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quiring mind, so far from being satiated with in
formation, looks forward .into space, and, be
holding the countless shining bodies which ap
pear on every hand, anxiously seeks to discover
their distance, their nature and their capabilities.
These luminaries, from the fact that they have
to us no perceptible motion, have been conven
tionally termed
TUB FIXED STARS.
To the naked eye, these bodies appear to be
equi-distant from us—varying somewhat in
brilliancy, it is true, yet all placed in the com
mon concave of the Heavens. Science disa
buses the mind and corrects these misapprehen-
■ sions. It teaches us, that to the observer upon
■Herschel, the most distant known planet of our
' system, these bodies would still appear at a dis-
■ ahce so far beyond that body, as to be yet only
prints in the great abyss of space.
The question then is, what intervenes? Is
that space mere void and emptiness—or is it
filled with material bodies, rolling onward in
their respective courses, fulfilling their silent
missions, in obedience to the designs and pur-
• poses of the great first.cause I Again we
call science to our aid. And it furnishes us
with a process of analogical reasoning, which
enables us to approximate, at least to a reasona
ble comprehension of
• THAT VAST ABYSS.
Between the nearest fixed star, and the most
remote known planet, there exists a chasm of
many thousand millions of miles, in -which no hea
vymalerial substance exists!l
Now, how do we know this? Let us see.
There is such a power as attraction, which
influences the relations of material bodies.—
This power is felt in proportion to the mass ol
matter. Bodies of great rarity and tenuity, such
as the comets, are very easily and powerfully
influenced by contiguity to denser bodies, such
as the planets. The extent of the power of at
traction is also known to be in proportion to the
squares of the distances of the attracting objects.
Now, we know that the comets traverse space
in every possible direction. Astronomers have
calculated the form and extent of their orbits
• with such accuracy, as to be able to predict with
certainty and precision the time of their return
within the planetary limits. One of these par-
- ticularly, Halley's Comet, is found to revolve in
its orbit, to the distance of about four thousand
stations of miles from the sun, or two thousand
millions beyond the remotest planet of our system.
For seventy-five years it pursues its wild career
through the dark and dreary chasm, and yet
yet returns towards the sun, at the very time pre.
dieted by astronomers. So soon as that body
comes within the limits of our system, it is
found to be more or less controlled in its move
ments by the attraction of the denser masses.
Now, if in its course through space, that
comet had come into contiguity with such ma
terial substances as the planets, or of any other
existence except that of an extremely subtle me
dium, it would either have been attracted out of
its orbit (as in the case of the “ lost comet”) and
not returned at all, or its motions would have
been so affected as to have perceptibly changed
the lime of its return! What is true of Halley’s
Comet, is true of all others, to a great extent.
Hence the conclusion is inevitable, that between
the outer verge of the solar system, and the
nearest material object, there is an immense
chasm, a trackless void, traversed only by
comelic bodies, and other substances of a like
rare and subtle nature.
DISTANCE OF THE FIXED STARS.
This is done precisely as we ascertain the
distance of any other inaccessible object—as in
the case of the moon or the sun. This distinc
tion must be observed however. The length of
the base line, or the distance between the points
of observation, must bear a proper proportion to
the distance of the object to be measured; —
Otherwise the angles will be so imperceptibly
small, that no calculation can be based thereon.
In finding the distance of the sun, the diameter
of the earth formed a base line of sufficient ex
tent ; not so in the case of the fixed stars. As
tronomers then attempted to use the diameter of
the earth’s orbit, by taking their observations at
intervals of six months; but even then, with a
base line of 200,000,000 miles, there could be
discovered no perceptible parallax, and conse
quently no modulus was afforded for a calcula
tion.
M. SESELL’S DISCOVERIES.
In process of time, however, this eminent
Prussian Astronomer So far improved the in
struments used, and the method of taking obser
vations, as to obtain a perceptible parallax, and
thereby furnish the data. Applying these prin
ciples and data to one of the nearest fixed stars,
(61 in the constellation of the Swan) he found
the distance of that body to be 600,000 times the
distance of our earth from the sun I
Now, light travels at the rate of about 200,000
miles every second, or eight times around our
globe lor every >ick of a common clock, or
every flap of a birdswing; and yet, according to
M. Bessell’s estimate, flying with such incon
ceivable swiftness, a single ray would require
ten years to traverse the mighty void between
our planet, and the neaiest fixed star!!
Is it then matter of. astonishment that such
results, almost inconceivable as they are, should
excite a smile of incredulity ? Nay, is not such
incredulity almost an honor to our nature, mau
gre its high endowments ?
WHAT ARE THE STARS?
Reflected light is much less brilliant than that
which emanates from an original source; thus
the light of aplanetis incomparably less than
would be the light of the sun, if he were of the
same dimensions and at the same distance from
us. Indeed, it would be impossible for a body
at the distance of the nearest fixed star to be
seen at all by us, if it shone by reflected light.—
The stars are therefore self luminous bodies;
but in our system the only self luminous body
known is the sun, or centre; therefore, we con
clude that the stars are also suns; and by the
same analogy we also infer that they are the
centres of systems probably not unlike our
own.
THEIR NUMBER AND MAGNITUDE.
The number of stars which can be seen by the
naked eye, has been estimated at one thousand.
Dr. L. remarked, that upon the catalogues of
astronomers, there are enumerated about ten
thousand. But the magnifying, or space-pene
trating power of the telescope, reveals to us the
fact that the white or nebulous appearances to
the naked eye, are really other clusters of stars
—other “ universes." Again, the telescope un
folds to us, even beyond these, yet others still,
whose distance is so immense that they are
indistinct to any optical glasses yet invent
ed. Then, arguing from the known to the un
known, and guided by analogy, we conclude
that their number is absolutely countless. What
an idea, however, does this afford us of the im
mensity of creation!
The difference in the apparent size and bril
liancy of the stars, is owing to the difference of
their distance, as well as their actual magnitude.
Sir Wm. Herschel, has divided those which
are visible to the eye into twelve classes. Those
composing the lower classes are larger and
much less numerous than those of the high
er classes. Dr. L. illustrated this by a dia
gram, representing trees. Those nearer the eye,
of course, occupying less space, and having a
greater visual angle, appear fewer and larger.—
For a similar reason, those further removed,
having greater space, and a smaller visual an
gle, appear smaller and more numerous. Each
of these classes Herschel considers to be as
distant from the other as the nearest is distant
from the earth. If, then, it requires light ten
years to reach the earth from the nearest fixed
stars, it must require it 120 years to reach us
from the most remote, visible to the naked eye! i
But Herschel’s great telescope {.forty foot fo
cus') has two hundred times the space-penetrating
power ol the eye. It therefore reveals objects
two hundred times as distant as the most remote
star perceptible to us: consequently it would re
quire light 24,000 years to reach the earth from
the most distant star which that telescope re
veals to us!!
There is a science called Photometry which
enables us to ascertain the relative intensity of
different lights— to determine, for instance, how
many eandles it would require to give an a
mount of light, equal in brilliancy, to any
specified luminous body, of greater extent and
intensity. This is done by means of the Pho-
tometer, which enables us to ascertain the inten
sity of light just as accurately as with the ther
mometer we can determine the degree of Aeaf
indicated by a particular substance.
Armed with this instrument, Dr. Wollaston
attempted to discover the comparative intensity
of the light of the fixed stars and the sun. The
object selected for his experiments was Sirius,
or the Dog Star. He found that the light of the
Sun was 20,000,000,000 times greater than that
of the Dog Star. Now the intensity of light is
diminished in proportion to the squares of the
distances of objects. Then the sun would have
to be removed to 140,000 limes his present dis
tance to emit the same light as the Dog Star;
but we have ascertained that the Dog Star is
600,000 limes as distant from us as the Sun;
therefore the light of the former is fourteen
limes as intense as of the latter! Sirius is then
probably 14 times as large as the sun!!
DOUBLE STARS.
By means of the Telescope we ascertain that
occasionally the stars appear to be double; that
is, held together by means of the power of their
attractions. These are generally colored stars,
and associated according to the affinity of their
colors; thus, red and blue &c.
The Lecture concluded with an exhibition of
several of the constellations, presenting a most
interesting and attractive appearance, especially
when the full figure of the object represented in
each was thrown upon the canvass.
The grand Uranorama, or moving Telescopic
view of the Heavens, was then presented, and
explained at length.
The audience, we are happy to add, notwith
standing the inclemency of the evening, was
quite large.
No. 6.
On this occasion the Dr. delivered his cele
brated Bridgewater Lecture, showing “that the
being and attributes of a God are indicated in
the works of Nature.” We have assembled,
said the learned lecturer, to hear, as it were,
THE MORAL OF THE TALE.
Let us then see what inferences may be drawn
from the sublime truths which have been de,
veloped in our previous brief, and necessarily
hurried discourses.
