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T 4Sf * o r n f # ■■■ ■ H— XT. S. CONGRESS. HOUSE O* 4 RKPRKSKNTAT1VES. AIonday. Dec 15. 1335. The l’rrilowing standing Committees were an- noiiiicgil sis having been appointed by the Chair. Of Elections—.Messrs Olaiborn, Gridin Haw kins, Hard, Rums, Kilgore, Buchanan, .Maury & Of *» ays ami Means—Messrs Cninhrclcug, Al’Kim. l-oyall, Corwin, Johnson of Teuuessee. Smith of Me., Lnwrcucoof Mast.. hieersoll, & OWENS. Or Cia ima—Messis Whittlesey, Forester, Hanks, Bynum. Grcnnell, Davis, Taliaferro, 1* C Fuller, ami Chambers of Ky. On Commerce—Messrs Sutherland. Pinckney, 1’earre of K. I.. Gillet. Philips, Johnson of La. Ingham of Ct.. Cu-hmau and AlcKcon. On the public Lauds—.Messrs Boon. Slade, Williams of N. C., Lincoln,' Casey. Kcniion. Dunlap, Chaplnan, and Harrison of Mo. Ou the Post Office aud Post Roads-—Messrs Connor. Briggs, Laporr, Hall of Vt, Mann of IS'. V., CLEVELAND, French, Shields, aud Hop kins. ^ On ific District of Columbia—Messrs \Y B Shepard, lleistcr, Vandtrpoi 1, liouldin, Wash ington, Lane. Rogers. Fairii Id. and Townes. ()u the Judiciary—Messrs Beardsley, Thomas, Hardin, Pierce of X. 11., Robertson, Peyton, Toncey, Jones of Va. mid Martin. Ou Indian Adairs—.Messrs Bell. .McCarty, F.vcrett, Ginham, Asuley, HAYNES, i you, llawes and Chaney. 0'« military Affairs—,Messrs Johnson of Ky.. Speight, Ward. Thompson of Ohio COFFEE, Bunch, McKay, Authony, mid D.onigoole, Ou the Militia—Messrs GLASCOCK, Heu- derson, W K Fuller, Wagoner, Calhoun of Mass., Joshua Lee of N. Y., Carter, Coles, Williams of Ky. On Naval Affairs—Messrs Jarvis, Milligan, Lansing, lioed, Grayson, Parker, Wise, Ash, and GKANTL.VND. On Foreign Affairs—Messrs Mason of Va., Howard, Campbell, Cramnr, llaiuar, Allen of Kv., Parks, Cushing, and J VC’KriON of Ga. On the Territories—Messrs Patton, Potts, Brown, Fowler, Pickens, Sprague, l’carce of.M. I It , Kordcu. aud .Montgomery. On Revolutionary Pensions—Messrs Ward-' well, Lee of Te- Lay, Janes, Storcr, Morgan, Kiingensmitb, Boudand Fry. Ou Invalid Pensions—Messrs Miller of Pa., Baale, Evans of Ale., Seticnek, Taylor of N. Y., Harrison of Pu., Dimbleday, Hoar and Howell. Ou Revolutionary Claims—Me>srs Mulilen berg. Crane, SlaudJfer, Turrill, lviniiurd, Beau mont, Craig. Chipiu. and Underwood. On J’ublic Expenditures—Messrs l\ge, Clark of Pa., McLcne, Mason of Ale., Deberry, Leon ard, llaley. White, and Weeks. Ou private Land Claims—Messrs Carr, Gal lu aite, Paltersou, Chambers of Pa., .May. Gar land of Va., llamniuud, Huntsman, and Law ler. On .Manufactures—.Messrs J Q, Adams, Den ny, Dickerson, Alt-Comas. AN t-bsten Gideon Lee, Judson, lIOLrii.Y, ami Granger. Ou Agriculture—.Messrs Bn.-kee, Beau, Ro.-.nc, Shiuii, Deberry, Bailey, l.ngan, Phelps, aud Kfl'uer. On Ronds aud Canals—.Messrs Mercer Vin ton, llenchci, Lucas, Reynolds of ill., Haunc- gan, Steele, Jacksou of Alass., and Calhoou of %• . - On Revisal and unfinished business—Messrs Huiilingtou, Alauu of Pa., .Mason jf O., Harlan, hi id Karlin. Ou Accouuts—Messrs Lee N. .1 , Darlington, Hall of Ale., Johtisou of Va. aud Turner of Aid. Oil Expeiidilutes in the Department of State —Messrs A II rihepperd, Calhoun of Mass., IluutofN. Y., Morris, ami Sickle:. Ou tiie Expenditures in the Department of the Trensury Messrs Allen ol Vt.. Harper, Span gder, Russell, and Barton. Select Committee appointed on the Rules of the House of Representatives—.Messrs Mann of N. Y. J (1 Adams, Thomas, Williams of N. C., Cam- breloug, Everest, Parks, Parker, aud Chambers of Pa. Select Committee appointed on the subject of the northern Boundary of the State of Ohio—Messrs John Ci Adams, liaidin, Patton, Pierce of N. ILIIAYNES, Dickerson, McKay, Grnysuu, and Judson. IS SENATE.' Wednesday. Dee. 16. Tho Senate, agreeably to a Resolution to that offnei, proceeded to ballot for their Standing Committees- Air Clay was elected by twcnlv-three votes, as Chairmnu of the Coininiiico of Foreign Rela tions. Mr. Webster was elected by twenty-five votes os Chairman of the Committee on Finance. Air. Davis, Chairman of tho Committee on Commerce. Air. Kuight. Chairman of the Committee on Manufactures. Mi. Brown, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. Air. Benton, Chai. man of the .Committee on Alilitary Affairs Air. Robinson, Chairman of tho Committee on the Militia. Mr. Southard, Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Ewing, Chairmau of the Committee on the Public Lauds. Air. Black. Chairman of the Committee ou Pri vate Laud Claims. Mr Whito, Chairman of tlt« Committee on In dian Affairs. Mr. Saudaiu. Chairman of the Committee on Claims. Mr. Cl aylon, Chairmau of ihe Committee ou tho Judiciary. Mr. Grundy, Chairman of the Committee on the Post-Office and Post Roads. Mr- Hendricks, Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Canals Air. Tomlinsou, Chairman of the Committee on Pensiotts. Air. Tyler, Chairmau at the Committee on the District of Columbia, Air. Mooro, Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. Air. M’Kenn, Chairmau of tilt? Committee on tbo Contingent Fund. Air. Shepley, Chairman of tho Committee on Engrossed Bills. ’ Tho Senate then, proceeded to ballot for the remaining Members of. the Committees, which veefo filled up, in pat t. ns follows: The Commitee of foreign Relations.