The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-07
The News,

As yet no additional particulars have been re-
ceived relative to the reported disaster to the
steamship San Francisco, which left this port for
Californ on the 2lst ut. with some eight hundred
human beings on board, including over five hun.
dred United States troops. We repeat that the YES
rel was new, staunch built, and Differed by expe
renced men therefore there is every reason to hope
that she would be aoe to reach some one OF the
West India Islands. Indeed, her owners, we under
sand, ne somewhat inclined TO discredit the re-
port that enc has met with any accident whatever
She was insured in Wall street for three hundred
thousand dollars, and had on board provisions
suffi lent to last the passengers and crew for
three months, and the soldiers for about one
year. 1t is gratifying TO know that the Secretary
OF War; on hearing of the iumored calamity imme
diately ordered merchant steamer t, be chartered
and sent ID the relief of the San Francisco, and that
the Secretary OF the Treasury instructed the various
revenue cutters 10 proceed upon the same Grand
The Secretary OF the Navy, on being applied to, was
forced to confess that there was not government
steamer in any port ft to be sent out on a similar
voyage OF mercy This Is certainly startling and
huniliating illustration of the present imbece
dition of our navy. We learn, however, that the
chairman of the Naval Committee of the House is
actively preparing bill for the ganizaton of
that important branch OF our service upon a basis
that will meet all the requirements of the case.
Let us hope, for the honor of great nation, that
II will be speedily acted on by both houses of
Congress.
On reference to the Geographic and other news
from Washington, it will be perceived that our cor
respondent adheres to his statement that Minister
Gadsden has negotiated treaty with Mexico which
Ia now In the hands of the administration; and fur
fhermore that information hitherto published tends
10 confirm the important announcement. We hsye
advered to this subject in leading editorial Our
RESPONDENT writes that rumors were aaoat last
evening that Secretary Davis had challenged Senator
Toombs Of Georgia. I'D that the latter had accepted.
Quite spirited disc sion took place in the Houe
of Representatives yesterday with regard to the
reference of the communication from the War De-
partment, explanatory OF the estimates Of appropra
tions for rivers and harbors During the controversy
1t was rendered apparent that most Of the Southern
and Western members win strongly favor what may
be classed improvement schemes in their sections
Of country, without regard to the known objections
Of the President to the generality of the The
subject was finally referred to the Committee on
Commerce, after which the private calendar was
take; up and three rrrvate bills were passed.
resolS.n was ADOPTED ordering ten thousand copies
of tie report OF the explorations of the River
Am,zop and Its tributaries to be printed Tor the use
Of members Mr.. Orr introduced substitute for the
Senate's resolution with regard TO the Assistant
Secretary Of the Treasury. The substitute provides
that the President shall oil that Office, with the con-
sent Of the Senate, when !, becomes vacant In
order to give the members an opportunity Of parti
cpatpg in tho festivities the anniversary Of the
Battle Of New Orleans, next Monday, the House
adjourned till Tuesday.
Nothing OF special interest traospired Ia the State
Legislature yesterday as VIII be seen by the synop-
ads of the proceedings under the telegraphic bead.
II Is however understood that iaree number of i'm
portant bills-among them anti liquor act-are
in active preparation, and will shortly be submitted
for consideration. Notice given of several mea-
sures in the Senate Of which proposes to amend
the Blinking law az applicable 10 this city, and an
other 10 authorize the Canal Commissioners 10 con-
tract for keeping in repair the sections the en-
larQed Erie Canal The Speaker Of the Assembly
namsd a committee Of seven 10 report upon 90 much
NJ the Governors message relates to intempsr-
ance. Notice WAS given Of q great many bills, sew
eral of which relste 70 matters in which the people
Of this city and Brooklyn are interested. Resou.
lions were adopted requiring the proper officers to
report the amount Of money expended for opening
streets in our city last year. and instrucsing our Con-
gressmen to Inquire into the causes Of the recent
|dresdful mortality on shipboard. Both houses ad
;curned til Monday. See the dispatch from our spe
sisl correspondent. alssA
The steamship Canada reached Boston yesterday,
and her mails we're despatched in the afternoon for
Ills city bus had not arrived mp 70 two o'clock this
crrr- core ss7isiursi Furorcan ifsris my '-
Erd under the telegrsphic head.