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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST.
JAMES GARDNER, JR,
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and letters of business.
Report of the Postmaster General
(Concluded.)
The department was not insensible to the
many advantages which the government and
the community derive from the establishment
of railroads by the enterprise of the citizens
and the States, and the benefits to be derived
from them in a period of war, in the transpor
tation of troops and munitions of war from !
one part of the country to another, as well as !
the increased expedition given the mails; and
sought to enforce the law in if- true spirit and
meaning, and with that liberality which should
characterize the transactions of the govern
ment with its citizens. It settled the maxi
mum for the different classes of services as 1
above stated, and at once offered it lo the com
panies. It was difficult, if not impossible, to
discriminate in the pay between the different
roads cf the same class, by the speed by which
the mails were taken, by the goodness or bad
ness, directness or circuity of the roads, or by
the ice that would impede the progress of the
mails on some routes more than others; or by
th? dangers incident to their transportation in |
the open sea, in the sounds or lakes. It was
believed that fairness and equality of com
pensation among those of the same class per
forming similar service, would bo more nearly
attained by such a course, than by attempting
to discriminate for any such causes. The
maximum rates thus settled by the depart
ment are believed to be liberal, and greatly be
yond the prices paid for transportation of any
other kind in the country; nor has a contract
been made since the passage of the act of 1845
for a greater sum. Iherc is but one case known
to the department, since the passage of the act
.of 1838, in which a greater sum than $237 50
.pjile lor single daily service has been paid;
■that was to the company owning the road be
tween this city and Richmond.
The Fredericksburg and Richmond compa
ny refused to contract for the service, under
the decision of the Postmaster General in
183 S, although the cost of the service by
steamboat and coaches prior to the making of
that road was only $5,445; and in consequence
of their refusal at the maximum pries, ar
rangements were undertaken for transporting
the great southern mail from Baltimore down
the bay. This controversy probably led to the
passage of the act of 22d January, 1839, in
wmich the decision of the Postmaster General
was confirmed. The company yielded, and
took the great southern mail over their road at
$237 50 per mile, and were paid that sum from
the Ist of January, 1339, until the 30th of
June, 1843, when the service was to be re-let.
At these lettings increased compensation was
again demanded by the same company, of my
immediate predecessor, amounting in the ag
gregate to near S3OO per mile. They were of
fered $237 50; the mail was refusep without
more pay. The controversy was, however,
settled by a reference to the late President
Tyler, who decided to allow them $19,500
for the railroad service, or at the rate of S2BO
per mile, and the service was thus continued
until the Ist of July last, when the contracts
were again tojbu let. They were offered the
maximum price, $237 50 per mile for railroad
service, and twelve and one-half per cent- less
for the steamboat service, which amounted to
$17,971 for the railroad and 11,291 for the
steamboat service, making $29,282; less by
$2,003 than the amount received under the
award of President Tyler.
This company at first demanded for the ser
vice $33,500, which exceeded their old pay
$4,243, but finally yielded so far as to accept
The pay allowed by the award of Mr. Tyler.—
I could make no such contract, because the
demand exceeded the price which I was au
thorized to pay be the settled adjudication of
my predecessors since the passage of the act
of 1838, as well as by myself, and recognized
by Congress in the acts of 1839 and 1845. Nor
would I have done so if the law had permit
ted me to pay higher,- becaus , in my judg
ment, the sum demanded was greatly beyond
a just and fair compensation for the service;
and because every other first-class road per
forming single daily service, which had been
let to contract since the act of 1845, had ac
cepted the rate offered this company, and were
performing the service for it; and i could see
no reason why this company should be paid
more than others—especially those which per
form the service over their roads both ways in
the night, whilst this company performed the
service most of the year in the day time.
Before the establishment of this railroad, the
mail to Richmond in steamboats and coaches
cost $5,445 per annum, and the price paid
since 184.3 for steamboat and railroad service
has increased to $32,250 per annum, whilst
transportation of every thing else than, the
mail has been greatly reduced.
