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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST. JAMES GARDNER, JR, TSKMS. ~ »ily, per annum 00 Tri*\V eekly, per 5 qq If paid in advance 00 Weekly, per annum qq If paid in advance 2 00 To Clubs, remitting $lO ix advance, FIVE COIME.S are sent. This put our Weekly pa per in the reach of new subscribers at TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. 53*Subscribers w ho will pay up arrearages, and ■end tour new subscribers, with the money , can get the paper at £2 00 (IT?*All new subscriptions must be paid in ad vance. [H7“Postage must be paid on all communications 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 -