Newspaper Page Text
CONFLAGRATION.
Last night, about fifteen mioutes
before eleven o’clock, the eentre
■wooden building on M tore's wharf,
was diseovered to be on fire. The
citizens and different E igine com
panies were soon convened ; but un
fortunately no immediate or deci
sive measures were adopted by
which the fire could be stopped at
its beginning. Tbe season for two
months previous to this incident bad
h a en dry—the night was vfy cold
and a brisk breeze from W. N. W.
which was soon increased by tbe ef
fe -ts of the fire. Several bouses
were soon affected and almost in
stantly in slimes. The wind now
became strong, and whirled into tbe
air with agitated violence large
flakes of burning shingles, boards
a>d other light substances, which
alighted at a distance, on the roofs
of many houses at the east end of
the r >wn, and set them on fire, but
the flames were happily exiigimh>
ed without much damage. The fire
continued to rage until it had drs
trojred all the buddings on Moore's
wharf, from the fitcuange dock to
Auciaux’s wharf including Rice's
stores a id Vlongiu’s large five story
tabby buildings. The houses on An
ciaux's wharf w*re pulled down by
the firemen, in order to arrest the
flames which realized the desired
abject. All is laid waste from Bol
ton's fire proof range, to Hunter's
brick and stone buildings! That
spacious and substantial edifice, the
Exchange, was in imminent danger.
Two or three times it was on fire,
but through great exertions ic wa
saved; had it fallen a prey to the
destructive element, the fl imes must
have crossed to the opposite side of
the Bay, -and God only knows where
it would hvp stopped. We might
2ti all probability have witnessed
what our devoted city experienced
four years ago, when two thirds of
it was laid in ashes. The amount
ot properfv des’royed. i* estimated
&> seventy Jive thousand dollars , half
of which 19 said to he insured.
Those who suffered by the caia n
itv, are, J, IV. Mongin. W Lip pi it
4k Vo. R. Waterman &C. ft. Bliss,
J natltan Meigs, Paris HUM) raft,
G. Tompkins, ft. Padelford, M.
Woodworth, H Blair, J. W. Stack
pole, Childs A Perkins, J, J lemur,
eftz. 8 C. Greene, C %ruo!d, Hen
ry & Turner, Hdl & Perry, T. W.
Ri ?e, 8. A. Condy, 11. Marreilin,
Hleig9 A Bars tow, J. DcMiauips,
Jenny & Douglass, the estate of
M oore, tlie estate of Riee, the es
late of Aneiaux, and others.
The first appearance of the ficp
Was in the roof of the building which
was unoccupied, and must have been
the work of some daring inceodia
ry —Our readers will recollect that
two attempts witbin the two weeks
past have been made to set fire to
the same block of buildings. At
length the villains have succeeded.
It was truly fortunate that it
W"i* high water at the time the fire
&roke out, which enabled the ship
ping at tbe wharves to haul into the
stream, otherwise there would have
t>eeu considerable damage done to
them. Sixteen or seventeen build
ings were destroyed and a quantity
of merchandize. Two or three of
oureiti7C:i3 received a slight injury
from (he fall of a piece of scantling;
luf we at e happy to state that no
lives were lost.
Savannah Republican, 20 th inst .
It appears that some apprehen
sions have recently been entertained
in Florida, of tbe hostile intentions
of the I idians. The Mobile \rgus
ays, *• G vernor Duval had made
a requisition on tbe commanding
officer for a company, to proceed
forthwith, to St. Marks, to meet and
I put down Indian hostility io that
5 quarter. The Governor came to
i Pensacola, over laud from St. Au
| gusfine, through Talahatn; it was
on his road that be heard the Semi
nolrs were committing depredations
{ rn the white border settlers Io the
) nation he met their ehief, Neherna
thla, who confirmed the fact of out
rage having been committed, but
declared himteif unable to protect
the whites or cforce theiuw; the
blood of the young warriors was in
-11 uned, sud they would know no
control, nor submit to authority.
