Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

BY JOHN HI. COOPER. W. T. THOMPSON,., EDITOR tuki : DA1LT PAPER $4 00 | TRl-WRBKL* $2 00 All NewAdvortig«fncnt* appear in both pipers. Professor Webster's Trial. We gave yesterday a sketch of the trial of Dr. Webster for the murder of Dr. Parkman, now in progress in Boston. We did not repeat the testimony, at it contained nothing more than what has already been published. As much interest is felt in the proceedings, wo give this morning the address of the Attorney General to this Jury on the opening of the case. At 10 o’clock, on the 23d, the drafting was completed, hud the following gentlemen duly sworn and einpannelled as the jury: Thou. Barrett, printer; John Borrowscnle, slater; Kobort J. Byram, locksmith; James Crosby, elwrk; John B. Davenport, painter; Albert Day, dry goods dealer; Jos. Eustit, merchant; Dsuiel f. h uller, of North Chelsea; Benjamin H. Greene, book-seller; Arnold Haywaid, car penter ; F. A. Henderson, furnisher | Stephen A. Siackpole, clerk. The Court appointed Robert J. Byram foreman of the jury. The indictment was then read. It contains four counts; that Professor Webster murdered Dr. Parkman by stubbing him in the left breast with a knife ; by a blow with a hammer upon the head; by striking and kicking him with his hands and feet; or by some other means did deprive him of life. The Attorney General, Mr. Clifford, then ad dressed tho jury. He said that he should con fine himself to a simple statement of tho evi dence, without endeavoring to bias their minds in regard to it. He should content himself with such an utterance of the facts as would facilitate their investigations, and show them the grounds upon which the grand jury had made their presentment. Thin indictment involved two propositions ; first, that Dr. George Turkman bad been mur dered; and second, dint Dr. John W. Webster was the murderer. They should offur testimony to show that Dr. Parkmun was alive and wall on the morning of Friday the 23d of November,up to within about ten minutes before 2, o’clock, when he was seen to en:er tho Medical College in Grove stroet. On that day he had purchused a quanti ty of lettuce, which he hud evidently intended to take home to dinner, for his daughter, who was sick. He did not return; and this, from his par ticular habits, of being punctually at home at a certain hour, gave his family alarm They however waited till die next morning be fore they made any public movement. On that dav a general search was commenced. The police were ongaged in it. Notices were publish ed in the evening papers of Saturday, calling the attention of the public to general facts. Rumors of his having heen seen were rife. They were traced, and found to be entirely un founded. His friends were so much affected by these report* that in their public notices they s inctionedwie of them ; but at length it was found that the parties wore either mis taken In the time or the person. The entire police of the city were brought into requisition, and hrge rewards were offered; but, 'When the rewards brought no tidings of his having wondered away, that hope vanished, iifi deepened into certainty that tie was not in the land of the living. On Sunday his family learned fram Dr. Web ster that he had been in hi* company between the hours of I and 2 o’clock, on the 23 of No vember. The search wus continued, through the week, Monday, Tuesday, and up to Friday. And although the friends of Dr. Park man, %nd the police did occasionally hear that lie had been seen after the time he visited the Medical College, they followed up eveiy one of these rumors, and they were ascertained to be false. So far as had come to the knowledge of tiie government, no person had been found vyho would say thnt he had seen Dr. Parkman nf- Jer the time that he entered the Medicul Col lege. The fiver was dredged ; the yards and the dwellings in the western part of the city, woe re Dr. Parkman owned property, were searched. On Monday and Tuesday there was a search at the rooms of the Medical College. That > search was a formal one, no suspicion being yet in tho minds of the police against the prisoner. On the 30th of November, in the vault of a privy, connected with the chemical laboratory occupied by tho prisoner, a portion of a human body was found, and with it certain towels, marked with the name of the. prisoner. On that day, also, were found in tho grate of the furance, pressed into the cinders, certain bones, parts of mineral teeth, and pieces of gold. On Saturday there was found in a remote corner of that laboratory, in a place whore it had been noticed before, but notdxamined, a tea chest, in which was discovered, imbedded in tan, the thorax and chest of a human body, with a hun ter’s knife and a piece of twine.