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American Railroad*.
The Superintendent of the Census, J. C. O. Ken
nedy, Eaq., having at the request of the French
Department of Public Work*, and at very consid
erable labor, prepared the aubjoined able and oom
prehenal vo statistical view of the extent of Ameri
can railroads, as well those in oonrse of construc
tion as those oompleted and in operation, he haa
kindly permitted us to take aoopy of it for publioa
tion.—S'ational InUUipnctr.
Ckumjs Omca, WasHiNotpn, Match 1,1862.
In compliance with your reqnest, I proceod to
answer your inquiries concerning Railroads in the
C. States.
The number of miles of railroad in operation in
the U. States, January Ist, 1*52, was. as nsarly as
can be ascertained, 10,814}*. At the same time
there wee tn course of construction an extent of
railroad amounting, according to the most reliable
estimates, to 10,898)* miles. By far the greater
portions of the lines commenced, bnt now Tooom-
W| U ha finished within the ensuing five years.
Tho length of railroad brought into operation since
January 1, I*4B, is 5,224 milss. Within the last
7** r *4*® milea have been finished. Nearly all
the line# in progreee have been commenced since
1848. It is supposed hat from one thousand to
fifteen hundred miles dditional to the 10,89* now
known to be in proaveat will be put under contract
during 1852.
Tuere never existed greater activity in the ma
king of railroads in tb. U. States than at the pre
sent time. Many of the lines projected have taken
the plane of plana for tha construction of canals
turnpike roads. Accordingly, these works of pub
lic improvement are not prosecuted with the same
ardor and energy ae formerly, although muoh ac
tivity exists in the construction of plank roads.
The labor and capital which they would require
are absorbed in the numerous and almost colossal
schemes of railroad building. Since 1848 the ex
tent of railroad opened for travel and transportation
haa nearly doubled, and there is reason to believe
that the increase in the length of road brought into
use will not be less rapid during the next period of
four years, ily the roar 1840 we may expect that
the territory of the U. States will be traversed by
at least 80,000 milea of railroad.
It is very difficult to form an estimate of the av
erage expense per mile of building railroads in the
V. States. In fact no average can be assumed as
applicable to the whole country. The coat of the
roads in New Kngland is about 945,000 per mile;
in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland about
$4 f t.ooo. But in the interior of these States the
eurfioe of the country is broken, rendering the coat
of grading very heavy; and nearer the eea, wide
aud deep streams interrupt the line* of travel, and
make the expense of bridging a eeriue item.
In New Kngland, and the more densely-inhabit
ed parts of all the old States upon the Atlantic, as
in all European countries, tha extinguiahmant of
private title* to the real estate required for rail
road* frequently form* a large part of the expenses
included iu the item of oonstruotien. In the South
ern State* and the v*ll»y of the Mississippi $20,000
per rifile is considered a safe estimate. There, in
most oases, ell the lands necessary for the purposes
of the ootiipamee are given to them in eoneidera
tionofthe advantage# which private proprietors
expect from the location of the roads in the vicinity
oftheir estates.
In many of the Western States the cost of gra
ding a long line of road dose not exceed SI,OOO per
mile—the oost of timber amounting to nothing
more than the expense of clearing it from the track.
For those reasons the expense or building railroads
in tho Southern and Western States is now much
less than it will bo when the country become* a*
densely settled a* the older State* of the Union.
The Central Railroad of Illinois is an enterprise
which furnishes a remarkable example of the en
ergy ond spirit of improvement in the new States.
Illinois was admitted into the Confederation as a
State in 1818, with 80,000 inhabitants. It has 55,445
square miles of territory, and a population, accor
ding to tho census of 1854, of 881,470. Tho central
railroad is to oitend from its southwestern extremi
ty, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio
rivers, to the north line of the State, with two di
verging branchos. The total length of this road,
including tho main stein and branches, ia to be six
hundred and eighty mile*. The oost is estimated
at $2,444 per mile, or $18,804,000 tor the entire
work, without equipments for operating it. Thia
is the longest continuous line of road now in oon
fetnplation in the U. State* of whioh there is any
probability ofepeody completion. It has been com
menced with such facilities for exeouting the plane
of its projectors that there is no reasonable doubt
that it will be finished within a few years.
Mr. Asa Whitney proposes to oonstruct a rail rood
from Bt. Louis, or aomo other place on the Missis
sippi river, to the I’eciflo ocean, terminating either
at San Kranciaeo, in California, or at the mouth of
the Columbia river, in Oregon. lie solicits the
patronage of tho National Government for thia
prodigioua work, and petitions for t he grant of a
tract of laud equal iu extant to sixty rails* in width
by two thousand milos in length, ‘ilia plans were
first laid before Congress in 1842, and lie has sinco
been aoutinually ocmipiod in recommending them
to the favorable attention of tho Government and
the people with great ability and zeal; but with
what suecesa remains yot to be seen. Withoutex
pressing any view with reference thereto, it may
lie ssid that his project is generally considered im
practicable, from the fact that of the two thousand
miles of territory which his route aoros* the coun
try must trsvarsa, a Urge portion oonsist* of do
eert or of sterile and very elevated mountain dis
tricts, iu which can be found no materials of con
struction, aud whioh would afford uo business for
the support of the road, were the difficulties of
building it ovoroomo. Many intelligent men, how
ever, are oonvinood of its practicability and ex
pediency.
ThF railroad system of the United States may
b* considered to have oommonced in 1880. The
first one put ia operation was a short road built lor
the transportation of ice from a small lake to the
aoa, iu tho State of Massachusetts. Tho length of
this work was four milos. It was finished in 1884.
In the same year the State of South Carolina caused
to be ootnmonood a railroad from Charleaton, iu
principal port, to Augusta, in Georgia. The dis
tance la 135 miles. The work wsa finished iu
1838, at tho very remarkably amall coat of $1,838,-
<ls, which sum includod also tha expense of fur
nishing the road with eugines aud passenger and
freight oars, and all other necessary equipments.
This was the flrat railroad of any considerable
length constructed in the United State*, and it is
believad to have beeu the cheapest and one of the
most successful.
Tho longest qontiuous line of railroad in the
world, ana that in the construction of whioh the
greatest natural obstacles have been overcome, is
that which extends from tho Hudson rivar, through
the Southern oounties of New York, to Lake Erie.
Its length is four hundred and tixty-nino miles,
and it has branchos of au aggregate additional
length of sixty-eight miles. Nearly its whole
oourso is through a region of mountains, Tho
bridges by whioh it ia oarried over the Delaware
and Susquehanna rivers and other streams, end
the viaducU upon whioh it croseee tho valleys that
intercept its route, are among tho noblest monu
i.touts t>f power and skill to bo found in our coun
try. The most of these works are of heavy ma
sonry, bnt one of them is a wooden bridge, one
hundred aud eighty-four feet in height, and having
but one aroh, the span of which is two hundred
and seventy-five foot. One of the viaducU ia 1,240
foot long and 110 feet high. Tho aggregate cost
* of thia important work was $28,580,000, and the
expeuso of construction was $43,838 per mile.
The road was originally suggested in 1829; a com
pany was organized in 1812; surveys were made
In tlia unit year, and oporations were begun by
grading a part of the route in 1888. It was finish
ed in May, 1851, and opouod with groat ceremony
for travel and transportation in that mouth. Tho
btate advsnoed six millions of dollars towards the
work, slid afterwards released the oompany from
the obligation to pay the loan. It will thus be
seen that the execution of this great improvement
was pursued through nineteen years, and it was
n<>.t accomplished without calling into requisition
both the rusouroea of the State and the means of
her dw'xetia.
In the infancy of the Amerloan railroad system,
and for ten years thereafter, it was the rule to ex
tend to every important enteruriseof that oharaetor
the assistance ot the State in which it was to bb
built.
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Mississippi,
and some other States adopted extonsiva systems
of improvements, consisting of railroads and oa
nais, which they pursued until thoif credit failed ;
and exeat which happened in most oases before
any of the works baa been completed and brought
into proiltabl* use. Kut the general practice was
to charter companies, .each of which was charged
Villi the execution of some particular work, and to
aid them by loans of State stocks. Although this
practice has Adieu into so mnoh disfkvor lu some
of the States that the okixena hare incorporated in
their constitutions articles prohibiting advauoes
by their Legislatures for such purposes, it is yet
continued by others, and Virginia, Tennessee, and
other States'are now prosecuting expensive works,
considered esssutisl to their prosperity, by means
s>f advances from their respective treasuries.
lu the year 1850 Congress passed an act, after a
very protracted disou-sion, granting to the State
of Illinois about 2,700,000 acres of public lands to
aid in the construction of the Central railroad, to
which allusion has been before made. This mag
niflvtmt donation is reckoned by the company to
which Illinois had confided the building of the
road to be worth slb,!>od,ooo. This was the first
instance in which th* aid of the Natioual Govern
ment had been extended to a railroad projeot.
But since the above grant innumerable applica
tions have beds made from all the MW States for
cessions of land for railroad purposaa, Whether
such further aid shall be extended ie now a ranch
agitated question in American polities, hills arc
pending in Congress proposing to cede lor theso
purposes about 20,000,000 of acres.
The following Table presents in s convenient form some of tbs
principal facts connected with Railroads in the United
Suttee on the first of January, 185}:
. E ji 2
1? H f! fa
PUtes with Railroad*! J J £ 3"* r~ a
- operation win g „ g 5 a •* 5-
procen of construe- | f | fi. 3 |
! irf if
ii. ■ y ■ : r : : g
Mains,'. 81*1 I*7 18.44
New Hampshire 489 47; *,280,
Vermont, *BO 59 10,21*1 814,120; Jo.f»
Massachusetts 1,069 67 7,800, 9*4.489127.49
Rhode Island, 50 82 1.504! 147,6441112.97
Connecticut, 647 961 4,674 170.791 T*.tt
New York 1.8*6 746 46,000;5,087,884j 67.88
New Jersey 226 111 8.8 f» 489,85 N 86,84
Pennaylvaka 1,146. n4| 44,000.2,811,78*1 60.26
lMswsre 1« 11 *.l*d *1,685,48.17
Msrvlsud, 8761 IS6
Virginia. . 478 618 61,86*. 1,4*1,6*1! 28.17
North Osrettna, 249 886 46,000 848,906; 19,80
South Carolina, *4O *53 24,60 d *68,5071 *7.28
Gsurcia 714, *29 68,000. 906,9*9: 16.6*
Alabama * 121 I*o, 60,72* 771,671! 15.21
Missimippi .. »8 *7B! 47.15*j *>6,665 12.86
LouisianaT' . .. 68 48,481 517.738 11.18
Texas” 8*287.821 *12,582 .68
Tenuesueei 11* 748 45,40011,002,626, 21.98
Kentucky;::::::::::: » ** *i,m mm*
Ohio ml 1 89* **,**41,980,406 49.55
JGchVgan,.;.;;;::;:: S? .” «U 397.664! 7.07
Indians 600 *ls *#WI« »-2*
Ulinuis, 176 1 1,40* 66.J05 J 6.84
Missouri, 61J, 67,580, *B*JMjj U.l*
Wisoonsin, SO g2l 53,924|
Nearly paralled to the Atlantic ooaat of the Uni
ted State*, from Msiue to Alabama, runs the range
of mountains known as the Alleghany or Apala
cliian chain. The eastern baaes of these mountains
ure not distant from the seaboard more than a hun
dred milce, and they form a very formidable obsta
cle to the construction of railroads between the
great aaatern citios and the interior. In nearly all
tho great enterprises which have been undertaken
with the view to affect such connection, great ad
ditions! expense has been incurred to overcome or
to penetrate this mountain barrier. In the plan
first adopted for the general system of State im
provements in Pennsylvania, it waa proposed to
effect the crowing of the Alleghanies by means of
inclined planes, with powerful stationary engines
at their summits. These plana* were built and
have been used for several years, until experience
proved that their operation was too alow and too
expensive to maintain a successful competition
with other methods of conveyance, and other im
provements have ainoe been Snjajjed designed to
supersede them. The railroad from ftjtimore to
the Ohio river is carried over a passage 1# these
mountains wbare the elevation is upwards of Uigse
thousand feet, and a part of that b«lgb‘- i» over
come by tunnels, varying in length ttom one-six
teenth 'to four-fifths of a mile. The road from
New York to Albany, along the banka of til# Hud
son, has three tunnels. The greatest work of this
kind yet proposed in the United States is the tun
nel through the Hoosack mountain, which, if execu
ted, will be four miles in length, and fifteen hun
dred feet below the summit of the ascent. The
coat is estimated at $2,000,000. On the road from
Ne*r York to Lake Erie tunnel* have keen avoided
bv very expensive works, whioh overcome ascent*
of 1,400 feet.
No authentic statement has ever been given of
the capital invested in the railroads of the United
States, but we have the means of forming an esti
mate upon which much reliance may be placed.
