AMERICAN VOLUNTEER. JOHN S, BRITTON/ Editor U Proprietor.^ PA., APRIL 28, 1855. Wherry* Criswell, And Donald »ont of the State Legislature, have placed us under renewed obligations, for their attention in sending ua legislative documents. Sira op Mb. Bonsam’s Libraut.—On Sat urday next, the valuable Library of the late J. Elub Bonha'm, Esq., will bo ex posed to public sale, by bis Administrator*— This Library 'conlains ft great number of very valuable law, political, historical, biographical and miscellaneous hooka, all of which will be told without reserve. ; Sums Trees.—We notice that our Borough fathers are baring shade trees planted around all tho public squares. This is right. Trees ’in a town not only look beautiful, but arc said to be conducive to health. • In Court on Thursday last, on motion of A. B. Sharp, Esq., William W, Shuler, Esq., was admitted to practice law in the several courts of this count y. Mr. S., wo learp, passed ft very satisfactory and creditable examination, previous to his admission. CttAjiaiso W eatiieu. —Webavc had delight ful weather, for the last week or more. The late copious rains, followed by warm suns,have brought forward the grain, grass, and vegeta tion generally, to an almost astonishing growth. The fruit trees arc 1 ' putting forth their blos soms, and the mountains are clothing themsel ves in green foliage, presenting an appearance almost enchanting. All nature appears to smile, end sweet perfumes fill the air. From present appearance, the fruit crop will boabun daut, and the grain and grass harvest will be an average yield. How thankful should wc all fed to an all-wise Providence tor the blessings we enjoy I Astronomical Phenomenon of the occultatlon, or eclipse, of Venus, by the Hoon, was witnessed on Wednesday evening. Those heavenly bodies were, immediately after dark, observed to be slowly approaching each other, and at 15 minutes after 8 o’clock, Venus was totally obscured by tbo Moon. Both pla nets hod sunk below the horizon, bo/ore the •tar of love emerged from bur eclipse. Leather Inspector Appointed at Last.— Got. Pollock has oppoinled llexrt Davis of Philadelphia, Leather Inspector, in place of Thomas Hayes. This office bad been promised to a Mr. Rosbnsteel of Perry county, but tbo Governor, it is said, is in the habit of forgetting his promises, and Perry county, notwithstand ing the vote she gave Pollock, gets nothing. Wo believe this Congressional district has not received a single appointment—not even a clerkship—from the administration. Can't his Excellency at least give us a few “Aids to the Governor 1” Do, good Mr. Pollock. The Legislature has not yet Used a day for final adjournment. The Senate passed a resolution to adjourn on the 17tb iust., which the House amended by substituting the 241 h; but no further action was had upon it, and consequently it amounts to nothing. We now learn from Harrisburg that there is no likeli hood of an adjournment until the middle of May. If (his is tho case, perhaps our K- N. Ddegates will take another recess,at the States -expense—as they hare dono several times be* fore—to afiord them time to go home and put in tho spring crops. Johnston vs. Darsie. —The Charobersburg IPftig has information that Got. Johnston has signified his willingness to accept the K. N. nomination for State Senator in the Allegheny district at the next election, and that the nomi nation will be conceded to him. On the other bide, it is understood that George Darsie, pres ent member, will be supported by a fusion of the old line Whigs and Democrats. This will' make an interesting and exciting contest. COURT OF COBIMON PLEAS. At a Court of Common Pleas, held in Car lisle, commencing on Monday, the 16th inst., before lion. James 11. Graham, Pro*. Judge, and John Rupp and Samuel Woodburn.Esqra., Associates, the following eases were dispos ed of: Richard Craighead 1 This was a feigned V s - > issue to try the va- Jos. Trego & Wife. \ lidilyof tho will of Thoa. Crighcad, dcc’d. Defendants alleged, that deemed was incapable of making a will, on account of weakness of mind at the time of making it. and that it was not his will, but that the PUQ.. Richard, his eon, had made or caused to be made a will to suit himself, and not his . father. A . number of persons were called, who 'testified-to his competency, and others to his incompctcncy to make a will. Tho Jury found a verdict for PI ft- Watts and Par ker for PltfT.: Miller and Hepburn for Deft. Chas. Barnitz ) This was an action of Re vs. > plevin, brought to recover Q. Z. Bretr. ) a Drug Store, by Charles Barnitz ts. Q. Z. Brets. It appeared from tho evidence, that Chts. Hamits purchased a Drug Store, some time since, at public salo. Brets alleged that Barnitz had not complied with the conditions of the sale. Barnitz alleged that Brets had not given him an opportunity to rt»mply with tho conditions. Vcraict for deft. Watts and Parker for Pltff.; Miller and Biddle for deft. Jacob Shcaflcr ) This action was brought r«. > by Jacob Shcaffcr, to rc- Twp. of S. Mid. ) cover damages for the val ue of a marc, winch had fallen end broken her shoulder, which ho was driving over a pub lic road in South Middleton Township. It ap -1 eared from the evidence, that tho road at that place was in a very bad condition, and that tho Supervisors had neglected to repair it. Ver dicl for Plff. 51Q0.60 damages. Penrose and bharp for PUB s Henderson and Ititncr for Dft. Wm. Bishop 1 This was an action brought ' vt ' \ recover money of David Mary Moore, V Oner’s In the hands of Mn- Garniahcoofj ry Moore. Verdict for PUT. David Grier, j Walts and Sharp for PUff; Hepburn and Todd for Deft. Ohai. Ogilby ) This was on action of deft. us. > upon a “Book account” for S. Ilenbum. 3 goods sold to Jaipcs Gaul, lagber, oy Cbai. Ogilby, upon tho credit of Samuel llopburn, J3sq., Oaullaghcr alleging that he was an agent for Samuel Hepburn,Esq. Defendant denied “General Agency, and Pllfr. Jailing in proving General Agency, took a non suit. Watts and Parker for Pltfl.; Miller and Williamson for Deft. Samuel Oiblcr ) Tins •was an action vi. ' / brought to recover the Sami. M'Oullough i priceofalhrcshingma chine, which PltflfT sold Defendant. Deft, ol ledgcd that the machine was worthless, and re* turned it toPltff. and refused to pay for it on that account. Verdict for PlllT, 820 damages. lUddlo and Penrose for Pltflf.; Miller and Sharp for deft. * “AID ASD COMFOBT TD THE ENEMY. 1 ' The Fierce administration—although its po litical policy has been repudiated by nearly every,State in tl*o Union—seems determined to Involve tho country In a war with Spain—Car- Usle Herald. ' . i The old Federal cry over again 1 ' Within leas than a month two American vessels have .bean fired into by tho Spaniards, and ah ’American ■ citizen has been tried and executed without iho usual form of law, and that too in the tooth of a strong protest by the American Consul. Pre sident Pierce, faithful in the performance of bis duties, has ordered two steam frigates to Havana, as a gentle hint to the Spanish autho rities that the government of the United States Is determined to protect our citizens and the flag of our country from additional insult and outrage. Tho repeated insolence of Spain makes it imperative that our government should bare a few war steamers in readiness for any, emergency. And It is because the President has pursued this wise and prudent course, and is determined to vindicate the rights of our country, at all hazards, that induces our neigh , hor to make the false assertion that the admin, istration “ seems determined to involve the country in a war with Spain,” As we said In the commencement of this article, this is tho old Federal cry over again. Let tho United States get into any difficulty with a foreign power, and our word for it the organs of defunct Whiggcry will attempt to hold up oar govern ment to ridicule. Such was tho course of Fed eralism during the struggle of 18I2~such their course during the prosecution of the war against Mexico- Then it was that Federal or Whig editors, aided and abetted, as they were, by the Corwins, ef fd omne genus of the land, prayed that our brave troops in Mexico might meet with “inAospitaMe graves.V It is not to be ex pected then, that Federal editors will pursue a different course to that heretofore pursued by them when onr country was in a controversy with a foreign State. Most of these editors are now members o( Know-Nothing lodges, and profess tu he very pure “Americans,” but lot a war break out between this counfry and Spain, and they will soon show the White feather.— Their *< Americanism” will not stand the test then, nor will their hypocritical professions pro vent them from affording “aid and •omfort** to the enemy, a a has been their habit during all former wars. Nunnery Committee of the Massa chusetts Legislature have been placed in an unenviable situation by thedevejopement of the investigation concerning their disgraceful pro ceedings. It turns out that they gave an en tertainment after their Roxhury visit, at which they had Champagne wine, the whole bill being paid by tho State, Ujos making the latter a party to the breach of its own laws against the saloof intoxicating liquors.' It was also shown 1 that Mr. Joseph iliss, (he member of the com , mittc, whose disgusting attempts at familiari ty with two of tho ladies of the Roxhury school, admit of no excuse or palliation. During one of its previous visits to Lowell on a like cr rand.hchada female companion slopping at the hotel with tho committee, whose bill was in cluded in the general bill of expenses paid by the State. Her name was registered as “Mrs. Patterson.” A pretty set of fellows these are indeed, to act as censors of the alleged moral and religious delinquencies of Catholics. The Philadelphia Ledger truly remarks : “The whole conduct of tho committee was such that, if they had behaved in the same, scandalous manner in any gentleman's residence, would have induced the occupant to have expedited their departure with an application of tho toe of his boot. As (ho building contained only ladies, the committee escaped the punishment their indecency deserved, but the press arc very properly holding them to account, and the committee seem to sit very uneasily under the investigation." The Legislative Committee appointed to in quire into the doings of the Roxhury Nunnery Inquisition, made alengthy report to the House on Tuesday, in which they censure the "Visiting Commit toe, but recommend no definite action in the matter. The Report was accepted. The Committee on the specific charges against Joseph Hiss, member of the Visiting Commit tee, at Lowell, have not yet reported. Ilton Pbioes. —Tho New York Courier, af ter inquiries respecting tho present supply and quantity to come forward of agricultural pro ducts, hazards the opinion that prices have reached their highest, and the next movement will bo a retrograde one although present pri ces may bo maintained two or three weeks.— The Courier bases its opinion on tho fact that there ore one million, five hundred thousand barrels of Uour to come forward before harvest from the Western States and tho Canadas, which arc awaiting the opening of tho canals in that Slate. Fifty thousand bushels, of po tatoes are on their way to New York market from Nova Scotia, under the Reciprocity law. The crop of potatoes in Nova Scotia last year was very large. Free trade has, within a few! weeks, opened this market to consumers, and' the chances arc that a liberal supply will come forward, under the present high prices. We hope for the benefit of consumers, that these predictions may bo-realized. Tho high prices of food nflcct many kinds of business injurious ly, as it lakes nearly all tho money tho labor ing population can earn to find themselves in food, which they cannot do without. TnucE Mill Tax. —The Senate, on Friday, says the Harrisburg Patriot, passed an act re pealing the three mill tax, paid by tho Penn sylvania Railroad on coal and lumber. Thitis an omious measure, the end of which Is not yet. If tho act becomes a law, (and wc are in clined to think it will) it will deprive the Com monwealth of considerable revenue, besides ren dering tho Stale works less productive. What is lost to the people, however, is gained by a corporation, or rather, by some of tho officers of tho company, and a few of their adjuncts.— This is the entering wedgo to tho entire repeal of tho tonnage tax, and tho sacrifice of the Public Works. Tho 'next act, we presume, I will bo a repeal of the Constitution. Tbnubu op Ouuuou Pjiopeutv. —The bill relative to the tenure of Church properly lu this Stale, has passed the Senate. The seventh section—against which the Roman Catholics have remonstrated—places all properly hero after bequeathed to any bishop, or other per son for tho use of any church, congregation or religious society, uuder the control and dispo sition of the lay members. An Ei-GovßrtNoa Xuiinkd Matqb.