* These remains were submitted to competent medicui and scientific gentlemen, and found to correspond in every particular with the body of Dr. George Parkman, so fur as they were parts of a body. There were missing the head, arms, both feet and the right leg from the knee to the ancle. The evidence would satisfy them that they belonging to a person of the age of Dr. arkmnn, and that their peculiarities correg- onded with those of that gentleman. The witnesses would explain how they came to the conclusion that, the height was 5 feet 10J finches, and they should show thut that was bis height precisely. But then they should put in evidence in this cose that of the bones found in tho furnace, not a fragment wus found thnt duplicated that found in the vault and tea chest, showing that all con stituted portions of one human body. There would also bo some evidence that would indi cate the probability that some of the bones found in the furnace were fractured before fhey were put into tho furnace. Tbea the jury would have submitted to them some mineral teeth, found so near the bottom of the furnace that they took the cold air, which would be ideti jfied a? the same that had been made for Dr. Workmen by a dentist in this city ih 1846, and he would state the grounds on which he identified there. It would be shown that Dr. Keep had in hit possession a mould of the mouth of Dr. Parkman which he had taken at the rime of making these teeth, which would show the peculiar uesformatien of Dr. P’s jaw. It would up- peer also that these mineral teeth mast have been cast into the furnace ia connection with the head. Beyond this, they would have ex hibited to them so* bones of the right lower jaw, in fragments ; and when these were put together they would be found to correspond ex* actly with the mould- This would-be thr character of the testimony that wnuld be given to identify tbs body found in the Medical College. Thu thorax found in the laboratory would be shown to have been perforated near the heart. It would also be shown that to these icmoins had been made chemical applications of strong alkalis. It would also be demonstrated that they were not the remains of any subject lor dissection, first by the fact that there were no injections into the veins of any preservative substances, and in the second that the janitor was required to account for all such bodies. If Dr. George Parkman was murdered, then the question arose, who murdered him r In respect to this question, the government would offer testimony to show the relations between the prisoner, since 1842, when certain pecunia ry transactions commencou between them. It would be observed that tho prisoner was so much embarrassed that ull his personal proper ty was under mortgage to Dr. Turkman. Dr., P. was a man of lnlfce property, accustomed to make loans. He was liberal, but exact. In 1842 ho loaned the prisoner $400 and took his note, which remained unpaid at maturity, when Dr. P. took a mortgage of all the prisoner’s property, including a cabinet of minerals, to secure the note and farther advances made. It would appear that after this, the prisoner had made a proposal to Mr. R. G. Shaw, to advance him money on the cabinet of minerals, because he war in distress. Mr. S. did ad vance $1200. Subsequently Dr. Parkman learned of the conveyance of this cabinet of minerals to his brother-in-law, and he was highly incensed', regarding it us u fraud, mid, from that timo pursued the prisoner as a debtor in whom he had lest confidence. It would appear also that the prisoner had obtained from the deceased delay, under the promise that ho would pay him when ho had obtained pay for the sale of tickets to his chem ical lectures. The professors of the Medical College had made arrangements with a gentle man to aid ns collector of their dues from the students. The lectures commenced on the 7th of November, and on the 9th Dr. Parkman called on Dr. Webster and insisted on the pay ment of iiis debt. Dr. Webster requested him to wait, as he had not received tho money for his tickets. It would appenr that Dr. Webater had