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OLD SERIES, VOL. LVIII.
THE CHRONICLE & SENTINEL
IS PVBt.ISHED DAILY, TRI-WSBKLV, AND WEEKLY,
BY J. W. & W. 8. JONES.
The Weekly Chronicle & Sentinel
IS PUBLISHED AT
Three Dollars per annum—or one subscriber two
years, or two subscribers one year lor 85.
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 23.
Washington’s Birth Day.—-This anniver
sary was yesterday celebrated in this city, with
much spirit. The Military, Firemen, and Cit
izens generally, assembled in Broad street, in
f ront of the U. S. Hotel, and formed in proces
sion, according to the programme published by
the Committee of Arrangements, and thence
inarched, on the prescribed route, to the music
of an excellent bahd, to the Presbyterian Church
—where the Farewell Address of the “Father
of his Country”—a production, which has been
pronounced by a late able English Historian, to
be one of the most able and patriotic composi
tions now extant—was feelingly read by W. A.
Walton, Esq., and an oration delivered by S-
T. Chapman, Esq. This effort of Mr. C. was
very chaste, and gave much satisfaction to the
large audience assembled to take part in the in
teresting ceremonies.
The whole proceedings, we are pleased to state,
were well worthy the occasion which called our
citizens together.
Since the revival, in the State of New
York, to a great extent, of the old English law
maxim, “ the greater the truth, the greater the
libel,” under the decisions ot their great legal
luminary, Judge Willard, the New A ork edi
tors have to sail pretty close by the wind, in
their expositions of any great public wrongs,
lest they be visited by a libel suit, and dragged
up into the neighborhood of what, in that State,
is known as “the John Brown tract” —and
where, according to the present Secretary of
State of New York, Col. Young, “nothing but
bears and panthers can live 1”—to be tried by the
sapient Judge alluded to above, (in whose judi
cial district, we believe, this New York para
diseis “located,”) who will not allow the truth
to be given in evidence on the part of the de
fence !
We are reminded of the above pitiable con
dition in which our editorial brethren in that
State are placed by a recent paragraph in the
Express, from which it would appear that the
editors of that paper are threatened with a pro
secution by a Mr. Talmage, late President of
the North American Trust Company—an insti
tution that recently exploded, alter having made
way with, in a very unaccountable manner
some two or three millions of dollars, more or
less, and leaving of assets, a pair or two of old
shoes, or something ot that kind. The Express
commented, with some severity, upon this
strange state of facts; and the consequence, we
suppose, will be a new libel suit for Judge Wil
lard to try, as the late “ President” utters tall
threats. We wish our cotemporaries a sale
deliverance 1
jtj”The Boston papersare lauding, quite ex*
travagantly, a bark, called the Sappho, recently
built in that city, aud intended for the China
trade. From the description given of her in the
Post, she must be a handsome crall, and a very
fast sailer— having evidently been built with an
eye to getting out of the way in a hurry. ‘Be
yond a question'she is designed for an opium
smuggler, as was the brig Antelope, which, by a
singular policy, was selected by Mr. Fletcher
Webster, Secretary of the American Embassy,
to carry him to Canton. The English have
pretty effectually put down the above infamous
traffic in vessels ot that nation, but it would seem
that the Americans, and above all the New
Englanders, are going into the villainous trade
on a large scale.
The late Virginia Whig Convention at
Richmond, consisted of nearly eight hundred
delegates —and this at a time when travelling,
on account of the weather, was exceedingly bad.
It was decidedly the largest Convention ever
held in the “Ancient Dominion,” and is indica
tive, we trust, ot a revival of theold Republican
spirit of that Commonwealth, which has too
long slumbered under the influences ot a de
grading political delusion.
Annexation or Texas.—The New Orleans
Republican, of the 15th inst., the Administra
tion Organ in that City, contains the following
extraordinary article in relation to the rumored
treaty, between the Government ot the United
States and Texas. It is possible, and barely
possible, the facts as stated may be' true, and
although we do not believe that any such treaty
has been ratified by the Senate of the United
States, yet we confess there is a minuteness of
detail in the article of the Republican that as
tonishes us, and which seems to give it an odour
of truth.
“ We have received the following particulars
in relation to the negotiation ot the treaty for
the annexation of Texas to the United States.
The source trom which we have derived them,
is entitled to the utmost confidence. Early in
January, a resolution was offered simultane
ously in both Houses of Congress c f Texas,
favorable to its annexation to the U. States. In
the Senate it passed unanimously; and in the
lower House, out ot 40 members, 36 voted in its
favor; 2 voting against the resolution and 2 de
cliningto vote at all. The result was imme
diately transmitted to the Executive ot the U.
States. Upon its being laid before the United
States Senate, in secret session, the action of
that body was in favor of annexation by a vote
of 40 to 9. A treaty was thereupon drawn up
and immediately forwarded to the Collector of
this port, with instructions, should there be no
immediate conveyance, to torward ire despatch
by express with the least possible delay. The
document reached here one day previous to the
last sailing of the Neptune, and by that vessel
forwarded to the care of our Charge d’Aflaires,
Gen. Murphy, then at Galveston, who, upon
receiving it, immediately sent it by express to
the Texan seat of government, in the hope that
it would reach there before the adjournment of
Congi ess. In this, however, he was disappointed.
However, previously to adjournment, they pass
ed a joint resolution authorising President
Houston to confirm the treaty. Therefore the
next news we expect to hear from that quarter
is, that President Houston has issued his
proclamation,calling Congress together to ratify
the treaty, in case the constitution does not give
him the necessary' power. Gen Houston, it has
been presumed, was not in favor of the annexa
tion, but he has had a difficult game toplaj r ,
being influenced on one side by the British
Minister, and on the other by the prospect ot the
acknowledgement ot theindependence of Texas
by the Government of Mexico. Should Gen.
Houston act promptly in the matter, it is pre
sumed that he will be nominated Governor ot the
Territory, by the President of the United States,
previous to its being admitted into the Union as
an independent State. The people of Texas, it
appears, are in favor ot the latter measure for
the present, and that the territory should be de
villed into four States, so soon as a sufficient
number of inhabitants shall justify it.”
Jj* Mr. Wise, it is stated, will leave for Rio
Janeiro, about the first ol April, in the Consti
tution, under the command of Capt. Percival.
Alter touching al Rio, old Ironsides will then
continue her cruise round the Cape of Good
Hope to the eastern coast ot Africa, thence to
Java, Sumatra, and other important points in
the China Seas.
yVßoston Harbor having again frozen up,
alter the departure of the English steam pack
et has again been re-opened by the most stren
uous exertions, and 70 or 80 vessels, some of
them freighted with valuable cargoes, were en
bl«d w rsa«h the wharves
Compliment to Mr. Clay.—The Macon
“ Democrat," a zealous opponent of the distin
guished Kentuckian, in a chapter on “ Elo
quence,” pays the following well deserved com
plimentto Mr. Clay’s powers as an orator, which
we extract from the body of the article:
“Allowing for the disposition and excitement
of the audience, the succeSfe of the speaker de
pends principally on the impetuous, vehement
earnest ness of h is appeals, as expressed by voice,
countenance, gesticulation and the appearance
of utter, unhesitating confidence in the truth,
justice and importance of the cause he is plead
ing. The union of the former particulars is
doubtless what Demosthenes meant, when he
indicated action, action, action, as the essence of
oratory. Mr. Clay, probably' little, if at all ac
quainted wish the great Athenian, caught this
just view of his art trom the inspiration of his
own extraordinary genius- and probably, no
living man has afforded so many illustrations of
the piower ot natural impassioned oratory over
the human mjnd. Who that witnessed Mr.
Clay’s appearance and manner while replying
to Webster in the last debate on tee Compromise
bill, can ever forget the thrilling, agitating, al
most preternatural effect they produced—that
was the proudest moment of his existence—he
then seemed the impersonation of the sublime
in eloquence and patriotism, the guardian genius
of his country', the ministering spirit that stayed
its approaching desolation.”
Mr. Clay, with his own hands, cut an ash pole
for the Clav club at Baltimore. On Saturday',
as we learn from the Whig prints, the Clay
club trom Bolton came into the cily with a sort
of !qg cabin on runners, stuck round with bohghs
of pine. So it will be through the campaign
ash in one section, and pine in another—magno
lia there, and buttonwood here ; butthe summer
of ’45 will show them all scathed, branchless,
barren and bare, dead to the very roots, affording
no shade to cool the fevet of disappointed ambi
tion, fit only for a funeral pyre, and valueless
even in their ashes— Boston post.
Don’t fret or scold, Colonel, though “ Birnam
wood should, come to Dunsinane I” ’Twill all
be green enough for our purpose, if the verdure
lasts through ’44. New growths will spring up,
when the old trunks shall have passed away 1
At least, there will be cypress in abundance, for
our foes—while, in view of their disconsolate
condition,
“Allround their : ats
They years a green vilhsw !’’
We are, however, right glad, Colonel, tha
you mingled not the slippery elm in this joyful
gathering together of the “ trees of the forest!”