The great mass of our information is derived
from two sources, “the Book of Nature or the
Book of Revelation.” Each contains its dis
tinctive and appropriate truths—truths which,
however important in themselves, are never
theless not wholly independent of each other.
The light from the pages of the one, sheds its
lustre over those of the other, and exhibits num
berless truths, both in physics and morals,
which are essential to our happiness and well
being, both here and hereafter. Each must be
perused with a modestand enquiring spirit, as
each is liable to be misconstrued and misappre
hended when approached under the influence of
pride or presumptuous arrogance.
Happy would it be, if those who are the pro
perly constituted guardians of the morals and
the religious opinions of the masses, and who,
generally so worthily and so faithfully, minis
ter from the pulpit, the divine ordinances of our
holy religion, would more frequently blend
moral and physical truths in their teachings,
and draw instructive lessons from the sublime
yet mysterious works of nature, to illustrate and
enforce those equally sublime and ennobling
truths dictated by the wisdom of inspiration and
recorded in the writings of the prophets and
apostles of old.
Nature doesnot teach us everything. Nei
ther does revelation. Each must be consider
ed as the means to accomplish a desired end.
Each therefore furnishes us only with such
truths as are necessary to the fulfilment of the
design and purpose of their existence.
WHAT NATURE DOES NOT TEACH.
Nature does not afford us a certain knowl
edge of a future state of existence, subsequent
to the decay and dissolution of our present or
ganization ; though a general and comprehen
sive understanding of physical science does af
ford us some glimpses of such an existence.
NATURE DOES NOTHING IN VAIN.
In everything we discover a certain adapta
tion of the means to the end. No animal, for
instance, has strength or swiftness, or any other
quality, in a degree greater than is necessary
for defence, attack, &c. Even its instincts are
equal only to its wants and to guard it against
those species of food, which from their noxious
qualities would tend to enfeeble its powers or
destroy its existence.
HOW IS IT WITH MAN ?
It is not so with the human species. Man,
though in infancy the feeblest of all creation,
develops powers altogether above his wants
in this life. The very attainment ofthatknow
ledge of physical nature which has been devel
oped in our investigations of the heavenly bodies,
shows that he l as capacities of reasoning and
powers of discrimination, altogether beyond his
mere temporal wants or gratifications. If then
nature does nothing in vain, these powers must
have a use; but we can discover no adequate
use for tnem in this life; therefore analogy, rea
son, science, all conspire “to point out a here
after.”
Yet this is but a glimpse—the noble truth, in
its fullness and its particulars, we obtain only
from the volume of revelation.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
does clearly teach us, however, certain truths,
in relation to the existence of a Creative Being,
of infinite power, skill and goodness. To prove
this is the object of the Speaker. His observa
tions will be confined mainly to the Solar Sys
tem, being that part of the universe to which
the reflections of the auditory had been princi
pally directed, during the course, and because
that ground had not, to the Lecturer’s knowl
edge, been pre-occupied by writers on the exist
ence and attributes of a God.
1. The Solar System must either have been
the production of a being possessed of power
and goodness, or
2. It must have been the result of chance, or
3. It must have existed eternally: the material
particles having, from time to time, only chang
ed their relations and not their nature.
Des Cartes
and others maintained the latter view, viz: that
matter is eternal. If so, then its properties must
also have been eternal. In other words, what
philosophy teaches us of the nature and proper
ties and tendencies of material substances at
this time, must always have been equally true.
Now, suppose the Solar System, consisting
of the Sun, the planetsand their satellites, to
have always existed in space, and been subject
to no designing power—nothing save only the
laws which govern and control matter—what
would have been the result?
Physical science teaches that the Sun, being
vastly the most ponderous body, would have set
tled to the centre, and that the planets would
have revolved in orbits of some kind or other.
But Newton has demonstrated that those or
bits would have been elliptical and not circular.
Now, the orbits of the planets are circular and
not elliptical, like those of the comets; therefore
their motions are not in obedience to the known
laws of matter, and must have been the result
of design. But design implies, necessarily, the
pre-existence of an intelligent, designing being;
therefore the system could not have existed
eternally, but was the production of a being
having certain attributes, such as power, skill
and goodness.
The learned lecturer proceeded further to ex
hibit proofs of the pre-existence of a designing
being, possessed ol the above attributes.
1. The circular orbits of the planets are essen
tial to the support of animal and vegetable life ;
otherwise, as in the case of the comets, we would
be exposed to the alternate extremes of consum
ing heat, and insupportable cold, under which
no organized beings known to us could at all
exist.
2. The diurnal motion of these bodies, or their
revolutions upon their own. axes, giving us the al
ternations of day and night, are equally neces
sary to the well being of plants and animal ex
istences.
3. The Planets have their orbits all in the
same place. They also all revolve around the
sun in the same direction. These are not, ne
cessarily, the result of the laws of nature; ye t
Newton has shown them to be absolutely essen
rial to avoid endless confusion in their move
ments, arising from their counter-attractions, and
influences ; which would result, if the Planets
moved, as do the Comets, in various directions
and at different angles.
4. So also, the particular inclinations of their
azes, affording the grateful alternations of the
seasons, with their varied productions, &c. &c.
5. The atmosphere, stimulatingand sustaining
the vital f unctions, and the separation of “ the
water from the diy land,” &c. &c., are equally
essential to life and happiness.
THE CONCLUSIONS.
Do we not in all these behold a most striking,
palpable adaptation, of the means to the end ?
How could all this be the mere result of chance?
Ask La Place, the author of the great work on
Probabilities, and he would tell us that the
chances of any single one of these bodies, mov
ing as they do, for instance, would be as one to
ten thousand millions! What then shall be
said of the folly, the absolute madness, which
would attribute all of these results to such a
cause ? Contempt, would be a feeling certainly
too mild for a man, who, in view of such uni
formity, among such a multitude of causes and
effects, could attribute them to the wild enact
ments of a blind chance,or to any thing else
than to a pre-existent being, possessed of infinite
power, matchless skill and consumate good
ness.
Numberless other evidences of design equal
ly striking might be adduced, such as the doctrine
of disturbances in the planetary movements ; but
the limits of a single lecture forbid such minute
details. One or two more, however, would be
presented.
THE DENSITY OF THE EARTH
is one of the most striking evidences of adapta
tion and design. This is the cause of weight
or gravity; it is estimated at about five times
that of water. That is, the globe of our earth
weighs as much as a globe of water of five times
the earth’s bulk would weigh. Now, weight is
in proportion to attraction, and attraction is in
proportion to the quantity of matter in the at
tracting body; but the quantity of matter in any
given body is in proportion to its density; then
it follows, that if the earth were ten times as
dense as it is, that all bodies on its surface
would have their weight rinceased in the same
proportion and vice versa. Now if the weight
of men and animals were ten times as great as
it now is, it is plain that there could be no loco
motion and therefore no adaptation of the means
to the end. So, on the other hand, if men were
only one tenth as heavy as they now are, their
locomotion would be too free; and the same mus
cular power which now enables them to take a
step in walking, would then cause them to bound
into the air likea ball! Again, the adaptation
would be incomplete, and there would be no evi
dence of a designing being.
Now it is vain to reply that the constitution
of men and animals would adapt themselves to
this new state of things. Phisyology is at war
with such a conclusion.
This adaptation, therefore, is the result of de
sign; but this also implies the pre-existence of
a designing being—hence we infer the existence
of a God.
VEGETATION.
In the economy of vegetation, it is found,
that a certain dust or powder, which is produc
ed in one part of a flower must be deposited up
on another part. This is necessary to the per
petuation of the species. Now, some flowers
droop, others are erect; yet it so happens in the
mechanism of each that the pistils and stamens
are so arranged, and c I ouch a length, that in both
oases the one producing this prociealive powder
is most distant from the earth, so that the sim
ple power of gravitation deposites the dust in
its appropriate place.
Now if the earth were more or less dense than
it is—if it fuinished a different amount of sus
tenance to the planets than is now furnished, the
positions of the flowers would be changed, and
in that event, their perpetuation of tbeirspecies
would be Thus would their adapta
tion be destroyed, as would the evidences of the
design, the goodness and the power of their Crea
ting Being.
HEARING.
To the perfect enjoyment of this sense three
things are essential, viz :
1. The tympanum or drum of the ear.
2. The presence of a sounding body.
3. The atmosphere, or an elastic fluid to con
vey the pulsations to the tympanum, thereby ex
citing the sensations.
Aeronauts, on ascending some 20 to 22,000
feet into the less dense regions of the atmos
phere, discover that the human voice is scarce
ly audible. The report of a pistol is scarcely
louder than that of a popgun, and a clap of
thunder resembles the explosion of a small blad
der. Now the earth might not have had any
atmosphere, as the moon and other bodies have
none; but the earth and habitable planets have
atmospheres; therefore we infer adaptation and
design.