received a considerable part of this pay. On the 12th Dr. Parkman called on the pny. mg agent, to ascertain how matters stood. He called again on the 14th, and threatened trus- tre process, and sent a messnge to Dr. Webster that lie was a dishonest or dishonorable man. On the 19th he called again on Dr. W and de clared with grout decision thnt something must bo done. Tho next day Dr. W. wrote him a note. On the day previous to the alleged mur der, Dr. P. rode out to see Dr. Webstr at Cam bridge. On the 23d of November Dr. W. called nt the residence of Dr. P. at the Medical Col lege, to come to his rooms at 1 o’clock, and to receive his pay. He returned nbout 9 o’clock to the Medical College, and had an interview with Mr. Pettey, who wus anxious to get out of his hands any money that he had, and paid him about $90. He there informed him of Dr. P’s threatening, to which Pr. W. replied that ho would have no farther trouble with Dr. P., for he hud settled with him. From the beginning to the end it would ap pear that Di. Webstar had represented to Dr. Turkman and others his intention of applying the money received from socle of tickets to the payment of his debt; but they should be able to show that not ono dollar pf it went to Dr. Parkman. The $90 was deposited in the Charles River Bank. The lerture-days of Dr. Webster were Tues day, Wednesday and Friday; and therefore the longest leisure that he had was from Fri day to Tuesday. It would be shown thfit ho re mained nt his rooms on Fridny till a late hour, and that ho was there again on Saturday and Sunday, and that the doors that were usually left open were fastened. Dr. Turkman's friends were making an anx ious search for him on Saturday, and made pub lications in the evening papers. It would ap pear that Dr. W. held peculiap relations to the friends of Dr. P. Dr. Francis Parkman was his pnstor; and the first disclosure that Dr. W. made to thefriends that Dr. P. had been on Fri day in his company, was on the afternoon of Sunday. He leftthc family in suspense until this time, but it would be shown that he hud seen the no tices on Saturday. This excited the surprise of Dr. Francis Parkmun. On thnt day he made tho statement to severol others. The general statement was thnt Dr. P. came to the medical college nbout half-past 1, to receive his pny; that he did come in; and that he paid him tho money ; that he seized the money and she had seen Dr. Parkman dii Thursday, to convince her that it was on Friday. On tho same day he went to a very respecta ble mechanic to procure a slrorig tin box * and there he made strong declarations that Dr. Parkman had been seen going over to Cam bridge, and also mentioned a niesmeric’s story that Dr. P’s body bod been carried off in a cnb, and the cnb had been found saturated with blood. He was particularly anxious to have the box made strong, and made so that he could solder it up himself. Then there wusauother branch of the case, to which the government would ask tho most intelligent inquiry. There were fucts, also, to show that nature had spoken out in the case of the prisoner; thut exclamations had escaped his lips,]when he intended to keep them shut. On Thursday steps were taken to make an investigation of the vault. The officers went down into the basement,-and found that there was no mode of access to it except through an apartment, of which Dr. W. had the key. It would appear that as early as Sunday evening Mr. Littlefield suspected tliut Dr. W. knew more about the matter than anybody else ; and that during the whole of the following week he acted in accordance with that suspicion ; and they would recollect thnt he was dependent upon those professors, and therefore he would proceed with great caution. On Thursday, he determined to make an en trance through the wall of the vauit, going down into tho basement. Ho found it much more difficult than ho expected; and on Friday morning he communicated his purpose to Drs- Jackson and Bigelow ; and with their approba tion, on Fridny ho went to work, and set his wife to watch for Dr. Webster, but with no di sire to prevent tho other professors entering; nt one time Mrs. L. though [she saw professor W, but it appeared that it was not he; and tho appearance and emotions which Littlefield manifested when the horrible discovery was made, would show tho honesty of his purpose. When Dr. Webster was arrested,he charg ed Littlefield with having committed this act, or being