Self Defence.—The Seamstresses of Ro
chester, N. Y., who have been obliged to work
for less than living remuneration, have formed
an association for their mutual benefit. They'
have opened a room where they receive, work.
The U.S. Gazette say's: —The Harrisburg
U nion contains a correspondence between a
committee, at the head of which is Mr. Speaker
Snowden, and Mr. Van Buren, on the subject
of the Presidency. Mr. Van Buren talks ofthe
unpurchaseable Democracy of Pennsylvania.
Foxy, foxy, altogether foxy.
The Expected Visit of Father Matthew.
—We learn that a correspondence has recently
taken place between Father Matthew and Grin
nell, Minturn & C0.,-of this city, owners of a
London as well as a Liverpool line of packet
ships, in relation to his contemplated visit to
this city. They offered him a free passage in
anv one of their ships to America, which he has
accepted, andhassignified his intention to make
the voyage in June.— N. Y. E. Post.
We copy from the Mobile Advertiser of
the 29th nit. the following capital hit:
“ A Lucky Escape.—Mr Speaker Moore, in
his Valedictory to the Alabama House of Rep
resentatives, says:
‘ We must now return to our constituents;
and render an account of our stewardship. In
doing this, 1 trust we shall be able to say, that
although we may not have done much lor the
good of the people, we have done nothing to in
jure them.’
A lucky escape for the people, truly, that a
Lorofoco "Legislature should have adjourned
without doing any thing to “ injure them 1”
And what a proud reflection, too, for the Rep
resentatives ! To be able to return to their
constituents, after having pocketed some forty
thousand dollars ot the people’s money, and
proudly and conscientiously boast: ‘We
have done you no injury? Mr Speaker Moore
must have a very exalted conception of the du
ties of legislation 1”
The Texas Congress.— Birth-place of the
Members.— From a recent Texan paper we
learn that thirteen members of the eighth Con
gress of that republic are natives of Georgia,
seven of Tennessee, seven of Virginia, seven of
North Carolina, six of Kentucky, iwo of Mas
sachusetts, two of New York, two ot South Car
olina, two of Pennsylvania, one of Missouri,
oue of Mississippi, one ot Ohio, one of Louis
iana, one of Austria, and one of Canada.—
Thirty-four of them are planters or farmers,
twelve are lawyers, five are physicians, and two
are merchants.
Boston Harbor again a Tea-Pot.—Filly
four chests of the damaged teas which were re
cently stopped by lhe mayor and aidermen of
Boston, on account ot their having been mixed
with oxalic acid, wete on Tuesday last taken
from the store of the auctioneer and destroyed.
On account ofthe ice in the harbor, it was car
ried to South Boston ft ee bridge, and poured
into the channel, which is there very swift and
strong.— Baltimore Sun.
Democratic Subtlety.—When the Whig
Congress proposed to give Alabama her share
ofthe money for which the public lands sold,
the democrats sung out bribery! The General
Government bribing a sovereign State! I These
same democrats, rejecting the money as pollu
ted, ask Congress lor the land itself. There is
just about as much sense and honesty in this
distinction, as tor a pretender of sanctity to re
fuse taking the money arising from the sale of
stolen goods, but will receive the goods them
selves. So with the democrats. They will not
touch the land money, but will take the land it
self.
These remarks are founded on a paragraph
in the Journal of the House of Representa
tives, under the date ol January 17,1844, as fol
lows :
“ Mr. Hubbard introduced a joint memorial to
Congress in regard to the public lands, praying
that a certain portion of said lands might be do
nated to the Slate for the purpose of forming
common schools.”
A nation was made (the Journal does not
state by whom) to lay the memorial on the table,
which was rejected. Ayes 12—Noes 39.
This motion appears to have been a test. All
opposed to the memorial voted to lay it on the
table, and all in favor ot it voted to keep the me- I
morial off lhe table.
Among the voters in the negative are nine
Whigs who are willing to accept lor the State
either the money produced by the sale of the
land, or the land itself in kind. Like raiional
men, governed by a rational principle, they see
no difference as to the morality ot the thing. To
receive the money is proper—to receive the land
is also proper. Neither is a breach ot honesty
nor a sacrifice of honor. It the democrats can
show any difference, they can prove that black
is white.— Ala. Monitor.
Mr. Clay in Virginia.—The New York
Republic contains an extract from a letter writ
ten by one of the best inlot med men in Virginia,
himself a Loco-foco, which says—“ Virginia
herself; (if Van-Buren be the candidate) will go
for Clay beyond all doubt. Already has Ritchie
and his selfish adherents neutralized more votes
than would be necessary to defeat Van-Buren.
We only carried the Stale in 1840 by a mere
majority. * * * » 1 know many who then
voted for Vau-Buren who will now vote for
Clay ; and still more who will not vote at all
To my mind, there is nothing in the future more
certain than the election of Mr. Clay, i f Van Bu
ren be the Candidate in opposition.' 1
Time. —Whether we play,or labour, or sleep,
or dance, or study, the sun postelh and the sand
runs. In all the actions that a man performs,
some part of his life passeth. We die with
doing that for which only our sliding life was
granted. Nay, though we do nothing Time
keeps his constant pace, and flies as fast in idle
ness as in employment. An hour ot vice ,s as
long as an hour of virtue : but the dillerence
which follows upon good actions is infinite trom
thatot ill ones. The good, though itdimimshes
our time here, yet it lays up a pleasure lor eter
nity, and will recompense what it taketh away
with a plentiful return at last. When we trade
with virtue, we do but buy pleasure with ex
pense of time; so it is net so much a consuming
of time as an exchange. —Time is a ship which
never anchors: while I am abroad, I had better
do those things that may advantage my landing,
than practice such as shall cause my commit
ment when 1 come to the shore.
PJf The receipts at the New York Custom
House, during the past week, amounted to
3812,(MW ; and it is thought that ttie total re
ceipis this month will be at least 82,500,000.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 24.
Central Bank Bills.—The subjoined able,
lucid and conclusive arguments in support ol the
position tha’ the bills of the Central Bank ought
to be at a prenlium, are from the “ Southern
Recorder," and “ Georgia Journal," of Tuesday
last. We congratulate the Editors and the
country’ upon this important discovery! and
should be glad to be informed, as they have
proven so clearly (?) that Central Bank bills
ought to command a premium, what premium
is just and proper ; and also, what would be a
fair rate of premium for the bills of specie pay
ing banks. The latter, we believe, can general
ly be loaned at 8 per cent, interest, on as un
doubted securities as Georgia 8 per cent, bonds,
securities too which would not be subjected to
such interpolations upon the original contract,
as requiring the bonds, in ail cases, to accom
pany the coupons—or to be carried up to Mil -
ledgeville, upon the commencement ofthe term
of every new Treasurer, to be endorsed by hi m.
It is useless to “ multiply words" upon such
cogent arguments.
From the Southern Recorder.
“Our cotemporary, the Augusta Chronicle,
expresses astonishment, that Whig Editors
should intimate the opinion, that Centml Bank
Bills will become sufficiently valuable to be
sought after, even at a premium. W'e cannot
see an appropriate cause for such Winder, un
less it be’ a matter of surprise to the "'Chronicle,,
that Whig Editors should entertain the belief
that the credit ot Georgia should be at par with
that of South Carolina or any othei State. The
opinion expressed has nothing to dio with the
general question ot currency. It is for the rea
son that these bills have almost ceased to be a
currency at all, and are sought afleir for the pur
pose of profitable investment, (whic h they only
furnish,) that theirTalue has so much increased.
Why should it be a matter of astonishment to
the Chronicle, that Georgia 8 per cents, should
be at least as valuable as Carolina 6 per cents'?
The latter we see quoted in Charleston at
110, for 100 paid. Is it anti-Wliig, for the
Whigs of Georgia to believe, that their own
State bonus, paying 8 per cent, interest, are as
valuable as South Carolina bonds, paying 6 per
cent. ?
We presume not; the Augusta Chronicle to
the contrary notwithstanding.”
From the Georgia Journal.
“ The Chronicle and Sentinel is out upon us
on account ofthe article which appear ed in our
editorial columns, in last week’s na pelf con
cerning the value of Central Bank bills. We
regret that our views are not coincide d with by'
the editors of that paper, for, on this occasion,
we do not feel disposed to yield up our judgment
to that of our Augusta cbtemporary., notwith
standing the soundness of its views, generally,
in relation to Banks and currency. This ob
stinacy of ours will no doubt greatly surprise
those who entertain the thought that all who
venture opinions upon the currency ol our State
are wrong, except themselves—but we cannot
help it, and to sustain our opinions, are really
driven to the necessity of ''multiplying words-."
an idea which seems very much to annoy our
fnendsof the Chronicle and Sentinel.
What then did we. assert? VZhy, nothing
more or less than this—that Central Bank
inonej’, owing to the rapid decrease of its circu
lation, the small amount now out, and the wise
measures of lhe last Legislature ii 1 relation to
it, ought to be at par—more, th’iat it should
command a premium. This wa s what we
said. Now, let us see if, in the op inion of rea
sonable men, by a “ multiplication of words." we
can make our statement good, even- if we can
not do so in that of speculatorsand brokers.
