The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-24
New York, Monday, April "a, 1864.
The News.

The News.
Our intelligence from Washington this morning is
exceedingly interesting, and from all the indications
this will be stirring week among the politicians.
The rumors of charges of impeachment by Mr.. Ben
ton and Mr.. John Wheeler of this city, against the
Clerk of the House. are taking tangbility, and the
future prospects of the pet of the President any
thing but comfortable. A mighty effort is to be
made to force the House Nebraska bill through; but
it is hardly possible the administration desires to
present still another Indication of its weakness The
moral deinquences of the Cabinet, the obduracy of
the nationals, and the lack of force in the head Of
the nation, rapidly bringing about an explosion
rs formidable as occurred to the monarch of Delhi
when be stirred up the whole of the two packages Of
Seidltz powders in separate goblets and swallowed
the dose in two gulphs. The effect was terrible,
but harmless save to his Majesty. 1t is stated that
Minister Soule will shortly return from Spain. In
the meantime the Cuban Junta and the Order of the
Lone Star will keep the Marquis de Pezuea in
healthlul state Of activity.
By the arrival Of the steamship North Star yes
terday, from Aspinwall 18th instant, we have
news from Australia, Peru, Chill, and Panama. She
brings nothing later from California Intelligence
is received Of the safety of Lieut. Strains exploring
party but six Of his companions had died Of fatigue.
The Panama Railroad is progressing rapidly, five
thousand laborers being employed upon it. A
French squadron had arrived at Carthagena to OBJ
tain settlement of claim on the New Granadan
authorities for spoiations. large emigration has
taken place from Australia to the Amazon gold
mines in Peru; but they are doomed to dsappoint-
ment, as the existence Of the reported mines very
problematica We give the statistics of the Austria
han gold fields for the year 1853. The produce OF
the mines for the years 1852 and 1853 is set down in
round numbers at twenty-five millions pounds ster-
ling.
We publish in another column decree issued by
the Peruvian government, in relation to the free
navigation of the Amazon and its tributaries. We
also give the commencement of the interesting and
important correspondence that ensued thereon be-
tween Mr.. Clay, u. S. Minister, and the Peruvian
Minister of Foreign Affairs. The reader will re-
member that this decree is merely explanatory Of
shat of the 18th of April, 1858, which enacted
among other things that all nations having specific
treaties with Peru BRAZIL being mentioned especial
ly) were thenceforth to be admitted to the naviga
tion and commerce of the Amazon. 1t seems that
Brazilian steamer was lately Advertised to touch
at certain ports that river and our Minister took
this opportunity of asking for official information
whether Brazilian vessels were permitted to navi-
gate the Amazon and the Hualhga rs far as Yur-
maguas. If so, he claimed the same concessions for
American vessels, under the treaty at present ex
listing between our government and that of Peru.
The Peruvian Minister replies that the treaty be-
tween his government and Brazil was private and
particular, and essentially different from that en-
tered into with the United States. The treaty with
the latter power, he contends did not refer TO in
land navigation. His government was opposed to
Mr.. Clay's pretensions. This is the substance Of
that part of the correspondence which we publish
to-day For want of space we must postpone the
publication of the two remaining and most import
ant letters In them the subject is discussed ut con-
siderable length, and arguments pro and con are
ably and spiritedly advanced. Our minister con-
cludcs by protesting against the advantages gvenby
Peru to Brazilian over American citizens.
We give elsewhere the first nstalmeat of our an
nual reports of the condition Of the crops through.
out the country. Usually these reports are accom-
panied by doeful representations of partial if not
entire failure Of everything cereal, and She pub.
lie are led to believe that eyer-grumbng agricul
turists just on the brink Of utter and irremed
able ruin. Indeed, experience leads irresistbly to
the conclusion that of all farmers are the most
dissatisfied. The weather is either too wet or too
dry-too hot or too cold nothing suits them. But
this spring the skies are bright. The short supply
OF grain OF all descriptions on hand the high prices
that have ruled during the past winter, and the
pending war abroad, have walked up our farmers,
Sand the seed has gone i'm with rush unDrcce.
denied. Accounts from the principal grain growing
districts are highly favorable and Notwithstanding
the backwardness Of the season, large crop win be
gathered The predictions as to the cotton crop "a
usual, arc OF the dresl nature ; and The young and
tender tobacco plants too reported as being ii
an exceedingly unfavorabe condition. Early veQe.
tables arc backward in the country; butin Washing.
ton market green peas abundant and shad 70 on
quickly at Thirty dollars per undred.
novel suit was tried in the Circuit Court and
terminated en- Saturday. II was instituted b. the
Mutual Insurance Company o. New York to recover
back policy paid BY them on the dccease Of life
which had been nearly years insured in their
oice on The alleged ground that the party was dis
eased at tie time the policy was effected The Jury
very properly rendered verdict in favor Of the de-
PENDANT, and the judge awarded one hundred dol.
lars against the Insurance Company for bringing
the vexatious suit.
The Maine Liquor law excitement Is fast dying out
and las recently received another check from Hon.
Ross wilkins, Judge Of the United States District
Court Ia Michigan who is clearly Of opinion that the
law Of that State is unconstitutional
On the inside pages may be found letters from
our correspondents at Caracas and Havana, which
will be found very interesting Nebraska as it is and
will be; the pension BILL decision respecting grants
OF md II Oregon; commercial intelligence, &C., IL: