Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-20
BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE

Hon Henry May-Harbor Appropriations
Nep Post Office and Court -,oom-Coun-
tert,it-BnstsesS, DC.
BALTIMORE, February II, 1855.
The Baltimore Patriot of to-day very liber.
ally, and think very properly, gives the fol-
lowing appropriate notice of our distinguished
representative in Congress, in connection with
the river and harbor bill
owe learn from gentlemen in this city and
from other sources entitled to full confidence,
that our Representative, Hon. Henry Nav.
took an active and efficient part in securing
the appropriation for the harbor of Baltimore
His efforts have been confined to labors which
do not appear upon the public record, except
In 30 far Is results may have bsen facilitated
by them. He has devoted much time, labor,
and considerable expense to the procuring of
facts, Statistics public documents, &C., from
our merchants and from others, and from Gov
eminent archives. This information was freely
and literally communicated, while the bill
was pending in the Senate, to those acting in
its behalf there. The measure is one Of great
public interest, free from partisan considera
tons, and it is but just that those who have
aided In Its success should have d.e credit
All credit is due to Messrs. Pearcs and
Pratt for their indetatigabls exertions to pass
this bill through the Senate. We hope when
it comes before the House Mr.. May will show
himself as efficient in that body"
The above does not, perhaps, tell quite all.
1t is said that many of the facts set forth by
Mr.. Pearce IN his able and most excellent
speech, made recently upon the subject were
obtained through the exertions of Mr.. MAY.
1t was, Of course, within the power Of our dis
tinguished Senator to have procured all reoui-
site information; but being already collated
by Mr.. May, his generosity in placing them
in such able hands is highly commendable.
When this important subject comes up for dis.
cussion in the House have no doubt our able
representatives will do it full justice 1t is
matter independent of political or partizan
considerations, and one Of vital moment to the
commerce of Baltimore.
The new pOst.Ofice and United States court
building absOrbs considerable attention amongst
our citizens. Several projects with regard to
location have air eady been discussed Some
have suggested the lot upon which stands the
old First Presbyterian Church, corner of
Fayette and North streets, as desirable site.
Others, in tho Uptown interest, designate tho
Union Bank square, corner of Charles and
Fayette streets 1t has likewise been suggest.
ed that the Government join the city in erect
ing splendid city hall, pOst-ofice and court.
room on the lot bounded by North, Holiday,
Fayotte, and Lexington streets, already owned
by the Corporation.
preponderance of sentiment amongst the
mercantile and business community favors
purchasing from the Merchants Exchange
Company that part of the building, not al.
ready owned by the Government, but already
occupied as post Office. This is central,
ample, and abundantly large, which, by al
terauons, at comparatively moderate expense,
could be made suitable for all desirable pur.
poses. l have no doubt the proprietors would
sell at fair compensation.
The Exchange building covers large space,
Is the largest and one Of the best and most
durably built houses in Baltimore, the build.
ing, leaving out the valuable lot on which it
1t erected, am informed, cost originally In
the neighborhood of $500, 900. If it is pur
chased by Government, it will not only make
the largest and most convenient post Office In
tho United States, but will also answer for
custom house purposes for a century to come
Tho custom house Of this port is in ono
wing of tho Exchange building which is now
too small for the business of Baltimore, if the
whole building is purchased by Governm emit
it Will answer the wants Of the city for post
ofhces and custom house purposes whom our
population shall have reached ], ZOO. 900.
saw to-day counterfeit or fraudulent $50
| note altered from genuine IS, on the Bank Of
Commerce of this city. 1t seems to have been
passed in Cumberland, Md and was sent by
naii W tnis piace. Inc engraving is genuine
80 altered to $50, bearing date July Is, 1854,
letter A, and No. 1884 The deception on eI
animation may be easily detected The words
fifty dollars and alteration of the numeraI.
| seem TO have been prepared separately. and
neatly pasted on the note, giving 1t a clumsv
appearance and thicker feeling As a general
thing, however, the fraud IL we'll calcuisted "a
deceive, and those not accustomed to handIino
money frequently would be very apt to take
the note in question without having their sus
picion aroused: Not long ago q fraudulent
ton.
Business Is beginning to move again quite
brskly Navigation has been fully feaumed-
thu ica hazi NO laft III. L..ha.- n .