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GVBGU LEGHLATCBE. IN SENATE* MILLEI>OKVIM.E, NoV. 10. Bills . Introduced, A bill to prese#be the mode for the collection of rents, and to repeal certain laws nowriu force in regard to tlie same. November 11. milt tklroduced. I A bill to be entitled an act, to compensate Ex ecutors, Administrators and Guardians, in certain cases. Billt patted. A Jbill to prescribe the order of argument in criminal eases. November 13. Billt Introduced. A bill to amend the Ist Section Os the 3d Arti cle of the Constitution. A bill amendatory of the Statute of Limita tions. A bill to point out and define the mode of ser vice of writs of Scirefacias. A bill to regulate the practice of the Supreme Court, and of the Superior Courts, and other rmr poses. A bill to amend the several acts heretofore passed, iucorjxirating and relating to the South Western Kail-Road Company, and to authorize said Company to build and maintain a rail-road from the South-Western Kail-Road at Fort Val ley, crossing the, Flint River at, or near to a place called Wolf Pen, in the county of , and tliere to join the rail-road of the Muscogee Rail- Road Company. A bill to nu'thorize the Central Rail-Hoad and Ranking Company to lease and work such rail roads as now connect, or may hereafter connect, with the Central Rail-Road, and to authorize the Board of Director* of such Rail-Road Companies as now have, or may hereafter have, their respec tive Rail-Roads connecting with the said Central Kail-Road, to make leases thereof for a term of years, or during the continuance of their respec tive Charters. A bill to abolish Capital Punishment within the State of Georgia. A bill of the House to amend the net incorpo rating the Savannah and Albany Rail-Road, so as to extend the time for the commencement and completion of said Road, and the continuance of said Charter. Billt Pasted. A bill to lay off and organize anew county from the cowntwss of Viho, 15>-nrv and F.iVQtto. November 14. A bill for the preservation of the rights of mar ried women, and the distribution of their estates. A bill to change the time of the meeting of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia. Billt Pasted. A bill to compensate Executors, Administra tors, and Guardians, in certain eases. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Bills Introduced. November 10. A bill to alter and amend the several divorce laws of this State, giving both parties, in all eases of total divorce, the right thereafter to contract matrimony, A bill to amend an net entitled an act to au thorize the Governor to Ap|ioiut fit and proper persons to dispose of tho undrawn lots, Ac. A bill to amend the several laws now in force in relation to playing and betting at cards, and sos other purposes therein mentioned. A bill to authorize the Relator, in any writ of mandamus, to traverse the answer or return of any person, officer, court or corporation of this Ssate, to any writ of mandamus issued by the Superior Court of this State. A hill to amend tho laws of this State govern ing Executors and Administrators, and also to perfect the title of purchasers under void wills in certain cases. A hill to amend an act entitled an act to exempt from levy and sale, certain property therein men tion'd. assented to Dec. lltli, 1841. November 11. Bills Introduced. A hill in relation to divorces. A bill to amend an net authorizing the Guardi ans of minors to receive, recover and remove from this State, property belonging to their wards when such Guardians mid minors both reside without the State, and prescribing the mode of doing the same, assented to Doc. 25th, 1837. A bill for the relief of married women whose husbands have deserted them. A bill to prevent tho abatement of that class of personal actions called actions in tort A hill to change the mode of taking tho census of the State of Geoigia in pursuance of tho re quirements of the twenty-filth sections of the first article of the constitution of tho State. Bills Passed. A bill to amend the act incorporating the Sa vannah and Albany Ilail-Itoad, so ns to extend the time for the commencement and completion of said road, and the continuance of said charter. November 13. Bills Introduced. A hill to appropriate money ns a contingent fund for the years 1851 and 1852, and for’ the payment of arrearages chargeable to tho contin gent fund of 1851. A bill to appropriate money for the purposes therein designated. . Bills Passed. A bill to amend tho first section of an act enti tled an act, to point out the mode for the collec tion of Rents, approved 26th Dee., 1811; and al so the Ist section of an act, entitled an act, to point out the mode for the collection of Rents mid tho recovery of the possession of property within the city of Savannah, and tho precincts thereof assented to 6th December, 1813. A bill toA-cmpt anv ordained or licensed Min ister of tho Gospel from working on any of the public