The Georgia journal. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1809-1847, August 08, 1829, Image 2

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the narrator can say in its favor is simply this : it fell out in the hands of honorably men nndwontctL who could not be suspected of an intention to impose on the credulity of their friends ; it referred to a circumstance which the persons concerned had the least reason in the world for raising a story about; nud it was almost universally believed by the cotemporrrrics of the principal personages, and by the generation winch succeeded. It \ras one of'the stock traditionary stories of the mother of a distinguished modern novel ist ; n lady whose rational good sense and strength of mind were only equalled by the irreproachable purity and benevolence of her character. “ It will aho, no doubt, be known to manv of our readers, that the author of ‘ Wavcrly, has wrought up the incident into a beautiful Ilcnous tale, entitled “ My Aunt Margnret’s Mirror,” which appears in the ‘ Keepsake,’ 1829 ; affording another proof of the slight foundations upon which Sir Wither Scott rears his splendid superstructures of fable, nnd from what shadowy hints of character he occasionally works out his most noble and most natural portraitures.” THOUGHTS ON DOMESTIC EDU CATION. Under this title, Messrs.' Carter trad Ilen- dec, of Boston, have published one of the very best (assistants to parents, nnd particularly to mothers, that we have ever seen. It is a work, as is stated in the preface, “the result of twenty years experience, in a family of three sons nnd three daughters ” The au thor’s remarks, on the education of children arc clear, unaffected nnd judicious,—giving evidence of no ordinary insight into the oper ations of the Itumnn mind, and she treats of the subjects which fall under her notice with the air of attraction! philosopher, though with out (he pertness of n bus bleu. Wc extinct the following sensible observations on House wiunrtv. [Boston Daily Advertiser. " To that middling class of life, to which these thoughts arc principally directed, there is no female accomplishment more valuable than housewifery. By that class is it sulli eiently prized as an accomplishment I »r wisely inculcated as a necessary branch of education ? It is feared not. Few girls arc regularly initiated into the various household duties ; yet, to all girls, the knowledge of them is essential, since, ns wives, daughters, or sisters, all will probably have household to superintend. IIow extensive the mischiefs caused by ignorance of housewifery, wc every day hear and sec painful instances. The misery endured by the helpless untaught indi vidual, iti feeling her ignorance, nnd seeing the varied form of evil that ignorance produ cts, must he most set ere. Lot not mothers wilfully condemn their daughters to sorrow, disgrace, and error, from which it is so easy to rescue them. The duties of housewifery being generally ofnn active and desultory nature, nre usually very agreeable in the performance to active and variety loving young people. They will, therefore, he cheerfully attempted and parsuod, and wc shall enlarge the pleasures of girls, by the snme encouragement with which we prosecute their improvement But (hero is one caution that must be un- dcviotingly regarded. In pursuing the sit perintendence of house keeping, girls must net as the mild but respected directors of ser vants, not as their nssneiato*. coafldantes, and playmates. This rule can he easily en forced. Children should be taught to regard servants ns fellow-creatures, as beings like themselves, prone to error, hut capable of virtue. At the same time, tbey should be taught that| whilst they may love nnd pity those beneath them, it is always most wise to choose their companions nnd friends, ns much as possible, in their own rank -on this principle, namely, that they may not learn to domineer over mean associates, nor cringe beneath great ones. This premised, the first lesson of house- . wilcry should he practised under the eye of the mother. At fifteen years of age, a girl will know enough of arithmetic to be ready ttf accounts, and will have sufficient judg ment to reason fairly on what she observes.— At tliut age she may occasionally attend her mother in her daily visits to the kitchen nnd the larder. I.ot her behold the arrangement of household business—the manner of giving directions—the plan of furnishing supplies; v —sliu will tints gradually imbibe a clear con- : ccption of all such imittirs— she will under* f stand the usefulness ufiuclhod—-Shcwill find out the usual consumption of a family; she may be taught, by example, to censure with mildness « -—to listen to reasonable excuses—to be por- • emptory in just orders ; to know what to ex pect from the industry, and what to pardon • to the frailty, of domestics. To avoid a dangerous association with ' menials, it would be advisable to bound the • exertions of the youthful linnskeeper to super- ■ intcndcncc. Unless urged by imperious ne cessity, let not girls assist the labours of ser vants. It is money badly saved to make them perform any humble business, which, for n lew shillings, could be performed by a Iiiroliug. The mother had better do it herself if she cannot afford a few shillings, nr dis pense with smart clothing for herself or her i child, to meet llio expense, or be present when her child is so occupied. I It is not from a sentiment of prido that this point is so earnestly recommended, hut it is iVom a desire to check the dissemination of error. When u young lady and h. r maid . are engaged -together in some occupation, * they must enter into conversation ; now, of ^ what nature must thut conversation prove.