til MFTii?is mmmm. MM ft i! i! l! 1 i i i Raftsman's Jmmral. S. B. ROW, Editor asd Pboprietor. CLEARFIELD, PA., FEBRUARY 27, 1856. THE BAFTING BUSINESS. A correspondent of the Philadelphia Daily JVmu, writing from Williainsport under date of February 15th, says: 'An additional boom has very recently been completed on the river opposite this place, at an expense of several thousand dollars. I am fearful that the raftsmen, whose property may be destined for tho lower markets, will be much annoyed the coming season. There is another boom about completed at Northumberland. Jt is said that a bill is now before the Legisla te authorizing another boom at Jersey Shore. Should all the contemplated booms be con etructed, the owners of lands of timber in the counties above us must suffer a great inconve nience to get their lumber or timber to market the fact is the navigation of our beautiful river will be entirely obstructed." The erection of these booms is a matter in which the tizens of this county are directly interested, and should engage their immediate attention. Some action should be taken with out delay to prevent any hindrance to the free and safa navigation of the river by our rafts men, and the most direct way would be to lay the matter before the Legislature in such a form as will fully enlighten all the members of that body, a portion of whom, residing in sec tions where the timber business is not follow ed, are not expected to be fully aware of the great Injury that may be inflicted upon the easiness interests of a large and bardworking class of community, by legislation authorizing the construction of these booms. Mohk EvrDEjrcE. The Warren Mail, of the 16th inst., after copying a paragraph of ours following an article from the Pittsburgh Ga zette, regarding the position of Hon. D. Bar clay, the member to Congress from this Dis trict, says : fl"e arc not disposed to censure Mr. Barclay very severely till we see more of his official conduct, or misconduct, than the troublesome contest for Speaker exhibited. It is, however, fair to add, that his position in this county during the canvass of 1554, was the same as in Clearfield as given above. We do not recall his precise language as to the restoration, of the Missouri Compromise, nor is It material. But we never heard an Anti-Nc-bra&ka speech more strongly Anti-Nebraska than Mr. Barclay's. All that pledges could do to secure the Anti-Nebraska vote of Warren County he did, and with success. We heard him say nothing on the subject of American ism, bnt, as we stated after the election, ho satisfied others that he was one of that order, and we know that he was supported as an A merican and Anti-Nebraska man generally IIow far thoso pledges and assurances will be honorably redeemed, we may perhaps tell by and by, if not now." PrBLic Schools of Pexxstlvasia. We are indebted to Hon. A. G. Curtin for a copy of the Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools. From it we learn that during the past year the whole number of districts was 1,632; of schools 10,169 ; number of Bchools yet required, 6-39 ; average number of months taught, 5J ; number of male teachers, S,003 ; of female teachers, 4,140 ; average salaries of male teachers per month, $22,29, and of fe male $14,89; whole number of male schcITi," 295,889; wholo nnmber of female Scholar?, 233,120 ; number of scholars learning German, 10,015; average cost of teaching for one schol ar per month, 58 cents ; whole amount of tax levied for school purposes, $1,22,223 70; amount of tax levied for building purposes, $159,076 45; total amount of tax levied for the system, $1,354,937.04 ; amount received from the State appropriation $159,554.17; a mount received from collectors, $1,137,992.61; cost of construction, $1,041,571.96; cost of fuel and contingencies, $110,383.19; cost of school houses, purchasing, building, renting, repairing, &c, $2C6,198.76. These totals do not include the Philadelphia public schools, which are organized under an independent sys tem, and make no report to the Superintendent. Destructive Feesuet. Cincinnati,Feb.24. A freshet commenced yesterday in the Lick ing river, and the ice breaking up, unusual quantities of it wero thrown into the Ohio riv er, breaking up the ice oppoosite the city, and causing grest destruction among the steam boats along the levee. Seven steamboats were sunk. They were all stern wheel boats, and will probably be totally lost. There is, in ad dition, a number of other boats injured, and a considerable nnmber of flat boats and barges sunk. The total loss so far is estimated at $200,000. The Ohio river has risen 8 feet in the last 12 hours, and as the waters are still in creasing further damago is anticipated. Thk Licesse Box of Mr. Brown, the sut- stance of which we gave in an article last week, passed the Senate finally, by a vote of 20 to 11, on last Thursday. The Ilarrisburgh Telegraph is of opinion that in its present shape it can hardly pass the House, but that some snch bill seems likely to pass before tho