn
ing of the 9th inst while in charge of plot IN fog
she wing got short Of COAL and putting into Hall
fax for fresh supply. After striking, which
rock of Sambro Light, she got off, and proceeded TO-
wards the city, but she found to be much damsg
ed that prevent her sinking in deep water she
run ashore about ten miles below Halifax, in place
lu;on
about eighteen water aud with six feet water in her
hold. She had to take Newcastle coal at Cowes which
proved bad and had slowly most Of the passage
experiencing westerly winds.
Our telegr despatch yesterday probably pre-
mature in announcing her "total wreck" Unless some
bad weather sets in she will very likely be got off after
the whole portion Of her cargo is discharged She is
the strongest built ses out Of the port Of New
York Her strength was well tested running ashore
while leaving Havre time back where she lay for
several hours without the slightest strain every door in
the vessel opening freely after she got aoa though
accident had occurred and this with all her and
full cargo on board.
The steamer Marion has been chartered by the under
writer's, and will leave this city At O'Clock this
morning to assist the stranded vessel We are also in.
formed that assistance to her from Halifax
agent also left Boston for the Of disaster the
steamer Canada which sailed thence at for Liver
pool via Halifax.
The Humboldt had ninety passengers, all OF whom
safe list Of them however, has not yet come to hand
Her cargo amounted $50 OF erchandise all of
which is said to be covered by Insurance in New York.
Paris and London great portion will most likely be
seriously iamagei by the water.
The vessel built by Messrs Wessrvelt AID Msckay
and launched the 5th October $780, since which
has been running between this city and Havre via
Southampton, in connection with the steamer franklin,
under repair. She is ZOO tons burthen ana her
cost when first ready for full $500 0oo She
recently rate al $3.50 0oo very little of which Is under
stood to be insured The policies Of the whole por
tion Of the owners lately cut and 1T is supposed
that no renewals were elected Mr.. Mayor Westervelt
owned quarter of the hull valued at ooo not in
sured The only insurance the vessel come to our
knowledge is $40 600 in Boston Office, stated in