The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-14


Advertisements 72z cents per line in the daily
Do. 30 cents per1iae in the weekly editions
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The News.
BY the arriual of the Star of the West, froms n
Juan, we learn that launch containing q large
number Of passengers was recently capsized on
Virgin Bay, Lake Nicaragua. Twenty-four persons
were drowned the bodies of nineteen Of whom mad
been recovered. They were returning from Cali
fornia Full details ofthe melancholy disaster are
given elsewhere.
The outrage by the Cuban authorities upon the
steamsRap Black Warrior is reported to have been
the cause Of another protracted session Of the Cab
net at Washington yesterday 1t is understood that
the President viii transmit to Congress strong
message relative to the affair." accompanied by nu-
merous documents connected with this and other
recent illustrations Of Spanish perfdy, as the
papers can be properly arranged. A bearer Of des-
patches from Havana reached Washington yester-
day afternoon with-edditional particulars.
The United States Senate appears to have been
completely ioodedsxith petitions Of every descrip-
ttion yesterday, including, as usual, large number
demonstrating against the Nebraska bill, and among
them one signed by Bishop Wainwright and other
c,ergymen of thiscity. Quite spirited debate took
for land to aid in the construction of the contemplate
ed ship canal around the Falls of Niagara The
special committee reported bill providing for the
construction Of araaEoad from the Mississippi river
to the Pacific ocean, an abstract of which measure
win be found among the proceedings. Instead Of
specifying any particular route, the committee pro-
pose grant to the contractors every alternate
ton of land twenty miles wide each side Ct the
apd 20 csx hmm rod 1olIo 10 for
carrying the mails for thirty years. debate on the
question as to Mr. Phelps right to seat as Senator
for Vermont, wound up the business of the day.
The great feature in the proceedings of our State
Legislature, yesterday, was the tabling Of Mr.. Pc
1ers' resolution calling for the assembling of Conn
ell of Freedom in Albany, in order to devise such
measures VII eectnally prevent the extension of
slavery as provided for in the Nebraska Kansas hill
which recently passed the United States Senate
This extraordinary proposition Of Mr.. Peters re
ceived very unexpected but just and eloquent, re-
buke at the hands Of Mr.. Littlejohn, the silver
gray representative from Oswego, who truly
designated it as q traitorous attempt to set
ut defiance the acts of Congress. Various measures
relative to affairs in this city underwent con-
sideration in both houses in the of the day
among them the bill to repeal the Jones Wood Park
collection of taxes Mr.. Putnam moved an amend
ment to the latter BILL to provide for the taxa
ton of the property Of persons doing business in the
State, they may themselves reside in another
State. Those interested win find the opinion Of
Attorney General Hoffman with regard to the dis.
pute concerning the ownership of land under water,
appended to the despatch from our special cores
pendent.
n.lls A..
House of Representatives yesterday, in reply to the
resolution of inquiry relative to the adaptabiity of
the various mail steamers to purposes, in case
of emergency. The Secretary thinks that it would
be impractcable to convert them into regular yes
sells Of war, but might be useful in transporting
troops and munitions, and also in annoying the
enemy's commerce as privateersmen. This being
the case, it is to be hoped that the House will
no longer delay the adoption Of such measures as
will place navy footing with the first mari
time power in the world. Let the miserable system
Of patching up old hulks, and offering them with
worn-out commanders, be abandoned at once. Pass
bill authorizing the construction of half dozen
or more ships of war, besides the six steamers
already called for and give the world to understand
that VIC are able and determined to maintain our
rights, not only this continent but wherever our
flag Is unfurled The last insult put upon us by the
Cuban authorities, doubtless with the consent, and
perhaps with the CONVEYANCE, Of England and
France, calls aloud for action.
The fiareup between certain Western and South
ern gentlemen in the House last Friday as is gene
rally the case when reason resumes her sway caused
the expenditure of great deal Of time in personal
explanations yesterday morning. A resolution was
adopted to SO amend the bounty land act as to fac
tate the heirs of deceased soldiers in procuring their
rights The bill to reward the hardy tars who partic
pated in rescuing the San Francisco sufferers under
went brief discussion. It has been two months
since this matter was first reported and from the
progress made it Is doubtful whether anything fur
ther will be done with it. Had it been bill grant
ing four or five million acres of land to some CON-
pany Of railroad spectators 1t would most likely
have been passed long ago; but being merely bill
to reward few poor but worthy men for noble and
praiseworthy conduct it appears to be looked upon
as Of no consequence. A bill was reported for the
construction of a line of railroad to the Pacific.
With the exception that it gives alternate sections
Of land fifteen miles wide on each side of the road
IL is quite similar to the project before the Senate
A debate followed on the deficiency bill, in the
course of which fault was found with the item ap
propriating half million for the Assay Office in
this city.