The railroad* in operation at the beginning of the
present year may be assumed to have cost $848,-
000,000. The amount inveatad in the lines under
construction it is impoeaible ao estimate with even
an approximation to correctness. Their oott when
completed will be considerably lta* than that ts Mi
**, • >
equal length of road now iu operation; for tha
reason that the greater number or new or unfinish
ed lines are in the West or South, where, as be
haa been shown, the cost of construction is for
below what it ia in the Northern aud Eastern
States.
The management of the American railroad* is
entirely distinct from the ‘administration of Gov
ernment. Their concern* are managed by corpora
tions, which consist of a President, Secretary, and
Director*. Eachfof the directors most own a cer
tain amount of stock. They are chosen by the
body of stockholders, who have vote* in proportion
to tho number of shares they hold. The directors
choose one of their body president, snd appoint
the secretary. The President and Secretary have
generally liberal salaries, but the services of the
Directors are gratuitous.
The rate of speed on our railroads is not so great j
aaon those of England. The ordinary velocity of j
a pasaanger train is twenty mdea an Lour, .but on
soma route* it is a* high aa twenty-eight and thirty
miles. Express trains, on such occasions as the
conveyance of the Prasident's message, frequently
maintain for long distance* as high a speed an
forty-five mile* an hour. And on one road, that
between New York and Albany, forty m.les per
hour is tb* regular rate for all passenger trains.
The fares of rates of passage are not uniform.
In New England, tha average price per mile for
conveyance of passengers ia under two cents;
from New York to Boston it is two and four-tenths;
from New York to Philadelphia, three and four--
tenths; from Philadelphia to Baltimore, three and
one-tenth. From New York to Cincinnati the dis
tance is 857 mile* by the Northern route.of which
148 mile* are travelled by steamboat. The price
of passage forth* whole distance is $18.50, being
•lightly under two cent* per mile. The lines be
tween Baltimore and Cincinnati soon to be opened
will be 850 mile* in length, aud the fore wili be
$18; that ia, two cents per mile.
Believing that the hiatory of the origin, condi
tion, and extent of the railroad* in the United
States form* one of the most important subject* of
statistical investigation, and one not generally un
derstood, I have devoted a portion of my time to
the preparation of a Complete historv and detailed
statement respecting-each of the railroads in the
United States, to accompany the other statistics to
be embraced within the seventh oensus; but. a.t
Congress may exercise their right of abridging the
work on this and other subjects, it ia impossible,
in advance, to aay what the census of Maryland,
prepared in advance, for reasons which will appear
in its “prefisce.”
I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect,
your moat obedient servant,
Jrvo. C. G. Kkxvedv.
Julea Carlin, Minister Public Works, Pari*.
From De limi t Rnitw.
The Cotton Interest.
The evils complained of by the cotton planter*
are, that the prices of the’ir staple productions
are irregular, and too often not remunerative. The
first named avil has at timea been disastrously felt
by other* than growers of cotton ; and if a reme
dy can be devised, the good will not be confined
to the cotton planter.
These fluctuations sometimes cause a difference
of from thirty to aixtv millions of dollars in the
sales of two crop*; a difference productive notonly
of loa* to the planter, but which sometimes tells
with disastrous effect upon foreign exchanges and
banking institutions. These fluctuations are al
ways in the inverse ratio of tho production. Tims
while a crop of only 2,200,004 bales of cotton will
vield tothe producers one hundred and ten mil
lion* of dollars, a crop of 2,800,000 bales will pav
only sixty millions ; and the bounty of Heaven in
tile gift of good seasons, proves more productive to
the planter than seasons of drought, flood, storms
and frost*. Thia loss of fifty millions of dollars
folia with its full weight upon the planter, but it is
also felt by all engaged in, or dependant upon,
ooinmcrce ; and they are equally interested in the
discovery of a remedy ; yet it is chiefly by such
that Cotton Planter*’ Conventions are jeered at and
ridiculed. True it is, that no good resulted from
the action of the Convention held in Macon in 1639,
and't bat as littlo can be expected from that latelyjheld
in the same city ; but it does not follow that an
efficient remedy cannot bo found ; at any rate, the
importance of the object will justify renewed ef
fort.
The dogma “that prices must and will be regu
lated by tne relations of supply and demand,” is
by many deomed conclusive refutation of all hope
of success. But the question to be solved i»
“whether the supply cannot be regulated ns to se
cure regular and remunerating pricos ?” If it can
the remedy is found.
If the cotton crop of tho United States bolonged to
one man, remedy would be obvious. Naming hie
price, he would sell only so much as is required
For consumption, and leave the residue under his
cotton ahed, to supply tho deficiency of the crop
of noxtyoar; and if the surplus was large lie
would plant leas next year. Such a course would
be efficient for the object; and the only obstacle
to similar action by the cotton planters {generally,
is the difficulty of procuring concert of action.
Tho difficulty ia groat, but I think not insupera
ble.
Bolide* the less attendant upon a largo cron, the
planter in often aubjectod to loan upon u small one,
hecanso of his ignorance of the extent of the crop
of the country. Cotton ia tho agricultural staple
of some eight or ton States, covering a vast extent
of oountry. Soaaons are often favorable in some
districts, and unfavorable in others. Dealers in
cotton tako measures to inform themselves, with
auffleiont accuracy, of the extent of tho crop, and
are prepared to go into tho market with a knowl
■ edge of its value. It is thoir interest, too, to exag
gerate its oxtent; and this is annually dono by
fmblioation of what purports to be extracts of
ettera written in cotton States, but really fabrica
ted for that purpose. Tho planter, ignorant of its
real amount, und influenced by such statements,
disposos of his crop at low prices, before tho false
hood is discovered.
For low prices, a remedy would be found, in an
agreement to plant loss cotton ; but that would not
prevent irregularity in price, bocause good and
bad seasons would still esuae irregular production;
and although remunerative, prices would be irre
gular. A bad season might also so reduce the
supply, as to throw out of employment a largo
portion of capital, and of operatives now en
gaged in its manufacture. Such a state of things
would be- deplornblo, and in tho end injurious to
the grower. Mis interests, and those of tho man
ufacturer, are boat subsorvod by regulur and rea
sonable pricos.
The first thing to bo dono by tbe Convention,
should be the adoption of a plan for ascertaining
tho oxtent of each year’s crop. This is osscntial to
all judicious and efficient action. I propose to
effect it by tho agoncy of Planters’! sogiotios, to bo
organized in overy county in the Cotton States.
Bv districting tho counties, and distributing tho
labor among the members, tho crop of each county
can be ascertained by tho middlo of January every
year. Tho county societies should immediately
thereafter report the amount of the crop to a com
mittee, or some oflleor residing at tho scat of tho
Btato Government, who should report tho aggre
gate crop of tho State to a central committee, to
be appointed by tho Cotton Planters’ Convention;
upon which central committco should also devolve
labor of obtaining all attainable information res
pecting the probable demand by manufacturers at
homo and abroad—tho supplies which may bo ex
pected from other countries—and, generally, all
the information in its power, connected with the
production and consumption of cotton.
Tho information referred to, and the reports
from the State committees, ffiay be in possession
of the oontral committee by tho'lst April in cneh
year, and should be published ; and tho planters
advised what proportion of their respective crops
should bo sold, and what retained.
But inasmuch as a considerable portion of tho
orop is annually sold bofore the report of tho cen
tral oommitteo oould be made, I proposo an agree
ment among the planters, “not to sell more than
two thirds of their rospoctivc crops beforo receipt
of said report, and not to sell any for a price less
than agreed upon.” And furthor “ not to sell
more of the reserved one third, than shall be ad
vised by the central committee.” For illustration
of my meaning: Supposing tho crop 2,700,000
bales, the sale' of two thirds would amount to
1.800,000 —leaving 900,000 bales on hand. If ad
vised that the consumption of American ootton
would bo only 9,200,000 bales, each planter should
then sdll only four out of overy nino halos, which
had been reserved, and retain the remaining five
balos undor his cotton shed, to await future de
mand, or supply deficiencies in future crops.
Experience has shown that a crop of 2,700,000
bains, thrown upon the market, will redueo the
price. °f ootton to about five cents; whereas, a crop
of only 2,200,000 bales will raise it to thirteen
eantt, or more. These are extreme prices; the first
not remunerative to the planter, tho Inst tending
too much to stimulate production elsewhere. The
interests of all parties, producers, manufacturers
and eor.sumera, will be best served by moderate
and regular prices—say, about ten cents por pound.
At that prioo, two-thirds of his crop will put more
money into ths planter’s pooket than would the
whole crop sold at six cents.
1 have said that the difficulty of obtaining con
oert of action among planters, so widely separated
from each other, is great; but my confidence in its
practicability is based upon their obvious interest,
and their good common senso. Although less ex
port at figures then the speculators in their staple,
the least informed among them can seo that ten
bales of cotton, sold at ton cents, will yield more
lnouey titan fifteen bales, sold at six cents. And,
aided by past experience of the evils resulting from
want of organisation, it demands no extraordinary
faith in their good sense, to believe that concert
may be obtained.
TJIC only objection ever made to this plan is, ‘that
the planters will not act in good faith, but will se
cretly sell mors than their portion of their crops.”
Sow, without claiming for option planters a higher
oharnaMr for honor and integrity, l may say that
they possess as much of those qualities us any' other
class of our population. And although some may,
and will act Dasoly, tlui number will be small, ami
their unfaithfulness will butliftls affect the result.
I may say tho same of another small class (bund in
tverv community—Solomons, in their own conceit,
who'maks it s point of honor never to think, or act
like their neighbors; and will, perhaps, refuse to
outer into the agreement. But if the plou suggest
ed be tried, breaohes of faith will be fewer and (few
er every year; and whore a sense of honor will not
restrain, (fear of exposure and ehnme will. With
out some genoral concert of action, no plan can
succeed ; and that now proposed presents os few
objections as any other, it proposes no advance of
money-—IU) risk of loss—and no change in the pur
suits of fhs planter. If adopted, it must do good.
It can do no harm- Toil have, in the preceding,
my plan for regulating the price of cotton.
There is another »uqjeoi ponneotod with the cot
ton interest which l have much at heart; and which,
in tbs shape of a resolution, 1 submitted to tiie
Convention. 1 know not whether it was adopted '
having left the meeting upon discovery pf the de
termination of the smell number present to toroe j
tbe question upon the sdoptlou of the substitute.
My resolution recommended th« erectiou of cotton
manufactories in everv county in the cotton States.
These fsetoriesto commence with spinning rand
afterwards connecting the business of weaving into
Spinning requires little skill in the operatives;
and yams sell tor double tbe price of raw material!
The "facility of obtaining yarn from neighboring '
factories, would enable our"planters to clothe their 1
faufuU* and servants better and cheaper than now. ;
There »ra, upon every plantation, servants who, at
limes, would be inefficient in the field, while per- !
fectlr Able to work the uasqj- This, however, is the
’.east of the benefits which would result from the !
svatem of manufacturing. Milhous of pounds of ]
ebtton yarn are annually exported from Great Bri
tain to tha continent of Europe, and to other por
tions of ths would; and the business of spinning is
said to ba mors profitable than that of weaving.
Our Southern factories would obtain the raw me
tonal at, at least twenty per cent cheaper than those .
of England; and Southern yarn ana cloth would
monopolise both the fbreign and tha home market,
Let each oountv oommeuco with a factory of one
thousand spindle*; and let the planters agree to in
vest, annually, ten per cent, of their crops in the
txtlnftion of such »ctorie§; and in a few years they
would manufacture the whole crop of the country, ;
and export it i a the shape of yam and cloth. Such j
a course would double the value of our export, and ;
would add to the prosperity of the oountrr more j
than the gold mines of California, twice told. Its ■
effect upen the banking institutions and cotnmer- i
eial interests of the country oaunot be sufficiently ,
estimsted. But for the gold of Calitbrni#, these 1
interests would, ere now, nave been prostrate, and
tbe country experiencing a recurrence of the scenes i
ofifig year 1887. The mines of California may ,
cease «d t. productive; but not so the proceeds of l
tbe cotton ffefUs.
The manufactufeteßus oHtpp crop would employ
as many or>erativefl(Ere engaged ip i lB produc
tion ; and th# food amt sustaiuance of this body of
operatives would enable our planters so to di versify
Agricultural operation*,‘as to transfer sne_-half
ofthstr labor from cotton to tha production of
But this scheme at manufacturing the cotton crop
has another aspect,, which amu mends itself *o the
frvor of tha patriot, phiianthrophist and Chris
tian. In Urn cotton Sate, there » « numerous
whiU population scattered over the pine barren.,
and subsisting by bunting end .raising stocks
From their dispersed condition they cannot have
either schools or churches; and their" children must
grow up without religion or even the alphabet.
What greater cures can be inflicted upon a repub!
lie, than an ignorant and irreligious population!
Such, however, must bo the fete of Urge portions
of the Southern States, unless a remedy can be
found. That remedy will be furnished by the ereo
tioa of cotton factories, around which will be col
lected our pincy-wood population; and schools and
churches will l>e supplied.
A volume might be written npon thia bead; but
I will desist. JAVizs G. fimsia.
Union Convention.