The company declined the service, and ar
rangements wore in progress for a contract to
t ike the great Southern mail from Baltimore
down the bay in June last. The president of
the company (Mr. Edniw Robinson) professed
a willingness to continue the service, and to
trust to my sense of justice for an additional j
compensation* Believing that the services of ,
the road would be more acceptable to the pub
lic than any other,, after explaining to him
fully my settled opinions of the law, my duty
under it, I agreed at once to permit the scr- j
vice to be continued, and abandoned the ar
rangements by the Bay route, which could at 1
that season of the year have been advanta
geously made. The service has been continu- ; <
ed under this arrangement since the Ist of : '<
July last. On the<2 3th day of October, a for- j
maj notice was given the department that the i
company would decline taking the malls after . 1
the 10th December, without additional pay.—
Would it be unreasonable to suppose that the | :
president of the company in his communica- ,
tion, intended, to induce the department to ; i
continue the mails on the road without a writ- , 1
ten contract, as had been the base since 1843, 1
until the opening of winter and the meeting of |
Congress, under the expectation that no ur- i
rangement could be made for the service in j
the winter, or, if made, that bad roads, ice, |
&e., would render the service irregular, and j
create more dissatisfaction in the public mind,
and the department, or Congress, or both,
might be induced the more readily to yield to
the exactions of his company ? The compen
sation offered that company is at tire same rate
for which the service is performed from Rich
mond to Petersburg, to Weldon, and to N\il
raingtou; from. Charleston to Augusta and to
Atlanta, taking the same great Southern mail, ,
ft rki some of the roads perfonr/ng-ttlc service |
ways in the night, and on? of them with
than ia' givon otvr con:«,whew i
-the service is in the daytime for a groat pro
portion of tlie year.
The compensation offered for steamboat ser
vice from this to Aquia creek is at a much
higher rate than is paid upon any steamboat
route in the United States, except the sea route
between Charlostdn and .Wilmington, which
* is paid at tie same rate offered this company.
► From Louisville to Cincinnati, about 140 miles,
1 the service is rendered daily in steamboats at
i $3,800; from New York to Troy, about 150
, miles, daily in steamboats during the season of
navigation, (about nine months,) for the sum
of $13,750; from Now York to Storiington,
1 about 125 miles, the mail is taken daily in .
j steamboats for the sum of $9,000 —and so on
I other routes; whilst on this route of 5 4 1-3 j
I miles Jong, the demand $12,7-52, and on the j
railroad $19,500. Arrangements have been
since completed for the transportation of the
great Southern mail from Baltimore down the
bay; and though the service may not be so
good as that over the railroad, yet there will
be no serious iucoavsnience experienced, cx- 1
cep* in Virginia, near this route, where it will
be impossible to give the same expedition to
the mails by any other conveyance.
To obviate tais inconvenience as far as prac
ticable, I then offered the company one hun
dred dollars per mile for taking the local mails
to Richmond, which is the highest price au
thorized ky the act of 1345 to be paid to rail
roads for second class service. For taking the j
local n.ai’s, no higher classification of that or
!a ;y other route could be 'made. This offer
w.i) likewise refused, and the local mails will 1
be sent hereafter by stages from this to Rich-
this service, and the transporta
tion of the great mail down the bay, will con
tinue until the Ist of July, 1351, unless Con
gress shall otherwise order.
This, and similar efforts on the part of a few
contractors in other sections of the country, to
obtain, under one pretence or another, higher
prices than tno maximum rates settled in the
department, have produced much inconven
ience to the public, and, if practicable, should :
be avoided in future. This can be only ac
complished by such a modification of the law .
|** will give a more precise and certain basis for 1
the adjustment ot their compensation.
It affords me great pleasure to say that a
very large proportion of the companies owning 1
ralroads and steamboats have accepted the <
terms of tno department, and perform the
public service with great energy and regular!- 1
ty, and to the satisfaction of the public as 1
well as of the department.
The services to Oregon, from Charleston and
Panama, as directed by the 6th section of the
act of the 3d March, 1847, has not been put in
operation. The usual advertisements for the
services were made, and no bid was received
for the whole service, within the limitations of ,
the law, that could be accepted. A bid for a
portion of the service from Charleston to llav- 1
ana was made by Mr. M. C. Mordecai, of Char- ’
leston, which was accepted by the department (
upon condition that it should be approved by 1
Congress, and an appropriation made for the ;
payment. This was done upon the supposition 1
that Congress might still desire the establish- 1
merit of this important line to Oregon, even if [
more money had to be paid than the sum «
limited in the law. Tire whole service will pro- t
bably cost more than double the amount ap- <
preprinted. The contractor, is of undoubted i t
ability, and will put the line in operation, f
should it be the pleasure of Congress to sanction (
the contract. An estimate for the necessary j
sum for his payment will bo submitted. * ]
Much anxiety has been manifested in some 1 1
ports of Florid 1 for this Tne to touch at St.
