The Secretary reported that he had received copies of the following works for gratuitous distribution among the members:

I. Annual Report of the Patent Office of the United States on Agriculture, for the year 1860. One volume, 8vo., pp. 504, with engravings. II. Remarks on the Proposed Issue of Treasury Notes on Demand. III. Acts and Resolutions passed during the first session of the ThirtySeventh Congress. July-August, 1861. Octavo, pp. 96.

IV. The Utility and Application of Heat as a Disinfectant. By ELISHA HARRIS, M. D., of New-York. Octavo, pp. 22.

V. Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Insurance Department of the State of New-York, March, 1861. Two volumes, octavo.

The Secretary reported that the speech of the Hon. JOSEPH HOLT before the Chamber of Commerce and citizens of New-York, at Irving Hall, on Tuesday, September 3d, had been printed in pamphlet form for distribution among all persons who desired copies.

The next meeting of the Chamber will be held Thursday, November 7th. J. SMITH HOMANS, Secretary.

THE NEW-YORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE.

A meeting of grain dealers was held October 11th, after business hours, at the Produce Exchange. FRANCIS P. SAGE was appointed Chairman and F. BANKS, Secretary. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of finally settling the demurrage question between the sellers of grain and the transportation men. Three days have usually been allowed to remove the grain after the arrival of the boat, after which twenty-five dollars per day had been charged. Three days had been found too short a time, and twenty-five dollars is too much to pay for each additional day. The buyers think the improvements which have recently been made in the size of the canal-boats entitle them to much more time.

The next question was the liability for a detention of the boats after the proper time for discharge. In their insurance policy provision is made, and five days are allowed for them to discharge. And it was also desirable to settle who is responsible for damage done to a boat after the proper time for discharge.

The third question was the right of rejection after the grain has been examined and the boat sent alongside the ship. From the length of time which occasionally elapses before a boat is discharged, after it is sent alongside ship, great loss is often caused.

Mr. LAWBER moved that a committee of two be appointed to represent all the interests, and report at the next meeting. The Chairman then appointed the following committee: Shipowners, FRANCIS M. FRENCH and JOHN S. WILLIAMS; buyers, J. J. KINGSLAND and H. STUTZER; receivers, J. B. HERRICK and E. S. BROWN; forwarders, M. M. CALEB and HUGH ALLEN. The meeting then adjourned until Friday, October 18th, at one o'clock.

JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE,

I. THE AMERICAN SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION. II. BRITISH STEAM VESSELS FOR CHINA. IIL BRITISH STEAMERS FOR PERU. IV. AN INCIDENT OF THE SEA. V. THE LAKE TRADE TO LIVERPOOL. VI. SURVEYS IN AUSTRALASIA. VII. THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. VIII. LIGHT-HOUSES IN SCOTLAND-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE-SOUTH PACIFIC-COAST OF BRAZIL-BAY OF BISCAT.

AMERICAN SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

THE American Shipmasters' Association has been organized at NewYork with a view to elevate the moral character and professional capacity of American seamen, by the encouragement of worthy and well-qualified officers, and to promote the security of life and property at sea. Under the direction of a council of experienced shipmasters and shipowners, certificates will be issued to worthy and competent persons, after examination, for such offices as they may be qualified to fill with credit in the mercantile marine service. These certificates, it is believed, will serve as a recommendation to shipowners, and will, doubtless, be encouraged by underwriters in making favorable insurances on vessels and cargoes under the command of officers holding them.

Merchants and shipowners paying ten dollars annual fee will be entitled to participate in the privileges of the association, in accordance with the rules thereof. The association will be under the direction of a president, the duties to be performed by a chairman and secretary. A treasurer will attend to the judicious management of its finances.

Suitable rooms in the "Merchants' Exchange," Nos. 89 and 90, are provided, called "The Shipmasters' Rooms," where the chairman and secretary will attend for the necessary duties of the association. These rooms will be supplied with newspapers, books and records relating to marine and commercial intelligence.

Subscribers to the association, shipmasters and officers holding its certificates, will have free admission to the rooms, with the privilege of introducing masters and mates of foreign vessels in port, or strangers temporarily visiting New-York.

Printed monthly reports of officers in good standing and holding certificates of the association will be furnished to the members, and will be published hereafter in the MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE.

