The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-19

making uncommonly long passages. With those
carrying passengers at this season of the year a long
passage proves very injurious and destructive to
health and life. Ship fever more particularly is apt
to make fearful work among emigrants, lily clad and
proyisioned, and above every other want poorly sup
Piled with pure air, the latter absolutely essential to
the preservation Of health. and yet they do not re
ceive it, because of the inclemency of the weather
abovet the decks of the vessel. 1t is almost impossible
to force emigrant passengers upon deck during
rough and wet weather. Many captains are prone
to indulge their passengers in their desire to remain
below, and the sad result is at this season Of the
year that ship fever is almost certain to commence
its deadly work. We learn that a vessel arrived
during the past week at Quarantine having had
twenty deaths on the passage, and about the same
number sick on board upon arrival, with the same
disease. There are many vessels now at seq that
have been out some fifty, some sixty, and some
even seventy odd days. 1t is feared they will suffer
much from want and disease.
The Board of Aldermen met yesterday. A com
munication was received from the Police Commits.
sioners, calling attention to the condition of the
station houses. The majority of these houses, it
appears, are badly ventilated, damp, filed with
noxious vapors, and altogether unfit either for
the accommodation of the police or the
confinement of prisoners. A communication
was received from the Chief Engineer of
the Fire Department, asking action on a bill
for supplies furnished the Department since
June last, amounting to Sc .5s2. The Chief produces
an entry of an order from Street Commissioner Dew
lin authorizing him to purchase the articles. The
subject was referred to the Fire Department Com
mittee. Messrs. Adams, Stephens and Owens were
named as the Standing Committee on Frauds. The
Comptroller was requested to report by what autho-
rity a new ferry has been established from the
Battery to Staten Island, and the Battery encroached
upon by the erection of ferry houses. A resolution
was adopted directing an insuiry into the feasibility
of taking up the Russ pavement in Broadway,
breaking up the stones, and relaying them az Bel.
gian pavement.
The petition in the case of Miss Wolfsohn, the
alleged l%unstic, was abandoned yesterday, her
friends being satisfied, from recent occurrences,
that she is not of sound mind. In connection with
our report of the final proceedings in this case may
be found translstions of o couple of letters written
by the unfortunate young lady.
Rev. DR.. Chaplin delivered an eloquent and in
teresting lecture on the "Life and Character of
Benjamin Franklin before the members of the
Historical Society and their friends, last evening.
The Police Commissioners yesterday decided on a
number OF charges against policemen. In secret
session Sergeant Hutchings, of the Fifth precinct,
was promoted to be Inspector, and it was decided to
memorabilia the Legislature to repeal the twelfth
section of the Police law, so as to allow of the reap.
pointment Of such members of the old force as the
Board may desire to ~reinstate.
Recorder Barnard presided in the Court of Gene
raj Sessions yesterday. Patrick Higgins, charged
with a felonious assault on Patrick Gilroy on the
30th Of November, was acquitted, the evidence be-
ing conflicting, and several witnesses swearing that
the complainant provoked the prisoner, who stab
bed him with a knife. Patrick Foley and Patrick
Honeyman, indicted for a riot and assault on Almar
B. Stoddard, pleaded guilty and were remsnded for
sentence. John Cumesky, Patrick Greman, Patrick
Honeyman, Patrick Coleman and Michael Cannon
pleaded guilty to engaging in a riot in the Twenty
second ward on the 18th Of November, and were re.
manded till Saturday. Hugh Mcmahon, Thomas
Adie and John Snedden pleaded guilty to an assault
on John n. Policy, and were disposed of in the same
way. James O'Brien, a leader Of a riotous gang,
was convicted and sent to the Penitentiary for
SIX months. David Halle, indicted for rape
on Bridget Hayes, pleaded guilty to an
assault. He will be sentenced on Saturday. Will
liam Henderson, indicted for burglary in the first
degree, pleaded guilty TO the third grade of that
crime, and was sent to the State prison for three
years and nine months. Marcella Graham pleaded
guilty to forgery in the fourth degree, and was sent
TO the State prison for two years, his Honor remark.
ing that he felt it to be his duty to severely punish
those who circulate counterfeit money. Henry Hines,
charged with robbing Bridget Major, was honorably
acquitted, a number of witnesses establishing the
improbability Of the compliments story.
The weekly statement of the city banks shows
that there are now in the vaults Of these institutions
specie to the amount of SO,2ll ,266 dollars. This
would seem to indicate a prosperous condition Of af.
fairs in commerce and finance but the true state
of things, as developed in the money article in to-
days HERALD, is anything but satisfactory. II Is
the distribution, and not the accumulation of specie,
that indicates activity In trade.
The cotton market was firm yesterday and closed with
a further advance Of about nc, with sales Of about 1000
bales. We now quote middling uplands at loHc, which
is equal 10 IN advance Of Ike. per ID. above the lowest
price current before the arrival Of the steamship Atlantic
on the 9Th inst. The -four mari opened dull, with mo
deraie sales, including some lots for export at about the
quotations Of Saturday; a, the close super1ne State, Of
fair shipping quality, could not be had at the inside ngure.
Wheat continued nrm, while no sales Of moment trans
pred. Corn sold TO . fair extent, at zoe. q tic. for new
yellow and at 74c. for white. Pork was rather nrmer,
with moderate sales Of new mess a, sls IS; q, the close
there were no sellers under sl5. The sales Of sugars EN-.
brsced 300 q 400 h~ogsheads, a, prices given in another co
lumn. Coffee was quiet, with small sales Of Rio at sac.
a lokc. Freights-Engagements were moderate, while
rates were without change Of Importance.
The Last so.shern Footho,d on the Slavery
Question.
Ia uusY ho manifest IN tho most g,ner6cial