Again, design implies a pre-existent intelligent
designing being. Such niceadaptation implies
infinite skill and goodness: hence we conclude
that the investigations of astronomers and the
modern discoveries of science, so far from im
pairing our faith in divine revelation should on
ly tend to confirm us in the belief of the exist
ence of a great, First Cause, of matchless pow
er, wisdom and goodness.
The Dr.’s whole argument was very logical,
and to our mind irresistibly conclusive. The
entertainment concluded with an exhibition of
dioramas, explanatory of the motions of the
earth—the tides—the Aurora Borealis and Wa
ter Spouts, &c—all upon a most splendid and
imposing scale. S. T. C.
From the N. O. Picayune, March 21.
Later from Mexico.—By the arrival yes
terday ot the schooner Pilot, Capt. Everson, we
have Vera Cruz dates up to the 11th inst., and
from the city ot Mexico to the 7th.
All was quiet in the interior of the country,
but those well versed in Mexican affairs think
that Santa Anna is. hatching some plan at
Manga de Clavo for the overthrow of the pre
sent Congress. The first grilo, or cry, will
probably be heard at a distance from the capi
tal, in order that the people may not think Santa
Anna has any hand, part or lot in the matter.
Perhaps it will be first heard in San Luis, lor
Gutierrez, the commandante general of that de
partment, is represented as a fit tool to play such
a pastel, or trick.
Business is said to be extremely dull in Mexi
co, with little prospect of improvement. That
Government of ever-changing and onerous ta
riffs is about to try its hand again, some new
project being tn contemplation by the Minister
of the Hacienda, with Santa Anna pulling the
wires.
The U. S. Brig of war Bainbridge arrived at
Vera Cruz on the Bth inst., and it was said
would remain some days.
Joseph Greenham, formerly of New York, but
for many years a distinguished merchant of
Vera Cruz, died at that city on the 6th inst.—
He was the owner of some ten or twelve cotton
factories in Mexico, and was supposed to be
worth some five millions of dollars."
Among the men-of-war lying off Sacrificios,
in addition to the Bainbridge, was the British
frigate Rose, and another the name of which
was unknown; one Spanish, one French, and
one English brig.
Mr. Bankhead, the British minister, arrived
on the 10th inst. at Vera Cruz.
Among the passengers by the Pilot were Capt.
Bredalle, and Messrs. White, Oscar and Jordan.
These are the persons whom we mentioned some
time since as having been arrested at Vera Cruz
on the suspicion that they were Texans, and
that their object in visiting Mexico was to take
the life of Santa Anna. After remaining in
prison four months they were finally released.
Col. Costello, the officer who had them acquitted,
is said to be himself a prisoner in Perote, and is
to be tried by a court martial. The real inten
tions of the tour Americans were to dig for mo
ney in the vicinity of Vera Cruz.
Serious difficulties are anticipated with the
French Government by the Mexicans. One of
the points at issue is the claim of indemnity tor
83,000,000 from Mexico for the expenses of the
war which ended with the capture ofSan Juan
de Ulloa, in 1838. Further, complaint is made
against the recent decree of Santa Anna, pro
hibiting the retail trade to foreigners, which con
fiscates goods imported under former laws. The
French Minister declares that this decree is con
trary to the law of nations. An express arrived
from Mexico on the 7th inst. from the French
minister with despatches for the commander of
the Brillante, the purport of which itissaid.isto
request him to delay his projected departure, and
to assemble his forces now in the Gulf at Vera
Cruz. All eyes at the latter place were turned
toward the British Minister, just arrived; for it
was thought that on his arrival at the city of
Mexico, there would be a meeting of the foreign
ministers, and decided steps taken in relation to
the recent obaoxious decrees.
Other than the above, we could gain little
information ol importance in relation to Mex
ico.
trS"Abill has passed the New York Legis
lature providing for the employmentof the con
victs of that State, in mining operations. This
measure has given great satisfaction to the
mechanics of Albany.
Owirtrir .ino =»rnt(nrl
ALGU S T A .
FOR PRESIDENT,
HENRY CLAY,
OF KENTUCKY:
■The Farmer of Ashland—the Patriot and Philan
thropist—the American Statesman, and
unrivaled Orator of the age.”
“Let me not be misunderstood—and I entreat
that I may not be misrepresented. lam NOT
advocating the revival of a HIGH PROTEC
TIVE TARIFF. IAM FOR ABIDING
BY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE COM
PROMISE ACT. 1 am for ioing what no
Southern man of fair candid mind ever yet de
nied—giving to the country a revenue which may
provide for the economical wants of the Govern
ment, and al the same time giving incidental pro
tection to our home industry.”— Speech of Henry
Clay in the U. S. Senate, March 1, 1842.
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 26.
Rev. Dr. Capers, of S. C.—This gentleman
has addressed a letter to the Editors of the Rich
mond Whig, denying that he had delivered a
speech at an Alabama Whig Convention, pro
nouncing a high eulogium upon Mr. Clay, as
had by some of the newspapers of the day been
attributed to him.
The speech in question was delivered by the
Rev. Mr. Capers, of Alabama, perhaps a relative
of Dr. Capers of S. C.—and hence the error in
confounding the names by those wlu were igno
rant of the parties.
The Doctor, in his disclaimer, has however
made a disclosure, in saying that he has not vo
ed for any civil officer in twenty-four years,
which, in our estimation, is much less creditable
to him as a good citizen, than the speech referred
to would have been discreditable to his reputa
tion as a divine: lor we regard it as a most so
lemn duty of every good citizen, whether he be,,
a clergyman or not, to go the polls and cast his
vote for those whom he deems most worthy and
competent. All good men are interested in the
preservation of law and order, and none more so
than a minister of lhe ’ospel; and they should
certainly manifest sufficient interest in the af
fairs of the government ogo to the polls and
vote—and this even clergymen can do, without
“ bandying politics.”
Dodge’s Portrait or Mr. Clay.—We are
pleased to state, that Mr. J. T. Diossy, the ugent
for the sale in this state, of the splendid Portrait
of Mr. Clay, taken during the last summer by
Mr. J. W. Dodge, and engraved on steel by Mr.
H. S. Sadd, has arrived in our city, with some
copies of this fine print, and would be happy to
receive orders for the same from all who may be
desirous of possessing this admirable likeness
of the eminent American Statesman. A speci
men of this work of art may be seen at our
Reading Room.
The N. Y. Courier & Enquirer-^excellentau
thority—thus notices this Portrait:
“The Engraving is about twenty-five inches
by seventeen, and is on the whole an exceedingly
spirited sac simile of the original picture, which
we have already said, and take occasion to say
again, is beyond all dispute the best, likeness ever
yet taken of H enry Cl.iy. It is becoming com
mon to pronounce the latest likeness ot Mr.
Clay, the best, and several ol them deserve high
praise ; but, we appeal to those, at all familiar
with the great statesman, to say whether they
have ever before seen any thing approaching
the accuracy ot this likeness. Sure we are ot
the answer. They never did. Mr. Clay’s
likeness is not only admirable—nay, as near
perfection as it is in human effoit lo reach—but
the likeness of the accessories is equally true.
Ashland is as faithfully 1 imped as jts illustrious
proprietor, The Mansion House, llqe herds,
and the charming grounds abput the house are
drawn most perfectly to nature. All these are
capitally preserved in the engraving, and even
Dodge ought to be satisfied with the effort ofbis
brother artist. As a mere picture, it is certainly
one of the most attractive, that can be carried
into the drawing room, and the most faithful and
life-like resemblance to the original; as the
last and undoubtedly the best likeness of a great
man whose memory will last as long as the
language, it is invaluable to the countrymen of
Mr. Clay.” '
Cotton Burnt.—We find lhe following in
formation in the Charleston papers of yesterday,
of which we had received verbal intelligence in
the morning, by the Steamer Santee. The state
ment with regard to the insurance is incorrect,
as we learn that near or quite half of the cdttori*
was insured in this city. The entire loss will
probably reach 22 or 8’23,000.
Georgian Office, I
Savannah, March 23, 1814. J
Seven Hundred and Eight Bales Cotton
Destroyed.—We leatn from Captain Creswell,
of the steamer Hamburg, arrived on Friday
evening, from Augusta, that on Thursday morn
ing, about 11 o’clock, near Hogs-Nose, about
70 miles above Savannah, the towboat No. 1,
was discovered to be on fire on the outside lower
tier of Cotton, and before it could be reached the
whole side was enveloped in Haines; the wind
was blowing flesh at the time, caused it to burn
withgreatrapidity. Capt Cress .< e:l immediate,
ly endeavored to scuttle the boat, but in vain; as
the fire was so intensely hot that they could not
approach the boat.
They succeeded in throwing overboard a num
ber of bales that weie considerably burned, and
after reaching the water they were entirely con
sumed by the fire.