The Central Bank has now (tfie I 10th) in cir
culation about $290,000. The estimate for the
present year’s taxes, is $280,000, (from which
is to be’ deducted the expenses ol collection.)
Add then to this the amount which it is estima
ted will be paid into the Central Bank—and
this we will put down at the lowest sum—B2oo,-
000, and from these two items alone, it will be
perceived that the circulation of the Central
Bank, in one year, will be withdrawn.
When to this we add the receipts of the Trea
sury from lhe granting ot lands aad other re*
sources, all of which must have the tendency
of quickly reducing thecirculation ofthe Bank,
it is not tin reasonable to anticipate that before the
expiration of the year, Centra? money will be
as scarce, as are gold and silver in the vaults of
the Monroe Railroad, or the Ocmulgee Bank.
But in addition to all this, if we take into
consideration the act ofthe Legisliture which
authorises the bonding of Central bills, is it un
reasonable for us to hazard the assertion, that
this money ought not only to be at par, but at a
premium? And if it is, will the Chronicle &
Sentinel “ multiply" a little, and tell u.s where
capitalists can invest their money, to better ad
vantages or to as goixl, than in procuring Cen
tral money, and gel'ing a State Bond ?
The position resumed by the Chronicle &
Sentinel, in the main, we are willing to ac
knowledge, is Correct. Bank bills for which
the gold or sifter cannot be had upon demand,
are of less v;-iue, to fne holder who desires it,
an I for general purp uses, than others for which
the gold o’ silver w ill be promptly paid. But
circumsunces sometimes alter cases. And this
case of «e Cent, a’. Bank, presents an instance
where-he issues of non-specie paying bank are
more valuable to capitalists than any other
bank issues—for the plain and simple reason,
tha’ they can make sater and more profitable
investments with Central money than they can
with any other.”
Rich, exceedingly!—The following is rich
indeed! We hardly know which most to ad- .
mire: the self-conceit and complacency of the
Georgia Don Quixote at Washington, or the
amiable credulity of the Editor of the Georgian!
Really, our very “ Democratic Representative in
Congress” must, in his own opinion, be altoge.
ther a Hercules in politics, to take upon his
shoulders alone the task of revolutionizing this
State—and his Savannah commentator a very
verdant political innocent, to imagine, for one
moment, that Georgia can again be led into the
embraces of Locofocoism 1
From the Georgian.
A Voice from Washington.—The following
is an extract from a private letter, dated If th
February, from one ot our Democratic Repre
sentatives in Congress:
“ The most gratifying news is pouring in
upon us from every quarter,—Georgia and
Maryland alone break the charm. This ought
not, an! must not be so. lam now engaged in
writing to every section ol the State, arousing
our people Irom the abominable lethargy that
is pressing us to the wall. Be up anddoing, we
can carry the State. We are all alive here to
the issue, and prepared to do our duty.”
We feel that the appeal will not be made in
vain to the intelligence ofthe people of Georgia.
They are not so "dead to the true interests of
their Stale, not quite so Clay-ridden yet, as to
desert all their cherished principles, when the
true issues are laid clearly before them. All
that we require is action ! action 11 action !! !
Let the testimony on both sides be clearly and
distinctly laid before the people,—let every
possible exertion be made to effect this object,
and we do not fear their verdict.
“ The Harmonious.” —The editor of the
“ Southern Banner,” in his reply to the recently
published letter of me Hon.E. J. Black, puts to
him the following questions, which insinuate
that the Congressmen possesses a greater share
of demagogueism than patriotism. We go for
the “ Banner.”
“ We will enquire, then, of Mr. Black —Did
you not, in 1843, labor to divide and distract the
Democratic party, by attempting to weaken its
confidence in Mr. Van Buren? Did you not
denounce the course ol the leading presses of
the party —the Globe and Richmond Enquirer,
for instance ? Did you not do all in your pow
er to procure the nomination of Mr. Calhoun
by the Georgia Convention, and that not on the
score of preference merely, but because you.:
were bitterly opposed to Mr. Van Buren? Jj
these questions are answered in the affirmative,
as we presume thej’ must be, then it requires no-
Solomon to perceive that your tariff resolution
was urged with the hope or expectation that
some of the friends of Mr. Van Buren might
vote against it, and thus an apology be furnish
ed for your opposition to him. If we ar-3-wron.'g
in these conjectures, it will afford us. great plea
sme to be corrected; butasat present advised,
we cannot help believing that the resolution l.iad
more a Presidential than a financial object.’;
Suicide ot Got-. Reynolds.— Gov. Tv.omas
Reynolds, of Missouri, committed suicide at
Jefferson city, on the 9th instant, by shooting
himself through the head with a pistol. He
lingered several horns in great agony. The
St. Louis Republican of the 12th ins tant say's
the Governor had been in bad health for some
time past.
The Hon. William Wilkins.—of Penn.,
sent in his resignation on Monday to the Speaker
ofthe House of Representatives, who laid it
before the House. During the day the oath of
office was administered to Mr. Wilkins as
Secretary of War by Chief Justice Cranch.
AUGUSTA, GAi THURSDAY iIORNING, FEBRUARY 29, 1844.
Fourth Want Clay Club.
At a meeting ofthe citizens of the 600th District
friendly to the election of Henry Clay to the
Presidency, for the purpose of organizing a
CLAY CLUB lor this district,
James Harper, Esq., was called to the Chair,
and Wm. K. Kitehen, appointed Secretary.
On motion, a Committee of Five was appoint
ed by the Chair to draft a constitution for the
government of the Club.
Messrs. J. J. Cohen, A. J. Miller, W. A
Beall, P. Fle ming, and A. Philip, were appoint
ed the Committee, who made the following re
port, which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The misrule of the administration
of Martin Van Buren,during the gloomy period
from 1836 to 1840, fully aroused the People from
theirfolitical slumbers, and impelled them, in
the majesty offtheir strength, to hurl him and
his minions frwn their high places, and to ex
pose them, in their naked deformity, to the con
demnation of the whole country: and whereas
the death ofthe lamented Harrison marred the
happy anticipations es the people from this ex
ercise of their political power: and whereas, '
further, the treachery of John Tyler has again .
awakened their indignaionagainstgoveinmental
misrule, and aroused their energies in behalf of
the prospeiity and happiness of the country — 1
thecitizens of this District,in common with their i
Whig fellow laborers everywhere, feel called j
upon again to gird on the armor for renewed ac
tion in the work of reform; and feeling now, in 1
advocating the election ot HENRY CLAY, as .
.thdy did in the campaign of’4o, they entertain ;
'the confident belief, thS.t the result will show that
they have not toiled in vain in a good cause: *
therefore, in furtherance ofthe views above ex- t
pressed: t
We, the residents of the “Bloody SfxHun
dred,” or 4th ward, of the city of Augusta, have
determined to form into a CLAY CLUB, and t
report the following as our
CONSTITUTION. t
Article Ist. The association shall be known t
as the Clay Club of the6oo district.' r
Art. 2. The Officers of the Club shall be a
President, four Vice Presidents, a Secretary
and Treasurer, and a Vigilance Compiittee of s
30 members. i
Art. 3. All contributions to the Club shall be ,
voluntary. j
Art. 4. Every citizen of the State of Georgia .
shall be entitled to membership in the Club. 1
Art. 5. The President shall preside at all meet.
ings; and in his absence, one of the Vice
Presidents. s
Art. 6. The regular meetings of the Club shall
be on the Ist Thursday of every month, and r
may be called at any time by the President. I
On motion, a committee was appointed to I
nominate officers ofthe Club. Messrs. P. Flem- *■
ing, Cohen, Beall, T. W. Miller and R. D. c
Hamlen were appointed the Committee, and 1
reported the names of the following gentlemen, ll
who were unanimously elected :
Major Isham Thompson, President.
James Harper, Pleasant Stovall, C. B. Hitt h
and Daniel Hand, Vice Presidents.
William K. Kitchen, Secretary and Trea
surer. o
Messrs. Miller, Dow, and Cohen were ap- a
pointed to wait on the President and conduct him v
to the chair.
The President returned thanks to the Club in
a spirited address and appointed the following
Committee of Vigilance.
Committee of Vigilance.
Porter Fleming, Jas. Clarke, tl
Jno. J. Cohen, Jno. Nelson, n
J. M. Hand, Chas. Dwelle, i.
John J. Bird, W. Woodbury, Jr. a
A. Philip, John Snyder, y
W. C. Berryhill, H. C. Bryson, tl
P. A. Scranton, M. H. Williams, s
W. M. D’Antignac, Jno. M. Dow, o
E. C. Tinsley, T. W. Freeman, y
Ha'wkins Huff, Jno. C. Green, >
W. A. Beall, J. A. Simmons, 'J
R. 1’). Hamlin, Wm. Housley. C
Frai.’cis Spears," O. H. Lee, g
W. 11. Goodrich, T. W. Miller, t
Jno. J. Maguire, J. B. Hart. t
Aftetr an address from A. J. Miller, Esq., the f
Club adjourned.