Their disaffection grows out of the
recent treaty, and the laying out of
the new road, which will pass thro’
their country. Captaiu Burch, who
is surveying and marking (he road,
has a guard of two officers and
twenty tun, and has nothing to fear,
r hnt we are alarmed for the safety of
Col. Gadsden and Lieut, Ripley, (be
commissi opera appointed to survey
and mark the line of tbe country as
signed to the Seminoles. These
gentlemen are now discharging
that duty, and we learn, without any
guard, we trust that our alarm may
be causeless, but there is surely
danger.”
It i contemplated to remove tbe
United States troops from Pensaco
la, where they were waiting trans
ports— ind it it not now certain
whether the requisition of Governor
Duval, will be respected, the com
manding ,(finer doubting his power
to change the destination of the
troops, and having no force with
which to meet the requisition, other
than that now under requisition for
Tampa Bay.
Sav. Georgian, 2 id inst.
The ease of Bachelors has been
very seriously taken up in the Le
gislature of Pennsylvania, and a law
seems to he progressing, or to have
already passed, imposing a tax on
them. We do not know whether
the law makes any distinction be
tween those who are bachelors from
necessity, and those who are bache
lors from choice, though there would
certainly seem to be an important
difference between the two oases.—.
II an individual, from perversity of
temper, or from a misanthropic
disposition, remains a practical injl
del , as relates to the divine decima
tion, that “ it is out good for man
to bo alone,” perhaps a due appli
cation of a tax law might so far
lighten his purse, enlighten his mind,
and soften his heart, as to effe t the
conversion necessary for his esca
ping its penal operation. But if it
so happens that a man is uofortu
nateiy disappointed in not obtaining
the object ot bis affections, and he
cannot readily transfer his regai and to
another with whom he would he
willing to he a partner in all the
vicissitudes of life, he would rather
seem to call forth commiseration,
than to he an object of taxation.
For the Legislature would not, we
presume, he so uncourteous as to
consider the life of a bachelor a lux
. uty, and like other luxuries to be
among (he sources from which a
public revenue was to be derived
When ba helors are taxed for not
being married, perhaps it might me
rit consideration whether some cor
responding tax ought not to be le
qnired from such females as refuse
what, io the estimation of a disin
terested committee, should be con
sidered an eligible, or at least, a
reasonable offer. For surely if a
man desirous of marrying is itfu
sed and taxed too, it would scarcely
seem that equal and exa*t justi* e
was rendered to him,—Besides
which, it is declared in the great
charter of American rights, that
“ life, liber*?, and the pursuit of
happiness” are among the unequiv
ocal rights of men—and perhaps a
man has as ti questionable a right
1 to pursue happiness in the cold and
dreary regions of celibacy, as in the
1 warm and cheerful enjoyments of
1 matrimonial bliss. One might not
admire his taste, or have a wish to
partake of his comforts ; but it does
not follow, that while he is pretty
r severely taxed in the privations he
f experiences, it would be either eha
; ritable or just to require, by a com
> pulsory process, his money also.
*-ugusta Chronicle .
“ The Treasury Estimates were
• yesterday sent in to Congress, be
i iog a week earlier than they were
sent in the last year. The writers
> of letters to distant places, there
-1 fore, can no longer represent Mr,
; Crawfoud's recovery as hopeless.
Their case is hopeless if their cal
eolations of success are founded on
so deplorable a contingency We
cannot even flatter them with the
hope of his losing both his eyes, as
is said to have been predicted abroad,
or even one of them. He is grad
ually and certainly, though yet not
rapidly, regaining his health.”
We are sorry to see an article ex
pressed like the above in so respect
able asd es rrect a paper as tbe Na
tional Intelligencer. It conveys tbe
idea that there is a feeliog, or rather
a want of feeling, amongst many of
those opposed to a candidate for pub
lio favor, which we trust has no
real existence. There are hund
reds, no doubt, and thousands io the
United States who do out consider
Mr. Crawford the most proper per
son in our country to fill the Execu
tive Office—but we trust there are
none of these who would rejoice at
anyindifidualmisfortune that might
befall him, or personal suffering he
might experience. We hope that
none would be gratified to learu that
his recovery was hopeless, or feel
flattered at a proipeet “of bis lo
sing” one or “ both of his eyes.”
