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OLD SERIES, VOL. LVIII.
THE CHRONICLE & SENTINEL
IS FYBLISHSD DAILY, TRI-WEEKLY, AND WEEKLY,
BY J. W. & W. S. JONES.
The Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel
IS PUBLISHED AT
Three Dollars per annum—or one subscriber two
years, or two subscribers one year for *5.
Tri-Weekly paper, at Five Dollars per annum.
Daily paper, at Ten Dollars per annum.
Cash System.—ln no case will an order for the
paper be attended to, unless accompanied with
the money; and in every instance when the time
for which any subscription may be paid, expires
before the receipt of funds to renew the subscrip
tion, the paper will be discontinued. Depreciated
money received at its value in this city.
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 16.
FYNo mail north of Washington city last
night.
Tennessee and Memphis Rail Road.
The intimate connexion which this enterprise
bears to our city and our system of internal im
provements, has induced us to copy, entire,
the charter granted by the Alabama Legislature,
which will be found in another column. Judg
ing from the Huntsville papers, we infer that the
citizens of North Alabama are thoroughly a
rouscd to the necessity of completing this impor
tant link of communication between themselves
and the Atlantic coast, at the earliest day prac
ticable.
Believing, as we do, that this work, when
completed, and even during its progress to com
pletion, must exercise a very important influence
upon the commerce of Augusta, we trust we
shall be pardonedfor again adverting to the ne
cessity, on our part, of preparing to meet the de
mand of a greatly increased trade. We confess
that the coldness and indifference with which
our previous suggestions, in this behalf, have
been met, have operated rather as a damper up
on our feelings, and we recur to the subject with
positive reluctance. But as the duties of an
editor have been aptly compared to the labors
of a horse in a gin, we cannot forego the oppor
tunity to call the attention of our citizens to the
subject—at the risk, perhaps, of repeating what
we have, on former occasions, urged)
That man who, premonished of- impending
danger, sits quietly down to await its coming,
wthout any preparation to ward off the blow
which aims at his destruction, is regarded by all
intelligent men as not only reckless of his fate,
but, also, as wanting in prudence. Not less so
is the city that permits the products of a vast
and fertile region of country to be transported
into, and through her streets to obtain in another
market an exchange of commodities, without
an effort to afford the facilities for accomplish
ing that exchange with her own citizens. Is not
his our situation, at the present time?—We
ask—and ask in candor. Are notour Rail Roads
extending into the interior, into the heart of the
most fertile region of the globe, opening to us
new sources of wealth, and bringing us into the
closest alliances of friendship and commercial
intercourse, with a whole people who were but
yesterday entire strangers? This, we appre
hend, no one will deny: and what are those, who
are most deeply interested in the success and
prosperity of the city, because of their invest
ments in its realty doing, to secure theJrade of
that immense region? Are they uniting their
energies and commingling their councils, to so
direct their capital, that our city may become
the mart for supplying tffis immense and fertile
region, with its necessaries and luxuries? or
are they folding their arms and looking on up
on these vast revolutions, which are likely to be
effected in trade and commerce, apparently in
dulging the chimera that bricks and mortar make
a city—almost spurning by their manifest indif
ference, the proffered boon? It appears to us
that these are important enquiries—enquiries
which every holder ot real estate and capital
in Augusta should address to himself. It may
be that we are visionary upon the subject, and
attach to it an importance, which, in truth, it
does not merit. If so, the careless indifference
manifested by those to whom this article and
this subject especially addresses itself, will be
fortunate—and they at a future period may con
gratulate themselves that they had slept on, re
gardless of our admonitions, that they might
wake up to see their city either depopulated, or
filled with retail shops to supply the immediate
vicinage.
We desire on no occasion to excite unneces
sarily a people to action upon any subject, and
upon this we feel a peculiar delicacy, because it
may be insinuated, in reply, that every man can
manage his own capital and direct his own ener
gies as shall seem to him fit and proper. But
our position as citizens added to which, is that
of public journalists, force upon us the necessity
of subjecting ourselves to such illiberal and tin
charitable comments, and we assume the re
sponsibility of urging the importance of adopt
ing the necessary measures to secure the trade
of all that region of country, which will at no
distant day be open ed to us, by this line ot Rail
road communication. A system, such as that
we allude to, cannot be perfected in a day, or a
year ;it requires time, reflection, energy and
capital. All thest: are at our command, and it
is only necessary that those who hold in their
hands their own di istinies and that of the city of
Augusta, in this cc mnexion, should enter prompt
ly and eneigeticaLly upon the great work to be
performed. Prudence and self-protection dic
tate such a policj', and the legislation of the
State has been wisely directed to preparing the
way for its accomplishment, as well by the
system of internal improvements, which have
been adopted ant I prosecuted by herself and citi
zens, as by the granting to the commercial com
munity the privilege of forming limited partner
ships. The latter of which is a measure sugges.
ted by commercial men themselves, and in that
spirit of liberality and enterprise which marks
the distinctive character of the age in which
we live, has been promptly incorporated among
our statutes. Let it not then stand upon our
statute book, a mere dead letter ; but while its
provisions are so essential to the accomplish
ment of the purposes for which our internal com
munications have been adapted and are rapidly
progressing »o completion, viz: the building up
of our city by increasing its commerce, let us
lay hold of its provisions and adapt them to our
wants.
Tennessee—The Legislature of this State
adjourned on the 31st of last month, having been
in session one hundred and twenty-two days.
t Among the business transacted, was the adop
tion of a joint resolution, requesting the Sena
tors and Representatives in Congress of that
State, to use their exertions to procure the pas
sage of a law for an equitable distribution of th>e
sales of the public lands.
This resolution was voted for by every,Whig s
and opposed by every loco foco; and yet these
latter, in almost all the States and in Congress,
are for giving away the lands altogether, be
cause a few demagogues think that political capi
tate au be made out of such a grand larceny, for
the benefit of one or two prominent politicians,
who have their eyes set upon certain “high
places” in our political synagogue.
Liberal Legacies.—lsrael Munson, who te
centlydiedin Boston at an advanced age, left
$70,000 to be distributed as follows: To the
Mass General Hospital $20,000, Harvard Col
lege $15,000, Yale College 815,000, Yale Medi
cal School $5,000, Blind Asylum 31,000, Farm
School $3,000, Eye and Ear Infirmary 3,000,
and Retreat at Hartford $5,000,
March or Civilization. —A Down East edi
tor, speaking of the progress of civilization, dis
eourseth thus: “ Its march is onward—onward
like the slow but intrepid tread of a jackass to
wards a peck of oats.”.
iff JI m "iMh !i > I r\\- i!
WvCOtlU W4IXJP liULIX JpOWWii/JU
State Credit.—Among the matters eminent
ly calculated to cause pain and anxiety in the
minds of Americans, is the low ebb to which the
credit of several of the States has fallen, chiefly
through the mismanagement and prodigality of
those to whom, by an unwise and careless exer
cise of the elective franchise, their pecuniary
affairs had, in an evil hour, been entrusted, and
to the inefficient measures that have since been
taken by the defaulting states to preserve their
public faith, even where repudiation was disa
vowed and denounced.
At the head of the States whose demerits in
this respect are most conspicuous, stands Penn
sylvania—a commonwealth, the financial con
dition of which, at this time, above all others,
requires prompt attention. We had therefore
hoped, that the Legislature of this state, in view
of the very general reprobation which, both at
home and from abroad, has been visited upon
theircriminal neglect to provide for the payment
of the interest upon their public securities, would
have promptly provided, at the present session,
for the imposition and collection of a sufficient
revenue to meet the just demands of her suffer
ing creditors ; and thus in a great degree restore
the credit of a commonwealth, confessedly the
wealthiest in the Union, and which ought never
to have been permitted to fall into the disgrace
that now covers it as with a garment —a discre
dit, which not only attaches to Pennsylvania,
and mars her interests, but has been extended to
other States, and the Republic as a whole—
which have thus been made to reap a portion ot
the harvest ot evil which her demagoguical and
reckless rulers so callously sowed. Rich in re
sources of all kinds, her creditors abroad could
rfot comprehend why she could not meet her lia
bilities; and therefore they naturally, we might
almost add justly, attributed the neglect to an
unwillingness to pay, originating in dishonesty.
The consequences have been, that other states,
which never failed to pay their interest money,
or other liabilities, have been made to feel the
blighting effects of the dishonoured credit which
Pennsylvania, the ‘ keystone of the federal arch,’
as she has been styled, was chiefly instrumental
in bringing upon the country—and even the Ge
neral Government itself been kicked out of the
money marts of Europe, as unworthy of being
trusted!