* | Flic maid would not understand the wisdom, t aor relish the morality, of her polite associate, ; jut both maid and miss could understand, < ,iud, wc four, both would relish the retailed ,icws of the day—anecdotes of neighbors and petty scandal. By-this power of com- *nunica.'.:oti both maid und miss arc contuni- ..uated. The menial is encouraged in habits “'if espionage and scandal, urn! the mind of 11 he young lady i» irreparably vulgarised and poisoned. 1; were better she should per* ** brin the u hole labor in the parlor pr her own v Miami>er, than thul such u fearful risk should ‘-c ran by association with a servant. *■. The management of the hreukfast und tea 'Affile, will induce some knowledge of perfor ming the honours of the mistress of u house. \ Accusiouully, the whole arrangement of the ^o’.ise may devolve on theyoung housekeeper. t sixteen she may he invested in all the ■Vghts and duties of the household superin- ‘Jndcnee. The mother may sometimes in* learn judiciously to exert those powers. M e have seen girls of sixteen very judiciously conduct household affuirs; and, when mis takes occur, as occur they must to beginners, ill all the offices and business of life, it is bet ter they should occur under the paternal roof, where partial relatives are prompt to excuse nnd remedy ; tlmu in the first days of bridal management, w hen the agitated mind is full of the variety and novelty of its duties, and new friends and new kindred arc less dispo sed to pardon nnd correct. FINANCIAL. ^ fere with advice, but let the whole respnn- ility rest with the daughter, that thus, being ?«r»wp <>nbrrr>wn powers, she may early From the Free Trade Advocate. ON THE PRINCIPLES OF BANKING. [CONCICDED.] This leads us lo the question of what are the legitimale operations of hanking ? Weonswcr, the discounting of promissory notes or accep tances at short periods, received by the holders, for property sold nnd transferred. If none olhers were discounted, the expansion of the paper system would always be in proportion to the expansion of business. When Ibis was ex tended, so as to call for more currency, more currency would be created ; and when this was limited, so aa to require less currency, the excess would bo absorbed by iho pnymenta inndo back to the banks. In these operations, the level of the currency would not he disturb cd,KO ns to produce a depreciation; for although ■ here would at times be a greater quantity of bank notes in existence than at other times, yet this qunutity would he in exact proportion to thn increased demnnd, arising from an increase of transactions. Thus would the elasticity of the hanking principle accommodate itself to the state of commercial wants. Money would always he procurable, when it was really want ed. and it would never he so plenty ns lo depre ciate the currency and invite lo over-trading.— The holders of real pnper could ulways got it discounted, and even those whoso sales of tner clmndize to the country, should not put them in possession of notes or acceptances, could also, without any violation of the legitimate principles of banking, gel accommodations in anticipation of their capitals for the samo short periods, by borrowed notes payable at maturity without renewal. From this view of the subject, it mny cosily bn seen, tlint all the benefit, which tho putilic derives from banks of circulation, arise from their elasticity. So soon, therefore, as they ex change theit promissory notes, payable on de mnnd in paid nnd silver,—not for tho promisso ry notes of individuals payable at short periods, but for government storks, mortgages, foreign trills of exchange intended to accumulate, and promissory notes understood expressly or im pliedly, to he renewable in whole or in part for an indefinite term—they annihilate their clnslic powera, and place themselves at the mercy of the public. They arc linbla to be called upon for the payment of their notes faster than tiicir debtors are bound to pay them, ami instead of fulfilling their engagements, promptly and in pood faith, they nrc obliged to resort to expe- pcdienu, to deter the holders of their notes from demanding payment. It is true that thoso w ho hold mortgages could dispose of them. It is nlso true that those who hold hills of ex change and government storks could sell them in the market, and hv that means absorb the redundancy of notes, the return of which for payment renders necessary tiio contraction.— ilot sales of bills und stocks to a great C-itcnl might occasion a full In th*;- r market price, and liras exhibit a Iqfs Gu the books of the bank, arising from this species of speculation. It is probably owing to this fear thut stocks are sold with such reluctance. Although it is by the purchase ofstocks mainly, that those cxcessivo issues ure created, which depreciate the cur rency, nnd render subsequent contraction no cessury, yet we seldom eee this letter opera tion performed by drawing la the excess, thro’ the same avenuext wmrtni was ■■■ uu«. merchants nro mndo tho victims of a partial system, and thoso for whose benefit banks were originally established, are obliged to sub mit to all the evils of a contraction, consequent upon an expansion, which thoy had no agency in producing. This is u truo picture ofuffairs such ns they have been moro than once present ed io us in the United Stales, and so long as hanks arc allowed to inundate the country with their paper hearing no interest, in exchange for tho paper of the government bearing inter est, so long shall we he liable to periodical con \ tilsions, in credit nnd property. In offering these remarks, wo do not mean to say, that onr hanks, surli ns they oxis, ought not to lend their capitals except in the way we have pointed nut ns the only legitimate one.