—The! Hon. Alexander Ramsey, Ex-Governor of Min nesota. has been elected Mayor of the city of' St. Paul, in that territory. NOW AND THEN. In the summer 'and fall of 1852, says the : Richmond Enquirer, the Whig presses and Whig oratore were earnestly invoking (besop-, i port of the American people for Winfield Scott 1 for President of the United .States. Some ten years since, during the existence of the original Native American party, Gen. Scott had written a letter, expressing his approbation of the then suggested change in the naturalization laws, extending the term of residence prior to naturalization from five to twcnty-oneycars Those sentiments, however, he was compelled to recant—and in his recantation horrent a bow-shot beyond the suggestions of any politi cian of whom we have any knowledge. In ft letter written cither shortly before, or immedi ately after, his nomination for the Presidency, he expressed an'cnlire change of opinion upon the subject of the Naturalization laws, and ad vocated their amendment-—not to.extend the term of years, but to authorize the full invest ment, with all the rights of citizenship, of eve- 1 ry alien who had served one, or, at farthest, two years in the-American army or navy, dur ing which term of service it was, of course,> quite possible that he might-not have been, for any length of time, in the inhabited portions of the United States. Ills proposition was to of fer citizenship as a bounty to encourage the en listment of unnaturalized foreigners in the ar my'and navy of the United States. In view of this crude statesmanship, the support of the foreign voters of this country wap colicitcd for him: and Gen. Scott himself so far forgot the dlgn|ty of his position as to undertake on elec tioneering tour through the West,eulogizing iu pnblic speeches "the rich Irish brogue” and | the "sweet German accent,” and vindicating 1 the foreign from invidious comparison with the native element of his victorious Mexican array. I Now, the earnest and enthusiastic advocates of Gen. Scott are the high-priests of Know- Nothingism, and affect to regard, with a holy horror, the alarming increase and dangerous proclivities of the foreign population. Now, our adopted citizens, even after naturalization, are not esteemed worthy to defend the honor of the American flag, cither upon sea or upon land, and no man who drew his first breath beneath a foreign sky is worthy to receive the privileges of American citizenship until ho has remained among us the full period of 21 years. Again, Gen. Pierce was the Democratic op ponent of Gen. Scott, and hailed from the Stato of New Hampshire. Our Whig friends [soon discovered that tho Constitution of New Hampshire contained a clause excluding Roman Catholics from office —and though it appeared that Qcn. Pierce had exerted his influence to cCect an amendment of 1 the Constitution in this particular, still Ida.res idence in a State so much behind the enlighten ed spirit of the ag6, was urged with eloquence and earnestness as a sufficient reason to cx» elude him from high federal* honors. Tho Catholic population of the United States were appealed to by every sentiment of self-respect, to put under the ban of tbeir opposition tho son of so intolerant a State. From Maine to Louisiana the Whig press stood forth os tho par excellence advocates of. entire and unre strained religious freedom, and tho jealous en emies of all religious intolerance. So strong 1 was the outsido-public sentiment it created, that, if we recollect aright, tho first Legislature which met in New Hampshire, after the can vass of 1852, took stops to erase from Its Con stitution tho obnoxious restriction, and "as soon os practicable the erasure was accom plished. Some members of Gen. Scott’s family had professed the Roman Catholic faith; and, at least, one of his daughters had taken the veil. These considerations were urged with great power, as justly commending the Whig party to the confidence and support of the Catholic population of America. Note,the party which then stood forth bo zeal ous in. its defiance of religious toleration, is I merged in a secret organization, whoso mem bers arc bound by secret oaths to act upon the very principle they professed to regard so het erodox then,—and now the faith of some mem bars of his family, tho very consideration upon which they recommended Qcn. Scott to tho American people two years since, would bo a just reason for excluding him from full com munion in their secret conclaves. Such is his tory. What is a Ton Wwaurf— Tho Supremo Court of Pennsylvania recently decided, that accord, lag to tho lairs of this State, a ton weight con- { sisted of 2000 lbs., and that a greater number of pounds could not bo legally exacted in pur. chasing a ton ol coal, notwithstanding tbo cus. tom of giving 2,210 in one part of Jho State, and 2,268 in another. Tho United States District Court has decided in a suit in admiralty, that tho legal weight of a ton of coal Is 2,210 lbs., and that tho coal dealers have no moro right to | give loss, than grocers would have to givo less | than sixteen ounces to tbo pound. As tho Constitution of the United States gives to Con* gross the power to “fix tho standard of weights and measures,” we suppose that theactoflBB4, passed by the Assembly ot Pennsylvania, must yield to ihe higher authority, and all the laws of (his State proscribing the size of the yard moasuro, tho cubic contents of a bushel and of a gallon, are null and void where they.differ from tho United States standard. If this bo, the case, tho Sealer of Weights and Measures ‘ and other analogous offices In tho Common* 1 wealth,, are entirely useless and illegal. Tho i State laws will doubtless bo made to conform to tho United States laws in those points whero they now differ. Tho Importance of baring but ono standard will ho perceived from tho sultsat law to which various standards givo rise. (C7* The pews of tho new Methodist Episco pal Church, (Rev. A. Cookman’sjat Pittsburg, were sold on Monday week for 922,000; one assessed at $6OO, brought $770! Tho poor, wo suspect, will not “have tho gospel,preached to them” jn that church, os has always heretofore been emphatically tho caso under the Methodist Ministry* Dad Place pob Doctors. —Tho Grand Ju ry of Orange county, Fla., In their general pre sentment, made at the lato term of their court, mentioned tho fact, that out of a population of four hundred in tho county, there has not been a single death in twelve months. Gone Out.