—Alessrs. King, of Geo. Tafiir.adgc, Alaugum nod Porter. Of Finance. Messrs. C’uthbert, Wright, Alaug um and Tyler. On Commerce.—.Messrs. GoUlsborough, Tom linson, Al’Kenn and Linn. On Manufactures.—Alessrs. Rugglcs, Morris, Prentiss and Heudrirks. . The choice, in every instance, was made at the first ballot. • On motion of Air. Clay, Tbo farther eloction was postponed till to-mor- t.O'v, anil The Senate adjourned. IN SENATE. Thursday, Dec. 17. 18‘J5 Mr \\ EBSTER submitted the following re solution, which lie, ono day for consideration : Resolvtd, That so muih of the President’ll .Message as respects the question, whether the V. Stateseouuot, without transcending their con stitutional powers, secure to the Post Office De partment the use ofthe several railroads in the United States, by an act of Congress, which shall provide within itself some equitable inode of adjusting the amount of rompeusatiou, be re- ferredto the Comnihtee on the Judiciary, with in structions to mnkc a special report thereon. Resolved, That the Committee on Ruuds aud Canals he instructed to report the number, extent and direction of the several railroads already built or commenced, and the most important of those which arc projected or contemplated in the several States ; and that they inquire inter the expediency of aiding in any of those undertakings on the part ofthe Government ol the U. States, either "by making payment in advaucc, on con tracts for carrying the mails oil such roads or o- t her wise; and on condition of transporting the property or troops of the IT. Slates, by such roads free of expense to the United Stales, whether iu ponce nr in war. Tho Senate proceeded ro continue its ballot- ings for the remaining members of its Standing Committees, and tho following were nppointed : On Agriculture IV-’ssrs Kent, King of Ala.. .Morris, and Wright. On Military Afairs—Alessrs Wall, Goldsboro, Preston, and Tipton. On the Militia—Messrs Hendricks, Ah Kean, Swifi, and Wall. On Aaval A{fairs—Messrs Talluiadgc. Jlinek, Robins, and CUTHBERT. On Public Lands— Messrs Aloore, Prentiss, Crineudcu. and AfrKean. On Private Land Claims— Messrs Linn, Rng- gles. Porter. KING ol Ga. On Indian Affairs—.Messrs Tipton, Goldsbo- rotigh. Swift, and Brow n. On the Judiciary—Messrs Buchanan, Leigh, Preston, and Crittenden. On Post Offices and Post Hoads—Alessrs. Ro binson. Ewing, Knight and Davis. On Roads and Canals—Messrs. McKean, Ro binson, Kent aud Robbins. On Prnsons—Alessrs. Tallmadgc, Linn, Pren tiss, and McKean. On the District of Cedumlia—Alessrs. Keui, Xuudsiin. Southard aud Kl Ml of Ga. Ou Revolutionary Claims—Messrs. White, Hubbard, Leigh and Shepley. On the Contingent Expenses of the Senate— Messrs. Tomlinson ami Brown. On Engrossed Rills—.Messrs. Hill and Mortis. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Dec. 16. 1835. Air. FAIRFIELD presented the petition of 172 ladies residing in his district, praying the ab olition slavery in the District of Columbia, and moved that it be referred to the Committee oil the District of Columbia. In preseu'ing this peti tion .Mr. F. remarked that he did not desire to he understood as favoring tile view s of the petition ers Mi-. CRAMER moved to lay the petition on the table, which was agreed to. Mr. FAIRFIELD presented a similar petition from 173 gentlemen residing in his district, which he moved to lay ou the tabic. Mr. J, Y. M \SON. of Virgiuia, remarked that in order to obtain a distinct expression of the House on this subject, he would move that the question on laying this peiitiou on the table, he tHken by yeas and nays. Ordered. Mr. BOONO called for tile re •ing of theme mortal, which was done accordingly. Mr. SLADE then moved that the memorial be printed. Mr. WILI.IAAIS, of North Carolina, called for a division of the question to prim and lay on ihe table. Air. AIASON, of Virginia asked for the yeas aud nays on the motiou to print, which were also ordered. T he question was then takeu on the motion to lay the memorial on the table, and decided in the affirmative, yeas 180, nays 31, ns follows: YE\8—Messrs. B. Allan, Anthony. Ash, Ashley, Bailey, Barton, Beale, Beau, Beardsley, Bcamonr, Bell, Itockree, Bond. Boon, liouldin, Bovoe. Boyd, Blown. Buchanan, lluucii. Burns, J. Calhoou, Cnntbreleug, Campbell, Carr, Car ter, Casey, (3. Chambers. J. Chambers. Chaney. Chapman, Chapin, Claiborne,COFFEE. Coles, Connor, Corwin. Craig, Cramer, Crane, Cush man, Davis. Deberry. Dickerson, Doubleday, Dromgoole. Dunlap, Effincr. Everett, Fairfield, t'arlin. Forester, Fowler. French, Fry. Fuller. W- K- Fuller, Galbraith. J. Garlnud, R. Gar land, Gillet. GLASCOCK. Graham. Granger, GRANTL \ \D, Graves, Grayson, Griffin, Haley, J. Hall, Hammond. Hamiegnn, Hard, Hardin. Marlin, S. S. Harrison, A- G Harrison, Hawes. Hawkins. HAYNES, Hoar, Ilopkins, Howard, Howell, Ilnur. Huntington, Huntsman, lngcr- soll. Ingham, J. JACKaON, Jarvis, J. Johnson, R. Al. Johnson. V. Johnson, II. Johnson, J- W. Jones. Judson, It. Jones, Ketitimi, Kilgore. Kiu- nard, Klingcusrnitb, Lane, Lausing, Lawler, Lawrence, Lay, G. Lee, J- Lee, l.ea, Leonard, Lincoln, Logan, I .avail. Lucas. Lyon. A. Mauu, jr.. J. Mann, Martin, J. Y. Mason, W. Mason, M Mason, jr.; s*. Mason, Alanty. May, AlcCom- a«. McKay. AlrKcon, AIcKitn. Alerter, Milligan, Al organ, Muldetibitrg. OWENS, Page. Parks. Patterson. F. Pierce, J. A. Pearce. Pettigrew, Phelps, Phillips, Pickens. Pinckney, Reed, John Reynolds, Joseph Reynolds, Ripley, Kuaue, Ro bertson., Seymour, Shepard, Sbepperd, Shields, Shinn. Sickles, Spangler, Steele, Starcr, Suth erland. Taliaferro, Taylor, Thomas, J. Thomson, VV. Thompson, Toucey, TOWNS, Turner, Tur rill, Underwood. Vauderpocl. Vinton, Wageuer, Ward, Webster, Weeks, White L. Williams, S. Williams, Wise—180. NAYS—J. Q.. Adams. 