Newspaper Page Text
tVfflHtTniivjmT it, i*4 8.
Mtiroou Riil-Rimd^—Wo invite attention
te the advertisement of the Muscogee Rail Road
Company, for proposal# for grading, masonry,and
■fme bulge on the route to Earnesville. This
doing something.
KjT We give trp our papec this week, almost
exclusively tit our correspondents, for whoso fa
vors we are always grateful. Tlie communication
en the subject of the Rail-Road, the political ar
ticle signed “ S.”: an interesting letter from the j
City of Mexico; and our Washington corres
pondence, form an unusual variety of original
Matter. The article on the Rail-Road will at
tract attention. While we do not altogether
coincide with the views of the writer, his sug
gestions are worthy of consideration.
(O’ We are weekly admonished of the in
sufficiency of our ps|>cr, in point of capacity.fo
meet the growing business and literary demands
upon it. We shall before long, have a sheet,
large enough wc hope, for all purposes. The
necessity of manufacturing a press of a proper
size, in Philadelphia, has caused greater delay
than we anticipated. We shall however en
large as .soon as (he materials are receiveJ.
Bi.hxi.xr. of Moscow. —ThisDioramic spec
tacle is to be exhibited this evening, and on sev
eral successive evenings. We have not seen it,
but have seen newspaper notices of it in any
quantity, all speaking of it as a very interesting
and beautiful work of art.
The lovers of Necromancy and magical feats of
Legerdemain, will also be gratified by the per
formances of Mr. Young,- who is highly com
mended as vers successful in bw l* ne of art *
, Fi*k. —The dwelling of Judge Ross, at
Wynnton, was consumed by fire on Tuesday
night last. Judge R. had recently purchased the
bouse, and having already moved sotne of his
negroes into it, intended to take possession with
his family the next day. It is suspected to have
been fired by some of his negroes, who did net
fancy a country life.
No insurance on tho property.
Reviews. —Mr. “ Rc-print,’—as a New-York
correspondent of Blackwood, comically calls the
good and easy way in which American publish
ers appropriate the gems of British Literature>
and give them bodily to the American public,
with no expense other than the printing,—has
placed on our table the last numbers of “Black*
wood” and the “Westminster. These are from
tho office of Messrs. Leonard, Scott & Cos., N.
Y. The letter in “Blackwood” under the signa
ture of “Maga,” gives a humorous and witty de
scription of the doings of “ Rc-print,” the spici
uoss of which will be enjoyed by the American
reader, however, it may prove “no fun” to old
Blackwood himself. Both numbers are filled
with interesting articles. The “London Quar*
teriy,” the “Edinburgh,” the “ Westminster,”
the “North British” Reviews, and “Blackwood’s-
Magazine,” are published at $3 each, or the
wholo fivo for $lO.
MUSCOGEE RAIL. ROAD.
On Wednesday an election by the Stockhold
ers fur the ensuing year, resulted in the choice
of the following gentlemen: John G. Winter,
P. T. Schley, John L. Mustian, JamesM. Cham
bers, Robert S. Hardaway, John Banks, and H.
8. Smith.
Mr. J. G. Winter was re-elected President o
the Company.
Mr. W inter made to the meeting an explana
tion of the acts of the Board, and the situation
of tho Company’s affairs, which though occupy
ing an hour and a half, was listened to with an
attention which exhibited the deep interest (cl
by the Company in his subject. Mr. W. an
swered the several charges that had been made
•gainst the Board ; among others of neglect o:
duty and dilatoriness in the commencement oi
tho wok, The impression made on our mind,
and we believe thi-t of the meeting, was, that bit
▼indication was satisfactory and complete. It i?
now understood that so soon as the city of Co
lumbus acts under the authority of a late act ci
the Legislature, to levy a Rail Road tax to meet
their subscription of $150,000, that contract*
will be let and the work commenced.
