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150 Years ago Today

New York Times, July 27, 1860

The Pony Express, with advices from San Francisco to the 11th inst., four days later, arrived at St. Josephs, Mo., yesterday. The steamer Sonora sailed for Panama on the same day on which the Express left, having on board upwards of a million in treasure, of which $983,000 is destined for this City. No mails were taken on board the Sonora, and all mail matter for Mexico, Central America, the Isthmus, South America and the West Indies, was forwarded by express. The Democratic politicians in California were in the greater state of anxiety relative to the proceedings of the Baltimore Convention, the latest news received there being only to the time of the organization -- the expresses and mails being all behind time. There is no mining news from Carson Valley. Great numbers of emigrants were arriving there from Salt Lake. Later advices are received from British Columbia, but they present no feature of special interest. The Puget's Sound Indians and the Coast Indians were amusing themselves by butchering each other. News is also received from the Sandwich Islands. The Hawaiian Legislature was in session. The various departments of the Government were reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

By the arrival of the Pike's Peck Express at St. Louis we receive news from Denver City to the 28th of June. Mining accounts are encouraging, some of the claims in the California Gulch having proved very rich. Business was generally improving and large trains of goods were arriving daily.

The State Convention of the Douglas Democrats in Pennsylvania assembled at Harrisburgh yesterday, to take action in opposition to the State Committee, which has recommended a fusion of the two wings of the Democracy in the State. The proceedings were strongly opposed to any such movement. The State Convention of the Democracy of Vermont also convened yesterday, at Montpelier, and selected an electoral ticket. The Convention was unanimous for DOUGLAS.

The Prince of Wales with his suite yesterday embarked at St. Johns for Halifax, nearly the same ceremonies being observed as on his landing. On Wednesday night he attended a ball at the Government House at St. Johns.

A telegram from St. Johns, N. F., announces the arrival there of the Astronomical Expedition which went from the United States to Labrador to make observations of the recent solar eclipse.

The Yale College Commencement exercises closed last evening with the usual conferring of degrees. One hundred and eight members of the Graduating Class were made Bachelors of Arts, forty-six Masters of Arts, one Civil Engineer, and eight Bachelors of Laws.

Poughkeepsie, just at present, is shaking in the shoes of her good citizens. She is in trouble. Incendiaries are applying the lighted torch, or the not less dangerous but more insidious lucifer, to her dwellings. We chronicled, two days since, two disastrous fires, which destroyed property valued at nearly $100,000, both occurring within 18 hours, and each undoubtedly the work of an incendiary. Yesterday morning before daylight a third fire took place, destroying several buildings and stables, and causing the death of six valuable horses. While the firemen were at work, two persons, supposed to belong to the incendiary party, were discovered in the act of cutting the hose, and arrested by the Sheriff. The damage of this last fire is estimated at from $15,000 to $20,000. The people of Poughkeepsie are naturally much excited about all this incendiarism.

In the Board of Aldermen last light, a petition from several citizens, asking permission to erect a tent in Jackson-square, in which to "preach the Gospel," was referred to the Committee on Streets. The Committee on Finance reported in favor of the ordinance authorizing the issue of $3,000,000, of Floating Debt fund, to liquidate obligations caused by deficiencies in the various funds. The Eighth-avenue Railroad Company were directed to complete the paving of Eighty-fourth-street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and to run their cars to and along Central Park. The Committee on Contested Seats reported in favor of paying the expenses incurred by the Committee relative to the contested seats in the Second and Eighth Districts, amounting to $2,500. The additional appropriations to the Comptroller's report for the current year were considered. Alderman BARRY got $55,000 inserted for printing and binding the documents of the Common Council. The same Alderman also obtained an appropriation of £20,000 for the purchase of the patent right of MICKLE & CARVILLE's Fire Escape, for the use of the City. A motion was made by Alderman DARRAGH to strike out the item of $105,000 for the expenses of entertaining the Japanese Embassy, when Alderman OWENS, as one of the Committee of Entertainment, assured the Board that before the Comptroller was called upon to pay, he should be furnished with a list of all the items. According to all accounts, some of those items, if truthfully rendered, had better not be printed. The motion to strike out was eventually laid on the table.

The Board of Supervisors transacted considerable business last evening, though none of great public importance. A resolution to confirm the Inspectors and Canvassers elected last year, was adopted. Several bills, for various services in connection with the City Government, were passed. The County Treasurer sent in his weekly statement, which showed a balance of $222,735 88. The Comptroller transmitted a document respecting the additional appropriation necessary for the year, which, amounted to $23,630. The Mayor sent in a veto to the resolution adopted at a previous meeting, to fit up the rear part of the Register's office as an additional apartment. The resolution was adopted, notwithstanding the veto. The reporter of the Herald was ordered to be paid $214 for reporting the trial of JAMES SHEPARD for arson.

A Baltimore dispatch informs us that the Great Eastern will after all probably visit the Annapolis Roads, and give the denizens of that city an opportunity to view her vast proportions. The arrangements are said to be all made, and the required bonus raised.

The Chicago Zouaves arrived in this City yesterday morning, returning from Boston, and were [???]corted to West Point by the Second Company National Guards. Both companies drilled in front of Cozzens' Hotel, and elicited applause from a [???] crowd of civic and military spectators, Col. [???]EE complimented the Zouaves. To-day, at [???] the Zouaves leave for Philadelphia by the [???] and will be escorted to the landing by the [???] Company.

[???]HAM, of the Supreme Court, has [???]ed his decision upon the motion to open the judgments in the West Washington market case. In substance he grants the motion. LEVI S. CHATFIELD, Esq., has commenced a suit, as tax-payer, to enjoin the City authorities from paying the bills for the Japanese reception. A motion for a preliminary injunction is noticed for the first Monday of August.

The Stock Market was heavy and unsettled, as buyers in most instances had any existing advantage. Money was more sought after, and though rates were essentially unchanged, lenders exhibited rather more firmness. There was some movement in Foreign Exchange for Saturday's steamer at very full figures.

The transactions in Flour, Wheat and Corn were rather more extensive, but prices were generally lower. Provisions were in fair request. Sugars were brisker, but refining grades were quoted a shade easier. Cotton was doing better. Coffee was quiet, having been held above the views of buyers. Metals, Naval Stores, Rice, Molasses, Tallow, Hops, Hemp and Seeds, were inactive. A moderate inquiry prevailed for Whisky. Freights were firmer.

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David Upton

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