a conspirator;but nt the same time lie said that the remains wer e os much his ns Dr. Parkman’s—thus disagreeing with his premis es by hazarding . such a conclusion. Another thing which showed what dependence ought to be put on Dr. W’s declaration, was that, on Tuesday lie put the question to Littlefield if ho was a free mason; he olso asked him if he had got his thanksgiving dinner, and gave him an order for a turkey, while at the same time, be hud suspicions of the man. When his apartments in the College were opened, Dr. Webster was requested to be pres ent to explain anything that might transpire, or be seen. ILs deportment und remarks on that occasion were singular. There were fourd a pair of pants with spots of blood ; and a pair of slippers,as well as towels marked with blood were found in the vault, whence .nothing c.ouid proceed seaward, only as it percolated through the walls. It was certain that these articles as well as the body, must have heen put down the privy, the key of which was found in hispocket. A large bunch of false keys were found in Prof. W’s desk, which could open every door in the college. He said he had found them. On his person was f mnd a paper, Tuesday Morning, March 26, 1830. LARGEST CIRCULATION! tr Tho Daily Morning News him now a labs •b city circulation thim either of tho other daily papers, and consequently is tho best advEterisinq medium. We state this fact injustice to ourselves and for the benefit of the advertising public. . IT®'" Bee first page for our rates of advertising. Advertisements should be handed in nt an early hour, to insure their appearance in the paper of the next morning. HP* Single copies of the Daily Morning News may bo bod at J. M. Cooper's Book store, at J. B. Cubbedgb's Book store, Congress-st, and at the of fice of publication, 117 Bay-st. |7gf Price two cents BT See first page. BP Wo are indebted to the Hon. Jos. W. Jackson for valuable public documents. GP We desire to call the attention of our merchants and business men to the card of the publisher of the Chuttauooga Gazette, in anoth er column- The Gazette is a well conducted bu siness journul, Hhs a large circulation in upper Georgia and Tonnessec, and is an excellent medium for advertising. The editor will short ly visit Savuunah, when he hopes to obtain busi ness for his paper. The News by the Ningnrn. The “associated presses” have nearly a col umn of despatches of tho news by the Niuga- rn, tho purport of which is, that the lower qualities of Cotton have declined one-eighth of a penny, New-Orleang and Mobile maintain ing former quotations, viz: fair Orleans (ij, fair Mobile 6$. The sales for jtiio fortnight pre vious to the sailing of the steamer amounted to 53,350 hale*. American provisions have slightly improved. The money market is in a healthy condition Consols at 90 j for money- American securities were in better demand, at advanced rates; U. S. sixes commanding 7^ to 8 per cent, premium. The meagre outline of the political news amounts to very little. We will give in due time so much of tho details as may be deemed of interest. R started to go without leaving any evidence of his having received it. That ho called his attention to the fact, and that Dr. P. turned back, and dushed his pen across the signature of the note, and said that he would attend to cancelling the mortgage. Dr. W.’s statements concerning .this transac tion had been very contradictory. When called,to hear the testimony, their at tention would be called to papers found in his possession that would contradict this state ment. There they would have occasion to consider a variety of facts—that Thursday, the 29th,was Thanksgiving day—that after Tuesday there were no lectures—and yet Dr. Webster was at the College—that tie wanted no fires—and yet it would be shown thut he had fires of more intense heat than he had ever required before. It would be shown that he hud purchased a number of large fish hooks, and that there was found on his premises a grapple made of fish hooks, fastened to a staff with twine, and that a piece of the same kind of twine was found around the tea chest; that the rooms were searched «n Monday and Tuesday, and his rooms were passed thorough by certain of the police on Monday; thnt,on Tuesday Mr. Kingsley went there with the police with the intention of making a thorough search; that at that time tho officers went through these rooms; tho fact that officers suffered themselves