— Wo know full well, that the whole commerce of the United Hinton, internal and external, does not require half the hanking capital which is now in operation. Thoy aro therefore of necessity compelled to loan a gron part of their funds upon permanent securities, of which na* turo we consider to ho runewahle accommoda tion paper. But ns far ns they do this, they act as loan officers, and not ns banks, and their agency in the manors renders no services to the community, which thn individual proprietors of the bank capitals would uot equally render, by loaning tho snme to the same public or privato borrowers. If hanks did not exist, tho money which now forms their capitals would ho capi tals in the hand of individuals, and quite as accessible to borrowers as it is now. There would, however, he this difference. Loans rould he obtained furlong periods at once, and the borrowers would not ho called upon for payment before tho termination of their cuter- prizes, ns they now arc. Rut many people think, that, in addition to the loans which individuals could make, hanks have tho power to create capital. Let us exam ine this opinion, which Ims at least soino ap- ptarance oflruth. What iscapitnl ? Tho cap ital oi a community is that aggregate mass of things possessing exchangeable value, which nre destined to supply ilu< necessities, Iho com forts, and the luxuries of tho people, or arc in tended to ho employed in the production of other things with such ultimate view. 11 unce, lands, houses, provisions, clothing, merchan dize, raw materials, ships, utensils, machinery, and other such articles, including gold nnd sil ver, nrc capital. If the farmer wishes to ex tend his labours, the capital he needs, is land, cuttle, stock, implements, seed, food, und rai ment. Ifn manufacturer desires to enlurge Ins operations, he requires buildings, machine ry, raw materials,and subsistence for his work men. If u merchant proposes to extend his commerce, lm wants ships, cargoes, gold and silver, and provisions for his crews. The inon ey which is wautoii hv each of these operators, lo deal with ms wnl) »s to psy ihe wages of thoso w horn ho employs, is only the instrument by which he and his labourers are enabled to pro cure some of the articles nhovo enumerated, so that it is inunifust that the power of any given population to set additional industry into notivi ty is limited by the amount of its' capital, n.< above described. Now it is very evident, that the mere emission ol hank notes adds nothin- to the mass of capital, previously existing, il creates neither lands, houses, ships, machinery, raw materials, provisions, nor raiment, llow, then, do the issues of banks over and above their capitals, operate upon the community, and produce that appearance of increasing wealth in places where they have hecnestuh- lishod ? This is an important question, and if closely examined, will lie found to lead to till answer, calculated lo dispel much of tho delusion under w hich the public labours, us to n supposed Ma in 1 :power of production conferred urmn a num ber of individuals, by an act of incorporation. It if this. These issues facilitate the transfer oftheexisting capital, of things possessing ex changeable value, by putting the liorrower in possession of the credit of the bank, which he is induced to pay for at n stipulated premium per annum, on aceount of the advantages which he supposes he will enjoy, in deulmg with that credit instead of hisovvn. Divested of all my stery and superfluous language, this is the nn bed character of such transactions. But ii mny be asked, does not tho increased rapidity of tho I circulation of property and commodities occa sinned by this facility, tend lo the promotion of public prosperity, nnd to tho production of ad ditional property and commodities, faster than would otherwise take place ? We reply, thul pnst experience nnd rnnson both proclaim, that the very reverse is the fact. By the operation of such hank issues, the rredit of the banka is placed at the disposal equally of all who bor rowed from them. Consequently, the inex perienced, the unskilful, tho incautious, aro placod upon a level in their purchases, with the experienced, the skilful, and the cautious. The result of this equality is, that some men aro able to buy, who before were not able, owing to a deficiency of credit. More competitors ure brought into market, nnd prices rise from iho spirit ofsperululinn, which never fails to ho en gendered by the facility of procuring the means to speculate with. In addition to this rise which takes place from the competition of new dealers, another one takes place, owing to the abundance of the paper which lias been thrown amongst the community by the original borrow ers. This rise goes on with every new emis sion of the hanks, and appearing to the public (which is not acquainted with the internal ar rangements of banks, nnd even those being ig norant of the operation of each other.) like in incrense in value, spirt of speculation is excited amongst all classes of tho community, nnd pur chases made for no other reason, than that the buyers suppose they can sell the next day at a profit. Industrious persons ulmndou proilnc tire employments to pursue speculation. Ex travagnnee and luxury are increased, in proper lion to tho increasing atinmlanco of money, haeatiso as prices, rise, nil who have property or commodities on hand think thoy are getting richer every day. Merchants einlmik in more extensive enterprizes. Manufacturers extend their establishments. Farmers build houses and ornament their farms. All these op-rn tions give additional employment to tho labour ing classes, nnd for n time exhibit the sem hlanre of accumulating