— The “Daily American Times,” :a K, N. paper started in New York a month | ago, has given up the ghost. , 0“ U la reported that Messrs Corcoran and i ßiggs, of Washington, have paid over to tho government about 9100,000, attacked in their hands as being part of the money fraudulently ) obtained under the Gardiner claim. * A KhoW'Noltitog Committed, - The following sketch of aK. N. Committee is by one of their*argons, the New York Her ald : , v : ',> ■ , i' •* BURGLARIOUS PROCEEDINGS OFTOe MaSSA chUsetts LEaisi.ATirnß.~The whole evidence has been publishcd and it now stands confessed to the world that a committee of the Legisla ture of Massachusetts have violated the highest laws of the land, by forcing their way into a pri vate seminary at Roxbury, and trampled under fgpt the rules of decency by insulting Che harm less,defenceless females whom they found there. The Legislature had no right to appoint a com mittee to enter any private dwelling house, whether used as a school or for any other pur pose. Such an act was beyond their powers: ah J'if tho owner 6f the seminary Ihoy entered had shot them dead on the threshold, the law would have held him harmless. There was no danger of anything of the kind, tho house being occupied by ladies, and the committee proceeded on their .task fearlessly. ■ Hiving entered the building, they proceeded to acts of blackguardism and indecency. which tiio worst mob could hardly have exceeded. • Some scattered and searched the private rooms of O’e institution? leaving but one linon which happened to bo locked, unscarchtd. Others followed tho Supciior, questioning her in a rude, indelicate manner, and behaving as they might have done had the building been an asylum for penitents instead of a private school. One brute forced himself into a bed room where a poor sick girl lay m bed, and ap proached her so closely that “she; felt Ins breath on her face.” Another actually placed his hands on the person of a female teacher.— Several of the party thrust themselves into the chapel, and by their rude, irreverent language, frightened away a lady who was in prayer at the time. And the men who did these things are members of the Massachusetts Legisla ture) So far as these individuals ihmsclvcsare con cerned, bare statement ol their conduct is more crushing than any bpilhets, however se vere, or however merited. But the American party has a duty.to perform, which cannot be neglected. The Massachusetts Know-Noth ings must purge themselves of the society of such men as these. The members of the; or der in Jother States can have no communion with individuals who break into houses, or in sult defenceless females; and if the K. N’s. irt the Bay State do not elennse their ranks by ex pelling such agents of defilement, the order will cut itself adrift from the councils of Massachu setts. Coming Down on Them. * The Philadelphia North American, which a year ago assisted to place in power tho know nothing council of that city, nuw comes down on them in the following severe terms: ■ “Thegreatbody of our freeholders, on whom the burden of supporting the government chiefly falls, arc justly alarmed at the improvidence which httScharaclerizcd (ho appropriations and expenditures of the public money. The credit' of tho city had already suflered from Ibis cause in the decline of its securities tn the market.— , The recent application to the Slate legislature for authority to negotiate a temporary loan of Haifa million of dollars has increased , the public anxiety, and tho effect was exhibited on Saturday by a still further fall in the value of the bonds of thy corpora!ion. Vet, in the face of such injudicious and extravagant legislation as has marked the course of councils during tho past year, what do we find ? So far ns we can judge from the action yet taken in the mat ter, it appears that a majority of the jtresent members will be returned, and that, in many cases, men scarcely more fit will succeed those who are to go oiit. If this thing bo tolerated, what may we expect 1 “Will not iho treasury be bankrupted by a wasteful, if not a corrupt, squandering of the people’s money? Will not taxation become onerous and oppressive beyond endurance?— Will not all the interests of the citizens bo in jured to a fatal extent, and general discontent, disorder, and licentiousness prevail in our civil affairs ? Is there no remedy for this fearful - tyilltlia.purtplw-cttflwr <t to go on without# struggle to arrest it ? Will not tho citizens who have individually a large stake in our municipal welfare—the men of property, the raen'of business, tho men of in telligence, virtue,* and public spirit—arouse themselves in this extraordinary emergency, and resolve, by a united and vigorous move ment. independent,©! all party distinctions, to Sul down tho baneful influences which arc evi ently ruling politically the local fortunes of the community, and purify and elevate and streng then the city legislature putting aside the un worthy candidates who are aspiring to places in it for selfish ends, and electing representa lives fit to be intrusted with tho public inter ests ? A reform movement is imperatively needed, and we hope to see it speedily begun, ond carried out-” Another K. N. Dbsbtbr.— Tho following card, says the Allentown Dsmocrat, is from one of the first and most prominent members of the Know-Nothing Order in tliat town.— Some rich disclosures arc in store, which will come to light in due time: To my Friends and mu Puduo.