Several counties have already appointed delegates
to the Convention of the Union Party, to be held in
Milled gevilie on the 22nd day of April. From the
resolutions which have been adopted by the pri
mair meetings of these counties, we entertain the
com,dent hope, that the Convention will be har
monious and by its action will secure the unity of
the Party in the approaching Presidential canvass.
I rorn r.o county have we beard a response to the
recommendation of the Legislative caucus—from
no county have we heard an endorsement of the
idea, that the Union Party of Georgia must ne
cessarily go to Baltimore to maintain'd* principle or
it* power. Resolution* have been adopted by the
majority of the primary meetings wbicu have' been
held, declaring their determination to maintain
the principles of the Union organization; and dele
gab* have been appointed mitfcr these resolutions,
and instructed upon nothing, except to carry out
the objects of that organization. The necessity
which called the Union party into existence, is a*
urgent to-day as it was eighteen mouths ago. To
abandon tliat organization now, is to abandon the
fruits of ail our labor and toil, and to leave incom
plete the work which wc have undertaken. The
mission of the Constitutional Union Party has not
yet been fulfilled. The next Presidential eleo
tion must determine whether thef principles of that
Party shall triumph, or whether the formation of
that party ha- had any influence in checking ultrasm
and sectionalism at the North and at the South.—
If wc abandon in advance our position of isolated
independence of any National Party—if the lures of
office aud of party patronage arc stronge r than our
j devotion to principle—the strength of the Union
j Party together with its identity Is gone. The Union
I Party is formidable whilst it maritains its separate
' organization, aud holds its strength and it* influ
j elite in reserve for the National Party which shall
! in its candidate aud its platform, acknowledge its
i principles. In that position, it may be a bal
! ante of power iwirty, —it may exert a strong
| und c.mtroirmginfluence upon the Conventions of
i the Whig and Democratic Parties, and cause them
to bid for its support by a recognition of the final
ity of the Compromise. In no other position has
the Union Party formidablencss or strength; and
we are glad to see that this is the prevailing senti
tim, nt of the masses of the Party.
We were told some time since, by a portion of
the Party Press, that certain developements might
soon be expected from Washington which would
materially change the aspect of things, and make
itt'io duty and the interest of the Constitutional
Union Party of Georgia to unite with the Demo
cratic Party, in its Convention at Baltimore. Those
dovelopoineiits have been made und the Athene
Banner congratulates the Union party of Georgia
up>on the fact that the national Democracy is sound
□pon tlie question of the finality of the Compromise
and raises the cry of Baltimore 1 to Baltimore 1 —
arel upon wh ,t docs the Bannerrcly for the truth
ot thin assertion i Upon the vote in the House of
Representatives, taken upon the motion to sus
pend the rules for the introduction ofthe finality
resolutions of Mr. Fitch, which was no test vote at
all as every body knows, and in which the names
of Whigs and Democrats, Abolitionists and Seces
sionists, Compromise men and auti-Compromise
men, Finality men, and Agitators, arc recorded to
getherinthe affirmative. This is the grand event
which has purged the Democracy of Frec-Soil and
Slavery agitation, and demonstrated that at Balti
more and at Baltimore alone, the finalty ofthe Com
promise will be recognised. Anyone who can thus
reason has little occasion to reason at all. Thefor
multy of arguing » question may be dispensed with
when the conclusion is foregone. We have
noticed for some time, the nervous anxiety of our
contemporary of the Banner to commit the Union
Party of Georgia to the support of the nominee of
the Baltimore Convention ; whilst he is struggling
to establish his own orthodoxy, and to ostraciso
Free Seilers ami Fire-Katersfrom that Convention;
and whilst the Washington Union, the central or
gan of tlie Party, is conciliating Free-Soilers, Fire
Eaters und Union Democrats, and attempting to
unite those incongruous elements in that Conven
tion. We nuticedthc Editorial ofthe Union of tlie
sth inst., to which the Editor ot the Banner refers
in his last issue, aud we hailed it as the beginning
ol'u strong and decided expression by the Demo
cratic organ of acquiescence in the finality ofthe
Compromise, ami of a prompt repudiation of fac
tions, North and South. But, in its next issue, it
has a long, leading editorial, in which it labors to
conciliate tlie Southern Rights Democracy of Mis
sissippi, and invites them to participate in the
Baltimore Convention. The Southern Rights Dem
ocracy is denounced by Gov. Cobb, by Mr. Chas
tain, by Mr. Hillycr, and bv tho Athens Banner.
Why quote the Union,then us committed tothe re
cognition ofthe finality of the Compromise? Tlie
truth is, there is no unity of action in the conduct
ofthe Washington, Union. It presents a differ
ent phase of position in ever)’ issue. More than
one Pulinurus must preside at its helm, or if only
one, his hand must be tremulous and unsteady,
and his head confused by tlie ruging tumult around
him.
We desire to contrast tho position of our contcm
poraryof the Banner, with that oftlie Whig Union
Press throughout the State. They have not de
manded that the Union Party should go to Phila
delphia. They have not made a single effort to
subsidize the Union Party to the support ofa Whig
candidate. They have had no party, hut tlie Con
stitutional Union Party of Georgia.' They have not
urged the claims of the Whig Party tothe support of
the Constitutional Union Party. They have not
mooted the question oftlie relative soundness ofthe
Whig and Democratic parties upon the slavery is
sues. They have asserted that each, in the present
position of affairs, are equally unsound and untrust
worthy and have urged upon the Party not to pre
judge l his question not to commit itself to the support
of either party, until it is ascertained that thiscan
he done without the sacrifice of a single prin
ciple, or the retraction ofa single step. We ask
our contemporary ofthe Banner, if this position is
not sound und impregnable? if it ia not the position
of policy and of principle ''.—Journal d Messenger.
This Profligate Administration.
Such is the style in which the Petersburg Demo
crat characterizes Mr. Fillmore’s Administration.
In what its profligacy consists, tho world is not
given to understand. So act of profligacy has been
proved upon it—not one distinct and tangible ono
has been preferred against it. Uis friends havo
again and again challenged their political adversa
ries to arraign a single measure of policy pursued
by the Administration. The opposition has large
majorities in both branches of Congress, but it has
not ventured to take up the challenge. If there
exists might of a profligate character in the conduct
ofthc Administration, the dominant party in Con
gress by failing to arraign it at tho bar "of public
reprobation, makes itself a party to it, and is
equally guilty with those who committed the of
fence. For there is nothing to prevent the ma
jority from exploring every department; their com
mittees have access to every branch of the public
service. If, then, there he anything wrong, why
have they not exposed it !
The presumption is irresistible, that there exists
nothing on which a charge of malfeasance can be
based. Can there be a stronger, amore triumphant
vindication of the administration, than is implied
in the fact, that its bitterest, enemies, with full
power to overhaul its whole conduct, are unnblo
to detect nn act of remissnesa or criminality! Cer
tainly, until tho majority in Congress shall have
given some evidence of official impropriety, com
mon decency would scorn to dictato silenco to tho
provincials.
But they are not only unable to cite an improper
act; they cannot complain of nnv system of policy
which lias been adopted hy the "Administration
with respect to our domestic or foreign affairs. The
great central organ of the opposition, and the bulk
of the party in Congress, ko far from arraigning Mr.
Fillmore’s domestic policy, arc bending all their
exertions to push him from his stool, ana claim to
themselves the honor of that policy.—All thoir pro
minent aspirants for the Presidency arc engaged
in the same game. “The Compromise is the test
of Democracy,” says the Union. Mr. Buchanan
takes up the note and harps upon tho “finality of
tho Compromise.” Messrs. Cass. Dcyiglas, Butler
and all the rest follow in the wake; or if they do
not, their friends arc afraid to let the public know
of any deflection on their part. Ench and all, while
they withhold the praises due Mr. Fillmore, strive
to win popularity by professing adhesion to the
very measures, which Have more than any others,
characterised his administration.
And then his non-intervention polioy; all the
popular clamour, which the Fillibusters created, has
long since passed awav, and his wisdom, and firm
ness, and patriotism, are confessed of all men. The
Accomae Resolutions pay tho intensest praise to
that policy, for which Air. Fillmore had been most
loudly and vehemently denounced. Mr. Buchan
an, the ft vorite candidate 'of the opposition in
Virginia avows himself the unwavering advocate
of the same doctrine. Gen. Wood, another dis
tinguished aspirant for the Presidency, has written
a letter to bear his behalf of the samo
line of conduct. Messrs. Cass and Douglas, after
fussing nnd fidgeting, and making a great noise
about intervention, give us to understand thatthey
were misunderstood, nnd that all the inclinations
of their tender hearts are to peace and good will
with nil mankind.
There is not a point at home or abroad on which
the Administration can be assailed. Tho only de
finite charge wo have over heard, is, tltat it has
managed public afiairs too quietly—has perpetra
ted no astounding coup cTctnt, and has not grati
fied the tastes of those who deiight in blood nnd
carnage by involving his country in war. These
complainants remind us of tho Roman monster,
who “deplored the tameness and insipidity of his
own times and reign, as likely to bo marked by no
wide-spreading calamity. “Augustus (lie said)
was happy ; tor in his reign occurred tho slaughter
of Varus and his legions. Tiberius was happv;
for in his occurred that glorious fall of the great
amphitheatre at Fideme. But fir me—alas ! alas!”
Perhaps if Mr. Fillmore would, by wav of relish
for his breakfast, have a dozen or "two "Congress
men thrown from the top of the Tarneian rock
j every morning, or have a score or so of Frecsoilers
: served up every day for desert to his dinner, he
! might succeed in ingratiating himself with these
| bloodthirsty patriots, and come by degrees to re
move the last symptom of discontent with his
Administration. —Richmond Whig.
1,850 Balks Cotton Brr.NT.— On Thursday night
last, 18th iost., a fire broke out in one of tlie large
Warehouses of M. ssrs. J. R. love i Co., at Whites
burg. Ala., winch soon communicated to their
Warehouses, a:.d also to those of Messrs. Torbet ifc
Cloyd, destroying their contents. It is estimated
that about 1,350 bales of Cotton were consumed—
{ about 700 barrels of Salt—a quantity of Groceries,
Bacon, Arc., Ac. About 50 bales of Cotton were
saved, with a small portion of other articles. The
tire spread with such rapidity as to put it beyond
the power of man to save the property consumed.
The loss is a heavy one—sßo,ooo will, we sup
pose, about cover it. It falls mostly npon tho far
mers—many losing their entire crop—others a por
tion of their crop. Tho loss is very generally dif
j fused, anil while it will not break any one, yet will
operate very prejudicial U]>on the community—for
j the burning of so much cotton is like consuming
j that much of the circulating medium of the oountrv.
* The value of tho cotton is about 40,000, which,
i when sold, would have brought that much money
1 into tec country, and into genera! circulation,
j It W not known, we believe, how the fire origina
ted.— I/uiUtciUc AJcocdc, iUk uut.
■ Ansjwnro.—A man named Mor
! ’’ “bams was oonunitted to jail in this place on
! Friday last, charged with passing counterfeit ino
| ney. lie was arrested in the neighborhood of Pin
hook. on Scared Corn Creek, in Gordon countv, bv
11. M. Morgan at:d Dr. M. J. Mnrphey, aceompa
nied by zither gentlemen andan officer, lie passed
a fitly dollar bill ou the Bank of Kentucky to Mr.
Morgan, at Cartersville, about 12 months ago, and
l although Mr. M. has been on the lookout for him
i over since, be only succeeded, on Tuesday last, in
i coming up with linn. We learn that Williams has
been often charged with the same offence, and
that be is supposed to be t’ae general travelling
agent of a baud of counterfeiters. —CosinUt Stan
dorJ.
Railroad Connection. —It affords ns sincere plea
sure to anucunce that a connection has been form
ed between the East Tennessee and Georgia and
the East Tennessee and Virginia railoads at this
place. Tiie depots of the two roads will be loca
ted about half a mile north of the Court-house, om
tho property of tiie late Calvin Mofrin, ly
ing between "the Jacksboro’ and Tazewell roads.
Wp are assured by the Chief Engineers, Messrs.
Prichard and Tilgblßtm, that a better junction can
not he foiled on any line of road in the United
States.
Tbe definite location of the East Tennessee and
Georgia road will be fixed in the course of a few
days, if it is not already done, and wo hope that
all of our citizens, who design bidding tor con
tracts, will be prepared to do’ so at an early day.
Every thing looks so fevorable now for a rigorous
prosecution of the work.— Knoxriiie RtgitUr. *
The PennsyUania Senate have passed a bill to
repeal the law forbidding the use of the Jails in
tiie Commonwealth for the detention of fugitive
Slaves.
WEEKLY
dermatic £
BY WILLIAM S. JONES,
DULY, TRI-WEEKLY HD WEEKLY.