ISHAM THOMPSON, President. f
Wm. K. Kitchen. Secretary.
American Mechanics in Russia.—We co. ,
pied, a few weeks since, a brief paragraph ft orn I
lhe Baltimore Sun, stating that a large contract J
1 tad been made by the Russian Government, r
with a Machinist of that city, for locomotives, 1
<S'.c., to the amount of four millions of dollars, i
S ince then, further particulars have been given *
in the Baltimore and Philadelphia papers, from
wltiich it would appear, that lhe contract in ques- ‘
tiem Jias been given to Mr. Joseph Harrison, Jr., (
of the firm of Harrison & Eastwick, Philadel- ■
phia, and Mr. Thomas Winans, son of Ross ‘
Winttns, Engine Manufacturer, of Baltimore— <
they r epresenting the two Americanfirmsabove* 1
najne d.
It appears further, that for the contract in j
quest ion, there were .other c ampetitors besides !
the P hiladelphia and Baltimore houses, and es- 1
pecia Uy on the part of some of the most exten- j
sive i uanufacturers in England. After the arri
val si 1 Russia, therefore, of Messrs. Harrison '
and ’ Vinans, with specimen locomotives mattu
facti red at the rival American Manufactories, ;
they concluded upon uniting their interests; and
the • consequence was, the assignment to them o*
the contract, although there were bids much
low er than theirs; but from the fact of their be
ing. practical mechanics, and as some of their
work was already in use in Russia, which gave
great satisfaction, the preference was given to
them.
The contract is the largest ever entered into
in the mechanical line. It comprises one hun
dred and sixty-two locomotive engines, with the
ten< lers for each, and five thousand three hun
dre< I burthen cars—together with duplicates ot
sucl i parts of the work as may be required to be
rene wed. All these are to be made of iron.
The work is to be delivered, in lots, at stated pe.
riods from 1845 to 1848. The whole cost will
be u] twardsof four millions of dollars; and the
price s allowed are such as to afford a handsome
profit to the American contractors. The whole
of the work is to be done in Russia; and that
none ol the necessary facilities may be wanted,
the c ontractors are to have the free use of the
gov 'e: entnent -workshops.
’ in connection with this matter, it maybe pro
pe r lo state, that the Emperor of Russia, last
ye ar, ordered from Mr. Ross Winans, ofßalti
m ore, three powerful steam pile driving ma
cl lines., which are used in th? construction of
p arts ofthe great Petersburg and Moscow Rail
r aad, where the country is marshy. These were
f ound to answer so well that Mr. W. is now con
s trucling a fourth one for the same road. We
; ilso torn that the Russian Ministeris now, and
I mis been for some time past, underthe orders of
t he Emperor, purchasing for Russia various ag
t ic ultural implements of approved construction,
I >es. ides other machinery that may prove service
; tbk in the Russian Empire.
T he road u pon which the cars, &c., are to be
used , will be four hundred miles in length; and
its cc mstruction is placed, as our readers will
recoil ect, under the general superintendence of
the experienced and capable American Engi
neer Major George W. Whistler.
For trait of Mr. Clay.—We have received
from A lessrs. Grenville & Co. a splendid full
length} wtrait of Mr. Clay, engraved by Sartain
from ar original painting by Naigle.
Anoi ’her Fire in Whatelf.y.—Nash’s
Satinet Factory, in West Whately, was
destroye. 1 by fire on Thursday morning last.
Most of the machinery and a considerable
quantity of cloth and wool were also consumed,
The loss is estimated at sor S6OOO, and no
insurance . The fire was caused from a pipe
which pas sed up through the floor.—Northamp
ton Couria 13tA.
The Rig ht Hon. Sir Richard Packenham,
British Env 'oy Extraordinary, and suite, arrived
in Washing ton on Mondaj' morning.
The extensive Iron Establishment at
Erie, Pennslj 'vania, owned bj’ Messrs. Vincent
& Kuroda, w ith its contents' was destroyed by
fire last week • Loss $20,000; no insurance.
A company has just been formed in Boston,
with a capital c ’f one million ofdellars. forthe
manufacture of Mousselines.
MONDAY MORNING, JH^BRUARY 26.
The Chinese MaßKETA“3|fcfind that many
of the free trade papers cotion growing
states, are just beginning uKtnd out, that the
opening of the Chinese pofitwßnd the wants of
some hundredsof millions may have
some effect in for cotton
manufactures, and thus, fol some years, at least,
create a sure market for the increasing crops ot
cotton! But how do the gentlemen,
whether at the South or regard this
fact? Are they willingthatifteSitoericaTishould
manufacture a portion ot thys-ijgplies for China,
and send out his ship, firslite the south to get
the raw article, and then so '-be Chinese seas
with the manufactured giving pro
fitable employment to the artisan, the
Ammcan ship-owner, capital ?
Not at all 1 On the contr«pheir efforts are
directed, substantially, to thOibeakin;,' down of
the home manufacturer. If -feetns to their wis
dom more proper, that the should
monopolize the trade, not of this country, .
but of China and all the rest of the world ; that
his ship should bring here oft 'own supplies of
the manufactured artiele-“Utfce hence to Eng
land the raw cotton, there manufactured,
to the profit of the and the
English capitalist— also
in English bottoms, of lhe
earth —to the entire exclaK^^WF’Wf'^i.oleii-|
can, in all the branches of tlie business, except
the growing of the raw material 1 And even in ;
this latter item they would checkmate the Uni
ted States, were it within their power to do so. ■
The foregoing are not the propositions, in
terms, of the free trader of this country, but to ,
this end do all his free trade reveries and theo- I
ries tend. The result we have depictured above f
would as inevitably follow the adoption of his '
system, as does the setting of the sun succeed ;
its rising. The pride, the independence, the ;
wisdom, and the patriotism, of the American <
Advocate of the English free trade doctrines, (
indeed, “passeth all show.” t
lower House of Congress treated it
self, on Tuesday last, to a holiday, that the ’
members might go a junketing, at a cost to the .
people of eight dollars each, on board the t
Princeton. It was the cheapest day’s work for i
the people, however, that thej' have lately had J
out of the majority of that body—for though ;
they pocketed the cash, they neither trampled on
the Constitution, the laws, nor the prosperity of ‘
the country, during their frolic, that we have yet (
heard of. Could the same have been said if they t
had remained in session? •
<
Mr. Clay’s Visit.—The Co'.umbos Enquirer, i
ofthe 21st inst. says—“ The time of Mr. Clay’s *
arrival in this city is now definitely settled—he ,
will be here on the 11th ot March.”
Upson County —The annexed well merited
compliment to the citizens of that sterling <
Whig County, is from the Macon “ Messenger” I
The regular term of the Superior Court of
this county was held last week. It opened at
the usual time, and adjourned on Wednesday
morning, after despatching all the business be- :
lore it. which was not sufficient to occupy its '
attention more than twelve to fourteen hours. ■
We believe that there are very few counties in ,
the State, of equal population and wealth, where
so little time is nescessary for the administration .
of lhe law, either civil or criminal. A few
years since, a term ot lhe Superior Court des- ,
patched all its business in about six hours.
There was no criminal business before the last ,
Court, and the Grand Jury did not make a sin- (
gle indictment for offences of any kind. T wenty- ,
three cases were on the common law docket lor
the term, and twenty for lhe next. There seems
to be no use for a county jail, and very little for
Sheriff. The people all appear to be in good
humour, pay their debts promptly—and es
pecially their accounts with the Printers.
We could say something else-in favor ofthe
county, but jfany one will look over the election
returns they will know what it would be—and
find it always improving in the tight cause.
It also raises as much wheat, has as many good
mills, makes as good flour, has more
manufactories of Cotton, and makes the
best “ Cotton” Cotton Bagging of any county
in the State—and also, makes as much good
Cotton as any other county ofits size.
Late from the Pacific.—By the brig Ameri
ca, Capt. Wade, from Chagres, via of Cartbage
na, 29 days from the latter port, arrived to-day,
came passenger Lt. R. M. Meade, who left
Lima on the 29th of November last, bearing
despatches from Hon. J. C. Pickett, our Charge
at Lima.—Commodore A. J. Dallas reached
Calao July 23 and hoisted his flag August 10 on
board of the sloop-of-war Erie, which arrived
July 26 from Rio, and thence sailed to Sandwich
Islands on a cruice. On the 20th November
letters were received that the Frigate United
States was at Oahu, Sandwich Islands, in com-
Ewith Commodore Kearney of the East
t Squadron. The Commodore was to sail
for California the following day, and the frigate
United States was to sail 20th of August on a
Cruise—all well. Capt. Mason of whale ship
Nautilus stranded on Timber Beach, Peru—
cargo and lives saved.— N. Y. Tribune, Feb.
20.
From Peru.—A passenger in the brig Ameri
ca, at New York from Charges, informs the edi
tors of the Journal of Commerce that Gen. Cas
tillo, (who by the former accounts was near the
Bolivian frontier at the head of 1500 men,) had
advanced to the neighborhood ot Lima, revolu
tionizing the country as he proceeded. About
the 13th November, President Vivance left Lima
in order to give him battle. Castillo had alrea
dy' had an engagement with a body of govern
ment troopsand defeated them. Little doubt
was entertainment that he would soon enter Li
ma, and be comfortably seated in the Presiden
tial chair.
