New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-30
ST. THOMAS.

Prom Our Own Correspondent
ST. THOMAS, w l., Tuesday, April 10.
The steamer Osprey leaves this port to-day,
for Philadelphia by way Of Bermuda. She is the
pioneer Of proposed steam commune stion be
tween that city and Demarars, aud one or two
other Of the Briti,h colonies to windward. She
b out now on prospecting cruise. anil to make
arrangements TOR regular trips. understand that
her master, who is also owner is satisfied with the
pecDniary encouragement promised by C items and
legislative bodies in the above-named cJlOnes and
that he now goes home to purchase another boat
70 run monthly to Bermuda, st. Thomas and
Demarars, and back again to Philadelphia. The
attempts at steam communication between the
States and the Virgin and windward Islands, first
by the ROYAL Mail Steam Packet Company, next
by Cunard, and finally by Messrs. Whitmore Il
CO., in the Palmetto, have all failed for want Of
encouragement. Whether this will also prove an
abortion remains to be seen. 1t would seem that
lie of small steamers might be supported. But
steam navigation is expensive business, and the
merchants themselves, particularly here, are not
favorable to that fixed and certain kind of inter-
course which takes from them the control Of the
markets.
The yellow. fever still continues to number it's
victims. They are not numerous-the cases are
mostly light, and with two or three exceptions,
hitherto have been confined TO the shipping.
For the past week it has seemed to be sou =
what on the increase, as during that time deaths
have been occurring daily at the Hospital.
Whether 1t will become more general and vi0.
lent in ts operations, whether it will at all be-
come strictly epidemic in its character, which
does not now seem to be the case, is only a
matter Of conjecture. One thing only can be
said with assurance--that the yelow-feyer is
here, and the sailor or teurst who will not hold
himself back from those imprudences likely to re-
suit in fevers in other chimes, will find himself
the subject Of the dreadful mslady.
few cases of smallpox have alec occurred
In tie Hospital. Aside from these exceptions,
the health Of the place is better than two months
ago.
these Danish Isands-Feddersen, who resides in
st. Croix-has taken the tour of the islands, in
the sloop -of.war on this station. his is to make
his farewell bow previous to his departure for
Denmark, succt ssor having been appointed.
Major Customer, the commander of the forts
m the Island, has also been transferred to the
command VI that in the west end OF st. Croix.
II will be remembered that the affair OF the
firing into the Ben Franklin put him Ia prejudice
with the Government There has also for some
time been disagreement on some point Of official
court.sy between him and Commaudant Berg.
To which affair his sudden removal is attributable
the public are not informed. This only Is known,
fiat A Court. Martial OF inquiry and investigation
has been held upon him here respecting the firing
upoo the Franklin the results OF which 1t 10 pre-
sumable, have been transmitted to the Home
Government; and that, for some reason, he has
now been removed to an inferior post with lnie-
rior pay. A Captain supersedes him, and his re-
noyal Is openly pronounced disgrace.
The ship Keystone, Freeman, from Boston for
San Francisco, put in here yesterday with loss OF
toPmssts, spsrs, rigging and sails. Also, on the
ON, bark Redmond, Brown, from Boston 70 Cuoa,
IN ballast, with loss Of fore.tOpma,ts, sails, &c.