In this view ot the subject is it, that we at this
distance, feel called upon to express regret, that
nothing has yet been done by the present Legis
lature of Pennsylvania, to drag the Common
wealth out of the slough of degradation into
which it has been so recklessly plunged, and witii
it, the fair fame of the country, which anterior to
its recreancy, was without spot or blemish. And
not only has the Legislature thus far remained
supine, but on the 6th inst., a resolution, which
had been introduced, to instruct the Committee
on Ways and Means in the lower house to re
port, by the 19th current, a bill ‘ lor raising funds
to defray the expenses of the government, and
pay the interest of the public debt, in specie,’
was furiously attacked by the Chairman of that
committee as being rather peremptory, and as
contemplating a measure which might not be
found so easy to carry out! And finally, the re
solution, after a long debate, in which all propo
sitions to obtain aid through the action of Con
gress were denounced as delusive, and (under
the new lights, we suppose, which have so very
recently beamed upon the country, through the
peculiar glasses of patent democracy,) as asking
what ought not to be expected of, or accepted
from, a government ostensibly formed ‘ for the
general welfare,’ was postponed ‘ for the present’
by a vote of 54 to 34!
We pretend not to be able to comprehend all
the wisdom of modern legislation—and particu
larly that which emanates from the new school
of politicians—but this dilatoriness, we much
fear, is only the forerunner ot further neglect on
the part of tne Pennsylvania lawgivers, of the
jacobin order, to provide means to meet the in
terest due on their bonds, or of a determination
to stave off action upon a matter in reference to
which the whole country leels a deep interest,
until after the occurrence of the presidential and
gubernatorial elections in that state, lest 1 the
party’ should suffer. A base and dishonest mo
tive would the latter be: and yet we doubt not
that such have tor years more or less governed
the actions of the loco foco demagogues, not on
ly of the keystone state, but in others, the inle
rests'of which, unfortunately, were committed
to their keeping. We trust, however, the time
is at hand, when the love ot honour and an ho
nest name, will prevail over the grovelling pro
pensities and influences of the timeserving and
selfish politician.
But we have dwelt longer on this branch of
our subject than we intended; and perhaps the
state pride of the writer, long cherished and not
to be forgotten, may have given a local tone to
remarks designed to be of more general applica
tion ; but we trust they may not be deemed, for
this latter reason, out of place here, for the fame
of any one member of this Confederacy of free
states, ought never to be considered as of little
consequence to the others, but should be che
rished as that of a sister of one common family
—and the more especially, as a mildew falling
upon the one, is sure to affect, in the end, the
entire sisterhood. And more particularly do we
hope, that should our article fall under the notice
of any Pennsylvanian—having standing and in
fluence, and alive to the interests of his state —
he will not cast it aside, as an improper com
mentary upon matters that should more proper
ly come under the surveillance of the state press>
but will rather regard it as an evidence of the so
licitude which is felt at a distance, for the good
name of a Commonwealth which heretofore has
occupied such a prominent position in the Re
public, and which cannot suffer deterioration,
without bringing a measure of disgrace and dis
ability upon all the other states that are united
with her in one common destiny.
But however Pennsylvania and the other de
faulting stales may deport themselves in refer
ence to their languishing credit, we are not with
out the hope that some measure of good may
come out of the present state of things. Every
arrival from Europe brings accounts of the very
great abundance there of capital seeking invest
ment at very low rates of interest. It is impos
sible, therefore, for the least observant of our ci
tizens not to perceive what advantages might,
under such a condition of the money market
abroad, have accrued to the debtor states, and
the saving that could have been made in the rate
of interest, had not the credit of the country been
ruthlessly trifled with by reckless demagogues.
These facts speak with trumpet tongues against
the criminal carelessness and credulity of the
people in choosing the agents to whom the ma
nagement of their public affairs was to be com
mitted. If, instead of listening to the idle words
of those who were eternally prating about ‘ de
mocracy,’ they had elected to office men of tried
integrity and sound judgement, in lieu of the
brawling demagogues whom designing parti
zans held up, we should not now have had to
mourn over the evils and the mortifications that
State Bankruptcies have brought on the country.
But if wisdom shall have been bought by the
bi :ter experiences we have had, all will not have
been lost. It may be too late to remedy the evils
that are past, but the recurrence of those of a
like nature may be prevented. The authors cf
most of the public discredit which is now at
tached to many of the states, and through them
to the whole American people, are again impu
dently asking to be restored to power. Let them
be indignantly rejected, and trustworthy menbe
put in their place-and if the distress of the past
can not be entirely wiped out, the future may
be full of promise and of happiness.
The receiplsrni _ the — \Vestem (Mass.) Rail
road, during the week ending on the 2d instant,
were $8,943 —an increase over the same period
asc year ot $3,164.
Ait! those Pins and Sad Irons.—The grand
corps of English. Commercial Houses in New
York, and other commercial places, and their
mouthpieces, the Globe, Evening Post, Journal
of Commerce, &c., are in a sad mood concern
ing the enormous “ tax of 140 per cent” that
the “ black tariff” has imposed upon sad irons,
pins, and other household matters most com
monly in use—and all, if we may believe them,
on account of their sympathies for “ American
housewives”—the kind English-hearted gentle
men! The Journal of Commerce, also, by
way of an interlude, “made the welkin ring”
with its “ long roll” upon “ brass kettles,” for
the benefit of the dear American ladies!
The disinterested labors ot these English Im
porters, and their paid advocates of English in
terests, ought certainly to be remembered with
deep gratitude by the whole American people I
—especially when it is taken into consideration
that this anxiety of our transatlantic friends, to
“ save us from our worst enemies, ourselves,”
is mainly to be attributed to their very' innocent
desire to put into their own purses, the moneys
which,’under the tariff, are paid into the public
treasury, to defray the expenses of the govern
ment, and thus, as a consequence, to do away
with those very pleasant concomitants of an emp
ty exchequer, the visits of the gatherers of direct
taxes to the doors of every planter and farmer in
the country.
But seriously speaking, the impudence, ef
frontery and misrepresentations, of these inter
ested advocates ot “ free trade” are beginning to
be almost beyond endurance. Happily, howev
er, the means of controverting and disposing
of their fallacies and misrepresentations are at
hand. The New York Tribune thus disposes
of a lew of them:
Facts against Theories.— Pins are among
the articles instanced by the Free Traders of
our City and elsewhere as exorbitantly taxed by
the present Tariff—over 50 per cent. What lias
been the consequence ? Are Pins fearer than
they were under a low duty? By no means,
but the contrary. Although there are but two
or three Pin Manufactories in the Country, (the
oldest, of but nine years’ standing, only made
its first dividend last year) yet. Pins are cheaper
now in this country than before. A gentleman
whose name is with us gives us a striking illus
tration of this fact. He is the inventor of a
machine to stick Pins in papers, which does the
work with great rapidity, and fancied he might
make a spec, by buying Pins without papers in
England and sticking them on papers here. So
he sent over to inquire the price, and was sur
prised to find that he could buy Pius in papers at
an American factory as cheap os he could buy as
good Pins before slicking in England. There
are inferior qualities to be bought cheaper in
England, but a right good article cost 87 cents a
pound there, and he eould buy them tor that
here.
Sad. Irons are set down in the Hardware Im
porters’ Memorial as taxed 140 per cent, by the
present Tariff. Let it go at that. They cost 41
cents per pound in our market under the low
Duties ot 1841, and they can now be bought
here for 3| per pound—a reduction of 16 per
cent. That horrible Tariff seems to have an
odd wav of taxing our People.
Cut Nails were 4* cents in ’4l ; now 4 cents.
Shovels and Spades are 10 per cent, lower than
in ’4l.
Axes (Collins & Co.’s) 19 per cent, cheaper;
others, 15.
Augers are 20 pr. ct. cheaper than in ’4l.
Copper and Brass Wire are 10 pr. ct. cheaper.
801 l and Sheet Brass 10 per ct. cheaper.
Norfolk Latches, 20 per ct. cheaper than in ’4l.
Britannia Table-Spoons, 20 do.
Brass Headed Shovels and Tongs, 15 do.
Hollow Ware, same price as in ’4l.
Cut Tacks, do.
Scythes and Sickles, 10 per ct. cheaper than
in ’4l.
Plate and Hook Hinges, do.
Hooks and Staples, do.
These are mainly the articles on which pt is
clamored by the Evening Post, and insinuated
by the Hardware Memorial and the Journal of
Commerce that the Farmers are enormously
taxed by the Tariff to enrich the Manufacturers!