to be culled oil' from the privy, and that the janitor, in reply t“ a question, said, in presence of Dr. W., thut that was the private privy of Dr. Webster. That a fire was in the furnace, and that the officer* suffered themselves to be led off from that portion of the room. The tea Chest was seen theve by Mr. Kingslag. It would uppear also that on the 2Gih, the express man went to the place where the key was usually found, and it was not there. It would appear, also, that Dr. Webster was ex- tremely anxious to make it appear that Dr. Park njan. had been soert going oVer to Cam bridge. Thp manner in which he did this was striking, so far that he urged a lady who thought in which we renoted two different version* of the interview had between him and Dr. Purk- man on Fridny. On the Mondny following his arrest, was brought into the police office, and there, under the advice of counsel, he waved examination— thereby declaring cause for investigation. On his commitment to his cell he wrote a note, which was examined according to tile usages of the jaili.it contained an injunction to a member of his family to keep secret certain pa pers, which the-government got. nnd they turn ed out to be two notes to. Dr. Parkman, and another paper which required an examination that the Government could not give. It would also be shown by the opinion of an expert thnt certain letters had been written by the prisoner to divert public suspicion from the Medical College. Upon all this mass of circumstances, nothing lias been said at all in the way of explanation. Dr. Webster had done what he had aright to do, and remained without asking the Govern ment to furnish him with the evidence against him. It was to be hoped he could give an expla nation that would satisfy the minds of the jury, and of the whole civilized world; no one would rejoice more than he (Mr. Clifford) that his in nocence should appear as clear as noon da\; hut if unable so to do, the evidence that could be produced was calculated to bear with great weight upon the fact of his guilt. The indictment was composed of four counts; although, if left to his own decision the gov ernment officer would have merged them nil in the last one. It would, perhaps have been at the risk of justice that the count including stabbing would have been left out; hut there were circumstances and appearances which justified the supposition thnt violence had heen done to Dr. Parkman’s body by the use of some instrument. A hammer, which had long been in the laboratory, was missing at the time the offence is charged to have been committed, and hud never sincebecn seen. But, even although no mode or means cculd be testified to, bv which Dr. Parkman had come to his death through muider, it would bo nevertheless justifiable on the part of the jury to return a verdict of guilty—a voluntary killing being proved. If there was not a pro vocation proved, the constituted manslaughter, or a clear exoneration from the charge, this result would attach itself to the duty of the ju ry- If the evidence placed beyond reasonable doubt the fact thnt the prisoner did commit murderous violence on the body of Dr. Park- man, the deduction would be obvious ; if oth erwise tho law, which would be explained, would teach them what latitude should be giv. en to the doubt. Mr. Clifford’s address lasted two hours and a quarter. General Shields and Henry Clay.— Gen. Shields, in a letter to the New York Clay Club, expressing his regret at not being able to nttind tho Clay Ball, on Friday evening last, on account of the state of his health and official engagements, says: “It would afford me sincere pleasure to be able to unite with *you in paying a tribute of merited respect to one of the most distinguished of living statesmen, whose transcendent talents have been employedj’this whole session in bat tling for ‘The Union—hi* whole country—and nothing but his country.’ ” ESP* Robert H. Smith, Esq., of Bmnter, and Col. Scibies, editor of the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiger and Gazette, with iheir mu tual friend*, lef; Montgomery for Georgia bn Thursday last with the view to a hostile meet ing. Smith was a member of the la»t Lcgig- laiure from Sumter county. We have given a large portiou of our space this morning to the opening address of the Attorney General, in the deeply interest ing case of Professor Webster. The prosecu- ting officer "it will be seen, gives a connected and cifcumstamial account of the case from the time of the disappearance of Dr. Parkman up to the time of the arrest of Dr. Webster. The testimony thus far, is pretty much the same as was made public at the time of the Coroner’s in quest, und goes very fur to establish the guilt of the prisoner. From Havana—Arrival of the ltahel.