wealth Every new sale of commodities and property on credit cre ates now promissory notes, and these create n new de unnd for discounts. But there must finally he a limit to this debt sion. The depreciation Inis become so great, that eoin may he profitably exported. The hanks are called upon to pay their notes, und they in turn call upon their debtors, who nre by this tnennstist nwnkened from their dreams — money becomes scarce ; the operation which the hanks require is merely that those with whom they exchanged notes upon aneh une qual terms, shall exchange hack again. But with this demand tho merchant cannot com bly, because lie has long since parted with his hank uotos, nnd Ii na in their place n store full of goods, which lie has been Induced io puralin on account of the high prices created by the issues of the hanks, hut which lie cannot now soli without a loss tlint will render him hank rupt Tho manufacturer pleads the stum' inn hility, because the saino high prices iodo-e; him to erect '-“luingg and machinery j which ire cannot now dispose of n; any price, while the furmer confesses, that the rise in Ihe price of land, which he thought was a rise in value, induced him to invest in unproductive improve ments, tho notes which lie hud received from tho bunks. At this winding up ofthe entnstro- phe, it will he seen, that during the whole of this operation, consumption had been incrons ing, whilst production was diminishing — that iho community was poorer in thn end, than when it began—nnd that the whole of tho ap- r ««Miuvx> wf |>fwUUU **>hh f»VhU»llOtJ| while the curroncy was gradually imTunsm* JUDICIAL. such ns now exista, or may hereafter he const!-1 Northern Editors. But the time lias past j u t*-(I in any incorporated r»?v, a sea port J when th«M*mir§e of any one man or set of meu town and port of entry, may in* v» a»«*d with juris diction, under such rules and regulations as the Legislature may hereafter hy law direet . It is hardly necessary to say that this exception dnns not confer the power to villas** corporat ions, nnd these being all the exceptions to that i From the .ithr.nian The following opinion of Judge Clayton, with some few alterations, was given in June last, and what is a little remarkable, about the snme time Judge Cobb was, perhaps, making a simi _ , , a lar decision, in the case of the city of Augusta I broa rant of the power to the Superior court, -neither Judge having any knowledge thut no corporation can impose the punishment ol 7 c . ~ . J n <>n •> oiii'xin •,ivl..^u it Im fan 4 ’ *»mrnnrtilC(l ths puint was before the othor. in quantity, was like that appearance of wealth and affluence which tho splendid thrift exhibits, whilst running through his estate. IVo have now ono more populnr error m combat, and then we shall bring tho subject lo n closo. If bnnks do not create absolute capi tal, it may he said that they at least make „ plenty of what is called money. That thoy make it plenty with those who first get their paper, is undoubtedly truo, hut as soon as time has teen afforded, for that rise in tho pi ice of commodities nnd property, which is inseparable from increased issues of paper, to take place, the plenty disappears. It requires ul the new prices, the whole existing quantity of currency io cir culate the commodities which at thn old prices were circulated by the original quantity, und a scarcilyof money is just ns likoly to he felt un- dor n depreciated currency, asunder a sound one, os .toon as the expansion has censed by the banks refusing to extend their discounts any fur ther. This, vvo think, is e iruu description of the hanking system, and it is not lo lie wondered at, thut some of the politicians of England, where It has been presented in its worst dalhr- mity, should begin to entertain doubts whether thn evils attendant upon it, do not fur outweigh nil the benefits which the community derives from its oxistunca. For our own parts, vvo have long been of that opinion, judging front the manner in which it bus been administered in tho United States within the Iasi fifteen years. It must not he supposed tlint we have depicted in the foregoing account, sail as it is, all ihe consequences of a depreciated currency. Wo have said nothing relative to its direct influence in reducing tho value of nil fxed incomes, whether they he derived from government stocks, ground rents, loans, or mortgages, sain ries or annuities, hy reducing the value of the money in which they nre paid. We have stud nothing respecting the power possessed hy the bnnks of altering, at their pleasure, the money valuo of ull the property in the country real as well as personal, und of shaking to their cen tre the very foundations of society. This Iasi is n political point which vvo nro not prepared to discuss, but we cannot leave tho subject with out proposing one solemn question to the na lion. Would the people ol this country deli berately consent to place in the bonds of a cor poration, or of any hundred corporations, the power to alter at their plonusurc the standards of weights and measures, and to say, that n pound, a gallon, or a foot, should be one thing to day, and another thing to-moriovv? And yet by conferring upon banks the power to c\ paml and contract tho currency, at their li Opinion upon the Ordinance of the town of Salem, passed for the purpose of “ regulating the Exhibition of Shows” in said town. All corporations derive their power from the Legislature, nnd that power must he strictly pursued,—they may decline a part or the whole of it, hut they cannot enlarge the power gran ted. The Legislature never intends to, indeed, they cannot, grant unconstitutional powers.