The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-01

Our correspondent in Buenos Ayres, writing on
January 81 informs that there is probability of
the peaceful settlement of our Paraguayan difficult
ties. Commissioner Bowlin had had an interview
with the plenipotentiaries of the Parguayan go
vernment, and they had expressed an anxious de-
sire for fair, just and peaceful arrangement with
the United States; they further stated that they
were authorized to form treaty with the United
States similar to those with England France and
Sardinia, and were willing to leave to arbitration
whatever claims the United States or its citizens
might have against Paraguay. Mr.. Bown made
no positive answer, but was to meet the plenipo-
tentaries at the city of Corrientes within thirty
days.
Our Honduras correspondent makes known n
fact of some interest, in connection with other
French movements in Central America, viz: that
the French government has made the fine Bay of
Fonseca its naval station on the Pacific; that one
vessel had already arrived, and that two others
were expected daily. Besides being the Pacific
terminus of the proposed Honduras railway, this
bay commands the three States of Nicaragua, Hon
daras and San Salvador, all of which touch upon
it. feet stationed here can be reached from Eu.
4
orders to Valparaiso; and this movement will com
pei the United States and Great Britain to make a
corresponding change. 1t is not generally known
that the French have lately had very careful sur
yey made of the whole Pacific coast of Central
America, by Captain De Lapeln, Of the frigate La
Brilliante, the report of which has just been pub
lihed by the Department of Marine. 1t says of the
Bay of Fonseca:-" This vast and magnificent bay,
4. - Al.
between the volcanoes Of Coseguina and Concha-
gua has no rival the entire coast of the Pacific
whether regards its extent its beauty, or its ma
val and commercial position" 1t would be a little
remarkable if the attempt made by the English to
seize this bay, in ls49, should be renewed by the
French in 1859. The present movement, whatever
its Interior significance has doubt been taken in
view of the report of Capt. De Lapelin.
BY the arrival of the United States sloop.ofwar
Saratoga at Pensacola we have Vera Cruz dates to
the 18th inst Miramon had not yet arrived at Vera
Cruz with his forces, and said that he had
with several defeats. There were a number of ru
mors afoat, but they conflicting that they
could not be relied on. The Saratoga reports leav-
ing at Vera Cruz the United States frgate Savannah
two Spanish, four French and four English menof.
war.
We have advices from Port au Prince, Hayti, TO
the 10Th inst, brought by the brig John Boynton at
this port. Port au Prince was reported as very
quiet. A vessel of war arrived at that city on the
Sth from Jamaica, bringing a number of Hay
items who had been exiled by soulouque.
Our special Washington despatch states that let
fers received from Ministers at the different Eu
ropean courts are decidedly warke, and one Of
them writes that Gin the opinion of all respectable
persons war is inevitable" The administration
doubted the report that Miramon had ceded the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec to foreign government,
and it is said that our government will at take
prompt and decisive action in regard to Central
American affairs
In the State Senate yesterday an important re-
port was presented from the Lieutenant Governor
and the Canal Commissioners stating that the sur
plus fund for the payment of the canal debt was
entirely exhausted, and intimating that the Legis
lature will have to provide for the payment of
81 039 900 they wish to preserve the credit of the
State The bill relative to the public health of the
city of New York and recognizing the Health De.
partment was passed. In the Assembly the New
York City Tax bill was debated at length and made
the special order for to-day. The Committee of
Ways and Means reported adversely to the petit
tions from several counties asking for an amend
ment of the laws for the relief and maintenance of
emigrant paupers.
By the overland mail from San Francisco, at st.
Louis we have advices to the 9TH inst but no news
ofimportance from California Advices from Vic
terra to February %, state that proposition was
on foot to annex that colony to British Columbia,
and that reserve of 100000 acres of land would
be made at the forks Of Thompson river for emf
grants from Oregon.
The Utah mail of the 9Th inst has arrived at ST.
Louis, but our despatch furnishes nothing Of int
rest Terrible snow storms prevailed on the
Plains. The Indians were molesting the California
mails, and thefts of horses and mules were very nu
merous.
James Stephens, convicted of the murder of his
wife by poison, was yesterday sentenced, in the
Court of Oyer and Terminer, to be executed on the
Goth of May next. The case will be brought up to
the higher courts on exceptions The proceedings
in the court, given elsewhere, will be found of a
very interesting character.
In connection with our report of the
stephens wife poisoning case in this city, we lay
before our readers this morning the details Of
another cold blooded wife murder in Rappahan-
mock county, Virginia. Our correspondent
in that county furnishes us with an account of
the trial and conviction of James II. johnson for
poisoning his wife in the most deliberate and heart
less manner. The evidence against johnson was
OF the most overwhelming character, and the jury
atter an absence of ten fifteen minutes, convict
ed him of murder. He was sentenced to be hung
on the 18th of May next. Altogether, the murder
bears striking resemblance to the Stephens case.
The Board of Aldermen met last evening, but no
business OF importance was transacted. petition
from property owners to widen Nassau street was
referred to the Committee on Streets commu
nication was received from the acting Street Com
missioner, showing the manner in which the city
iad been oyercharged on certain contracts, and