—Tho steamship Isabel, Captain Rollins, from Hu vann on the 22d instant, nnd Key West on the 23d, arrived at our port yesterday morning The Isabel brings 227 passengers, including the Italian Opera Company, comprising 120 poi sons. The Isabel experienced heavy weather and contrary winds on her passage. She ar rived at Havana on the 10th inst., at 9 A. M By the Isubel we have the letters of our at tentive Havana correspondent to tho 23d, from which we extract as follows; “lhe Chas. Kershaw, from Charleston, is in with a cargo of Rice. “The Ohio came in from Chugres a day or two since, with 65 passengers from California, of whom 11 arc for New-Orleans, und the lest for Ncw-York. They have among them about $100,000 in pieces of gold and gold-dust although a great many of them. bring none No mails hud arrived from California, but were hourly expected. The steamer Crescent City was at Chagres, and was to leave for New-York direct, on 13th inst., the sumo day the Ohi took her departure. “The Ohio got out of coal on her passage to this port, and liad to rpsort to her wheel house foi fuel. “The Falcon, from Now-Orleans, brought 390 passengers, to be transferred to the Gcor gia, for Chagres. The latter brought 500 to 600 from New-York, making neurly 1100 pas sengers for Chagres, ineluding those from Hu- vuna. Truly yours.” Our commercial dates will be found under their proper bend. Homes’ United States Rail Road Ga zette.—We have received several numbers of this complete nnd valuable Journal, which has been greatly enlarged, and is embellished with well executed diagrams of all the Ruil-roads in the United States, nnd maps of several of the principal rivers and cities. The paper is pub lished weekly, and furnished to subscribers at $2 per annum, in advance, or $3 at the end of the year. Office No. 126 Nassau street, New York. tap Improved Order or Red Stallings read, the other day, of a meeting tho " Improved Order of Red Men," which wag to bo held somewhere in Maryland, ’pi old lady scrutinized the article very closely i,,* wag unable to make anything intelligible out of the Grand Sachems Sagamores and-keeper, „f tho Wampum, &c. “ What upon airth cau j, mean 1” exclaiiped tho old lady as she dropped the paper in her lap and ro-ac(}u6ted her,p ec tacles. “What are they doin to the Ingina no* wonder? Gracious knows the pesky Cri tors need improvin, but I don’t biceve the, meanness could bo biled out of’em. Tf.i ruly have got a invention to improve the of Ingins, I’d like to see it tried on some of our niggers, and ther’s some white men of m nowins that would’nt suffer none by fife n periment. But I don’t believe in no sich n or .. I don’t bleevo any of ’em can be j m . proved, for its tho nater of the men to git worse nnd worso the older they grow, till they tt j nt fit for nothing on tho fnco of the yeatli." The old ludy meant nothing personal, her worthy husband having died many years ago. Seizure or French Vessels at SanFr u . Cisco.—The Courier des Etats Unis, of Mon day, contains nn article stating that Mr. Collier collector of customs at San Francisco, hasiein ed four French vesseb, nnd their cargoes, f ort violation of tho revenue laws of the U. Slate, The offence is in shipping brandy in buttles in- stead of in case* of not less than five gallon, each, in accordance with our tariff regulation,. The other portions of the cargoes were deliv. ered to tho consignees, but the vessels and the brandy seized, although the French Vice-Con sul appeared und remonstrated. He has, also, seized four other vessels, from Bordeaux, fur putting into certain ports on the Pacific, where they took on board goods, not the products of French provinces. The collector nsseris that they have not the right to do so, and he hai seized the vessels and cargoes without tin slightest exception. LW The South Carolina Institute, at it, annual Fair to he held in Charleston on the third Tuesday in November next, Will award premi ums for the following articles: For the best bale of Sea Island Cotton, not less than 300 pounds; for the best halo nf short staple Cotton, not less than 300 po inds; for tho