11. Allen, Banks Bor den. Briggs, VV. B. CkJIiouu. Clark, Cushing, Darlington, Evans, G. Grenuell. j 1 "-* H. Hall, Hamer, H axel fine, Henderson, (leister. Jlublcy. VV. Jackson, Janes. Lapnrte, Love. Alnrris, Par ker, D. J. Pearee, 1). Potts. jr„ Russell, Slade, Sloaue, Sprague, Ward well, Whitlcsey—31. So the memorial was laid oil the tabic. [Air. Hamer rose and remarked, that as lie was abseut from his scat when the question was ta ken ou tho motion of the gentleman from Alniue, relative to tho memorial ou the abolition of slave ry in the District of Columbia, lie now asked leave of tho House to record bis vote thereon ; which was objected to,] [Mr. Halsey of Ga., who was also absent, made a similar motiou. which, being objected to, ho moved to suspend the rules of the House, to enable him to record his vote, but at jbe request of Mr. Lane of ludiuna, ho withdrew his motion for the pre-ent.] Air. HULSEY then renewed his nintiou to suspend tti£ rules of the House, to enable hint to record his vote iu reference to the memorial on the abolition of slavery iu the District of Colum bia ; which was uegntived. rp'OmimsKfa Perilous and horrife leap at the Falls of Niag ara.—A few evenings siuce (says the Buffalo W hig) a row and club fight occurred at a house iu the immediate viciuity of the falls, ou the A- uierican side, during which, a mau in attempting to escape, rau towards the stairs, and jumping, as he supposed, into » close thicket, slid down the precipice about SO feet, aud then fell li9 feet ou the rocks below. Wlieh Ion ini the next morning, it trjs discovered that siunc.of his rbs were, bro ken, his skull fractured, and his body severely bruised. He was stiil alive yesterday. This beats Sain Patch out and out—though he never tneaut such disrespect. LATEST FROM FRANCE. New-York Dee. 14. At a late hour this moruitig, the packet ship Utica, Capt. Depeyster, arrived lroin Havre, whence she sailed on tho 1st Nov, Our 1 .iris Daners arc to the 29th of October inclusive. P THIf INDEMNIFICATION. Letters from the best sources, by the packet ship Utica, say that a conciliatory AJessage oil the part of our President* would put au end to difficulty and ensure the payment of tne money. The American Consul at Havre lufoi men Capt. Depeyster on tho day ol husnUing. that he bad no news respecting tho departure of Air. Barton. The letters say that nothing had been determined, and whether be would leave, remained undecid ed. Tho following is from the Gazette do t ranee of the 28th:— •. Yesterday a long conlerenco was helu be tween the minister ol the fiuauces (Al. Humana) and the duke de Broglie, after a visit by tho charge des affairs of the Uuited States to the lat ter. It is affirmed that M- Humanu is more than ever determined to make uo payment witnout full and complete satisfaction.” Postscript We have just come into posses sion of a document which wc have no doubt gives us the exact history of the transaction at Paris. The intcicourse between Mr. Barton and the French goverumeut had been entirely courteous and friendly. The Alinistry replied to Air., B’s inquity, that as Mr. Livingston’s letter was writ ten before the passage of tho Bill iu the Cham bers, they were desirous of something subsequent and that as the President of the United States bad said he could say uo more, hut should refer the matter to Congress, they waited to see what would transpire ou the meeting of Congress, and iu the mcuu time had forwarded despatches to the French Charge at Washington. Mr. Barton may possibly return, aud perhaps .is a conse quence the French Charge also go home, hut that these events ought not to be looked upon as ol great importnuctvas it is confidently expected that the explanation made at the meeting of Con gress will be sufficient. The Temps says that Al, de Broglie is unwil ling that any controversy about a mere matter of form should iuterrupt tho harmony between tho two countries; while Al. Humanu, the .Minister of Finauee, insists on absolute and nearexplaua- tious. ilcuce a disagreement bet » ecu them.— The Temps coutiuues : 44 Yestcday a long con ference was held between Al. de Broglie aud AL llumnuu, subsequent to a visit made by the Charge d*Affaires of the United Slates to Al. de Broglie. Al. Humauti, it is said, wastnore perti nacious than ever not to make any payment w ith out previous clear aud satisfactory explat.tious.’ The follow iug is from Galiguani of the 28th. 44 The Monilcur du Commerce is of the same opiuiou with several oth -r Journals, as lately ex pressed by them that uo rupture of Frauce with the Uuited States is likely to take place, ami that the Congress has already given sufficient demon stration of peaceable intuitions to make this al most certain.” Copy of a letter from Alessrs. Rothschild and Co., the Bankers of the American government at Paris, to their correspondent in Philadelphia da ted Paris, Oct. 23.—Public attention is very much takeu up cow bj a note which it is said the A- mericau Charge d’Affaires here as to deliver to government, asking for the immediate payment of wba: is due on the Treaty of ludemuity, with out taking auy notice of the condition which the chambers have thought proper to add in granting the money, aud which unfortunately the minister is by uo tncaiH at liberty to forego. We cannot conceive that even the most puntilious assembly could consider it against their national digui'y. or that of and ol the parties concerned, to qualify, by a few words, language which lias been sus ceptible of an uupleasuut interpretation, aud merely to express that it was not meant as inju rious to the houor of a friendly ualiuu. Every oue is persuaded th ;t the iutemioii of your hon orable President never was to hurt the feelings of Frauce. It seems to us impossible that such sound policy as that by which your government is guided, will permit such interests to be com promised and put in jeopardy by a mere matter of form, when ono party is quito ready ana w ii- ling to pay, aud will bo satisfied with the simplist admission*of its having acted honorably ; and the great majority of people, conucetod with trade in both countries, will no doubt do all iu their pow er to prevent tbo tics which unite them being bro ken by quarrels from which none have any good to expert. Wc are therefore still confident of a peaceable arrangement, and hoping to learu that you concur in that opinion, we remain Yours &c. A succession of entertainments had been given at the Tuilcries, ou account of the visit of the Belgian King and Queen, at which, rts we per ceived in the Debates, all the diploinotic person ages in Paris were present, CAeept Air. Barton.— This may have been accidental, but it looks like a symptom It is reported, that some of the passengers in the Utica state, lhai tho French Cabinet had de termined not to give a final answer until they re ceiveo the President’s Message, and Mr. Barton would wait until that document was received.— Others of the passengers are of opinion that he would take passage, and come home iu the 8th Nov packet. The editor of the Ncw-York Star soys 44 It is said that Air. Barton, according to instructions, inane application to Gen. Sebastiana for the first instalment of tho indemnity, aud was answered that the French Government awaited tlic receipt of the President’s Message. It is supposed that Mr. B. will take passage by the next packet. “From a source that can be depended i/frn. we Icaru that “tho niouey will he paid, if the President’* Alessage is characterized < by good temper and discretion.” •.. MEXICAN OUTRAGE. From the New Orleans Bee of the 16tli Dei. Passo Cavallo, Nov. 20,18515- Sir.—I regret to iufurin you of the loss of the Hannah Elizabeth, Capt. Chain, master, laic from New Orleans. She was driven ashore on the 10th iust. by the Alexicau Cruizer Bravo.— The following particulars may. ho interesting to you: ~ jy Wh. u the news arrived at Alatngorda, that au American vessel was pursued by a Alexicau man of war. the whole village was up iu amis. A- hout twenty of the citizeus, including the mem bers of the comiiiiltco of safety and'vigilance, immediately volunteered theit services aud em barked in a sclir. w liicii was lying in port, deter mined to exei t every nerve in behalf of the chase; well knowing tho fate which awaited her- aud her passengers, in the eveut of her being over hauled. They proceeded with all possible celerity to the Passo Cavallo; ('apt Wm A. Hurd, whose previous services in the cause of Texas, aud well tried courage and abilities, had procured him the esteem aud confidence of the volunteers, was chosen commander of the expedition, and there ~xtas o general disposition on board to muko an attempt upon the Bravo, should they be so for- I tunnte as |o fall iu with a thing so slippery— [ but she was’not to be seen. Tuc Hflnnfih ‘Eli-' zabeth was descried alone near the point ofthe peninsula, a desolate and ill fated wreck in the. midst of tho breakers. Tho sight was tvell suit-' cd to arouse the spirit'of the volunteers; and it may be readily conceived that their ardor was lmt little diminished on being apprised of so wel come intelligence, as that the second lieutenant ofthe Bravo with a prize crew _ was on board. Thev disembarked and torming in order, ou they marched, with a slow aud stenuy step. They soon protected themselves on the bench within n cable’s leugth ofthe wreck, aud in less than halt an hour was aboard, and the Alexicau lieutenant and twelve meu tinder his command, were made prisoners at discretion- It would be superfluous to say anything in praise of the volunteers or the commanders Capt Hurd aud Judge S3. Roads Fisher. The result would have