close of the session. i National Repxtblicax Cosvejitios. This body assembled at Pittsburgh, on the 22d inst, We have not, as yet, learned the result of its , deliberations. Measures were being adopted to effect a complete organization of the party, V- and to place im nomination a candidate for Pre-atdnt. THE FSIENDS OF P0FEEY. We recently published an article, giving tho action of the House of Representatives of this State on a bill to protect Protestant citizens of the United States in the right of worship and of conscience while in Catholic countries, and to secure them the right f Christian burial. The bill, in fact, was nothing more than a mere resolution of request and instruction to our Senators and Representatives in Congress to use their efforts and vote for any measure that would accomplish the object contemplated. The Democratic Solons of the lower House, however, 6aw in it a taint of Americanism, and so voted it down,. But more recently they have made a better display of their attachment to the Pope's interests, by passing a bill for the incorporation of a Catholic Monastery of the Franciscan Brothers of Cambria County. 0n its final passage in the nousc, the bill re ceived the vote of every Locofoco member present," excepting Mr. Fry, f Lehigh, who voted against it because be thought the power to incorporate was vested in the Courts. Here is an instance of the servility of the Democra cy to Catholicism too palpable to be allowed to pass by without directing attention to it, and to the institution which they are authori zing to be reared among the towering hills of our own State. The members of this order, if we mistake not, are bound by secret oaths to implicit obedience to their superior at Rome, who in all things governs aud directs them. Their sole object is the spread and perpetuity of the Papal power, and for this end, schools are opened t which Protestant youths are ad mitted, and the most persevering and insidious wiles made use of to pervert their minds and induce them to embrace Catholicism. It was against institutions of this character that the Reformers of the sixteenth century rose and contended, until the light of Troth broke iu upon the moral gloom which enshrouded the people of Europe, and exposed to the world the licentiousness, degradation and crime which pervadjd these establishments. And now, when the sovereigns of the old world, awakened to the evil tendencies of monaster ies, are arraying themselves against them, the effort is made by Democratic legislators to rear them in tho very heart of Pennsylvania. Ma. Emroa : It is now evident, every re flecting American citizen, that there are but two principles that govern the present Admin istration of this great Republic. The advance ment of political Romanism, and the exten sion of human Slavery, either of which, when in the hands of the majority, will greatly en danger, if not entirely overthrow our illustri ous Union. But when we find their influenco, their strength, and their capital, united against the best interests of our government, may we not fear, and tremble, for the welfare of our country, especially when all the powers of these two withering despotisms are combined, and led by the President of the United States, against the chief interest of the American peo ple. As a citizen of our common country ,and having the right, with others, to express my opinion upon matters of public, as well as pri vate interest, I therefore charge the People's servant, the President of our Republic, with gross and dangerous perversions, and neglect, in the administration of the government. 1st. I charge him with violating the public faith, by breaking up a solemn contract, be tween the two great sections of our country, which will greatly endanger, if not entirebr dissolve our Union. 2d. 1 charge him with perverting the govern ment, by using his official authority to extend human slavery over territory now free. 3d. I charge him with official kishonesty, in removing competent and honorable men, and promoting armed ruffians, favorable to slavery to office. 4th. I charge him with neglect of official du ty, in not aiding the lawful citizejns$fKan in the protection of their persons and their property, againf the attacks of lawless mobs, -Tfrjm a neighboring State. 6th. I charge him with cruelty, in aiding and abetting, by his recent messages to Con gress, and otherwise, the riots, robberies, and murders committed by the border ruffians of Missouri against the citizens of Kansas. 6th. I charge him with despotism, in using his official influence to extend the system of Slavery, to the great injury of all the poor whites of the South, as well as to all classes of tha North. 7th. I charge him with tyranny, in taking up and appointing to one among the highest ofii ces in the government, a man whom the peo ple had repudiated by their votes. 8th. I charge him with anti-republicanism, by appointing or having appointed Roman Catholics to offices of profit and trust, over all others thereby aiding the Pontiff to establish political Romanism iu this couutry. . 