CUSTOM HOUSE, New YORK, I


Collectors Office. April 81, 1865
To THE EprroR OF THE NEW YoRK HFRALp -
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To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALp,- -


NV attention having been called to an article id
the Morning Ne,rs OF to-day, in relation to th{
case OF II. T.. Riell, and, as usual, finding fault
with my conduct, will thank you 10 publish the
following explanation


the democratic party nl the 9th Ward was divided
and distracted between two or three candidates, oi
which H. E. Rlcll was one, for Assis ant Alder
man, and that many persons were charging the
election, and Of being the cause the disunion, in
consequence of one of the officers belonging to j,
being engaged in contested popular election.


sent tor Mr.. Riell, and on Tuesday morning
last he called upon me, when informed him thai


considered it improper for officers OF this depart.
ment to become candidates at popular elections fo,
other public Offices that besides the neglect OF Of


cial duty to which II could not fail to lead, il was
calculated TO produce imputatons upon this depart.
ment OF improperly meddling with the elections
and that therefore, felt it to be my duty advise
him 10 withdraw from the contest in which he was
engaged, and, at the same time, 10 state to him
do go. urged Mr. Rlelf, ia me most fffendly man
ner, to continue in the place he held, and assured
him sf my friendly disposition to sustain him in it.
and that 1t was only on account of principle
which felt absolutely bound to act upon that had
placed before him the alternative above stated -
MIR. Riell urged several arguments to convince me
that his course was proper one, but which were
wholly unsatisfactory to my mind A gentleman
OF this city was present and heard the whole con-
versauOn.


Mr.. Rlell agreed to reflect upon the matter, and
10 give me his answer the next day. Accordingly
he called on Wednesday, in company with his ia
ther, when the conversation OF the previous day
as above detailed, was repeated, together with some
further Suggestions on both sides. but OF the
character. The result was, that Mr.. Riell express.
ed hisdetermlnaon 10 proceed as candidate in his
ward, and on being asked by my whether should
consider him as resgnIDg his office in the Custom
House, he answered no, and SAID he should not re.
sign. This closed the Interview. Mr. Rie will
OF course, be removed from HE place in the Cue.
tom House, and shall be accountable to the au.
thorlties over me for the course have adopted
course, as ! conceived, of imperious duty, and
which was at variance both with my personal fee l.
lIgs and pecunlary interest.


IL may be proper to add, that having also heard
that another officer of this department. Mr. Eng.
lish, had received, or was about to receive, no.
mination tor Alderman in the Third Ward, cent
Tor him at the same time OF sending for Mr.. RelI
|sand on expressing TO HIM the same views as in the
other case, he informed me that he had already de-
clined the nomination.


AS to the assertions of the Morning Ntws tha,
was induced to this action by a desire to serve
some o.ner candidate, It will not, am sure, be
considered by any reasonable person that there Is
any necessity for denial. G.. P. VAN Ness.
The CANAL TRADE.-The "Georeetown Advo.
cate" OF Saturday, says: A continuation Of the
present fine weather gv earnest of speedv
activity In the trade to ard from hence ON the canal


good From the opening of navigation on tho aist o
February to this date hundred and seventy boats
have arrived bringing coal, -four, wheat kc, and
hundred and sixty five have Departed carrying plaster
groceries, &c.
POTOMAC FIsHERIEs.-It is gratifying to learn,
from gentlemen residing in Alexandria, George.
town. and other places connected with the Potomac Fish
eres INST there fair prospect of succsssiul
Already the fish wharves in Alexandria and
Washington city are hronged with Ash buyers well


fish vendors On sunday last parcel of Ane shad sold
at AleyHndIla at "a so rpd IN Law
shad sold nWashpgton city AT S. per hundred OnTues
day. IN the Centre Market the supply OF thsd and her
rng being good iormer sold Of cents rsr
pair the latter Rpm siaAi teswsve csHls per bunck