—Deeming it an act of justice to myself as well as other right-thinking men, who within the past year, were inveigled into thoSccret Order of S. B. B-, commonly called Know-Nothings, through the belief that a change in the management of old parlies was necessary, I take this public mode of rcrfouncing all connection or association wi th with this secret, oath-bound band, and desire all to understand that I wish no longer to bo recognized os a member. If to eradicate the corruption of the old parties was an object of this association, roost signally has it failed of that purpose, for with whatever of experience I have had as a politician, I am free to confess 11 never know so much festering corruption in any political association as has characterized this midnighight order. For tho present,l shall Uko ploasuroln mealing to any of my friends who may bo axious to know them, tho reasons which prompted the course I have adopted. r E J. ABELE. Saturday, April 14.1855. fiat Relation* with Spain, Tho Baltimore Republican says: “Every day seems but to complete our relff llons with the Spanish government. Her offi cials at Cuba ate hurrying on the hour when an open rupture must take place, and tho Question bo tried whether Franco and England are to uphold these insults upon our flag and these outrages upon our honor. Tho National Intelligencer,true to its foreign instincts,stands up unreservedly in defence of General Concha and Jus tyranny. It justifies tho butchery of Pinto and EstrAmpcs,oflit did that of the gallant Qritlendcn and his friends, and would, doubt less, the seizure of our vessels and their con demnation for daring to sail in sight of this gem of the Spanish Crown. But while the In tclllgencer thus upholds any and every foreign government in opposition to that to which it professes allegiance, the people of tho country are sound and patriotic, and need but Iho word of encouragement or command to precipitate themselves upon these tyrants and murderers, and hold them to a strict account for every out rage and every drop of American blood spilt by them in their efforts to put down tho spirit of liberty. ' , “Let these minions of a corrupt and imbecile despotism proceed one step further—let but a shot be fired into on American vessel, and the blood of one American tar be shed—and it will bo the signal for an avalanche upon tho shores of Cuba, before which tho hired soldiery of old Spain, and the mongrel regiments of Captain- General Concha, will bo scattered hko chaff be fore tho whirlwind. . „ TT , “Never, while tho Union of these United States coptinuca.can wo *eo another negro des pollsm'crectcd within sight of our shores, or permit our flag to bo dally insulted by the pot ty officials of any Crown.” One Week Later from Eatope. ARRIVAL OF TUB NASHVILLE.' The peace of Sangwfri-' ary Conflicts between the’ French and iitust-. Ohs'—Reported Battle- —3OOO Killed and Wounded.' ‘ ■ . i-New York* April 22, 1865. The Steamship Nashville arrived at-noon to day, bringing dates from Liverpool and London to the 7th inst. ’ On the second day from New York, on the outward passage of tho Nashville, Mrs. Ross Riley, one of the passengers, suddenly disap- E cared, and it was supposed she had thrown ersetf overboard. THE PEACE CONFERENCE. The Vienna Conference having adjourned till tho 9lh. to await the Russian ultimatum, and the arrival of the French and istevs of Foreign Affairs at Vienna, there is no news from that point. The consideration of the third point would he the first subject before the ConfcrenccjFub llc opinion seems to bo about equally divided as to What null be the final rcduU, • FROM TUB CRIMEA. There has ‘been a'succession of sanguinary conflicts between ihb French and Russians be fore Sebastopol, for the possession of the Rifle ambuscade j>i|s, with varying success,'but much loss. ', . ‘ Tho latest reported- battle occurred bh the night of the 23d, and in which 3000 men were killed and wounded.' ' Gen. Ciirirbbcrt states in his despatches that* ip thb affairs of March 22d and 23d, the Rus sianiUojlt 2000, and the allics 500. BF.IGH OP SEBASTOPOL. Cdntinxted fighting for Possession of the Uijle ■ Sacrifice of Life. ; Since the dale of previous advices tho has been a aeries of fierce sorties and assaults, be tween the Russians and French, for possession of the rifle ambuscades in front of the French position and under the Mafakoff tower; These rifle pits, which have led to so considerable a sacrifice of life, arc placed in front and to the right and left of the toVrer, and about 000 yards from the allied works, They are merely excavations in the ground, faced round with sand bags and banked with earth, loop holed for rifles. They arc six in number, and each contain ten men—GO in qll. Gen. Besqnet considers in a point of honor to take and hold, or destroy these ambuscades. Ho has several times, by night assaults, driven out the Rus sians, but as these pits arc covered by the flro of the city batteries, the French have hitherto found it impdssiblc either to destroy or hold them. The importance of this posilibn toboth besiegers and besieged is very great. Tho'MalakofV-round ;lower is regarded ad the key of the defences, and hence the energy of the Russians in strengthening it. Consid erably in advance Of the tower is the elevated mound, or hill, now called the “Mamelon,” on which the besieged are creeling a battery of great strength. A little farther in advance is an eminence recently seized so skilfully by, the Russians, and, fortified with car works; ft is now crowned by a square redoubt, with - 1G Suns visible on its three outward sides, but icy have not yet opened fire. Outside of these defences arc the rifle pits.— The Russian batteries at Tnktrman, their forts on the other side of tho Tchonaya and the work:, of Malakoff cover this redoubt, and con verge on the approaches in front of it. This explanation will convey an idea of the strength of the position whicK'tho French nightly con test. Dates of the encounters as follows: During the night of March 14th. their was a fierce affair 1 . The Russians had advanced some riflemen in front of the French lines, who caus ed considerable annoyance. When night fell a demi brigade of French went down nnddr<?ve them out. All the city batteries along the front immediately opened and continued a fu rious cannonade for half an hour, during which a stronger force of tho enemy advanced on the French and compelled them to retire, with a loss Of Gi wen: the Russian loss being proba bly more severe. The Russians re occupied the pits. On the night of the 15th, the French re newed tho attack and succeeded, with compar atively little loss, in driving out tho enemy’s riflemen, and occupying tho pits with their own. The French continued to hold those on the right, under a heavy 111©, over the 10 th and I7th March. Night of the . 17th. yet another encounter took place. At half-past six o’clock in the evening, tho French, who bad retired before the ili-i) from tho batteries, marched down to re occupy Uie ambuscades, but found the Rus sians had anticipated them. A fierce conflict immediately commenced, but it was evident tho Russians were in strong force, and the French again and again homo bach by the weight of fire. For four hours and a half tlwy persevered in their attempts, and all that time a continuous roll of musketry rang out, broken only by brief pauses in the advance. In these lulls the British could distinctly hear the voices of the French officers cheering on their men — 4 En auant, mes enfansV *A’n apaitt, Zouaves!