ofail the Ambassadors. Every body present was in some uniform or oth? r. The King's Aid, and I he Introducer of Ambassadors, pre sently maa^ their appearance, and invited us to form around the sides of the apartments ; w hen this was doue, the line occupied the two rooms, the number to be presented, of various nations, being together something like two hundred. After standing about twenty minutes in mo mentary expectation of the King's entrance, the fatigue became insupportable to us Ameri cans, and we began to seat ourselves upon the tabourets behrtid as. Some of the English did the same ; but I remarked that among the Russians Austrians, and Spaniards,not a man ven'ured to hamor his legs. As and I were in that portioo of the line tnat occupied the second Saloon, we could not see the door by which the Itin g was to enter, but we pre s ntly perceived, by a general movement along the opposite line, that he bad made his appear ance, and we instantly, with the help of a sign from Gen. Cass, who was promenading infront of our line, resumed the perpendicular. In about five minates, the King bad pro gressed far enough down the opposite side to become visible to us. He seemed to make two or three bows to each individual, and, after a few words, to- passs on to the next. His back being turned towards us, we could not see his free. Hq was preceded by the Ambassabor of the nation whose subjects he was receiving, (the Ambassanadorining each individual in tar^)?jd closely followed by three aids, whose business it seemed to be to step forward, should there happen to be a Fieschi, an Alibeau, or a Menmer, among the presented. The King ofthe French was short, thick, and ill~tfressed, in the uniform of a colonel of infant ; that is, ablue coat, with red facings, a ixf s&ape ess red trou sers, without bootstraps. There was no embroi dery aboat him,and?mdeed,no ornament but the blue scarf across the breast, and the star of the Legton of Honor. He carried on his left arm his eternal white fringed chapeau, in a man ner' peculiar to himself. Yoa may imagine tint, among so many gay uniforms, he cut no very brilliant figure. -As the Americans were last in the line, which of course, returned to the point where it commenced in the "Salle du Trane," he was some fifteen or twenty-five minutes fight ing his way towards us. I had made up my mind to return each salutation ofthe Kmg, by a; profound inclination, by way of showing him that we Americans possess by nature the man ners ofthe Court, and I had accordingly re served a space behind my heels for my evolu tions; but by the time the royal panache had reached my left-hand neighbor, the line bad gradually backed us so far that my legs touch ed the dais behind me, on which is placed the throne. His Majesty, with a countenance fu'l of smiles, and as red a? his own coat collar, bowed to your humble servant in turn, 44 1 am extremely happy to see you." If I had made my salutation as profoundly as 1 had intended, I should have placed my crown in the royal stomach, so close he stood to me. Accordingly I made but a moderate inclina tion. He then said, "It gives me pleasure to see so many Americans here this evening," making another how. As etiquette does not permit one to speak to the King, unless in re jfly, and as I could not think of any reply, that would not seem superfluous addressed to majesty, I replied by a sccond inclination. He then bowed once more, by way of finishing with me, and your humble servant made as profound a reverence as be could, without bringing bis forehead m contact with the roy al nose. The King spoke English. Next came the Queen, a delicate, nervous looking woman, of some forty- five years of age, w&i) -very light hair; her youngest daughter, Marie, hung on her right arm ; she was a pret enough, of perhaps fifteen or sixteen. The qeeen asked in French, " Have you been Ioog in the country V 9 I answered, "About two months, madame." Following her a short distance, came Ma dame A&laide, the King's sister, an old mai den of fifty ? with her was the elder Princess, .Clementine*' who must be nearly out of her teens. ? Thufpair bowed without speaking. The Duke of Orleans brought up the r^-ar. He is a remarkable handsome younpposite direction, down the great staircase, and conveyed themselves off as fast as the carriages could come up. 1 most take breath after my ?tory, particu . larly as I must give an account of the Court Bali which took place two days after. ? Penn jyiiMmian. v; Steam Navigation.