Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-29
Corre.paudcnce Of the palrlot.
The PdciSe.--Icebsrgs.-7he PsrsiG.--Ne'cIy
Contriged Compass.---7rdct Society.


Contriged Compass.--7rdct Soeiety.
New YORK, Feb. 81, 1856.
mo news of the Pacific" is the cxclama-
ton by which acquaintances greet each other
on the streets; while the melancholy express
sion of faces and suggestive shrug of shout
ders, express doubt that that news of the Pa
cifc viii ever reach rs. The Pacific has now
been out nearly month, and has not left the
least trace of her whereabouts. Mr.. Collins
received letter by the Canada, from young
man in Liverpool, which stated thatthe miss
ing vessel had put into the mouth of the Shan
non, Ireland for repairs. at first be was in
clined to believe this statement, but reflection
shows it to te so improbable that he considers
it baseless fabrication Besides, if the Pacific
had put into any Irish port, communication
would reach the regular agents before any dis
interested individual a. such distance. Mr..
Collins has been heard to say that he is now
satisfied the Pacific will never again enter
New York harbor. 1t is now generally be-
leved that in crossing the Banks of New
Foundland, she encountered icebergs, and was
wrecked among them. This suPpositiOn is
strengthened by the experience of tie Persia,
which, while crossing the Banks, narrowly es-
capped destruction. 1t is believed that she was
indebted for safety to the material of which
she was constructed; had she been built Of
wood, she could scarcely have escaped. 10
several instances she was obliged to put on a
full head of steam, and force her way by cut
ting passage through the ice. Being made
of iron, with her sharp build and immense
weight, she was enabled to do this trium-
phantly, where a wooden vessel must have
inevitably failed. 1t is yet considered hardly
possible, however, that the Pacific may be
safe.
Since the arrival Of the Persia. at her pier
in Jersey City, she has AFFECTED unusual at
tentiou. A few days Before her departure, 10
order to crafty Curiosity, she was thrown open
for examination to the public. Twelve and a
half cents were charged as an admission fee,
and SO large was the cOncourse of visitors,
that a sum of over $4,000 was realized. This
was handed over to the City Missionary So
cietes for the benefit of the poor. The Persia
is said to be the LARGEST steam vessel afoat.
She is constructed entirely Of iron, and the OBJ
lection to iron vessels on account of the large
quantity of metal influencing the compass, is
said to have been entirely overcome by a con-
trivance elevating the regulating compass forty
feet from the deck An instrument is also on
board, by which the alterations to which the
deck compasses are liable, are corrected, and
which Capt. Judkins, the commander, conSid-
compass.
The Small Pox is said to exist in some parts
of the city. In order to prevent its spread
Mayor Wood issued proclamation ordering
all persons who require to be vaccnated will
be attended to promptly without charge, at
the Di>pensaries, where physicians are con
stantly in attendance; and it is recommended
that all who have not been vaccinated, should
avail themselves Immediately of the opportu
nifty thus offered.
The monthly meeting of the American Tract
Society was held on Monday. The Treasurer's
report showed gratifying condition of the
Societys funds. The receipts for the month
were $50 6O3, including $22,539 in donations,
making total for ten months, of 1904. GIL.
Tracts for the same period, over $4,000, 600 of
pages Notes for paper due previous to June,
1856, $22,1S3.
Letters containing information requesting
appropriations, or rendering thanks for aid,
were read from the Seneca Indians, the Paris
Tract Society. Basic, Oroomiah, in Persia,
Mingpo, in China, the Sandwich Islands, &c.
The proposed appropriations for the support
of the Tract press in Pagan and Papal coun-
tries, for the year ending April lst, amount to
$4,000 Twenty-four additional Colporteurs
have been commissioned within the month,
and plans are maturing for giving efficiency to
the Society's labors at the South and West.
AUGUSTUS.