The whole boat and cargo are a total loss,
there being, as we are informed, no insurance.
It was with great difficulty that Capt. C. extri
cated the steamer and other towboat (which was
also laden with cotton) from the one on fire.
We are happy to state that no one was in
jured.
Explosion and loss of life. —The Peters’
burgh Intelligencer, of the 23d inst. states that
the boiler of a locomotive, on the Petersburg!! and
Roanoke Railroad, exploded on the morning of
the 22d inst., causing lhe death oftheengineer,and
a black fireman; also scalding another black
fireman. One of the cars had got off the track,
and the train had been stopped to replace the car-
Immediately on star ing lhe engine again, the
explosion took place. The engineer's body was
cut into three pieces—the head being thrown
some fifty yards in one direction, the trunk car
ried a like distance in an opposite direction, and
the lower extremities some forty yards in a third
direction. He isrepresented in the Intelligencer
to have been a very prudent and careful engi
neer.
Fire at New Orleans. —A fire broke out,
on'the night of the 19th instant, in a three story
brick building in this city, occupied as a depot
for spirit gas and camphitte oil, which was de
stroyed, together with two ti.iee-story brick
buildings adjoining it —one occupied as a lutni
ture shop, and the other as a wine and liquor
store. The contents of lhe latter buildings were
also principally destroyed. The loss, in all, is
put at 825,000.
The most lamentable part of the accident,
however, was the injury of several of the fire
men by the falling of the walls of one of the
buildings. One of these men has since died.
The editor ot the Chattanooga Gazette—
a true-blooded whig, be it said by the way—thus
foots up an account current with one of his sub
scribers. But it strikes us the matter must have
proved rather a toot-less one to our cotemporary,
notwithstanding the character of the remittancel
“ By mail, a few evenings ago, we received a
pair of new boots from a subscriber, in payment
of his subscription. We thank our subscribers
for sending us any thing, from a grindstone up;
but when it is weightier matter than the law al
lows, it had better not be put in the mail."
Emigration of Loafers.—The Picayune
says :—Quite a number of strange loafers—
seedy-looking customers in out-at-elbow coats
—have been seen in our principal bar-rooms
within the past two or three days. It is pre
sumed that the abolishment ot lunches at Mo
bile has driven them to this city.
TV The Washington correspondent of the
Newark Advertiser says :—“ I learn that there
is no truth whatever in the report of Capt.
Stockton’s having adopted two children ot the
late Capt. Kennon, forthe purposes ofeducation.
How it may be respecting his donation said to
have been made to Mrs. Gilmer, I am unable
to say. Perhaps the latter may be so, or both
acts ot generosity contemplated.”
O’ The Boston papers speak of a heavy snow
storm which commenced there on Friday night,
the 15lh March, and continued until Saturday
morning.
JV Three large four story brick warehouses
on Pearl street, in Louisville, owned by Samu
el K. Page, Esq., were destroyed by fire on
Thursday lasi—loss 312,000.
Burke County Whig Club.
At a meeting of a portion ol the Whig patty
ol Burke county, held in Waynesboro, on Fri
day, the 22d of March, 1814, the following gen
tlemen were appointed a committee, to prepare
and report a preamble and lesolutions for the
formation ot a Clay Club in the County of
Burke: Col. T. M. Berrien, Major John B.
Gordon, Major Elijah Bryne, S. W. Blount, and
Bailey Carpenter, having retired for a few
moments, made lhe following report:
The experience of the past, and particularly
the course pursued, in the year 1840, by the
Democratic parly, in the Presidential campaign,
in attempting to mislead public opinion, as to
lhe character and principles of the Whig candi
date for the Presidency—and the recent Con
vention of the Democratic party, proving their
determination to use every effort,for a thorough
organization of that parly, in every county in
the State—admonish us, thatlhe Whigs of Geor
gia should prepare themselves for delence
against their assaults, and if need be, to carry
the wat into the camp of their political enemies.
The most successful method of effecting this
object is believed to be, in the organization ot
County Clubs; thereby affording facilities for
the dissemination of political information more
expeditiously, more cettainly and more efficient
ly-
The Whigs of Burke County therefore re
solve, that they will form themselves into an as
sociation, to be called the Clay Club of Burke
Bounty. The object of the association, shall
be, to sustain the Whig principles as promul
gated in 1840, and as further developed in the
action ot the Whig Congress in 1841; and in
furtherance of this object to support the patriot
statesman, the great and enlightened advocate
t>! tlie-e principles, Henry Clay of Kentucky,
for the office of chief magistrate ot the United
States, at the approaching presidential elec
tion.
Resolved further, That the Society shall con
sist of a President, eight Vice Presidents, a re
cording and corresponding Secretary, and a
Treasurer. That the President, or in his ab
sence a Vice President, shall preside at the meet
ings of the Society, which shall meet on the call
of. lhe President, or in his absence of one of the
-Vice Presidents, who shall hold their office until
fife 4th ot Match, 1845.
That the Whigs of Burke county, shall be
considered as members of this Club, and such
others ot other counties as may wish to unite
with us.
All contributions for incidental expenses of
lhe Club shall be gratuitous.
Which report being read, was unanimously
adopted,
The following gentlemen were unanimously
elected as officers of the Club, viz:
Thomas Moore Berrien, President.
James M. Reimolds, Juki; B Gordon, Charles
Benton, James R. Royal, Elijah Bryne, Alexander
Carswell, Bails} Carpenter, and Benjamin Mob
by, Vice Presidents.
Joseph B. Joius, Corresponding Secretary.
Thomas H. Blount, Recording Secretary.
Robert Y. Harris, Treasurer.
Resolved, That a Committee (to be appoint
ed by the Chair) be nominated, lo make selec
tion of some suitable person, to address Mr.
Clay on his entrance into the village ol Waynes
boro, on Monday afternoon, the 25th instant.
The committee reported that they had made
selection of Joseph B. Jones, Esq., which was
unanimously agreed to.
The following committee were appointed to
meet Mr. Clay at the 80 Mile Station, on the
Central Rail Road, and in connection with the
committee from Augusta, to escort him to this
place, viz ; John George, William Bell
Willoughby Barton, James A. Corker, John
Palmier, Drury Corker, James M. Reynolds
James H. Royal, Ezekiel Williams and Calvin
B. Churchill.
On motion, Resolved, that when this Club
shall adjourn, ii adjourn to meet on Monday
next 10 o’clock, A. M.
On motion,the Club adjourned.
THOS. MOORE BERRIEN, President.
T, H. Blount, Secretary.
Later From Texas.
By the arrival yesterday (March 19) of the
steamship Neptune, Capt. Rollins, we have
Galveston dales to the 16th inst.
Everything appears to lie quiet on the Mexi
can and Indian frontiers, our files not contain
ing even a line of news upon the subject of
depredation,
The Galveston Weekly News of the 14th
inst. says—“ Exchequers are still held in the
market at about sixty cents. From the recent
heavy arrivals, we should be inclined to believe
thalthey will not be lower forsome time. They
are, however, taken for only fifty cents at the
custom-house.”
Speaking of lhe prospects oi Texas and of
annexation, the same editor has the tbllwing :
We believe, should the project of annexation
nth be consummated soon, we shall be inclined
to pray the part of some others, and say Texas
don’t want annexation no how, aud didn’t from
the lact is, the prospects of the
country are becoming everyday more flattering.
Within the past four or five days, no less than
as many foreign vessels have arrived, the most
of them filled with emigrants. A day or two
ago, we announced the arrival of a brig from
Antwerp, with 136 emigrants; there is now an
other outside from Amsterdam, with 150, and
we learn that others are daily expected. The
country is certainly going ahead, and could the
difficulties which have hitherto existed be set
tled in some manner, so as to give a prospect of
permanent peace, no doubts can be entertained
of the immediate prosperity and rapid advance
ment of the country.”
Several disturbances have taken place upon
two or three of ti e plant;.tions on the Brazes.
One overseer was killed, and a Mr. Torrey was
recently’ attacked and only saved his life by
great courage.
We see, bythe Houston Telegraph, that Col.
Snively has recently returned after a successful
tour in search ofa silver mine. Col. S. received
information, from one of the Mexicans captured
by him near Santa Fe last summer, that a
remarkably rich and productive mine was once
worked by the Spaniards near the sources olthe
Leona, a tributary of Indian or Little River,
which empties into the Brazos near Nashville.
Immediately' after his return from Santa Fe, he
went with asmallpany, and after a very tedious
and prot-acted search, found the n ine in the bed
of the stream, and near it an old furnace, the
remains of several crucibles, and a number
crowbars, pickaxes, &c., all nearly’ consumed
with rust. The mine is situated about one
hundred and fifty miles from Nashville, and lies
nearly West from that place. Col. Snively,
we learn, intends to engage a company ot mi
ners, to reopen the mine in the course ofa few
months. Iftne description ot it be correct, the
mine must be exceedingly valuable, and the
ore, although yielding but a small proportion of
silver, is found in such abundance that its pro
ducts may rival those oi several ot the mines of
CHhuahna.
