The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-17
The News.


The steamship Empire City, Capt Windle, from
Aspinwall, with the California mails and treasure,
arrived off Sandy Hook on Saturday morning, and
yesterday came to anchor about six miles from the
Hook in the midst Of dense fog. She was boarded
by the pilot boat +. K. Collins. That boat succeeded
IN some way in creepiag up through the thick mist
10 the city and arrived at her wharf last night with
seventeen of the Empire City's passengers, among
whom is Mr.. Joseph f. Smiley, from California
The fog viii compel the steamer to remain below
till today-or till the fog lifts" The Empire City
has the California mails 81 600 in gold dust the
South Pacific mails, and about five hundred passen-
gers. She has later news from the South Pacific,
but no later accounts from California.
One of our correspondents at Washington tele-
graphs that Mr. McMullen, of Virginia, will intro
duCe his plan to-day to elect Speaker We under
stand that he will propose that the of all the
members OF the House be put in hat, aud that the
FIRST name drawn out shall be that of the Speaker
II the fortunate member declines the honor the next
name drawn shall indicate the gentleman who il to
take the chair 30 long vacant. This plan will Ger
tAnly not involve the sacrifice Of any political prin-
0iple.
We refer our readers to the letter of our cores
pondent at Richmond, Va, giving report of the
debate in the Virginia House of Delegates, on the
18th inst, resolution authorizing the Governor
Of that State to tender to the President regiment
Of volunteers for the purpose Of preserving law and
order in Kansas. This proposition, which is similar
70 before the Legislature of South Carolina,
ELECTED pretty free interchange of sentiment upon
the position of Affairs in Kansas and elsewhere with
reference to the question of slavery, and was finally
referred to Joint committee.
In the Court Of Common Pleas, on Saturday, Judge
Woodruff delivered an important opinion as to first
and second mortgages, in the case Of Augustus Jen-
kns against the Continental Insurance Company.
Il may be found in another part of to-day's paper.
As everything connected with Central America
possesses just now unusual attractions, we present
to-day to our readers another chapter upon Nicara-
guam politics, mineralogy and agriculture, which
will well repay perusal Il is stated that the Minis
ter from Costa RIGA to the United States has
given notice that his government, together
with Guatemala, San Salvador and Honduras,
have formed league for the purpose of expelling
General Walker and his compatrots from the coun-
Try; and it is also stated that our government will
not receive Mr.. French, the new Minister from Nj
caragua These certainly serious obstacles to
the success Of the Walker party; but they are by
no means insurmountabie. glance at the cata-
iogse Of the agricultural productions of Central
America and the untold mineral wealth of that re-
xon will satisfy the reader that neither the league
OF the States above mentioned, nor the proclama-
tions of President Pierce will deter Adventures
from fiocking thther. The political and social ef-
fects Of these movements it requires but little wis
dem to discern.
meeting was held in Christ Church, III Eight
zenith street. last night 10 promote the interest Of
the general domestic missions Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States. The Right
Rev. Bishop Potter presided. The Rev. Mr.. Hill, a
clergyman from California, gave an interesting
statement of the condition of the missions Of the
church in that state, showing that aid in this re-
spect was very much needed. collection was
taken up.
Captain Trow. OF the pilot boat Florida at
Charleston, reports that the American brig Isabel,
Captain Sanford. from Mobile, bound to New York,
ran aground on the banks of Bahia Honda, on the
night Of the 7h inst. At last accounts the wreckers
were saving the cargo.
The value Of foreign goods imported into the
por OF Boston during the week ending 18th inst.
amounted to s5l6,977.
The sales Of cotton on Saturday reached about 500
1000 bales, without change in prices. Flour was
Gull for common and medium grades, and prices Ca
vored purchasers Among the transactions about
5000 barrels OF common State taken for export
at s. 80, with some transactions at IS "a and 50 So
There was rather more done in wheat, chiefly in
Western red at u "a and 81 o5, with lot OF
Southern prime white at 81 30. IN corn the sales
we're moderate, at about previous quotations. parcel
Of new North Carolina white, DcveTaux's, sold at
81 o3. Rye was in good demand, at about 81 80 for
good quality. Pork was inactive, with small sales,
at prices given in another column. Beef was heavy
Lard was firm. Coffee was firm, with sales at I2c. a
I2ac. FOL good To- choice Rio Sugars were in fair
demand at steady prices, with sales for Balt.
more for refining. r'fghts continued firm both for
english and Continental ports.
Four DAYS GRACE In 1919 Congress Sc
cnred a crnnlLnr IL - dnrn Ln farn l.An.-l