9th. I charge him with being untrue to his country, in appointing all kinds of foreigners to offices, over competent and honest native born American citizens. 10th. I charge him with contempt for the American people, in suffering without rebuke, foreign nations to flood our shores with their paupers and felons, until our country is over run with numbers sufficient not only to fill our prisons and penitentiaries, and to corrupt the morals of our people, but to rule the ballot-box. If then these charges are true and no can did citizen dare deny them, for they are a matter of history then is it not highly ne cessary, that the people begin to understand and prepare themselves for the approaching contest, at the ballot-box, that they may be fully able to overthrow, and hurl from power this double headed despotism, of Political hu man Slavery, and Foreign Political Roman ism. But the problem that now presents itself for solution is, how shall this triumph be ac complished ? The answer is easy. Let all the parties opposed to the present National Ad ministration, unito their forces, and come up in one nnbroken column,' and they will make as clear a sweep as Washington made ot the foreigners at Trenton. C. J. Clearfield County, Feb. 19, 156. AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL. . The American National Council met at Phi ladelphia on the 18th inst. Delegates appear ed from every State but Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Ver mont. For two days reporters were refused seats, but on the 20th they were admitted. The Platform adopted in June last, was re scinded, and tho following substituted : 1st. An humble acknowledgment to the Su premo Being for His protecting care vouch safed to our fathers in their successful Revo lutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their descendants, in the preservation of the liberties, the independence and the union of these States. 2J. The perpetuation of the Federal Union and Constitution, as the palladium of our civ il and religious liberties, and the only sure bulwark of American Independence. 3d. Americans must rule America, and to this end, native boru citizens should bo selec ted for all State, Federal and Municipal offices or government employment, in preference to all others. 4th. Persons born of American parents resi ding temporarily abroad, should bo entitled to all the rights of native born citizens. 5th. No person should bo selected for poli tical station (whether of native or foreign birth) who recognises any allegiance or obli gation, of any description, to any foreign prince, potentate or power, who refuses to recognise the Federal and State Constitutions (each within its sphere) as paramount to all other laws as rules of political action. 6th. The unqualified recognition and main tenance of the reserving rights of tho several States, ard the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good-will between the citizens of the several States, and to this end, non-interference by Congress with questions appertaining solely to the individual States, and non-intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State. 7th. The recognition of the right of the na tive born and the naturalized citizens of the United States, permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to frame their Constitution and laws, and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their own mode, suljoct only to the provisions of the Federal Constitution, with the privilege of admission into the Union-whenever- they have the requisite population for one Representative in Congress ; Provided always, That none but thoso who are citizens of the United States, under the Constitution and laws thereof, and who have a fixed resi dence in any such Territory, ought to partici pate in the formation of the Constitution, or in the enactment of laws for said Territory or State. 8th. An enforcement of tho principlo that no State or Territory ought to admit others than citizens of the United States to the right of suffrage, or of holding political office. 0th. A change in the laws of naturalization, making a continued residence of twenty -onu years, of all not heretofore provided for, an in dispensable requisite for citizenship hero af ter, and excluding all paupers, and persons convicted of crime, from landing upon our shores; but no interference with the vested rights of foreigners. 10th. Opposition to any union between Church and State; no interference with religious faith or worship, and no test-oaths for office. 11th. Free and thorough investigation into any and all alledged abuses of public func tionaries, and a strict ecqnomy in public ex penditures. 32th. Tho maintenance and enforcement of all laws constitutionally enacted, until said laws shall be repealed or shail be declared null and void by competent judicial authority. 