The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-13

The banks, We un0er6tdno, nave 0etcrmlneQ 70
afford some facilities for bringing produce. to the
seaboard before the close of canal navigation.
During dense fog which developed the bay and
rivers yesterday about dusk the steamer Empire
State, of the Fall River line, which left at five
o'clock with large number of passengers includ
ing one hundred and fifty laoies, bound for Boston,
struck rock near Backwell's Island and sprung q
leak. She was headed for the New York shore, and
on the way struck sloop The passengers were
all landed in the clothing in which they Stood but
the baggage and freight remained with the stea mer,
the cabin floor of which was under water. About
the same time the Staten Island ferry boats Hunch-
back and Southfeld came in collision near Bedoes
Island, and both vessels were cut down to the
waters edge. Fortunately no lives were lost.
The American Msyoralty Convention organized
last evening by the appointment of James W. Barker
as chairman, and Z. Meredith as secretary. After
satisfactorily settling several disputes with references
to contested seats the Convention adjourned to the
9th of November, the chairman having power, at
the request of twenty-five members, to call an
earlier meeting.
The republicans held their primary elections last
night to choose delegates to conventions for the
nomination Of such city, county and Legislative
passed of quietly. The bone of contention among
the republicans now is the propriety of fratenizing
with tho Americans on local nominations, and
very active canvass is going on to effect that object
The Chess Congress which has been in session
in this city for week past, last evening adopted
constitution organizing the American Chess Asso-
ciaA6n," on the plan of the Chess Association of
Great Britain and Ireland. The next meeting Of the
Association will be held in Philadelphia.
In the Marine Court yesterday in a suit for ser.
vices as clerk in the Street Commissioners Office
Judge Thompson held that the Governor of the
State had no authority to appoint Mr.. Conover and
that Mr.. G. Devlin, the nominee Of the Mayor and
Commonslty, was de facto the Street Commissioner.
Thus one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, one
of the Judges of the Common Pleas and one of the
Judges of the Marine Court have decided in favor OF
the legality Of the appointment of Mr.. Devliu made
BY the Mayor Of the city, whilst another Of the
Judges of the Supreme Court has held that Mr.. Co
mover is merely entitled 10 che possession of the
Office.
The Committee on Assessments of the Board of
Councilmen met yesterday and heard the petitions
Of parties claiming reduction of their assessments
The Committee on Sewers of the same Board met
at the same time, and concurred with papers from
the Board OF Aldermen, in favor Of building ewers
in Howard, Grand, Grove, Washington and Front
streets.
There were salea Of cotton Of moment ported yes
terday, and quotations were nominal. The shipments
curing the week ending yesterday amounted TO ab N,
5000 bales leaving reduced stock In this market OF only
abou. 900 bales Flour hsavy, and declined absu,
10 cents per barrel with moderate sales I, the local and
Eastern trade Wheat steady for prime lots OF South
eru while grades Of al kinds heavy; choice
seuihern white sold 81 60 and red 81 a. red oaio
., 81 10 and chicago spring u s2o Corn dull and
lower, win sales or Western mixed n CSC. . eos
Pork was held above The visvs Of buyers, and small
sales were made Of ga s2s 50, while hishsr pr,el
were asked. The Of the stock In the hands o.
two houses, who disposed 70 hold on for fall prices
Sugars were heavy, and sales limited Coffee sold Il
. moderate extent at loIc. lilo for RIO. Freight en-
Esgemepa moderate and raher easier 70 Liverpool
and London. cargo OF new crop Halags raislns wa,
offered n auction yesterday ne catalogue embraced
asou 10 ooe whole, half and quarter boxes. fbe sale
drew . good compsny, but, undsr the money pressure
nearly the whole Withdrawn, The bids ,ds wers
no, satisfactory 10 holders