runds of this State. November 14. Bills Introduced. A hill to establish rates of dockage, wharfage and storage, in the. city of Savannah, and to repeal all laws or parts of laws, militating gainst’ or conflicting with this act. A bill to prevent trespasses upon lan*, and to make it penal for any person or persons to cut or carry oft from tho land of another person or per rons, wit trout authority, any wood or timber, for the purpose of selling the same. November 15. Bills Passed.. A bill to create and lay off two new judicial circuits; one to lie called Blue Ridge Circuit, to be composed of the counties of Campbell, Cobb Cherokee,'Forsyth, Lumpkin, Union, and Gilmer; and the other to bo called Macon Circuit, to be couqiosed of the counties of Ribb, lloustou, Sum ter, Dooly, Macon and Crawford. A joint Committee has been appointed to report a bill reorganizing the Concessional Districts. A resolution has passed both Houses, and been - [ assented to by the Governor, appointing Thurs day, the 27th inst, as a day of general Thanks giving- November 15. Bill* Introduced. A hill to change the name of “Relief Society of the-Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episco pal Chureli South,” to that of the Preachers and Society of the Georgia Conference. 1 A bill to amend the Judiciary act of 1799 and j for the prevention of frauds, and the further pro | tection of innocent persons without notice. A bill to alter and amend the twelfth section of tho thirteenth Division of the I’enal Code of this State. A hill to require the Receivers of Tax Returns in this State to make out arid return to the Comp troller General separate lists of land given in, in their respective counties, by jiersons owning lands situate in other counties besides the coun ties in which the persons giving in reside, and for other purposes. A bill to stop the running of the statute of limitations in all cases where the Defendant shall abscond or remove beyond the limits of the State or to parts unknown. \ hi!! to comjxdl the Clerks of tho Su]>orior Courts and Courts of Ordinary of the several counties of this State to buy a Seal of Office for each of the several Courts. A bill to amend an act entitled an act to pro tect Religious Societies in the Exercise of their Religious dtUies, approved Dec. 13th, 1792. A hill to endow the Southern liotanico Medi cal College at Macon, Ga. A bill to authorize the Judge of the Superior Court of Macon county, to draw two pannels of Grand and Petit Jurors, mid for other purposes. A hill to levy and collect a Tax for the political years of 1852 and ’53. A bill to require the Judges of the Superior Court of the State on the trial of all causes l>e fore a special jury, to have all the parol testimony or evidence given in, taken down in writing at the request of cither plaintiff or defendant, in the words or language of the witness <fec. Mr. Millcdge, a bill to amend an act entitled an act to amend the several nets now in force regu lating the fees of magistrates and constables in this State. Also a hill to appropriate money to repair and furnish Executive Mansion and to build hones for servants. Mr. Morehouse, a bill to incorporate the Grand Division of tho Sons of Temperance of this State. Mr. Tillman of Tutnnll, a bill to amend tlie sev eral actn iii relation to issuing grants on Head Rights in this State. Mr. Bartow, a bill to preserve tho purity of pub lic elections in this State, and to prevent magis trates who hold court, or city or town officers, from presiding at city or town elections. Mr. Tift, a bill to provide more effectually for assessing and collecting taxes on land or real es tate. Standing Coininitletis. OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE I.E(IIBLATIUE. Ok MUtitary Affairs. —Messrs. Robinson, Rob erts, Ramsey, Phillips, Pike, Patterson, Anderson, McAffec, Cameron, Nasewothy, Love, Morrcl, Mc- Lean, Moone, and Aired. On Enrollment. —Messrs. Gardner, Cameron, Barlow, Edwards, Thornton, Shewmakc, Erwin, Junes, McFarland, Gilmore, mid Fall. On Pet;/ions. —Mesms. Anderson, Rom, 1 llood worth, Wiliams, Sumner, Morehouse, Bird, Biv ins, Tillman, and Staten. On Journals. —Messrs. Hackney, Grant, Knox, Woftbrd, Cameron, Fuller,Hussey, and Stephens. On Agricultural and Internal Improvemen ts.