But every farmer who remembers and thinks
must know better. He must know that he buys
them now as cheap as he ever did when the du
ties were low. The duty is raised.
Ominous.—The Pendleton Messenger, the
immediate organ of Mr. Calhoun, in copying
bis late address, took occasion to correct an im
pression which the Van Buren wing of the party
seemed desirous to make upon the public mind,
and as the editor speaks by authority we copy
his remarks, and the endorsemont, thereof, by
the Mercury of yesterday.
Mr. Calhoun’s Address.—The Mercury
says: We certainly understood it as the Messen
ger does—simply as a refusal to go into the
Baltimore Convention. Mr. Calhoun was
nominated to that Convention by the people of
this State, and by others, and it is from that
position he was withdrawn.
“ Some slight inaccuracies which had crept
into the original publication of Mr. Calhoun’s
address in the Charleston papers, have been cor
rected by himself in the copy from which we
make the re-publication which appears in our
paper today.
“It is unnecessary to ask for this address a
careful perusal. It will certainly receive it;
and we can scarcely imagine how any one can
rise from it without being convinced by its rea
soning.
“We observa that Mr. Calhoun is spoken of
in most of the papers which have published the
address, as having withdrawn himself in that
position. He was nominated by his friends for
an office, which according to his declared opin
ion, was neither to be solicited nor declined.
He refuses, in his address to abide the decision
of a packed convention. But he cannot with
draw from a position he never assumed. It is
for those who placed him there to withdraw him
or not —to give him their support or transfer it te
another. We believe this will be determined
by circumstances hereafter to become known.
“If we can advance the cause for which we
have been contending or the principlesol which
we have regarded Mr. Calhoun as the ablest
supporter, and for his support of which we
were his advocates, by transferring our votes to
another, it will be sound policy, and no aban
donment of principles to do so. But “ underno
circumstances whatever,” can we support any
man who is opposed to ourdoctrines, and whose
friends in Congress prove by their votes that
they are so opposed. Better will it be—far bet
ter for South Carolina to rally around her favor
ite son, even if she rallies alone—to take no
part in the scramble, for office, where parties
are not divided by principles, but by thirst tor
power—and if the system of monopoly and
plunder is to be fastened on us, it cannot then be
said thn t we aided in the deed.”
Important Arrest.—The New Orleans
Picayune, of the 9th inst., says:- Burns, who
murdered Edward W. Collier, a citizen of Au
gusta, Ga., some weeks since, and lor whose
apprehension a large reward was offered by the
authorities and citizens, was arrested on the 4th
inst. at Memphis, Tenn., by an officer from
Georgia. He was at the time on board the
steamboat Hempstead, bound for this city. He
had registered his name as James Owens.
Some few of our Whig cotemporaries
felt a little doubtful as to the propriety of the re
jection of David Henshaw, as Secretary of the
Navy, as he had evinced considerable energy
and ability in the discharge of the duties of that
office. To us, the rejection was about as wel
come news as we could receive from W ashing
ton, for we considered it retributive justice, long
and well earned by a life of proscription on the
part of that unscrupulous partisan, -whenever
power was placed in his hands. Hear the Balti
more Patriot on this head:
“ When David Henshaw was appointed Col
lector of the port of Boston, some genilemen
asked him to retain one or two good clerks
who had been long in the office. To which he
laconically replied—“ N’of a W&ig shall taste a
single crumb that falls from the Jackson table.
This he uttered with a horrible, fiendish grin,
ttyat was enough “to appal the devil?’ He then
went on and carried his threat into execution.
But now this political monster finds, mostjustly,
“ the poisoned chalice commended to his own
lips,” by an almost unanimous rejection by the
Senate. Notwithstanding this, like a hungry
leech, he sticks to office under the pretence that
the President desires it, and this too, when it is
notorious that the chief clerk in every depart
ment acts as Secretary’ when the principal is ab
sent or defunct.”
Editorial Wealth.—The editor, of the
Memphis Enquirer talks about several thousand
dollars that he has accumulated “in the hands
of his non-paying patronsHe has, no doubt,
also built himself a magnificent mansion— in the
air i »
AUGUSTA, GA, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 22, 1844.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 17.
The Prosi /ct. —From various quarters ru
mors are reaching us, that the tariff question,
notwithstanding the votes which were had in the
early part of the session, and which seemed to
indicate, that for one Cohgress, at least, it was
to be left to take care of itself, is yet to be made
the theme of debate and action, upon proposi
tions to make it conform to the crude theories
and ideas of the free trade speculative writers.
And why? Simply because there are dema
gogues in the land, who deem the subject one
that may be made to enure to the benefit of a
scheming candidate for the Presidency, whether
the change is made or rejected.’
We regret this exceedingly—not because we
have any fears of the political effect which these
movements may have, in reference to the com
ing Presidential contest, but on account ot the
deleterious influences which all agitations of
this nature have upon the business of the peo
ple. From 1832 to 1842, the country was kept
in a continual turmoil. It was in a complete
state ot revolution. Experiment was piled upon
experiment—change upon change. There was
no possible chance ot accommodating the busi
ness of the day, to the fluctuations of the Gov
ernmental policy. That period was indeed one
long day ot crusades against the business
capabilities of the Union, and the happiness
and prosperity of our citizens. Injury suc
ceeded injury in rapid progression; and oppres
sion was made to trip swiftly after oppression,
throughout that lengthened period of the nation’s
su fieri ng. Maddened by the disabilities heaped
upon them by the misgovernment of heartless
politicians, the People at length rose in their
might, and put down together the oppressors
and their vacillating policy, and a day ot hope
began to beam upon the land. The nation in
deed needed repose. It was essential to every
interest of the Republic, that a calm should
succeed the storm which had so long raged
around them.
As a chief means of restoring the prostrated
energies of the people, and healing the wounds
which the vandal policy of Van Buren and his
supporters tiad inflicted upon the productive in
dustry of the country, the tariff was arranged
upon a basis which seemed best calculated to
relieve both the people and the government —
and the measure was hailed, from one enl of
the union to the other, as the harbinger of a
renovated national and political vigor.
Under this wise measure prosperity again be
gan to dawn upon us. Agriculture at once
sprung upward with regenerated strength; and
commerce and manufactures partook, in an
equal degree, of the renovating influences of a
policy that has never failed to fill the land with
blessings innumerable. Is it just, is it proper,
or is it wise, again to disturb the peace and
prosperity ot the country, by agitating the tariff
question ? Have we not had enough of confu
sion—enough of misei y and loss ? Most assur
edly the people are tired of the experimental
izing which for ten years crushed them into the
dust. Let the demagogues of Congress beware
then how they comport themselves. The pros
perity and happiness o f the people are too pre
cious to be made the sport of reckless politi
cians. A measure that has restored, in a great
degree, the confidence and hope of our citizens,
may not, with impunity, be made the shuttle
cock of president-makers. Touch the tariff
with violent hands, and a storm will be raised
throughout the land, that will sweep before it
all who thus plot against the best interests of
their fellows!
Doubtless there may be imperfections in the
law—what law is without them?—and it may
be that these could be judiciously modified:
but were it not better to submit to a few light
grievances, than to have every thing thrown
into chaos again? The season of a warmly
contested Presidential election-is not propitious
pr the alteration of a law entering so largely
into the leading interests of the country and the
government. The j udgement ot the mere poli
tician is not competent to so great a task. The ex
citement of the day will not admit of dispassion
ate scrutiny. But when the heat of the election
shall have gone by—when men are returned to
the legislative halls for other than partisan pur
poses—then, but pot till then, may the tariff
law be safely overhauled and modified.
Arrest of Burns.—The annexed paragraphs,
which we clip from the New Orleans papers
leave no doubt, we think, of his arrest. For on
reference to the marine list we observe that the
Steamer Nashville, on which he and his escort
are said to have come passengers, did arrive in
New Orleans on the 9th inst:
On his way home. —Robert Bums, alias
Owen, who murdered a Mr. Collier a short time
since in the streets of Augusta, and whose arrest
we mentioned on- Saturday last, arrived here
yesterday on board the steamer Nashville, in
custody of the officers, who had been despatch
ed in pursuit of him, on his way to the scene
where the bloody deed was committed, fbr trial.
The Memphis Enquirer of the 6th inst., says ;
Burns, who killed Mr. Collier at Augusta, Ga.,
was arrested on Sunday, by the Marshal of that
city, on board the steamboat Hempstead, at our
landing. He took passage on board the H. a t
the mouth of the Forked Deer, having made his
way from Augusta through the country to that
point, avoiding the large towns on the route.
