The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-08
The News.


vent painful picture. Pestilence and famine are
rapidly decimatng the remnant Of the population Of
those plague stricken cities. It is utterly impossi-
BE to realize the terrible misery and restitution that
prevail. We turn from the perusal Of the sad
tiangs with relief to the details OF the movements
On foot for aevating the distress of the sufferers
meeting is called for to-day, at one o'clock, at the
Insurance Buildings, corner of Wall and William
Nfreets when measures will be taken TO furnish fur
fher aid Let there be full attendance and prompt
action. We perceive that, notwithstanding the Pre-
dent declined accedng to- the request to have Fort
Monroe evacuated for the reception of the people OF
Norfolk he has taken preliminary steps towards the
accomplishment Of that design. In Philadelphia,
Baltimore Charleston, and other cities, supplies OF
money and provisions and nurses have been collect
ed and forwarded and gratefully acknowledged.
BY the arrival of the steamship Crescent City at
New Orleans on the 3lst ult we have received files
Of Havana papers to August 2Stb. As usual,
they contain nothing Of interest. Santa Anna,
who left Havana on the Goth for Caracas via St.
Thomas, was saluted with twentyone guns on his
arrival and departure IN an address TO the Nex-
can people he charges most unjustly that not only
the flibusters OF the North, but also the United
States troops had crossed the Mexican frontier and
associated with robbers and assassns IN pilaging
the defenceess inhabitants. Colonel Robes, former
ly Minister of War in Mexico, under Arsta, but who
was banished by Santa Anna, left Havana for Vera
Cruz on the ed ult., with the intention Of taking
an active part in public affairs in his native country.
The mai steamer Empire City will probably
bring advices TO August 18th from San Francisco,
and is therefore, now only in her twenty-frst day
The change in the sailing days OF the mail steamers
from San Francisco to the 9Th and Goth Of each
t,ar ~, s,1sf audi not f1,a
9Th August as intimated heretofore.
Our correspondence from the principal European
capitals published in to-day's paper, win be found
more than usually interesting. II presents rather
humlating picture Of the low estimation in which
American diplomacy, under the present administra-
ton, is held by foreign courts. Until the time comes
when We can apply remedy we must be resigned
to this discreditabe state OF things, On the impor
tant question Of the Sound dues, orr readers will
find in the letters Of our correspondents add
tonal details, which we recommend to their atten.
tion.
The Navy Department has received intelligence
from Lieut.. Page, commanding the surveying
steamer Water Witch He was at Buenos Ayres IS
bate az the 10th Of june Since his last communica-
ton he had made exploration Of the river Uruguay
as far IS the Salto Graude This i the head Of
navigation Of this river at all seasons Of the year
except in the months Of September and October,
when in consequence Of the rains IN Brazil, its ri-
butaries become very much swollen, and The water
rises in the Uruguay, at Satto Grande to the height
of twenty-five feet, thus making the navigation over
and above this fall or rapid practicable for the dis
tance of three four hundred miles, With no other
obstacle save q rapid current. At the season Of high
water Lieut. Page hopes to Do able to push the ex-
ploaton Of this river 90 the utmost extent Of its
navigation.
/. The Treasury Department has issued directions
that yards sheds, bonded in the manner prescribed
by law, may be used for the storage of wood, coal
mahogany, dyewooda lumber molasses, sugar in
hogsheads, railroad, pig and bar iron, anchors and
cables, and other articles, when specially authorized
Directions are also given to secure the safe keeping
of merchandise placed in these bonded yards.
The Philadelphia Democratic CITY Convention on
Thursday last unanimously adopted resolution IN
structing their repre entctivs in the Pennsylvania
Legislature to oppose al bills having for their object
the increase Of the banking capital Of the State and
also to oppose any man for United States Senator
who is connected in any way wi.hany Of The "sms'
Of the day.
Another session OF that very important committee
Of tho Board Of Aldermen appointed 70 inve stgate
into the birthplace Of the Chief Of Police, and other
equally interesting facts and circumstances, was
held yesterday afternoon in the City Hall, Alder
men Briggs and Ho;mre being present. Messrs.
Mcclellan, Mccain and Webster, Of the Police De
partmcnt, were put under course Of examination
with remarkably meagre results. With the resou
aion of the Board Of Aldermen, and the decision Of
Judge DAILY before them they held to the demo-
cratic principle Of strict construction. and ALSO
lutely refused 10 answer all questions not definitely
set out in the decision. The committee persisted IN
the unayailing attempt 70 extract scintilla OF
evidence from the witnesses until at length, bafed
and wearied out they gave it up as one Of the worst
sort of jobs. We give full report elsewhere.
In the Board of Councilmen last evening two Or
three resolutions were passed Of some little impor-
lance. One ordered the Comptroller to pay no bills
for carriage hire without the service specially
mentioned; and another directed that the message
of the Mayor, sent in on Monday last, should be
brought up speedily before the Board. Rare fun
may be expected about the time the message
comes up for discussion. The Comptroller sent in
communication asking for an additional appropri-
tion of five thousand dollars, with which to pay the
Census Marshas.
The case OF Coleman 4 Stetson, propretors Of
the Astor House, who are charged with violating
the provisions Of the prohibitory liquor law, was
commenced in the Court oi Sessions yesterday
Several witnesses were called but failed appear
and the trial was, therefore, adjourned. Qdite a
number of spectators, leading liquor dealers and
temperance men, were present 70 witness the pro.
ceedings, in which they appeared 70 take intense
interest.
The mania for suicide still continues. wepuhlish
to-day full particulars Of two melancholy suicides--
one caused by want, and the other from remorse
Two young women, here in the midst of plenty,
were starving Cor something TO sustain life, aud
sought the grave to escape from earthly miseries.
The other case il that Of German student, who
fought duel in Germany, killing his adversary; he
BED 70 this country, where, suffering from the re-
morse which the recollection Of this act brought
with it, he armed his hand against himself He was
sonnd on staten Island with fatal pistol shot