beou the same had the whole crew of the Bravo bceu on board of the wreck. A more miserable set of wretches than those who are engaged as scanion in the Alexicau Na vy. could hardly he raked out of ihe very refuse ofthe earth: but they are honorable men; so are they all, honorable men; but I will give you a proof of it preseutly. ^Don Jose Victor Alatteos, 2nd lientenaut of the Bravo, in reply to the questions of Judge Fisher and Captain Hurd, informed 'hem that Captain Chain, nine passengers and-three sailors »vete on their way to the Maumoras iu said cruizer; he had iutended sending the rest of the passengers aboard of the Bravo, amounting to five or six in uumher, but he lost his launch during the night of the 13th ; lie was compelled therefore to re tain them on the Hannah Elizabeth, and the Bravo not choosing to writ for them any longer, set sail for Matamoras. )'e also informed them that the Bravo sailed about a month aud a half siuce from Vera Cruz, with orders to capture all vessels going to or from the ports of Texas. Now for ihe laws of nations and the chival rous character of the Mexican navy. There were about fif'ceti passeugars ou board the Ilau- nah Elizabeth and several of them men of for time ns well as respectability ; their truuks were or dered upon deck—they thamsclves, or as many as could bo sent at once, were o dered off to the Bravo—all their baggage left behind for the edification ol the prize crew I suppose- iu as much as during the night, all th& truuks were o- prued and pilfered—what other name cau you give it—of all su-h useless toys as watches jew elry, gold, and such other trifles as happened to please the fastidious tatso of these chivalrous gentry ! An affidavit of this fact was made by one of the passeugers (Air T Porter of Nashville) and transmitted lothc provisional goverumeut of Texas. Furthermore the boarding officer in his solici tude to secure a prize, even forgot to iuquire for the schoouer’s manifests ; aud although not the least resistance was made, the captain and pas seugers were packed off to tho Bravo before it was knowu that there was a solitary contraband article ou hoard. Glorious privilege of the .Mex ican Navy, to act in accordance with internatio nal law only when it suits them not to act as pir ates. Don Matteos and his light fingered crew are to be conducted to Sau Felipe do Austin; the cargo has been brought ou shore and disposed of at auction. The sight of this vessel as she lay a helpless tmss among the augrv breakers, was melaiicho ly in the extreme. 1 certainly cannot blame Capt Chain for attempting to make his escape though I condemn his pusillanimity in making no defence when it was so easy to make an ef fectual oue ; for his fate would have been the same whether ho had contraband goods on board or not. If she was bound to any of the ports, of Texas, she was liable to be seized ; such being the case and Texas openly fighting against Cen tralism in support of that Federal constitution which every citizcu of the province was solemu ly sworn to obey—fighting not as rebels hot in inaiutaitiniice of those very principles which had been guaranteed to them by the general Cong ress of Alexico, she would certainly be justified iu resorting to a system of reprisals, and she ought to do it as tho most effectual way of pro tecting her coast. GjRJE.1T JFlItJE J.V.rJEIP YORK! New-York, Dec. 17. 1) R E ADFUL C AL AM IT Y. New York has been for fifteen hours in flames! They arc not yet extinguished. A large section, and that the oldest and mosl wealthy portion of the city, is iu ruins; and whether the progress ol the Destroyer is yet completely arrested, we cou- uot tell. Siuce the conflagration of Moscow, no calamity by fire, so extensive, and so dreadful, has befallen any city in the world. The fire broke ou*. in Merchant-street, in the triangular block formed by Wall, William ami 1'carl-strcets, at about nine o’clock last night. A fierce wind was blowing from the northwest, and tho weather so intensely cold as to render the efficient work ing of the engines impossible. The cousequence was, that the fire held tho mastery through the night—spreading with great and destructive ra pidity. It was an awful night for New-York, and for the country. But wc can neither de scribe the graiideur of the spectacle, nor its ter rors, nor the desolation brought more distinctly to view by the morning light. The arm of man was powerless; and many of our fellow citizen.; who retired to their pillows in affluence, were bankrupts on awaking. The fact of the pou crlcssness of the fijeinen. from the almost instantaneous congelation of the water, and the benumbing influence of tile cold, increased tho consternation which prevailed a- uiong the thousands of the agitated multitude, who were witucsscs of the calamity—many of them doomed to stand and see the destruction o( their own fortunes, without being able to lift a finger for the rescue. To arrest the flames was at ouce seen to lie impossible, save by the blow ing up of ranges ol buildings in advnute of tho fire, that its progress might thus be interrupted. But rite difficulty was to obtain powder—-none of consequence being allowed in the