The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-30
New York, Moneay, January 30, lse4.



The News.
An additional graphic account Of the terrible dis
Asaer at Ravenswood, Long Island, on Saturday last
- given in to-day's paper. This fearful tragedy
shouid teach some sanitary lesons ia regard to the
use OF powder in large quantities III the midst OF
Aahitations Although several we're suddenly hurried
70 the grave by this catastrophe, yet it is fortunate
That it was not greater than it is, condering the
istanse TO which the sugs we're thrown by the force
~ the explosion.
Full details OF the extensive fires which took place
On Saturday night and yesterday morning are giver
N another page. 1t will be seen that the actua
amount Of loss, when computed by dollars and cents
was not SO great as mi sht have been anticipated
nut when we take into consideration the great sui
sering Of the poor families who were thu.
Suddenly deprived of domicils. and large portion,
not all, their worldly goods, the serious conse
9uences Of the cslamities are beyond all estimate
By telegraph we learn that large block of new
buildings, valued at thirty thousand dollars, was
also destroyed by fire at Worcester yesterday morn.
ing. The houses were occupied by various stores,
sices, DC, whose owners probably lost only about
afteen thousand dollars, most Of their property hay
ing been removed in time TO prevent general destruc
tou.
The steamship Ohio arrived yesterday with late
and important news from Australia, Central and
South America, the Daren Surveying Expedition,
Me Lower California fibusters, &C., comprehensive
details of al which are contained in this number OF
car paper.
Decidedly the most striking feature of the intel-
gence from Australia and one that may lead to very
important results, is the announcement that French
Admiral stationed in the Pacific has formally taken
possession Of the island of New Caledonia in the
name Of Napoleon III.-thus Unexpectedly nippiug
IN the bud the schemes of the English for converting
this island into new convict settlement. The first
animation given to the Australians of this extra
ordinary proceeding, was by the arrival of vessel
chartered by the French commander to obtain sup
plies for Louis Napoleon's new naval station. New
Caledonia is among the islands discovered and
named by Capt. Cook, and although considered
Is egitimstely belonging to Great Britain,
the natives have hitherto been permitted to
retain quiet possession OF it they being only oc-
casionaly visited by English vessels, the owners Of
some of which had, we believe, few trading posts
among them. II is described as one Of the richest
and most fertile of the Polynesian group and being
the nearest country to the Australian coast is of
course OF great importance q commercial depot in
tsalia were in the greatest state Of excitement on
the subject, at last accounts.
The rumors Of revolutions in Bolivia and Peru are
confirmed In the former country the administra-
ton Of General Belzu has been deposed, and the re-
yolutionists have taken the management OF ma
tienal affairs into their own hands. In Peru the in
mrgeDts accuse General Echenique OF inexcusable
pTocrastnston in the settlement Of the difficulties
oia md 1afa tim n
compel him to abdicate. They believed to be in
possession of about half million of dollars, which
viii mott likely enable them to carry their inten.
tions into operation. On the other hand, we have q
pronunCiamento from Gen. Soane, which AYERS that
Rchepiques policy was becoming more popular
every day.
BY way Of New Granada we have received ac-
counts Of the progress of the Darien surveying
petition together with the startling announcement
that portion of the party belonging to the English
ship virago have been massacred by the Indians.
We have also many other items relating to naval
matters, affairs in Central America, &C., all Of much
interest to the people of this country.
But that portion Of the Ohio's which will, in
IN probability, command the greatest attention ia
uApat Of the world, is with regard to the move.
uns q the flibusters in Lower California. Colonel
~ -
his embarrassing position ut Encinado. Having az
hst sdvices been strongly reinforced he was carrying
an before him. The intelligence OF the Gadsden
treaty had, however, already reached Acapulco, and
was therefore supposed that Walkers republic
would soon ne numbered among the things that have
been.
The description and details Of the awful ravages o
ahe yellow fever at Hamilton, a. furnished by our
Bermuda correspondent win be read with melan.
choly interest II appears that over six hundred sol
iers and civilians died OF the fatal epidemic at that
place, during the season. At last dates the health
Of Hamilt IN was very good, but the continued warm
weather caused sp prehensions Of q renewal Of the
work Of the dreadful scourge at no distant period
The discussion Of the Nebraska Territorial bill,
which proposes TO annul the Missouri Compromise
act restricting the extension Of slavery In the domain
acquired from the French, viii commence in the
United States Senate to-day, the question having
been made the special order from this time forth till
anally disposed OF. The extraordinary excitement
prevailing on the subject In all parts Of the country
own as well as one or two other Northern State
Legislatures having taken preliminary steps against
The main feature Of the bill last amended bv the
committee, Of which Judge Douglas IL Chairman
causes the reports Of the coming debate to he looked
br with unusual anxiety. II being generally
admitted that the perpetui'y Of the Uuion aud the
preservation Of the constitution are, In great
measure, dependent on the fate Of this bill, TIE
Ahief msn Of all payties are naturally taking ground
and preparing for the struggle. The opponents Of
The new bill are 70 hold mass meeting at the To-
ssIpaele tonight, wlJch demonstration will aG,sd