August ue and other points on the Peninsula; : (
but as no bids were received for such service, t
although invited, it could not be done. i 1
At the earnest solicitation of the citizens of 1
Florida, I have invited proposals under the Bth I i
section of the act of the 3d of March, 1815, ‘-to c
provide for the transportation of the mail be- t
tween the U. S. and foreign countries,” for a i
line of steamers touching at the principal ports • i
on both sides of the peninsula, in a smaller (
class of steamboats tham those contemplated , c
by the Gth section of the act of the 3d March, | a
1847. As it is not probable that any revenues : c
will be received from the offices to j ustify i i
such an expenditure, I thought proper to in- j c
vite the proposals at a time when Congress | s
would be in session, that it might be decided j t
by that body whether other considerations j v
than those connected with the Post Office De- | 0
partmeut would in luce it to make the neces- i d
vary appropriations for the service. Such a| c
class of steamers as could readily enter the 1 a
different ports on the Gulf of Mexico, in the i t
service of the Post Office Department, would ! t
be of great importance to the citizens residing I S
on the coast, who are almost entirely destitute i 0
of mail facilities, and would increase rapidly)
the sale and settlement of the public lands, i I
and might be made of still more importance j ii
in the protection of the general revenue. ! e
It lias been suggested that this service mav ;
be performed without much additional expense i f
to the country, by the employment of the ! 1
steamers now under the control of the War 1
and Navy Departments, and belonging to the q
government, whenever they can be diverted | I
from their present service. During the past t
year the vessels in the employment of the War i I
Department have transported the mails be- j a
tween New Orleans and Tampico, and Vera s
Cruz, for the army, and no reason is perceived j t
why a similar service may not be rendered, ; t
after the close of the war, to the different ports I e
on the coasts of the Gulf.
The conveyance of the United States mail p
to and from Europe was authorized by the act of j I
Congress of the 3d of March, 1845. Under its c
requirements a steamship line from New York p
to Bremen, in Germany, was organized, touch- C
ing at the port of Cowes or Southampton, in t
England, with the privilege of calling on alter- n
nate trips at Havre, in France. The plan was £
submitted to Congress in my annual report of
December, 1845, was approved, and an ap- p
propriation made for it. That service has par- a
tially been put in operation. t
The first ship, the Washington, entered upon e
the service the Ist of Juno, and returned in t
July. She has performed a second trip, com- t
mencing in September, and is now abroad on z
her third voyage. Her construction was barely v
completed, before she proceeded with the mails s
to Europe. The performance of this vessel on a
her first voyage was necessarily of an experi- g
mental character. Defects in some of the details a
of her construction and machinery manifested
themselves; owing to which, her speed did not c
equal public expectation; but subsequent alter- ji
ations produced a decided improvement, and t
her last voyage, as compared with those of c
the English and French steamers, furnishes a
gratifying evidence inker favor, both for speed b
and safety. She was constructed under the o
faithful and active supervision of Lieut. Thos. b
Browuell, of the United States Navy, whose A
attention is continued to the building of the o
other ships of this line, now in a course of con- it
structiou. a
On commencing this service, it became ap- f
parent that more knowledge than was possessed i;
in tire depai tmeut concerning the mail service a
in other countries, with which this line was
to be connected, should be obtained; and that t
it should be ascertained whether special ar- a
rangoments with those countries would become | y
necessary; and if so, to have them made with- 3
out delay. For this purpose I sent out, as tire n
special agent of the department, S. R. Ilobbie, f
Esq.# the First Assistant Postmaster General, e
who went iu tho Washington, and remained in S
Europe during the interval between her two
voyages. 5
On his arrival at Southampton on the 15 Lh i.
of Juno, Mr. -Hobble met a hostile movement p
of the-English Government against th* Uiu> of 1 «
I American mail steamers, in a post office order
i issued the 9th of Juno, by direction of the
Lords of the Treasury. This order subjected
all letters and newspapers conveyed by tho
Washington- to England to the same charge ot
postage as if they hud been conveyed in the
British steamers, at their own expense. ■ - ■
Tlie malls made up in this country for I ranee
and left nt Sou th am ton. to. bo fbrwarded to
Havre, were subjected to the same charge,
and all were required to bo sent to th# Lon
don post office'. It being his duty to proceed
directly to Germany, Mr. Ilobbieinade a tun
communication to pur minister at London, and
.placed the matter under his immediate charge.
Shortly afterwards he repaired tVom Bremen
to London, and united with Mr. Bancroft in
efforts to effect a withdrawal of the order of
the 9th of June, and the adoption of a recipro
cal postal arrangement between, the two coun
tries. The Irrltisli Government persisting in
their order, he returned to the continent and
resumed the prosecution of his mail arrange
ments there.