TEEMS:
DAILY PAPER, to City Subscribers, per annum, In
adranre $6 00
DAILY PAPER, mailed to the coantry 7 00
TRI WEEKLY PAPER, mailed to the country ... 400
WEEKLY, (a mammoth sheet) ** ... iOO
CASH SYSTEM.—In no case wffl an order for the
paper be attended to, unleas accompanied with tub
monet. and in every instance when the time for which
the subscription may bs paid, expires before the receipt
of funds to renew the same, the paper will be discon
tinued.
AUGUSTAjGEORGII
WEDNESDAY MORNING, .. MARCH 31, 1852.
The Clemen. Controversy.
The warfare between thoso who charge Senator
€ likens, in Alabama, with having obtained his
election to the Senate by a bargain with the Whigs,
and those who deny the charge and vindicate the
Senator, has grown very warm of late, and much
ascerbity of feeling is manifested on both sides.
During the late oanvass, this charge of bargain,
by which it was said Mr. Clemens gavo a pledge
to support Gen. Taylor's administration, provided
tho Whigs supported him for Senator, was only
insinuated, and many grave innendoes hinted at,
provided certain gentlemen who were in the Whig
caucus could be relieved from the obligations of
secrecy. To all these insinuations the Senator
gave a flat denial and ohallcngcd the proof. For
a time after the election the whole matter slumber
ed and seemod to be forgotten, hut has been re
cently revived by two members of the Whig cau
cus, Messrs. Bctobd and McCall, who assert, in
letters which have been published, that Mr. L.
R. Davis, a prominent Whig of North Alabama,
the personal friend of Mr. Clemens, and also a
member of the caucus, suhinited to that body, a
note signed by and in the hand writing of Mr.
Clemens, of which the following is the substance
if not the exact language:
“ If elected to the U. S. Senate, I promise to
support the administration of Gen. Tavlor.
Signed : Jeke. .Clemens."
This specifio charge has called out Mr. Davis,
who replied to it in a speech recently at Athens,
Alabama, in which he flatly contradicted the charge
of Messrs. Buford and MoCall and stated:
“ That tho only note read in the Whig caucus
that he knew anything about, from Mr. Clemens,
eras, and still is, in his possession,” and is in the
following words:
Dear Hip —You have full authority to say from
me to your party friends, that I am bound by any
statement you may make in my name, and that I
will execute whatever you may say for me. Y'our
friend, Jeke. Clemens.”
Under the authority of this note, Mr. Davis said
ho did, as Clemens’ friend, “make certain state
ments” in regard to the position taken hv Col.
Clemens in his canvass for Congress against Mr.
Cobh, in tfti Madison District, but that he necer
pledged, him to tl support Gen. Taylor's administra
tion," as he had no authority to do any such thing.
The nearest approach to any such declaration was,
“that Col. C. would otfer no factious opposition”
to said administration.
Mr. Davis is sustained in his assertions by Col.
Pickett, of Lawrence, Wm. M. Murphy and Giyj.
P. Blevins, gentlemen of established character,
and well known in political circles in Alabama.
“The Cotton Interest.”
Under this head wo copied, yesterday, an article
prepared for Deßow's Review by Jas. G. Gamble,
in which ho suggests his remedy for regulating the
price of Cotton. It was our purpose to have ac
companied the article with a brief notice, express
ing our dissent from tho writer’s views on that
subject, hut, in tho pressure of our engagements,
it was omitted. W’c have so often proclaimed onr
want of confidence in the utopian theorios of vi
sionary minds, which seek a remedy for the fluc
tuations in the price of Cotton, that we need scarce
ly repeat it on this occasion. If the Gotten in
terest embraced only a few persons, or a small dis
trict of country, and all were in a condition to hold
up their crops without detriment to their private
interests, then, something might he accomplished
in the way of regulating prices by concert of ac
tion, and a reasonable hope of securing that con
cert might be But, unfortunately for the
speculative theorists, who are so earnestly engaged
in an effort to regulato the value of ootton, it em
braces hundreds of thousands of persons, extend
ing over ten States—whoso interests and necessi
ties are as varied and numerous as their own num
bers are large. The idea of securing concert
among a class of monos such diversity of inter
ests and opinions is, therefore, about as utopian
as that of collecting the sands of the sea-shore.
It may, therefore, be considered an impossibility,
and men of nil classes will, ero long, learn that
Cotton, like every other article of Commerce, must
submit to the immutablo laws of trade, supply and
demand, “dogma,” as Mr. Gamble regards it.
The concluding portion of his article differs so
widely in sound, practical, eominon sense views,
from that upon which we have commented, as to
leave us almost to doubt whether they were the cre
ations of tho same mind. Be that as it may, we,
howevor, frilly commend his suggestions ns to the
spinning of Cotton and making cloth, both for
home consumption and export, as worthy the calm
and dispassionate reflection of every Cotton plant
er and Southern man. If the South will only go
to work to spin up her Cotton for export, rather
than send it abroad in the raw State, and otherwise
diversify her labor, she will apply a regulator to the
value of Cotton which all the Conventions that can
possibly assomble in the next century cannot
establish by any system of affording cash ad
vances, holding up, &c., and such other wild con
ceptions of visionary, speculative minds. And
the sooner sha embarks in the work and learns to
discountonanco their suggestions the better.
Brown ino her own Children. —The correspon
dent of the Macon Telegraph furnishes that journal
with the following melancholy account of a mother
drowning her own children in a fit of insanity
We concur with the writer that it is a very forcible
illustration of tho necessity of well regulated
Lunatio Asylums, but it is a reflection upon th»
community in which this unfortunate lady resided,
that they were so tardy in availing themselves of
tho benefits of tho State institution. Now, that
two of her innocent children have paid the penalty
of their remissness, the unfortunate author of their
destruction will be properly cared for:
Thomaston, Ga., March 12, 1852.—0 n Saturday
last the citizens of Upson county had a forcible il
lustration of the indispensible necessity of well
endowed Lunatic Asylums. A respectable ladv,
by the name of Magnan, about two months a .re
attempted to commit suicide, in a fit of insanity
bv cutting hsr throat; but recovering from the
effects. °f wound, she remained in a mental
condition, sometimes better, and sometimes worse,
until Saturday last, when aho was supposed to be
better than usual. On that day, taking her four
little children, the eldest being about five or six
years of age, she went to Potter’s Mill-pond, about
three miles distant, and plunged them all in, in
tending to drown herself. Fortunately, a young
man by the name of Alfred Wilson, (who deserves
a great deal of credit,) was fishing, at a consider
able distance, and was attracted by the cries of the
children. lie hastened to their assistance, and
heroically plunged into the water, which was very
deep, and succeeded in saving the lives of two of
the children, recovering the dead body of the
third, and rescuing the unhappy woman. All
attempts to find the body of the smallest child
were truitless. K.
“ Let the Convention Determine !’*
Some of the advocates for sending Delegates to
the Baltimore Convention by the Union party, are
urging upon the people the propriety of letting the
Convention decide this grave qnestion for them;
and then, if it should not be satisfactory, they may
dissent. Such a proposition to an American free
man is as novel as it is monstrous. Os what avail
would be the dissent of the people after the action
of the Convention ? They can then have no con
trolling power. 'We have often heard of looking
the stable door after the horse was gone; but this
is the first time wo have ever heard the policy re
commended to let the horse go, and then lock the
door. Such a suggestion is rather too absurd to
meet the approbation of any intelligent citizen who
value* his liberty. In this country, the People
are the source of power; and they not only have
the privilege, but it is their duty, to diseuss freely
all questions pertaining to their private or public
rights—and especially is it their duty to discuss
grave questions involving their political rights, and
to see that they are properly represented in all
constitutional assemblings, either partizan or gov
ernmental.
No people can be guilty of a greater folly than
to permit themselves to be represented in any de
liberative assembly, having the power to commit
them on questions of grave importance, by persons
who do not reflect their opinions and principles.—
The very object of the Convention is to ascertain
the public will; and if the people—the greater por
tion of whom are as capable of forming correct
opinions upon the propriety and expediency of
sending delegates to Baltimore as the Convention
refuse, or omit, to express their wishes upon the
subject, it would have been as well to have permit
ted the unauthorized action of the Miiledgeville
meeting to have beeu final and conclusive, and thus
have saved all the expense and trouble of the Con
vention. The people, we imagine, will be guiltv
of no such fblly as that recommended fur their
adoption. On the contrary, they will take care to
see that they are not only properly represented in
the Convention, but also to make their delegates
familiar with their wishes in the premise*. This
they owe to themselves, their country, and their
principles.
The Washington Monument.
We take great pleasure, although we feel morti
fied and humbled to think there is a necessity for
it, in calling the public attention to the article
from the National Intelligencer, making another
appeal to the American people, tor aid to continue
the Monument to the “Father of his Country.”
There are thousands of our fellow citizens who
might deny themselves some momentary pleasures
or enjoyments, and contribute the sums necessary
for their procurement to the aid of this truly
National Work, which, to every truly patriotic
heart would be a source of permanent satisfaction.
Every American can contribute something and all
should cheerfully do so.
The Quickest Tun-.—The Steamship Union arriv
ed in Charleston, from New York Monday night,
having made the run from Wharf to Bar in forty
nine hourt and thirty minuter, and from Sandy
Hook to the Bar in forty- tern hourt and thirty
eninvtet, being the shortest trip ever made by any
steamer.
New Theory of the Deluge.
A clergyman of Cincinnati, the Rev. Mr. Stuart, !
has preached a somewhat singular sermon, in which I
he put* forth > novel hypothesis respecting the j
Deluge as described in the Scriptures.
lie insists that it is an allegory; and assumes that
the Ark is intended to represent the Chureh estab
lished by Noah and his posterity—into which was
incorporated every principle of doctrine and duty
neoesaary for the salvation of man at that day.—
To enter the ark was to be confirmed in the life of
religion which it represented. The flood of waters
he considers the emblem of an inundation of evil
and impiety, and refers to various passages in Dan
iel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Now Testament, for
the purpose of Showing that the oncroachment of
fallacious reasoning and false principle are not on
ly compared in the Scriptures to floods oCwater,
but are actually caS.J floods and the overflowing 1
of rivers. This, he argues, is the real import of the |
flood in the time of Noah. The perishing of tho j
millions by the deluge is to be understood, he says,
in a spiritual sense, as the perishing of souls by the 1
overwhelming influence of sin.
In a lecture upon the subject, delivered by Mr. !
Stuart, he advanoes many plausible arguments in
support of his theory. A literal flood, liko that
described by Moses, tho reverend gentleman says,
could not have taken place. Men of science reject
as an absurdity the idea of a universal delnge hav
ing occurred since the creation of man. Geology S
utterly confutes this supposition. Tho learned Dr
Buckland, the orthodox Dr. llitchcoci, and many
others equally worthy, have abandoned it, and
none stand out for a literal flood except a stubborn
few who make the omnipotence of God the scape- .
goat of physical impossibilities.
These are Mr. Stuart's views, as wo find them
reported in a Cincinnati paper, and wc give them
as somewhat startling innovations upon the gener- ,
al belief, without expressing any opinion os totheir j
soundness.
Railroad Accident.
Tns following account of the accident on the :
Charleston Road on Tuesday, we find in tho Courier '•
of yesterday:
Merchants Hotel, March 28.— T0 the Editors of
the Courier .-—Gentlemen, to prevent an incorrect
or unkind opinion being formed of the accident
that occurred to-day at Woodstock Swamp on the
Railroad, I have tliouglit proper to furnish you
with the finding of the Coroner’s Jury upon the
body of Geo. Erhart, a passonger who was killed
at the time, and of the circumstances attending
it. The accident was one that, I presume, could
not have been foreseen or prevented.
It occurred from the breaking of an axle of the
| Baggage Car, whilst descending the grade at
! Woodstock Swamp. The Car, from the testimony
of Messrs. I’etsch and Meredith, mas going at the
rate of 25 to 30 miles per hour, the usual spood of
the mail train. The train was only a few minutes,
from sto 10, behind time. The finding of the
jury was “that the deceased came to his death by
jumpking from the car at the time of an accident
.on the road.” At the time ot the accident the de
ceased was in the baggage car. He was a German
; and a resident of Midwuy, on tho railroad, and
was engaged in buying and selling Poultry. A
child of Mr. Meredith, received a very severe con
tusion upon the face, and there was also a negro
boy injured in the legs. Many doubtless were
slightly injured, though it is a fortunate and hap
py circumstance that the calamity was not greater.
Very respectfully, yours,
J. J. Browning, Magistrate.
Franklin College.
We are indebted to some one connected with
this institution for tlio Catalogue for 1851-2, of its
Officers and Students, from which we rejoice to
perceive that there are now a greater number of
students in attendance than at any former period
in the history of the University. This augurs well- 1
for the cause of education in Georgia and for the
successful management of the College.
The Catalogue numbers 175 students, viz: In
tho Senior Class 82 ; Junior 5S ; Sophomore 63 ;
and Freshman 22 ; of whom there are in regular
attendance 151.
Wc chronicle this evidence of the prosperity of
the State University with sincere pleasure, and feel
assured it will be a source of gratification to every
true Georgian.