— Whenever, therefore, the power given is either unconstitutional or transrnnded hy tho party to whom it tH given, the net is illegal nnd void.— What is thn power given to the town of Salem? “Full power und authority to make such bye laws anil regulations, nnd to inflict such pnius, penalties and forfeitures, and do all other incur portite acts us in their judgement shall ho most conducive to the good order nnd government ofthe sniil village of Salem : Provided, that such bye-laws and regulations be not repug mint to the laws ant! constitution of this state.” Under this power ait ordinance has linen pns sed, declaring “ that all Shows of Men, Anim nls, nf things exhibited within tin- limits of ttin corporation, shall he subjec t to u her nr fine," &e. And under this ordinance a limn hy the name of Ih-ssentn Florus lias been token for shewing himself as a dwarf in Ih said town of Salem. Tile subject will lie considered, 1st, under the right to Tux, and 2dly, under the right to Fine Kir*t. Tuxes have a legal well known defin itian, they are never usrd for punishment*; they are intended for revenue, Imposed equally upon, anil exacted from the community where they nre to lie employed, or upon such things as sre brought within the community, which an there liable to taxes and actually taxed. I speak now of corporations within a state, If the meaning ofthe word tax, as distinguished from t he vvor I fine, which is n penalty always used to prevent nr punish the commission of an net which may ho injurious to the society bavin (lower to impose it. This distinction must lie preserved especially, in the power granted to eorporations, or olse they might heroine a source of intnlernhlp grievance, to the citizens. I 1 ’ 'll v can tax either men nr property, wit with in their limits, and different from the lax which they impose upon themselves nnd tltetr own property, who would lie safe ? If they can lax n tnau for shewing himself, as a mere tax revenue, who may happen to come within their limits, they may tax him for any thing e|so: it is impossible to draw the distinction. - And if they can tax property carried there which is not intended to remain ami be employ ed there, and upon which there is not a similar tax iqion like property within their jurisdiction vvlin does not perceive (lint thn moment a ciii zen, living out of nuo of these rorporation* rides into it, ho is liable to im taxed, without hi* consent, (for lie lias had nothing to do making the law,) perhaps for llio more fact of riding(because it is immaterial wlttit the act is otic is ns liable to taxation n« another,) nud It;,, horsa may *!'so uo ; n kon find subjected to a tux 10 I'.Vuntlce a revenue, tin: benefits of which lie docs not share. Tho exercise of such a power would enable corporations to support them selves and their town regulations alone from foreign (axes and without imposing n cent upon themselves. This power the Legislature does not give to corporations, and the citizens are protected from its excreiso by that provis ion which requires all corporate arts to he con sistont with state laws. Wlt< n therefore a cit izen who does not reside, or has not property within a corporation, is taxed by that corpora lion, it is contrary to law ; because helloes not belong to llicir government j he does not fall within then-powers ; ho lias no agency in the law that demnndsthe tax, and ho is only liable in common with thn other citizens, to the slat for bin contributions. This is the, government end the tine alnr.o which ho is hound to support. The commissioners ofthe town of Salem, t here fore, as a rcve.ime law could not pass the said ordinance. But if thoy intended it ns a penally to prevent the commission of nn act which ihey, in “ their judgement,” thought proper for “tho good order and government” of thoir v11 Inge, then it v. as uonoecBsnry to employ the torm " lax," especially ns they had used ile word./lne, which properly nnd legally belong- to that object; and this brings us to the consul oration of the 2d thing proposed, to wit: VVlint jurisdictions have a right to Fine. Thn word Fine, always implies a criminal act, nnd is certainly used ns a penalty or nimsh- menl for au act committed or omitted, in vio lation ofsonte law. The right to punish un questionably involves iho right to try tho of fonco which incurs the ishment. Let us now see where this jurisdiction belongs. According to the 1st sect, of the 3-1 art. ofthe Constitution of the state, “ the Stqiorinur Courts shall have exclusive and final jurisdiction in all criminal cases.” Tins is the section ns it oi iginally came from the hands ofthe framers ofthe Constitution.— It was soon found hy various decisions of thr Superior Court, on certain law* imposing tinea for obstructing water courses,Iff. that certain exceptions to ibis broad power were neeessary and accordingly, in I81J, the following amend meat was adopted, to wit: “ except as relates to people of colour, and fines for the neglect of duty, nnd for contempt of Court, for v Halation against road laws, and for obstructing vvat courses, which shall he vested in such judii ture or tribunal, as shall be, or may have been pointoil out by law,” These were the first exceptions to the “ exclusive jurisdiction,” g ven to the Superior Courts in "all ciiminal cases," and which prove beyond all question tlint before this amendment the power conten ded for hy ilin town of Salem, could not granted hy the I.egitlaiure, or else there would have been no nerch.-tty fur thu amendment.