The national Republican., 1860-12-07
UNION MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA.

UNION MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Dec, 6.-The city councils to-
day adopted resolutions requesting the mayor
to call public meeting OF our citizens, ire
spectve of party, TO express their adhesion to
the Union aud appointed a committee of six
from each branch to carry out the resolutions.
BURSTING OF WATER PIPES.
| Nep York, Dec. 6.-The bursting Of two i'm.
night will occasion short supply Of water for
two or three days or week.
Items Telegraphed from Washington.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The President sent to
the House to-day very large mass Of docu-
ments, in response to q resolution adopted at
the former session. From q cursory examina-
ton of their contents, it appears that the cost
per annum of the African squadron, from the
year lS43 to 1859, was, $3s4,0 The cost for
the present year is estimated at about $S00,000,
owing to the employment Of war vessels, ma
jority them being steamers.
In his instructions of the flag officers, the
Secretary of the Navy says, the United States
does not claim that the mere hosting of our
flag should give immunity to those who have
no right to wear it. Such a pretence would
subject it to degradation and dishonor, because
it would thus be made cover for piracy and
other crimes of similar atrocity but our own
citizens, who rightfully display it, are entitled
to absolute immunity and protection. You will,
therefore, he adds, be prompt to prevent the
search or detention of vessels Of the United
States on the high seas in times Of peace, by
the armed vessels of any other Power. And,
should vessels of the United States falsely as.
sumo the flag of any other nation, it would
constitute no protection.
Among the documents there is one from the
State Department, note from Lord Russell to
| Lord LYONS, which the latter, by direction,
read to Secretary Cass. 1t is dated February
last.
Lord Russell says it is his painful duty to
call attention to the increasing activity and
success of the slave trade carried on between
the coasts Of Africa and Cuba, and that it ap::
pears that the number Of negroes introduced
into Cuba last year was from p 900 to 10000!
Also, that United States capital has been more
and more employed in this traffic, the parties
sailing under the American flag.
The Governments of France, United States,
Portugal and Brazil have co-operated with the
Government of Great Britain, with view to
put all end to this detestable traffic. The
Government of Spain has alone persisted in
screening and favoring this trade. The cor
ruption Of the Spanish official, in Cuba is noto-
rious. They make their returns to Spain to
enjoy their illgotten treasure.
In letter from Mr.. Cass to Mr.. Dallas dated
March 3lst, 1861 he says that there is much
in the conduct Of the British officers Of which
this country may justly complain, and that GER
tain reports aud various occurrences warn US
of the necessity of increased vigilance when the
safety of vast interests of our citizens upon the
ocean is brought in question. Mr.. Cass plainly
SAYS that the President had read with surprise
and dissatisfaction certain British official repre-
sentations, which, in the judgment of the Ex
ecutive department. are not supported by the
} facts advanced, nor are they compatible with
the respect which is due from one independent
nation to another.
} 1t further appears from these documents that
q. the British Government has frequently COM
7 planned to our own about the increase of the
! slave trade. So Mr.. Cass writes to Mr.. Dallas
in October last to assure Lord Russell that the
Foreign Office has been assured more than once
before that certain diplomatic suggestions are
r as unnecessary as they are unacceptable, and
to express the hope that this Government en-
tertains that similar appeals will not again be
repeated, for his Government needs not such
> repeated representations to stimulate its action
1 or to teach it its duty
The adjournment of the House to day, pend.
ing the request Of Mr.. Hawkins to be excused
from service on the select committee, was car
ried by the conservative vote. Had the House
remained longer in session, there would prob.
ably have been other similar requests from
Southern members.
THE MARYLAND ELECTORS IN wAsHINGTON-A
, MASS STATE CONVENTION FOR MARYLAND RE.
I SOLVED UPoN-PROPOsED COMPROMISES ETC.
i Washington, Dec 6, p M-The electors of
. Maryland being in the city, there has been
o quite large gathering of prominent citizens Of
!, that State who are ust now here. After a full
;. interchange Of views, it was unanimously agreed
r that it was expedient that mass State Conven-
ton, without respect to party, should be called
at Baltimore, to consider what steps are advisa-
BILE at this crisis in public affairs. 1t was con-
. sidered as nearly certain that the cotton States
would early secede from the Union, and that the
i. influence Of the border States would be limited
!. to getting them back, provided that the North
q should make concessions recognizing the rights
I of the South in the Territories, and stipulate
:. for the execution of the fugitive slave law.
There is to be caucus Of Southern Senators
,. on Saturday.
e Mr.. Crittenden is understood to be in favor OF
n the Missouri compromise line as Legislative
!. measure to quiet the existing agitation, as il
4 such thing were reasonable or possible. Other
conservative Senators from border States, both
A free and slave, are discussing the expediency Of
/. making constitutional provision. 1t is evident
that nothing short of this will avail. They favor
,. Convention fresh from the people of al. the
A States to act upon measures that may restore
harmony. 1t is more than probable that seve.
y raj of the cotton States will have no represent.
!. alton to act with the House committee of com,
o promise.
LATER FROM CALIFORNIA.