- Messrs. Bartow, Perkins, Bullock, Dawson, Pow ers, Bailey, Wooldridge, Walker, Fannin, Thur mond, Bellinger, Tift, and Atkinson. On Manufactures. —Messrs. Cmncron, Dyer, Raulerson, Williford, Lochlin, Millcdge, Moreland, Richardson, Brinson, Williams, and Dormany. On the State of the Republic. —Messrs. MeDoti gald, Dawson, Bellinger, Jacowny, Russel, Bar nett, Cannon, Deadwylor, Born, Atkinson, Sew ard, Wynn, and Relserson. On Public Printing. —Messrs. Tletily, Ilcndric, Morris, Mobley, Baynes, Hall, Wall, Wallace, and Lott. On the Judiciary. —Messrs. Henry, Millcdge, Merrill, Harris, Trippe, Seward, Langmnde, Irwin, Pearce, Clark, Hill, and Watts. On Finance. —Messrs. Floyd, Smith, Barlow, Fannin, Price, Wynn, llenry, Casters, Latimer, Barnett, and Reeves. On Public. Education. —Messrs. Stephens, Armstrong, Harper, llill, Cobh, Gray, Baugh, Chastain, Smith, McOomb, Clark, Loveless, Smith, and Christie. On Penitentiary. —Messrs. Waldbour, Robin son, Irwin, Fowler, Daniel, Bartow, Floyil, Felton, Carr, Clarke, McDougald, and Woodward. On Banks. —Messrs. Harris, Scarlett, Harrison, Latimer, Holland, Tillman, Mobley, McFniland, Lewis, and Dawson. On Elections and Privileges. —Messrs. Woftbrd, Irwin, Chastain, Cobb, Harris, Trippe, Ilenly, Gilbert, Mobley, Cameron, and Fall. The following standing Committees were an nounced by the President, viz: On the State of the Republic. —Messrs. Harde man, Moselv, Farris, Lawson, and MeCnne. On the Judiciary. —Messrs. Foster, Simmons, Calhoun, Moore, Harman, Reed, J. L. Bird, and McOune. On Finance. —Messrs. Bethunc, Connelly, Bulks, Day, and Tomlinson. On. Internal Improvements. —Messrs. Ander son, Farris, Tuinlin, Stroud and Flournoy. On Public Education and Free Schools. — Messrs. Slaughter, Walthour, Crocker, Spalding, and Wellborn. On Banks. —Messrs. Moseley, Anderson, Har man, Little, and Waters. On the Penitentiary. —Messrs. Moore, P. M. Bird, Cone, Wilcox, and Butler. On the Lunatic Asylum. —Messrs. Slaughter, Crocker, Walthour, Bethune, and Stroud, On the Military. —Messrs. Cone, Knight P. M. Bird, Coffee, and Beavers. On Printing. —Messrs. Flournoy, Ross, Wolfe, Bryan, and Wright On Privileges and Elections. —Messrs, Day, Griggs, Hicks, Mcliao, and Harris. On Petitions. —Messrs, Calhoun, Connelly, Coffee, Dickinson, and Ross. On Enrollment. —Messrs. Simmons, Flewellen, Lawson, ltarman, and Knight. On motion of Mr. Moore, the President of the Senate appointed Messrs. Farris, Hardeman, An derson, Slaughter and Walthour, a Standing Com mittee upon the Deaf and Dumb Assylum, jC-t?” A young buck of the soap-lock order, who wore an unshaven fare, because, as he said, it looked foreign, lately accosted a Yankee at one of our hotels, as follows : “I say, fellow, some indi viduals take me for a Frenchman, and some take me for an Etalyane , now what do you tliiuk I am T “I tliiuk you are a darned fool,” replied Jona < than. i ! movement at tlie Capital. Mr. Seward, of Thomas, introduced the follow- j ing preamble and resolntions in the House of Rep- j resentatives on Saturday last: Whereas, the Convention of the State of Geor-j gia which met at Milledgeville,on the 10th Decem ber, 1850, adopted tlie following resolutions to wit: That the State of Georgia, in the judgment of’ this Convention, will and ought to resist, even j (ax a last resort ,) to a disruption of every tie ‘ which binds her to tlie Union, anv action of Gon- j gress upon the subject of slavery in the District | of Columbia, or in places subject to the jnrisdic-’ tion of Congress, incompatible with the safety, do- j niestic tranguility, the rights and honor of the i slaveholding States; or any act suppressing the slave trade between the slaveholding States, or | any refusal to admit as a State any territory here- j after applying, because of the existence of slavery therein ; or any act prohibiting the introduction of slaves into the territories of Utah and New Mexico, or any act repealing or materially modi fying the laws now in force for the recovery of fu gitive slaves. That it is the deliberate opinion of the Conven-’ tion, that upon the faithful execution of the. Fu gitive Slave IjOW by the proper authorities de pends the perservation of our much loved Union. And whereas, it is the fundamental principle of the Democratic party, that each State is sovereign, and therefore entitled to the oliedience of all its citizens when it announces its will. And Where as, the party is now satisfied that the will of Geor gia, as announced by the Convention in Decem ber, 1850, is also the will of other Southern States, generally, and that any future attempt on the part of any party to change this will, would, if the change were desirable, be a hopeless task. And Whereas, the principles of the Democrat ic party are more national and conservative, thar, those of the Whig party at the North, which it dc-nationalized and sectionalized. And whereas, the wliigs and democrats of the South, who are in favor of the two aforesaid resolutions, which look to the future, prefer the principles and doc trines of the Democratic party to that of the Na tional Whig party, as at present organized, and led at the North. And Whereas, the National Democratic party at the North gives some evidence of a willingness to incorporate an important portion of said resolu tions, as part of the creed of that party, and more especially the vital particular, that the fugitive slave law is not to be repealed or materially modi fied, and is to be faithfully observed and executed by the North,and the National Whig party gives no such evidence, but on the contrary manifests an unmistakable