In the meantime, notice having been given
to this department of the course adopted by
tho British post office, the undersigned im
modiatolv gave notice to the Fohtrna.-.ter Gen
eral of Grbat Britain for the abrogation of all
agreements existing between tho 4 wo offices,
which, at the expiration of three itonths, and
nulled the agreement entered into hi IS Al, for
the transmission ol the. British closed mails
through the United States to Canada; as well
as the arrangements heretofore made for the
collection and payment of the postages of the
United States in Canada. This mws° followed
by an offer ol terms for a postal •riaingement
between Great Britain and the United States
informally submitted to our Mlnter by tire
Chancellor of tho exchequer. 4
Mr. Ilobbie having again joined Mr. Bancroft
in London, the application for aWescision of
the order of the 9th of June, during the pen
dency of the negotiation was resumed, but
without success. On the 22d or October, a
solemn protest, in behalf of tho Baited States,
was made by the American Minister in Lou
don, address* ' to Vise -unt Pulmciaton, against
the unjust and illiberal act of the British Gov
ernment; a copy of which accompanies this
report, marked 1). The utruis for a postal ar
rmgement, submitted by the Chancellor, were
deemed objectionable and a couuiwT-proposition
was made in behalf of this department. In
terview's and discussion followed; at length
the British Postmaster General restated the
terms of his proposition , with some mo iitica
tioas, but still retaining some ot the most ob
jectionable features.
In France, Major Ilobbie found a willing
disposition expressed to adjust arrangements
with the United States for optional payment
of postage, an I for the estiblishxftent of rates
uniform between the two countries, but that
they could not be effected at the present time.
The order of the British Government imposes
double postage on our mails to Franco, which
have to be lauded at Cowes or Southampton,
as well as upon those to England; and while
that order is in operation, it is impossible to
place them on a reciprocal footing with those
conveyed direct to Havre by the French steam
ers. This exhibits, in a still stronger light,
the injustice of the British regulation of the
9th of June last. There are no regulations of
the French post office subjecting the mails
from the United States to any special burdens
or delays.
His mission to Germany was successful.—
II e met,at Bi\ man and Frankfort-on-the-Maine
representatives of several of the post estab
lishments; and through the agency of the post
office at Breman, corresponded with others;
all of which resulted in certain regulations
which he has brought with him, and submitted
for my approval. These, together with his
investigations into the operations of the post
office systems abroad, with the view of ascer
taining what improvements m iv be introduced
into our own, will constitute here rthe sub- j
ject of a special report.
The obnoxious order of the British post
office of the 9th o.' June last, discriminating I
ag linst the American steamers, is not the
only advantage which the British Government/
hug over that of the Lu ted States, us the
of the two countries now stand. It is under
stood that, by the laws of Great Britain, let
ter* sent from th? United States, in transient
vessels to Great Britian, have a postage of
eight-pence, or about sixteen cents to nty for
delivery—termed the ship postage; why-t let
ers sent from England to the Uniting States
ire charged only six cents whan dijgverelit
die office in which the/ r ? deposit;- f, and but
two cents when forwarded in tlri; Unite I
States mails, inpidditlou to the r -guiar postage
of tho United States.
Letters milled in the UivteifStates for
France and sent through England, are charged, j
n addition to the sea-postage, ten-pence,
?qual to twenty cents, for transportation 10m
S mth imp to n to Havre; whilst ,u .on letter
from Great Britain to Canada, passing from
Boston to St. Johns,amuch greater distant the
United States only charge fiite cents —one
quarter of the amount charged on A n°rican
Letters passing through England.* In England
;ho inland postage is much lowen than in the
Unite 1 States,whilst the ship aad-tr.insient post
age on foreign letters is much greater. The
sea-postage 1 etween the tw ocOUfjferies is about
:he same (24 cents) —a rate in th# opinion of
die undersigned, much too high ot- the inter
est and convenience of both countries.
In England, it is uudestood thatkhe foreign
aost iges are bv law under tho con% ol of the
Lords of the Treasury, and may be lhanged as
circumstances render necessary. A similar
power should he given to tho PB|tmastcr
General, or some other authority in me Uni
ted States, so as to secure, if practicable, fair
and just mail arrangements between tm and
foreign countries. %
In the opinion of the undersigned, the lea
postage should be reduced, arid the ship pol|-
ige (as it is called in both countries) be maom
the same. Letters delivered in the offices of t
either should be treated in all respects, and
transported in their mails, upon the same
terms that they are taken for their own citi
«ons or subjects. Some such arrangement
would be mutually beneficial to both, and
should he insisted upon by the United States,
ind can only be secured by further legislation
jiving authority to regulate the foreign post
iges by agreement between them.