Berrien and Colquitt.—The Washington
(Ga. ) News, in noticing the gross and uncalled
for attack made upon Mr. Berrien by the Rev.
Mr. Colquitt, on the presentation to the Senate
of the resolutions of the last Legislature, says.
“ The character of these gentlemen is striking
ly portrayed by their addresses on that occasion-
Mr. Colquitt’s language was violent and abusive
—such as would disgrace an ordinal y stump ora
tor; while Mr. Berrien’s reply is calm and dig
nified as became him. The day has gone (if it
ever was) when Mr. B. need care for the puny as
saults of his reverend assailant ; the people of
Georgia have set the seal of their approval on
his conduct and an army’ of freemen are ready
to uphold him in his course; while his assailant
stands alone, with no party to back him, for now
he does not even represent the “ Democrats,” the
little faction to which he belonged, and by whose
management he was. foisted upon the Democrat
ic majority in the Legislature which elected
him, being defunct.
“ We notice that Mr. C. in his speech says
that the Whig party in Georgia have “ studious
ly sought to avoid every issue upon national
politics;" this is untrue, and he has a witness
close by him to prove it so. Let him ask Mr.
Stephens, upon whom the whole brunt of the
battle fell last fall, if questions of National poli
cy were not fully discussed by him and his op
ponents. What were the issues which were
discussed when Mr. S. and himself met in
Coweta county? Perhaps, however, Mr. C.
has forgotten that meeting; which we should
not suppose was among hjs Pleasures of Memo
ry. We venture to assert that in no State of the
Union have questions of National policy been
more frequently and fully presented and argued
to the people than in the Addresses of Whig
Conventions, in the Whig speeches and the
newspapers of Georgia. Mr. Colquitt is also
guilty of a suppression of the truth, in saying
that the State Senate, at the last session of the
Legislature, passed a resolution condemning
the protective principle. The Whigs of the
Senate passed no such resolution, it was passed
by the Democrats, in a free-trade spasm, seizing
the opportunity when they were accidentally in
the majority through the absence of some of the
Whig members, and it was promptly rescinded
when the absent Whigs returned to their du
ties.
“ The blackguard editors of the Washington
Globe, are out upon Mr. Berrien with a column
of abuse. They, however, are more excusable
than Mr. Colquitt, inasmuch as they are better
paid for doing such dirty work. “ Tis their voca
tion, and it’s no sin for a man to labor in his
vocation.”
A Keen Cut— The New York Evening
Peet, after mentioning the interference ot th
police to break up a prize fight in that neighbor
hood, says:—“ It is not said whether the parties
belligerent were members of Congress, but the
presumtion, from recent events, is that they
were.”
Whig Meeting Campbell County.
The Whigs of Campbell county, met accord
ing to previous public notice, at the Court
House on Tuesday, the 6th inst. and on mo
tion of Dr. Glentworth,
Martin Kolb was called to the Chair, and A.
W. Wheat appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting was then briefly
stated by Dr. Glentworth, and the Se< retary
read the following preamble, and a Constitu
tion, which were adopted and signed.
Preamble—Whereas vc, a portion of the citi
zeas of Campbell county, believing in the use
fulness and expediency ot establishing Clay'
Clubs and Societies throughout the country,
the objects ’of which are to disseminate truth,
put down falsehood, rouse the people from their
lethargy, and let them proclaim to the Jacobins,
and to the world, that they know their rights,
and are not afraid to proclaim them, and to dis
tribute Circulais, Newspapers, anibDocuinents,
appealing to the patriotism and intelligence of
the people, and thereby secure the elevation of
the Patriot, Philanthropist, and Stateinan,
HENRY CLAY, to the Presidency in 1844.
The constitution being then read and adopted,
the meeting proceeded-to organize the Club, by
the election of its officers, which resulted in the
following selections:
Martin Kolb, President.
William Davenport, ? VUc p ntillcnls _
Dempsey J. Connally, .)
■M. G. Slaughter, Recording Salary.
Edw’d. H. Glentworth, Correspr&lg Sec y.
William Bomar,
Several Clay Songs were then stifig by the
Club ; after which Rufus Chandler, Esq. ad
dressed them in a very happy and appropriate
manner, inviting discussion, even to carry ug
the war into Africa.
Resolved, That the Club do now' appoint fifty
delegates to represent Campbell county, at the
Young Men’s Ratification Convention that
meets at Baltimore in May next.
The following gentlemen were nominated as
delegates:
Joseph H. Coryell, Richmond Barge, Jr.
Wm. M. Butt, James Paulelt,
John F. Wilson, Claiborne Gorman, Jr.
James H. Wilson, Aaron Barge,
Edward H. Glentworth. James Campbell,
William Bomar, James J. Scroggins,
James W. Waters, Jeptha Forbes,
E. Hearn, Wm. Menifee,
Charles Kolb, Overton Davenport,
J. M. Crawford Con- James Howell,
nally, William Wilson,
Ruins Chandler, J. Woodhall,
•Jesse M. Butt, Wm.C. Gresham
A. W. Wheat, James Barge,
H. P. Howell, James Beall,
A. Foster, Isaac Humphries,
Jeremiah Langston, William Cook,
Belling Bridges, R. S. Tuggles,
J. M. Woodhall, L. M. Bledsoe,
M. G. Slaughter, John Silvey,
Wm. Austen, Garland Hays,
Amistad Riee, Lemuel Black,
Morgan McCracken, Wm. E. Slaughter,
Jacob Redwine, R. Jackson,
Reuben Davis, Nathaniel Humphries.
Godfrey Mauldron,
Resolved, That the Club at its next meeting
appoint Executive and Committees of Corres
pondence, who shall notify His Excellency
Geo. W. Crawford, Hon. Henry Clay, Hon.
John M. Clayton, Hon. J. McPherson Berrien,
of their having being elected honorary mem
bers of this Club.
Resolved, That the proceedings ot this meet
ing be signed by the Chairman and Secretary,
and published in all the Wnig presses ot the
State.
Resolved, That the Club do now adjourn,
subject to the call of the Presiden’t.
MARTIN KOLB, Chairman.
A. W. Wheat, Sec’ry.
All branches, ol the opposition seem to be
coming to the conclusion that their party is in a
most woful plight, and like drowning men who
catch at straws, they are scratching round in all
directions in the hope of laying their hands up
on something that will keep their heavy concern
afloat. Many of them think that Mr. Van Bu
ren is the Jonah that endangers their craft, and
they are for throwing him overboard; while
others consider him to be Palinurus who alone
can steer it safely into port! Buy his is alto
gether a family quarrel, and they tijr settle it as
suits them best. Our purpose not is merely to
show that they have a very just sense of the
strength of the Whigs, and fully appreciate the
good effects that are likely to follow the real
“union and hannony” that exist in their ranks
and counsels. Here is an extract in point from
a loco foco sheet printed in Philadelphia that ad
vocates the 4th of July convention.
“ Nothing but the rallying of the Democratic
party ol the North with that of the South, as one
man, can save us, at this crisis, from an over
whelming defeat. Clay and Webster, the two
greatest Whig champions, the men that were
opposed to each other for more than twelve
years, are now united for our common over
throw. Never, not even at the time of Gen.
Harrison, were the Whigs better united; never
were they more sanguine ol success; never wei e
hey more ready to bury all individual differences
to insure the election of their favorite candidate.
There is no sacrifice, no expense of time and
money, that they are not willing to make to have
Henry Clay President, and to blight our pros
pects lor at least twenty years.”
Imports.—The freight list of the Montezuma,
the last Liverpool packet at New York, is $5,-
200. That of the Hottinguer, which sailed
from Havre about the same time, is said to
be $6,738. Other ships on their way, and about
to sail from Liverpool, are full.
The duties paid into the treasury are also
corresponding!)’ large. This must be alarming
to the virtuous opponents of the tariff’! There
will undoubtedly be a surplus in the Treasury,
under the operation of a measure which is so
destructive ol commerce. But happily our op
ponents are equal to all occasions. If they
again come into power, they will doubtless be
able to dissipate any surplusses that may exist,
without their being used as “bribes to States.’’
Bridge across the Delaware.—The Phila
delphia Inquirer says:-"We observe in the
Reading Room of the Merchants’ Exchage, a pic
ture of the proposed suspension bridge across the
Delaware .from Market Street, by John C. Trant
wine, Esq. The cost is estimated at 31,000,000,
and the arches are high enough to admit the
passage of large ships in lull sail.”
Is it teally contemplated to build such a bridge,
friend “ Inquirer,” or is it merely the offspring
of a speculating engineer’s brain?