disposition to resist tho same, and to repeal or modify that law, and on all oc casions through its Governors and other State of ficers, exhibits the greatest reluctance to execute it. And Whereas, the repeal or modification of the law, is to Ik? followed by tho consequences of a dissolution of tho Union, so far as our own State is concerned, according to its decision, already made. Be it therefore Resolved, That every c-ffort ought to lx? made to prevent the repe.al or material modification of tho fugitive slave law, and the National Demo cratic Party ought to be solemnly invited to pledge itself against such repeal or modification. Resolved, That in our opinion, Georgia ought therefore to send delegates to the next Democrat ic Convention to nominate a I‘risident and Vice President, with instructions to insist upon tlie adoption by it of a resolution against the further agitation of the slavery question in Conatess against tlie repeal or material modification of tub fugitive slave law, and in favor of its faithfimeXe cution at the North, and if such a resolution can not lie got through that Convention, then to with draw from it, and invite all other members who agree with them, to withdraw too ; and in a sepa rate Convention adopt if, and also nominate can-j didates, to be supported by tlioso who are in fa-; vor of it. Resolved, That in order to effect, the object of the la?t resolution, particularly, we invite the citi zens of Georgia who are willing to unite with us ‘ in the nomination of sound conservative candidates I for tlie Presidency and V ice Presidency, to send j delegates to a Convention to be held at day 1851, to select delegates to represent the State in the Baltimore Covention. Resolved, That we indulge the hope that there will be no diversity of opinion in Georgia, in re ference to the proposed action here indicated, and should there lie a concurrence of opinion, we in vite the joint action of heretofore conflicting par ties, in said Convention. From the Milledoeville Recorder. Judge’ Berrien. The following letter from Judge Berrien to Maj. Harris is published in conseqence of the numerou ous enquiries for it: Savannah, sth Nov. 1851. My Pear Sir: —l have your letter, I had thought that I could not, and would not be con sidered as a candidate for the re-election to the Senate of tho United States, until I had so an nounced myself. 1 have made no such annuncia tion. The [msition which I occupy, was distinctly stated in my address to the people of Georgia. I asserted in terms which even eavilers could not misunderstand nor honest man doubt, my dovo tion to the Union—my unfaltering determination to maintain by all constitutional means, and with undiminished zeal, in whatever situation I might be placed, the equal rights of tho South—and my acquiescence in tho compromise. Perfectly satis fied that such a declaration in the excited state of public feelings, would not satisfy the exactions of either of the two political parties, who were then engaged in a contest of peculiar bitterness—and unable to sacrifice, for the purpose of conciliating either, the dictates of conscience and the convic tions of my judgment, I expressed my willingness to retire from the public service in tho conscious ness of having faithfully discharged my duty to the State, and sustained by the repeated, and re corded approbation of my constituents. I m told however that the fact of my being in office, will lead to the inference that I am a candi date for re-election. It is the purpose of this let ter to prevent such an inference—to disclaim such an intention Ido not ask from the Legisla ture of Georgia, tho renewal of my commission. Nay, more, 1 would at once resign that which I hold, if a strong sense of duty, which recent occur rences have only rendered more imperative, did not induce mo to attend the approaching session of Congress-. Whenever that will permit, the situation of my family will present a motive for my retirement, of which I will gladly avail mjsclf, I am, dear sir, vours truly, JOHN MACPHERSON BEIiRIEK. From the Charleston Courier. Bloosiinotiale, N. Y. Nov. &h Messrs. Editors:- —A yoAng gentleman olgen tecl and intelligent appearance, with sandy com plexion and whiskers, stopped at one of oir Ho tels on the night of the 6th inst., to await, as he ! said, the arrival of his baggage, which it seems hid not been put on board of the Cars at New York. Not appearing ii ‘be morning, his room was entered, and, to the consternation of all / was found a corpse. The cause of his death none ; could surmise. We suppose from his conversa-; j tion he was from some Southern State, and on j i his way to the Xew State and National 1 } Law School in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Cos., in this j j neighborhood, as we know it has many students ’ from tlfc South, and as we found the following j Note in his pocket i “Dear James—As I lent n that the President ] of the Law School sends a