city. A sufficieu 4 supply, therefore, could not lie obtained short ol the Navy Yard—whence, also, the May or was obliged to send fora strong military force, to preserve property from the swarms of robbers, who are ever ready on such occasions. [What a commentary upon the depravity of inan !] Such is ii;9 confusion that prevails, aud such tho difficulty of minting one’s way among the smoke, and fire, and heated ruins, that i- is im possible to detail particulars with any preieusioil to accuracy. Below, we have given the account prepared for the Mercantile Advertiser, one of the two Surviving morning papers, at the late heur tit which that paper was put to press. The conflagration continued to extend for some hiihrs afterwards. The tender may form some opiuiou of tho muguitude of the calamity, by the follow ing statement, prepared by consulting the map, after we had walked around the ruins for the pur pose of a deliberate survey. South side of Wall-street, from William-street to East river, including the Merchant’s Exchange, aud excepting some three or four buildings be tween Merchant st. (form -rly Hanover) nud Pearl. Also from William to Broad, buildings not destroyed, but injured in the rear. Exchange-street, both sides, from Broad street, crossing \\ illiam to Alcrcbant-sticet — tin- Gar den-street church was embraced in this section. A.lerchauts-street (formerly Hanover) boihsides, from Wall to Hanover square. Willinm-stroof, both sides, from Wall-street to Hanover square. Pearl-street, both sides, from Wall-street to Coeuties slip, including the whole sweep of Han over square. Stone-street, from Hanover square to the inne leading to the head of Coeuties slip. Exchange-street, and part of Heaver street, from Pearl itearly to Broad. Water-street, both sides, from Coffee House slip to Coeuties slip. Front-street, both sides, from Coffee House slip to Cocnties slip. South-street, from the same to the same. South side of Coffee House slip, from Pearl- street to the East River, Both sides of Old Slip, (including the Frank lin market) from Pearl-street to tiie East Rivet. Notth side of Coeuties Slip, from Pearl-st. to the river. James’ Lane. Gouverncur’s Lane, Cuyler’s al ley and part of Alill-sireet. Scvcufeeu blocks of buildings, of tbo largest aud most costly description, are totally destroyed; the large block between Wall-street and Ex change place, bounded on the west by Broad- street, that between Exchange place aud Beaver- street, frdtitiug ou Broad-street, aud that between Beaver and Al ill-streets, also frootiug or Broad, arc greatly injured, aud may almost be said to be destroyed—except the single range of stores (routing oil Broad street. The number of build ings it is impossible to ascertain, but it is estima ted between 700 and 1000. The amount of pro pel ty de- troytd is incalculable Those acquainted with out city will at. once perceive that nearly tho eulire seal of its greatest commercial transactions has been destroyed. It is not, probable ilia: the destruction of auy giv> u section, of any other city iti the world, of equal extent, would have involved a greater number *>f men.- The destruction of goods, of every de- s«'iiptioii that can be enumerated, has been im mense ; and what yet farther magnifies the ca lamity is the fact, that the nortion of the city thus destroyed, is ono which has been almost entirely rebuilt within tho last five or six yenr>, and was covered on every hand with the most noble and substantial ranges of mercantile edifices perhaps iu the world. Before the gunpowder.was used in blowing up houses, there were many loud reports, occasion al explosions of powder, aud casks of spirits — During the w hole night the scene was oue of aw ful terror, and indescribable grandeur. The drought of the season had contributed to tile com bustibility of the matter, and the rapidity with which house after house, aud range after range, were wrapped in flames, was truly astonishing. The wind being high, large flakes of fire were borne whirling aloft through the dark vault of heaven with fearful splendor. From the direc tion of the wind—to which. uttderiProvidctice, the salvation of perhaps the whole city is owing —the city of Brooklyn was considered in danger; and the flakes of fire were borue along in quanti ties beyond Flatbusb- The buildings on Exchange piaco liaviug be come involved iu the conflagration, the flames communicated to the Merchant’s Exchange ilse’f, the exemption of w hich had been so strougl} confided in, that a large amount of goods was desposited there for safety. Before these could he removed, aud the numerous tenants of that edifice could remove their private property, the fir- communicated to the roof, and this soon fall , mg iu, carried with it tho wall at the east eud of tho tiuildiug. beneath which several persous are said to have beeti buried alive. The splcudid dome of the Exchange, after sending columns of flame to ail immense height for halt' an hour, un til It was reduced to a body of fire, fell in with a tremendous crash, burying the clegaut statue «I Hamilton in the ruins. At the time the fire on Pearl-street reached Hanover square, tlio largo space of ground was