While I cannot doubt that further time and
jonsideration will bring about an amicable ad
ust men tof this unnecessary interference iu
;he intercourse between the two countries.it be
jomes my duty to report these facts to you,
md urge that the early attention of Congress
)3 invited to this subject. Whilst this state
)f things continues, the British Government,
3V this order of June last, appropriates the
American steamship Washington to their
iwn use, so far as postage is to be derived from
t, as fully as if it were her own, established
md maintained at her own expense, and this
tor the avowed purpose of protecting the Brit
ish mail steamers against those of the United
states.
This inthrruption in the intercourse between
the countries has led to the establishment of
an express line in Montreal, for the avowed
purpose of transmitting letters to the British
steamers through the United States out of the
mails. Proper instructions have been given
for the arrest and prosecution of all persons
connected with, or using this line in every
State through which it passes.
The penalties imposed by the act of the 3d
March, 1845, have been before stated to be
insufficient for the suppression of private ex
presses, audit becomes more important to in
i-'reaso them-against that class which raty «n
f ga;e in the transmission of letters from foreign
countries through the United btates as well as
i to impose other and more severe penalties upon
! vessels bringing letters into the United States
' ; and delivering them to others than those in the
service of the Post Office Department.
I The agent of the department conducted the
business intrusted to him with zeal, energy
j and ability, and to the satisfaction of the de
i partraent; and it is regretted that the laws do
I not premit any addition to be made to his re
! gular compensation for the extraordinary
| service performed by him iu this important
i duty abroad, and from which so much good is
likely to ensue, and the undersigned recom
mend* that provision be made by Congress for
the payment of an adequate compensation to
him for such service.
The mail routes created in Oregon in the
; first section of the act of the 3d of March, 1347,
; t 0 establish certain post routes,wore ..uvertlsed
: as the law require, but no bids for tile service
were given that could with propriety bo ac
cepted. OiSces were established at Astoria
and Oregon city, and postni..jotofs appointed.
A special agent of the department, Gen. Cor
ivlins Gilliam, was appointed to superintend
toe services, and instructions were given to
him, a copy of which accompanies this report,
marked G. There have been no returns re
j ceived from the postmaster or special agent.
Iu pursuance of twojoint resolutions of the
3d of March, 1347—0ne for the benefit of Wm.
B. Stokes, surviving partner of John N. C.
fgtockton & Co,, the other for the relief of M.
A. Price and E. A. White—l have carefully
examined and decided the cases. Copies of
the opinions given in them accompany this
report, marked II and I.
Very respectfully, your ob’t servant,
0. JOHNSON, Postmaster General.
To the President.
Ungnsta, (Georgia.
SATURDAY MORNING-, DGQ 25L"
The northern mail failed again lust eve
ning from offices north of Charleston. There
will be three mails due this evening.
fa
All the western mails due yesterday came
to hand.
Christmas-
This being Christmas Day, in order that
those employed in this office may participate
in its festivities, no paper will be issued to
morrow.
The minority Rep >rt oi *,.io Committee
on the State of the Republic, is crowded out
this morning.
rrWe would call addition t > Mr. Gliddon’s
thrid Lecture, to be given on Monday even
ing, and hope he will be able to form a class.
This opportunity for instruction seldom oifers,
and we hope will be embraced by our citizens.
ISerz and Sivori-
These accomplished artists arc too well
known to fame to require a eulogy at our
hands; vet we cannot but congratulate our
citizens, those especially who are most moved
by the concord of sweet sounds, at the enjoy
ment they may partake of this evening. As
professors on the several instruments on which
they perform, they ha v e no superiors; their
talents have elicited the admiration and won
the applause of all who are distinguished in
knowledge of the “ gay science, or elevated
by rank and fashon in Europe anJ th?s country.
The entertainment is such as can only be enjoy
ed in our city at long intervals, if ever, and
we canndt doubt will assemble an audit.tee
not less creditable to the taste of our citizens \
than just to tho high character and attain
ments of the distinguished performers who
Coffer it.
Gan. Twig'gs-
We mentioned in our last that this gallant
officer, the hero of every battle (save Buena
Vista) since our armies entered Mexico, was
i
about to return home, where the warmest of ■
warm receptions awaits him; but the order of
the departure of the train which was to accom
pany him arid Mr. Trist, was countermanded
and some time may elapse before the citizens
of Georgia will have an opportunity of greet-
L In » her gallant son.
The correspondent of the Now Orleans
Delta, speaking of Gen. Twiggs, and writing
under date of Mexico, Nov. 2Sth, says : —“On
the 21th List., the officers of the 3d Division,
gave a dinner to their commander, Brig. Gen.
