The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25

the rebel General Cooper's small command, and
battle was daily expected.
The America reached this port yesterday from
Halifax, with the European mails of the 7th Of De-
cember. Our files contain very important details
of the news to the time Of her sailing from Liver
pool, from which it will be seen that the English
statesmen hailed the message Of JEFF. Davis to the
rebel Congress as powerful aid for the further
ance Of their designs in the United States and
Mexico General Scott's letter ON the national
crisis produced a very profound impression, both
in London and Paris, in favor of the Union cause
The embarkation of the British troops for Canada
elected none of that popular enthusiasm with
which the English are wont to encourage their SOL
diers when marching to war.
The meeting of Irish Nationalists in Dublin, for
the support Of the Union cause, was great sue
cess The eloquent speeches Of The ODonoghue,
NJ. p. and other leaders of the people, which are
published in the HERALD to-day, prove that Ireland
fully understands and indignantly repudiates the
idea Of being made party to Bnsiaad's perfdy
towards the democracy Of America in this its hour
of danger. There Is no doubt but the voice Of tho
Dublin meeting will place every Irish heart right
on the subject Of the danger which must result
from the interference of Great Britain in our
national affairs.
C0NGR Ess.
There was but slim attendance Of members at
the opening of the Senate yesterday. number
Of petitions were presented praying for the eman-
cipation Of the slaves of rebels without compensa
ton, and of those of loyal masters with compensa
ton. Reports of great extravaganza at the navy
yards having reached the ears of Mr.. Grimes. he
introduced a resolution, which was adopted, in
structing the Committee on Naval Affairs to in
quire into the manner in which war vessels have
been fitted out. resolution calling upon the
Secretary Of the Navy for q list of the names of
volunteer officers in the service was adopted. Mr..
Howe, of Wisconsin, gave notice Of bill to amend
the Fugitive Slave law. After an executive SEES
sion the Senate adjourned till Thursday.
The House of Representatives was not in session
yesterday, having adjourned over till Thursday.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The trial Of Charles M. Jeferds for the murder of
John w. Mathews, which has been tried before
Recorder Hoffman in the General Sessions, termi-
mated last evening in the conviction Of the accused
of murder in the first degree. When the foreman
pronounced the verdict Jefferds said, Gentlemen,
you have convicted an innocent man." He was
remanded for sentence.
M Of ANTI ~ fho mat out
says, speaking of the recent conAagration in that
city:-The disaster will be complete. The fire has
spread to the cellars of the Entrepot st. Felix.
Dense masses Of black smoke have been issuing
from the cellars, and occasionally bright tongues
of fame. The vaults have fallen in. A great por
ton of the remaining walls have fallen in.
The resolution recently passed by the Legislature
of Kentucky, requesting President Lincoln to dis
miss Simon Cameron from his Cabinet, it is thought
was only intended to quiet the fears of the Union
men Of that State, who have become alarmed at
some Of the propositions Of the abolitionists.
From o recent return sent in to the Adjutant
General of the State of Ohio, it appears that, in
addition to the large force already in the field,
Ohio could, should the service require, put twenty
three regiments Of infantry, four regiments Of ca
valry and eight batteries Of artillery into active
service before New Years day of 1862. Their
twenty-five regiments Of three months men have
all reorganized except one, several Of them being
already in active service. Good for Ohio.
militia general order has been published in
Quebec, Canada, requiring seventy-fve men in each
battalion to be in readiness for active service on
one days notice.
Notwithstanding the drain upon our forces near
Washington to supply the expeditions, there are
yet over two hundred and fifty thousand men on
the Potomac.
The government bountes to the Eastern fisher.
men will be paid on the LIST of January. Some
three or four hundred thousand dollars will be dis
tributed. Gloucester alone claims one hundred
and twenty five thousand.
John NJ Brewer, one of the Fort Warren prison
ers from Baltimore, has taken the oath and been
discharged.
The Hudson River Railroad trains were consider
ably impeded on Monday night by immense snow
drifts.
Colonel Mulligan has declined an invitation to
lecture in Boston. He says he in anxious to re-
turn to the war.
The Board Of Aldermen met again last evening,
and transacted some routine business of no public
importance.
There are at present some two hundred British
vessels in this port, all Of which-wth many other
foreign and the American vessels generally
displayed their national ensigns at half during
the day yesterday. in consequence of the death of
his Royal Highness Prince Albert.
At meeting Of the New York Board of Fire
Insurance, held on Monday last, . report Of the
Board Of Underwriters, made at their meeting on
the 18th instant. was submitted, which set forth
that the substance known a. petroleum, rock oil,
or earth OIL in its crude state Gas it is generally
received is largely charged with volatile matter Of
q highly infammabls nature, and therefore. when
the gas generated therefrom is mingled with air,
It becomes dangerous in closed buildings from the
fact Of its becoming easily ignited In fire of any
considerable magnitude this explosive gas would
be generated in large quantities, and the destruc.
ton of property in compact, portion Of the
city would be very great. The COM
mttee also find that benzine, benzole and
naptha are exceedingly explosive and danger
Gus, and, when kept in quantities of three barrels
or less, in any building should be placed in the