13th. Opposition to the recklass and unwise policj of the present Administration in tho general management of ouf national affairs, and more especially as shown in removing "Americans" (by designation) and conserva tives in principle, from office, and placing for eigners and ultraists in their places; as shown in a truckling subserviency to the stronger, and an insolent and cowardly bravado towards the weaker powers ; as shown in rc-opening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Mis souri Compromise; as shown in granting to unnaturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its va cillating course on the Kansas and Nebraska question ; as shown in the corruptions which pervado some- of the departments of the gov ernment; as shown in disgracing meritorious naval officers through prejudice or caprico ; and as shown in tho blundering mismanage ment of our foreign relations. 14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and prevent the disastrous consequences oth erwise resulting therefrom, wo would buildup the "American party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated. 15th. That each State Council shall have authority to amend their several Constitu tions, so as to abolish the several degrees, and institute a pledge of honor, instead of other obligations for fellowship and admission into the party. 16th. A free and opon discussion of all po litical principles embraced in our platform. President Pierce has done all in his power to win the South to his standard, but the Co lumbia, S.C., Times, a Democratic paper which desires his nomination, thinks that tho Southern politicians will sacrifice him to some candidate who will be more available at the North. In proof of this it cites the guarded expression of opinion put forth by the Georgia Democratic State Convention, and au editorial extract from the Augusta,Ga.,Co?wri7ttttoiuz7j. The Germans of Cincinnati held a meeting on the 21st inst, at which strong resolutions condemnatory of the Kansas Nebraska act were passed. Upwards of one thousand per sona were present, and the greatest harmony prevailed. The boot and shoe trade of Cincinnati said to be over $4,000,000 annually. is THE AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION- This Convention met on Saturday last, at Sansom Street Hall. Tha body was called to order by the President, at 10 o'clock. Rev. Mr. Campbell offered an apppropriate prayer. The Chair stated that this was a nominating Convention, and that it had not met to discuss the distracting questions of the day. The time for such discussions had gone by. Applause. It was rnnounced that Mr. Hazelhurst of Pa., had retired, and that his alternate, Mr. Martin, would take his place. Mr. E. Small, of Penn. announced that he had a paper which he would offer as a compromise on the slavery question. After some discussion, the resolutions of Mr. Small were read they were as follows: Resolved, That we repudiate all platforms adopted by tho National Councils. Resolved, That this Convention put forth as a simple platform of the American Party Tuk Bible and the Coxstitction and upon that rear the following five points of fellowship : 1. American Institutions should be controll ed only by America's men. 2. American labor should be protected from foreign competition. 3. American resources should be adopted by every legal means. 4. American compromise?, made in good faith, should be observed in spirit at least as a guaranty of American integrity and loyalty. o. American citizens abroad should be pro tected in their rights of conscience, of religi ous worship and honorable burial. The chair said he had already stated that the object of the meeting was to make a nom ination, and not to discuss distracting ques tions. Various motions were made, some of which were entertained by the President, and he became so befogged and bewildered that it was impossible to understand the position of affairs so inextricably were they confused. Gov. Call, of Florida, finally had the floor. accorded him for the purpose cf speaking up on the resolutions. He spoke of the lowering aspect of affairs. lie proclaimed himself a Union man. A dozen or more delegates took advantage of a pause, to claim tho floor. Gov. Call said he had not ended. Laughter. Mr. Small obtained permission and said that lie would accord with the views of Gov. Call, for the sake of harmony, aud would, if the lat ter would abide by it, strike out all in his res olutions after the words "Bible and the Con stitution." Applause. Gov. Call did not seem to relish this ar rangement, and again stated his determina tion to retire. He had come to battle against the innovations of the foreign party in the U. States, and the influence of theJFope of Rome. Gov. Call now said "Farewell." Voices "New York is with you !" "Pennsylvania is wiih you !" Applause and hisses. The wildest kind-of an excitement here fol lowed. Twenty delegates endeavored to obtain the floor, which was accorded to Mr. Bartlett, of Ky., who made an earnest appeal to Gov. Call, and others, not to leave and desert their friends in the Convention. lie would say to Massachusetts and Pennsylvania that