best tierce of Rice; for the best hogshead of Muscovado Sugar; for the best Leaf To bacco, not less than 100 lbs.; for the best bar rel of Wheat Flour; for the bost tierce of In dian Corn; for the best barrel of Spirits Tur pentine; for the best barrel of Rosin. It is tho intention of the Institute, with tho consent of the persons sending the above articles, to for ward such as receive premiums to the “World's Fair,” to be held, in the city of London, in the early part of the year 1851. It is likewise intended to select, from the specimens of “Art. and Design" which may be presented, and for which premiums wilt be awarded, such as mnv be deemed worthy of especial distinction, to bo forwarded, for competition, to this great ‘Industrial Exhibition.' Gen. Taylor and the Union.—The cor- re pendent of the Baltimore Sun, writing from Washington under date of March 22d, says: He stated to agentlernan of this city, who had just arrived from tire Smith, that while be was here he should endeavor to preserve the Union, brit thut if tho time should como when the Union cannot be maintained without force, it would no longer be worth preserving. The Pre sident, in this remark—and my nutnority is the gentleman to whom it was made—lias shown that his nomination for the offiee.wus one fit to be made. To that short speech nothing can bo added. It is worth a week’s oratory in Con gross. tjf~ A destructive fire occurred at Lafayette ^a., on the 19th ins?., which consumed the thea tre and 44 other buildings. On Levee street all the buildings, from Philip to Larnposa were destroyed. Loss estimated at $32,000. From Mexico. Tho New Orleuns papers hnve advices from the city of Mexico to the 23d ult. On the 13tha revolutionary movement in fa vor of Santa Anna was to have been commenc ed in the State efJalisco. The conspiracy wai discovered through one of the parties to it,who acknowledge the facts. Esquerro, Bosque, Pe ralta, nnd two Wushingtons were arrested. In the house of tlte lettor were found twenty pair of pistols, and a dralt for $3,750, lather a small cnpitnl for a revolution we should think. Diaz Noriega Igual, a companion of the notorious Padre Juiauta, and Traconis, were suppoeed to he nt the head of the pilot. The State of Mexico has imposed a tax of a shilling per month on each inhcjiitnnt of the State; It is intended to raise the whole revenue of the State in this manner. Congress has established a department to take especial congnizance of every thing re lating to agriculture, commerce, mining, colo nization and romls- Tho Indians continue their ravages in Du rango. They have lately committed a great many murders. The cholera is raging in Michoacon. The House of Representatives of Congren adopted on the 19th ultimo, wjth an amend ment, tho Senate bill authorising the Govern ment to Negotiate $900,000 of tho money to he paid by the United States. 'I he monitor rays tile frontier States ore curs ed with three plngues, b irberous Indians.poor newspapers, and the proximity of the North Americans; and that the latter will) all their steamboats, railroads nnd magnetic telegrnphs. are very troublesome neighbors. The U. S. Steamer Water Witch, and schr. Flirt, entered Vera Cruz on the 16th ult. from their anchorage off Sucrificios. They wers last fiom Tabasco. St. Louis, March 21- An immense Union meeting has heen held in this city. There wero probnhlv 8,000 persons present.—Henry S. Grier wag appointed prof dent. On taking Iiis seat he explained briefly but eloquently the object of the meeting. A set of resolutions were passed embodying tiie following sentiments. 1st. That tiie South has good cause of com plaint against the North, for not ftiding in d |C capture of fugitive slaver. This constitution” 1 provision should be strictly enforced. 2d. That the Wilmot proviso is iiicxpedi* 111 ' 3d. Thut conflicting interests should harmon ize. 4th. That the Nushville convention, and a 11 oilier similar assemblage*, cun only add to **’ sisting difficulties. 5th. That no serious crisis has arrived war ranting such convention. Thfc union of SiaR 1 * was formed in a spirit of compromise, nnd die same spirit should he invoked in settloing prev ent difficulties. The meeting was eloquently addressed by Messrs. ; Bates, Ariel, Wyght, Thomas, a" 1 others. Much trouble exists here among the d*f n "' era’s, in reference to the Benton and anti-Bf r ton municipal- nominations. The two p* rlie! were about equally divided.