— Now let us sue whether tho power is granted in tiny of those exceptions, ii is not in the one that “ relates to the people of colour," nor for “contempt uT Court,” for violations “ against road laws," lor obstructing “ wati>r courses then if it is not in the one relating to -fines for neglect (j duty, it is no whore. Now ev ery one most perceive, and Snell has been t lie construe tion, that lilts friers ohviuusty to neglect vj die ties imposed hy the state ( nv-, such fine an a citizen, unless it he nn "incorporated city, being a sea port town, and port of entry. The t-oiiMi i t in ion being tlm supreme law ol the slate, to which all othor laws within its sphere must yield, I cannot feel, nay I ought not to feel, any hesitation m saying the ordinance aforesaid is inoperative. A. 8. CLAYTON, Judge Superior Court, Western Circuit. Georgia. From the Charleston Mercury. VIRGINIA. Our renders nre uvvnre that Delegates to a Convention huve recently been elected in Vir ginia, for the purpose of framing a new Consti tution for that Commonwealth. One would supposo that the great work of re organizing the government—and particularly of deciding the important questions of free representation ami the right nf suffrage-- would be sufficient labor for that body, without distracting their councils hy the inttoduction of topics, no way connected with the political welfare of the peo ple, and calculated only to produce discord, confusion, and excitement, in the public mind Hitch is the nature of fanaticism, however, that it omits no opportunity to proinote'the uccotn plislinicnt of its visionnry schemes, utterly re- gardlesB of the evils which mny follow in their train. We observe, accordingly, tliui a plun lias been devised in Virginia of petition ing thn Convention to provide for the gradual aboli ion of slavery in that Slate. This plan, it is said, originated in Augusta County, where a memorial has been extensively eirtmlnteil ; nnd where, according lo the Staunton Speetn lor, there is “ much unanimity of sentiment” in relation to the measure, “though some differ of opinion exists ns regards the time of agitating it.” This is one of the blessed effects ofthe Colonization Society, of which Mr. Meii c it it is t ho great organ and apostle. If the Constitution of Virginia is to he re-organizeil upon the principle of uholition, letter, infinitely better, would it have been that no Convention hud been called. We cannot believe, howe.vei, that the people will sanction such a suicidal scheme, or that the reflecting portion of the Convention will treat it otherwise than ns tin ridiculous outpouring of mistaken philanthropy A subject of this kind could not be entertained withnnt producing unspeakable excitement, not only m Virginia, hut throughout the whole of the slave holding States. Is there ntty good to bo produced, that can compeuftnie the evil which may follow from iie agitation of the question? The abolitionists, wc arc persuaded, never ran succeed tit carrying their point—hu titey may, without intending it, give such n til rec'ion to the minds nnd feelings of a certain class, as may terminate in consequences which would cause even fanaticism itself to curse its fully We understand too well the “circam stances" lo ivliirli the Richmond Enquirer al ludes in tho paragraph below. We know nlso tliut “ circuinstunees” of the snme kind hav recently oceii-t-df! !h several other sections c itie riotilll and West, Tile linrison, indeed, is dark and low tring on every side. An 1 is tins a time for the torch of fanaticism to he thrown? Is this the time, when tho public mind is si much disturbed, for the mlvocnles of uholition to itarnss it inure hy pushing the accomplish ment of their quixotic (dans? Ought not every good citizen lo aid in restoring order, anil cul tiling apprehension? And ought not those who, from whatever motive, nre throwing fire brands in ihe Southern Slates, to be derisively frown down hy popular indignation Whilst on his subject wo cannot refrain from saying that we have observed with much regret, that it is becoming common utnoug tho Southern Journals to publish regularly and minutely tho history of every outrage commit ted hy a certain description of our population Would it not he well (wc would respectfully suggest) to discontinue the practice. \Ve hav made it n rule novel-to copy such articles, and We should he ght I never again to see them in any Southern print They eon, al best, only gratify nn idle curiosity, iho gratification of which may he ptirchnsed far above its value. The following is the paragraph from tho itii-limood Enquirer above referred to:— “ Why should wc moo* so delicate and oni liArrnssing a question at this time? lias not the Convention already difllcnltu s enough to contend with ? The prinriplo oi' free repre sentation, and the right of suffrage, are already interesting enough to demand all the wisdom, and discretion of the Convention to arrange l ° he general satisfaction. Why throw in tlit can give direction to public opinion in this coun try. Men, these tleys, examine for themselves, ami if we nre not greatly mistaken, nre now in ail quort.-rs of the union making such an inves tigation into the policy of the “ American Sys tem,” as will in a few -very few years, end in the total disgrace of that selfish, sclieeming, combining class of our population, and in the shameful defeat of i hat great political charlatan Henry Clay. We have great hopes of New- Enelnnd, nfter all, for, how can they get along without their Commerce. Massachusetts abounds with too many educated men, long to remain subject to the inconsistent unprincipled party to which Messrs. Webster and Everett belong. The writings nf these very gentlemen, must destroy them and we see n feeling of dis content and disgust rapidly- spreading over tlint State in relation to the Ainetiean System anil its present ndvoentes, the honest and consistent Messrs. Webster and Everett. From the U. S. Telegraph, July iO.f Case nf Tobias Watkins.