Hon. A. H. Stephens’ Speech.
We are indebted to the correspondence ot the
Newark Daily Advertiser, lor the following
sketch of the speech of Mr. S. on lhe District
Law, which is more full than any report we
have seen.
Mr. Stephens on the District Law. — Mr. Alex
ander H. Stephens, of Geo., is a new member
of Congress, and one among the very few who
is qualified to shed lustre upon the proceedings
ol the House. He is small in person, and suf
fers much from physical inability, arising from
indisposition, which at times is quite severe. .
He possesses the reputation cf a ripe scholar,
and a refined classical tdste. Gifted with a rich
imagination, he enlivens his speeches with rich
illustrations. His voice,is shrill, clear, and ol
considerable compass, but its intonations are
made to harmonize with the sentiment he utters.
It is always with pleasing emotions that he is
listened to, while his strong arguments and per
suasive appeals are sent home to the under
standing.
At the close ofthe last week he addressed the
House on the report ol the Committee on Elec
tions, but his speech has not yet appeared, and
therefore, I send you a synopsis of it, having
taken pretty full notes at the time ofits delivery.
I think your readers will find it interesting and
valuable. In a mere synopsis nothing like pro
per justice can be rendered a speaker, and the
followingpretends to no more.
Mr. Stephens commenced by remarking that
the gentleman from Miss. (Mr. Thompson,)
who had just concluded his speech, contended
that the fourth section of the first article of the
Constitution did not confer upon Congress the
power of districting the States. It seemed to
his mind that the gentleman and all those who
opposed the law requiring the States to district
were forced to the position he occupied, as it
. was easier to make the bold assertion of want
of power, and there rest their case, than to prove
the faet by precedent or argument. He denied
the assumption, and contended that the power
was given to Congress by this very article ; and
to prove which he quoted the opinions of Mr.
Madison in the Convention on the said article,
in which he contended that the power was
granted to Congress, in its fullest extent, to con
trol and regulate the mode of conducting elec
tions formembers of Congress.
i Mr. Thompson had assumed another position
' in which he must differ from him—he rernark
! ing that if he believed the law unconstitutional
• he should not have taken his seat here. Now
he (Mr. S.) held differently; for he did believe
that the law was unconstitutional. He occu-
J pied his seat in that body only so long as the
‘ House chose to permit him ; and he considered
the House the constitutional tribunal for de
ciding the question. And when asked by gen-
* tiemen how he could maintain that position, his
1 reply was that the question was not one lor him
f tt> decide —the constitution had erected this
House into a tribunal, to adjudicate the matter,
and by that tribunal he intended to, as it was
t, his duty, submit it. His own private judg
e ment, or that of any man, should not be set up
I in opposition to the tribunal designatsd by the
consiiution ; for .it was the true constitutional
course to submit to the true constitutional tri
bunal, and he appealed to the House that it vio
late no law. This was a pure constitutional
question now under consideration, and one on
which lhe greatest minds of the country may
differ.
He believed that the districting law of the last
Congress was constitutional, and, therefore, he
could not sit still and see this House disregard
and violate it, without standing up to its sup
port and defence, to the utmost ot his ability ;
and if he could convince the House to day that
the gentlemen returned from the four states
which elected by general ticket were not enti
tled to their seats, it would be his pleasure to
do so.
The question had been stated, by the gentle
man from Indiana, the other day, to be a party
one: at feast, the gentleman said that, when the
question should come up, all lhe members of
the democratic party would vote, one way, and
those ofthe opposite party the other. For his
part, he was glad to see that it was not a party
question, and several gentlemen of the demo
cratic party were in favor of the constitutionali
ty of the law. It was true that a majority of
those opposed to the law were of the democrat
ic parly, but lhe measure was originally intro
duced by a member ot that party, [Mr. Camp
‘bell,J and he was glad to find that, in the settle
ment of this great constitutioual ’question,
the two parties were not arrayed against each
other. He would here take occasion to reply to
a remark made by his colleague the other day,
that, in the State of Georgia, both parties were
in favor ofthe general ticket system. He beg
ged leave, respectfully, to differ with his col
league; for, so far as his observation extended,
he was satisfied that a majority ofthe people ot'
dial Sufte were lr« favor o f the districwysteir, '
For it there was, in his opinion, any one' sub
ject on which the people of Georgia were unit
ed, it was this very one; and upon this they
were united in principle, and constitutional !
right. The whole subject was placed before ;
the people of his State previous to the late elec- j
lions—it had been argued to them on both sides
ofthe question; and the result now proves that 1
there is but one al) prevading sentiment on the t
subject. Even the late democratic Legislature (
of Georgia passed an act districting the State,
which the vote of the Governor pree nted from 1
becoming a law. The present Legislature has t
passedanother bill in which, also, ithasprovi- i
ifed for the election of members to the present ;
Congress, should the House refuse to recognize
the title to seats of the present delegation from ’
that State, s
Mr. S. me the gentleman from Miss. (Mr. ;
Thompson,) on another point, he having con
tended that the right to seats on the floor was ‘
inherent. Mr. S. denied the correctness of the 1
assertion, and argued that it was derivative, and t
through the Constitution. The question, and .
the whole subject resolves itself into that, is the
power to district the States conferred upon Con
gress in the fourth section ofthe first article of 1
the Constitution ? This is the question 1 (
In proceeding to discuss the constitutionality
ofthe law of Congress, he contended for the 1
full and absolute power—a power, the exercise t
of which rested on no contingency —to district j
the States. This power was conferred by the .
clause of the constitution which had been relied
on throughout this debate; and, as contempora- •
neons exposition had been referred to, he as- <
firmed that such exposition also supported his ,
views of this question. He quoted authorities
to show that an amendment to the constitution '
was proposed by a Stale convention, so as to <
limit the exercise of this power by Congress, ,
but it was negatived; and the whole case show
ed clearly that it was then understood that Con- !
gress possessed the absolute power. Mr. Madi
son, who must be supposed to have known what <
was meant by the constitution, so understood it. .
It was admitted that Congress possessed the
power; but it was said that if Congress acted 1
at all it must exercise a complete power, and I
must go into detail. He went on to reply to ,
his colleague [Mr. Cobb,] on this point, and in
stanced many alterations of statutes, which
were effected without repealing the statutes,
altered. He also quoted the language of Mr. .
Madison on this point, who understood thatgen
eral powers were conferred on Congress, and
particular powers on the State legislatures. His
colleague had contended that, if Congress ex
ercised its power on this subject, it must supply
something for that which it displaced: to this
he replied that Congress had, in the exercise of
its general powers, as described by Mr. Madi
son, supplied the district system for the general
ticket system, on which the State legislatures
were to exercise their particular powers. He
illustrated his position in various ways ; and
then went on to contend that Congress might
exercise powers which would require legislative
action on the part of the States to secure to the
people ol the Slates their rights.
Mr. Stephens next alluded to the report ofthe
majority and reviewed the same with great skill
and no little degree of severity, showing the ex
travagance ot its assumptions, and the fallacious
character of the arguments based upon them.
The report contended for a mere contingent
power in Congress, derived from the constitu
tion, to regulate the elections of members to the
House. He denied the position and remarked
that he would prove a clear, decided, and uncon
ditional power. He read Irom the report and
then proceeded to establish the correctness of
his assertion, at the same time exposing the un
tenable character of the argument on which the
report was based—that argument being the con
tingent power of Congress to legislate on the
subject. It seemed to him, if there were any
thing perfectly clear, it was an unconditional
power;—the Stateshad all ratified the constitu- ,
lion, fully aware of the existence of this power,
as abundantly proved by the recommendation of
Massachusetts and other States to limit the 1
same at the time ofits adoption, which was then 1
refused. It was cons'dered by Mr. Madison
as an unconditional power, as his writings,
which were accessible to every one, will show. '
It was as clear as the noon-day sun;—until you '
extinguish that light—until you extinguish the
records of your country, you cannot destroy lhe
argument—you cannot deprive Congress of the
power.
Roger Sherman, Nicholas Gliman/and other
leading minds, among those who brought into
being the Constitution itself, also contended for
the power.
It is a great constitutional question: and gen
tlemen should do away with all mere party pre
judices, in approaching its consideration —they
owed it to the subject. Go, look to the con
temporaneous history es the country, and pos
sessed of the information thence to be derived,
who would dare say that the power was not con
ferred by the constitution ?
It had been urged that the act set aside, or
distrusted, state legislation. He would ask if
the passage ofthe districting clause of the ap
portionment act had entirely uprooted the whole
system of legislation in the states ? Did not
their legislatures assemble every year as be
fore ? Therefore how could this law have any
such operation as they stated 2 He referred to
the doctrines ot Mr. Madison, upon the state
rights and power ot Congress, and declared that
he held similat opinions to those promulgated
by that distinguished individual. He had beer,
eulogized as a democrat—he had been placed in
the front ranks of the democracy —he had been
'almost canonized as its creat exemplar. If
Madison was a democrat so was he, for on all
these great subjects theit views were one and
the same.