Twiggs, who was then about to leave in order
to take command of the po*t of Vera Cruz.
The affair went off iu flue style, and it was
trulv “a feast of reason and a flow of soul.” —
Gen. Twiggs has commanded his division from
the plains of Palo Aho and Resaca until it
arrived in the “Halls of the Montczumas,”
and it has won high distinction during that
period, and all from the commander down to
the privates, at different periods, have met the
enemy in his strongest holds, the results of
which you arc well aware —the plains of Palo
Alto and Rcsaca, the forts of Monterey, the
city of Vera Cruz, the heights of Ccrra Gordo,
and the entrenchments and fortifications in
this valley —all bear evidence of its gallantry
and discipline.
“Yesterday the order for the departure of
Sc-en. Twiggs was countermanded, and there
fore he will remain hero in the command of
his division; as also the departure of the es
cort of My. Trist, which was to have left to
morrow, is indefinitely postponed; but I think
it will leave, with Mr. Trist, about the sth of
next month, and arrive in Vera Cruz about
the 17th. The cause of Mr. Trist’s detention
for the present hac not been made public.”
[ Edito rial Correspondence . ]
Milledoeville, Dec. 22, 1547.
The Executive Mansion, last evening, was
the scene of revel and festivity. Lights were
gleaming from every window, and tiro enliv
ening sounds of gay music filled the rooms and
were echoed from the gallery and rotunda.--
Carriages were momently rattling to the door
and depositing their fair occupants, with their
gay and gallant escorts, at the main entrance,
while a continuous stream of the people was
pouring in and contributing to fill the spacious
rooms of the Mansion. It was soon full to
overflowing, and there was a contused hum of
many voices of all ages, sizes, sexes and con
ditions. The scene presented was a very com
plete picture of society in Georgia—or rather,
it was a miniature representation of the various
conditions and appearances of people.
The refined, cultivated and elegant woman,
with dress and coifeur fresh from the hands of
! the mast fashionable modistes of Broadway, •
i was seen on the same floor with the humble
’ ajl d bewildered factory girl. The dashing and
recherche dandy, and tho quiet and courtly
. gentleman, rubbed elbows with tho brawny
mechanic and tho denizen of the road.
dho crowd was very great —tho greatest, I
am told, that had ever been witnessed within
those walls on any similar or on any other oc
casion. Alter it had time to settle, and to
disperse among the various rooms thrown
open, it became comparatively comfortable,
and the youngest and gayest, and some who,
no longer young, were still unwilling to think
and sing—
“ The light of other Jays has faded.
And all iis glory’s past,”
availed themselves of the occasion to indulge
in the pleasurable excitement of dancing.—
Mi my were there, who enjoyed th? spectacle j
of a cotillion apparently fur the first time,
judging from the importunate manner in which
they crowded and tip-toed, ten deep, around
the votaries of Terpsichore. Altogether, the
scene was a novelty to many, and a source of
entertainment to all. Same thought it rather
too democratic, and fancied that gloveless
hands, linsey woolsey coats, brogans, home
spun gowns, and thick cotton mlts, were too
far distant from fashionable costume for their
fastidious eyes. But I saw no reason to enjoy
one’s self less, because I stub I among many
who had not been accustomed to the polish of
high society. There was society to please all
tastes, and none could say that the elements
were not present in abundance for the grati
fication of any variety of tastes. I did see,
however, in the elegant saloon, and am mg the
muslins and laces and waving plumes of our
fairest belles. Uncouth figures occasionally
crowding and pushing, clad in overcoats and
surmounted with chapeaus, not of “ Leary’s”
unexceptionable'beaver. These gross devia
tions from propriety, were the sins of igno- I
ranee and semi-barbarism, and in that light I
alone pardonable. They wore taken in good
part, and the offenders made of themselves
“ figures of fun,” which contributed their
„.•* i y *
portion to the amusing incidents of the even
ing. A splendid and bmntiful supper, in the
grand banquet-room dnder the saloon, wound
up the entertainments of the evening. I
should add, that the hospitality of Ills Excel
| lency, the Governor, provided in another
| apartment in the basement, was the means by
which a good many of the sovereigns were
pretty essentially tyjiind up . ,Yery numerous
instances occurred of persons feeling particu
larly balmy, and I am sorry to add, I was in
formed that the fine grass plats of the lawn
furnished comfortable beds on which some of
the helpless bacchanals were laid to cool. The
placid moon beamed down in full splendor
upon the discreditable scene, with a rebuking
effulgence, and as tho cold frosty air gradually
stimulated the torpid faculties and prostrated
physical energies of the carousers into con- |
sciousaess, they must have looked up to the j
bright sky and the watchful stars, with a sen- i
sation of shame that they had thus celebrated
their nrst, and it is to be hoped, their last visit
to the Executive Mansion.
i
The House of Representatives continued
I to-day the discussion of the appropriation bill.