-- The problem of steam Navigation between this and England will very aoon be solved. Capt Cobb's boat will be rea dy to sail in a few weeks; and before long the beats which are preparing for this purpose in CapitoI, drew his $4,000 in advance for the first year, and has left the city on his way to Naples, where he will do the work. It will take him four years, and occupy him about the same time as the two statutes ot Peacc and War, which he executed under a contract made with Mr. J. Q. Adams. The other groupe, I am told, is given to Mr. Greenough, who 13 now engaged on a piece of sculpture for the Uniled States. The four paintiugs will be finished long before the stat uary, as they will be executed at home. Boston Arpil 10. Steeple burnt by LigUning. ? On Saturday afternoon during a sudden shower of rain, about 3 o'clock a yiolent shock of thuader was heard, which to persons in the South part of the city, appeared to strike some ob ject near. About an hour afterwards smoke was observed to issue from the top of Hollis street Church-steeple. This is a great and handsome church, compactly made of wood. The steeple was about two hundred feet io height, being one of the tallest in the city : ? At the top of the spire was a cone surmounted by a large gilt ball, above which was a small er ball and a vane, and at the top ot the whole the pointers of a lightning rod. The smoke, when first discovered, issued from the top of the spire, where it united with the bottom of the cone, and apparently about sixty feet above the highest point to which there were any means of ascent. The fire must have been communicated at the point whence the smoke issued, by the lightning passing down the rod, in consequence of some defect in the manner it was attached to the steeple. The members of the fire department prompt ly assembled, and prepared for the attack in the only manner practiable, viz. by introduc cingthe hose of two or three engines through , the steeple to the upper balcony or platform, from which tlit water was thrown to a suffi cient height to reach the fire; but a very small portion of it only could be made to take effect* the fire being yet confined to the interior of the steeple, the exterior being covered with copper. The flame began to make its ap pearance at about half past 4, and a little be fore 5 tha engines were playing vigorously upon it. The fire although apparently kept in check by the showers of water thrown upon the exterior of the steeple, was not extinguished, and it gradually extended downwards. The effect produced upon it by the engines was so slight, that the firemen perceiving it impos sible to save the top of the steeple, remittefl their efforts. A ladder however was raised, and preparation was made for carrying i hose to the immediate vicinity of the fire, by an adventurous fireman, who ascended to the top of the ladder; but, by this time, it being about 7 ?'clock, the upper part of the spire was entirely burnt off, and the part above including a large iron shaft fifteen or twenty feet in length, which was heated red hot, with the vane, ball &c. fell with a crash iipon the roof of the church, and thcnce into Hollis-st. Fortunately no one was injured by the fall. The firemen at the upper balcony continued fo maintain their stand, and the top of the spire, encased in copper, continued to bum like the chimney of a furnace, until past eight o'clock presenting a very striking appearance. Finally, by the renewed efforts of the firemen, the flames were checked, and at 9 o'clock the fire was entirely extingnished. The vigor of the firemen, and the power of the engines, was strikingly exhibited in the vast quantity of water which was forced under such disad vantages to a height of upwards of two huns dred feet. A small portion of the water thrown to this height would have been sufficient to extinguish the fire, had not the covering o t copper, intended to prevent the approach of fire, effecutally prevented the approach of water, when through the agency of the electric fluid, the fire,, had firmly seated itself on the inside. No damage was done to the church other than that which we have already de scribed except the .breaking, of a few slatea^ upon the roof and fortunately no accident hap pened to the firemen or other persons asaem^ bled. ? Adv. Pat. New York, April 12. Fugitive Slave . ? Yesterday the Recorder's office was "crowded to excess, on account of the arrest of a colored man named Dixon, claimed to be a fugitive slave. The claimant is a Doctor Allander, of Baltimore, who says the real name of the accused is Jacob Ellis. Mr. Dresser,counsel totheAbolit onistSocietv# appeared on behalf of the prisoner, and con tended that he was not the man alledged to have absconded. So well did the learned Counsel seem convinced of this, that he caus ed Doctor Allander, the claimant, to be arrest ed while in court, on a charge of false impri sonment. He has given bail to answer the charge in the sum of $500. Mr. Morrill, counsel for the claimant, wishing further time to procure witness, the further consideration of the case was postponed until this morning at eleven. It has caused great excitement among the colored people. April 13. ? Rescue of the alleged fugitive Slave. ? Yesterday morning the examination of witness in the case of Dixon the alleged fu gitive slave was resumed. ? Mr. Phoenix the District Attorney and Mr. J. Morrill appeared for the claimant; Doctor Allander; and Mr. Dresser defended the prisoner. The claimant alleges that the accused is his slave, and that about five years ago he absconded from Balti more. On the part of Dixon, witnesses were called to prove that he had beeu a resident of this citv, as a free man for upwards of fifteen years, and that he is not and never has been a slave. The examination continued in the Re corder's Office until two o'clock, When owing to the dense crowd of colored people who Jfcronged the hall, it waa deemed prudent to adjourn to the chamber