circular to any who re- I quest it, I wish you would have one sent to me. 1 have seen Miles who, you know, visited the Saratoga Springs this summer, and he says no (abolition sentiments are tolerated in the Institu tion. This I was glad to learn, as lam exceed ingly anxious to avail myself of the advantages it affords for acquiring a familiarity with the legal i, practice , and the ail-important art of extempore speaking. If you stop in Philadelpha, call on Sc sak, but dont tell her what I mentioned to you the other day. Tell her that, though distant i from us, my spirit is with her daily. Yours &c., HARLESTON.” The note was superscribed “James Butler,” with no place of residence annexed. I give you this statement, with the request that Southern Editors generally, will copy it, as the only means of conveying to his friends a knowledge of his sud den and melancholly death. Enquiries may Ire addressed to the l’ost Muster or myself, at this plaee. Yours Ac., 11. A. GRAY'. California. Mr. Silas E. Burrows, in a letter to the New York Journal of Commerce, by the last mail from San Francisco, writes as follows: “The recent State election has given the Demo- 1 cratic party contorl of California, and the State ; will be divided, in my opinion, this winter, the 1 Southern becoming a slave State. The value of our possessions on the Pacific are incalcuably great, in the march to greatness of our noble Na tion ; and the attachments of the inhabitants to the ties they have left at home, are strong as I have ever known ; but still their wishes and inter ests must be consulted, or they will set up for themselves.” Mr. Burrows is well known as a wcatliy New Y'ork merchant, who, for the love of adventure has engaged in all sorts of hair-brained enterprises. The hist we heard of him before, was that he was in a whaling exjieditioii beyond Behring’s Strait, and in uncomfortable proximity to North Pole, where ho and his confreres were in close prospect of being turned into icicles. He had his usual luck in getting out of the scrape, and has since re freshed his love of novelty with a study of the land of gold. lie is we suppose, a very impartial observer, and writes ns above, in reference to a sub ject we have before remarked upon. There ap pears no doubt this matter of the division of Cali fornia with reference to the formation of a slave State in the South, is serious, and that it will form the basis of tho next Congressional cmeule. —Charleston Mercury. Important Seizure-All Custom Hnuwilom in motion. On Tuesday last, a small schoonei, which pass ed down the river the day before, was seized hv order of the vigilant Collector, suspected of having on board the armament of the Pampero. Curi osity was on tiptoe, as the little craft was brought up, iu emtody, and placed alongside the Pampero. The mysterious Ixixes, supposed to be filled with deadly weapons and “villainous gunpowder,” were taken (board tbe ill-fated steamer; the offi m functionaries were in anxious readiness to I take an inventory of the rich spoils of muskets, ri lles, swords, pistol*, revolvers and blunderbusses of the late Fillibusters ; but alas! for human hopes and appetites! they were not to be found ! Al though it was not precisely “a beggarly account of empty boxes,” it was tho next thing to it—it ! was a collection of old harness, decayed cartcucb | boxes, rusty tin cups, and a number of similar j valuable articles, too tedious to mention! How ! far the collector lias a right to seize vessels and | merchandize under such circumstances, is a ques ■ tion that will probably lie decided by thccompc : tent tribunals. There is great zeal now-adags to preserve our neutrality with Concha ! —Jack I sonviHe Neuis. The Seminole Indians. | The Jacksonville News says : —“YVo learn from an officer of the lino that all the Indians are I within their boundary. Bowlegs frequently visits tho post at Fort Myers, where there is a trading house. Sometimes accompanied by as many as thirty of his men. lie himself is quiet and seems peaceably disposed. Sam Jones never made his appearance, being almost superannuated. Bow legs declares that his quitting the country is out of the question—he is prepared to die on the ground—and if war is made upon him, hi will have the satisfaction of putting the whites astir all over the territory, and w ilt give them at least a six or seven year’s war in hunting his small par ties out of the fortresses and swamps. Captain Blake of Alabama is now attempting to fulfil a contract made with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the peaceable removal of the tribe for the fixed sum of SIO,OOO, with $750 additional for every Indian he gets to go. It is supposed there are about 500 Indians in the country, of whom 150 are warriors. The Indians report that the last year had been unusually sickly, and the mor tality among infants had been great. Justice. Mr. Consul Owen in his noto to the Savannah Republican , published