In order to secure the contemplated object of the association by placing proper persons in commission, the right of revocation will be reserved in each certificate issued.

The council of the association are: Captain CHARLES H. MARSHALL, Captain EZRA NYE, Captain E. E. MORGAN, Captain ROBERT L. TAYLOR, Captain WILLIAM C. THOMPSON, (of the Neptune Insurance Company,) and JOHN D. JONES, (President Atlantic Marine Insurance Company,) under whose directions examinations are to be made and certificates issued. These certificates will be of two grades: 1st. Of competency. 2d. Of service.

The certificate of competency will be issued to experienced seamen upon examination as to nautical science, under the direction of the council.

The certificate of service will be issued to any experienced officer for the station he has filled, when approved by the council, or under the rules which may be adopted. A record of all examinations and certificates issued will be kept by the secretary, alphabetically arranged, in convenient form for reference. Also a register of shipwrecks, with the names of officers in command. For the information of officers holding the certificates of the association, a bulletin will be kept with the address of persons desiring officers of vessels: and, if necessary, of officers not employed or desiring situations.

RULES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

I. Certificates.-Applicants for certificates must present a written statement, under their signature, specifying their native place, age, principal voyages and service, period of following the sea, and any other indication of their capacity or experience, and shall give reference to persons and vessels for and on which they have been employed, and shall answer such questions as may be deemed proper.

Such statements and answers, and written recommendations, certificates or objections from previous employers or others, shall be preserved for future reference.

Misstatements made by the applicant shall be a sufficient reason for refusing a certificate, or for revoking one, if granted.

II. Master's Certificate of Service.-The qualifications for a certificate of service shall be-experience as a mariner and as a navigator; skill in the sailing and management of a vessel; a service of one or more voyages as master; to be in good standing with his employer, of good character and habits, particularly as to temperance; he shall be twentyone years of age, and have had six years' experience at sea.

If an applicant for a certificate as master has only served in a fore-andaft rigged vessel, and is ignorant of the management of a square-rigged vessel, he may obtain a certificate on which the words "fore-and-aft rigged vessel" will appear.

III. Certificates of Competency. The qualifications shall be all those required for service, and the applicant shall possess competent knowledge of nautical science to determine the longitude by observation, the proof of which shall be an examination under such rules as the council may prescribe.

IV. Rejected Applications.-Rejected applications for certificates shall not be reconsidered, except upon application of three members of the council, when the whole case may be examined.

V. Revocations.-All certificates may be revoked for reasons satisfactory to a majority of the council; for cruel or inhuman treatment of crew or passengers, for breach of trust or barratry, for unskilfulness or misconduct, involving unnecessary damage to vessel or cargo, or for shipwreck not satisfactorily accounted for.

VI. Re-Examinations.-On application of the holder, a revoked certificate may be reconsidered. If, upon examination by the council, or other persons under their directions, the applicant should prove faultless, a new certificate may be issued to him, but no new certificate shall be granted after a third revocation.

OFFICERS OF THE SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

Council, Captain CHARLES H. MARSHALL, Captain EZRA NYE, Captain E. E. MORGAN, Captain ROBERT L. TAYLOR, Captain WILLIAM C. THOMPSON and JOHN D. JONES, (ex officio.)

Treasurer, DANIEL DRAKE SMITH. Chairman, examiner in seamanship, Captain WILLIAM W. STORY. Secretary, ISAAC H. UPTON. President,

JOHN D. JONES.

Applications for certificates may be made at the rooms of the association, 89 and 90 "Merchants' Exchange," Wall-street, New-York.

BRITISH STEAM VESSEL FOR CHINA.

The steam tug ISLAND QUEEN has been built, in England, for Mr. M'FARLANE, who was for many years resident in China, and who thoroughly understands the river navigation of that country. She is about 400 tons measurement and 110 horse-power, the engines being made on the diagonal principle, which has been so successful in the INCA and other vessels. In this instance they are fitted with surface-condensers, and, as this great improvement in machinery was looked forward to with considerable interest, we have ascertained the following particulars of several trials the ISLAND QUEEN has made:

She made her first trial trip to Douglas, Isle of Man, thence to Holyhead, and from there to Liverpool, her average speed being ten knots, and the consumption of coal equal to ten tons in twenty-four hours.