The subjoined ostimate of the expenses of a
student, shows tliat the charges are very moderate,
and tlyft a Collegiate education is within the rosch
of a very largo class of the youth of the oountry:
Board for nino months and a half $95 to 114
Tuition, servants’ hire, library-fee, &e.. 50
Washing 9 to 11
Fuel 5 to 10
Total $159 to 185
The following gentlemen compose the faculty
and officers of the college :
Alonzo Church, D. D., President, and Professor
1 of Political Economy, Moral and Mental Philoso
phy. .
James P. tVnddol, A. M., Professor of Ancient
Languages.
Charles F. McCay, A. M., Professor of Mathe
matics, Astronomy and Civil Engineering.
John LeContc, M. D., Professor of Natural Phi
losophy and Chemistry.
Rev. William T. Brantly, A. M., Professor of
Belles Lettres, Oratory and History.
William Li Jones, M. D., Professor ts Natural
Soience.
Hon. Joseph 11. Lumpkin, Professor of Law.
Thomas G. Pond, A. M., Tutor in Mathematics.
William G. Delony, A. 8., Tutor in Ancient
Languages and Instructor in French.
w illiam L. Jones, M. D., Corresponding Secre
tary and Librarian.
John LeConte, M. D., Recording Secretary.
New Books.
Richardson's Arctic Expedition. — Tlic whole
civilized world has been so intensely interested in
tho fate of Sir John Franklin, that any work,
'from an Arctic Navigator, who had been in search
of him, we should think would be seized unon
with avidity by tho reading public. Hence, wo in
fer that the volume of Sir John Richardson will
be generally read, as it is “a journal of a voyage
through Ruperts Land and the Arctic Sea in
sosrch” of tho lost Navigator, with an appendix of
the physical geography of North Amerioa. It is a
neat volume of 500 pages, from tho press of
Harper & Brother*.
It may be had of J. A. Carrie & Co.
“ Darien ; or the Merchant Prince,” forms
No. 168 of Harper’s Library of Scleot Novels, a
fact that is no small eommendatioa of its merits.
It is from the pen of Eliot Warburton, author of
the “Crescent and the Cross, Reginald Hastings”
&c. For sale by J. A. Carrie & Co.
Harper’s Maoazine.— This prince of Monthlies
for April, has been laid on our table by J. A.
Carrie & Co., and Thos. Richards & Son, of
whom it may be had.
The Swamp Steed ; or the Dats of Marion
and his Mbrrt Men, is thetitlo of a Tale of the
American Revolution. From the slight scanning
that we have been able to give it, it is worthy of a
perusal. For sale by Geo. A. Oaths & Co.
Appletons’ Popular Library.— The first num
ber of this series contains twelve Essays from the
Loudon Times, on various subjects. These papers
are written with great ability, and the volume will
be found well calculated to interest tho student of
history and the general reader. The paper and ty
pography of the work is excellent, and it is afforded
at the very low price of 50 cents.
For sale by Jos. A. Carrie & Co., Broad street,
Augusta.
Graham’s Magazine, for April.— ln a former
number we had a bca»tiful picture of “ Sweet Six
teen,” and hero we have the same face, with the
added experience of another year, archly smiling
from the page, as “Coquettish Seventeen.” We
have also one of Martin’s sombre and impressive
pictures, representing the “Destruction of Sodom”
—a series of engravings to illustrate “ Optical Phe
nomena”—a sweet little picture of tho “ Forest
Fountain,” &c., —with 112 pages of choice literary
matter, all for 25 cents, or $3 per year. Address
Geo. R. Graham, 134 Chesnut st., Philadelphia.
Naval. —A Naval friend informs us, says the
National Intelligencer, that a very important step
has been taken in the British Navy to secure a sup
ply of fresh water at sea. A compact distilling ap
paratus has been adjusted to the cambooses,
whereby with the usual, or little more than the
usual, expenditure of fuel, a full, daily supply of
sweet, wholesome water is procured for the ship’s
company. So long ago as December 29, 1849, (see
“Nautical Standard” of that date,) the following
notice of the above fact appearod: “The Plumper’s
(screw sloop) distilling apparatus continued to
give general satisfaction, yielding sufficient water
for the daily consumption of the crew.”
Experience of several years has confirmed and
justified the propriety of a more general adoption of
the distilling apparatus in connection with the
cooking galley of the ship. The British steam
crew sloop Niger, which sailed from England in
September last, gave striking evidence of the value
and of the deserved confidence reposed in this nov
el arrangement. The Niger carried but a single
water-tank, of a few hundred gallons capacity,
which was replenished daily from the surplus dis
tillation, after meeting all the wants of the entire
crew. The plan of this cambosse, which coots wa
ter as well as provisions for a cruising ship, has
been adopted and applied by a talented engineer,
(Copeland) to a passenger Bteamer of the Philadel
phia crew ship line, and I understand that the in
formation of its use and application is known to
the proper naval bureau.
Kossrra —Mr. Clay.— Tho Louisville Journal
positively denies that Kossrrn assailed Mr. Clay
in his speeches in that city, as alleged in a tele
graphic despatch to the New Orleans press. The
Journal add*: “Kossuth treated Mr. Clay with j
the profoundest respect while dissenting from his |
opinions. If to differ with Mr. Clay is to “*!an- 1
der ” him, then Mr. Clay was slandered—other
wise he was not. Had Kossuth pursued such a
course, he would have excited irrepressible indig
nation in the bosoms of hundreds of the staunch
friends of Mr. Clay, who were present and listened
with attention and pleasure to the speech. It would
be unsafe for anyone to treat Mr. Clay with sneers
and ridicule in this city.”
That Cabinet Difficulty. —The National Intel
ligencer of the 26th inst., puts a quietus to the story
of a difficulty in the Cabinet thus:
Some Telegraphist in this city, on Wednesday
night last, probablv for want of" substantial mate
rial for a news despatch, has given circulation
through distant newspapers to a story of a misun
derstanding having occurred in the Cabinet, fol
lowed by a request from the President to one of its
members to resign his office. It is scarcely neces
sary for us to say, to prevent well-informed per
sons from being imposed upon, that the whole
story Is a sheer fabrication. There is not a particle
of troth in it
Early Strawberries. —The Editor 9t the Al
bany. Geo. Patriot , on the 26th inst., acknowledged
his indebtedness to Mrs. Uenby Hora for a very
fine specimen of strawberries. The size was large
and the flavor delicious.
The New Orleans Election, the first under the
new organization has resulted in favor of the
Whigs, who carried their Mayor and all the
salaried officers.
Oregon.
The National Intelligencer of r. late date contains
a very interesting letter from a “reliable source,”
from Portland, Oregon, giving some facts in refer
ence to the geographical features, climate, natu
ral products, progress of settlement and state of
society in that Territory, from which we cull the
following extract:
“In looking at Northern Oregon, one is struck
with the grand expanse of waters of the Inlet and
Sound, constituting wiiat are indeed inlaud seas,
in wlneh the united navies of the world could
float with safety, connected with the ocean by a
wide deep strait, where vessels of anv draught, in
all weathers, night or day, can secure!v rider The
country surrounding these waters has all the ele
ments for strong, wealthy, and independent com
munities. Rich soil, geuial climate, deep water,
water power, exemption from storms, inexhausti
ble forests of the best ship timbers; are the lead
ing characteristics. There is here at Steilacom a
military post, on the eastern main shore. There
are several new settlements, the principal one
Olympia, at the South extremity of tho bound.
Some flue saw mills have been in "operation on the
Sound for a year or two. The Hudson Bay Com
pany's post, at Nisquallv, is also here. 1 have be
fore me at the wharf'a fine little schooner, tho
Mary Taylor, taking in a party of emigrants from
this place for tho Seuud. Many of these families
have been in Oregon a year or two, and done well,
but having become somewhat “crowded” here
are scekingnew homes in that promising region.
The commercial advantages there nro superior to
those of this portionof the Territory in the facili
ty and cheapness of the navigation. It costs a
: vessel in and out of the Columbia to this or anv
! port, above from S3OO to SBOO, in pilotage, towage
i and other charges, exclusive of the detention. In
| and out of the Sound will cost in the same descrip
| tion of expenses nothing. A road from Olympia
! to the Columbia would enable all Northern Oregon
! and a large portion of tho Columbia and Wallu
, met* valleys to receive supplies cheaper than by
j the rivers. Such a road is already surveyed, Bud
! will probably be pushed through ibo ensuing year,
j Another road in the direction east towards tile
i Dalles, for the accommodation of the emigrants to
1 the Sound, is also in contemplation.
| The next extraordinary physical feature is the
I extreme fertility of the soil of this whole country,
j It is true, in some localities continued cultivation
may diminish tiie present yield by exhaustion, but
no such places are as yet known or admitted. I
| halt suspect there has not yet been that persever
| ing and thorough rest applied to many portions,
! inasmuch as the slightest labor is sufficient for an
! abundant crop anywhere. This exuberanco will
| undoubtedly retard thorough cultivation to a re
mote period, and may induce tliriftlcss husbandry
and make indifferent farmers. *
The Southern portions of the territory, the Up
per Wallamet, Umpqua and Rogue river regions,
arc not excelled as grazing districts by any portion
of the earth. Heuco nine-tenths of the’property
and exchangeable commodities there will be cattle,
horses, mules, sheep and flogs. There lias been
bo few mills that little encouragement existed
heretofore for the raising of wheat ; recently sev
eral huvo been built, and many projected for the
ensuing year, so that flour is "likely to become a
leading export. Tho expenses of transportation
owing to'the high rates of wages, will he a groat
impediment to business of every kind. Notwith
standing this obstacle, the extension of steam op
erations has been remarkable within the year. In
August, ISSO, tho Columbia, a small steamer built
at Astoria, started on the Columbia, to the aston
ishment of the natives of all the races, billed,
quadruped, finny and hairy. The “Lot Whit
comb," an elegant boat was launched at Milwau
kie the succeeding Christmas. Shortly alter the
steamship Columbia entered for her trips from
San Francisco to Astoria. During tho sum
mer a fleet of steam craft succeeded of all sizes and
kinds, including some half dozen little propellers
called the ‘ ‘Musquito fleet.” Two lino Doats are
running above tno Wallamet Fulls, the Multono
mah, built at Newcastle, Delaware, for which we
are indebted to the enterprise and public spirit of
a few naval officers who uro serving their country
quite efficiently in fresh water; and tho Canemah,
built at the incipient city of the same mime as the
Falls. These boats ascend theriver to points with
in a hundred miles above the fulls ; thus bringing
out the vast productions of the older settled
parts of the valley. The “Flint” is another good
boat, built above the Cascades, now running bolow.
Freights here will surprise some of our fresh water
sailors ot home. From Portland to interior points
goods cost from fifty to eighty dollars a ton freight,
wagonage, &c. l’aek trains to the mines are fitted
out here with provisions, goods, &e. The trade
increases in this direction, owing to tho prevalence
of deep snows between Sacramento and Cliarta.
That (Iregon is no longer a manifest destiny, but
a living fact and present reality of the largest pro
mise, all must admit. The world tends hither
ward by sea and land. The “blossoming” of the
wilderness is not as yet exactly roselike, for fir
trees are the forest and tall grass the prairies.
But, after this gloomy world of fir shall fall beneath
the fire and axe, there is little doubt that roses
odorous as ever grazed Cashmere will bloom all
over Oregon. Then there are foreshadowings of
moral and religious blessings most cheering in
promise. Some four or five respectable schools
for boys and girls, some with college charters, are
in operation and doing well. These schools arc
under the patronage of churches and missionary
societies at home. There is a liberal spirit in favor
of education. A good beginning lias been made
in favor of common schools, but teachers do not
command :as yet the superior remuneration to*
which their services nro entitled ; a state of things
not peculiar to new countries. The building of
ehurohes in number exceeds school houses, court
houses aud jails. There are several in this pluco
and ntOregon City of creditable appearance. It is
pleasant to reflect that those who octne out from
home, where they enjoy the high privileges of
social uud religious intercourse, will not be alto
gether deprived of him here.
The press constitutes an important feature of
every country. Here the number of journals seems
to supply tho wants of the population, in fullness
and variety equal to any country. Four weekly
newspapers and ouo monthly magazine is pretty
well fora new country with less than 20,090 inhab
itants. In political cast they stand one whig, two
locofoco, one central. Os tho magaziuo but ouo'
number lias appeared.”
* I preferthls spelling. It distinctly expresses the name
of the river and valley as prononneed by that venerable
gentleman whose vocation is to christen all places, besides
remembering no higher Hoods, no severer winters, and no
more dreadful accidents than have recently occurred —“the
oldest inhabitant.” Mr. Wilkes erroneously adopts the
Freneh WUbimette ; Lieut. Col. Fremont is nearer the true
sound, Wahlamette.
Premature Burials.
