The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-17
view YORK, Monday, march IL, 1856.
The News.

Oh Iedrlul acCluent WHICH occuTIcO oh
the Delaware river on Saturday evening. One Of
the Camden and Philadelphia ferry boats took fire
when in the middle of the stream the flames
spread with great rapidity; the boat became I'M
manageable the passengers, about one hundred in
number, panic stricken, leaped into the water to
escape terrible death by burning. Many Of them
we're picked up, but some thirty were drowned.
Up TO four o'clock yesterday afternoon fifteen Of
the bodies Of the victims had been recovered. In
our account is included list of the dead, injured
and missing together with statements of the sur
wing passengers and the testimony taken before
the COroners jury. 1t is conceded that this awful
sacrifice of human life is attributable to the fact
that the ferry boat was entirely destitute Of small
boats and life preservers and it appears, more
over, that the laws of the United States do not
require such vessels to carry them. Congress
should remedy this defect without delay. 1t is
subject that demands immediate attention.
Commodore Vanderbilt notifies the public that
the steamers Of the Accessory Transit Company are
withdrawn until our government can inquire into
the late proceedings of the Nicaraguan authorities,
in Selling the property of the company and annul-
hing their charter.
Our correspondent at Honolulu, writing on the
lst ut. gives very interesting account Of the state
of trade and general aspect of affairs in the Sand
witch Islands. The evident desire Of masters Of
whaleships to seek other ports for the purpose Of
supplying themselves with provisions, &c had rem
dered business very dull. Two hundred and sixteen
sail had arrived during the past fall season, and
the catch Of each averaged one thousand bar.
rels of oil and nine thousand pounds Of bone. It
is estimated that the whaemen eypend $4,000
annually at the islands. The policy of ow,
ers sending resident agents out was much
doubted. Freights were quite brisk, The King
did not mind politics, bgt employed himself in
hunting, FISHING and boxing with the redoubtable
Yankee sullivan, and had become an accomplished
amateur in the manly art. Some excellent shoulder
hitting was displayed by the native "short boys
ut the polls during the late election, at which
ticket half native and half foreign was chosen. The
French Plenipotentiary had been badly beaten by
his Chancellor, who was sent to France for trial
The volcanic lava from Hawaii had flowed to within
five miles of the town Of Hilo, the destruction Of
which was certain. Fasting and prayer were OBJ
served by the inhabitants; but most Of them would
soon leave the locality, their applications having
proved Of no avail against the volcano. The lava
had penetrated an arm of the Waikiki river, and
rendered the water so hot that man was scalded
to death by plupging into it.
The United States Mail steamship Hermann, Cap
tain Higgins, from Bremen 23d and Sonthhamp-
ton 27th February, arrived at this port yesterday
morning. Her news has been anticipated by the
Arabia.
We publish to-day full and thrilling account of
the loss of the bark Julia Ann-notced in Sundays
HERALp-given by her commander, Captain Pond
The incidents attending the catastrophe are faith
and le fnll oh
interest The manly conduct of the captain, officers
and crew Of the bark, from the moment Of eperil-
Gus shipwreck till the final rescue, cannot be sufi
ciently commended, and deserve some substantial
recognition.
Advices dated at Monroyia, Liberia, on January
"a, say:-Business is very dull on account Of the
war just broke out between the natives and Ameri-
cans at place called Since. Over four hundred
volunteers were to leave on the 18th for the scene
of the difficulty.
We give elsewhere an account OF the visit on Sa-
turday to some Of the tenant houses Of New York of
the Legislative committee recently appointed to
look into the condition of our tenant houses and
those occupying them. In one of these buildings
they found two hundred and sixty families. The
abodes of rag pckers were taken in this circuit.
The report will be found interesting, as showing
how compact are our tenant houses Of human beings,
and the attendant squalor, filth, and consequent
wretchedDess.
The value Of foreign goods imported at the port
of Boston during the week ending llth inst
amounted TO 81 ,365 1897.
The sales Of cotton were large on Saturday, hav-
ing reached about Z 500 a 5000 bales, and the
market closed with greater irmness. The private
advices from Europe, combined with reports from
the South showing firm markets in that direction,
impaired greater buoyancy to the article here. The
sales made chiefly in transitu. Flour was dull,
and closed with tendency to lower prices. The
sales OF wheat were limited. Sales of Michigan
white were made at 81 rs. Canadian white was
held at I'll 50 81 30 bid A small sale of Tennessee
prime red was reported at 81 Il. Corn was without
change of moment Mixed and white Southern
sold at Csc. ESQ.,, and prime yellow at zoe. 70lc.
Pork was lrmer, with sales Of mess al SIS IS, and
prime at $l4 so. Sugars were sold to fair extent
including about 600 o 500 hhds of Cuba, Porto
Rico, and New Orleans, at steady prices Coffee was
firm, but quiet. Freights were dull, and engage
ments light Some cotton was engaged for Liver.
pool at 5-I6d., part compressed.
FREEDOM OF THE Press IN NIcARAGr,.-We
learn from California paper that on one oc.
casion recently the Walker troops did not re
ceive their usual weekly literary Paublum-Ef
Nicorauguense-for the excellent reason that it
was not issued-the corps editorial and typo
graphical having been overcome either by the
climate or aguardiente. Whereupon General
Walker sent word TO the Office that, in case the
paper was not issued by sunset the next day,
he should send file Of soldiers to arrest the
editors, printers and all. Great activity pre-
vailed in the Office after the reception of this
hint, and the paper was rushed up just IN
time. The file Of soldiers arrived just in sea-
con TO see the forms locked up
This is regular Napoleonic feat, with the