The next trial was to ascertain her efficiency as a tug boat; and in September last she towed out to sea, from the MERSEY, a new vessel, belonging to Mr. EDWARD BATES, called the EDWARD PERCY. The EDWARD PERCY is about 900 tons measurement, and was drawing fully eighteen feet. She towed this vessel easily at the rate of eight knots per hour, which is considered a first-rate result, looking at the nominal power of the steamer and the size of the vessel towed. The consumption of coal during the time she was towing was at the rate of twelve tons in twenty-four hours. The surface-condensers worked beautifully, the vacuum being steady at twenty-eight.

Two other trials were made, each of four hours' duration. In one case she made a speed of eight to nine knots, with a consumption equal to six tons in twenty-four hours; going ten to eleven knots, the consumption was equal to ten and a half tons. So far, therefore, this improved class of engines, with surface-condensers, has proved satisfactory, and its advantages will be more apparent when contrasted with engines on the common plan, especially for long voyages, the boilers being kept perfectly clean and free from the incrustation usual when ordinary condensers are used.

THE PACIFIC STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.

Messrs. JOHN REID & Co., Port Glasgow, launched from their buildingyard a magnificent iron paddle steamship, of 1,400 tons register, named the PERU. This vessel is the property of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, and is intended to ply between Panama and Valparaiso, as a consort to the CALLAO, VALPARAISO and other ships built by Messrs. JOHN REID & Co., a few years ago. The PERU will be furnished with Messrs.

RANDOLPH, ELDER & Co.'s patent double cylinder engines, of 350 nominal horse power. In September last Messrs. RANDOLPH, ELDER & Co. launched from their recently acquired building-yard at Govan the first vessel built by their firm. The vessel alluded to was christened the TALCA, and is the property of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. She is a paddle steamer, of the following dimensions: length of keel and forerake, 190 feet; breadth of beam, 30 feet; depth from keel to under side of upper deck at amidships, 17 feet; height between decks, 6 feet; burden, 800 tons. Her engines are RANDOLPH, ELDER & Co.'s patent double cylinder, of 160 horse power nominal.

AN INCIDENT OF THE SEA.

The ship ALBERT GALLATIN, on one of her outward voyages to NewYork, early in the present year, experienced very severe weather, and when in lat. 49° 30' Ñ., long. 42° W., the captain (DELANO) threw a bottle overboard containing a memorandum to the effect that the vessel was suffering from a violent gale, and requesting any person who picked up the bottle to report the circumstance. The memorandum was dated February 9, and on the 7th March the ALBERT GALLATIN arrived in a leaky and distressed state at New-York. On the 19th February the bottle was picked up off the Island of Iona, north of Scotland.

THE DIRECT ROUTE TO LIVERPOOL.

The JOHN G. DESHLER, of Detroit, Michigan, which arrived at Liverpool from that port, grain laden, when on her passage though the Straits of Belle Isle, and when surrounded by ice and in very thick weather, was driven upon the rocks, where she remained for three days, but, after discharging a part of her cargo, she was, through the great exertions and skill used by Captain MANN, got once more into deep water, and was safely navigated by him to this port, where the remainder of her cargo has been discharged in first-rate order. This is her third voyage across, and the severe test she has undergone is another proof, if it were necessary, that the lake-built vessels are quite equal, if not superior, for carrying cargoes in good condition to many of the ocean-going ships.

The bark RAVENNA, Captain MALOTT, arrived at Chicago, September 28, direct from Liverpool. She made the run from Liverpool to Quebec in the short space of twenty-eight days without carrying away a sail, rope or spar, and outsailing ships which left 20 and 30 days before her. The RAVENNA brings 200 tons of salt for Chicago; the remainder of her cargo was consigned to Detroit and Cleveland. This is the first shipment to Chicago direct from Liverpool in an American vessel. The RAVENNA left here on the first of June, and the trip has proved that grain can be landed in Liverpool direct from Lake Michigan in as good condition as it can from New-York.-Chicago Journal, Saturday Evening, September 28th.

AUSTRALASIA.

The surveys of the coasts of Australasia have now been amply provided for. New South Wales and Victoria are each to contribute £3,500