by us some days since, asks to be heard fully in his own defence” saying that while he seeks nothing from any one’s mercy, he has a right to justice. Upon this tho Washing ton Telegraph remarks that the “request is reoson able, and both mercy and justice unite in demand ing a compliance with it The sentiments of hor ror and indignation have been spontaneously ex pressed by the American people at the offences of which he is alleged to be guilty; now let these feelings be silenced as resjieets tho accused, and let every American feel that he is a juror and judge in an important trial. It may lie that the result will invoke the censure of our own national Executive, and not Mr. Owen ; or it may be that (they will both fall under condemnation. Let jus tice bo done!” Rum’s Doings. A correspondent of the Georgia Jeffersonian, writing under date of “Barnesville, Nov. 9, ’51,” says: “King Alcohol has gained one more victory, ami added one more laurel to his crown. A voting woman by the name of Holley, who was in com pany with her mother, sister and two small chil dren, who camped near this place on Friday night, accidentally caught fire, and was so severely ! burned that she survived but twenty-four h.urs. (The mother and the two sisters were in a state of i i jirtoxication at the time of the sad accident. SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT. OGLETHORPE, GA. j THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1851. FOR PRESIDENT, JOHN M. MASON, of Virginia. - FOR VICE PRESIDENT, |C. J. W DONALD, of Georgia To our Patrons. We have heretofore purposely abstained from calling on our patrons for the amount of their dues, and we trust they will cheerfully and j promptly respond to the present call, especially ! when we assure them that our necessities are very pressing at this time. All persons, therefore, in- j debted to us cither for subscription, advertising : or job work, will confer a favor which will be gratefully received and duly appreciated, if they will without delay afford us the necessary aid in the present emergency, From now until the first of January we will receive our advance price from present subscribers, but after that time we | shall adhere rigidly to our published terms. Tliat “Good Time Coming!” We were invited the other evening by the very ! gemleinaulv proprietors, into the “Oyster Saloon” of Messrs. Jackson & Powell to partake of an oys ter supper, and being rather a polite man, and al ways receiving everything offered to us as a free j gift, except a whipping and the itch, we did not have it in our heart to refuse so polite an invita- ( tion so politely tendered. We profess to know j | good oysters when we taste them, and we take ) great pleasure in saying those were not only tine, i | but very fine—real’ “Thunderbolt” fellows—fat! j and slick, and so large that it would Like two men | to swallow one of them, and they were served up j according to the most approved style, with good j hot coffee and other fixins to match, throwed in.! We invite all our friends who are fond of the good “fresh oystare,” to call round at Jaekson & Pow ell’s and call for them at—their own exjiense.— Verily, the “good time coming” which has been so long prophesied of, basal length visited us. Tito IHat ln. Wc hear continued complaints from all quar ters, of the irregularity of the arrival of the Sou thern Democrat. At Lanier, Winchester, Horse head, Fredonia, Grnugerville and other places, we learn that the arrival if our paper is sometimes delayed for weeks. One of our subscribers has had his paper changed from Fredonia, ailedging that he does not receive it even when it dons find its destination. We shall call the attention of the P. 0.1 tepartment to these matters. At Win chester on tlin South-Western l’ail-Road, our pa per has on one or two occasions been two weeks behind time, notwithstanding a train of cars pass- j es that office daily. At Grangcrville the two last i numbers of the Democrat are missing. This state of things is vexatious iu the extreme, and materially affects our (ocket nerve in the loss of patronge. Fiver since Taylor and Fillmore came into office, and so many faithful Post Mas ters were dismissed, and their places filled with raw recruits, the mail arrangement lias been get ting worse and worse, and if it continues retro gressing at the same rate for a few more years, will lie a fraud upon the public. We can assure our patrons that it is not our fault, and we trust they will not blame us for that over which we have ! no control. The Journal <{: Messenger charges the blame upon the Post Master here. It affords tis pleasure to state that Mr. Jaekson, the now Post Master at j this place, is a competent, and faithful officer, and if the Post Office at Macon is managed as well as it will lie here, there will not be half the com plaints hereafter. We have been in the office lu re several times when the mails from Macon had to be returned unopened, on account of wrong locks having been carelessly put upon the mail bags.