The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-05

Of New Orleans on the 9Th inst.
Congress after recess of ten days, reassembed
yesterday. In both houses resolutions calling upon
the President for information respecting the capture
Of Gen. Walker, and embracing the entire range Of
subjects and circumstances bearing upon our rea.
| tons with Nicaragua were adopted The docu
ments will perhaps DO sent in to-day. A vast
amount OF business was brought forward yesterday
Among the most important we notice bill for
the admission of Kansas, offered by Mr. Pugh a. .
compromise. 1t provides for the admission Of Kansas
under the Lecompton constitution and requires that
the clause relative TO slavery shall be submitted to
direct vote of the people on the 7th of April next;
also that the constitution shall not be construed
30 AZ to impair the right of the people to alter
amend 1t at any time. The Committee on Territories
OF the House was instructed to report to the pro-
priety If repeating the Utah organic law and at
taching that Territory to contiguous Territories
bill was also introduced to punish the practice of
polygamy. resolution passed the House proposing
to alter the measurement of vessels Bills abolish
ng me Court Of Claims; for the organization of
regiment of mounted volunteers in Texas; for a
military academy at the Hermitage in Tennessee;
for the repeal of certain sections Of the neutrality
laws; for the establishment OF branch mint In New
York; and for the codifcation of the revenue laws
and the arrangement OF the collection districts,
were offered and appropriately referred.
In the Virginia Legislature yesterday resolutions
were introduced denouncing in very emphatic terms
Commodore Paulding's arrest Of Gen. Walker The
resolutions were read and ordered to be printed.
The New York Legislature meets to-day. Most of
the members were at Albany yesterday, and attend
ed the party caucuses held for the nomination of Of
fcers of the two houses The republicans nomi-
mated Mr. Van Nalkenburgh. of Steuben, for Speaker
and VIM. Richardson, OF Albany, for Clerk Of the
Assembly. The Know Nothings hold the balance Of
power in the Assembly, but it is believed that suf-
fcient number of them have been induced to yield
their party preferences and thus enable the repub-
licans to promptly organize the Assembly and pro-
coed TO business Subordinate officers of the Senate
to be chosen but this will not interfere with its
organization. The Governors Message has, we are
informed, been forwarded to various parts of the
State to be made public when it is announced by tee
graph that it has been sent to the Legislature. We
give, however this morning, in another column, the
material points of this document. The suggestions
of the Governor with regard to our money canal and
railroad interests very important.
Mayer Tiemann formally entered upon the duties
of his Office yesterday All the old officers of the
Mayors office have been dismissed except the two
Marshals. who have been reappointed.
The legislative branches of the city government
organized yesterday. The Board of Supervisors
elected Elijah F. Purdy chairman. and Joseph b.
Young clerk. motion to go into an election for
Sergeant-at-Arm was laid on the table, The Board
Of Aldermen reelected all its old officers, namely
John Clancy chairman, ID. T. Valentine clerk and
Patrick Gallagher sergeantata arms. The Board
Of Counclmen elected Charles II. Haswen President,
G. T. McCenachan clerk, Nicholas Sidel SER
geantatarms, and Roderick Entwlstle doorkeeper
The usual preliminary business was transacted in
both Boards They meet again at noon to-day, when
the message Of Mayor Temann will be laid before
them.
We have a report from 81. Louis Of terrible
battle in Kansas between General Lanes forces and
the United States dragons, at Sugar Mound, in
which, IL il said, several Of the latter were killed.
II is also reported that the dragons retreated and
that Gov Denver had sent four companies of infantry
10 assist them-moreover, that the free State men,
to the number Of twenty hundred had rallied in
support Of Lane, and that fearful collision was ex
pected The story requires confirmation TO entle it
TO belief.
Judge Davies yesterday, upon the application Of
the Corporation Counsel granted an injunction re-
straining the Comptroller from paying Devlin or
Conover, the rival Street Commissioners, or their
deputies, any salaries pending the action of the Su
preme Court on the writ of quo warrsnto; also re-
straining all the Street Department people from
bringing any suits for salaries pending said action on
the writ.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioners have
opened at their Offices in this city and Brooklyn
complaint books similar 20 that originated by Mayor
Wood. They invite citizens TO record therein all in
stances Of violation Of law that may come under
their observation. Doubtless the list will not prove
very creditable 10 the Police Department. The
Board meets on Wednesday when Mayor Tiemann
will for the first time make his appearance as a
member
Mayor Powell, Of Brooklyn, in his message TO the
Common Council Of that city, recommends a repeal
Of the Metropolitan Police law, and a return 10 the
old system Of police. Resolutions were introduced in
the Brooklyn Board Of Aldermen last night limiting
the Metropolitan Police force to twenty-four men.
An interesting suit between collateral descendants
OF George Washington. for the possession of unpub
lished letters OF the first President Of the United
States, was commenced yesterday In the Supreme
Court, before Judge Davies. Mr.. Higbce, wife of
Rev. DR.. Hgbee, who Is descendant of Mrs.
Washingtons only sister, has the custody Of these
curious documents. The report which will be
found elsewhere, is worth perusing
A suit for the recovery of a tract Of land in
Texas valued at half million of dollars, was also
commenced in the same Court.
Some two or three judgments were given against
the city yesterday by Judge Mccarthy in the Ma.
rine Court. Why does not the Comptroller pay ie-
gitmate claims and save the tax payers from the cx
pense of unnecessary litigation7
The January term Of the Court of General Ses-
sions commenced yesterday, Judge Russell presid
ing. quorum Of grand Jurors not being present,
those answering to their names were discharged till
this morning. Six grand Jurors and twentysix
petit jurors we're fined s25 each for non attendance
The City Judge stated that, in accordance with