filled with piece goods promiscuously piled to gether. aud much of tTiis property was of the most valuable Kiud. So unexpectedly aud ra pidly did the flatnes extend ou both sides of the square, that an unsuccessful attempt was made to remove it, for much of it was destroyed in the street, and the residue, though deposited at a still greutcr distance in stores otherwise, was shortly afterwards consumed. Dr. Matthews’s cburili had been made a depository for goods in the early part of tbe fire, which were of course entirely consumed with the building, leaving untiling but the bare walls. With the Exchange, the public has sustained a loss iu the fine arts which is greatly to be re gretted. Wc refer to the statue of Hamilton, erected by the inutiificence of our merchants dur ing the present year, in the centre ofthe rotunda, of that building. That, which was designed to remain for ages, is in eight months precipitated from its pedestal, am! is mixed with the ruins of the ill fated structure ii was creeled to adorn. The mere amount of property wasted and tie stroyed, uot by the flames, but in the confusion ami hurry, and desperation ol tile time, is proba bly equal to the entire loss at ordinary fires. It is lamoutable to see the piles of costly furniture —rich tnahogauy tables, with marble tops, side boards, sofas, fee., broken and heaped tip like worthless rubbish ; rich merchandizes- -silks, sat ins, broadcloths, fine muslins, and every species of faucy dry goods, trampled under foot; pack ages halfburnt—boxes of cutlery ami hardware burst opcu, and their contents scattered iu the mud—-bottles of wine broken—and in short, thousands upon thousands and toils uf thousands of dollars lying wasted around, iu the form cf ru ined mcrchoiHlizes. Carmen ami porters were heapiug goods upon carts, harrows, iti coaches a:*d omnibuses, the Battery and Bowling Green are thickly studded with piles of goods, some in boxes, others just as they were' snatched from the shelves ; marines, with fixed bayonets, patrolling among- them for protection agniust marauders; and till eyes fixed upon the volumes of dense black smoke, whirl ing away before wind—flames darting ami roar ing from the roofs and windows of whole streets —walls tumbling to the gronud and the fiiemeu worn out with their exertions and almost dis couraged from farther efforts, vainly striving to make head against the .flames, which seemed to mock all human skill aud power. Amidst this dreadful destruction, we are hap py to announce that the shipping have uot -us- tained any material injury. A vast number of them were lying at the docks between Murray’s wharf and Uo**ntic’s slip, and at oue time we had our fears that the whole w ould have been de stroyed. The water was very low, nud they could not, for some time, gi t away. Th« brig Pow.'tatau was on fire, but it was soon extinguish ed, and all, except one Br. brig in Coeutie’s slip, filially got into thp stream where they are now at anchor. , In nil cases of great public or Individual calail- ities, especially those occasioning loss of proper ty, the first impressiius aud first reports, are of course greatly exaggerated. And before con cluding this hasty and very imperfect account, wo take leave to caution the public abroad a- gainst giving credence to first reports. The ca lamity is indeed a terrible one, and the losses will be immense. Bui still wo are warranted in the belief (bat the burden will principally fall iu such a manner that it will be borue without shaking the credit of the city, or checking its prosperin for any considerable length of time. YVe take it for granted—-nay, it is admitted on all hands--, dint the fire insurance companies are all ruined. Some will not bo able to pay fifty cents ou tin dollar of their policies, ana others’, perhaps, uo more than twenty-five--while others may hr rather more fortunate. Postscript, one o'clock P- Jf.—The firo has t been mastered, aud we rejoice to lean, n ) cross Coemies «lip, nor advance aiw r aci south upon Pearl-st. y Ia nh«r Additional Particulars. From estimates made, it is stated th buildings were destroyed, viz : 79 , M j, ‘"l 31 6l3 37 South-street; 76 Water-street - 81) t- f( *l; 16 Merchant-street; 62ExchangeVlace^n'?'* change-street; 44 William-street; 3;t rii.J' 1 ' 16 Comities Slip; 60 Stone-street• 3 square; 23 Beaver-street; 20 Govern-^ • 10 Jones’ Lane ; 50 Cuyier’s Alley • ag William Redmond, importer u’r li 1 5 ' n ' British dry goods, in Merehaut-st., lost Alessrs. J. Campbell. & Co. pap/ ,*• w ho were burnt out at the great fire i/t tn in August last, aud bad removed iuto Al ."h”' street, while their store was rebuildin. 