The Civilian of the 16th inst. says.—“ There
is more shipping, (tonnage,) a greater number
oipeople, more money, and more general com
fort, contentmentandejoyment at Galveston now
then we have ever before witnessed.”
The above are the only items of intelligence we
could glean from our exchange papers.— N.
Orleans Pic.
A church papkuiid!—lt is stated in the
Lowell Advertiser, that the interior of a Univer
salist church in that city is now undergoing a
novel repair—that of papering the walls and
ceiling. The paper n-ed for the walls is a
beautiful iit.il-tti-"' ■ f granite blocks, wnich
gives the interior ul’li>c kuucture a very massive
appearance.
From the Mobile Advertiser, March 22d.
Steamboat Burnt.—The fine steamer Row
ena, Capt. Lyles, was entirely consumed by
fire, the night before lasi, in this port. The
boat arrived here from Gainsville, at about half
past 8 o’clock in the evening, having on board
473 bales of cotton, and about 70 cabin passen
gers. The fire, which some think was the
work of an incendiary, was discovered a few
minutes before 12 o’clock, breaking out near
the splash door of the starboard wheelhouse.
The flat nes spread with such amazing rapidity,
that the passengers and crew had barely time to
escape with their lives in their night dresses
and nearly naked —some taking their clothes in
their hands and flying to the wharf to put them
on. Arriving so very late in the evening, very
few of the passengers had left the boat, and
fewer still had removed their baggage. Indeed,
serious apprehensions are entertained that
some may have perished in the flames. Sever
al of the crew saved their lives by letting them
selves down into the water and holding on to
the stern of the beat till they received assistance
from the shore. As soon as it was thought all
the passengers had made their escape, the boat
was cut loose from her fastenings, and the wind
blowing fresh from the north-west, she drifted
outward into the stream. In dropping down,
hrwever, she passed so near to the steamer
New Era, that the flames communicated with
her several times, and it was only with the ut
most exertions this boat was saved from des
truction. The Rowena had discharged none
of her cargo, and what was really painful to
witness, was the destruction of 12 or 15 head of
cattle that were confined on the forecastle and
guards of the boat. We learn there were about
B*ooo insured on the boat, and a partial insur
ance on the cotton. The boat is now a total
wreck, having drifted down to the North East
ern point of Pinto’s Island, where she burnt to
the water’s edge.
Worthy of Imitation. —Mr. Mann of Bos
ton, in his late School report, says that in Hol
land he saw what he had never seen elsewhere,
bnt that which ought to be in every school—the
actual weights and measures of the country.
These were used not only as a means ol convey
ing useful knowledge, but of mental exercises
and cultivation,
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 27.
Mr. Clay in Augu st*.
The reception of this distinguished gentleman
by ourCitizensyesterday, wasall, naymoicthan
was anticipated even by his most enthusiastic
admirers. Attended by the Sub-Committee’
and a large cavalcade of gentlemen, he arrived
at about half past two O ’clock, and after passing
through the principal -streets, proceeded at once
• 0 the spacious park in front of the City Hall,
where the almost ent ire mass off he citizens, and a
large concourse of strangers, were assembled lo
welcome him to the hospitalities of the place.
Henry H. Cumming, Esq., on the part of the
Committee, addressed him, touching briefly, but
most appropriately, upon various points ot his
life and public services, welcoming him cordial
ly to Augusta, and tendering to him those civili
ties which are always so appropriately bestowed
upon the faithful public servant.
Mr. Clay responded in a speech of about an
hour and thFee qua rters in length, abound ing in
many passages of deep and thrilling {interest.
Il is not our purpose to paiticularize at present
Suffice it to say, that it was just such a speech
as might have been expected from its distin
guished author plain, simple, frank,clear andun
equivocal. No unprejudiced person co uld have
listened to it without being impressed with the
candor and sincerity of the speaker.
Alter the address, which was received with
the most unequivocal manifestations of pleasure
and satisfaction by the vast assemblage, Mr.
Clay was escorted to his private lodgings, at the
residence of his intimate friend and former w ard,
Mrs. Tubman.
Mr. Clay, attended bythe Committee, will re
ceive the visits of the citizens, at the Masoni c
Hall, this morning, between the hours of pleven
and two o’clock. Also, the visits of ladies, and
gentlemen accompanying them, at the same
place, in the evening, from eight to eleven.
We cannot close without remarking that, du
ring the evening, a large and enthusiastic meet
ing of our political friends was held at the City
Hall, and addressed bj’ Messrs. Toombs and
Stephens—the latter gentleman having just ar
rived from Washington, on his way to Warren
Court, to attend to some important professional :
business.
Mr. Clay’s visit to Madison and Greens
boro.— We regret to learn that, in conseqaenc*
of Mr. Clay’s indisposition and excessive fa
tigue, he is compelled to decline visiting Greens
boro and Madison. He will, however, remain
in this city until Monday morning; and, as
there will doubtless be an extra day-train on the
Georgia Railroad, we hope that the citizens in
the middle section of Georgia, will avail them
selves of lhe opportunity to pay their respects to
him.
Gen. P. B. Porter.—We regret to learn
that the life of Gen. Peter B. Porter, of New
York, is dispaired of. Gen. P. is one of the
most eminent citizens ot the State in which, he
resides—and in Congress, the Cabinet, and the
field, has done his country much service. He
has long been laboring under a painful disease
—and which, it seems, is now about to put a pe
riod to his useful life. Gen. P. has resided at
Niagara Falls for many years—and, from the
first period of his existence, may be said to have
been identified with tne history of West ern New
York—in which section ot our country, no ci
tizen has ever .-stood higher in the estimation
ot his countrymen. Gen. P. is now verging on
seventy years of age.
' Sunbeams.’’—The signs of the ti mes in Penn
sykania are anything but favourable to Van
Buren and bis friend, Parson Muhlenberg. A
very short, time since, in the Borough ol'Harris
burgh—where the standing locofoco majority,
heretofore, has been over 200—the Anri-Muh
lenb ergers made a rally, and carried their whole
ticket in, high anddry, against the utmost efforts
of their locofoco opponents.
Again, during the last week, the Whigs of the
Borough ot York, another stronghold of t rie ja
cobins, came out under the broad bannero f Clay
and Markle, and swept that place clean also!
They left not a vestige of the disorganize) rs.
Further yet! Since the foregoing was writ
ten, we see that the Borough of Chamber: fourgh
has been sunbeaming it in the same manner, for
the first time, except in 1840!
But out of compassion to our opponents w< - will
send them ‘ no. more reports’ such as these a tth is
time. We will be merciful, and admin iste r on
ly homoepathic doses. But, verily, it does seem
as though the very mischief was getting in to the
Dutch! We shall have Tippecanoe times al!
over again in the Keystone state!
Bishop of Charleston. —The Rev. Igna
tius A. Reynolds, ot Louisville, and a native
of Kentucky, was to have been ordained, on the
19th inst., in St. Pete ’s Cathedral, Cincinnati,
as Bishop of Charleston, S. C., in place of
Bishop England.
Alarming to goodmorals!—We learn, with
great concern, from the north, that a Mr. Jarvis,
of Maine, contemplates a great case ot seduc
tion —no less than that of the whole locofoco
legislature and voters of Maine 1 He offers his
valuable services for three months as a stutnp
orator, in the cause of locofocois m, if the “de
mocratic” members of the Legislature will re
fuse to accept that State’s share of the land
money—which he designates as a “ paltry bribe.”
We hardly know how the pure-minded “.demo
cratic” legislators of Maine can resist this at
tempt to seduce them from their duty to their
constituents. The bribe ofl ered by Mr. Jarvis
for a surrender of their virtue is enormous!
“Three months services on the slump! How
can they withstand this? They will surely
have to strike to “ noble Jarvis!”
How it was done!—The Madisonian says,
that the locofoco candidate for Congress in the
Alleghany District, Pa., lost his election, “ be
cause the President’s friends no longer support
ed him.” The “ Democracy” should take warn
ing in season! The “Captain’s” friendswill
surely play the deuce with them yet.
ryMr. Van Buren’s organ at Albany, the
Argus, is beginning to be seriously alarmed at
the “signs ot the times.” It piteously in
quires—
“ Are the republicans [jacobins] of th is State,
and ot truth we may saj- of all the States, fully
impressed with the necessity of forming bonds
of union? Have they looked all their dangers
full in the lace ?”
They i.ove looke I. them “full in the lace,”
and areevery when t.-.ruingpal- at the sight!