wc have had enough of platform making. He iraplored Mr. Small towithdrawhisresolution. Mr. Bart lett feelingly appealed" to the delegates cot to destroy the hopes of the American party. The speaker was earnest and eloquent in his appeal for harmony, and tears coursed down his cheeks while speaking. In onclusion, Mr. Bartlett moved that this Convention do now adjourn to tho 3d of July next. Cries of "No" "Yes" "Second the mo tion" "Vote it down." Mr. Bartlett accepted an amendment fixing Louisville, Ky., as the place of meeting. The President decided that the motion was not in order under the peculiar circumstances. Tho decision was appealed from. A motion was made to lay the appeal upon the table. The amendment fixing the place of meeting was withdrawn. The business before the Con vention was on motion laid on the table. The motion to f djourn until the 3d of July was then renewed. Great cxcitementfollowed crios for 'Walk er,' call "the aye3 and nays" and all sorts of confusion. A motion was made to lay the motion to adjourn on the table. The question was taken on the motion to Iay on the table, and the motion was voted down. A delegate "All Philadelphia is voting out there." The ayes and nays were demanded and ta ken on the motion to lay upon the table. Sev eral delegates gave their views when their names were called. There was so much eon fusion that the President pretested that he would be compelled to stop the proceedings, if better order was not preserved. The Convention rc-asscmbled on Monday. Much excitement prevailed, and after consid erable talk, the motion to lay Mr. Small's res olutions on the table was negatived by a vote of 141 to 60. The previous question was then ordered, after which a resolution, declaring that the Convention forthwith proceed to nom inate candidates for President and Vice Pres ident, was carried by a vote of 151 to 61. The Convention then proceeded to nominate. Mr. Stewart nominated Millard Fillmore for Pres ident, and Mr. Sly, W. R. Smith, of Alabama, for Vice President. At this juncture, the Connecticut delegation withdrew. It is sup posed that New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Io wa, and in part Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachu setts and Illinois will bolt The West Chester, (Pa.) Examiner says "Wo published, a Tew days ago, an article rel ative to a young woman, about 19 years of ago, in Warwick township, Chester county, who had fifteen needles extracted from her foot Marvelous as the circumstance was regarded at the time, the truth has not all been told Since the first needles were removed, twenty five more have been extracted f rom tho same foot, and one surgeon who operated informs us that he thinks there are some ten or fifteen more yet imbedded in the foot. Dr. Heckel informs us that the needles lie in and about the instep, and that the points having worked to the surface, they are easily extracted by for ceps. In some instances an incision was made, and the needles removed. The limb docs not appear very sensible to pain. The young wo man alleges that some ten years ago she jump ed or stepptd on a needle cushion, and that the needles entered her foot, and have since remained there, causing no pain until recently. Foreign News bt thb Casada. The town of Kara has been occupied by two Russian bat tallions, while a third occupies Gen. Mouravi cfl's former camp. The captured guns and stores have been removed to Alexandrcpol. Letters from Erzeroum predict an approaching scarcity of Lreadstuffs. It is reported that Turkey is about to mediate between Persia and England. Queen Victoria opened the British Parliament on the 31st of January. In the House of Lords, Earl Gosford moved an address in response to the Queen's speech. The Earl cf Derby characterized the speech as very bare, cold and meagre thought it ought to have referred to the affairs with America, In dia and the Colonies, as well as in relation to the fall of Kars. He asserted that the Govern ment had violated the laws of the United Sta tes, in enlisting men, and owed our govern ment an apology. Lord Clarendon replied, and in the course of his speech, stated he had offered to refer the difficulty with the United States, in reference to the Clayton-Bulwer trea ty, to tho arbitration of a third party, but the proposition had been declined. He had re newed it, however, and it was now under con sideration. He stated that tho government sustained the conduct of Mr. Crampton, but thought the whole difficulty susceptible of an easy solution. In tho House of Commons, immediately upon taking his seat, Admiral Napier moved a call for the papers in relation to the expedition to the Baltic, under Lis com mand. In France, peace is anticipated as cer tain. The Moniieur publishes a decree fixim the import duty on raw cotton brought from the entrepots by French vessels, at 25 francs per 100 killogrammes, being a reduction of five francs on the rates fixed by tho tariff of 1815 Tim rmnii-.,. A.. -:. - - - respect for his illustrious ally, and