— The Agent’s attention at that end of the line, would not lie amiss. Plank Road Hireling. A plank road meeting was held in this city on Wednesday evening of last week. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, and the shortness of the notice, the meeting was thinly attended, but a unanimity of sentiment prevailed among the few who were present. On motion Warren Jackson was called to the Chair and G. W. Moran requested to act as Secre tary. The object of the meeting was stated :—to take into consideration the praticability of a Plank Road to Albany, and the propriety of co-operating ‘ with tho citizens of Sumpter, Lee and Baker, in the immediate construction of the road. The ! meeting was unanimous iu the opinion that the building of the Road was not only practicable, but necessary, and having the strongest assurance that j an effort was all that was wanting, to raise ample j funds for the work, a committee of gentlemen eon- j sisting ofP. L. J. May, P. Cook, A. A. Robinson, j Geo. W. Fish and Robt. Carson, were appointed to draft a charter, for said Road, and send to our Senators and Representatives in the Legislature, with the request that they present it to the Legis- ‘■ laturc for their sanction and approval. We have no doubt of the passage of the bill by ; the Legislature, and that the charter will be grant ed. As soon thereafter as practicable, books will be open for subscription and from the interest manifested for the enterprize in this, and the lower counties, wc doubt not that the stock will soon be taken, and the work commenced at an early day next spring. The history’of plank roads, demonstrates their great utility, especially to the firming communi ty. The investment of capital in glank roads also is not only safe, but profitable. The expense is much less, and the dividends greater, than that of Rail Roads, and their benefits to tire farming com munity are infinitely greater than that of the Rail Roads. Pressing engagements deny us the privilege of j saying more at this time. YVe shall however re sume the consideration of this subject hereafter, j The Methodist Church Law Suit. The law suit which lias for some time been pending between the M. E. Church, North, and South, has at last been decided by Judge Nelsou of the United States Court for the District of New Y'ork, in favor of complainants. His decision is that the Methodist Church, South, is justly enti tled to an equal share of the Book Concern. This decision will doubtless fall upon the ears of our Northern brethren like a thunder-clap, for they have congratulated themselves with the false i and delusive hope, that they could withhold from ! the Church, South, her just share of that concern. : The action of the Northern Methodists in this lease, is in perfect keeping with yankee character, i the world over. The love of ae “almighty dol lar” is the controlling motive; the ruling passion; : l lie eye glass through which they view every ob ject. But, for once in the history of yankeedom, have they been brought to justice. Judge Nelson’s decision not only unlocks the hand of injustice, which has so long been clenched upon tbe gold of Southern Methodists, but it administers a ro ll roof which is well calculated to make all Cbris itendom blush with shame for the action of the | Church, North. Their fanatical hatred to slave |ry induced them to depose Bishop Andrew from | the exercise of his episcopal functions, on account i of having married a lady who was the owner of a few slaves, and also to expel Harding from the itinerant ranks because lie could not liberate the \ slaves, which were secured by law to bis wife, and over which lie could have no control. These pal pable violations of the Constitution of the Church, created the necessity for a separate and distinct jurisdiction of the Southern Church. According ly a plan of separation was submitted to, and rat : itied by the General Conference of the M. E, : Church, providing for two separate jurisdictions of the Church, and an equitable division of the Clmrcb property, the proceeds of donatians from the friends and brethren of all sections. The plan of separation, which was solemnly ratified by the Church, North, and South, has been scrupulously adhered to by the Church, j South, but the Church, North, in open repudia* 1 tion of her solemn agreement, nullified as tar as I she could, the provisions of the plan, and dishon estly withheld from the Church, South her equi table portion of the Church property. The Church, South, were forced as a dernier resort, to a law ; suit, to recover her proportion of the Church pro perty. The decision of Judge Nelson settles the ; question of right—gives to tho South her own, and fixes a stigma upon the character of the Nor ] them branch of the Church, which will not be do j faced until the present generation shall have pass | ed away. YVe take the