I f presume it will arrive at a final vote in the
I c purse of to-morrow. I shall in the mean
time oiler no comments on the original bill j
and amendments.
The Senate, to-day. reconsidered the bill for 1
the pardon of Wm. L. Williams. Daring the
morning, Lie bill was again taken up. An
amendment offered, providing for the co u
mutatlon of his punishment to imprisonment
I for life in the penitentiary'. 1 his amendment
was voted down, not that it was the sense oi
tho Senate that this would be too severe a
punishment —nor that it was not iu trie con
stitutional power of the legislature to pass i
such an act. This point was discussed, and |
it seemed that the impression was prevalent, ;
though some Senators held the contrary op in- I
ion, that this power was in the constitutional r
competency of the legislature; for the greater j
power of pardon, it was contended, embraced
the less power of commutation. But it was
known that this constitutional scruple has
had its influence with the lower House and
might, when the bill went to them, result in its
defeat. Therefore those who leaned to mercy,
and those who thought there were extenuat
ing circumstances, and were disposed to heed
the petition from Augusta signed by many
citizens, among them nine of the Jurors that
tried him, soliciting tho Commutation, voted
for the bill to pardon, ari I tnc bill was passed,
yeas 21, nays 19.
Another bill of some importance has passed
the Senate this day. This was a bill offered
by Mr. Stapleton, to make the offenec of deal
ing Faro for the purpose of winning money or
other valuable thing, punishable with impris
onment in the penitentiary for a term not less
than one, nor more than three years, and for
the punishment of tKooo who pit* j ami bet at
the game, with imprisonment in tho common |
jail not exceeding six months and tine not ex
ceeding 500 dollars. The vote was yeas 25,
nays IG. Messrs. Stapleton, Wiggins and
Simmons wore the prominent and zealous ad
vocates of the bill. Messrs. Dunegan, Rees i
and Forman oppose! it. Mr. Forman took |
the bold broad ground, that the effort was
Quixotic to legislate men into morality, and |
that making tho offence of playing this parti
cular game an object of severer punishment
than what is already provided by the penal
code, was not callel for by public sentiment,
because the penalties now of force are seldom
enforced to their full extent. It was not con
sidered so heinous in the eyes of the world
from this fact. Public sentiment would re
volt at the severity of the new law, and no
one would be found to act as prosecutor. The
offence would by this severity, thus be
more apt to escape punishment. Lis suffici
ent to make laws to prevent fraud, imposition
and violation of thi rights of property. But
we might go too flu* in the restraints the legis
lature would throw around a man in the dis
posal of his money. If he is legislated out of
one amusement he is not mkde thereby a bet
ter man, but would seek another not less of
fensive in the eyes of moralists. The educa
tion of the public mind in these matters is tho
| only effectual mode of establishing a healthy :
3 tone of morals. Legislation alone will effect
1 no thorough reform.
I send you the report of the minority of the
Committee on the state of the Republic, pre
sented by Mr. Jackson. Those resolutions are
expressed in clear and succinct language and
embody the creed and the sentiments of the
democratic party. They will meet a cordial
response from the people of Georgia. The re
port of the majority is precisely the series of
resolutions adopted by the Senate. These
have already, I believe, appeared in the Con
stitutionalist.
Tne Democratic Convention is in session
while I write. Its proceedings so far are very
interesting. I shall endeavor to furnish them
by the next mail.
The great Taylor meeting, professing to be
a meeting without distinction of party, but in
fact being a meeting simply of whigs, has been
held, and has adjourned. It did nothing save
to adopt a resolution recommending General
Zachary Taylor us a suitable candidate for
President, and recommending a Convention of
the whig party, or Taylor party, Ido not re
member which it was designated to be held
on the first Monday in June next, at Milledge
ville, to nominate electors. The only speak
ing was a pretty fair speech by Mr. William
11. Crawford on the subject of General Tay
lor, Palo Alto, Monterey, Buena Vista ami
General Taylor’s gallantry, patriotism, vir
tue and integrity, and all that sort of thing
—a very deserved eulogy, but not conveying
a solitary reason why he should be President
of those United States, or indicating in the
slightest manner, what would be his course —
his policy or his measures on a single question
of national import whereby, an}' idea could be
formed of his fitness, as a Stitesman, for the
high office with which the meeting has con
; necte 1 his name.