We notice in several papers a paragraph from
the New Haven Journal, which under tho title of
“Singular Circumstance,” describes some strange
appearances on tho face of a corpse during tho fu
neral ceremonies. It states that a crimson flush
overspread the pale and deathlike features, while
the forehead became moist with what seemed to
be perspiration, and other singular phenomena
presented themselves. Tho funeral was suspend
ed and an examination held by two physicians,
who reported, however, that life had departed,
and the body was finally interred. Many similar
instances arc on record, a few of which we givo
below:
“The Courrier d’Athones relates that just as the
body of the wife of agypsey, named Piassan, was
being interred in the cemetry in that city, a noise
was heard to proceed from the coffin, which was
immediately opened. After some restoratives had
been administered to the supposed dead woman,
she soon recovered sullicieuiiy to return to her
home.”
Few, indeed, out of the palo of the medical pro
fession, know anything of the state of “trance”
except its name; and an intimate acquaintance
with its phenomena and predisposing causes is by
no means, if we may credit an eminent medical
authority, common in the profession itself. When,
therefore, instances like the above quoted one, are
narrated, it seldom occurs to any one to consider
the possibility that ho or Ins friends may in their
own persons furnish materials for a new tale of
wonder.
Dr. Herbert Mayo, an eminent English phy
sician, in a work “Or the Truths contained in Pop
ular Superstitions,” gives a very clear account of
the various known forms of trance, mid of tho
causes which produce them. Os that form which
chiefly concerns the purpose of this letter, he says:
“Death-trance is the image of death—the heart
docs not beat; the breathing is suspended; the
body is motionless; not the slightest outward sign
of sensibility or consciousness can be detected;
the temperature of the body falls, the entranced
person has the appearance of a corpse, from which
life has recently departed. The joints are com
monly relaxed, and the whole frame pliable; but
it is also like that spasmodic rigidity will form an
occasional adjunct of this strange condition, so
that thß only means of knowing whether life be
still present, is to wait the event.”
Instances of premature burial are given in ano
ther part of Dr. Mayo’s book, where he discusses
the superstition called “Vumpypsin,” once preva
lent throughout Europe, and still surviving in the
Eastern parts of that continent. Tho “Vampyre”
was a corpse, which retaining an unnatural vitality,
preserved itself from decomposition by sucking
the blood of the living; for which purpose it
nightly forsook its grave.
The fears engendered by this horrible belief led,
during tho seventeenth and early in the eighteenth
centuries, to frequent examinations of burial
grounds by the local authorities; and the records
of these investigations, which were once thought
to confirm the prevailing superstition beyond
doubt, liave now a melancholy significance for the
more enlightened inquirer; who in the bodies
found in tho “vampyre state,” after being under
ground for periods varying from several days to
several weeks, or months, recognizes but a few of an
untold number of victims of ignorance who have
beon hurried alive. In some instances the corpse
has been found to have changed its position ; in
others, a singular absence of signs of decomposi
tion has been observed, in connection with a ffush
■ing of the cheeks; in others, again, motion has
been clear v perceived. But the popular feeling
at the period referred to regarded such signs with
abhorrence, and means were promptly used (such
as decapitation) to render the “vampyre” harm
less before restoring him to the earth. Dr. Mayo ob
serves that the danger of being buried alive is com
parative less in England, where the mode of pro
ceeding is more deliberate than on the Continent,
where but a short interval is allowed between
death and burial.
“Soil,” be Bays, “society is not sufficiently on its
guard against a contingency so dreadful,” And
again: “When the nurse or the doctor has an
nounced that all is over or the valued friend or re
lative has breathed his last, no doubt crosses any
one’s mind of the reality of tho sad event.” * *
“The laity, if not the doctors, too, constantly lose
sight of the fact that there exists an alternative to
the fiital event of ordinary disease ; that a patient
is liable at any period of illness to deviate, or, as it
were, slide into another and deceptive route — in
stead of death to encounter apparent death.”
When the possibility is tairly considered few
will feel inclined to question the soundness of Dr.
Mavo’s advice. “The body,” be observes, “should
be kept in a warm room, lor the double purpose of
promoting decomposition, if dead, and of preserv
ing in it the vital spark if it stiff linger; and it
should be constantly watched. There are of
course,” be adds, “many cases in which such care
Is positively unnecessary. Such for instance, as
death following great lesions of vita! organs, and in
the great majority of cases of seeming death, the
bare possibility of the persistence of life hardly re
mains. Still it is better to err on the right side.”
Many years ago, the father of the writer, oil re
covering" from an attack of yellow fever at Surinam
fell into a trance, such as Dr. Mayo lias described,
and lay for ten days without any "external sign of
life, but not without consciousness. Ho wa- laid
out for burial soon after tMs state supervened, and
was only saved from a most horrible fate by the
cantiou or ass ection of an attendant, who pleaded
for delay until decomposition should set in. lie
himself overheard part of the conversation which
was to determine his fate, while wholly incapa
ble of manilesting any sign of vitality: and in af
ter years could never allude to the subject with
out emotion.
The celebrated violinist Ole Bull, has been in
vited by sundry members of the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States, and of
the Executivo Department at Washington, to gh e
a musical Concert in that city, to which he consent
ed, and the Concert was to have taken place yester
day evening.
General Canales.— The story that Canales had
declared against the Government of Mexico, is con
tradicted by a late arrival from the Brazos, at New
Orleans.
A Heavy day’s Wore. —One million and a
quarter of gold, from California, was melted on the
rtth inst., between the hours of 7 and 3 o’clock in
the melting department of the Mint, in Philadel
phia. This is the largest amount ever melted in
«n« day since the establishment of the Mint,
The Extinguishment of Fbune.
»Vie arc indebted, says the N. Y. Express, to Mr.
Phillips for the following letter, explanatory of the
discovery of his meaus for tho extinguishment of
flame, or tho suppression of fire. Tho letter em
bodies an exceedingly interesting account of one
of the most remarkable occurrences in the natural
world, and will recall tho reader’s attention to
scones which were so minutely described at the
time of their occurrence. It waa this remarkable
event in the natural world, which lod Mr. Phillips
to the study of the effect of vapor or steam. He
saw its operation in the strange development which
he so graphically describes, and experiments huvo
proved the ability of the disooveror.
We have been slow to believe in tho virtues of
the Annihilator, and we do not, as our readers will
bear witness, bolong to that class who ore ready,
upon any body’s ipse dixit, to take a thing for
granted, but wo think that tho Fire Annihilator is
capable of suppressing flame, and that as flame is
but another name for firo—and of firo in its most
mischievous properties—we believe that it may bo
made, at a very small cost, instrumental in saving
millions of property, aud an untold amount of
misery. That it will do away .with water, with
fire engines, or with an efficient Fire Department,
we do not beliexe, nor js it so claimed, but it will
prove a Taluablo co-laborer with al! thoso in mak
ing harmless, or nearly so, what is now one of tho
most dangerous and destructive of all the dements.
Wc predict for the Annihilator, not that it will
do away with Fire Engines and water, a Fire De
partment, or any of tho proper appliances for
guarding against Are, but that it will prove on
land tho most valuable auxiliary with those for
the extinguishment of fires, ever known or likely
to be discovered. At sea its value is likely also to
prove very great:
To the Editors of the Express; —ln the year 1534,
the English squadron, while escorting Sirl'ultnoy
Malcolm from his command in tho Mediterranean,
passed over a spot, where for a few months, the
\ oleunic Island, sometimes called Faniagosta, ap
peared aud aroso high above the level of the sea.
The Admiral signalized that his ship, the St. Vin
cent ot 120 guns, was agitated by a tremendous
motion, which agitation tho different ships also
experienced as they passed over tho same spot.
Sir l’ultncy Malcolm proceeded to England, uud
the squadron returned to Malta, whore rumor soon
after came that a great earthquake was expected
somewhere in the South of Europe, and that shocks
had been felt at Gibraltar, Corsieu, Etna, Vesuvius
and Stromboli. The rockv Island of Malta itself
was also shaken by the subterraneous commotion.
, I he barometer fell as before the great carthquako
ot Lisbon, and a fearful thunder storm announced
coining events. Soon aftorwurds sorao fishermefi
reported that there was a sea of firo to tho S. W.
The storm had passed away and the quaking of
the earth had ceased, and tho fishermen’s storv
found i»> believers ; but superstition had seized
the Maltese, and reports wore circulated that the
island ot Mslta was sinking ; floating cinders were
piexed up tin tho shore, but these were proiiounc
od to be artificial. A glare on tho horizon was
often seen at midnight, hut still none would bo
licve that tire could issue from the soa.
Several of the English, French and Russian
men of.war at Malta liad sustained somo damage
by the storm. Tho Melville 74, bearing the flag
of Rear Admiral Schombcrg, lmd lost her main
mast, which being repluccd, she put to sea, and
as she left tlie port they said :
“ She moves the waters like a thing of life,
And seems to dare the elements to strife.”
The second day we sighted the new Island, which
answered the last reports of the fishermen, except
ing that its aspeet was more beautiful than ter
rible.
The Island had risen from a depth of eighty
fathoms, forming a high conical crescent above
the sea, having a crater extending into the subter
ranean regions, whence a tremendous eruption
took place every day for several weeks. Davlight
was obscured by the clouds of gaseous vapor that
shot up and darkened the sea for many miles
around ; torrents ot lava and incandescent cinders
were east into the air, increasing the magnitude of
the Island as they foil—which measured 60 miles
diameter at the base. Such was tho hoat of the
Island that tho sea on its South const was boiling
in large fountains, whilo torrents of water rushed
in through the horns of tho crescent during the
cessation of tho eruption; lurid flames accom
panied by volumes of smoko rose from different
parts of the Island, threatening to burn on for
centuries, a noise like distant thunder announced
the approaeli of each eruption, which heralded by
a terrific peal burst into extreme grandeur on the
instant, as if the pent up wave of molten rooks had
reuched the earth’s safety valve. Tho water of
the sea that had been hours accumulating in the
crater was cast up perpendicularly to a great height
in the form of a cylinder, through which the lava
aud fiery masaes were ejected.
Presuming in our disbelief we had approached
within half a mile of t|ic Volcano during its re
pose, when the wind fell calm and a sultry change
in the air warned ns of our temerity; there was
no anchorage: nor hope of stemming the current
which was drifting us quickly toward the Cataract
that fell into tho crater. All hands, seven hundred
men, were powerless ; loud prayers aroso from all,
and then we felt that,
“ They that go down to the sea in ships and oc
cupy their business in great waters. These men
see the works of tho Lord and his wonders in the
deep.”
Suddenly tho fearful eruption bursts high aloft,
shrouding us beneath its awful canopy, when a
strong wind released ns from our fears, and allow
ed us to slide away safely with recollections never
to bo forgotten, having escaped a danger past
human efforts to avert. We avoided tiie close
vicinity of the Island afterwards, but remained
in sight of it for several days, witnessing the diur
nal eruptions with attentive admiration and aston
ishment.
In common with all hands, it wa» my custom to
watch the first and the last of each eruption, and to
collect the floating cinders which oiten darkened
the scu around, and here it was that my attention
was attracted to the respective properties of vapor,
fire and water.
I saw the huge fountain of water shower down
upon the flames that issued from the shore without
producing any change ; and I saw tho 'clouds of
gaseous vapor from the crater borne away leeward,
where all flames were suddenly annihilated. This
phenomenon wrought in nature’s laboratory, was
surely worthy to bo noted as a principle , a princi
ple that may be doubted and may be forgotten ;
but as a natural principle, a truth that will exist for
all time.
Being satisfied that tho gnseous vapor possessed
the property of suddenly extinguishing flames of
any degree of intensity, I devoted my time exclu
sively to the study of tho principles of combus
tion, with a view to devise an engine in which the
required vapor could bo evolved.
In the course of my travels I had tho opportu
nity of seeing many extensive fires. On one oc
casion, the whole town'of Zara, in Abyssinia, was
consumed in ono night; on another, an extensive
brushwood fire in Greece, some of the phenomena
presented by the Volcano were repeated. The
rapid evaporation of all moisture, the production
of wind and the instantaneous extinction of all
fire by the products of combustion, confirmed my
conviction, and encouraged mb to persevere.
The necessity for seeking additional means of
defending ourselves against tho ravages of fire, I
consider to bo undoubted, having myself witness
ed the destruction of many dwellings and stores
in tho midst of London. The burning of the
Houses of Parliament, tho Itoyal Exchange, tho
Tower of London, where tho fire was too rapid to
be controlled by water, and a knowledge of the
annual description of ten millions of dollars in
England, and nearly as much in America and other
countries, was my argument for the necessity of
additional pootcctivo powers. Tho loss of human
life by fire is another argument for some more
ready means of rescue. Here, among other cases,
the destruction of tho Richmond Theatre, and the
steamer Erie, must be ever remembered. At sea,
the burning of the Ocean Monarch, the Caleb
Grimshaw and tho Amazon, can never bo forgot
ten.
In a subsequent letter I may trouble you with a
few more observations.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
W. 11. PniLLirs.
Interesting Medical Experiment.
Our readers have, says the Picayune, doubtless,
heard of the tondness of the people of the East
for opium, betal nut and other narcotics, which are
used in various forms, by chewing, smoking, &c.
