New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-25

Arrival or THT II. b. NJ. DIscovERY-sHrP Prov
rR-H Is. NJ. chip Plover arrived in our harbOr last
evening from Port Clarence.-The Pl0ver has been
absent from England seven years and for the greater
part Of the time has been wintered in the Arctic
Ocean; was relieved by VI. u. 81. ship Enterprise,
which vessel had been wntered three years in the
ice in search OF Sir John FraDkiin--has sailed for
Hong Kong and home. The summer season had
been very open. The wbalers had commenced doing
well; they had taken a few whales of Point Barrow.
The whaleship Franklin reported that there had
picked up in Seventy two Passage several casks,
supposed to have belonged to the whale-sh Monon-
Offers of tie H. p. NJ ship Ploper-Capt Ma
yuire; Lieut.. Charles L. Ii. Vernon; John Simpson,
Surgeon Mr.. II. Hobson, Mate; Thomas A. Hal,
Second Master; Edwin Jago Clerk; Henry Grey,
Midshipm6D.
The Russian ship sitks, the prize taken by the
British figate President has also arrived in har
Sitks. Is in charge Of officer from the President
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH wARsTEAMER VIRAGo
AND FRIGATE PIQUE.-H. Ii. M. steamer Virago,
Capt. Marshall arrived yesterday afternoon, in pas
sage Of six days from Victoria, Vancouvers Island
The virago reports the sailing Of the English feet
from Victoria for this port they sailed seven days
previous, and may be expected hourly. The Pres-
dent Capt Burridge, and the Pique, Capt Nicholson,
both fiigstes the sloop-of war and the Vrago, com
pose the whole British fleet on this station. The Vi
rago ss che approached the French frigate Forte,
coming up the bsrbor, fred salute and gave three
cheers which Immediately answered in like style
by the Forte, the bands Of both vessels meanwhile
PLAYING their respective national airs. The Nrago
came to anchor of North Beach.
Isst of Ofieers.-Capt. Marshall Lieuts. Forsyth
and Moore DIR. Xreran; VIM. Luskip Master VIM.
Hin, Paymaster; DIR Ross, Assistant Surgeon.
The frgate Pique also arrived last evening and has
anchored at Saueelito. Alta Cal.
DFATH OF DIR ROBERT SEMPLE.-Dr. Robert Sem
pie died the morning Of the 25th inst at his home,
fourteen miles south Of Colusa. His death was
caused by injuries received by fall from his horse.
Although known TO not many of the later, DR.. Sem
pie was well known TO the earlier residents OF Cali
forIis. He was q native Of Kentucky, aud came to
California across the Plains ia the year ls45. DIR.
Semple took prominent part in the Bear Flag revo.
uon in that year and afterward located the City of
Benecis which at the time he Owned almost entirely
and where he resided He was elected delegate TO
The Conv ention for the formation OF state Constn
fion ia August, lsl9, and was almost unanimously
chosen President Of that body, over which he pre-
sided with great ability and satisfaction. 10 compa
sv with the late Walter Cotton DIR. Semple estab-
hshed the fret newspaper in California, at Monterey
in the year 1916.
Tny PAssEsGER AcT.-An appealhas recently been
taken by the District Attorney for the Northern Dis
tJict of California from decision of the acting Dis
trict-Judge sustaining former decision OF the DIS
trct-Judge of this District in his construction OF the
passenoe Act of Feb % 1s47. This appeal is taken
with the view Of having definvely settled, by the
Supreme Court a question in which the safety Oh Tue
travelling public is very vitality concerned. The ACT
M CONGRESS 10 which we refer was called for by the
voice Of the whole country, to arrest the innuman
nractice then prevalent, of crowding emgrant ships
10 such an extent that pesilence was generated on
board and not only carried off the unfortunate pas,
senrers by hundreds but likewise caused widespread
rnoralityin New. York New Orleans, and other ports
Ehere they entered. In view of these facts Congress
enacted wise and humane law, limiting the number
OF passengers ,,,,. -.
essoned nv fhe oyer-crowded condition of the pas
sepger steamers running between Panama ana tnls
port. in 1882 caused the Federal authorities; mere TO
interpose for the protection oil human NE. Inc Dls
frict Attorney Mr.Bsnham, instituted proceedings
1gainst several Steamers. A decision was gwen IN
the case of the s. S. Lewis, in which the Juoge hed
that the limitations OF the act did not extend 10 pas
sengers taken on board and acc )mmOosted on tue
1,nnsr oy snar deck The prosecution in consequence
fsied although decree Of forfeiture was aiiermaru
rntsred against the vessel under another penal clause
of the act in relation 10 the dimensions OF tne ounks
ut aimee that time the passenger act has been 10 tins
mott dead letter Vessels have since then been IN
Conveniently crowded, and pestilence ana mortay
have resulted but until the recent ARRIVAL OF the
plague shps from China no further attenet mas oeeh
made 10 enforce the passenger act
). Some two or three months ago several vessels ar
rived from China 30 crowded with passengers 'hs'
ffigbtful disease broke out on board aau sEep. on
bundreds of victims. 1t viii be remembered thst
ismporsry hospital was erected Goat Island Tor tue
nla1ue stricken wretches who survived the voyage
fbey died of there in scores and IN any other Guy
han San FraaciscO the plague would doubtless nave
mon made BY the present District. Attorney, MI
Inge 10 arrest this shocking evil by procuring Tue
forfeiture Of the vessels engaged in the inhumGn %
Eck The bark Neurea among others, was hbelsd IOr
carving an excess Of passengers. Toe case was AIS
nIssed, and appeal hss been taken to the UAitod
States supreme Court with the intention OF pressing
for speedy adjudication of this important question:
In matter 10 which his predecessor had given much
attention. Judge Oger doubtless did not feel a. hber-
II " on A cgrsory examination, TO overturn his de-
Il c{sion lSan Francisco Herald.
FROM TIE SOUTH.
We have received The San Diego Herald Of the
I'M and the Los Angeles papers Of the 10Th.