* — and tho tramp* of feet and the rush of men. follow 1’ then a roll of musketry was heard, diminishing in volume to rapid file fighting. — Then a Russian cheer—then more musketry— a few dropping shots, and tho voices of the of ficers once more. The Zouaves boro the brunt of the fight,and the action was somewhat peculiar, ns artillery took no part in it. Tho British 2d, 3d,4ch and light divisions were told off for octlon.and the entire British camp remained under arms until the French desisted from their attack: but as the gallant French make it a point of honor , .to take those pits without aid, no assistance , was offered. The French were 5000 strong, and they state their loss at 150 killed and wotinded, besides a few prisoners. , On the 18th, a reinforcement of 15 000 men entered Sebastopol. None of tho Russian bat teries fired a shot to day. Tho Russians con tinue to throw up defences from the ravines of i Inkcrman to the sca-sido south of tho Belbck. To day another body of Russians, apparently about 15,000 strong was observed to march towards Mackenzie’s farm, and were reported to have crossed tho Tchcrnayo and advanced upon Baidan. At four P. M., of the 18lh, Gen. Canrobert, with a small escort, passed down tho Woroiv bow road, by tho British right attack, and carefully examined 'tho pits. 1 At nightfall, a strong force of French, with six field-pieces was moved down on tho left of their extreme right, and another unsuccessful attempt was made to take the pits from the Russians. After some hours heavy firing of artillery and small arms, both parlies withdrew. Three unsuccessful attacks-were mndo by tho French cromorningi Their loss was about 180. Tho British batteries, on tho 18lh, continued to throw shot and shell into tho inatuclon or new redoubt. Thu Russians succeeded in holding tho pits, and aro engaged in constructing a formidable work on tho mamelon', although frequently in terrupted by tho French and English batteries. Tho French persevere lh working forward. — Reinforcements were reported to bo on their way from Russia, and tho Otlr Russian division had reached the vicinity of Eupatoria. Tho Russian position on tho Tchcrnaya remained unaltered, Princo Gortschakoft had arrrived at Baksebi Serai, and had taken command of tho army. Princo Mcnsohlkoffit was reported, had died on hia way to Moscow. SERIOUS ENGAGEMENT BEFORE THE UALAKOPF TOWER. A 1 telegraph from Paris mentions that a de spatch has been received from Gen. Canrobert, dated March 20lh, giving an account of a sor tie made by the Russians, on tho night of tho 23d March. Ho states that tho Russians were driven hack with a,loss of no fewer than 2000 killed and wounded, the allied losa being 600. THU LATEST. Gen. Weddell’s return as Rruasipn Envoy to Paris has been countermanded, and Col* 01* berp, attache of Prussia,has also been recalled, indicating that the negotiations aro dosed. . COiIUEnCJAIi-INriLLIGENOE. t BnHAosTOFFis.—The circular’ of '.Brown, Shipley’& Co./quotesßreadstufisas .generally wilnoat changes; Western Canal .Flour, old. 425; new39s; Ohio4ss* White-Wheat, 12s 6d j'rcd do 11s Ed., White and Yellow Cora 435; mixed 42s Cd. s’- : ■ Provisions.—The Provision market is gene rally unchanged, prices are somewhat stiffer, but not quotauly higher. Lard has advanced Is; HORRIBLE POISONING- CASE. E.OTE AND CRIME. We Poisoning hot Husband—Guilt Confessed; Mrs. Bogan, at Plqua, Ohio, has been ar rested upon the charge of murdering.her bus* band, which crime, It is,said, she has confessed; The Dayton Journal of the 12th gives <ho full particulars of (he affair} as elicited in the pre liminary Investigation, some of which will bo read with.interest by our readers.' The Jour ual thus described the parties t ' “Mrs. Elisabeth Began/ who stands charged with the murder of her husband by the adminis tration of the-daughter oi Martin Cun ningham, an old and esteemed citizen of Coles vlile, Mlaiul county. She is apparently about twenty-two years of age, medium height, has blue eyes and brown hair, and may be pronoun ced a good looking woman. SfUKis a member of the Methodist Episcopal ChUreli, and was glways considered by those who knew'her to bo a’good Christian, a kind and affectionate wife, and an exemplary member of society. But, : in the face of nil this, she committed one of the most Cold-blooded murders ever recorded in the annals of crime. Her husband is said to have •been nn honest, temperate.ami Industrious me chanic, always providing well for his family, and never so happy as when administering to the comforts of her he fto dearly loved, but from whom ho received the basest ingratitude in re turn. . “James D. Mowry, also a citizen of Coles yillo, wor arrested soon sifter the commission of the murder, upon the charge aboVo stated. He Is a man of property, has n wife and three dill-, dron, and has always home a good name. lie Is about thirty-five years of ago, five feet ten inches in height, and as 111-favored a man os one Would see In a day’s journey. Mowry lias,been a member of the Methodist Church, in good standing, for many years. Upon the conclusion of the testimony on Monday evening, Mowry seemed In good spirits, and most of those who heard it wero convinced oi his Innocence, and deeply sympathised with him. But on Tuesday morning, after hearing the testimony of Mrs. Hogan, the public mind underwent a great change; the sympathies of a groat majority were enlisted in behalf of Mrs. Regan, and nearly every one seemed fully convinced of the guilt of Mowry.,” Mrs. Regan made a full confession of her guilt, the chief cause of which was her passion for Mowry. Tho latter had, for a long lime, been Importuning her to murder her husband. Some four months ago she wrote him the foF lowing letter on the subject i 49 “Piqi’a, December 7, 1854. «* Dear Jimmy j-i-Onco again I am seated to write a few lines to you. I said I would not writo any more, hut you know I can’t refrain trom it, and as 1 have been living In a perfect hell—if you will allow me tho expression, It is a hard one, but nevertheless true—and I have been tormented day and night siuco I c;imu homo. Ho saw mo kiss you, and that was enough. Oh, how I havo had to suffer for itf I dlduot think ho saw me. he.wes watching mo. I am so near