We give it up that Mr. Clay cannot be
elected! The Paris “ National,” as quoted by
the New-Orleans Courier, settles that point!
Who can doubt authority that comes from such
a distance ? Who can question the correctness
of opinions formed on the other side ot the
Atlantic ? Surely there are none here that wilj
presume to set up their judgements against that
of a foreign journalist, as to the prospects or the
qualifications of Mr. Clay, or as to the pro
priety of electing him in preference to Van
Buren! Hear the dicta of this transatlantic
advocate of loco-focoism, and see how idle, oh
most short-sighted Whigs ! have been your
calculations; and in daring to go for the States
man of the West, how regardless you have
been of “the true interests of— France!”
“ Mr. Clay cannot calculate upon success,
and on this prospect we congratulate the United
States; on this prospect we congratulate France.
Mr. Clay represents that absolute party, which
in the last Congress passed the tariff which has
given a fatal blow ’o our commercial relations
with America. With Mr. Van Buren, on the
contrary, at the head of the government, we
may form a well founded hope that those pro
hibitory measures will be modified in a manner
advantageous to the interests of France. We
have his formal declaration as a guarantee.”
Edward Cox, a native of Lexington, Geo.,
recently in a fit of mania porlu, ' committed sui
cide by throwing himself from the deck of a
steamboat while under way a few miles above
Grand Gulf.
The U. S. Gazette says:—The Agent of the
“ American Letter Mail Company,” has been
refused a passage to New York, and was in con
sequence obliged to return to the office ot the
Company the packet of letters in his charge’
The question will, it is understood, be legally
tested, the Post Office Department appearing to
be determined to put a stop to the operations of
the Company.
MONDAY -MORNING, FEBRUARY 19.
Let us persev eue!—When the Whigs par
tially came into power in 1841, they fbnndevery
department ot the national government in con
fusion, and every interest of the country labor
ing under a deadly paralysis. - Credit was pros
trated—commerce dilapidated—agriculture lan
guishing—manufactures ala low ebb —the cur
rency vitiated—labor almost valueless, and
trade, in all its ramifications, uncertain and sick
ly. Deeply impressed withe sense of the misery
which had been visited upon the country by
the long and weary years of misgovernment
which had preceded their advent to power, the
Whig executive officers, and a Whig Congress,
sat themselves seriously at work, to reform the
rnany abuses which had crept into the adminis
tration of the public affairs under the reign of
the politicians, and to give a healthy tone to the..
Dusiness energies ot the people. They accom
plished much in tlie brief period in which un
animity of purpose, and cordial union, influ
enced all branches of the government; and but
lor a visitation of Providence, against which
the wisdom of man could not guard, or his
power set up a countervailing influence, there
would have been little necessity for the Whigs,
at this hour, to be engaged in making prepara
tion, to fight over in 1844, the battle of 1840.
But are the Wlriga Jhemselves to
blame, if now they have more to do U> regain
their position of 1841, than might otherwise
have been the case ? When defection crept into
one corner of their ranks, was it wise or manly
for the whole body to faint and become weary ?
Was it not rather their duty to be earnest in
well doing—to stand more steadfastly to their
principles and their works, when a few felt oft
from their plighted faith ? Was it not proper, at
least—nay, absolutely due to the vital interests of
the country, and to the continued prevalence of
true republican principles—that the Legislative
power of the country should haVe remained es
sentially and thoroughly Whig? What has
not been lost, by allowing the popular branch
ol Congress to tall under the control of a fac
tion,-that seems to have entirely cut loose from
every thing that partakes of political virtue, or
a j ust regard for the prosperity of the great body
of our citizens?
But what is past cannot be recalled. We
will not therefore mourn over the lack of per
severance or forethought manifested by so large
a portion of pur political brethren every where
for a year or two back. If the staff that would
have effectually sustained us in a weary politi
cal pilgrimage, has been castaside in a moment
of despondency, let us tot, for that reason, now
halt in our onward course. The spirit ol the
Whigs is again aroused. The enetgy with
which they have recently come up to the good
work in various States, gives an earnest, we.
trust, of the enthusiasm by which the whole
party will be animated in the great struggle
which is at hand. The numerical strength is
with the Whigs. The moral influences that
alone give value to popular majorities, have
ever been their attributes. Let us then’perse
vere —and persevere unto the end! Revo
lutions never go backward, though far a brief
period they may be stayed. Let the Whigs of
44, therefore, take up the work of reform and
regeneration that was partially checked in ’42,
and push it to a conclusion. Union is now
theirs—harmony is theirs. Untiring zeal and
unremitted action are all the essentials that are
requisite to ensure success. Let us have but
these, and the victory is secured. We ask
nothing beside, to put to rout the ill-organized
and divided bands that paitizan fraud and poli
tical degeneracy are now arraying against the.
friends of law and order and sound governmen t.
Victory, indeed, now inclines to the Whig ba ji
liter. Let us then by perse veranee I _tnrn appear
ances hito eeitai.tjlies.
jj’Tlie “patent democracy” of F<jnri.syltva_
nja have a queer way of showing that Mr. Van
Buren is a friend to the tariff! The follow inst
resolution, passed at a locofoco meeting at
Wayne county, in that State, is a spec imen.
But how they discovered what Mr. Van Bu
ren’s real opinions .about the tariff are, t’aat war
anted them in saying they art “so near like
those” of Mr. Clay, is a puzzle to us.
“ Resolved, That our views on the tariff are
so near like those ol Henry Clay, and. his are so
near like those of Messrs, Buchana’.i and Van
Buren, that there is no chance for a quarrel
with the Whigs about a tariff. As Pennsylva
nians and as Democrats, we are in favor ot a
tariff, that shall produce a revenue equal to the
wants ofthe Government, and that such tariff
of duties shall be so adjusted, by discrimination
between different articles of import, as to afford
incidental protection to every branch of Ameri
can industry that requires to be fostered and
sustained, in that way, against foreign compe
tition.
?CrA bill has been introduced in the New
York Legislature, making seduction and adul
tery crimes, and punishable as such, by fine
and imprisonment. We hardly think the bill
will become a law. It will perhaps be rejected
on the same grounds that like propositions have
heretofore been successfully opposed in that
Stats, namely, that it would place men at the.
mercy of designing females. We cannot see,
however, that there would be any more hard
ship in this, than in leaving females, as they
now are, the prey of designing men.
%j- The Philadelphia Mercury, a loco loco
paper, gives the following counsel to Mr. Van
Buren. It is not very probable that the gentle
man will feel inclined to “take a fool’s advice”
in the premises, however sound it might be.
“ We have no disposition to see Mr. Van Bu
ren huit. We think him entitled to kindness;
and for this reason we would advise him to stay
at home and nurse himself. Mr. Van Buren
is at best but convalescent. Many a wo mded
soldier has died from venturing oht too soon.
Let him continue the nourishing diet; but ab
stain from all violent exercise.”
Treasury Notes.—The “ Charleston Co-n.
rier” of yesterday contains the following letter
from the Treasurer of the U. 8. which may
interest some of our readers : ,
E-t REASURY or THE U. S.. i
February 7,1844. <
J. G. Holmes, Esq.
Cashier of the S. IF. R. R. Bank, Charleston,
South Carolina.
Sir—ln reply to your letter of the 3d inst., I
have to inform you that the Secretary of the
Treasury, in virtue of the proviso contained in
the 9th section of the act of 15th April, 1842,
issued two notices, one dated 26th April, and
the other 28th June, 1843. By the lirst, interest
was to cease on the Ist July, 1843, upon all
Treasury Notes which had come to maturity
previous to that day. By the second, interest
was to cease on 31st August, 1843, upon all
notes which came to maturity on or before that
day, and not comprehended in the first notice,
and, thereafter, upon all notes as they came to
maturity. Very respectfully,
Your ob’t. serv’t,
W. SELDEN,
Treasurer U. States.
May be appliedElsewhere.—The ‘'Colum
bia (S. C.) Chronicle" contains the following
notice of a recent conviction in that town, and
appends some very just comments which might
apply elsewhere:
Another Rum-seller Convicted.—We
learn that the Council convicted James Mc-
Caffrey on Saturday last of selling liquor to a
negro in violation of the law, and fined him $2».
We hope this case will be turned over to the
Solicitor that the highest penalties of the law
may be inflicted upon him. There area par
cel of low grogshops in this town kept by fo
reigners, that ought to be broken up. They are
maintained almost entirely by our servants, and
are the means of making drunkards and thieves
of them. We think the Council out to be more
circmspectin granting licenses to such vaga
bonds.
