The Portland daily press., 1871-12-23

NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-Gen. Sickles expects to
return to Spain in month or six weeks. He
says he brought important matter for the State
Department touching Spain and Cuba. Though
he has advised the foreign opponents of the
Erie ring to make united effort for justice he
Will not take prominent part therein.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
William Brown one of the counterfeiters who
escaped from the Ludlow street Jail some weeks
ago, has been arrested at Freeport, ILL., He will
be brought here and put ON the stand in the
Miner case when important revelations are ex-
pected.
Charles Bursch has again been arrested for
attempting to make love with Miss Nelson.
The cold has seriously abated, but the docks
are filled with floating ice and there is snow
and hail tonight.
The house Of Henry B. Kirk, at Morrisianna
was burned to-day. Loss $4,000; insured for
$21 800.
UNDERGROUND RAILWAY.
At meeting of the directors of the New
York City Central Underground Railroad Co.,
to-day, it was determined to open stock SUBJ
scription books early in January The compa--
ny report estimates the cost of the line from the
City Hall to Harlem, at one million, six hun
dred and twenty-five thousand, three hundred
dollars. 1t is proposed to finish the work in
little over two years. The estimated revenue of
the line is seven million two hundred thousand
dollars The form of the tunnel will be a dou-
BILE archway similar to the Thames tunnel of
London. The bonds to be issued will be secur-
ed by a mortgage to the amount of $35, 100000
THE CITY DEBT.
Comptroller Green publishes an official state
ment of the city and county debt, at the close of
business on the 10th inst. The total was $685.
493 1856 Cash in city and county treasury, So
$50, 919 In addition to the above debt, claims
have been presented on unsettled accounts
amounting to about $6,0OO,O00. 1t is known
that large amount of claims will yet come in
for services rendered and material furnished
the several departments of the city and county
governments during the present year which
cannot, for want of definite information, now
be accurately settled.
ANOTHER STORY ABOUT GEN. sICKLRs.
In conversation with Times reporter this
evening, Gen. Sickles stated that his visit had
no political significance. The relations between
the American Government and Spain were of a
cordial character, and no possibility of a rup-
ture existed. The war for the suppression of
the Cuban rebellion was exceedingly popular
with the Spanish people. Gen. Sickles stated
that the report that he had intended to act as
agent for the English stock holders was alto
gether without foundation.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW ENGLAND
SOCIETY.
The Goth anniversary of the New England
Society was celebrated this evening by dinner
at Delmonico's. Counsellor John HI. Choate
posed of, delivered humorous address, after
which he announced the first toast: "The day
we celebrate to which Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher responded. He spoke of the varied
beauty of New England scenery and the indus
try aud honesty of its people. Referring to the
Pilgrim Fathers, he said that they brought over
with them many of the errors and superstitions
which existed in England at the time, but left
more behind them. Through time these were
eradicated and there was no more burning of
witches which was the Pilgrims greatest and
most irrational superstition. Mr.. Beecher then
turned to politics and said it should be preached
from the pulpit as much as the gospel is This
the Pilgrim Fathers did, and he approved their
ideas in this regard He regretted that the
government and the church had come to be Sc
far separated as they are. In the days when
New England was colonized, it was the custom
to build church first at the place where it was
intended to build city. Every man who be-
came resident of the city was a member OF
the church which became the local legislature.
In conclusion he referred to the late reform
movement in this city, and said it was the re.
suit of New England ideas of honesty and
economy.
The next toast was, "The President of the
United States"
Speeches were made by Rev. DR. Bellows
Governor Jewell of Conn.,, Hon William M
Evarts, Prof. Northrop and others.