in respect to Queen Victoria, has pardoned Col. Turr. Bombay dates to January 2d, state that the Santal insurrection had been suppressed, and that quiet reigned In India. Great Biitain is about to extinguish the native government of Oude. Lato intelligence from Canton states that Messrs. Aspinwall, McKcnzie & Co. had suspended payments, with liabilities amount ing to S750,000. Threats had been made to stop the trade-in tea and silks, from the 7th of December. A private despatch has been re ceived from Halifax to the effect that the stea mer Pacific was safe, and that having been dis abled, she had put back into the river Shan non. This news rests upon the authority of a letter from a young man named James Camp bell, who went to England in the steamer Can ada, on her last trip, and writes from Liver pool to Messrs. Murdock & Co., at Halifax, that in consequonce of severe weather, the Pacific was obliged to put into the Shannon river on her way out of the Channel. Toe Kansas Qcestiox is Conc&es3. The Washington correspondent of the Harrisburgh Telegraph, writing under date of the 19th inst., says: "Tho Kansas question was upon tho ta pii to-day in both ends of the capitol. In the Senate Mr. Wilson spoke upon the President's Kansas message, and in spito of the feeling entertained towards him by the Southern and the Northern Nebraska Senators, they could not refrain from listening to him while he de picted the lawless and ruffianly state of things in Kansas. He spoke of tho visit of Gov. Reeder to this city just after the elections had been held there for members of the Legisla ture, and tho representations he had mado to the President. He referred to the speech made by Gov. R. at Easton, in which he de clared that Kansas had been conquered. But notwithstanding these representations and pub lic declarations, no steps were then taken, not a finger moved by the President to protect the citizens against the lawless and brutal violence of the "border ruffians." An 1 why was this not done ? For the very reason that the Mis souri Compromise was repealed that a large territory consecrated to freedom should be spread over with Slavery. In the House Mr. Hickman, of Pa., submitted a resolution cal ling for information iu regard to the election of delegates and authorizing the committee wn elections to send for persons and papers. This at once roused the Nebraska men, and it was opposed by Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, Mr. Stephens, of Ga., and advocated by Mr. Hick man and Mr. Washburn, of Maine. Mr. Hickman on this occasion took the House by surprise, evincing a clearness of mind, an acumen, a force of logic, and a skill in debate which were quite unlocked for, aud which baffled the sharp and practical debater Stephens. Mr. II. exhibited so rafleh skill, ability, presence of mind and thorough know ledge of tho subject, as to win the confidence of the House,, and enable him hereafter at all times to command its attention. Mr. Stephens, of Ga., moved to recommit the resolution to the Committee on Elections, with instructions to report the grounds upon which they ask the power to send for persons and papers, which motion failed by the casting vote of the Speaker being given to make a tie. The vote, a very small one 68 to 67 was nearly a division, Mr. Dunn, of Indiana, being the only anti-Nebraska member who voted with the Nebraska members on this occasion. Beforo the vote upon the resolution was taken, the Houso adjourned. Should the resolution pass, the Sergeant-at-Arms will have a large and verv profitable undertaking. A Demonstration or the Leap-Year. A rather singular and amusing occurrence took place near Cochranville, Chester county, Pa., a few weeks since. A Mr. Bachtell, from Me dina, Ohio,was introduced to a Miss Duquet, of Chatham, Cbestercounty, about four o'clock in the afternoon of tho 16th ult., and married her within three hours afterwards. Both are said to bo worthy and respectable persons, but vrr livelv. They were jesting upon the sub ject of matrimony, when she, jestingly, "pop. ped the question,' to wnicu ne acceeaea. One reply brought on another until they went to th parson's and had the ceremony performed. LATEST TTrtnttr Tho steamship Atlantic, with Llrerri dates to Feb. 6th, and the Asia, with da. to Feb. 9th, arrived at New York on Sunday Tha Atlantic was detained three dvs jn lA, fields of ice. Neither steamer brings aa of the missing steamer Pacific. The A' brings presents from the British government consiting of plate, medals, &c, for the officu and crew of the Arctic expedition, under Dr. Kane. The two subjects of especial ictere.t In our forefgn files aro the Peace NegoUi tions; and a fresh alarm in Enzland about . war with the United States. Peace Negotiations .Vienna. Feb i The French and British Ministers yesterday r. ceived instructions to sign the so-often men- uonea protocol. Immediately after the re ceipt of their despatches, Sir H. Seymour anf . v vurueney communicated their con tents to the Austrian Minister for Foreign