of the Court of Ses sions. On removing to the Jatter place a gen eral rush took place, and every seat was occu pied in a few minutes. The sprinkling of white and black faces presented an interesting spec* tacle, as they stood ranged like the keys of a piano forte. The examination of witnesses was continued until three o'clock, at which time the Recorder adjourned the Court until one o'clock to-day. The officers then proceed ed to convey the pjisoner to Bridewell. In doing so it was necessary to pass through the Park, where nearly two thousand colored peo pie were assembled. As might have befen supposed; the prisoner was rescued from the officers. Justice Bloodgood seeing how the matter stood rushed from the police office with a posse of officers, and succeded in seizing the accused by the tiollar. But the exertions of the magistrate were of no avail, for a powerful negress threw her arms round his, neck, while a negro seized his legs and others beat him on the ribs in such a manner as to compel him to relinquish his hold. Dixon then made good his escape and run down Duane street, follow ed by his friends. The officers treated into the police office, dragging with thein several persons who had assisted in the rescue. Among them was R. C. Waldon, Esq., a member of the bar of this city. Mr. VValdron the officer charged him with having been very active in assisting the prisoner to escape, in doing which tore his (Waldron's) coat nearly off his back. Owing to the dense crowd we did not hear the gentleman's defence. He offered to give bail to answer the charge. Mr. Bloodgood said he would not take bail for a less sum. than ten thousand dollars. Bail to the amount of $5, 000 was offered and refused. The gentleman eventually procured bail to the amount requir ed. A number of colored people were then committed on a similar charge. Having disposed of these, the magistrate assembled the officers, and dispatched them to recapture Dixon if" he could be found in the city. Officers Merrit, Homan, Sparks, Bow yer and others, proceded to the lower part of Duane street ; where it was said Dixon was concealed. After a long search they succeed ed in ferretting him out. tie was concealed in a coal hole in the yard of Mr. Arthur, a jewel ler, who, however, had no knowledge of the fact. Dixon made no resistance, and was re^ conducted to prison. The excitement, during this scene was unparalleled, and it is a great wonder that no lives were lost. The movement in the Legislature of Massa 1 chusetts on the abolition question shews that the abolitionists are growing in strength and importance at the north- It shews likewise, that abolition principles are not confined to either of the great political parties into which the country is divided. The resolutions adop ted, almost unanimously, declare the power of Congress to abolish slavery in the district of Columbia, and that its early exercise is impe riously demanded. They declare further that slavery being an admitted moral and political evil, should be circumscribed within tbe limits of the States where it already exists, and that no new State snou Id be admitted into the Union whose constitution shall sanction or permit the existence of domestic slavery. In addition to this, we observe that Mr. Webster, and Mr. Abbot Lawrence, who we believe represents the Boston district in Con gress, have both, in addresses since the ad journment, taken a stand against the admission of Texas into the Union, in the event of appli cation, being made, on the ground that slavery is there sanctioned, and that her admission would strengthen the slave holding States. We have little doubt that very soon this question will be brought to bear on the elec tions in the Nothern States, and that candidates for office will be required to give in their ad hesion to the abolitionists. In this state of things what is the proper course for the South ? The answer is plain. Let her maintain a stout and unflinching resis tance to all interference on the subject, either with regard to the District of Columbia, or States applying for admission. Let it be un*> derstood distinctly that she will not submit to such interference , and she has nothing to ap prehend. It may be thought by some that the Union will be endangered. We do not believe that the North will push the matter to extre mity if they see reason to apprehend such a consequence. They are not so auxious to get rid of the tax paying portion of the confedera cy. But if in the blind spirit of fanaticism they should lose sight of consequences, we think, (much as we might deprecate such an event,) that it must be evident, the South would not be the greatest sufferer from the dis solution. Our readers may remember that we consid ered the paper purporting to be the Farewell Address of the late President of the United States as hardly being a legitimate subject for criticism, but rather entitled, as the closing scene of the General's political life, to forbear ance, &c. This opinion we have not chang ed, so far as the General's responsibility for the Address is concerned. Considered, however, as tbe production of other minds, which he has only signed, it presents itself in a different point of view. In this light the matter is