The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-19
The News.

The News.
The steamship Atlantic, which left Liverpool on
The 9th inst, is fully due ut this port.
A private letter was received at Halifax from
Liverpool dated Jan. %, by the Canada, stating
that very severe weather had prevailed there, and
that the Pacific had put into the Shannon. This in
teIlgence reached Mr. Collins yester day afternoon,
and was Immediately made public. It is probable,
however, that the Pacific alluded to was not the
American steamer bearing that name. The letter is
dated Ave days antecedent to the sailing OF the Ca
NADIA. If the Pacific put into the Shannon previous
20 the 2Sth in distress the fact would have been the
town talk of Liverpool forty-eght hours before the
Canadas departure. We look for reliable news of
her by the Atlantic, now due. The United States
steamer Arctic, which left this port on the 18th
hst in search Of the missing ship, arrived at Halifax
yesterday, under sails, her propeller having become
"touled"
We give elsewhere some additional European
news, brought by the Canada, including speech in
the British Parliament on American affairs by Lord
Clarendon.
The foreign news by the Canada impaired addi-
iona stability to the cotton market, and the sales
embraced about $500 bales, the market closing
quite firm. Common to medium brands State -four
FELL off about Is cents per barrel with limited sales
Wheat was quiet, and sales could not have been
pressed without some concession in prices. Indian
corn was unsettled and was nominal at roc. a &c.,
with small sale of Jersey yellow which afforded
no criterion Of the market. Rye was quiet and no
minal Pork sold to fair extent at SIS o. $lG
Other provisions were without important change.
Freights were firm, but engagements were light,
shippers being disposed to await letters.
The American National Council met at Phadel-
phia yesterday Our correspondent furnishes
graphic report of the sayings and doings in and
cut and round about the place of meeting Read it,
by all means.
In the United States Senate yesterday debate
on the proceedings of the late Naval Board was
interrupted for the reception Of documents upon
Kansas affairs, sent in by the President These
papers very yoluminous but contain little that
is new to the public. We give under the telegraphic
head a couple of letters from the chiefs of the re-
belous faction in Kansas, addressed to Gen. Pierce
which show that it is through their solicitation that
the President has been induced to interfere in the
concerns of the TerYhory. Mr.. Wilson commenced
. speech in opposition 30 the action Of the govern
rment. Mr.. Toucey defended the President An
exciting debate is predicted In the House Mr.
Dunn introduced bill establishing the boundaries
of Kansas, and prohibiting slavery in that Territory
md Nebraska. Mr.. Lane introduced bill to enable
Oregon to form State government, preparatory to
her admission into the Union.
Nothing of moment occurred in the State Senate
yesterday. In the Assembly motion calling for
the appointment of special committee to inquire
into the affairs of the Manhattan Gas Company was
offered. A resolution authorizing the appointment
Of commission to inquire into the expedency
and practicability of rendering the Harlem river
navigable was adopted. motion to postpone in
definitely the Governors Kansas message was lost
by q vote of SO to 80 against
Both branches OF the Common Council were in
session last night. Nothing Of interest happened in
The Board of Aldermen. In the Councilmen the two
reports upon the proposed city charter were referred
70 the Committee of the Whole and made the special
order for Wednesday evening"
Our correspondent on board the United States
steam frigate Powhatan at Norfolk, Va, writing on
the I4th inst. furnishes an interesting summary OF
the performances of that vessel during an arduous
but emnently useful cruise Of three years in the
waters of China and Japan. The Powhatan sailed
from New York In February, 1862 and after touch
ing at St. Helena, Cape Town, Mauritlus and Singa-
more, she arrived in Borneo, where Captain McCu-
new concluded treaty with the Sultan of that en-
pire She then left for China, where she arrived in
eighty-four running days from the United States
After little rest the Powhatan joined Commodore
Perys squadron in Japan, where she took
nm active share in the negotiation oil
the important treaty then pending between
our representatives and the Emperor. Here she
relieved the shipwrecked Russians of the frigate
Diana. Returning to China, she took up Mr.. Nc
lane. United States Commissioner, and steamed to
the mouth Of the Peiho river, near Pekin. In DC
tober she was in the shoal waters OF the yellow sea-
and was the first American war ship that ever
dropped anchor st foot Of the Great Wall Here
her crew had look at the Manchou Tartars. The
successful engagement Of the Powhatan with feet
Of Chincse pirates is well known. In this combat
she destroyed twentyone large junks and killed one
shousald men, having At the same time Eve men