The Boston Post saysWe are informed
by one of our pilots that the steamer Britannia
carried away both of her paddle wheels during
her passage down the harbor on .Saturday last.
She has, however, proceeded on her passage.
Mr. Clay’s Visit to Augusta.
We give below the correspondence had with
Mr. Clay, by the Committee appointed by the
Citizens of this place, inviting him to visit this
city, and tendering him a public dinner.
Augusta, Ga., 3d February, 1814.
Dear Sir :—The citizens of Augusta, regret
ting that it was out of your power to accept their
invitation given last year, have appointed the
undersigned a committee to renew it.
We have, therefore, the pleasure of request
ing, in the name of your friends of this city and
county, that, on your route through Georgia,
you will favor us with as long a visit as your
engagements will allow. We can assure you,
that in no part of our country wiU you be greet
ed with a more cordial welcome, or by more sin
cere friends and admirers.
We have also to request, that, during your
stay among us, you will meet your friends here
at a public dinner.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servants,
F. M. Robertson, Hillary B. Fiaser,
Charles J. Jenkins, Isham Thompson,
Jotm Kerr, Pleasant Stovall,
Henry H. Cumming, Wm. H. Goodrich,
John C. Carmichael, Wm. M. D’Antignac,
Isaac A. Hibler, ’ James Harper,
Andrew G. Bull, Daniel Hand,
Roger L. Gamble, John M. Adams,
Benjamin H. Warren, Wm. W. Holt,
Benjamin F. Chew, Wm J. Eve,
"John G. Dunlap, Alexander C. Walker,
Wm. T. Goulet, Foster Blodget,
Amory Sibley, Wm. J. Rhodes.
To the Hon. Henry Clay.
New Orleans, 10th Feb., 1844.
Gentlemen—l have received your letter, in
duplicate, requesting, me to visit Augusta, on
my journey to North. Carolina. I accept, with
pleasure, the invitation, and hope to pass a few
days in Augusta.
I am very thankful, gentlemen, for the com.
pliment of a public dinner, which you have
done me the honor to tender; but, as lam most
anxious that my journey should not assume any
political or party character, I hope I shall be ex
cused tor declining, respectfully, to accept it, and
fc.rsaying that I shall be glad to meet such of my
fellow citizens of Augusta as may have any in
clination to see me, in a less formal or ceremo
nious way.
I am, with great respect,
your friend and
obedient servant
H. CLAY.
Messrs. F. M. Robertson r C. J. Jenkins, John
Kerr, Henry H. Cumming, and others, Com
mittee.
Destructive Fire.—T’he Orleans Cotton
Press took fire on the llth inst. about 4 o’clock,
P. M. The New Orleans Bee says:—“ The
number of bales of cotton consumed is estima
ted at 8,500, viz: 4,500 in the wing, 1,200 in
the main building, and 2,800 in the front. The
loss of which estimated at s'lo per bale, would
be $340,000i. The damage done to the building
could possibly be repaired tor $25,000, and the
engine and. two screws for SIO,OOO more, ma
king the total loss as far as could be estimated by
a rough calculation $375,000), which we under
standis fully covered by instirance—the cotton
in thus city, and the building in the offices in
thia city, in London and Paris. This bnilding
was considered, the largest in the world. It is
63a feet front, by 308 in breadth. It was built,
b y an incorporate company at a cost of $753,000,
md is capable of storing 30,000 bales of cotton
which amount, we understand, was yesterday
morning under its roof. It has been for some
years leased to Messrs. Freeland & Behan, at
the rate of $25,000 per annum. One of the en
gines and two of the screws are uninjured, and
can be immediately put into active operation.”
The amount of property bequeathed to
the Hon. Henry Clay by the late Senator Por
ter, of Louisiana, is slated in the Lexington
(Ky.) Enquirer, at $50,000 or $60,000.
A Repudiating State. —The Governor of
Mississippi, in his liyte annual address to the
Legislature, states that only one out of fifteen of
the white population of that State can read!
Maryland Election.
The Baltimore American says:—The ac
counts from the various sections of the State, as
far as they have come in, are cheering in the
highest degree. They leave no. doubt whatever
of the election of the Whig candidate for Con
gress in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and
Sixth Districts, viz:—Messrs. Causin, Brengle,
Wethered, Kennedy and Spence.
In the Fifth District, it will be seen by the
complexion of the returns, the result is some
what doubtful, although from present appear
ances the chances are favorable to the success
of Dr. Preston, the Whig candidate.
In the Third District, which has heretofore
given overwhelming Locofoco majorities, the
extraordinary result is exhibited of the success
of the Whig candidate by a majority of about
500! —a change since 1841 of some 2300 votes!!
In every District the Whigs went into the con
tesi under the broad bannerol HENRY CLAY
—and most signal has been the victory achiev
ed under its ample folds.
Correspondence o f the Baltimore American.
Washington, Feb. 9.
The President of the United States sent to the
Senate this morning the following nominations:
William Wilkins of Pa. (Member of Con
gress) to be Secretary of War.
Thomas W. Gilmer (Member of Congress)
to be Secretary of the Navy.
An Executive session was held late in the
day, and jhe above nominations were confirmed
unanimously. 1
Arrival of the British Ministes.—The
Right Hon. Richard Packenham, Envoy Ex
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentinary to
the United States, from Her Britannic Majesty,
arrived inN. York’ on Monday the 12th Inst.'
Death op Judge Cowen.—The Hon. Esek
Cowen, associate Justice of the Supreme Cour
of New York, died at his lodgings, in the city of
Albany, at 8 o’clock on Sunday evening last,
alter a severe illness of only a week’s duration.
iQp Boston Harbor was frozen over on Mon
day morning last and so remained when the
train came off that afternoon. Preparations
were making for breakingit up again—‘ plowing
the deep’ less figuratively than is done in metre.
—Tribune.
The U. S ship Raritan is still in port,
ready for sea. The late inclement weather
had a bad effect on the crew. We understood
there are over 100 on the sick list, including
officers. The detention of this ship is a subject
of disappointment and chagrin to all on board!
The present sickness would probably not have
existed if the ship had gone to sea when she was
ready. The ship is detained, it is said, to carry
out a Minister to Rio. He would go out much
more comfortable, and for a tenth of the expense,
in one of Messrs. Fosters’ fine ships, that leave
here every month.—.V Y. American.
The Slander on Mr. Ogle.—We learn
from the Bedford (Pa.) Inquirer of the 9th in
stant that the case of the Commonwealth against
George IF. Bowman, for libel on the late
Charles Ogle, tried the preceding week at
Somerset before Judge Black, resulted in a ver
dict of Guilty. The same paper states that
Governor Porter has subsequently granted a
pardon to Bowman.— Nat. Intel.
Naval Courtesies.—On the 29th November
the captain and officers of the United States
f rigate Brandywine gave a splended entertain
i nent or board their handsome frigate to about
t hree huudred of the fashionables of Bombay.
'The Bombay Courier of the Ist December says
< if it:
“ The frigate was brilliantly illuminated for
the occasion, and presented a very imposing
spectacle to the approaching visiters. Dancing
was begun early and continued late; and if the
guests did not enjoy themselves, the blame rest
ed with themselves alone, for the officers of the
ship were unremitting in their attentions to all,
and indefatigable in prolonging the festivities
of the evening.
“ The arrival of the honorable Mr. Cushing,
the ambassador to China, was most opportune
—the Suez steamer, in which that gentleman
was a passenger, anchored near the Brandywine
just as the ball commenced, and Mr. Ccshing
lost no time in joining the brilliant party on the
frigate's deck.”
CorrtnpuiLdcnce ofiue Balliniore
TWIiNTY -LlGiLA'i* i .GiX AiWG.
Washington, u'e.iuar/ la, li>«4.
SENATE.
The President of. the •UuitoJ Suites sent a
communication from me Governor of lowa,
covering the prucecliii.gs oi is.; Evi? iioriol Le
gislature, akkinglhat l .wa may du admitted ua,
the Union 'as an independent state, ine v. im!<
subject was referred to the Com...itiec 0.. t..»
J officiary.
The floor belonged to Mr. Huutinglon o;
Coun. who addressed the Senate lor the remain
der of the day ina veryabla speech for the lalilt,
chiefly ftrrcpfy to Mr. Vvuicidch
lally in answer io Mt. McDutne. Mr. Hunt
ington spoke until 3 o’clock/ when without con
cluding, ne gave way to a ipotiuii to adjourn,
and will conclude tb-ffiontfw.
IN THE Hu USE.
