The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-27
The News.

The News.
The Cunard steamship Africa, now greatly over
due with three days later intelligence from Europe,
ha doubtless been detained by the large quantities
Of ice that were encountered by the steamers Chair
w. Pacific and other vessels and also by the equi-
boctal gales, which have of late ragged with much
violence. While awaiting accurate information con-
scYnng the rumor brought out by the last steamer,
1has Kalefathad fallen into the hands of the Rus
SLAMS, it may be as well to remark that the place
contains some two thousand houses, and was COM
pletey surrounded by Notifications and defended by
upwards of twenty thousand men, Should it turn
e1t to be true that ALL is reported, even
$enth of those within its walls have been massacred
BY the Russians 1t will the public feeling to
pitch of excitement hitherto unprecedented in the
annals of warfare.
Dates from the city Of Mexico to the 18th inst in
form us that Santa Anna left the capital four days
previous, with the intention of taking the field in
person against Gen. Alvarez the leader of the Aca
pulco revoutonists. 1t is asserted by the Mexican
journals that Alvarez surrounded by the govern
Nent troops, destitute of money and almost deserted
by his frends-but this statement needs confrma-
ton. If correct it is hardly probable that Santa
Anna would deem it necessary to buckle on his
armor for the purpose of quelling the disafected
party. The fact s the fever of dsaection is at this
moment raging with intense fury throughout the
whole of Mexico, and unless His Supreme Highness
speedily extrpates every open manifestation Of dis
cord, the entire country will be in blaze and
he compelled to beat another hasty retreat to foreign
lands. He cannot stem the current of popular opin-
ion against him, especially with an empty pocket;
and unless his treasury is quickly reimbursed must
give way to other leaders, numbers of whom in
every State are conspiring for his overthrow and
return to repubcansm. Under these circumstances
1t is to be hoped that the United States Senate will
not fail to hold fast to the twenty millions of dol
lars which Santa Anna much needs to propel
his wheels Of empire.
Among other curious information received by
telegraph from Washington, is the announcement
that Colonel Clemens has written another letter. fur
ther defining the Presidents position with regard
the bill So far relates to the main
features of the affair, the Colonel strictly adheres to
his original statement but nevertheless gives Gen.
Pierce the benefit Of quibbeas to the exact words
he used in speaking of the matter. 1t appears that
the President expressed his surprise that the bill
should meet with opposition from the true men of
the North"-doubtless, meaning the free soilers-n-
stead of merely the men of the North" This is
the difference betwixt tweedledum and tweedle-dee
In the second letter of explanation, Colonel Clemens
appears to have placed the President in far more
perplexing situation than in the first.
rumor is ahoat in Washington that even Secre-
tary Marcy is becoming heartsck of the vacillating
and imbecile course pursued by the President, and
has declared that in case there is any wavering
backing out from the demands upon Spain for in
demnity in the Black Warrior affair, he will most
certainly resign. What next?
Special attention is directed to the Albany des
patches for a variety of highly interesting intelli
gence connected with the political affairs Of this
State and city. The conduct of Mr.. Dillon, our Cor
poration Counsel, in relnquishing a large share Of
the fees to which he would have been entitled by the
act under which he was elected, will attract par
ticular notice. 1t appears that he has given up
all claim to the fees that would accrue
to him through the opening of the public
parks, which would in all probability have amounted
70 at least one hundred thousand dollars. Such an
extraordinary act on the part of a public officer,
particularly in this city, is unparalleled The de-
scrption of the scene rather series Of scenes in
the Assembly chamber on Saturday is unusually
rich and affords striking illustration of the wis
dom, honor, propriety and business habits of the
gentlemen there congregated. Read it, and enjoy
the fun while it is fresh.
This will most likely be very busy week in both
our national and State Legislatures. The Pacific
railroad and Homestead bills, aud probably the
Gadsden treaty, will, among other matters, be dis
cussed in the United States Senate and in the House
the Nebraska question will undergo debate in Com
mittee of the Whole whenever opportunity oc-
ours. The temperance bill, which has been the
great theme of discord and excitement since the
commencement of the session, having been passed
by both Houses and sent to the Governor il is now
thought that legislators at Albany will 90 10
work and eudeavor to dispose Of the important bus
ness before them prior to the day proposed for adj
jourDment-the 18th Of next MONTH
Much excitement has Of late prevailed among the
abolitionists at Auburn, owing to a report that a
negro, who 10 be released from the State prison
yesterday morning, was a slave and would be claim
ed by his master on being set at liberty by tho
warden. InHammatory handbills were issued head
cd "Kidnappers -kidnappcrs," and calling the
friends Of the convict to the rescue, and general
arming of the philanthropists took place for tie
purpose Of setting the law at defiance, should an
attempt be made to restore the negro to his master
The strangest part Of the story is that the man is
represented as dangerous character, and no steps
have been taken to return him to slavery.
despatch from Albany states that notwtbstandiny
ii the previous uproar everything was ouiet II
Auburn yesterday.
At no period within the history OF our cty do We
ollect to have noticed such general nav almot
vcrsal, preparations for changing quarters on the
at Of May. Che desire to move, sell out and clear
ut, seems to have spread like an epidemic among
AL classes. The merchant and clerk, the emplover
= nd uor tho ME 4 mo ,Ifa
TO rccommence the household year in new places =
abode, and with fresh materials. Our columns are
laden from day to day with Advertisements Offering
ior sale or to let houses stores, shops goods urn
tire, horses carriages, in short, every description