The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-08
The NEWS.

By .eles rsph from NeT Orleans we have F-rop-
sic Of two weeks later adyices from California, the
lntelhge- &c having been conveyed from SaE fran
cisco vic the San Juan rome, in the space of twenty
one anG half days. The news is not of very great
inpor; apce. Owing to TIE contirued drought, many
Of the npers were still ide, and but little god
coming. The steamer Sierra Nevada, however is
reported 20 have bronght down about one million OF
dollars in treasure on freight, most of which will
reach this city i few days. The markets remain.
ed duh and depressed n consequence OF being over.
nc sked with goods Flour Of good brands was sci.
ing at sll Sl2 per barrel, only about two dollars
more than ii is worth in New York.
The Observation-Disclosures bill still occupies the after
ton Of the United States Senate. Although they
know that they are strongly in the majority, some
Forty members having expressed their determination
10 support it, the adTocates Of the measure are dis
posed to extend every courtesy 70 The minority, BY
allowing them 10 freely express their opinions before
fakiog the final vote. Judge Douglas yesterday
offered an important mendment--important for the
reason that il makes the bill clear and removes
every point for bubble upon the subject hereafter.
He proposes that TIE bin SHALL in so many words
directly declare tle slavery section of the Missouri
act imperative, AM the people Of the territories
shaI be perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions IN toeir own way, so long as
their proceedings do not conflict with the constitu.
ton of the United States. After this amendment
bsd been submitted Mr Everett gave notice &? his
desire to define his position in taking ground against
She BILL but as be not at the time fully prepared
the further consideration of the matter was post
poDed till today. The minority it is said, barely
1uInber some seventeen ont Of the sixty members
including Gen. Houston, who is believed 70 be the
only Southern Senator opposed to the measure.
The Russ pavement and railroad fever he's atSast
extended 30 the usually antpro yressiye c,z sr Of
Washington. Petitions for laying q track in and
paving Pennsylvania Avenue, were presented 10 the
Senate yesterday, after which that body took up and
passed bill granting million acres Of lane FOR
The construction of three hundred miles OF railroad
u Minnesota territory. Bills granting lands for rail
road purposes in Louisiana aud Michigan also uude--
went consideration but were not finally disposed OF
Most of the day was occupied by the House IN
making amendments TO the Deficiency Approprie
lion bill. Considerable funcombe debate took
place on an amendment, which was finally carried,
appropriating ten thousand dollars for the collection
uf agricultural statistics and seeds 20 be distributed
among the constituents of the various members.
This Afforded fine field for democrats, wings free
rollers and aboitonists, 70 gsVe expression to their
high appreciation Of the invaluable services Of the
sers OF the soil and they did me- fail to avail them
Eelves Of the opportunity. An snendpent was also
adopted, after some opposition fros Pennsylvania ap
propratng FIVE hundred and thirty thousand dollars
for the purchase Of the buildings recently leased for
the accommodation Of the Assay o9'ce in this city
The government will save two hundred and sixty
FIVE thousand dollars by this purchase in fifteen
years.
Quite an exciting debate occurred IN the State
Senate yesterday, respecting the unnecessarily heavy
expenseg consequent on the opening OF streets 10
shis city II will be seen by the despatch from our
correspondent, that TIE amount of fees OF the Cor
poration Attorney was pretty freely commented on
in the course Of the controversy. report wGS made
in favor Of repeating tie Jones Wood Park bill
Majority and majority reports were handed in from
fhe joint committee appointed to examine the en-
rroachrents upon cur harbor. The majority ask for
the appointment OF c commission of competent man
to fix the line beyond which piers shall not eI.
tend. The Assembly resolutions providing for an
adjournment from Friday till the following Thurs.
day we're conculTed in. This viii enable tie mem.
bers to take part in the constitutional election which
Is to be held on Wednesday. Nothing Of consequence
ives done by The Assembly in the early part OF the
dsy The afternoon was, as usual, speLt in discus
sing the Temperance bill.
The statement made by us on Monday that John
Van Barren had opened correspondence with Col.
CLEMENS on the Observation-Disclosures question, IS con.
brmed by the letter Of the latter gentleman, which
we publish In another column Strange az IL may
appear, the ex-senator from Alabama has allied
himself with the Prince in opposing the bill which il
shortly TO pass the Senate. Mr.. Van Buren,, how.
ever, seems 70 have missed the mark in making the
extraordinary proposition to Cen. Cass to get into
line with the Northern democracy by voting agslns;
ihe bius for, in the debate Monday, the veteran
Senator from Michigan expressly declared his belief
ahht the Missouri compromise was unconstitutional
and would prefer saying so in so many words"
The case Of Alexander Heilbrsnn, which has been
keice orr conrts for some months past was again de-
ded yesterday in The UB si States District Court,
Judge IpReTsQl, Eho dc ares that tie evidence