The Speaker called ibr the offiers oi the day
as soon as the Journal oi'Situruay was read,
and the debate upon the i.efoil of me Commit
tee on Elections was at once cominueu.
Mr. Frenchol Ky. commenced ths discussion
for the day. He argued, that the second section
of the law ol me last Congress was ho law at
all, and thererore, without ally authority upon
the States which had been arraigned under it.—
He regarded the section as a command upon the
States whicii Congress haff no right to make.
[While Mr. Preach wap speaking General
Clinch, the new member tiom Georgia, appear
ed at the bar and wps ffuiy sworn by the Speaker
jo support the Constitution oi lite U. States.]
Mr. French expressed iiimseU'as thoroughly
convinced in his own mind as to the rights of
the silting members, but spoke in such a lone of,
voice that it was impossible lor liie Importer to
near him.
Mr. Vitilfm"oF<>M(M»ffl<'.«:ldressedthe Hpu.se,
He said be could not in silence sit here anti see
a solemn act ot Congress violated as the act of
the last Congress had been pending this discus
sion. Twenty-two States of this Utiion had
complied with tile law of Congress, and dis
tricted the .States. These twenty-two States
had sent two hundreil and twenty members.—
Four States had not complied with this law and
had sent here twenty-one members of lhellou.se.
The whole question for the House to consider
was whether the law of the last Congress was
a valid law. If it was a valid law he presumed
there would be no question as to the duty of the
States to obey it. Mr. V inton then proceeded
to argue as to the validity of the law of Con
gress, and to answer the objections that the law
was not valid because it did not preclude legis
lation by the Slates as ’to the time, place and
mannvi ol electing members of Congress.
Ml Douglass, (the author ofthe report,) ex
plained two or three times w hat he meant i.. his
report. One of his explanations was that Con
gress might legislate as to the time, and not to
the place and maimer, or as to the place, and
not the time and inanner, of as to the manner,
and not to the time and place. 11, however, it
legislated as to either one of tbese,it was bound
to do every tiling as to this one brancii ot' legis
lation, so that the States could not legislate upon
it. Failing to do this, the law was not valid.
Mr. Vinton proceeded to show the absurdity
of this position by proving that the but ire power
which Congress had to legislate upon the sub
ject implied of necessity past legislation upon
it. it had the power to alter State laws, v hat
ever these laws were. Mr. Vinton argued also
to prove that a law might be invalid witiiout
being uncoristiruiional. ft was a non seyuitur
to say that because the law did not do every
thing that was required it was unconstitutional
in the provisions which might be enforced.—
The Slates were bound tb obey, as far as they
could, and there was no doubt as to their ability
to obey the provisions of the act of . Congress
under consideration. When Congress legisla
ted, it put aside the legislation of the Stales to
the extent of the Congressional legislation and
no further. The law passed here was in pur
suance of that general code of legislation which
was approDiiate to the subject and binding upon
those calleif upon to execute the law.
Mr. Black of Georgia, next succeeded in ob
taining the floor among a number of competi
tors. Mr. B. considered the q :.slijn as more
than one ol privilege. .11 involved the right ol
representation of 21 members upon this floor.
If the question was merely persou : I to himself
he should remain merely a personal spectator
ofthe action here.
Mr. Black commenced iris speech by referring
to Georgia and the Whig party there. They,
he said, had sustained tins law to elect mcmbe.s
of Congress by General ticket in a Convention
which was held in 1842.
[ Mr. Stephens said the convention of 1842 was
, he’d before the enactment of the law ol Con
gress. In 1843 a convention whs held in whicu
the members of the Wb ig party agreed to elect
, members by general ticket. Some oilier wo-tis
■ passed between. Mr. •illyck and Mr. Slypli ire,
in-which tlaalormei- genvmmiu- was. corrected
i by his colleagues.
Mr. Black followed with a mil amqsing
speech. Il cited nil the cases of attempted ex
. pulsion of members—all the cases of censure—
all the fighting cas.-s, &c. Fight' one, two,
th'rpe and lour were staled, biTweeu Messis,
• Garland and Bynum, Bynum and Wist, Wise
and Stanly, and others. For these lights ynem
bars had nither been censured nor expelled, and
yet an attempt was making, Mr. B. .vain, io ex
pel members irom four Ciales. Mr. Mat hall’s
eflort in the last Congress to expel Mr. Adams
for presenting a memorial to dissolve the Un
ion, was also referred to,'and the fact comment
ed upon es the signal lailure of the effort. Mi.
Giddings, itwas true, was censured lo' present
ing a petition, but tii.it gentleman, Mr.il. re
marked, could be censured for any thin , m tins
House, even for being an ordinary aboliti mist.
• He was an exception to the rule he ha 1 laid
down.
Mr. B. went on to argue that the raaintain
ance of the law ol'lbe last Congress wouii re
sult in an expulsion .of members which would
lead to aAissolution of the Union.
[Mr. Black may have made an “amusing”
speech, but certainly his logic was strangely out
oi joint. There is certainly a great diJerenee
between declaring a member lo be elected cu»-
trary to law, and expelling him fi.r misconduct
on the floor ofthe House I —C. and S.J •
Mr. Dickinson, of Tenn., follower on the
opposite side, and replied m an able manner to
sundry of his colleagues, who had maintained
the right of the members elected by General
ticket.
Messrs. McClernard and Rathbun followed
in support of the report, of the committee; (that
is in favor of the general ticket election,) and
the debate was continued until a late holt:, and
then the House adjourned.
[Much ofthe day’sf.dehate, s.iy.-. tb : Nation?.
Intelligence!, “ was addressed to almost empty
benches.” The speech. -, we suppose, were in
tended “ for Buncombe.”]
Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.
Washington, Feb. 13, 1844.
IN SENATE.
Mr. Allen called up House bill No. 1, for re
funding a fine imposed upon Gen. Jackson.
Mr. Berrien sar i that the bill, as it emnefrom
the House, showed on its lace, by its mere im
port, ex vilermiut, that the Hue had been wrong
fully imposed; that the money had been impro
perly detained in the Treasury, and should be
returned, with interest, to the party upou whom
it had been imposed. It seemed to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary that the object of the
Senate in referring the bill to them, was that
they should see that, in performing this act oi
grace, or justice, or whatever else it might be
termed, no injustice was done to lite memory of
the.judicial otticer whose memory was conced
ed with the transaction in question. Utiles
this was the object, lhe coin: idee did not know
what was. The committee have, been induced
.simply to protect irom unjust imputation the
memory' ol a judge who h .- gun-. . without
leaving any representative to guard his tame,
but has left it to the care til that country lo
which, for aught that appears to the commit
tee, he has discharged bis dniy will: fa'clitj.
Mr. Walker ol the Judiciary Commit...:,
who did not agree to the amendment icj.or;?’,
stated his reason for the same to fie, that he di.'
not seethet the bill called in quest: m the chm
acter of Juge Hall.
Mr. Allen insisted that the amend:. .wa
incongruous. He hoped th:.l th- amendment
would be rejected by nearly an uhi.ni.noti vol;.
Mr. Foster gave, briefly, some .. -.sons why
he should oppose lhe amendments-
The yeas and nays were then i d oh ire
amendment, am! it was reje ■ d iy taelollo.-
ingvote: Veas 18, Nays 26.
Mr. Miller ti’-.m :00. . ... - id
disobey lhe iuslruc:ions r.l t::e A ■ I lure of
New Jersey, by voting • - ■ ‘ i,:
had heretofore v■■ ■■ —1 n;-.u rot
changed his opini.. - ■■ t''""’ l ' l ,ne should
change his Vo.-. nc : : : ; ■
sped, without g..rm ■- !■■■• ■ . <■ 1 1.>eenlight-
ened people « . N'v .'i v. .-.I: hi. then
made some remciks ti’.m this •’•••• r..- < l<, ;
doctrine ol instruct!on, coiielu ling v.im the vet .
i ju.-t remark that, “ dial beuLtol* l..re-t .. A ■ :.
i a tree State who reels that lie hitUM-b ' • tn.<.
Mr. Allen said if there was to b. : . I
debate on the bill, he should feel bum lion: .
that it be passed over nniii w-u,orre .. ~ ... . I
promised.
Mr. Woodbridge, having, w, m, .
received a third of a scries . I. .- c .re
rived in connexion with this iibjeH, to submit
a few remarks, and then-lore :ac mil was ; as-,
ed by until tomorrow.
The Senate re-: nt- t t.-irtt u- ind
Mr. Huntington conchm-. : . .
The hill torestablisliin;- an in-.-:: .- A. Inm n
the District of Comm, t, -..• i tt.-.-n m .
read a third time and pasted. 11:8
journed.