One of these substances is the Indian hemp, or
canabris indica, of which tho inhabitants of India
and Upper Egypt are extravagantly fond. The
preparation made froip it is that the effects of
which Alexander Dumas describes, in his novel of
“Monto Christo,” under the name of “hatehish.”
It developed nervous sensibility in an extraordina
ry degree and manner, creating sensations altogeth
er novel, exciting the montal faculties to the most
vivid and singular action. Very little of the effects
of this strange substanco arc known otherwise than
from the talcs of travellers in the East. An expe
riment was made with it, a few days since, by Mr.
B. Laplace, druggist, at the corner of Victory and
Champs Elysees streets, Third Municipality, the
result of which he has been kind Enough to com
municate to us. Physicians, and scientific men
generally, will read of this experiment with plea
sure. Tho following is Mr. Laplace’s account of it,
written by himself:
I long had the design to seriously occupy myself
with researches into the qualities of a substance,
which is os strango in its effects as it is little known
to men of science. I speak of the ‘ Indian hemp,”
or canabri» indica, which is of general use in Up
per Egypt. The better to judge of the possibility
of its application to medicinal purposes,! resolved
to make an essay with it on my own system and
person.
On Saturday, the 12th inst., Mr. C and my
self determined to moke a scientific experiment
with this hatch ish, as the Arabs terra it, with a view
to ascertain how much of it could be taken with
impunity, and what were its immediate rcsnlts.
We each took six grains of the preparation, though
we thought that must be rather too largo a dose;
but we were resolved to draw from the experiment
everything that might benefit science, since scien
tific men have given so little attention to the sub
ject.
Being of a sanguine terapermcnt,l was the first
to feel the effects of the hatehish. There was great
weight about the head; then followed irresistible
bursts of laughter, during which, however I was
perfectly conscious of all that I was doing, or felt
and thought. I was astonished by the crowd of
brilliant and novel ideas and fancies that rushed
through my bruin, returning over and over again.
Imagination and perception wero developed to
their greatest extent. All the principal incidents
of my life passed before me like a flash.
This condition of mind lasted two hours. Dreams
■and reveries of the most pleasing nature followed
this extraordinary tension of the intellectual facul
ties. Then came a deep, calm sleep, which termi
nated this singular fit or mental hallucination. In
truth, it is impossible for me to describe all the
sensations which I experienced during the experi
ment. They were, however, of the most delicious
nature.
Mv companion, Mr. C , was dot effected by
the dose he took until three hours afterwards. He
first felt tho most extreme terror, undefinable and
without an object, which followed by immediate
laughter. •
Since the first experiment we have made others,
with the same results. lam inclined to think that
this hatehish, w th its extraordinary effects on the
human system, will, when its peculiar qualities
hnvo been more carefully ascertaind, become a no
ted remedial agent in the practice of medicine and
surgery.
Bank Note Pestilence.— Tho Cincinnati Equir
tc, in noticing the statement of Dr. Buckler, of this
city, that small-pox is often communicated by
means of small note, says:
‘•The teller of one of the banks of Columbus, an
estimable young man, contracted the disease by
handling a batch of bills which had been transmit
ted from this city. where the small-pox was then
quite prevalent and in malignant form. The young
man died—and, by such a seemingly harmless
channel of communication, was that loathsome
pestilence the cause of a family losing their main
stay in life.”
IxtmtovExtENT iv Beal Estate. —No higher evi
dence of the groat increase In the value of proper
ty iu New York, can be furnished than the follow
ing fact mentioned in a letter to the Philadelphia
American :
“The 1,000 and odd lots of land which have been
sold within the lust three days at auction, and which
■rill realize at least SBOO,OOO, cost, SO years since,
IlcniH.
Recipe job Night Mart.—ls you 'wish to see
the “nocturnal homo of the feminine gender,” all
you have to do is, about fifteen minutes before bod
time,.cut up ouc dozen of cold boiled potatoes ;
add a few slices of cold boiled cabbage, with five or
six pickled cucumbers. Eat heartily, and wash
down with a pint of Brown Stout. Undress and
jump into bed. hie flat on your back, and in about
half an hour, or thereabouts, you will dream that
the devil is sitting on your chest with the Bunker
Hill Monument in his lap.
Question.— l am courting a girl I havo but little
acquaintance with ; how sliull I come to a know
ledge of her faults i
Answer.— Commond her among hor female ac
quaintance.
Marrird Lambs. —Tho last word is the most
dangerous of infernal machines. Better throw a
brick at your husband, than tho last word. The
brick may miss, but the lust word will certainly hit.
“ Mr. Speaker,” said a Western orator, “my
dcestrict beats all creation ! Last year wo mndo
fifty thousand bnrrels of whiskey, besides wanting
thoueande of buekeln of corn for bread /”
The Indiana House of Representatives havo re
fused to abolish capital punishment. Ayes 86;
noes 88.
“ Query” wants to know what Mrs. Jonny
Goldschmidt has bought a farm for. The answer
is plain enough—having got a “husband-man,”
she wanted something for him to do, and so bought
a form of course. Jenny is an economist.
“Hands Off,” —The New York common ooun
cilmen are allowed $241 worth of kid gloves a
year.
Professor Hannibal, in his last leoture published
in the N. Y. Picayune, in discoursing on tho cat
fish, says: “ I don’t noc why he am eallod de cat
fish, unless it am bekase he am such a pussylana
mus feller, and jPMMylanomous am cufamount to
bein’ called a ramtomas. One rceson dey call him
so may be kase ho am so sportivo an’ kitten like
when he am out ob de water.”
Tho Plough, tho Loom, and the Anvil, says that
South Carolina abounds in lime and iron ore, and
North Carolina in fuel to smelt tho ore, and in the
labor that would, if so npplied, enable them to ex
port instead of importing iron.
Death ok the Oldest Hotel Keeper in irk
State.— Peter M. Syndcr, who has kept tho “Bull's
Head” hotel, in Schoharie, for more than fifty
years, died on the loth, in tho ,74th year.of his
age.— Albany Journal.
A Cottaci Eli’s Lament.— An English laborer,
whoso child was suddenly killed by the falling of a
beam, wroto the following linos, suggested by tho
ineluncholy event. They are touohingly beautiful :
Sweet, laughing child I —the cottage doer
Stands free and open now,
But oh ! its sunshine glides no more
The gladness of thy brow 1
Thy merry step hath passed away ;
Thy laughing sport is hushed for aye.
. Thy mother by the fireside sits,
And listens for thy call;
Ami slowly—slowly, as she knits,
tier quiet tears downfall;
Iter Uttlr hindering thing is gone;
And undisturbed she may work on !
French Scientific News.— The Monitour offers
a reward of 50,000 francs for any discovery that
shall render the Voltaic pile applicable, with econo
my, to industry as a source of heat, to lighting,
chemistry, mechanics, or medical praetiee. All
nations are admitted to compete during five years.
An amateur chemist lias discovered that oat straw
and the other common straws of the country can
be converted into cotton by M. Clausen’s process,
in the same way as flak straw.
Railroad Fences.— The Scnsto of Pennsylvania
has passed a bill requiring of tho New York and
Erie Railroad Company to build fences along the
track of their road, in Pike county. It is also pro
posed that the committee on internal improvement
enquire into tho , expediency of inserting in all
railroud bills that may hereafter bo reported, a pro
vision requiring the companies to icnco in their
roads, in as safe a manner as possible for tho pro
tection of life and property.
A French 'Woman of most extraordinary focun
dity, thirty-three years ofage, has just given birth to
her twenty-second, twenty-third and twenty-fourth
children. She has produced the whole twenty-four
in nine years. They come tlireo at a time, are all
doing remarkably woll. What is singular, and at
tho samo time provoking to the husband, who de
sires to transmit his name and title, thoy are every
ono of them girls.”
Travelling and Cacatlties or Railroads. —lt is
computed that there were 7,984,957 persons carried
on railroads in tho United States last year, and
about 86 killed, and 47 injured. Most of tho
killed wero employees of the companies. There
were 11,95 f persons carried for every mile of road
Another Fire.— The ruins of Gen. Haralson’s
residence were still smouldering when the alarm
of firo proceeded from the same quarter of our
town. This time the sufferer was Mr Hansel Join
er, a worthy and industrious citizen, whose dwell
ing was reduced to ashes in a short time. Wo sin
cerely deplore his loss. —Lagrange Reporter.
A correspondent writing us from New Orlcnns
under date of the 20th inst., says that tho rapid in
crease in the receipts of Cotton has quite excited
tho Long-Crop” men and they arc more sanguine
than ever in their estimates of tho yield being at
least two millions eight hundred thousand bales.
Letters from Havanua state that tho pardon of
Lopez by Gov. limit, of N. Y., had removed all
bitter feeling towards tho United States as it show
ed that tho authorities here wero anxious to culti
vate friendly feelings with Cuba and Spain. There
are but very few persons now in Cuba, we are as
sured, who feel disaffoeted towards the Spanish
Government or local rule in Huvana.
Immigrants.— Tho following vessels arrived at
New York, Sunday lost, with immigrants:
J. A. Westcrvelt, Liverpool 080
Conqueror, “ 896
Niagara, “ B^4
American Engle, London 273
Marthn’B Vlnoyard, Gluscow 160
Tho Pennsylvania Senate has adopted tho first
section of the Maine Liquor Law, by a vote of 18
yeas to 14 nays.
Boston East India Trade. —Forty one ships,
says the Traveller, “aro now on their passage to
this port from various ports in the East Indies
and Pacific, viz: 28 from Calcutta, 7 from Manilla,
4 from Batavia, and 4 from Valparaiso. Most of
these vessels are now nearly due.” •
The Fugitive Slave Law in Wisconsin.—Re
ports have been presented in both branches of the
Wisconsin Legislature, instructing Congressmen
from that State to vote for a repeul of the fugitive
slave law.
Quick Work. —The Pacific made her voyage out
in clevon and a half days, and home in cloven days.
She was absent just four weeks and a day, and
was six days and a half in port. Thcso are wintor
performances well calculated to mako our country
men proud of the steamers.
Quick Passage. —The steam-ship Florida, hence,
arrived at New York before 8 P. M. on Monday—
thus making tho passage from wharf to wharf in
less than 55 hours, the shortest passage ever made.
A Passenger on board arrived at New Haven be
fore sun-set on Mondaj.
The Kossuth Entertainment, at Southampton.
In tho U. S. Senate on Monday, Mr. Gwin, from
tho Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was re
ferred the memorial of Joseph Rodney Croskcy.
American Consul at Cowes and Southampton,
praying to be allowed expenses for entertaining
Kossuth, asked to be discharged from the further
consideration of tho same, which was agreed to.
The usury laws have been abolished, in Loui
siana. A law has also been passed, exempting
homasteads to tho value of SIOOO, besides $260
worth of furniture, the library, &c., from seizure
for debt.
Clear the Track.'—A few days since a train of
cars, without passengers, made the run from
Poughkeepsie to Peckskill N. Y. distance thirty
two miles, in thirty minutes. This, we believe, is
the greatest speed ever attained on any road in this
country.
Snake in a Horse’s Eve. —A correspondent of
the New York Post vouches as a fact, that a living
horse, which is now on exhibition in that city, con
tains in his eyo a living animal, soino three inches
long, which moves wi th as rapid and tortuous a
motion os an eel ora water-snake.
Tho last question discussed before the Shakerag
Debating Society was: “Where does a candle go
to when it goes out?” The question, after much
discussion, was unanimously decided in the affir
mative.
The mysterious tracks in Coventry, R. 1., which
some folks pretend to think were made by Satan
himself, have been explained. It seems they wore
by the snowy owl.
The following little anecdote, related by one of
the Abbots, is too good not to repeated. Pass it
round.
“Mother,” said a little boy, “I do not wish to go
to heaven.”
“And why not, my son?”
“Why grandfather will be there, will he not V’
“Yes, my son, I hope he will."
“Well, as soon us he sees us, ho will come scol
ding along, and say, whew, whew, whew, what are
these boys here for? lam sure I don’t waat to go
to he aven, if grandfather is to bo there.”
A letter to tho Danville (Ky.) Tribune,- states
that Mr. J. C. Short, recently fell from th# top of a
cliff’on Dix river, in Lincoln county, a distanoe of
ninety feet, perpendicular, and to the astonishment
of his companions, instead of being dashed to
pieces, he sustained but little injury. It is sup
posed that he fell upon his head l
Shoe pegeare manufactured by machinery, in Cin
einnati, and sold by the barrel! The whole west is
supplied by Cincinnati.
The first duel in New England was fought by
two servants with a sword and dagger. Neither
of them was killed, but both were wounded. For
their offence they were formally tried before the
wholo company of settlers, and sentenced to have
their “heads and feet tied together, and so to bo
twenty-four hours without drink.”
Mr. Weed of the Albany Journal, in one of his
late letters from Europe mentions having paid
a visit to Mr. Powers, the celebrated sculptor. Mr.
Weed says that Mr. Powers never touched a chisel
to the “Greek Slave” or any other of his wonder
ful productions. 110 says that those statues whioh
we have so much admired, are chislcd entirely by
assistants. All the genius and labor of our groat
sculptor are expended on tho model*, after
which the marble statues are executed by assis
tants.