1 ,SI ' whole stuck. * fo ?lWc Mr. Stephen Whitney had j us t h -i stores, at au expense of $ 10,000 eaoh— u ^ leveled with the ground—no insurance^ In that unusually large space, calied || n „ Square, where every body thought the romp ? ed there would be perfectly sale, there 6 tv*^ cumulated from diestock of all the French!,’ Jc ' a mass of siiks, satins, laces, cartons of j ^ gloves, capes Cashmere shawls, and the ri kinds of faucy articles, forming a pile,,ffti , wide by 20 feet iu heigi.t, or nearly ( square. In a few minutes nftenvards a»J**} flame, like a streak of lightning, C am e f® ',, N. C, comer building, and shooting ac square, blown by the -trong wiuu, set 6rcto,k! entire mass, w hich in a few moments nw * sumed to cinders, and theu communicated houses opposite. ltc The naval store-house at Brooklyn, across th rivei, caught fire several times, but the werepiomptly subdued. The loss of **'reueh goods will fall hesvi'v M the Lynns .Manufacturers, as an immenseamwa destroyed w as ou consignment. One hundred aud twenty-three Souses ( au the New-York Courier S,- Enquirer) l-avt /aJe returns of their losses, the totalof w hich amour, to S3.353.0U0, exceeding what was«Bliripatedu so small a number, but the belief still exist* it-' it w ould not exceed S12.000.000. The Hammer of the City Hall Bell wasbmser —probably from its constant employment audit* intense cold of the weather during the ui»Li if the fire. fio rar as discovered, there was uot a veolt ii the Merchants’ Exchange of the least value— every paper was consumed in hem. All the daily papers are agaiu published as be tial. Some of them have risen, like Pheaii, from the ashes. Among the ruins of the Exchange, the Jersey Little Fails Co. dug out their Iron Chest, cot- taming $23,000 iu bills—-aU secure. Tbe light of the fire wasdistinctly seenatXei. Haven. Two Fire Companies from .N'eari, reached N. York at 7 o’clock ou Thursday mm- ing, aud were of great service iu extiuguish'ugiht flames. The passengers in the steam boat contiu;den the liver, saw the flames from the Highlands,lit ty-fivc miles distant, and such was the viol rated the gabs, during the prevalence ofthe fire, fix burning embers were carried across the East it er, autf set fire to the roof of a housa there, M was, however, speedily extinguished. Some of the Insurance Compauies, thcCi/y the U. Stales and the East Rivet, have«an» ccd tbeii ability and iuteution to pay all cl:;i against them. The Globe, whose respouribib-ii exceed one mi lion, aud several ofthe other «- fices, with large capitals, it is ascertained.vii tie able to pay nearly all the claims upon the*I These payments, however, it is said, willc:--' the saertfire of most of their capitals. f,F<6lSL,ATUJKE OF GEORCU. I KESOiAmUN-- OF MR. WOOD, OF m’ISTOSH, On the French Relations. Whereas, the unjustifiable and waut«isp*| lions committed on the property of the otiK of the U. S. by the then existing GoveitwM France, have too long remained wusa;:: uttntoned for,—and :is our government bs* 5 rinbly respected the rights o; other nations at the same time it bus with ntildi'css iw- uess, maintained its own: laying it 1 maxim, uot to demand what was wrung, «'*• render that which is right. and Whereas, France, by a solemn!' j bound herself to pay u .specific sum for it' -' linuous, and also subsequently has both -) King, as well ay by tne two component ptfj her government, continued to ackuottWp'j justice: inn recently has pretetdedtf““l fence, at tbe language usco’ by the 1’n bis constitutional communications to < and required that concessions should ! therefor, previous to the stipulated payoff j mg made: thus assuming a right to our domestic relations. However France may beou points of natioual . qually so are the A merieairpeople of common country—Proud of our govern^'', ed ou the immutable righ s of inaii-*"*'^ our free nnd euligbteued institution*. ** prouder still, by the increasing energies 1 ] people, wh u forced into collisions with" 1 J ttons : no attempt at dictation can be ttor shall tho bright charactci ofonrf ’ tarnished by concession. With a , viC V„ correct erroneous opinions, respecting 1 meets of our citizens on this subject, viucc their undiiniuLhed confidence al government; . -j Be it Resolved, That the present . deem it a solemn duty on this grave q‘ ! _ I express their approbation of tbe c,,u ^||; by the President w ith respect t® **? France, and do give their unqualifies the impartial light iu which he f> aa F\ subject in his late message to Co»r rf * > ', Resolved, That os oue of the c states of this glorious Republic. ffe . w ever ivili consent, that any couces-io , j. made bv the Executive. asrequi fC I 5 Iter of Deputies of the French Resolved, That the people of *,*1 themselves to sustain the Genera while pursuing our just claims ° ^ . such as are best calculated to 01:1111 , r Ji)i| aud untarnished honor and ebarae j ted States. , .v. Resolved. That his Excellency he requested (o forward copies 01 , to the President of tiie U- t>,;,le Vn „ Congress and our Senators am l i iu Congress. CapM The following is a Iwi fl * 11 passed by the last Legi-d^m*' To appropriate money lor Ut«^ ermneut, for tbo political ve:,r ) o,;| k To incorporate tiie_('0 ,,, [‘ l j Bn iifc'l vseulrif tint both ^ AO IIICUI Uuld'V — inking Company of GeotfW 1 , To authorise the Judges oft 4 j to audit all account* for costs, till expenses attending d )e , nrlTl \ 0 f e uf Cherokee Indians- for cron* ‘ Cherokee Circuit- W 1 * 1 To add a part of tbo Academic. School Fund of Hall county* . j B f, To sell, with the consent i Ots of Land drawn 1e r aa dufes 1 returned and condemned n* , Ifl j To keep open l'lii!* irfish ^tructions to the free passage , aud <*•** jc**3 ■