The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-25


The steamship Niagara, from Liverpool on the
18th, via Queenstown on the 18th inst. arrived at
Halifax yesterday noon. with ifty-one passengers
and upwards of 81 900 900 in specie She sailed at
three o'clock p. M. for Boston, where she will be
due tonight.
The news by the Niagara il two days later than
that by the North Briton, and is important The
monthly statement OF the Bank of France shows q
decrease in cash OF over 80 900, 900 Francs The
Liverpool Post Of the 10th states that private
despatch received in that city makes the startling
announcement that the Bank Of France ,ous about
to suspend specie payment, and that M Mtres, the
celebrated tinancier and contractor for The Turk
ish loan, had already stopped for 16, 00O, 900
francs. On the 18th the National Bank of Turin
raised its rate to per cent
The news by the Persia, which arrived at
Queenstown on the 18th, caused an advance Of
one-eighth OF penny in cotton, the market
closing with an upward tendency. Breadstuffs
and produce generally dull but steady
The political intelligence by this arrival Is not
important. Negotiations were progressing in
Paris for the abolition Of the passport system
throughout Europa measure strongly favored
by the Emperor Napoleon. The Paris correspond
ent of the London Post states that the policy of the
Sandman government is to avoid war in the
spring and that If il were possible to come to an
arrangement for uniting venetia to Italy there is
every disposition on the part Of Victor Emanuel
and his advisers to renew friendly relations with
Austria. 1t is stated upon good authority that
the Austrian force now in Vcneta amounts to
something over 1000 troops.
The mails by the steamship North Briton, which
arrived at Portland on Wednesday afternoon,
reached this city last night.
We have received flies of the Rio Janeiro papers
to Dec. 8. AS is usual in the summer season, some
places were suffering severely from drought, and
a great deal of misery among the poor country
people was the consequence The Emperor had
subscribed 5000 for the relief of Bahia, where
the suffering is the greatest. From the election
returns which had been received from the pro-
vinces, it would seem that the government party
| were likely to have majority in the new Assem-
bly, The I'd Of December the Emperor's birth
| day, was celebrated with great rejoicings,
| lie Deuns, &C.. all over the empire. Exchange
| on London continued at previous rates. The
unfavorable news from the European mar
1 kets had produced q decline in coffee of
| $50 to 800 reis the arroba. From the oath of
| November to Dec the sales Of coffee for expor.
tation to the United States amounted to SO, 700
/ sdChSi IoT otAtT piaCtsJ 4V,VVV. Ioldl VI SAFES,
| o., 700.
BY the bark Mendi, from Liberia, we have dates
from that republic to Nov. 80. The recaptured
Africans taken out by the Star Of the Union, to
the number of 400, had arrived and were doing
well. -Four spaniards, with plenty of money, had
landed at Gallinas supposed to be engaged in the
slave trade-and President Benson had sent go
vernment schooner to watch their movements,
and had also sent peremptory demand to certain
Chiefs in case any slaves had been sold, to deliver
up to him the whole party, spaniards and slaves.
Agriculture in the republic is said to be very pro-
missing.
Advices from Port au Prince, Hayt, are to the
9Th inst The anniversary of Soulouquc's downfall
was celebrated with great pomp on December %,
on which occasion the Pope's legate delivered an
address. The Legislature had voted budget of
81 500 900 for the current year--much more than
previous allowances. A law had also been passed
granting liberal pensions TO retiring Presidents and
other high ex-oHicers of State. Markets were dull
and overstocked with all descriptions of goods
Coffee was sill held at high rates and was in
demand.
The heavy snow and rain storms of yesterday
have destroyed the skating in the Central Park for
few days, unless a sharp frost should take place
and form new surface. Yesterday the Park was
as silent and dreary as on the previous day it had
been noisy and enlivening-the only persons on
the pond being those employed in the refrcshnent
tents, the police and one man who was trying to
find ten dollar gold piece he had lost on the ice
the previous evening. He did not find it, although
engaged for over an hour scraping through depth
Of twelve inches Of snow. .#r
The Tammany General Committee met last
nil A rull vUac earo
Monday night next to elect delegates to State
Convention at Albany. The remainder Of the
night was passed in settling contested delegations
from the Eighth and Sixteenth wards. In the lobby
attendant free fight took place between two Of
the rival factions, which amply sustained the well
known reputation OF Tammany Hall in such az.
fairs.
The Board OF Aldermen met yesterday, but
transacted very little business Of Importance.
resolution to appoint committee to attend to the
preparation for the celebration Of the l29th ami.
versary Of Washington's birthday was laid over.
A resolution presented TO the effect that pro.
per accommodation be granted some Of our city
courts. II was referred to 0 special committee.
Several resolutions and documents were laid on
the table and after the usual routine business
the Board adjourned until next Monday.
The Board Of Councilmen met last evening and
adopted q resolution directing the Committee on
Fire Department to report the number Of steam
fire engines now in use, the maker and cost OF
each, and the name Of the company now using
them; also to ascertain the opinion of the Chief
Engineer as to whether any more steamers are
needed A petition for ferry from the foot OF
Twelfth street, North river to Jersey City was re.
fcrred TO the appropriate committee. The pre-.
sentiment Of the Grand Jury Of the Oyer and Ter.
miner, recommending that the has,y action Of the
Board Of last year in respect to changes in the oc
cupancy Of the court rooms, and which also cen.
sures the members Of the Common Council, who
withhold nom the Board Of Supervisors the pro-
perry on the north side Of the Park, was referred
TO a special committee. Mr.. Orion offered reso.
luton to discharge the special committee to whom