Upon the corservative principles ofthe dis
trict system, disconnected from other considera
tions, "as a check against the dangerous conse
quences resulting f rom the instability of legisla
tion attendant upon the fluctuations of large
majorities in the national councils, which would
necessarily ensue if the general ticket system be
adopted by the larger States of the Union:
Mr. Stephens said—Sir ! Amongst the dan
gers to which our system of Government is ex
posed, I consider as not amongst the least the
effects upon lhe public policy ot the country of
those fearful shocks produced by the sudden
change of large part}’ majorities upon this floor.
The human system in its soundest health, and
fullest vigor and strength, cannot stand quick
transitions of exposure to the extremes of
temperature —Sir! the most deeply laid, and
firmly and substantially built of human edifices,
cannot stand amidst the oscillations of a rock
ing earth. Nor can the government of a free
people, the noblest of all human structures, re
main firm, if its foundations are subject to con
stant vibrations. Its basis is public opinion,
and the elements of the human mind are like
those ofthe atmostphere about us ; which, how
ever still and calm and quiet to-day, may be
roused into the whirlwind to-morrow. And as
the mild air we breathe, when put into commo
tion, assumes all the power and terrific force of
the tornado, laying waste and in ruin every
thing in its "desolating sweep, so with the
passion, prejudices, and ambition of men, when
excited and aroused into factious strife, without
reason or argument to control their action,
1 every thing relating to order, right, law, or
- constitution, is equally disregarded, and gov-
I emment itself cannot be saved from ruthless
' destruction. It was in this view of the subject,
: and to guard againstthe liability of such results,
- that the wise statesman, the pure patriot, the
- sage of Montepulier, to whom I have before
I alluded, at the time ofthe adoption of the Con-
- stitution urged upon the people the necessity of
• establishing such checks ;and restraints in" the
s government, as to “ protect themselves against
1 the effects of their own errors in temporary »x
--s citements:” and with which, he said, the
', Republics of Greece wonld have been saved
s from presenting in their history “ lhe humilia-
- ting spectacle of voting to their greatest men
P the hemlock on one day, and a statue on the
* next 1”
Messrs. Chappell and Stephens.
In our report of the Congressional proceed
ings, a few days since, a brief allusion was made
to soma explanations between these gentlemen .
but as that report was necessari’y very muchcon
densed we copy from the “ Madisonian” the fol
lowing sketch of the remarks of each. While on
this subject, it may not be improper to refer to
the position of Mr. Chappell upon this question,
which has drawn down upon him the censure of
some ot his Whig friends. Indeed, it seems the
more necessary, as the editor of this paper was
one of the committee of 21 who reported the re
solution, in relation to the election law, to the
Whig Convention of June last, and was also one
of the few members of that committee present at
the called meeting when Mr. Chappell was
nominated, and the only member who did not
vote for his nomination.
The opposition of Mr. Chappell to that reso
lution was well known to all the members 0}
the Committee,( before whom he entered to some
extent into his views) and, for aught we know,
may have been to the Convention generally, al
though we do not recollect that any expression
of his opinions was made before the whole body
of the convention. There certainly was no con.
cealment on his part, nor was it regarded a test
question ol party principles, so far as we under
stood the sentiments of the body. It certainty was
not by the members of the comm ittee who attend
ed at the called meeting when Mr. C. was
nominated.
For our own part, although we are always
pleased when those with whom, we act concur
generally upon important quest! ons, yet we be
long not to that class of politicir.ns who require
unqualified adherence' to our views upon all
measures. Such a requisition is at war with '
every principle of independence, and renders
men the mere slaves of party. While we regret, :
therefore, that Mr. Chappell differs from the al
most unanimous voice ot hits party upon this
isolated question, we are not disposed to meas- ;
ure his devotion to Y’ hig principles by any such 1
standard. We have known him too long, and 1
have stood shoe,lder to shoulder by him in ,
too many contests in Georgia,to doubt his sound- i
ness upon the g’.eat and leading principles of
the Whig party;, because of his difference upon
this question.
No man wb o knows Mr. Chappell, or is fami- :
liar with his political career, will ever charg®
upon him any efforts at concealment of his
views upon any question. He belongs not to
that class of politicians. On the contrary, he
forms his opinions deliberately upon all ques
tions, and when formed, he does not hesitate to
express them freely and fully whenever, in his
opinion, there is any necessity for such expres
sion. He stops not to enquire whether his view s
concur with this or that class cf men or party, but
enforces his views boldly, and fortifies them by ,
such arguments as have influenced his deci
sion.
In conclusion, then, we ask the Whig party
of Georgia—a pa rty whieh has ever expressed its
admiration ot independent men—men superior
to any slavish submission to party, —whether
they are ready to withhold from him their confi
dence because of his opinion upon this question?
We know too well the spirit that animates the
Whig party of Georgia to doubt the ready re
sponse to this enquiry.
Wednesday, Feb. 14.
In the House, after the reading ofthe Journal
of yesterday,
Mr, Chappell rose and asked leave to call the
attention ofthe House, and particularly of his
colleague (Mr. Stephens,) to what he (Mr. C.)
had no doubt was a misreport of some remarks
male in debate by his colleague the day before
yesterday—in which reman cs his (Mr. C.’s)
name was introduced.
The Speaker here interpost :d by saying that
the leave asked by Mr. Chap pell required the
genera] consent ol the Homie; which having
been granted,
Mr. Chappell said that the r eport in the Madi
sonian, to which he alluded, and to which he
called the attention of the Ho use and of his col
league purported t<»give the remarks made by
his colleague on Monday, in reply to another col
league (Mr. Black.) Mr. C. said he happened
not to be in his seat during the discussion be
tween his two colleagues, and consequently did
not hear what was said. The discussion ap
peared, however, from the rep'ort, to have had
reference to the proceedings of the Whig Con
vention in Georgia, and to the nominating and
running of candidates by the Whig party, as
evidence of what were the s entiments of the
Whig party in Georgia on the constitutionality
Os the districting clause of t’ne apportionment
law.
[Mr. Chappell here read rom the Madiso
nian the report in question,and called the atten
tion of his colleague (Mr. St ephens) to the fol
lowing part of it:
“ Mr. Black said he wonlc I ask his colleague
(Mr. Stephens) if the Whi;» State Convention
had not nomininated thei r ticket under the
general ticket system, atad they were de
teated, although they had acknowledged the
constitutionality of that lai v. Thev had suc
ceeded, however, i'n one o r two instances, at
special elections, jn electin g two or three repre
sentatives.
Mr. Stephens said that the sentiments he had
expressed on t’ne subject the other day, he ex
pressed in tha t Convention, and they were cir
culated throughout the State.
Mr. BlacI; said his other honorable colleague
(Mr. Chap’pell) was also in that Convention,
who was k nown to be opposed to the constitu
tionality of that law.
Mr. St ephens said Mr. Chappell was in that
Convent ion, and he believed that he was oppos
ed to tb ,e constitutionality of the law of Con
gress, b ut it was not generally 1 mown in the con
ventior i. However, he would inform his col
league ; that the vote at the special election to
whicl ihe alluded was much gr eater by several
thou.' sand than at any former election.]
N ow, said Mr. C., both my colleague and my
self were members of the W hig Convention of
Jw ae last, and also members of the committee
of twenty-one, raised by that Convention,
w hich committee reported to the Conven
t’lon a resolution which was adopted by that
Convention, declaring the constitutionality of
the districting clause, and denouncing elections
under the general ticket system as unconstitu
tional and invalid. It was known to his col
league that he, (Mr. C.) in that committee strenu
ously opposed this resolution, and maintained
the unconstitutionality of the districting clause,
and that an election by general ticket would be
valid, notwithstanding that clause.
The same committee was clothed, by the
Convention, with the authority of nominating
candidates to fill any vacancies that might occur
after the adjournment of the Convention, in the
representation in Congress. A vacancy did af
terwards occur, by resignation,and lhe commit
tee, three weeks before the election, nominated
him, (Mr. C.,) to fill th at vacancy, with a full
knowledge of his (Mr. C.’s) sentiments.
His colleague had been previously nomina
ted without opposition, by the Convention itself,
to till another vacancy which had not then oc
curred, but w’nich was anticipated with certain
ty, and which soon afterwards actually occurred.
Thus it v.ill be seen that the nominating
bodies, by w hich his colleague and himself were
brought forward as candidates were different,
being the Convention in owe case and a perma
nent committee of that Cor .vention in the other
case. And it is mainly bee ause his colleague’s
remarks, as reported, are lit ible to the inference
that his (Mr. C.’s) opinions were unknown to
the body by which he (Mr. C.) was nominated,
that he now called his attention to the subject.
He is sure his colleague di d not intend to au
thorize any such inference, and that if his re
marks had been fully and accurately reported,
no room would have existed for such an infer
ence.