beside myself I hardly know what lam doing. Ho says I shall not go homo any more, and bo says he will not get mo any more clothes, and then I cah’t go as much as 1 have. Now, I can’t stand this any longer, and I ap peal to you fur help. I have thought of one more plan; I am going to make one more propo sition to you, and if you will do itl will grant you the request you havo so long aaktd of nic, as soon as you do wlmt I want you to do, or before, Ifyonwlll only,do afflwaut you. Now, it is this: You make a proposition to him to go with you to look at some now country—to Ore gon, or Wisconsin, or some other place—and l name the period right oft; and If be says lie has not tho moans, you toll him you will'furbish him tho means 11 ho will go tor Company; then I wltl-pcrsuado him to go, and then you can go on horseback or In tho cars, and you cun take your two horses and go the rest of the way— that Is, til! you got a good ways from here—and you can procure your poison and administer U in oysters, and ho will never know tho differ ence; you cun oat your oysters on the roud. or you can givo them to some farm-house; they will never know* tho difference, and you can pretend to tako it hard to think that you have to tarn back. When you can accomplish what I havo told you, then you can telegraph to mo that he is dead; I will tell.the Templars and havo them make up SUO, and send to you. to boar his expenses. If you will come up as soon as you got this, I will tell you nil about it, and then I will grant you the request. Como up right away, I can toll yon better. Now, dour, docomo; you know I love you; you aro well awaro of it. twill write no more till I sou yon. I Come up right away. My ink is pule. Yours, in life amt death.” “From yours, or ono that loves you.” This plan not being adopted by Mowry, silo administered tho poison herself. In the course of her confession she says: <* 1 procured arsenic nt tho drug store in Tip pecanoe on Friday; camo homo on Saturday, and administered it to my husband (ho next Thursday ; it was at dark. Mold Dr. BrownclP ho look it-himself; I repented of the act, and wanted tho doctor to save his fife; I have known nothing nt all since his death, until the day be. fore yesterday; I told Dr. Brownell not to say anything of it to Regan; 1 gave him only part of what lhad; ho camo homo at half past ten In the evening, sick; I gave him no more till Mon day morning, when 1 found ho tvas out of dan ger; I thought tho matter all over, and conclud ed I would givo him another dose; I knew Mowry was urglng.mo to do H; if It wore not for this same James Mowry! should not now be in tho fix I am; his words set heavily on my mind; I was wrought on to the highest pitch; that was tho lust I gave him. •«•* , » » . “R. C. Davis was In the room on Monday* when I gave him Ibo luat do«o of polaoh. 1 gave Uin chicken broth. I sunt for thin last poison by Mrs. Kelly’s son? had previously soul a Uttlo girl for It, with a note signed with a fic titious name, but sho could not get It. Told jfrs. Kolloy thnt I wnnlod It for mts. Gave my husband no powder In a glass, hut with a spoon, when James Temper was In. It was a powder the doctor had lolt.** Iljas, tub Lidrutink.*— Mr. Joseph Hiss was born In Baltimore, and some newspaper wri ters aro congratulating themselves with tho Idea that in stating this.fact,‘they remove a disgrace from Massachusetts. But this is a grave error. There is nothing shameful to tho c>ty of Baltimore in the accident of his birth there. There arc hundreds just like him in the parhelia of. every great city. But Balti more never took him up. and set him before the world ns a fitting Representative of the modes* ty, tho worth, tho intellect, and the refine ment, of tho city, tt was Boston which did all this, and upon his Buston constituents must rest the disgrace. Neither did nn organ ization of eighty thousand voters of Maryland select him as the person with whose reputation they would Identify tho honor of their order,by choosing him os ; their fittest man for “State Marshal of the Supremo order of the Star Spangled Banner." It was in Massachusetts that this singular taste was exhibited, and Massachusetts must pay tho penally by endu ring the reproach. ■ It is not just or reasonable to attempt to divide it with a State; which, so far as we know. Spewed him out years ago.— Salem (Mass) Gat. EFFECT! OP TDD PiIOniDITOUT LIQUOB LAW. Tho proprietor of a first class grocery In Broad* way, Now York, states that tho aerjjnnd foj wines and spirits for family uso, since tho pro* hibitory liquor law was passed,is unprecedent ed. Persons who formerly bought a gallon at n time, now purchase twenty or thirty gallons, with a view, probably, to storing an ample supply before the law goes into effect. . ■ ( [CorreifOndence.of Me Public Letter /ram ‘ Ilarrislmrg—The, Maine Un/nui —The Tonnage Tax* to. . u ■ ‘ftAßßfSßdAoV'£prii 21.1855 . The bill for the sdle.of tho Maine Line of th« Public Works pSisscd ,tbe House of Reprcsenta .lives,yesterday, Without nny’inaterial olteral lion; except'that the 'mmithum price was in creased to eight and t, half millions of dollaiS' The .bill requires the, association biddini? this work to be composed of : at least thirteen individuals, who, are required to deposit SIM 000 with, the Governor, in cosh or. Slate bonds' before ho is.authorized to entertain their nroJ posal. ;. The sliding scale of prices, before no ticcd,.wad retained as port of the bill, by tha operation of which the highest bidders will b* allowed tholohgefet credit; so that if the work sells for ten and a half millions, the purchasib will have nothing but. the interest on the pun chase money, at live per cent., to pay until af ter the expiration of- twenty years, when the principal is made payable in ten. equal annual instalments. The security -required by (he State for the payment of the principal is to U the bonds of the purchasers, which shall bo a lion upon the works, and State stocks to the amount of one-fourth of' the purchase money deposited in the State Treasury* So that tho company-purchasing these works at the mini mum price fixed in the bill will have to bo nos. sessed of an available capital of $1,225 QOO one million one hundred and twenty-five thou sand dollars of which will bo requited to & deposited as security in tho shape stocks, and the remaining 8100,000 placed in the Governor’s hands. But the,sliding scale of prices mokes it more advantageous for-a, com