“ Sunbeams!”—The locofoco editors, a short
time since, when announcing such chance vic- '
tories as fell to the arms of the jacobins, headed
them with the word, “Sunbeams!” As they
have not had much use for it lately, we find
that the Philadelphia Forum has unceremoni- <
ously borrowed it, to announce the Whig tri- ,
umphs that are every where taking place. But .
those are sunbeams in which our locofoco bre- :
thren do not love to bask. They make them ’
feel “all over so!” t
The erudite conductors of the Jacobin
press, in Pennsylvania, are uttering loud com- ‘
plaints over the “ignorance” ofGen. Markle, the ,
Whig Candidate for governor of that State. 1
They say he makes shocking havoc of “ the ‘
King’s English.” U. S. Gazette execuse s him,
by saying that it was a trick he learned under
Harrison in 1812, when “he certainly did play j
the mischief with the King’s English”—and his (
savages also!—“and has not much improved j
since that time.” As the loeofbeos are known
in Pennsylvania as “Kickapoos,” they had bet- t
ter be on their guard, lest the old “ figb ting cap- 1
tain” should take to his old tricks again! The c
virulence and ill temper of the jacobins, how- J
ever, go far to convince us, that the Wffiigs will
carry Pennsylvania. When a disputant flies
into a passion, it is pretty conclusive evidence t
that he finds the chances are against him.
a
g~j*The Columbia Cotton Factory, on the
Herring Run, near Baltimore, was destroyed
by fire on the night of the 14th inst.
J . t
j~»'A company has been formed for erecting u
and carrying on a Woollen Factory at S eneca (
Falls, New York. A sufficient amount o f cap- ti
ital has already been subscribed toensure a pro- l
seculion of the enterprise. A better location “
for an establishment of the kind, could not have r
been found. ti
Annexation of Texas.—Upon this subject,
a Washington correspondent of the Baltimore
Patriot, thus writes under date of March 23d:
“ The subject ot theannexation ofTexast-on
tinues to take precedence of al) othersin private
circles here, and is the topic which at this time
engrosses nearly all otir thoughts. I consider it
useless to speculate or surmise as to what pre
cise extent the project lor annexing Texas to
the Union, has beencarried by the Government.
It is not clear, I believe, that the terms of a trea
ty had been agreed upon, or that they had actu
ally been put into form, nor do I consider it at
all profitable to rack ourbrains to ascertain pre
cisely how far the matter had been carried. It
suits our purpose to know that some movements
of this kind have been going on, and that it is
the design of Mr. Tyler to effect the annexation,
it possible, or at least to present the measure to
the country in away to make it the leading ques
tion in the approaching Presidential election.—
That he will be successful in accomplishing ei
ther purpose, is what I do not believe. It is
pretty well understood here, that the Whig par
ty arc in no danger of being distracted in theap
proachingelection, from thisorany othercause.
“ The Southern Whigs fully understand the
motive lor bringing this subject forward at the
pt esent time, and notwithstanding their leelings
mav be in favor of annexation, they will not
suffer themselves to be drawn off’ from the bod}’
of the party, but will deter prosecuting the mat
ter until a future and more auspicious season.
And in regard to the fate of a treaty, should one
be made and laid before the Senate, 1 repeat
with confidence, what I have already said, that
it will not be ratified. The question is one of
great moment to the country, and neither of the
two great parties is prepared to take it up and
commit themselves hastily in regard to it. It
will be altogether better, therefore, to deter final
action upon it, till another session of Congress
takes place, and where it can be more deliber
ately considered than at present.”
True.—The Concordia (La.) Intelligencer, in
noticing the circumstance that the degree of L.
L. D. conferred on Mr. Everett by the Oxford
University might be declared illegal, very truly
says:—“ Fortunately Mr. Everett got his know
ledge without the title from Oxford, and we have
no doubt he can keep it, and add to it, without
the title. The University pressed this compli-
TAent on Mr. Everett, and its subsequent con
duct has been a disgrace to the institution, and
lo the courtesy due a distinguished foreignerand
ambassador.”
Conspiracy against the hens!—There is
bow in operation in New York, a steam egg
hatcher, which turns out some halt a hundred
chicks per day per day! We do not know
what the hens will do in reference to this great
■“monopoly” in the incubation line—but we
should not be surprised were they to follow the
•example set them so very frequently by certain
bipeds of another species, and hold an “ indig
nation meeting,” to take into consideration this
great outtage upon their “ reserved rights,” and
as a means of putting a stop to its further opera
tions, refuse to furnish any further supplies of
the raw material!
Mulch-e-num-a-cutistheeuphoneousnainr
of the principal chief of the Fox tribe oflndians.
He is now on a visit to Washington, seeking
some favours for his tribe. He will hardly get
much of a cut at the treasury by leave of the pre
sent Congress The locofoco house is preach
ing economy now —except as to their own pay!
marriage of a Miss Ann Tyde and a
Mr. Horatio Kiwwman, is announced as having
t aken place at Opelousas, La., after a courtship
of nine years. “ Time and title wait for no
man,” it has been said. The reverse seems to
have been the case with Tyde, in this instance,
at least
g~>One of the citizens ol Boston lately gave
notice to the Mayor, that he should build forty
four houses on Dover street the coming season.
Pretty extensive “ notions” these!
U’What tremendous defeats are awaiting
old Father Death! No less than one hundred
and seventeen young recruits for the army of
Health, received their diplomas as “ Dot tors of
Medicine,” a lew days since, at Jefferson Med
ical College, Philadelphia.
Whig Meeting in Greene County.
Ata respectable meeting ot the citizens o I
Greene county, Geo., held al lhe court house in
the town of Greensboro, on Monday, 25th
March, 1844, Major Thomas Stocks was call
ed to the Chair, and Henry Sanford, was
appointed Secre. ary.
The object of the meeting having been briefly
stated by Col. Y. P. King, he then offered the
following resolutions, which were unanimous
ly adopted:
Whereas, we have learned, with unfeigned
pleasure, that the Hon. Henry Clay has it in
contemplation to visit Greensboro, sometime
during the present week:
Resolved, That in consideration of his emi
nent public services, and patriotic and elevated
character, the citizens ot Greene county will
welcome him with a generous and warm heart
ed hospitality to their village, whenever he
shall see proper to visit it.
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing reso
lution be furnished Mr. Clay.
Resolved, That Gen. Thomas Dawson,
Wm. W. D. Weaver, Esq.. James B. Nickel
son; Esq., E. Sparks Hunter, Esq., Rev. Vin
cent R. Thornton, Ambrose Hutchinson, Esq.,
Col. R. Hubbard, Col. James M. Porter, John
Cunningham, Esq., Dr. Jas. F. Foster, Col. Y.
P. King, James M. Davison, Esq., John F.
Zimmerman, and Col. Geo. W. Slaughter, be
a committee, whose duty it shall be to proceed
to Augusta, and accompany Mr. Clay from
thence to this place.
On motion of Col. Y. P. King, the Hon.
Thos. Stocks was added to the above committee
as the Chairman thereof.
The meeting then adjourned.
THOMAS STOCKS, Chairman.
Henry Sanford, Sec’y.
From the Charleston Courier.
Columbia, March 21, 1844.
To the Editors oflhe Courier.
Gentlemen:—The Richmond Clan Club met
yesterday evening, at the Columbia Rooms,
for the purpose ot making preparations for the
reception of the Hon. Henry Clay, Dr. M. H.
De Leon, one of the Vice Presidents, in the
Chair, when the following resolutions were
adopted. .
1. Resolved, That a Committee of twelve be
appointed on the part of this Club to meet the
Hon. Henry Clay at Augusta, and tender him
the hospitalities of his friends in Columbia.
2. Resolved, That the members of this Club,
and those citizens of Richland District, who
desire to do honor to this distinguished states
man, will meet him at the Rail Road depot,
and escort him to his quarters.
3. Resolved, That the Hon. Henry Clay be
invited to meet the citizens of Richland District
at the Club Room on the evening of his arrival
in Columbia.
4. Resolved, Ti at a committee of twenty five
t>e appointed t<> prepare a barbecue, to be given
in honor of li> , urv day, and that the citizens,
ivithoattii-tir.c io'i of party, be invited to attend.
The getulemeti appointed by the Chair in
pursuance ot the first resolution were—Col.
Wade Hampton, John Preston, Esq., Dr. W. D.
Sibbes, Dr. S. Blanding, Col. B. F. Davies,
lohn McCully, Esq., Capt. C. P. Bookter,
Robert, Adams, Esq., Dr. M. H. De Leon, C.
R. Bryce, Samuel Weir, and John A. Crawford,
Zsquires.
The following gentlemen were appointed un
ierthe fourth resolution: —John McCully, Capt.
J. P. Bookter, Richard O’Neall, W. Glaze,
fames T. Wade, Jr., Robert Cathcart, James
lohnson, J. McKenzie, Capt. John H. Heise,
David Ewart, Charles Neuffer, Phineas Solo
non, William Beard, Timothy Centre, J. Gra
iict, C. D. Ford, Jesse Drafts, Harmon Coon,
isaac Dent, J. G. Duncan, Robt. Adams, John
R. Brown, John Scott, Joseph E. Reese, and ;
Major Wm. Sliver.
The meeting was a very large one conside
ing the inclemency of the night, and Edwin de
_,eon, Esq. made a most eloquent and patriotic <
tddress. 1
The Society Islands.- The Boston Daily
advertiser in copying from the New York pa- ,
>ers the account of the forcible occupation of
hese Islands by a French squadron, adds this
ntormation:
“ Our correspondent at New London, informs 1
is that the Arabella at that port reports that the 1
J. S. frigate United States, Capt. James Arm
trong, bearing the broad pennant of Commo- ,
ore Ap C. Jones, anchored at Matavia Bay, .
Society Islands, Oct. 12th, 1843, from the Sand
rich Islands via the Marquesas, but was to '
ail for Valparaiso and Callao in six or eight j
ays. From this it would seem not improba- ,
le that the United States may have been at 1
and in this crisis. The accounts ot this event
re as yet very meagre. t
Hayti.—Every recent arrival from Hayti re- t
resents the political affairs of that Island as t
eing in a very unsettled condition, on account I
f disturbances between the civil and military t
uthorities. These difficulties appear to have I
teir origin in the new Constitution, by which t
le power of the military is abridged and that ot e
te civil authorities proportionably increased,
ius rendering the new organization of the Gov
mnient unpopular with the army, which does
ot seem pisposed quietly lo submit to the con- s
■ol of the civil power.— Rat. Int. I
' * THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 128.
Bank Rumors.-Wc are quite s U rp?hed m
. learn that apprehensions have been expressed in
: some parts ot the country, that the losses at Co
lumbus, by the agencies of some ot ourßanks and
the decline in the price of cotton, have caused
i bank credit to be suspected. We can assure our
country friends that they need not feel the slight
est apprehension on this subject, so far as the
; Banks of this city are concerned. Two
of our banks, the Bank of Augusta end the
Rail Road Bank, have had no agencies at Co
t I u mbits, and those that had, we are assured,
, ha/e lost little, if any, more than their surplus
• profits. A sounder set of Banks than those of
Augusta, we venture to say, are not to be ft und
in the Union.
> There are some statements connected with
these rumors so utterly destitute ofany founda
ion, in truth, as to induce a belief that malice
t has been al work in their propagation. We
understand it has been asserted, ifnot circulated,
' that the Rail Road Bank had purchased or ad-
■ vanced so largely on Cotton, that it was
• in great danger of heavy losses. So tar from
; this being the fact, we state upon the very best
authority, that this institution has not purchased
a pound of cotton during lhe season, and has ad
vanced but a very trifling amount, and that
; principally to planters at Madison of undoubted
ability audcredit. The greatand leadingobject
of the institution is the completion of the road.
It has, therefore, lor some time pas', done but
little banking business ofany kind, and so cau
tiously have it operations been managed during
the season, that we are assu red not one dollar has
been lost or can be considered doubtful.
We therefore repeat the assurance to our
country friends, that they need be under no
apprehension of the solvency of any one ot the
Banks in Augusta. They are all above sus
picion ,and abundantly able to redeem their en-
■ tire circulation in coin whenever it is presented.
The insinuations therefore to lhe contrary are
I false and malicious, and designed only to impose
I upon lhe bill holders.
Texas. —Washington City is a great place
. for “Rumors.” We are now having them,
thick as the tailing leaves of autumn, in refer-
I ence to the Texas question. The latest is one
that the correspondent ol the N. Y. Tribune
“ has learned from an unquestionable authority"
—to wit, “that Mr. Packenham, soon after he
’ was accredited at Washington, passed to the
| Secretary of State a disavowal on the part of
the British Government of any view whatever
of acquiring Texas or interfering in any rnan
( ner with her entire independence.”
Our readers can take the foregoing just for
what it is worth; but whether true or not, we
think it will turn out, that the great Whig party
will suffer neither the Oregon nor Texas ques-
■ tion—both which traps have been sprung at this
time by their Tyler and Van Buren opponents,
; to make political capital for these “ captains”
t respectively—to interfere with their determina
. tion to carry the nei t Presidential election.
. After Mr. Clay is duly invested with the Presi
i dency, the Whig Statesmen will have leisure to
look to the final and satisfactorj’ settlement of
t both of these questions—if they are not sooner
; disposed of. In the meanwhile, it will hardly be
> worth while to listen to the thundering of Mr.
> Benton and his compeers about Oregon, or the
> namby-pambyisms of other members of the
, party, and the Tylerites in particular, about
“the designs of England on Texas.”
, YJ-The jacobins have had a “glorious vic
tory” in New Hampshire! They have, beyond
a single question, carried a State that the Whigs
never even thought of carrying; and ofcourse they
ought to make a clatter over it. Be it known,
’ then, far and wjde, that the locofoco candidate
I for Governor in New Hampshire, though vir
f tually running alone, has not been beaten! Now
I el all the modern “ democracy” shout—“ Great is
- the Locolocoism of New Hampshire !” Every
one who knows anythirig about that state will
say “amen !” of course.
“ Shake not thy gory locks at me,
Thou can’st not say I did it!”
O' The man Roach, who was suspected of
murdering his daughter, and burying her in a
cellar, in theciij’ Ot - irew here,
tofore—has appeared, in propria persona, w’ith
his daughter, at the office of the Philadelphia
Ledger, “ alive and kicking,” as an honest man
and his daughter should, “ in such cases made
and provided. “He also makes the verj - reason
able offer, to face the New York police in their
dews, in company with his daughter aforesaid,
‘ provided that they pay hisexpenses there, and
torhis time while there.” Now if the New York
police do not take Mr. Roach at his offer, they
ought at least to give him a clear acquittance of
the murder!
There is union the most sincere, and har
mony the most delightful, prevailing among our
neighbors of the loco toco fraternity, most cer
tainly! The Democratic Champion, forinstance,
makes the following allegations touching its
brethren in Pennsylvania—namely:
That the majority, or their leaders, were
“ traitors to the cause and the State.”
That they are “daring dictators, who would
curse their own souls for the sake of lucre.”
That they were men “btught and sold in a
minute” by money from the vaults of certain
banks.
That, 1 delegates were bought and sold.”
That Henry A. Muhlenberg is “one who for
the sake of political capital, left the Holy
Sanctuary.”
—Together with other choice denunciations
which it is unnecessary here to recapitulate.
But, certeo! these very “democratic” gentle
men seem to understand each other well! And
however much they may prate about the frater
nal love which prevails among them, strangers
who read their charges against each other, will
be apt to set them down as a very quarrelsome
“ family.”
Jj-At the late “Jackson Jubilee” saturnalia
held at New Yotk, forthe benefit of Mr. Van
Buren, the chief orator was a nice little dandy
ofa man,,of the name of Melville, who glori
fied Jackson in the true toady style. Among
other declarations of this ruffle-shirt exquisite,
was one that he considered it a special blessing,
that neither by his father’s nor bis mother’sside,
had he any Whig blood in his veins! After
this, no one would believe it possible, that this
fellow coul.l be the grandson of old Major
Melville, one of the “Boston Tea Party,” i
who was t, moved from apost in the Boston cus- ,
tom house, by the Dictator Jackson, whom this ,
degenerate creature was lauding! Wetrust in .
heaven the fellow is a changhng. No thing—
we cannot call him Mian, without libelling our t
fellows—who could thus demean himself, is ,
worthy of claiming a descent from any of the ,
iron-souled patriots of the Revolution, and
much less from one oi the Boston Tea Party. J
The Legislature should change the creature’s
name at once. He has no just claim to the one j
he now holds. t
— ,
Y-r The Whigs, in the Pennsylvania Con- i
gressional District, lately represented by Mr. 1
Frick, have nominated James Pollock, Esq., as I
their candidate. He is opposed by John Sny- ’
der, who has heretofore represented the district, i
but was beaten by Mr. Frick. The election
comes ofl on the sth ol next month.
We hardly think it possible to elect Mr. P. f
The district, on a fair trial of strength, has here- t
tofore been nearly fifteen hundred against us; J
and it even gave Van Buren over six hundred j
majority. That we carried it at the last elec- I
tion, was altogether owing to the popularity of |
Mr. Frick—who, for many years, was the print- o
er and editor of a Democratic newspaper in |
Milton—and the unpopularity ofSnyder, who l>
was considered altogether too “ free and easy”
in his moral, religious and political notions, to j,
suit the more staid members, of his party.— o
Whether the same feelings will now operate <t
against his election, time will show.
A Bio Blunder.—lt appears, by a letter re- si
ceived by W. Strickland, Esq., of this city, that 'I
the mammoth iron steamship “ Great Britain,” A
has been built too large to pass out of the Bris- n
tol Docks into the river Avon. The owners 1
have applied to Parliament for permission to o
widen the Dock gate, so as to admit of her ci
egress. — Phila. Inquirer. P
It seems to us there must be some mistake in "
the above paragraph. If our memory serves us t(
aright, the Great Britain was not built ar Bris- ci
fob What say our New York friends to this *-
Mr. Clay.—By lhe following letter from Mr.
Clay, to the Committee appointed by his lei
‘ low citizensof Greensboro to invite him to visit
' that place, they will learn fully the reasons
which prevented his complying with their wish-
I es. Theirtlisappoinfmcnt,weknow, willbegreat
—but not greater than lhe regret felt by th* emi
nent Statesman, to whom they expected to ten
e der their greetings near their own hearth-stones,
that he could not meet them as they desired.
Augusta, March 27, 1844.
’ ear Sm ,—i h ave received the proceedings
> o a meeting held in Green County, rhich you
■ lave delivered to me. I feel srreatly honored,
and obhged by them. It is with deep and un
etgne regret that I find myself unable to exe-
cute a wish which I fo ndly cherished of vUjt .
' ,ng The fatigues of an ardu
p ° US ' 0 l U " ,e ’ r ’ a bad 'oW. and hoarseness-con
tracted during its progress, and the exciting in
e cidents whichhavemarked itthroughout render
■ it absolutely necessary that I should seek some
’ repose; and I hope, by a few days of rest under
’ the hospitable roof of my good friend, Mrs.
1 Tubman, to recruit my strength and health. I
’ pray you to present my sincere regrets to tny
fellow citizens who composed the meeting, and
to offer them assurances of my grateful and last-
I ing acknowledgements. These, 1 request yon
and colleagues also to accept for the kindness
' and trouble which you have taken, in repairing
to this place to meet me, and invite my accept
-1 ance of the invitation which you have borne,
I am, with lhe highest respect,
’ Your friend, and ob’t ser’vt.
’ H. CLAY.
Major Thomas Stocks. &c. &c.
Dodge's Portraits!’ Mr. Clay.—We have
been requested to mention, that subscription
papers for this Splendid Print, have been left at
the Reading Room of this paper, and at the
Franklin Literary’ Depot of Mr. Holmes.
■ The locofoco Legislators of New York
, are adopting measures which, beyond a question,
will have the effect ot involving that State in an
* overwhelming and irredeemable debt. They
are about to amend the Constitution, so as to
’ forbid the Legislature, or other authorities, con
e trading any’ debt, without a preliminary vote of
e the people. The wiseacres do not seem to re
„ fleet, that such a jirovision of law as this, will
e give riue lo a log-rolling system, that will cover
e the Stale with debt, “as with a garment” and
( . that, too, for the prosecution of public works,
r which no sane legislaiure would think of order
ing. Itwill be “tickle my palm, and I’ll scratch
your elbow”—froinfone end of their territory to
r the other. Truly’ are the jacobin legislators
“ wise beyond what is written.” And afterthey
have in this manner irretrievably involved the
State, they will turn about, as they have done in
ail other States, and swear roundly that “ the
Whigs did it!”
» “Now there was no smith throughout the Jaitd o
Israel, for the Philistines said, lest they make them
[. swords or spears.”
, Upon thistextthe Savannah Georgian recent
i- ly preached a long sermon in favour of free
o trade, and against home manufactures! Our
>f learned and wise cotemporary certainly made a
t great mistake in the selection ofa text, if not in
e thecomments. There ci uld scarce have been
r. found in the word oflile a stronger exeinplifica
e tion of the policy, that foreign manufactures,
e and their anti- American free trade allies in the '
it United Stales, are desirous ofpursuing towards
the industrial classes in this country’. They
would have us, indeed, dependant on the work
j shops of Europe, forall we require for ourcom
s fort and convenience. They would have r.ei
y ther “woi kers or brass nor iron” amongst us—
norihose who are cuning with the wheel and the
e loom. Neither would they have us set up any
.. manufactories “throughout the land,” lest we
v should make for us “sword or spears;” nay
s even our ploughs’Snd our ‘reapinghooks’ would
y they have us bring from a “fat-off land.’
I But than k Heaven,the day of these modern “Phi
listines” is over. The sound of llrt: hammer and
the shuttle are now heard “ in all our borders”—
and far distant may be the day, when foreign in
i’ trigue and influence, or domestic .4tbservien
oy or party management, shall stop the one or
the other!
1 TV The correspondent ot the New York True
Sun, writing from Washington, gives the fol
lowing item, connected with the office of Secre
tary of the Navy. The relusal of Senator Rives
to accept the office, was in the right spirit. He
’ deserves len times the honor at the hands of his
countrymen, than the post could have conferred
1 on him, for the reasons which impelled him to
> decline its acceptance.
“ The nomination for Secretary of the Navy
! was tendered to Senator Rives, of Va., and de
clined, on the ground that, should be accept and
be confirmed, his seat in the Senate would be re
filled by a Bentonian Democrat, and so he pre
ferred remaining in his present position.”
Thr Drawing Room Library. Edited by Efbs
No I. New York, jameb Mowatt & Co.
pp. 16, royal Bvo.
We are indebted to Mr. S. A. Holmes, for a
copy of lhe fust number ot the above periodica),
containing the “I.ight ol the Light-House,”
and a number of othe r original poems, by Mr.
Sargent, the editor. It is also illustrated by a
handsome engraving on steel, from a design by
Chapman. Mr. Sargent’s well established lame
as a writer, justifies the belief, that this new
candidate for public favor, the “ Drawing Room
Library,” will well deserve a rich support. We
have read several of the pieces in the present
number, with much pleasure and gratification.
Herbert Tracy, or the Legenl of lhe Block Kongen.
Uy George LiFFAHD, Esq . nulhor ol *• The l.ady»
Annabel.” Philadelphia: It. G. Uedtord. 12m0.,
pp. 168.
From the sains gentleman, we have received
a copy of the above new American novel. We
have not read it, and therefore cannot speak of
its merits from our own knowledge. It is high
ly commended elsewhere, however, and we doubt
not justly, by those who possess much taste and
judgment.
Political Tracts.—The publishers ol tha
N. Y. Tribune have published two tracts—one
of which contains Mr. Rives’s Letter, and abrief
notice of the German Zoll Verien or Commer
cial Union: and the other, sundry “ facts for
farmers,” re! Ring to the commercial intercourse
between Gn at Britain and the United States—
which are v ell worthy of general distribution.
The price is $lO per thousand.
The “Time!”—The “Midnight Cry” ot
March 21-i. -onttiins the following official an
nounceim i.i. Ilia; it the views which it linsherr
tolbre promulgated, iu reference to the end ol all
things, are not substantiated within the “lime”
specified—to wit, the close of the Jewish year,
which will end, we believe, with this month, the
editor will then wait patiently until it does
come. This is certainly a very rational conclu
sion t) come to.
Our position as to Time.— We have no new
light on the pnphetic periods. Our time ends
with this Jewish year. Il time be continued
beyond that, we have no other definite period to
fix upon; but, hencetorward, shall look for the
event every hour, till our Lord shall come. Oth
ers can give their views on lhe termination of
the periods, on their own rcsponsibilitv. If it
be necessary, we shall give ours in full on this
point. Let us all be ready; “having our loins
girt about, and our lights burning, that when the
Master cotneth we may open to him immediate
ly." J. V. HIMES,
Few York City, March, 1844.
Monument to Washington.—A bill is be
fore Congress to appropriate the sum ot 850,0C0
to be given to the National Washington Monu
ment Society, whose fund amottn tslo 81H.700,
to aid in the erection of a monument to the
Father of his Country. It was submitted bythe
Hon. Zadoc Pratt of this State. A design lor
the work has been submitted by Mr. Wm. Strick
land ol Washington. It is proposed to build it
on one of the heights of the public grounds at
Washington, and to make it three stories in
height. The basement story is to be of granite,
the second and third stories of white marble,
surrounded by Corinthian columns surmounted
by a dome, encircled at its base with a wreath
of Stars, terminated by an American Eagle,
alighting on the liustrum of a column. Th*
height, from the top of the dome to the pave
ment, is one hundred and twenty feel, and the
structure is to be one hundred feel in diameter.
The basement story, is to contain the statue of
Washington, by Greenough, with thiriy-six
niches, to contain the busts ot the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and the Presidents
of the United Stales. The second story is to
contain thirty-six niches forthe reception of the
pedestrian statues of the illustrious men of this
nation. The third story is to be appropriated
lor a Gallery of Paintings of National and His
torical subjects, to be executed by native Ameri
can Artists of acknowledged ability.—.V. Y.
Cour. <p Enq.