M,r. Chappel made some further remarks ex
pressive of his belief that thus question was not
considered by the people of Georgia as involvee
in the late elections, so r Con gress, viewed by th.
Whigs of that State as. a tent question of party
Mr. Stephens, in r eply, said that there was
one ort wo slight mis’ akes in the report to which
his colleague had all aded. In reply to his col
league, (Mr. Black, ) he had said that his col
league (Mr. C.) was on the Committee that re
i ported the resolution nominated by Mr. B. And
though it was known, to that committee that bis
, colleague (Mr. C.) d issenled in committee from
: the majority on this . question, yet he did not be
! lieve his sentiments upon the subject were gen
erally known, not in the C'onvention, but tn the
f State, before his election. Another mistake in
i the report was that he (Mr. S.) corrected his col
t league (Mr. B.) as to the C onvention in which
- this resolution had been at looted. It was in
5 1843, and not in 1842, as sta. ted by Mr. B, and
1 which was not noticed in the report; and the
- ticket nominated at the time .of the adoption of
i the resolution was not defeatec I, as stated by Mr.
> B, but elected by a large majc >rity.
Again, as to the special elections, he did not
say that the vote was larger than at any lot m>:
election, but larger than at the time of his c :
league (Mr. B.'s) election.
The other remarks of his colleague (M r. C
are also true.
He was nominated subsequent to the Con
vention by the committee as he has stated. Am
it is true that his colleague (Mr. C.) did op; ti
the resolution in committee; and in Ihisw
his opinions were made known to them.
Mr. Stephens said he did not intend to inti
mate that his colleague (Mr. C.’s) opinions were
not known to the members of the committee
who nominated him, but that he did not think
they were generally known to the country.
[A debate of an explanatory' character took
place between Mr. Stiles and Mr. Stephens,
which the Speaker pronounced out of order.]
The Speaker then announced the special or
ders of the day.
TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
Washington, February 19, 1844.
SENATE.
Mr. Archer, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, moved the printing ol fifteen hundred
copies of Greenhow’s Book upon the subject of
lhe Oregon Territory, and that 3000 be appro
priated te pay the expense of lhe same.
Mr. Benton opposed lhe resolution, and after
some debate between him and Mr. Archer, the
resolutions was laid aside—and lhe Senate pro
ceeded to the further discussion of Mr. Mc-
Duffie’s Tariff Bill.
Mr. Phelps, ot Vt., addressed the Senate at
length in conclusion of a very elaborate and able
speech in behalf of the principles of the Tariff'.
Mr. P. devoted a part of his argument in an
swering Mr. Woodbury.
Mr. Phelps spoke until between three arid
■elt, when ■ «
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The reception of Petitions was the order of
lhe day in the House.
Mr. Adams put the ball in motion, and pre
sented the usual number upon a variety of mis
cellaneous subjects, as well as upon those which
are usually a subject of contest.
Among them was the following: From citi
zens of Philadelphia against the annexation of
Texas, if Slavery is to be a part of the agree
ment of annexation, and for the annexation if it
is not. Mr. Adams upon any terms considered
annexation repugnant to the principles of the
Constitution, and therefore was opposed to the
prayer of the petitioners. Nevertheless, in
obedience to-his practice to present all proper pe
titions, he presented this, and asked its referetjee
to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Upon this and other memorials the question
of reception was raised, and the motions to re
ceive laid on the table.
Mr Burke ol N. H., presented a memorial
signed by the Democratic members ol the R.
Island Legislature protesting against lhe inter
ference ofthe Pres dent to put down the Insur
rection of Governor, Dobr of Rhode Island. The
memorial Irom the Democratic members was
read on motion of the member who presented
the petition. After setting forth the grievances
of the “ Algerines,” as they call the constituted
authorities of Rhode Island, they ask the House
of Representatives to interfere in theirbehall,
to call upon the President for the authority un
der which he acted in sending a military fortte
to Rhode Island, or it»threatening to do so by is
suing his proclamation to put down the insur
rection.
Mr. Burke offered the memorial, and moved
the Previous Question as soon as it was read.
Mr. Cranston asked that the Previous Ques
tion might be withdrawn; but Mr. Burke de
clined. Y
Mr. Winthrop asked as a point of order if
the members irom Rhode Island could not be
eeard upon this subject as a question of privi
lege. The memorial prayed an inquiry into
the rights of the Rhode Island membersto their
seats.
The Speaker decided that the question was
not one of privilege.
The House then sustained the second for lhe
Previous Question by a vote of 76 to 62.
A motion war made to lay lhe whole subject
upon the table, and theyeas and nays were 35
in the affirmative aud 144 in the negative.
The question returned upon the main ques
tion.
Mr. Cranston desired that the Select Com
mittee to whom the memorial was to be referred
should have power to send for persons and pa
pers. The motion was not now in order.
Mr. Holmes desired to know if lhe Resolu
tions came from a sovereign State desiring to
interfere with the Federal Government.
Mr. Weller objected to having the question
answered.
The yeas and nays were then called, and lhe
vote was ayes 163, noes 69.
The question was then upon the adoption of
the resolution, and it was adopted accordingly,
referring the memorial to a Committee of five
members, of which of course Mr. Burke will be
chairman. The memorial is signed by 18 mem
bers of the House of Representatives of Uie I’..
Island Legislature, and by 8 members ol the
Senate.
The House then proceeded to receive memo
rials for the remainder of the day. Several
hundreds were presented.
Also by Mr. Fish of N. Y., a memorial sign
ed by ten thousand citizens of New York, who
ask Congress to protect the people from lhe in
undation of foreign paupers, by amending the
Naturalization laws.
Mr. Holmes ol S. C. moved that when the
House adjourn, it adjourn to meet again bn
Wednesday. The object was to visit the Unit
ed States ship Princeton—adapted by a vote ol
95 to 25.
Mr. Giddings presen'ed a number of memo
rials, (many of them objected to under the 25th
Rule.)
Mr. Owen of Indiana presented the Joint
Resolution from the Legislatures of Indiana,
asking Government to provide for the occupa
tion ofthe Oregon, peaceably if we can and for
cibly if we must. This resolution gave great
satisfaction to some of the W estern members,
and one or two were heard to cry “ good, good!”
The House proceeded to receive a large num
ber of memorials from Indiana, Mississippi and
other States, some of them praying for Westem
improvements.
A report was received from the Secretary of
the Treasury, in reference to the Smithsonian
bequest; which Mr. Adams moved to have re
ferred to a select committee, that further legis
lation, to bring the money back to the Treasu
ry. The motion was agreed to, after some op
position.
The House then adjourned.
February 20.
IN SENATE.
Mr. Miller from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia reported a Bill for the exten
sion of the charters of the several Blinks of the
District cf Columbia until July, 1851. lhe
Bill has three sections,—one for the extension
of the charters, one providing the let ins ot char
ter, and the other declaring that the Banks shall
go into a stale of liquidation when suspending
payments, and that the Courts ol the District be
required to see that the Banks ate put into a
state of liquidation.
The Bill was read on motion of Mr. Bu
chanan, who remarked, when the reading wa
finished, that he should, when the Bill came up
for consideration, move its recommitment for
the purpose of making the Stockholders liable
for the bills in circulation.
A number of Resolutions offered were inclu
ding the following" by Mr. Aicher of Va.
(Chairman ofthe Committee on Foreign Rela
tions) calling upon the Preside it of the United
States, if not incompatible with the public inter
est, to inform the Senate whether the American
ffag has been used to promote the Slave trade.
Also for any correspondence upon the subject
between our Government and Portugal. The
Resolution under the rule lies over lot one day.
Mr. Tappan of Ohio, agreeably to previous
notice, presented a Joint Resolution proposipe
an amendment of the Constitution by limiting
the term of service ofthe Judgesofthe Superiv.
and Inferior Courts—the Resolution was read
once and laid over for a second reading.
The Bill appropriating forty thousand dollars
for repaving Pennsylvania Avenue was read a
third time and passed by a vote of 22 to7.
The Joint Resolution front the House of Rep
resentatives, accepting the Staff of Franklin
and the Sword of Washington, was also passed,
beinv a copj’ of the Resolution of the last Con
gress which failed to reach the President in
season for his signature.
The Bill from the House of Representatives
granting a six months pension to the widows,
orphans or parents of the officers and seamen of
the schooner Grampus, was read twice aud re
ferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Semple made an effort to get up his reso
lution providing for a joint occupation of the
Oregon territory; but the Senate being thin, ii
was put over till to-morrow.
The resolution to print Greenhow’s repot
upon the Oregon question, was again post; < nee.
The bill providing for the payment of I .e
sion Agents to the extent of 2 per cent upon the
amount distributed, until the compel -ion a
mounts to 81,000, which stur.it shall not ex
ceed, was the subject of debate.
After being amended in a few particulars,
and a long debate had upon several of the
amendments offered, the bill was passed.
The Senate then adjourned.
The House did not sit to-day.
F
» Washington, Feb. 21.
IN SENATE.