Af. fairs and to the Turkish Embassy. In Ue" course of the evening it was settled that th representatives of England, France, Turkey and Russia, should meet at the Foreign -otfic at 12 to-day, and then and there sign tho im portant document in question. At the ap pointed hour the four foreign diplomatists had assembled, and they and Count Buel attached their signatures to the subjoined protocol : "In consequence of the acceptance bv their respective Courts of the five propositions con tained in the document hereunto annexed, un der the title of 'Draft of Preliminaries' the undersigned, after having paragraphed it, con formably to the authorization received to that effect, have agreed that their Gavernments shall each nominate Plenipotentiaries, who, furnished with the full powers necessary for proceeding to the signature of formal prelimi naries of peace, shall conclude an armistice and a definitive treaty of peace. The said Plenipotentiaries will have to assemble at Paris within the term of three weeks. daMnr from this day, or sooner if it can be done." "Done at lenna, this 1st day of February, 1S5G." (The Five Signatures.) England. In the beginning of the weak there was considerable excitement in Eng land, owing to a rumor that the dispatc with the ITnitcd States had reached a crisis, nnd thai Mr. Buchanan had demanded his pagg ports. The latest reports, however, do not confirm this. On the contrary, it is stated by the Londod Advertiser that Sir Henry Bulwer the negotiator ot the Clayton-Bnlwer treaty, ha3 oflered to servo as a sort of mediator be tween the two governments, and that, in con cert with a member of Parliament of great diplomatic experience, he is endeavoring to arrive at a solution of the difficulty which may be more acceptable to both parties than th plan of arbitration. This movement is said to be at Lord Palmerson's instigation. The Advertiser is tho only paper that refers to it. The following story appears in the Paris "Constitutionnel :" -The He du Roi, a pari ot the domain of Neuilly, was yesterday tho the atre of a mysterious event. At about 10 o' clock in the morning, a boatman, In a state of great excitement, presented himself to th Commissary of Police and made the following deposition : "About an hour ago, as I wu standi ng oil tho bank of the river near my boat, a carriage drove up from which thero alighted 6 gentlemen, remarkably well dressed, of whom three wore the decoration of tho Le gion of Honor. They appeared very gy. My friend,' said one of them to me, w:llyou ro- us over to the island ?' 'Certainly ?aid I, and ten T unutes after thy all landed there. They then began to look more serious. ' I wanted to retire, but they desired me to slay, and, while two of them remained behind to watch me, the ethers walked on to a groJi cS' trees, on the other sfd-a of which they rtcj.pe. I then found they had corns to Cfht a a.I. I saw the swords, and heard ILn cli: i cf lbe.r. one against the other while tis f:gbt laste-I, which was but a very short titue. Press r.;Iy the dead body of one of the persons was bro't down to my boat. He had received a sword thrust right through his breast, and was cov ered with blood. According to the little I could gather from the conversation I heard, the duel arose out of a quarrel which occurred at the last masquerade ball at the Opera. The seconds had the appearance of military men executing their orders. I took them back a cross tho Seine. They placed the corpse in their carriage and drove off to Paris." The Commissary of Police immediately instituted an inquiry, but hitherto his investigations hare been without success. That Is the way things are done up in France. The Cotton Mastf atchks or thb U. S. The Report of the Socretary of tha Treasury contains some useful memoranda in relation to the Cotton manufactures of the U- States, as furnished by tho non. Philip Allen. Mr.A. estimates tho amount of cotton consumed in the U. States, during the year ending August 31, '55, at 673,584 bales, of which 80,000 bab?s were consumed in Virginia and the States south of it. It is estimated that 704,465,734 pounds of yarn wero spun from cotton in Eng land during tho year ending January, 1855, of which 440,168,431 wre exported, and the bal anco retained for home consumption. Tho quantity of yarn produced in the U. States is stated at 230,78C,000 lbs. The average valu of a pound of cotton manufactured is 28 cents, making a total for last year's manufacture of $61,406,080. Tho value of cotton manufac tures exported was $4,857,181. The imports of cotton manufactures retained for consump tion wero valued at S 18.385,327. The total supply of cotton goods for domestic consump tion was $77,134,226. ;- - E. H. Jansen, lato State Treasurer of Wis consin, is reported to be a defaulter in tho sum of $39,000. . Some one in the Cleveland Herald ssys, "it is so cold that the cows have to bo driven into the house to thaw their bags beforo milting.' The mercury must get considerably 'below frtttt 'out West.' ' ! I ft t ;! -1 L i 1 n n II