The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-21
New York, Friday, january IL. 1859.
The News.

Nothing of interest transpired in Congress yes
terday, the engrossing subject being the Pacific
Railroad. The Committee on Amending the Tariff
are nearly ready to report. 1t is surmsed that the
rates will very nearly correspond with those of
1885, and that the duty on ron of thirty per cent,
will be rc-established, as there is no opposition to
that rate from any quarter Liquors will pay duty
of fifty per cent The Post Office Committee are
reported to be in favor of abolishing the ranking
privilege, and also of allowing the Postmaster
General to contract for conveying the United States
foreign mail for the sea and inland hostages.
Nothing of special public interest transpred in
the State Legislature yesterday. Much of the time
of the Senate was occupied in the discussion of new
rules for that body, while in the other branch the
usual routine business and discussion on the
fees of officials of this city claimed attention until
the hour of adjournment
The overland mail from the Pacific reached ST.
Louis yesterday. The dates from San Francisco
are to the 9th ult The Presidents message
reached San Francisco on the afternoon of the
2sth, in nineteen days and twelve hours from ST.
Louis. Business was dull Mining on Fraser river
had entirely ceased, and there was much suffering
from the cold. The news from Victoria is to the
18th ult.
ror arrived at this port yesterday morning from
Havana, with advices dated ON the 18th instant
There was little 70 note in the political world, and
it is said that The excitement produced by Mr.. Eu
cbanan's remarks on the purchase of Cuba was
subsiding. The Danish sIoop-ofwar Nayada, thir-
ty-two runs, wee in port. Su~ars were heavy of
oaIe, WIN uve thousand boxes OF new and twelve
thousand of old on hand; the new sugar went off at
i~ht yprv dulI Ex-chan
York was at 81 81 per cent.
Our correspondent at Brdgetown, Barbados,
writing on December "a, says:-The American war
steamers Westernport, Atlanta and Chaplin remain
here coalng, and viii sail in three or four days.
The officers of this expedition the guests of the
Governor and are being feted to their hearts con-
content. The Legislature is in session, and will
appropriate $4,000 per annum for five years for the
building and keeping in repair magnificent water
reservoir in the interior. Pipes manufactured in
England have already been laid, and the supply
will be nexhaustible. The isand is perfectly
healthy COOL with seasonable and refreshing show
ers, which give promise of an excellent crop.
The thermometer at noon to-day in the CONNER
cial Rooms, was rs degrees.
We have news from jamaica dated at Kingston
on the 9th of December. Our correspondent
wrtes:-A most terrific shock of earthquake was felt
in this city the morning ofthe 3d. at hafpast one
o'clock, causing some damage. This shock is de-
clared to be the most felt in this island
From st. Thomas, under date of January l,
we learn that General Santa Anna exchanged com
pliments with the aged Governor of the island on
New Years day. Trade was dull. Flour was at
from Sc so s. per Dbl, according to quality, and
pork $lS 49, Freighta-Salt to Turks Islands,
SC. &c. per bushel.
The schooner Luther Childs, Captain Joseph
Nckerson, of Dennis Mass, from Philadelphia,
bound for St. Kits, was struck by heavy sea on
the 26th ultimo, when two hundred and twenty
miles west of Bermuda, which washed Captain
Nickerson overheard. He was lost before his mate
and seaman could reach him in a boat During
their exertions the schooner drifted away, and the
men-Mr. Chase (mate) and Clark (seaman)-
were LETT in the open boat without food or water,
for five days, until resued by Captain Curtis, of the
bark Holbrook, Of and from Portland Me-, who
landed them in Havana on the 10Th instant. When
the Luther Childs drifted OF she had only three
inexperienced boys on board.
We publish to-day full account of the late voy.
age of the steamship Wescr from Bremerhaven to
Cork, where she was forced to put in in conse.
quence OF the effects of most violent storm which
she encountered when on her way to New York.
The danger to all on board was most imminent, and
their escape by the saving of the vessel most provi
dental.
The Board of Aldermen met last evening. The
principal subject of interest in the proceedings Of
that body their action on the tax levy for the
present year, which they somewhat reduced
Several communications were received from the
departments, and the usual amount of routine bust
ness transacted.
The Board of Councmen transacted considerable
routine business last evening. special commit
tee was appointed to consider that portion of the
Mayors message having reference to the repairs
necessary to be made to the City Hall. The
ordinance passed by the Aldermen in favor of the
passage of an act to give the members of the Com.
mon Council 81 900 year for their services was
lost, but subsequently called up and laid on the
table.
The American Institute met last levening and
confirmed the report Of the committee nominating
officers of the Institute for the year 1859. The list
comprises new President and Treasurer, and Gle.
ven new members of the Board of Managers. Their
names will be found in another column.
Counsel for Wood, Eddy & Co.-wbo, it will be
remembered, were held to answer by Judge Russell,
for an alleged violation Of the lottery lawbrought