Husbanding.— The Green county advocato is re
sponsible for the following:
“The newspapers say that the school funds
have been husbanded sowell that every child in
the Territory will bo provided for. This is notn
ing to take credit for :-thoy have husbanded every
school mistress sent up their yet, and it Is no more
than fair that they should begin to provide for tho
children.
Controversial Journalism.
We copy tho paragraph -which follows from the
Monteomery Advertiser and Gazctto of March 9,
not for tho sake of entering into a discussion as to
tho correctness of the position of that paper in re -
gard to recreancy of the South, or of the “federal
party” of tho South, or of any body at all ill the
South, to Southern interests ; but for another
pnrpose, whioh we shall presently- state :
“ As to our association with the abolitionists and
fVcesoilcrs in the Baltimore Convention, and being
controlled by them, and all that sort of slang it is •
much more befitting the mouth of one or those
consolidation federal whig sheets, which regards
but little either deceiioy, truth or country, than
one, like the Dallas Gazette, which we feel satisfied
lias a rospoct. devotion and veneration for oneh.
We know full well, that upon the slavery question
neither party at the North can be rolicd'upon ; but
in view of the past we put it to the Dallas Gazette
In the South, kernel/, reliable upon that qveetion t
Has she provod herself so I Has not her own rc
oroancy—the recreancy of the federal party
mainly of tho South, been the chiof oause or this
desertion of the Northern democracy upon this
anestion f Had the South manfully stood up to
the Northern democracy in times past, and not
sutferod them to bo overwhelmed by such aboli
tionists aud freesoilora as Fillmore,’Soivard and
Corwin, and by their miserable and supple tool,
old Zuch. Taylor, we should havo been spared tho
oontosts of tho last eighteen months.” 1
Tho Tuscaloossa Monitor comments upon the
abovo article in the following vory just strain:
Now what wo want to know is, what advantago
can be gained in any political coreinonv, by con
tinually repeating, us some of our contemporaries do
—fur tho Montgomery paper is not alone—that
one s opponents in sentiment are deficient in every
thing wluoh constitutes, not a gentleman only, but
an honest mnu? that they are rcgurdlcss of decen
cy, truth or country ; or, in other words, that they
are blackguards, liars and traitors ? Wo will nut
tho case that it is alt true—which nobody ever bo
lioves, however, or is expeoted to believe—wlnit
we ask, is gained by it 1 Hard words prove no
thing. It wo are right, wo shall make our reason
ing no clearer, by oalling onr adversary a knave or
a villain, ovon if he is so twenty times' over. And
ifwo are wrong, the case is apparently agreat deal
worse. It is not truo, whatever sonic folks may
think, that an intelligent people mistuko übusivo
languago for argument; or that they are slower
in polities than m other matters to discovor that
opprobrious epithets are not seldom used, la cover
up the wonknoss of a oause. In any point of viow
tho party who employs thorn injures himself tlio
most. •
Now if nothing can be gained by resorting to an
oxpediont whioh ovinoes neither ability or culture
in those whose proficiency in its use is most emi
nent, ought not Bomo weight to bo allowed to tho
consideration that all this is m very bad tasto ? Wo
know that it offends the reading publio. We never
saw the man yet, whoso opinion wo respected, who
did not feci annoyed whenever he onconntored
such violations of tho cOnrtosy of speoch even
though they occurred in articles' and journals de
voted to tho support of his own most favorite po
litical views. Havo not those exceptionable modos
of speaking became of late years more and more
frequent ( Is there not a growing proclivity in
tlip political press toward rudeness of language
and bitterness of tone? Do not its conductors
when they descend into tho arena *f controversev
manifest more and more propensity to iuv aside
tho polished armor of ohiv*irio warfare, lin'd adopt
the bludgoou of tho bully, or the tomahawk of the
savago I
But habits grow by indulgence, until their pos
sessors are swayed by them unconsciously. Many
political writers have become, perhaps, so uceus
tomod to the use of the harshest epithets, tliut sen
tences appear to thorn wouk, which uro not woll
spiced witli tlieso. They do not, certainly they
cannot, understand or intend by them what the
lexicon says they mean. They dosign thorn, pro
bably to bo taken ns powerful hyperboles, ex
; prossive only of the violent disliko with whioh
, thoy regard the principles or the opinions of their
adversaries. But surely tho English language is
' copious enough to furnish expressions sufficiently
1 energetio for evory important purposo, without
, rendering it necessary to resort to thoso which
, minute toothers the absence afovery moral prin
-1 In conclusion we will just allude to another par
, tloular, ni which the extract qoutod above exhibits
an exceptionable spirit. To call Mr. Fillmore an
abolitionist, and to asßooiate his nnmo with Hint of
i Mr. Sownrd, when no name is more hateful than
[ his to tho whole tribe of abolitionists, and when
, Mr. Seward’s party in New York are, to a man,
fitted against him, is unworthy of a journalist who
• lays claim to a character for fairness. And to
, speak of a distinguished soldier, whose memory
1 will ever bo dear to the hearts of his conntrymen,
coutemptously, as “old Zaoh Taylor, ” aud to ohar
-aotcrize him us a “miserable and supple tool," is
• not only in the worst possible tasto, but is a vio-*
louce offered to tho foelings of the American peo
ple. Such language recoils upon its author. It
may not be a crime to use it, but, in tho words of
tho unscrupulous Fronoh diplomatist, “It is worse
, than a crime—it is a blunder.”
A lTalrs on tlie Rla Grande.—The Arrest «t Carvajal.
Tho Rio Bravo, of the 10th Inst., gives somo par
ticulars of tho arrest of Carvajal. It says thut,
having business in Brownsville, Cnrvnjal came
down on the Comanche the day bofore. On his
way down, ho was arrested by a company, of
United States troops under Lieut. Gibbons. Im
mediately on his arrival, bail was offored and in
stantly entered, when the prisoner was discharg
ed.
Tho same paper lias the following:
Crops hnvo never looked more promising on tho
Rio Grando than this season, nor has there been
so much planting done sineo the war. Experiments
prove that January is tho propor month to plant in
this country. An old residout informs us that ho
has nover tailed to make a crop when planted in
that month. Tho February orops also look well ut
this tiino.
Now that tho land titles are quieted on this riv
er, bv tho late action of the Legislature, confirm
ing tlio old grants, wo expeot to see tho country
rapidly settlo up. The want of rain line hereto
fore been the. great drawback and curse of this,
country. But tho seasons seom to be changing.
A few years ago the oountry about Sun Antonia
was as dry os tho Rio Grando valley : but sineo its
settlement by Americans there has been plenty of
ruin. Tho cause of this is, probably, the greater
amount of tillage done, which causes evaporation
and hence follows ruin. With a moderate quantity
of thiß good gift, this valloy presents advantages
possessed bv no other portion of Texas, or per
haps of thiß Union.
In point of soil it is equal to any. Two orops a
year muy bo calculated upon, with the best market
in the U nion; added to this labor is cheaper than
in any other country wo are acquainted with. All
kindßof crops that aro grown in the South do well
here—cotton, sugar, corn, tobacco, hemp and vege
tublcs of all kinds.
If our premises are correct, that rain follows
cultivation, we may. from present appearances,
soon expect to see tho Rio Grande Valley one of
the best firming countries in the Stato. Its com
morciul advantages are already appreciated.
Phosphate or Lime for Consumption.— Not long
since tho Now Orleans Medical Journal contained
an article, from Dr. Stone, of that oity, on the use
of tho Phosphate of Lime ns a remedy for con
sumption, in whioh he commended its use to tho
Medical profession. Since then tho Boston Medioal
Journal hasth# following notice of Its use in a css#
which resulted most fortnuatcly:
A gontloman of the neighboring city of Charles
town, whoso soil was considered in a hopeless state
from tho diseased condition of the respiratory ap
paratus, was induced to administer Dr. Stone's
modicino. All the phosphate of lime prooured at
tho shops appeared to him to bo iinporfectly prepa
red, being coarse and otherwise exceptionable. A
purer article was prepared especially for tho occa
sion, reduood to an impalpable powder, and ten
grains were administered three timos a dar, fol
lowed by a swallow of cod liver oil. No material
ehango was disoovorablo in tho patient for two
weeks. Suddenly, as it were, a fixod pain of long
standing in the ohestthen abated; sleep became
refreshing, the appetite improved, strength return
ed, and from being moved about tho apartment re
clining on an invalid ohair, he is now daily riding,
on an average, ten miles on horsebaok, facing the
wind and breathing tho cold with impunity. This
is the synopsis of a oase related by a grateful pa
rent. who would be glad to havo others, under
similar oiromnstaiioes, mako an effort with the
phosphate, combined with oold liver oil.
Mormon Immigration.—A correspondent of tho
Memphis Enquirer, writing from St. Louis, re
marks :
“ I learn, from tho best authority, that there aro
at this moment over two thousand Mormons in
this city, nearly all of whom ore from England.
They landed hero some months ago, destitute of
money, on their way to the Salt Lake City, and
were compelled to stop until thov could earn the
means to carry them on to thoir destination. It is
suid that all of them aro opposed to declaring
their intention (according to the statute) to be
come citizens of the United States. This tallies
with the reports we have heard of the plan the
Mormon leaders have formod of erecting Utah
into an independent Republic. I very much fear
wo Bhnll have serious difficulties with these Turks
—Mormons yet. lam credibly informed that all
of tho citizens of California, who emigrated to that
State by the Sait Lake route, are very much in
censed against the Utahians on account of the vil
lainous treatment they received from them on their
way to California, and that an army or extermina
tion could be raisod in tho Gold State, at a mo
ment’s warning.”
A Distressing Scene.— On Saturday.evening last,
Claiborne W. Ulm, a carpenter, died in the vicinity
of Oglethorpe from a fracture of the soull received
a few days previously at Cox’s Steam Mill. The
Coroner summoned an Inquest, to view the body.
A witness who was present when the blow was giv
en, related the particulars. A poet mortem exami
nation was mude by Drs. Pitta and J. 11. Oliver,
who testified that death was caused by the wound.
After weighing the evidence, the Jury found tho
killing to be “involuntary manslaughter,” by
Thomas Cox. ’ 3
This tragedy hes a strong moral bearing. The
deceased, when sober, was quiet and harmloss; but
when intoxicated, he lost cemmand of himself.
Such was his condition when he provoked the dif
ficulty which terminated his life.
Let us view the melancholy scene. At ten o’clock
at night, the Coroner takes charge of the corpse,
in u lonely cabin in the woods. It lies just as when
tho last breath departed, on an humble bod, sur
rounded by four sleeping children.—ln one corner
of the room sat tho mother, and, near by, tho wife
of the deceased. As the charge to the Jury was
read, and as tho witnesses proceeded to give tho
facts, those weeping females filled tho room with
distress. Why all this suffering,—why this group
ofjnrors and spectators,—why this sudden cutting
oil a fellow being into etormty ? Reader, a hdtf
pint of Whiekp did the work 1 Had poor Ulm kept
clear of intoxicating drinks, he would have been
still alive to provide for hiß family, and to act his
proper part Now, he is in eternity, and his wife
ana children are penniless in the world.
Topers, take warning; moderate drinkers, dash
the cup from you before habit becomes invincible.
Let all classes wake up and crush the fiery mon
ster. Could they Bee as that Jury saw, and feel as
that Jury felt on this awful occasion, sobriety
would cover the land with blessing, uiid tho an
guish of tho demestio circle would no more be
* witnessed at u Coroner’s Inquest, resulting from
so contomptiblo a thing us liquor.— Oglethorpe De
mocrat, ‘Pith met.
Mississippi. —The Legislature of Mississippi ad
journed on Tuesday last, without districting th#
State for Congressional representation, and without
electing aU. S. Senator for tho longterm. The
Vicksburg Whig understands that Gov. Foote will
call a special session of the Legislature. The bill
to establish and encourage manufactories in the
State was passed* No provision for raising addi
tional revenue was maao, and, in consequence, tho
State Treasury, it is said, will be bankrupt a year
hence. The Senate re-considered the bill to sub
mit to tho people the question of the payment of
the Planters’ Bank Bonds. The bill was amended
so as to submit to the people at the Presidential
election, the question, “will you submit to a direct
tax for tho payment of the Planters’ Bank Bonds ?”
and in this shupe the bill was passed. Gov. Foote
bus signed the bills granting the right of way to
the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern
Railroad Company, and to the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad Company.
Horrible Murder.— Tho Fairmont Va., Banner
announces the murder of six men and one woman,
who were emigrating westward, at a house where
they had stopped to spend the night, in Doddridge
county, Va., on Weduesday night last. The hor
rible miscreants who committed this • wholesale
murder or# supposed to have stolen $22,000 from
the party murdered. The same party, it is believ
ed, rescued John Owens from tho jail at Clarksburg
on the Sunday night preceding, who was charged
with having sot fire to several buildings in that
town in November lash