The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-18
The News.

The News.
We do not reosllect to have ever been called upon
to record in one day two such calamitous occur
rences as are detailed on the FIRST page of teday's
HERALD. The most startling and horrible catastro-
pAe took place early yesterday morning Phila-
delphia- The following are briefly the particulars
Is nearly as ascertained. The scholars Of St. Mi
shaeis church, Philadelphia, attended by their
friends, teachers, and Rev. Mr.. Sheridan, left the
city on pic mic excursion. The train consisted of
twelve cars containing about six hundred persons;
and when near Camp Hill, where there is a curve in
the track, was run against by the down
train, and, dreadful to relate, some forty
persons, mostly children, together with the
conductor Mr.. Harris and Rev. Mr.. Sheridan, were
killed, and from seventy to eighty badly, If not
fatally hurt Three Of the up train were broken
TO splnters, and the fragments ignited from the
Ere OF the engine, by which many Of the above VIC
Tins lost their lives. The down train was but
sightly injured and no person in it sustaised any
injury. The greatest excitement prevails in the
vicinity Of St Michaels church, where most Of the
sufferers have resided. Subsequent TO the collision,
the conductor Of the down train-Mr. Vanstavoren-
driven to desperation at beholding the result Of his
criminal recklessness, swallowed arsenic, and termi
mated his existence. The engineer was placed un-
der arrest to await the result Of the Coroners inves
tigation.
The other disaster happened on Lake Erie, where
the steamer Northern Indiana was destroyed by fire
while on the passage from Buffalo 70 Toledo. A
number Of thes passengers were taken of by the
steamer Mississippi, which went to the assistance of
the burning vessel bat II il believed that between
thirty and forty lives are lost, although there are
hoses that many Of the missing were rescued by q
propeller and a schooner which were assisting in
picking up the passenger The names OF the
survivors, as far as ascertained, are given on our
first page.
By the steamer Fulton, arrived at this port yes
terday, from Havre, July 2, we have received
important intelligence Of the substantial settle
ment Of the difficulty between Great Britain
and the United States, growing out Of the misun-
derstanding upon the construction Of the mean
ing Of the terms Of the Clayton Bulwer convention.
treaty has been negotiated between Great Britain
and Honduras, by which the Bay Islands are retro
ceded to the last named Power, upon such condi.
tons as are acceptable TO Minister, Mr.. Dallas,
and In accordance with the policy Of our govern.
ment. In the editorial columns we have comment
ed at length upon this highly important news. By
the Fulton we have also received English papers
containing the debates in Parliament on the Goth
ult and the day following, upon American Affairs,
which we have transferred 10 our columns
One Of the most important meetings Of the
present political campaign took place last evening
at stuyvesant Institute in the union Of the two
tons Of the Democratic General Committees Of the
city and county. The preliminary steps Of this
movement were taken some time since IL was ex.
pccted by some that a, the last moment one Of the
factions would back down from the proposed coali-
ION. Slight discomfort was manifested by few at the
plan Of union submitted but the dissatisfaction
overruled. The meeting, however, was q long and
somewhat exciting one, lasting Ill nearly midnight,
and terminating In the election Of Mr. Lorenzo B.
shepard as chairman OF the joint committee. A
full report Of the proceedings viii be found In
another column.
A large and enthusiastic Fremont meeting was
At which speeches we're made by Mr.. Lincoln, Gen.
Nye twbo announced himself desrter from Tam
many HalD, J. c. Underwood (the "exile from
vnginia'O and others. The hall was densely filed,
and the meeting lasted ill nearly IL o'clock.
The Virginia old line Wing State Convention. fol.
lowing in the footsteps Of the wings Of Maryland.
dency, bot disclsims all intention OF adopting the
principles Of the American party. They propose q
National Convention, TO meet In Baltimore on the
1hird Wednesday in September.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Tcombs introduced a
resolution declaring the finding Of the late Naval
Board. In the case q Lieutenant Bartlett viola
ton Of the constitutional rights 81 every citizen,
and therefore void and Of no effect. He said he
sboali call up the subject at a convenient cpportuni
~ The Senate then went into executive session. and
confirmed one hundred and ninety Eve Of the Presi-
dents naval appointments. In the House the M
nois contested election case was debated until the
adjournment-
Our Washington telegraphic despatch contains
some important hints relative 20 the contested cases
in the House.
In another part Of todsy's paper may be found
the particulars Of alleged fraudulent transaction
an which the President Secretary and two trustees
81 the International Insurance Company are charged
with over issuing stock TO the amount OF several
thouand dollars, and certain other financial
scbemss involving large amount Of money.
Cotrp was more active yesterday, and sales
reached ahcut 1000 2, 800 bales part In transitu,
AZ rates stated in another column. Flour was again
heavy, aud common aud medium grades, especially