Altogether, the meeting was a failure and a
i flash in the pan. It generated no enthusiasm
and made no converts. It could not contri
bute or add to the strength or respectability
of whigery or its principles, for the party again
appears before the world without an avowal of
its principles. It is again mum and deems it
unnecessary to reiter ite its principles. G.
BY übR^YTxPRESS.
2V HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MAIL.
[Correspondence of t'is Herald an I T thane.\
. Tv.\n*ico, Dec. 7, 1317.
Gsxtlemsx: Nothing very interesting in
these puts since my lad. The cominnaiion
of the Indian news from the interior is com
plete, as we haye many of the fugitives in
town with ns. I state I in my last, that the
insurrection was caused by levying contribu
tions, out there seems to be an old grudge ex
isting between the..lh.Uahs ao;l Mexicans, We
ire told here r that the Indians have hoisted
the “ stars an I stripes;” and declare themselves
m isters of their land-, which they say were
originally taken from them by Cortez. The
Mexicans who h ive come in from the scone of
iction, I am told, have asked for protection
from the authorities here, but I think the In
dians would stand a better ch meo.
Col. (gates has issued an order to the troops
at At imirp, to protect an.l escort any conside
rable turn her of traders from and to the inte
rior, and to shoot every rascally robber found
in a hostile attitude. We now have alreadv.
something in the way of trade to the interior.
We have also here, a docum >nt from the
Governor of Tarnaulipas, denouncing the com -
m mdaut general, old Urrea—declaring his ex
cesses against the ckizens intolerable, and d -
crecing th *t he must withdraw from the terri
t >ry of the State. Said decree to be presented
to the general government, which is required
to try General Urrea for her crimes against the
state.
Some of our dragoon companies have flank
ed out in the direction of Victoria to the dis
tance of 120 miles. They frequently come
across small parties of greasers, but they arc
soon taken with a violent lit of' emigration.—
Only three days ago, a small party of about fif
teen men t ame across thirty guerillas, and had
a chase aft r them for four miles, when, com
ing to a clear place, they formed to see what
was going on. The boys did not slacken their
pace, but charged and fired on them, killing
three and making many shed everything cum
bersome in the way of escapees, lances, knives,
&c.
We hear here, that Gens. Worth and Pillow
are both arrested, and on their way to Wash
ington.
We have had remarkably cool weather for
several days back. This town will not bf
much until communications are opened to San
Luis, and everybo ly here is praying for it.—
When will this be ? This is the town for eve
rything, and I sincerely hope the Yankees will
never dream of quitting it. More “ poco
tiempo." A Dios, M.
Dlstiiessixo Accident. —It is our duty to
record a most distressing occurrence which
took place yesterday, about 2 o’clock, P. M.
The large four story brick building, on K.
Habersham & Son’s Kico Mill wharf, at the
upper end of the cit}', used as the reception
store for Hough Rice, suddenly gave way and
fell to the ground, burying all the persons in
it at the time b: neath the rums. Luckily the
accident occurred at a time when the laborers
wore not at work, otherwise the loss of life
must have been very great. The number of
persons in the building has not yet been posi
tively ascertained. Two persons have been
extricated from the ruins—Mr. Thomas Nay
lor, a clerk at the yard, who, though severely
bruised, it is hoped is not dangerously hurt,
and a negro man named Abram, belonging to
Mr. W. N. Habersham, who was taken out
quite dead. The second Miller, Mr. John Bell,
is supposed to be still under the ruins, as well
as several of the laborers. One laborer, a negro
man belonging to Mrs. Bourke, seeing the
building giving way sprang from one of the
windows of the second story, and happily es
caped all injury. The decks oi the sch iflncr
Cotton Plant, lying at the wharf, were cover
ed with the rubbish and much damage »•
From six to eight thousand bushels oi reuga
rice were in the building at the time ot its rad.
We have heard two or three conjectures a*
to the cause of the accident, but refrain for
the present from expressing, any opinion
thereon. , , ■ .
Mr. Habersham had noticed m tne raormn o ,
appearances of a want of security in the bui c -
in«r, and in compliance with his request, the
builder was actually on hi* way to inspect i .
when the catastrophe occurred. Savannah iw
i publican , 23d inslc
The Iron Steamboat John Randolph will he
launched from the yard belonging to the torn
pany, this morning at 10 o’clock. lb.
Mr. James sf nf to «us Office*
samnle of Sugaf, raised by Mi. ■ • ‘ _
his plantation in Houston county, about u.
tebn miles from this city. I his *
excellent quality, equalling m
finost St. Cruz. Mr. Han* has a* n -