placed in an article in the last number of the New York Evening Star, under the signature of H. M. B. (H. M. Brackenridge, a gentleman with whose character and talent our readers are well acquainted.) After Unmercifully ridicu ling the thought of the late President's imitat ing Or likening hiinself to Washington, in this matter oi the Farewell Address, Mr. B. lets us into the following piece of secret history, for a continuation of which no one probably is pos sessed of more ample materials than he : ? Nat. Intel. ** The Farewell Address is in all probability the p;oduction of 6ome such father of his coun try as Amos Kendall, with just a sufficient spice of Jacksonism to give it vraisemblance. I k now something about these farewell addresres, having written two of them for him. The first of those was on the occasion of his taking leave of his command in thefarmy. The only part of it which wos his, was an uncouth me morandum, containing some illiberal and un gentlemanly reflections on a brother officer, who stood high in the esteem of his country, (Gen. Brown, ) but who, in a recent military order, had been so unfortunate as to speak with disapprobation of the practice of whipping in the army; and this was all he contributed to the address. The paternal advice to the young officers, and the tine military and patriotic feeling which breathed through the rest of it, were altogether dramatic. The other state paper was on his leaving Florida, when he had displayed his excessive energy for some months as military and civil governor. 4 You know,' said he, 4what willc uit.' Accordingly, I wrote I an address, without a single suggestion from him, and which was signed without a single alteration. The address alluded to was often quoted to prove the fitness of General Jackson for civil government, to show his exalted love of liberty, and the absence of dangerous ambi tion in his nature. It was highly eulogized as his production. 1 own 1 had some design, by contrast, in portraying out what a government ought to be, to express my opinion of what he was." "The incapacity of General Jackson has bccome eo proverbial, that it would be mere affectation of delicacy to be silent. Mr, Duane has declared 'that he has no distinct ideas on any subject;' and Mr. Berrien very signifi cantly says, 'that which I sign 1 write mean, ing that Jackson signs that which he does not write. At the commencement of his Admin istration a pleasant anecdote was related to me by one of the clerks in the Department of State. General Jackson, having received a complimentary letter from Bustamente, Presi dent of Mexico, sent it to the office with the following laconic endorsement : 'Mr. Van Bu ren will reply to the letter of General Busta mente with the jrankness of a soldier.'' The Secretary laughed heartily at this conceit, as he was neither a soldier, nor remarkable for frankness." So much for Secret History. From the National Intelligencer. GREAT IMPROPRIETY. In his testimony before the Investigating Committee of the House of Representatives at the late session of Congress, Judge White states the facts hereto subjoined. Judge White then officiated as President of the Sen ate. Nothing supposable for a President to attempt could be mon reprehensible than this effort to direct, through the appointment of a committee, the leg station of Congress. Judge White's statement is made upon oath. "During this same session of 1832 and 1833, it will be remembered, the United States seemed to be on the eve of a civil war with South Carolina, on aceount of the tariff; and that a bill was sent to the House of Repre sentatives from the Treasury;.. Department, proposing a modification ?od reduction of it; that the provisions of that bill were so changed in the House, that it became very unaccept able to a large majority, and had no prospect of finally passing ; that in this etate of things, and after what was called the Force bill had been considerably discussed in the Senate, Mr. Clay introduced in the Senate, what is commonly called the Compromise bill ; and upon its second reading it had been referred t6 a select committee, composed of seven members. This committee it was my duty, as presiding officer, to appoint. Before the members were named, I received a note from the President, requesting me to go to his house, as he wished to see me. I returned for answer that while the Senate was in session it was out of my power to go ; but as soon as it adjourned, I would call on him. I felt the high responsibility which rested on me in appointing the committee ; the fate of the bill, in a good degree, depend ed upon it; and if the bill failed, we would probably be involved in a most painful conflict. I endeavored to make the best selection I could, by taking some tariff men, some anti tariff, one nullifier, and Mr. Clay himself? hoping that if a majority of a committee, in which all interests and views were represen'ed could agree on any thing/ it was likely it would pass. Taking these principles for my guide, I wrote down the names of seven members, Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, being one; and, immediately before we adjourned, handed the namks to the Secretary, with dN rections to put them on the