The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-06

The Ma 'hville, from Havre and Southampton ar
rived at this port yesterday afternoon, bringing
London files to the 18th of February with Paris ad
vices Of the same date. The news is very impor-
sant. We have a copy of the autograph letter ad
dressed by the Emperor Napoleon to the Gear, the
receipt Of which AT st. Petersburg must have
brought the long agitated Eastern question to cri
ss 1t would appear that in this documentdhe ruler
Of France nakes-in concert il is said, with Eng
1and-a last attempt at Cancellation, and Lis at a
moment when the naval and military preparations
and firm attitude of both countries show tia. they
are fully prepared forwar. On the 14th utir1o the
Marquis of Clanricarde made e motion in Il e
English House of Lords upon the Russo Turkish
Affairs, which had the effect of calling .
the Earls of Clarendon and Aberdeen each of vhe n
made lengthy statement of the policy of the gov
eminent. full report of the speeches is sivtn
elsewhere with.a translation of the Napoleon letter
and the latest news from the East Details OF the
preparations for war which were going in Londol
Plymouth, Falmouth, and Portsmouth, are also
given, with correspondence from Tie continent
capitals, which indicate the policy Of the leading
Powers, either for peace war, at the latest mo
ment.
From the West Coast of Af5ca we learn that Trade
was very dull in consequence of the progress Of the
rebellion at Bonny, which we had slightly motto ed
previously.
Our columns to-day contain variety of very in
feresting intelligence from the Isthmus of Panama.
New Granada, Perm, Bolivia, Chill, EQUATOR, &C.,
the whole embracing information relative to the
movements Of the Darien surveying parties progress
of the revolutionary schemes among the different
States, the gold washngs of the Amazon, and mass
Of other matter to which II is unnecessary to refer
particularly. We regret to learn that the veteran
Gen. Wool was severely injured by the falling Of his
horse while crossing the Isthmus. When last heard
from, on board the steamer John L. Stephens, It
Acapulco, the gallant old soldier had entirely reco
vered and quite rivalry existed among the passen
gers as to who should pay him the most attention.
Our correspondent observes that during the trip he
had been more than once nominated for the Presi-
dency.
Full details Of another very destructive fire are
placed on record in another column. It broke out
about two o'clock yesterday morning, in the base
ment of No. Spruce street, and notwithstanding
that the engines soon the spot and the fire.
men worked with untiring industry, property to the
value Of upwards of three hundred thousand dollars
was laid in ruins before daylight Less than one
half Of the property was insured. These disastrous
yisltations are becoming SO frequent, not only in
this city but everywhere throughout the country as
TO create general alarm. Within about three months
Six fres In this city have destroyed buildings and
their contents to the value of between five and six
millions Of dollars; besides which, the destruction
caused by the numerous smaller fires during the
game period would probably swell the total to eight
millions of dollars. In addition, an immense amount
of property has been swept away within the lastfew
WEEKS by similar disasters in New Orleans Quebec.
Cincinnati, Philadelphia, st. Louis, &c. On looking
back and attempting to form an estimate Of the
aggregate value of the houses and merchandise that
have been consumed on this continent, even within
the past six months, one becomes amazed and be-
wildered with the long lines Of figures. They find
themselves adding millions 10 Millions aud finally
-Ebahp0p We tssk IN despair, Why, " Is believe