Polynesian., 1859-01-22
Gbe 1)olpnesiau.
FOREIGN n E w S!

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By the arrival of the Am. clipper bark Mel,ta,
Captain Polleys, Is days from San Francisco,
we have received dates from that city to Jan. 3,
New Orleans Dec u, New York Dec. 6, Europe
Nov. a.
The Presidents message to the Congress of the
United States is given in full in the California pa
pers. We notice it elsewhere.
We eondense from other journals
The trial of the mutineers and murderers of the
whaleship Junior closed at Boston on the lst in
stant after having occupied the Court for nineteen
days Plumer the ring leader, was found guilty
of murder, and Cartha, Herbert and Stanley of
manslaughter. This trial has excited intense in
terest in the community, not more from the enor-
mity of the crime than from the prOtracted and
ingenious defence of the several counsel for the
accused The disgraceul, cruel and inhuman
practice resorted to by the officers OF the Junior as
punishments to them for the most venal offences,
and for no offences at all the fact that rotten
meat and wormy bread, the refuse stores OF former
VOYAGES, were dealt out to the crew, which they
were forced to eat or starve. all laid bare by
the masterlv cross-examination of the witnesses,
creating such a sympathy in favor of the Gu prits,
that the verdict of manslaughter IN the cases OF
three of the culprits is undoubtedly due to that
feeling and it is doubtful whether Plumer himself
would not have shared like cemency on the part
of the iury were it not felt that the blood of some
victim was necessary to appease the violated ma
iesty of the law. As it is. Plumer's counsel has
demanded a new trial on his behalf on the ground
that Plumers offense precisely similar 10 that
of his fellow-prisoners; and that, therefore. the
verdict in his case should have been the as in
theirs.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.
There is an evident determination on all hands,
not to renew the present contracts for carrying the
California mails. 1t is more than probable that
the contracts will be advertised and let to the
lowest bidders.
There is no probability that Congress, at the
present session, will authorize line OF steamers
to China, although strong efforts to that end will
be made.
A petition has been prepared, and is circulating
for signature praying Congress to provide for the
construction of dOuble-track Railroad from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, with collateral telegraph
the work to be done by ten distinct companies,
in as many sections, each being paid its share OF
one hundred millions OF dollars Us Its work may
be done. No lands are to be given none but
American iron and other materials OF American
manufacture must be used the fare for through
passengers must never exceed ureefourths Of cent
per mile and the whola work must be completed
hAlHlu ANO JSoAo'
The papers are full of rumors that Spain is about
to make war against Mexico, backed by Eng land
and France Our Government has no faith in the
story, whatever. France, perhaps, would be will
ling to take part in such scheme but no British
Ministry could survive for twenty-four hours the
disclosure of any policy so certain to disturb the
political and commercial relations between the
United States and England. Nor could Spain be
so fool-hardy as to attempt such war, as 1t would
afford the libusters and Cuban revoutionists pre-
cisely the opportunity that they desire; for they
could then make Mexico the point of rendezvous
of perfectly legal expedition against the sever
faithful isle,'' and volunteers by the thousand,
from the United States, would not be wanting to
"a fight the battles of Mexico" and incidentally
prepare Cuba for American annexation.
New York, Dec. Sd.
General Paez left the city yesterday, on his way
to Laguayra, on board the Government steamer
Atalantd and his son by the Caledonia, both steam
ers having been placed at their disposal BY the
Government.
The United States steam frigate Sarandc and
the United States soop-of-war 81. Marys have
been ordered to Guaymas, at the head OF the 'Tult
of California for the purpose of inqulrlng into the
difficulty between Capt Stone, late OF the United
States army, and the authorities of that place.