— At the opening of the Court this morning, Mr. Key, oil the part of ~~ tho United States, replied to the argument de livered yesterday hy the counsel for ihe prison er. At 11 o’clock he concluded, when the Jury retired, and in two hours returned with a ver dict finding Dr. W. guilty of having received $750 iu his official capacity and applied tho same to his own use. The counsel for the accused required that the verdict should ho recorded, contending that it was equivalent to a verdict of acquittal. Mr. Swann and Mr. Key objected to this on the ground, tjmt the verdict did not apply to the matter of the indictment, and was insuffi cient to pus* any judgment on. The court subse quently sent for tho Jury, and informed them hut they (the court) could not receive the vor- licl. inasmuch as it did not find whether the $750 wits the money of the United States, or tho fraudulent intent by which it had been obtain ed by Dr. Watkins. The Jury retired, nnd at lour o'clock, returned with annineiuled verdict, 'ha' the prisoner was guilty of haring in his of- fecial rapacity, obtained and 'applied lo his own use. $750, money ofthe United States. I’he petit jury was discharged till Monday, hen, it is presumed, the trial ofthe individual for the fraudulent obtninineut of the $300 will come on. An ancient, rich, nnd distinguished individual used to say---! owe my wealth and elevation to the neglect with which I used to he treated hy the proud. It was a reel benefit to me, though uot so intended. It awakened a zeal which did its duty, and was crowned with success.--- I determined, if this neglect was owing to ujy w unt of learning, I would ho studious mid ac quire it—I determined, if it was owing to nty poverty, 1 would accumulate property, if ex treme vigilance, industry, prudence and self de nial would do it (which will not tdways.) I de terinined, if it wns owing to my niunucrs, I would bo mure circumspect. 1 was anxious, nlso, to show those who had so treated me, tliut I was undeserving of such coldness 1 was also warmed hy a desire that the proud should see me on n level with, or elevated above them selves. And was resolved, above all things, never to lose the consolation of being conscious of not tieserving the hauteur which was dis place! over ure. patrol will and pleasure, the power is virtually givon tci ? n ‘* "!' !:!u al “ l ; ‘“ l 111 *bo rl B !| t >d the them to alter the standard of value. :u , uiu ,i ' powers in corporate bodies to punish otto is by line. It must ho nppar tent lo all, that the neglect of law fill duly is vary ililierem Irom the commission of an aci prohibited not only hy a state law, hut by an ordinance of an incorporate a village. Bsstdes, powers are never suffered to he drawn from doubtful expressions, and (lie above is too vague to vest corporate bodies with the right lo impose fines ut pleasure, nud to divest the Superior Court of o jurisdiction in the grant ol which there is nothing equivo cal or obscure, especially its will presently be seen ; this same power is expressly given to certain corporations by a subsequent amend ment of tho Constitution in 1818. li the fore going expression gave the power to any .me copul ation to impose tines lor neglect of duty, it did to all, and there could bo no necessity for this last amendment winch is us follows, “ and except iu nil other minor offences committed by free white persons, nnd which do not sub ject the offender or offenders to loss of life, limb or inenihei, or to confinement in the 1 SOUTH A3IERICA. [From the .Yew Orleans Mercantile Adverti ser, July 8.] MEXICO. We have hoon politely favored wiili exten sive files of Mexican papers, of the Nbtioioso, tltc Cororo, the Men«BBc.ro, nnd others to the I7lh nf June. Among tho important papers they contain, is the speech of President Gui-tn- RKnn, to the Congress ofthe States, on tltp evo id adjourning, in which lie commends them highly for tho beneficial results that may he anticipated from iln-ir labours, and for the dig nified manner in which they acquitted them selves throughout. There is also before us a manifesto of General St. Anv, to tho Stntce, which breathes a strong spirit for liberty, and the duration ofthe constitution. He, in an ani mated style, exhorts the Mexicans to seek per fect tranquillity—to encourage industry and the art* —and to educate their children, ns a safe guard to their liberties. This publication of tho genoral completely vindicates Ids reputa tion from suspicions which have been hinted, even charged on him, that ho aimed ut some thing else than tire preservation of thoir repub lican system Judging from what wo know of the administration of President Guerrero, wo think it much inclined, nnd calculated lo pro mote the host interests of that county —tvicli is at present more culm than could ho expected — witliuut fears from internal dangers. It is hoped ilium are in store for them many yours of domestic quiet ntul tranquillity, to speed them in thoir march lo the establishment of soino permanent system of independence. [Translated for the. Mercantile AJvcrtiserA MEXICO. Address <>f t|u President of Mexico, after tho adjournment of the Congress. Mkxic wns ! Your Congress has just closed its yearly sessions, leaving the Constitution in full vigor, nnd after having dnurand laws emi nently favorable to tho preservation of public order and nntionnl prosperity. You have aided in the accomplishment of those great works hy a conduct always in unison with tho laws, so- rial order, nnd with constitutional liberty. Fellow Citizens'. It is to you that I owe the difficult charge winch I have undertaken for the good of my country, nud I require of you ho constant exertion of that patriotism which — , oustaut ex - , other, and even more exciting subject, to