following synopsis of Judge Nel j son’s decision, from the Aq I”. Keening Kxpress , ; of Nov. 11: | In the U. S. Circuit Court, Judges Nelson and , Betts upon the bench, a decision was given this morning, by Judge Nelson. The Judge reviewed the various points in the case, referred to the fact that the Methodist Church was organized in the United Siates in 17 84, uudor the superintendence and sovereignty of the travelling preachers, who, in General Oou t-rence, were the whole power of the Church, the hiy members then and now, having no voice in Church government. Before this the Methodist Church was conduct ed by John YVesley and his agent, and the change was made by his assent and wish. The Church was never incorporated, but held together and kept organized by certain printed rules. The Plaintiffs say that the difference between the Northern and Southern branches of the Church sprung up previously to 1844, as to the ownership of slaves. ‘I bis breach threatened the j safety ot the Church. The question arose in 1844 | whether or not there should be a separation, and resolutions were passed by a large majority of the conference of that year, held in New York, decid ing that should the annual Conference in the Slaveliolding States, consider it best to separate, they might do so. All tiie Southern annual conferences, were in that event to lie organized in a separate church to be called “the Methodist Church South.” It wa also decided that traveling Ministers might attach themselves to either Northern or Southern Church. j I’be pbmtifts allege that the conference had this power, and this was confirmed in 1845 bv a council of Northern Bishops. The members were free to say what was the ilrt st policy of accomplishing the great design of the Master in whose service they the object Ix-ing the spread of the Gospel. The. Court also thought that the idea that the Church had but limited and prescribed powers was erron eous. The Canada conference was originally a part of the American Methodist Church, but in 1828 was allowed to separate. The Texas con ference was also brought into the American Me thodist Church, and iu both eases by the act of the General Conscience. The Court considered that the complainants had the same right as previously to the separation — that the claimants were still traveling preachers, and their field of labor within their original juris diction. Assuming that the General Conference was unauthorized to make the division, still the complainants were not deprived of their right to share in the fund, uot having forfeited it; it was nut in law in the power of even the Conference to take it from them. The Court so concluded, but whether pro rata l or in proportion to tbe capital, it is left for future ; adjudication. The Court also earnestly hoped that the diffi culty might now lie amicably settled by the par ties interested. If the conclusions arrived at should restore harmony in the Church, it would not regret the labor which had been expended up • on tlie case. j ‘The Court also considered that the Trustees of the Book Concern stood in the light of the Bene ! ficiaries of a Charitable Fund, which bad been en dowed by third parties. According to the de ; vision of the original founders the proceeds and i profits had been devoted to their use, and if they ; came within the regulations they were still entitled to such proceeds and profits. The Court desired to administer the law in be half of the claimants, their case exciting peculiar sympathy. Tbe plan of separation in 1844 pro vided that there should be a pro rata distribu tion, and that each should have their share. It bore the impress of good will and good feeling, and was founded, so far as the Court knew, on strictly equitable principles. It was adopted by votv of 147 to 22 in a body where more than 4000 1 preachers were represented. As to the powers of tho General Conference the- Court considered that they were as they were ori ginally, and that they were not affected by being delegated to any lesser number, the reduction off numbers, on the representative principles, bsrngrw necessary incident to the growth of the country iThey originally had the power to make as-many distinct organizations as they pleased. Tile con ference had the same power in 1844 as in-11784, when tho whole body acted for itself. The Chureh, tho plaintiffs then say became di vided into two distinct bodies, Northern and Sou thern, and that the South was entitled to its share of the property belonging to the body. The Church owned a large amount of property, among which was the New Y’ork Methodist Book eoa i eern worth $750,000, but the agents of thiseow eern as well as the principals refused to allow any division. The plaintiffs further sap that a part of them are traveling ministers, and that they and 1500 other traveling ministers have an interest in this fund—that the church has about 480,000 mem bers South and that there are about 039,000 : North.