We have no idea that political opin
ions, honestly entertained, have ex
tinguished, or will extinguish, the
ordinary feelings of humanity in any
of our citizens. Ibid .
Our readers will remember, that
some time during the last summer,
a letter of Mr. Jefferson, to a friend
of his in New-Y'rk, was published,
in which he deliberately stated, that
he had an entire confidence in the
good sense of the people on the Pre
sidential queston, and that he nei
ther had meddled, nor would inter
fere with its decision. This declar
ation was published, at the time, in
almost all the papers, with marked
approbation, as becoming his age,
and position in tbe nation. Now,
indirect opposition to this declara
tion of Mr Jefferson, the Demo
cratic Press ha, affirmed, that a
letter of his, io which he gives a de
cided preference to Mr. Crawford,
with various reasons for chat prefer
ence, is handed about in private
circles at ishingtou, We cannot
believe that he has m>de any de
claration at all, in favor of any one
of the Candidates, as it would be in
direct eoutradh tion to the declara
tion of Mr. Jefferson himself, so
lemnly and deliberately made to the
whole community; and would, in
consequence, be calculated to im
pair his high standing with the A
merioan pe pie Mu ti less can we
believe that he has declared in fa
vour of the candidate in question,
(he moat distinguished acts of whose
life are in opposition to the republi
cans of'9B, during the reign offer
ror, and to the embargo in 1 07, a
measure recommended by Mr. Jes
fersou himself; and which was sup
ported by the whole of the republi
can party in tbe Senate, with the
exception of Mr. Crawford aloue.
Admitting it, however, to be true,
and that tbe arts and impoi (unities
of Mr, Crawford's friends, practis
ing upon the infirmities of extreme
age, have drawn sentiments from
Mr. Jefferson, favorable to his pre
tensions, it is obvious that it can
have bm little weight with the peo
ple of the United States. It is well
known, that Mr Jefferson reads
but two papers, the Enquirer and
National Intelligencer; and if be
lias taken up a favorable opioioo of
Mr. Crawford, it can only be ac
counted for by the false medium
through which he has viewed his
character; and consequently, his
opinion, under such circumstances,
would be entitled to less weight than
the calm and deliberate opinion of
one whose situation enables him tc
view the whole ground. But, wt
again repeat it, we cannot, for a
moment, place the least confidence
i the report, particularly coming
from a man like Binns, whose dis
regard to truth is such that his inoi
solemn declaration has but tittle
weight with those best acquainted
with him. It is certainly much
more iucirdihle that Mr. Jefferson
should write the letter in question,
in opposition to his owu solemn de
claration, recently made, than tba<
Binns should put such a story in
circulation, for electioneering pur
poses. W hat renders it more in
credible, if possible, is that Mr.
Jefferson is said to have assigned
reasons for his preference. What
reason can he, or any other man,
assign, in favour of Mr. Crawford's
pretensions? Can he assign con
sistency of conduct ? Can he as
sign adherence to principle ? Ca
li e assign services rendered the
country? Can he assign display of
talents, or aiquisitioo of know.
ledge ? Can he assign fidelity to
the preseot republican administra
tor. ? To all these questions, tie
answer is emphatically—No ! But
one reason can be assigned ; and
we trust Mr. Jefferson will be a
mong the last to assign itwe
mean, that he happened to draw
bis first breath on the soil of the
ancient dominion. Although some
Virginians are so far governed by
this improper feeling as to write to
Virginians in other states, upbraid
ing them for their opposition to the
Virginian eandidate, yet no one can
believe that the distinguished patri
ot in question could, for a moment,
indulge iu (bis unworthy feeling of
state pride.— Wash- Republican .
