The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-02

left port without clearance papers Wha. has be.
come Of the brig and two schooners lately mys-
teriousiy fitting out at this port? Where is the
Collector Where is the Surveyor?
We publish to-day graphic account of the wreck
of the British bark Argyle near Squan Inlet, the
28th ult. OF eleven persons who were on board,
only one, sailor named Paul De Coste, escaped.
We publish elsewhere additional news from Next
co. Our correspondent at Lsguna informs us or the
popular lethargy existing In Yucatan, which he
states ID merely slumbering volcano, as the pro
vince il ready for revolution. Trade was very dull,
and number Of vessels were in the harbor watt
ing Heights It was not creditsd that Santa Anna
would be allowed to continue in his infa nous traic
in Indians for Cuba.
The American Geographical aud Statistical So
ciety held its usual weekly meeting last evening, in
the New York University. A paper on the aborigi
nal Languages Of this continent, displaying great
ability and research, was read by DR.. Hawks. A
brief sketch Of the proceedings win be found in an
other column.
Another Precious Row In the Custom House.
ME-. Redfieid's Ultimatum - Soft Shells In
Warrington.
The newspaper reporters and correspondents
at Washington have been cudgelling their
brains to get at the secret ofthe extraordinary ga
thering of New York soft shells, visible for some
days past on any fine morning, in and around
the White House, the Treasury and the State
Department. Some have supposed that these
birds of evil omen had come to enforce upon
Mr.. Pierce the appointment Of Ex-Governor
Seymour as Minister to France-some, that
their business had reference to the proposed
nomination Of Tammany Hall for the success
sion; but with all the vigilance and sagacity
Of the newspaper corps on the spot, they have
tailed to ferret out, in advance of the HERALD
Office, the real mission Of Seymour, Cochrane Il
Co. to the White House.
Our special advices this morning from Wash
ingtoD, among other things, throw considerable
light upon this mysterious Custom House dele
cation. Its Objects said, by our correspondent,
to be proper successor to Mr.. Redfeld, whose
resignation awaits the action of the Cabinet.
But, according to our private advices, the Col
lector is but a secondary question, the main
issue being change in the spells policy Of the
Custom House. Mr.. Redfeld has taken his
stand against the conciliatory policy OF Coch-
zane d Co., and if their plan is adopted in
Cabinet council, the Collectors Office becomes
vacancy. Nature abhors vacuum, and so
does Tammany Hall. Accordingly, the Tam
many plan is first to carry the spoils policy of
Cochrane Il Co., when-the resignation of Mr..
Redfield being confrmed--it will become neces-
sary to provide satisfactory successor.
The row between Collector Redfeld and the
Cochrane clique has been upon the division of
the spoils. What else could it be But, though
similar in character, it is exactly on the oppo
site tack TO that of the Bronson imbroglio. II
will be remembered that to conciliate the hard
shells to Mr.. Pierce's free soil and secession
inson was first chosen as Collector for this port.
and that upon his positive refusal to accept
either the honors or the plumber of this desra-
bic berth, Judge Bronson, as the next best hard
shell, was appointed, and that he accepted and
was duly installed into the Office. 1t will also
be recollected that the honest old Judge, hav-
ing no sympathy with the dogmas of the Buffalo
platform, and none for the Van Buren, free soil
heretcs, gave them the cold shoulder in par
ceiling out the spoils.
The wrath Of these Van Buren, heretics was,
Of course, excited. They went to Washington,
focks Of them, picked up all along the road
from New York to Buffalo. They demanded,
and Pierce ordered, and Guthrie instructed
Bronson to give the softs sop in the rich pap
of the customs. Bronson protested He would
do no such thing. He recognized no Baltimore
amnesty to the traitors. They were black
sheep, and not entitled to feed with the pure
white southdowns of the democratic fold
The Judge was therefore, contemptuously
turned out, ard there was o precious row. In
the twinkliDg Of an eye the happy result of all
the labors of the two factions. from 1913 to
1852, was thrown to the dogs. Our efforts in
behalf of peace were unavailing. The re-
united democracy were again split into
two halves, and never again to be reconciled
while clans are gathered around Coney Island.
The ruinous reyots and accidents which, from
this beginning, have successfully fallen upon
the administration like so many ocean breakers,
until at last 1t sticks hopeless wreck in the
sand, it Is needless to recount. Our present
object is this latest spols mission of the soft
shells to Washington.
What is 1t for! Incredible as II may appear, it
is to insist that the hard shells shall have SOP
in the spoils of the Custom House. Il il a
charity movement. Mr.. Redfeld was appointed
TO quiet the soft shells. He has been doing Il
to the best Of his ability, to the total exclusion
Of the hards, reversing the plan of Bronson en-
tirely. But Mesrs, Seymour, Fowler, Cocb-