VOL. VIIL-NO. 8
IN THE HOUSE.
The General Ticket Members.— The Chair an
unced the special order of the day to be the
i ; ort of the Committee on Elections.
Mr. Haralson of Georgia, then addressed the
i louse in lavorot tberightof the members from
the lour Slates to their seats. At the expira
tion of his hour, he was succeeded by
Mr. Bowlin of Mo., on the same sided the
question, who spoke out his hour.
Mr. Garret Davis, amidst much contention
for the floor, succeeded in obtaining it. He
then proceeded to make a strong and logical
. ren in opposition to the majority report.
Mr. Stiles ol Geo., spoke next in favor ol the
majority report.
Mr. Schenck of Ohio, followed, in opposition
to the report ol the Committee; and was follow
ed by
Mr. Dromgoole of Va., in favorofit.
The debate was further continued, until a late
hour of adjournment, by Messrs. Barringer and
Bernard.
February 14.
IN SENATE.
Mr. Allen moved the postponement of other
business, to take up House bill No. 1, to refund,
the Jackson fine.
Mr. Woodbridge, after some preliminary re
marks about the Judiciary, whieh he regarded
as the weakest branch of the Government, and
most dependant on Congress for countenance
and support, passed to the consideration of the
docirin? of instruction.,
In the course of his remarks, Mr. W. denied
the right of the Legislatures to instruct Sena
tors.
Mr. Huger was glad that the Senate had in
this bill imputed no fault to Judge Hall—he
was once a lellow-townsman with him, and be
lieved him, to the day ol his dfcth, inoapable of
dishonor. He blamed him for his conduct on
the occasion in question, bat it it was in his
power, he would not erase from history one act
either of the Judge or General on that occasion,
it furnished one of the finest moral lessons ever
given to the country
Mr. Porter, of Michigan, assigned briefly the
reasons why he should vote against the bill,
which was then read a third time and passed by
the following vote:
Yeas— Messrs. Allen, Atchison, Atherton,
Bagby, Barrow, Benton, Breese, Buchanan,
Colquitt, Fairfield, Foster, Francis, Fulton,
Hannegan, Hay wood, Huger, Henderson, Jar
negan, King, McDuffie, Mangum, Rives, Sem
ple, Sevier, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, Tappan,
Walker, Woodbury and Wright—3o.
Nays —Messrs. Archer Bates, Bayard, Ber
rien, Choate. Clayton, Dayton, Evans, Hunt
tinglon, Merrick, Miller, Pearce, Phelps, Por
ter, Simmons and Woodbridge—l6.
Mr. Barrows’s bill providing for a survey of
the mouth ol the Red River, was passed,
And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House met and was called to order at the
usual hour.
Mr. Chappell, of Georgia, rose and called the
attention of the House to a report of some re
marks of his colleague, Mr. Stephens, in rela
tion to proceedings in the State of Georgia, when
himselt and Mr. S. were candidates. An ex
planation then took place, which ended satisfac
torily to both gentlemen.
Mr. Stephens then said he would call the at
tention ol the House to a report of the speech of
Mr. Stiles, of Georgia, in which it was said that
Mr. Stephens admitted that he had no constitu
tional right to his seat—not the color of a title
to it. He (Mr. Stephens) denied ever having
made such an admission, or used such language
—and he asked Mr. Stiles whether the report
was correct. Mr. Stephens then alluded to the
prayer of Mr. Stiles, whom he denominated the
praying member, for he never made a speech
which he did not end by a prayer. Mr. Stiles
had said—“ May God Almighty have mercy on
yout (Mr. Stephen’s) soul,” in reference to his
course on this question. Mr. Stephens said in
regard to this prayer, that he should notbebene
tiled by it, for it had been written “the prayers
of the wicked availetli nothing.”
T/tc Election lieport.— Mr. Douglass, of Illi
nois, the author of the report of the Committee
on Elections, addressed the House in defence of
the report, agaihst'the attacks that had been
made upon it.
A call was then made for the previous ques
tion, and the yeas and nays were taken on sec
onding the call The decision was in the affirm
ative—yeas 128, nays 164.
The question was then taken by yeas and
nays, and the following resolutions oflered yes
tetday by Mr. Dromgoole as a substitute for the
resolution reported by the Committee.
■■ jtesolvod, therefore, that all the members of
this House, except the two contested cases from
■i<e Stale of Virginia, (upon which no opinion
I is hereby express'®,) elected from the States of
I >lj lire, M.. •saehuseits, Rhode Island,Connecti
cut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Penn
sylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio,
Louisiana, Indiana, Illinois, Alabama, Arkan
sas, and Michigan, have been duly elected, and
arc entitled to seats in this {louse as members
from the Stales'aloresaid.
Four resolutions followed, declaring that the
members from New Hampshire, Georgia, Mis
sissippi and Missouri, were also duly elected
and entitled to seats.
These resolutions were adopted as a substi
tute for tlie resolution reported by the Committee
—yeas 127, nays 57.
Mr. Vance, of Ohio, asked for a division of
the question on the resolution as amended,
whieh was agreed to.
The question was then put on the first resolu
tion amt the vote was ordered lu be taken by yeas
and nays.
Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, moved to be excused
from voting on the resolution. He did not wish
to vote to his own right to a seat. He said there
was no dispute as to the right of the members
from, the States named in the first resolution to
their seats. He therefore thought it irregular
and improper to be asked to vote on that ques
tion. He withdrew his motion and said that he
would not vote any liow, lor the rules of the
House did not require him to vote on this reso
lution.
Mr. Belser moved to lay the resolution on the
table. Lost.
Mr. Vinton expressed his resolute determina
tion not lo vote.
Tiie first resolution was then adopted—ayes,
128, nays 2.
Mr. Schenck, before the foregoing decision
was announced, rose to a point of order, and
i.crcllore much confusion arose. He was not
allowed to raise the question of order, nor to take
an appeal from the decision of the Chair.
Subsequently Mr. S. objected to the members
from New Hampshire being allowed to vote on
the second resolution, on the ground that under
tiie i ule no member is allowed to vote on a ques
tion in which he is personally interested.
The Chair sustained the objection.
Mr. Dromgoole moved a decision of the ques
tion on the second resolution, so as to have the
case of each member voted on separately.
The question was divided and the House pro
ceeded io vole on the case of Edmund Burke,
who was declared duly and legally ejected—ayes
128, nays 68.
The vote was in like manner taken on all the
members from New Hampshire and Georgia,
and eacii declared duly elected.
The House then adjourned.
Correspondence </f the Baltimore American.
February 15.
SENATE.
The bill from the House for the improvement
ot Pennsylvania Avenue was taken up. The
bill appropriates forty thousand dollars for the
improvement of the Avenue including the entire
length ol the city from Georgetown to the Con
gressional burying ground.
The bill was opposed by Messrs. Allen and
I latmegait, and supported oy Mr. King; when,
.•Jicr some remaiks by Messrs. Bayard and
Mill- r, w.re ordered lo be engrossed lor a third
leading, by 33 ayes to 8 r.ocs.
v rat executive and other messages were
receive I during the morning, and at an early
jour the Senate proceeded to the consideration
ol executive business.
'1 he isciiale adjourned at an early hour.
IN THE HOUSE.
As soon as the Journal had been*read this
s.urtd.jg t tie Speaker laid before the House alet
. Imm Hi nry A. ise, giving notice that he
s..div igned his seat as a member of the 28th
Congress. The letter expresses a high regard
< me members of the House, and a regret at
leaving them.
J he letter, on motion of Mr. Hopkinsol Va.
'•••> laid upon rhe tab’e and ordered to be print
id. r
Tile of / Four Slates. —The House
< emed io be m much better temper today than
•icuiay, and reasonable enough to save the
- .re ire. pall ol die day by voting upon the Mis
.v .-ippt and Missouri members by States, in
i * ‘1 upon the case of each individual mem-
'i . ■ i.: alt wasasfollows:
Mississippi inembers, ayes 99, noes
For the Missouri members, ayes 106, noes
as the vote was announced, Mr.
■ j.vode ol Va. rose and oflered a Resolu
. a i. relui itig that the Elections in New Hamp
er-.', Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri, for
- renireis of ti.e2BthCongress, held at the times,
v .red i,i..uir.r prescribed by the Legisla
•' cl there Slates are valid notwithstanding
i 1... i. .oils ol Hie second section of the Ap
rei.mm.tAct approved June 6,1842.
Mr. While raised a point ot order. The Re
nn ire said was not in order. The Prs
iuus Question had been moved upon tire fin-