Triumph of Democratic Principles.
We eoogi atuiale the friends at
Republican principles throughout
the State and Union on the choice of
Major Goodeil, as Speaker of the
Assembly, by a vote of almost
two 10 one in Caucus, and nearly
unanimously in the House. We do
not offer these congratulations so
much on account of Maj. Gooilell’s
known attachment to a particular in
dividual candidate fsr the Presi
dency as on account of l : s open and
declared preference of the old sys
tems of the parly; lit is an avowed
friend and warm supporter of a Con
gressional Caucus for President,
and upon that ground, he received
so unanimous a sujtport from the
Republican members of the Assem
bly for Speaker, v
In this we have another evidence,
in addition to that offered by the
Legislature last winter, that the Re
publicans of this State are not dis
posed to break down the ancient u
sages of the Demooralir family
The American and Patriot have
both set Mttjor Goodeil down, as a
friend to Mr. Crawford; knowing
Major Goodell’s sentiments on this
subject as we do, and having known
him long as an intelligent and inde
pendent Republican, wc cannot con
tradict the assertion of those papers
on this point, and (heir having an
nounced that fact with the view of
prejudicing him a sutth ient lime be
fore the meeting of the Legislature,
to bring it home to the knowledge
of the Members, We should like
to suggest to the Editors of those
papers whether that fact seemed to
have formed any objection in the
minds of the members to his being
made Speaker, It appears after
all, that notwithstanding the oppo
sition of the Patriot and American
to “oaucus,” they are at last com
pelled to y ield to the publm voire,
and consent that their friends should
go into caucus at Albany; and, con
sequently, out of 128 members of
Assembly, 120 atieuded thocaucus;
and we learn that S. 8. Gardiner,
F*q, one of the partizans of the
Patriot, offered a resolution in cau
cus, that the members should vote
in the house for Speaker, for the
person who should have a majority
in caucus. ‘The resolution was a
dopted, and consequently they did,
wheo in the house, abide by the vote
in caucus. This is as it should he,
and as it has been heretofore. But
let republicans beware; there are
some men there who “can turn, aud
turn, and yet go on* and turn a
gaiu.”—JV’at. Advocate.
ALABAMA POLITICS.
.Mobile, December 27.
We learn that the Governor has
put hi veto to the Resolution re
commending Gen. ral Jackson to the
Presidency of the United States, dis
* senting from the wM of a large ma
jority of both branches of the Legis
lature. A large majority of the peo
ple are al?o in favor of the nomination,
beyond a doubt, but. it i* po* c ib e,
the may not consider it a fit subject
to legislate upon.
After the Governor’• Veto had been
returned to the House, a resolution
* wa adopted (desiring the concurrence
1 of the Senate) requesting the Presi
1 dent of the Senate and Speaker of the
► House to transmit copie of the pre
amble and resolution, (recommending
General Jackson to the Presidency)
to the Executive of the everal States,
in which the Senate concurred.
Governor’s Veto to the Presidential
Resolutions.
Executive Department,
Dec 22, 1823
Gentlemen of the House of Reu’ves.
I herewith return to the House of
Representatives in which originated
the joint reso utionentitled *■’ Res
olutions proposing General Andrew
Jackson a- a suitable candidate for
President of the U States.” which
had, on the 17th inst. been present
ed for the Executive approbation
I regret that, according to my own
idea* of the legislative duties of the
General Assembly of the State, I can
not unite io this official and authori
tative mode, not merely of rendering
a just tribute of respect to our emi
nent fellow citizen who i* the subject
of the Resolutions but of proposing
any individual as a candidate for the
office of national Chief Magistrate—
by an ordinary and formal act of le
gislation— anctioned by the Execu
tive approbation, and entitled to a
place among our statute laws.
A* an expre* ion of the lively sen
timents of gratitude to so distinguish
ed a benefactor, and of the high esti
mation f hi* exalted merits so justly
entertained by ourselves and our con
stituents, no language would hare
been too stTong for my official & cor
dial assent. Indeed cMr language is
wanting in richness to furnish ade
quate terms of commendation of the
military service? of our hero.