rouse [,done' can unite us in pursuits calculated to givo •ip all tin- feelings nnd prejudices of our Eastern ! stability 1“ those institutions which have cost Brethren? Will not out- Western iii-iJhrcn linn- difficulty enough in securing tlnur login male rights und just demands, without stirring lip such a question as this? Wluln we say this, we agree with the Loudoun Ediior in hi* deploring ofthe evil tie refers to. We regard it ns a bane io our laud ; bin who is ignorant of tin- difficulty of finding the antidote ? We, however, forbearnt present. Th'S string can scarcely he touched without jarring the body polilte. Circumstances ure already hrfore. us, happening even wiilnn tho present mouth, which show the unfortunntn tendency of ag rating such a subject, with the best intentions, but without the most mature deliberation of the means As friends of the Convention, cer tainly, vvu would beg the Citizens of Augusta, or any of the western rounties to forbear, and pause upon this question.” Tho Columbia Telescope also hits the follow ing observations upon the subject: — “ We publish to day n petition which is gel ling up in Virginia by the Mercer Party to tho Convention soon to meet in that Stale, praying tile abolition of slavery. We were well aware for some time pnst of trie apprehensions which were felt in the lower and middle parts of Vir ginia, in relation to ihe designs of this party, and we regretted exceedingly for the ciiArae ter of that respectable old Southern State, that the Convention question hint ever been can ted. For many year* past there has been h gradual spreading of Northern feelings and opinion over the north Eastern portion oT Virginia, nnd taking its direction southward along tin- great Valley of tiiat State. That tins party will seize tlm occasion to rcvoiulioiiize Virgin ia, can little ho doubted. Internal Improve mem by the general government, protection of National Industry (as their mode of robbery is called)and tile destruction of slave property, form till- great views of tin* Mercer party.— the rcpiibKdNj many heroic sacrifices. A na tion full of such noble resignation, and which htiBsupported nil the vicissitudes of n protract ed rev-dotion to obtain the object it had in view, cannot fail to he convicted of tho necessity of strengthening it* political existience, and t<7 tender eternal the glory it has acquired—ta king ns its means, good fat'll, union, hatred of nisinrd, the hue of labor, mid a profound res pect for the laws of the Republic. Then thu Mexican Eagle will rake its lofty flight to thu highest summits of our mountains, and under the protection of its wing, our united exertions will enable u* all to consolidate forever tho nu- gust liberty of Annlman. Respectable Ministers of our sacred Roligi- hcl. My heart fills with joy nnd gratitude when I recollect that il was one of your order wlm first raised the cry of Liberty : I feel tho liveli est satisfaction in observing’thnt you preserve in its purity n religion which derives infinite support from the guarantee it receives from rite morality of your actions, and yottr respectful regard for the civil authority. Citizen Soldiers'. Our country owes to you her Independence and her liberty ; hut ns Ion" a* your services shull ho required you will havm done nothing ; she has the right to exact of your heroism tho sacrifice even of your live*. — You arc the very strength of the public, i,- u m in that capacity that ( shall depend upon your participation iu all such measures as mny be come necessary for tlit; support of our Federal Institutions. Mexicans ! I atnconvincod that my duty ex acts of me a perfect devotion to your interests, without any return, for such was the solemn oath which I took in 1810, when I first entered into the ranks pif the patriots. In my present situation my greatest pride must bo to acquire nn honorable name, hy rendering myself de serving ihe confidence you placed in me when tentiarv ; in al! such cases, corporation Courts.'torally joVelied froin us whenever it'au'its'a few Heretofore the wealth and influence of’Virgin-1 >0“ invested me with the uiithority of first ma- ia has been below thn Mountains ; but raise the j H'>"f«te of the republic. My conscience has question alarm the fears nf thn weak, and | nevoy reproached me w ith having deviated thereby reduce the vulue of slaves and the Rpv ‘ r ~ 1 olution is complete. Lower Virginia -old Re publican Virginia must give way to Western \ irginia—and new principles and new doc trim s will ho put afloat repugnant to thn fee lings nnd dangerous to the property ofSouthern peu|de. We renlly fear many good und true men have been deluded into this Convention measure, which sounds so magnanimous, but is langprnns to every well organized govern ment. Wnuhl to God, our forebodings may prove delusive hut wlint hope huve wc when wc eee such men us Mr. Madison nnd Mr. Mon roe deserting their old republican ranks and seeking honor from the enemy. Vain, vain mao. a lew puffs, a few paragraphs from those printing people of the North, have sm-li perstia sive seductiveness, that our great men are from those duties which so imperiously belong to men in public life. You enunot doubt that all my desires, all my solicitude, and all my la bors, will have for their only object the felicity ot the people. My government knows no other party ilinti that of the Federation : happy will I ho il i relire from the Presidency, or if I des cend in in to the tomb blessed with tile benedic tions ot the Mexican people. VINCENT GUERRERO. Mexico, May 23, 1829. ItalTKAYED or Stolen from the subscriber Stsm»¥m i sss!s»wia no»d liU head (low 11 when irnvHUng. a letter directed to I ost Ofhce will rer " - - - Jlaticock county, Au? TIIO. HUDSON.