A joint resolution, introduced by Mr. Tap-
VOL. VIII.-NO. 9
.-;:I1 lor limiting, to seven years, lhe term ot
■mm of tm- Judges ol the Supreme and Circuit
■: ,mts ofthe U. S. was. on his motion, made
m i; I order of lhe day for the second Mon
day in March.
:.'n submitted a resolution, that the
■■ •■!■ ry of the Navy furnish the Senate a
copy ol the proceedings in lhe case of Alex. 8.
Mackenzie.
Mr. Semple introduced a hill for remodelling
the Consular establishment of the United State*.
The Chamber of Commerce of New York bad
recently inetnot ialized Congiere on this subject,
an las the bill wa- important, he moved that
500 extra copies of it be printed fur the use of
merchants and others interested. Ordered to be
printed and referred to lhe Committee on Com
merce.
Mr. Evans, from the Committee on Finance,
reported a bill lor the remission oi duties in cer
tain cases on Railroad iron.
The Act giving compensation to Pension
Agents, in no case exceedingslooo, was taken
up and finally passed.
The Senate pAssed to the discussion of
Mr. M'Dvffie's Bill.
Mr. Bates prefaced his remarks in defence of
the Tariff, by replying to some animadversions
upon Massachusetts, made by the Senator from
New Hampshire. Mr. Woodbury had, as Mr.
B. thought in very bad taste, lauded lhe patriot
ism ofNew Hampshire in a connection to imply
the want of it in Massachusetts. He asked
whose citizens had displayed more zeal during
the war. New Hampshire had 5000 militia,
against 38,000 of Massachusetts, and 1,500 re
gulars, against 6000 of Massachusetts. If the
Senator, however, meant to allude to Governor
Strong and his difference of opinion with the
President—Gov. S. was no more, buthe would
say that for many years he had been his near
neighbor, and never did there live a more high
>i>ind«u, feuturable man.
The Senator from S»C. said that the people
of Massachusetts were robbers, and lived upon
the fruits ot others labors. The people of this
State lived upon the proceeds of their own labor
derived from the sweat of mechanics in lhe
workshops, sailors in all the zones, and men
and women toil ing by the light of the midnight
lamp. The Senator denounced the protective
system as an infernal policy; whether infernal
or suferual, it was bf South Carolina origin
fixed upon the country in 1816 and 1824 hj- South
Carolina votes—it had the stamp of the Pal
metto upon it“-bumt deeply in.
Mr. B. then proceeded to defend this policy
in detail.
_ HOUSE.
Mr. Kennedy of Md. introduced hiscolleague
Mr. Wethered, who wassworn inby the Speak-
Mr. Duncan of Ohio, moved to reconsider
the voteby v’hichthe bill reported by him, on
the subject ot establishing a uniform time for
holding the election of President and Vice Pre
sident iif the United States in the different States,
was referred to the Committee of the. Whole.
The reconsideration was agreed to.
Mr. Duncan then moved to make the bill the
order ofthe day for next Wednesday week—
when the motion was adopted.
Mr. Thomason offered a preamble and reso
lutions adopted by the Legislatureol Kentucky,
in lavor of a reduction of the rates of postage.
Referred and ordered to be printed.
The Chair announced the order of the day,
which was the report ofthe select committee on
the rules.
Mr. Burt, of South Carolina, being entitled
to die floor, addressed the House in favor ot the
21st rule. He characterized the feelingot the
people ol the North on the subject of slavery as
a piece of miserable and huckstering morality.
In the course of his remarks, he commented
with some severity tfn lhe remarks of Mr.
Beardsley on this subject.
Mr. Beardsley explained, and stated that Mr.
Burt had misrepresent'd his remarks. He ex
plained what he had said; but his remaiks and
those of Mr. Burt, to which he replied, were not
distinctly heard.
Mr. Payne, of Alabama, interfered and objec
ted to Mi. Beardsley's taking up the time of Mr.
Burt, who was limited to an hour. Some warm
words passed between the three gentlemen,
which produced considerable excitement among
the members immediately around them.
Mr. Burt went on and was heard to say, that
he was responsible here or elsewhere for his
remarks, and il lhe gentleman fell aggrieved he
had his remedy.
Mr Dillet, of Alabama, got on the floor at
the conclusion of Mr. B. remaiks, and will ad
dress lhe House to-morrow.
An Executive communication was read.
O he bills in relation to lhe improvement of
the m )Uth of Red river, and to the Custom
Hoose at Uiim leston were read a second lime.
Several other bills were rend a second time.
The Cleik of the Senate returned several bills
which had been passed by that body. Among
them one making an apptopriation of $40,000,
for the repair of Pennsylvania Avenue, and
another regulating the-pay of pension agents.
Thejluuse then resolved itself into a Com
mittee of the whole, and took up the Indian Ap
propriation bill.
The clause in th,e bill making an appropria
tion for the Capture of fugitive -laves in Florida,
was discussed al some length by Messrs. Gid
dings and Leary, and the motion to strike out
the clause was lost.
In the course of reading the bill, which is a
very lengthy one, several slight amendments
were made. The bill was then passed over.
The Ilouse then took up the Pension bill.
A message in writing was received from the
President ol the United States.
'Washington, February 22.
IN SENATE.
» The Senate have temporarily laid the bill of
Mr. McDuffie upon the table. Mr. Bates clos
ed his Sj.eech last evening, which produced con
siderable sensation in some quarters ofthe Sen
ate and particularly for the manner in which it
charged lhe origin of the protective system upon
South Carolina,
Mr. McDufli ■ was prompted Io say in con
clusion, that some ol Mr. Bates’s statements
were audacious—that he was glad hehad en
tered upon a review o! the history ofthe Tariff;
&c., and that he should answer him.
'Mr. Wright presented memorials from citi
zens of New York, asking Congress to annul
several ol our so called Reciprocal Treaties
with Foreign Governments. The petitioners
specify the treaties with England, Hamburg,
lienmark and Bremen as specially onerous to
American commerce. They pray also for a
change of lhe existing' commercial treaty be
tween the United States and Texas.
Air. Merrick reported the bill referred to the
committee on Post Offices and Post Roads some
days since, reducing the rates oi postage and
changing the whole system of franking, posta
ge-, mail regulations, &c. The billis cnanged
a little from the original bill reported by Mr:
Merrick, but not as affects the rates of postage
ot lhe flanking privilege.
Mr. Tappan called lor the consideration of a
resolution offered by him yesterday, calling up
on the feccretary ofthe Navy to furnish a copy
ol th: j i. cccdiiigs ol the Court Martial in the
case ol Commander Mackenzie.
: r. King' of Ala. was opposed to the consid
eration ol toe resolution al this time or at all.
What goou was to come of it ?
Mt. Tappan, in reply, said he could not an
ticipate w hether this suoject would result in any
action or not; no authentic account of the So
mers affair had ever been laid before the Amer
ican People, and we had had nothing but garb
led ne spa; er statements in regard to it.
Mr. Buchanan wished for lime to reflect on
the subject, ..nd desired il should lie over anoth
er day. •
Mr. Tappan consented.
Mr. King had no ol jection to postponement,
but he lelt called upon to say a few words in an
swer to the Senator from Ohio.
After a few remarks by Mr. K. the resolution
was passed over lor the day.
Mr. Atchison addressed the Senate upon a
proposition introduced by him »ome time since
for annulling the,article ol the Convention of
1818, ; toinimg so: lhe joint occupation of the
0n ;.’ou mail a yeai’s notice is given by one or
:be oilier parties. Mr. A. made a very earnest
-pci cli in < efi tn e of his proposition, much of
which was bellicose in its character, and rather
cr.lculaled to ip: tease than diminish lhe breach
iie.iuy existing between this country and Eng
land on this subject.
Mr. Choate followed in quite another strain,
givmg the history <4 our title, the progress ot the
■ laim the iutete. ing c\eras grow ing out of the
loii.t occiu ancy, the pending controversy upon
il amt aliu..ii.’g in thoughts that breathe and
wore - H ; i butn" ;every subject having a bear
ing upon it.
ai.. i/: am n ".-ed the adjournment at 3o
ciock ar, i there i. sno objection.
HOUSE.
Mr. Kenrs.’ iy intiuduccd two additional mem
bei -s from Aiaiykind.
M« Catkin and Brenger appeared in their
-<• j-. il s : oming, acd were sworn to support
Ut i. liLUlion ol tl.c Uniied States.
21. s Jti ■ .'l he Hoilm* proceeded at once to
<• < onsjii. rati- n el the orders cf lhe day, Mr.
iKllti ol Ala , being entitled to the floor. Mr.
i >. spoke with much earnestness and ability, mid
i- cojj.uiandeo gieat attention, lie re
. ieued .lie ; r<>(■(_•;dings ot the House upon lhe
ui'.ject 1 Abolition P< uion- m the present ses
turthe pu ; oneot <h<>vving
•vv much Uhie had been ci u itd to this subject
ti how uhr hrti been the inions expressed
evwj
u.’e;ins which mg. ou.lv could devise to evade
heHonse.
Mr. 1). <; •- iii !ied ins .speech, in an animated
• nif . . an ii th ex; ir. lion ul his hour—when
the subject w as passed over.