pany in bid flight in order to obtain ap extend, ed credit, although it requires a larger cash cap. uni in possession to make the .necessary deposit of State stock'. , Now suppose a company should bid the highest sum named in the bill, (81Q -500,000) they, would, require an immediate cap. ital of $2,725,000, and for this amount could take.possession of the works and use them for a period of twenty years, without giving tho Slate any further security than their bunds as a lien upon the works. . At live end of twenty years they might the‘line could not be made profitable, or.Troiu, some other con sideration, might conclude that it would bo more profitable to forfeit the bond ami security and permit the State to repossess herself of what was lift Of the ithprovmenls. Might hot this happen, and would not this bill so operate os to lease the Main Line for a period of twenty years for the sum of 82,725,000 V The bill to repeal tflo tonnage tax on coal and lumber, which has already passed the Senate, was discussed in ttic House yesterday, bat no vole taken upon it. The question is complica ted with the sale of the Public works, and the supposed effect it would have upon the price which the Pennsylvania Railroad 'Company would be disposed to give far them, id case ih\s tax is not removed. As an independent qncs tion.disconnectvdffom all other considerations, the taxation op these articles would in all proU ability bb removed, as the Slate desires rio rcV. enue from this source, and the tax amounts to a firoliihiliori.' Rut the desire not to rein we any inducements for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to purchase the Main Lino, will have a powerful influence in causing the, defeat ot this bill. h fijod law. The following flet introduced into the I cgis laturu, will douulhss become tt law. It ouahl to be made general. Hope at all events, that Cumberland county will be included: An Act for the preset vi&tion of insectivorous birds, and for the protection of fruit and fruit trees in Ihe coonty of Chester* Section 1. Be it rrtacted by tlw Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met and it is hereby enacted by tho authority of the same: That «o person shall wilfully kill or de stroy any imcctivoronsbird in- the county of Cluster, except game, crows, blackbirds, or birds of proy, nor enter upon any enclosed lands fur the purpose of hunting, with dogs, guns or otherwise, without consent of the own er or occupier (hereof, under A penalty of fivo dollars with costs of suit for each and every offence, to be sued for and recovered befort any magistrate, one half for tho use of the Common wealth and one half fur the use of the common schools of tho district. ; Section’ 2. That tho wrongful taking and carrying away of fruit, vegetables, plants,fruit or ornamental trees, vines or shrubs in the county aforesaid, whether attached to the soil or not, shall be deemed and the same is hereby declared a misdemeanor and punishable ns such In any amount, not exceeding double tho ralutf of the properly so taken arid no less than one dollar, tho penally to be recovered with costs of suit and be disposed of as provided for in thtf preceding section. , - Section'3. That any person or persons who shall wilfuly or rnalicimml j in said county ut ter or break down,through or over any orchard, garden, or yard .fence,’liot-bcd, hot or green house, or who shall wilfully dr maliciously club/ slouo, cut, bark, break or otherwise mutilate,- or-dnmage auy-fruit or ornamental tree, shrub, bush, plant, or vino trellis, arbour or hot*bed, hot or green house, or who shall wilfully or ma liciously trespass upun, or walk over, beat down, trample or hrany wise injure any grain, • grain, grass, vine, vegetable, or other growing crop in tho said county, shall and may on con eviction thereof in action of tresspass before any burgess or justice of the peace, or in any court of iuit* in said county, have judgment against him, her, or them, for any amount not less than five dollars, nor more than double the amount of the damage proved to have been done, when ever such xlamngo shall exceed the sum ol live dollars, with Costa of suit to be recovered and applied as In the previous sections of this act, ami Iho testimony- of the informer or of the owner or occupier of the premises shall in all cases bo admitted as evidence to establish the misdemeanor or trespass. Section 4. That m default of the payment of the fines and penalties imposed by thift act, tho acting magistrate may and shall commit tho party convicted to the jail of the proper county for not less than five nor more than twenty days. Suction 5. That this uct shall take effect from and after tho first day of August next. TJ;e Milllenalres of New Vork, The New York correspondent of the Chat les ion Courier makes the following mention of the millionaires of that city: ‘•William JJ. Astons our richest man/ /id inherited his wealth. Stephen Whitney, /for millions ; owes his fortune to speculations Ift tho cotton ami the rise in real estate. W.U. Asnimvall Tour millions; came of a rich family, ana gained vast increase of wealth In the ship ping business. James Ixmox, three millions, which he inherited. The lalo Peter Harmony, two millions : came to tins city ns a cabin hoy, and grew rioh by commerce. Tho Loriliarda, two millions; came, from France poor, and made their lingo fortune in tho tobacco and snuff business. Tho late Anson G. Phelps,ttvo millions: learned tho trade of a tinner, and made a fortunoin iron and copper. Alexander I). Stewart, two millions; now of tlio dry goods pnlaco; began business in a little fancy store. Of those who arc put down for a million and a half, George Law began life os a farm laborer, Cornelius Vanderbilt as a boatman, forgo as steward to Joseph Bonaparte. 0 (Ins millionaires, James Chcslerman began life * journeyman tailor; Peter Cooper os o gluc-ma* “George Bancroft, llcnry James. Professor Anthon, Thoa. McEJmth. end Dr. Francis are each stated to possess a hundred thousand Op l ' lars- EdWin Forresfia rated a quarter of a million; so Is Sidney E. Morse, of the «• *’ Oburver. William NiWo, it hundred thousand dollars; and Dr. Mott, wj hundred thousand. Banwmjg put down w eight hundred thousand; Bonnet at one fi“ dred and fifty thousand. i"® most remarkable statement of all is, that Oklll, of New York, has made ft quarter M • million 4oilars by keeping school r.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers