The number of subscribers to the Art Union, whose names were registered prior to July 30, is 5295, an increase of 1732 above those of the corresponding period last year.—The plaster-models of the celebrated statues of Christ and the Twelve Apostles, by Thorwaldsen, the marble copies of which adorn the principal church in Copenhagen, have been purchased by a gentleman of this city, and will be shortly exhibited here. They will be accompanied by one or two other works of the great Danish sculptor.—A colossal statue, in bronze, of DeWitt Clinton, is to be erected in Greenwood Cemetery, from a model by H.K. Brown.—From the Bulletin of the Art Union we learn that Mr. HUNTINGTON accompanied by Mr. Gray, has gone to England. Mr. Gray took with him three of his paintings: The Wages of War; Dolce far Niente, a half-length female figure; and Quiet Influences, a cabinet picture, representing a lady seated at a window surrounded by books and instruments of music.—The Art Union is in daily expectation of a Holy Family, painted for it by Mr. Page, in Italy. This artist has also shipped to this country a Psyche, taken from a bust by Powers; a copy from Titian's portrait of one of the Dukes of Urbino; and a Study of Florentine Nature.—Greenough's group of the Pioneer, designed for the Capitol, of which we gave a description some months since, is nearly completed.
The steamer Atlantic, the first of the Collins line, whose apprehended loss, some eight months since, caused such a general feeling of anxiety throughout the country, and the tidings of whose safety diffused such universal joy, has again made her appearance in our waters. She was greeted by cheers long and loud from a great crowd who had assembled to bid her welcome. At the hour of her arrival from the East, Jenny Lind was approaching our city from the North. The moment she heard of the arrival of the steamer, she hastened to the wharf, to greet the reappearance of the noble vessel, which conveyed her to our shores.
During the month of July the number of immigrants who arrived at the port of New York was 30,034; of whom about 20,000 were from Great Britain and Ireland, 4500 from Germany, and 4700 from France.
A convention has been called to meet at New Orleans, to consider the propriety of taking measures for the construction of a system of railroads, to connect the States upon the Gulf of Mexico with those of the West and Northwest. The convention is to be held on the first Monday in January.
A convention of free people of color has been held at Indianapolis, Ia., to deliberate upon matters relating to their interests and prospects as a class. The convention while insisting upon their right to remain in this country, passed resolutions affirming the expediency of emigrating, provided that the laws should become intolerably burdensome to them. Among the places mentioned as suitable for them to colonize were Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and Central America. They expressed a strong disinclination to emigrate to Liberia.
A treaty has been concluded with the Sioux Indians, by which they cede to the United States a tract of land in Minnesota, estimated to contain 21,000,000 acres. They reserve to themselves a tract in Upper Minnesota, 100 miles by 20 in extent. They are to receive $305,000 after their removal to their reservation; and an annual payment of $68,000 a year, for fifty years.
Mr. Brace, the American traveler who was arrested and imprisoned in Hungary, on suspicion of being engaged in plots against the Austrian Government, has been set at liberty, through the interposition of the American Chargé at Vienna. He has published in several papers, of which he is correspondent, statements setting forth the harsh treatment to which he was subjected.
The project of introducing steam communication between New York and Galway in Ireland, has by no means been abandoned. The Midland Great Western Railway Company offer a bonus of £500 to the first vessel which shall deliver her mails at Galway within nine days from her departure from New York; and an additional sum of £10 for every hour that the passage falls short of nine days.
A recent arrival at New York has brought 47 Hungarian refugees, of whom 15 were companions of Kossuth at Kutaiah. We find in the European papers statements that the period of his detention is to expire on the first of September, when he will be at liberty to go to any part of the world. He himself, it is evident, entertains no such expectation. In a letter, dated May 4, to Mr. Homes, American Chargé at Constantinople, he says that no reliance is to be placed upon these reports; and that he is doomed to perish in captivity. He complains bitterly that the promises of hospitality which were made to him when he entered the Turkish dominions, have not been fulfilled. The so-called release of the greater portion of refugees who accompanied him, instead of being an act of generosity, is, he says, but an aggravation of the injustice and perfidy practiced toward him. A great number of exiles wished to share his fate; but permission was granted to only 23. These, with the exception of five, were forced to leave him, in spite of their urgent remonstrances. His request to be allowed to send his children to the United States, in accordance with the offer of our Government, was denied. Appended to the letter of Kossuth, is the protest of the refugees, declaring the order for their separation from Kossuth to be unjust, cruel, and contrary to the law of nations. They affirm they will only obey it when executed by actual force.
The 4th of July was celebrated at Turks Island with great good feeling. British, as well as American subjects were present; and Mr. Speer, the British Comptroller of Customs, who presided at the dinner, upon the invitation of the American consul, offered the following toast: "The Fourth of July—The day above all others in the political calendar to be revered by the Americans; and in the celebration of which the most loyal subjects of her Majesty may properly join."