The New York herald., 1874-07-26

reading rooms, hOteis ana business circles. What
could it meanY Some thought II was special
government express, with an Oregon treaty
quietly made with the British Minister at Washing
ton. some that 1t a stock or cotton specula-
aon. Others that the vessel was to be sent by Sir
Richard Packenham with important dispatches
relative to Oregon Mexico and Texas. No name
appearing with the advertisement and no place
indicated where letters could be deposited tended
to increase the mystery. 1t was ascertained, how.
ever, that the vessel was one OF the famous pilot
boats OF New York. Implicit falth was placed IN
her speed, for she was advertised to leave New
YORK on the 9th and Liverpool on her return trip
on the Goth or 9th OF the same month. Once q
piot poat in pursuit OF defaulter to the govern
ment, crossed the Atlantic IN eighteen days. in
en,ag uang .mree days detention In storm The new
enterprise was arranged to beat rnat time; but
The best laid schemes o. mice and
The 'vessel OF extraordinary speedr was the
pIo. pt Doas Miillam D. Komer. she was engaged oy
,s, ne~ o% 1ork irsouae Journal or Commerce. COu
@ te onG EnQutreT. sum- Philadelphia North Ameri-
can and several papers in otler cities for the pur.
pose OF getting news from Europe IN advance OF
tine HERALD, and put stop to the nnnleasant
boasfing OF that paper on tie arrival OF each
packet ship from England. 1t deemed espe cially
necessary TO accomplish this object AT TINS particn-
lar time, when many believed in a war between
the United states ana Great Britain on the Oregon
question. the enterprise was a splendid one and
deserved success for It's boldness ana originality
and cost. The HERALD had, by the assistance ~
Ln6 new 1OIk pHOtk, ltS own news DOat2 N
expresses from Boston, anticipated It's contempo-
raries so many times that they The necessity
Of one or two great efforts to counteract the enort
The name Of the parties who chartered the
Romer was so closely kept secret that the public
for some time after her departure believed that
she was despatched by either our own authorities
at Washington or by the British Minister. The
plot boat was cleared At the custom House by j.
Ii. Braine, Interested in trade with the British
provinces, and the important correspondence be-
tween Mr.. Packenham and Mr.. buchanan came out
ilS a al rp Of an rod IN
Keeping the real parties IN the enterprise out of
sight 1t was only the peculiarly smiling face Of
rangement Of his own and the patroniZing man.
ner OF the North American that betrayed the
origin OF the brilliant effort.
The Romer lett New York on Monday, the 9th OF
February, under the command OF Captain MCGUIRE
One or two days after her departure, the Boston
Transcript contained the folio wing paragraph -
rumored that the Portland folks going TO beat
the New YoRK HERALD in the foreign news BY the Cam
operandi is to have an agent boari the of Hall
d Sn @ enee ra
road We inclined believe this operation
will cost more than 1t Will come to.
About the time or the appearance OF this para
graph private Information Was received at the
HERALD ONCE OF this extensive arrangement. One
day the mail brought letter from Bangor to Mr..
Bennett asking the suggestive question: "Are you
stocking the road for an express from Halitaxs"
Such q question 30 soon after the departure OF
the Romer was q small problem to solve Seeking
Information the editor OF the HERALD ascertained
the extent OF the opposition and laid his plans ac
cordingly. Tne HERALD had arranged an ordinary
express to start from Boston the arrival of the
roaas to Ayns Point thence the SOUND to
Greenport and thence over the Long Island road
The expected steamer was commanded by
Captain Judkins, q thorough sailor, an energetic
navigator, and not partial to what are called
ton only. There WAS no opposition. Sufficient
time was taken to discharge passengers and cargo
and take in coal at Halifax They never hurried
Thirty six hours were occupied in making the run
to Boston. The holy Alliance as the Tribune
and Its associates were called, had taken all these
facts into their calculations. SO 1t appears had
it became important to notify the agents OF the
steamer at Halifax OF the impending struggle and
INFORM Captain Judkins immed ately on his ar
rival that when he reached Boston be would find
that his news preceded him. Human nature is
pretty much the same IN England as IN the United
States. The HERALD, In this view, published
to- p se @
as soon as the pilot stepped on board the Cambria
"ls an express to beat me to Boston ?" asked
Captain Judkins. "ril see about that"
There was never greater activity displayed at
HALIFAX. No Cunarder ever remained so short
Boston in thirty hours 1t was fair to suppose
that the "Holy Alliance" entering on costly
speed and success complete from Halifax to New
York. 1t would be unjust TO suppose otherwise.
therefore to be iuily considered by the HERALD
! What aid that establishment 90 under these Cir
cumstances No plans existed east OF Boston.
the only imperiection IN the HERALD arrange.
ments was in the steamer engaged to connect the
Norwich with the Long Island Railroad. She was
slow. The only hope OF the HERALD was in max
ing very quick run from Boston. II 1t beat it
would be an AusterliZ, Marengo and Jena
rolled into one magnificent victory. II defeated
It's opponents would Call 1t a Leipsic If not a
Waterloo. II this great overland express was
success Napoleon Bennett would be sent to Eba.
II the Romer anticipated his packet ship he would
60 to St. Helena.
.Eh otenr To prevent one and accomplish the
other OF these contingencies q last steamer was
necessary to carry the HERALD messenger across
Long Island Sound. There steamer called
the Traveller, and owned by Commodore Wander
bilt, suitable Tor this purpose The HERALD called
on the Commodore and told the story of the plans
OF the opposing journalists and OF the Importance
OF the coming news.
"What can l dog'' asked the Commodore. "If
can aid you will: like yonr pluck"
ave want the Traveller said the HERALD. "to
run across the Sound. land our messenger at
Greenport and then come through the Sound with
''well, well; let me see," and, turning to
young man, said Write out an order for the
Signing the order the Commodore passed it 10
the HERALD and said. There's the boat Keep her
Till your express expires. Now go ahead. Good
morning."
''Onc more word, Commodore. Will you send
one of your smartest captains in her, with orders
to Keep up the fires aud not sleep"
''Yes, I'll send two"
The Traveller, with Captains Scott and Lerevre.
await the arrival OF the news. MIR. Joseph Elliott,
OF the HERALD. went on her prepared to catch Mr..
Bigelow in his arms as ne jumped from the loco
motive to the steamer. The Boston transcript, OF
February 90 1S46, gives the result of the spirited
journalistic AFFAIR, as iollows:-
THE EXPRESSES FOR NEW YORK WITH THE CAM
BRIA'S NEWS.
'Mr. L. Bigelow lett the Worcester depot on the
locomotive Jupiter on Wednesday evening at
eleven O'Clock, arrived in Worcester in one hour
and thirteen minutes; from thence to Alyn's Point
In two hours, took the crack steamer Traveller Tor
Greenport, which place was reached in one
hour and forty minutes Here Mr.. Bige-
low took the locomotive Jacob Little and
ran to Brooklyn In two and q half
hours, arrived In New York at half-past seven
O'Clock, In eight and half hours from Boston.
This, we believe, Is the quickest time ever made
between the two cities, and was run exclusively
for Mr.. Bennett OF the NEW YORK HERALD beating
the tribune combination express five and q half
hours. The latter was run via Worcester, Hart.
ford and New Haven, and arrived at one p NJ,
Thursday"
The scene around the HERALD once was one Of
great excitement. The oregon question for
time was overshadowed by the result OF the great
race. Mr.. Bennett Immediately had the
news from Europe prepared, and thousands
Of extra HERALp's printed; and and az the the