His signal gallantry has not mere
ly given him a rank among the con.
queror* of modern time ; but hia u.
niform and eminent usefulness in the
protection of our southern frontier
ha enlisted his name among the sa
viour* of our country. And to none
is the recollection of hi> important
services more dear than to the peopie
of Alabama.
To have made such an expression
of our admiration and gratitude, would
have been regarded as a debt, and
would have had the canction or ofH
ciai precedent to justify it. Indeed it
would have teen no ground of objec
tion, to have proceeded in a les* for.
mal and official manner, to tbjTfull
extent of the resolutions; th* as©
wou dhave had the sanction of pre.
cedent, and would have furniphed e
qual testimony of the public senti
ment of our fellow citizen in regard
to tiii question, of so much present
and future interest to the nation.
It is because I believe it iv not fair'y
within the legitimate sphere of iegis
latiou, & so far as my own knowledge
extends without any prcviou exam
ple, and would be introdutory of un
neces ary, if not mischievous matters
into our legislative deliberation-jtfthtf
I am induced not to add my sigtmture
to the joint resolutions.
I can also add with the most per
fect sincerity, that there i no orher
individual among the distingui. hed sa
ges whose names have been in con
templation for the high office in ques.
tion, in whose favor I would more
reluctantly withhold my signa u?e.
IBR %E L PICKENS.
Great Fire at Columbia.
By a passenger from Columbia,
arrived in the Stage last evening,
we learn that a fire broke out in
that pla< e, on Wednesday morning,
by whi h nearly a whole bloek wai
consumed, our informant counting
15 or 18 chimneys standing, 8 of
which were fronting the street, a- <1
extending to a brick house at the
comer. By a note on the way-bill,
it is stated that the alarm was given
about half past 2 o’clock in the amr
ning* from the shoe-shop of Mr.
Huut, iron which the fire extended
on the stree* to the Washington Ho
tel* where i§ ravages were clink
ed, and the house saved, though
the 2 9'ory buk building of Latia
and M*Faijtg was destroyed, but
without injur/ to the front store.
The stables 0’ Mr. Randolph were
burnt, ihe vhole loss was nst ac
curately estinated, but calculated
not to exceed 5.000 dollars.
\ Carolina Gazette,
CO^iRESS.
Haute J Mpresentatives. ■
J •*., 12.
A message v, rereived from flio
President of the United Slates, in
tbe words
‘lo the House of
the Utlifti States .
In answer to resolution of the
House of of He.
cember S*th, t e. s ,j ng |he | Ve .
sident of tbe states to lay
before tbe Uou.e t H h i„r ormß , ion
as be may possess, tD( ] w | li< tl Bia ,
be disclosed will*, injur? to tbe
public good, relath to (he deler .
mmatioo of an, sofreigo, or com
binatio,, of •over!,,,, „ sift
Spam m (lie subjuAi on 0 f her late
colonies oo tbo Ania . an continent;
and whether ary go nmeot 0 f Eu
rope is disposed or Y-temiined to
oppose an, aid or asS aooe whio |,
such sovereign, or %,bination of
sovereigns, may aff.|t„ Spain forf
the subjugation of he| t e eolonig.
above mentioned; 1 £ tll 9tate ,
that I possess do ioflloozlion on
that subject, not knob Con
gress, which oao be with
out iojury to the publio gLy
James mcl^oe.
Important Decision. —-S he Su
preme Court have decide&i the
present term in the ease ofOins
moor vs. Hand, argued at a\rmer
term, aod upon which tbeVourt
took an adversari, that a note Vider
seal, payable at a future day, vith
interest from the date, ifnotpu\tu
ally paid, it g penal bond or writ Wig
obligatory, and that in case it
not punctually paid according to
the terms of it, the holder oau on
ly recover the face of the note, to
gether with interest from the time
u became due.
Gahaivba (Jlla.J Press)