journal, and in the course of the evening waited on the Pre^ sident. Soon afier we met, he mentioned that he had wished to see me on the subject of appointing a com i ittee on Mr. Clay's bill, to ask that Mr. Clayton might not be put on it; as he was hostile to the Admin istration, and unfriendly to Mr. McLane, he feared he would use his endeavor to have a preference given to Mr. Clay's bill over that of the Secretary of the Treasijry, or words to that effect. I observed, in answer, th.it it would always givaeae great pleasure to conform to the wishes of my political friends, whenever I could do so with uropriety; but that the Trea sury bill had been so altered and mangled, and that, as I understood, in a good degree, by the votes of his own party, that it had but few iriends; that we seemed to be on the eve of a civil war, and that, for the sake of averting such a clamity, I would further all in my power any measure, come from whom it might, which would give peace to the country; and that any bill, having that for its object, was esteemed by me a measure above party ; and any man who was the author ofitwas welcome to all the credit he could gain by it. But, at all event?, it was too late to talk on the subject, as I had handed the names of the committee to the Secretary before we adjourned; and that as I had a very high opinion of Mr. Clayton's talents and liberal feelings, 1 had put him on the committee, without knowing he was personally unkind to the Secretary of the Treasury. He then asked me if I could not see the Secretary of the Senate that evening, and substitute some other name for Mr. Clayton, before the journal was made up : I told him I could not ? in my judgment it would be wrong : and then the interview terminated." Philadelphia., April 10. TWO DAYS LATER FROM ENGLAND. By the ship Oconee, of New York, from Liverpool, which arrived here yesterday, Mr. Coffee, of the Exchange, has been promptly furnished by Captain Wilson with the Liver pool Albion of the 13th March, two days later than received by the Sheffield, from which we were permitted to make brtef extracts. The money market seemed to be somewhat easier, I and confidence in a degree restored. The papers contain no news of general interest, and not a word about the cotton market. ? Ministers, it will be seen, had been taken by surprise and defeated in the House of Corns mon8. The house was quite thin when the vote was taken, as appears by the yea? and nays. Our extracts being necessarily brief, relate chiefly to money matters. The Oconee sailed on the 14th of March. London , March. 11. ? The measure adopted by the directors of the Bank of England to relieve the pressure of the money market, so severely felt for some months past, and with the view also of producing a return of the precious metals to this country, are at length producing their desired effects. The accom modation, such as the advancing of money by the bank directors upon the deposit of approv ed bills of exchange, has relieved the private bankers and the great discount brokers of a very considerable portion of this description of property, which they hold in their posses sion; and they in their turn have been enabled to extend accommodation to their customers. The effects produced upon trade and com merce have not yet been very prominent; but within the present week, more extensive pur chases have been made of manufactured and raw produce, than perhaps in any preceding three months or a month. ? Sunday Times. Liverpool , March 13.? Another week of anxiety, gloom and doubt, with regard to the money maiket, has passed over without any distinguishing feature calculated to increase distrust and alarm; and although it does not appear that any very decisive amendment can be established, still there aresome symptoms of an improved feeling* which cannot fail to have an effect upon the public mind, and may, in some degree, help to restore confidence, which has b^en so much shaken. Ministers ware surprised and defeated on Tuesday night, in the House of Commons, by the Radicals. Mr. Thos, Duncombc having moved for leave to bring in a bill td repeal a clause in the Reform Aclv which makes the payment of all rates and taxes indispensably necessary before a householder can be qualifi* ed as a voter in any city or borough. Mr* Spring Rice opposed the motion. The vol? was 49 to 38, but there is not the slightest chance of the bill passing. ? Albion. Latest from Mexico. ? By the schooner Water Witch, arrived yesterday from Mata* moras, we have received our regular filea of papers to the 17th March. They are barren of any important intelligence. We are informed by the captain of tbe Water Witch, that there were about 4000 men in M a tamo ras, destined to operate against Texas; but that their numbers were daily decreasing by desertion. They were in a most miserable situation, without the neces* sane* of life, and completely discouraged and worn down by fatigue. The invasion of Texas is thus rendered quite a matter of doubt, but should ihis enfeebled force get there ; tbe result may be predicted with unerring ceiv tainty. The Diario del Gobierno states that the independence of the Republic of Mexico haeen suspended under tho supposition that there will