A speedy action of the new Board of Alder
men is desirable, and we very much mistake the
temper and feeling of the property holders cl
Columbus, if they will be satisfied with any but
tho most efficient measures of the City Council,
to render certainly and immediately available the
subscription of the city. Half wav measures
will eficct no good object. They will secure nei
ther the popularity of Aldermen, the approbation
of the public, or the construction of the Road
The Prksidenci. —A Washing! n letter
writer for the N. Y- Herald, pretends to classify
tho members of the present Congress, in refer
ence to their preferences for the Presidency.
The humbug of the whole thing will be appa
rent when we stgto that he puts down ever}’
Member from Georgia, Whig anti Democrat, for
~en. Taylor; while it is more than probable that
every Whig member from Georgia, prefers Mr.
Clay, although they will take Gen. Taylor, as
an “ available,” end it is certain that no Demo
crat will touch Gen. Taylor, so long as he keeps
his principles to himself.
Cheat Tuir.MPir.—The Washington corres
pondent of the New York (Aboli ion) Tr.bune
thus triumphs over Mr. Wiilthrop’s casting vote
to admit Abolition petition to Congress. Eoe->
any Southern Whig Slaveholder rlcl like jerking
olTbu hat and hurraing in chorus? “A proud
day for Mr. GidJings,” truly!
•* This has been a somewhat memorable day
in the annals of the Itouse—and a proud one to
Mr. Giddikgs. For after years of obliquy, toil
and peiaeverance he has finally succeeded in ob
taining the recognition on the’part of the House
of the right of individually to inquire into the
Slave-trade of the District of Columbia. He
prestn.ed the petition of certain individuals in
the District praying the abolition of the Slave
trade as it is carried on here, and moved to re
fer it to the Coamiitee on the Judiciary, with in-1
atructious to inquire into the constitutionality
of such laws aa sustain the Slave-trade within
the 2J Dist, of Columbia. He moved the previ
ous question, and called for the Ayes amt Noes,
which were given, and resulted in a tie vote.
The Speaker decided prouiply in the affirmative,
nnd Mr. GtGpiKofV motioq was carried. It is
’tardlv oijt years ago since Mr, Giddings met the
rmal censure of the House for presenting a pe
tiou in atl essential respects similar— a remar
able instance of the progress-of sound opinioa.”
The ** Southern (Atlanta) Miscellany,” i? is
sued tri-woekly, on a small bjt neat sheet. We
dmire lire enterprise of cur cotcmporary, tmJ
Ijo’>c it uiay tutu out profitable.
THE CITY OF MEXICO.
The presence of our army, of soldiers, and of
utlixens lias wrought a singular change in the
city of the Aztecs. Quiet, order and law hove
taken the place ol murdt-r, robbery, ntid anarchy.
A free pirss daily disseminates the hitherto un
known seeds of truth, morality, and liberal prin
ciples, and the moderation,, good order and steady
discipline of our troops,, outstripping the influ
ences of the sound preaepts of the press, axe
conquering the prejudices, as their bayonets have
conquered the physical power of the Mexican
people. Never was military occupation of a
conquered city—a city catried by assault, and
according to usages of Christian warfare, as re
cognized in Europe, fairly devoted to rac king and
plunder—so peacefully and so benignantly made.
Piivate prosperity is respected, and public edifi
ces protected, churches a*e opened as usaal, and
tire priesthood, moro securely than ever before,
discharge their sacred offices, and fling their cen
sers at the foot of their undesecrated altars. The
operations of trade are free and unrestrained, and
the pleasures and amusements of a great city go
0.. a& if no conquering General, with a victorious
aryiy at his beck and call, was there to rule the
Capital, if he chose, with despotic martial sway.
We have before us some fifty copies of the
North American” and “ American Star,” two
dailies published in the city of Mexico, for which
we are indebted to our friends in the army, among
whom is the distinguished Gen. Twiggs of this
Stale, to whom and to our friend James Kellogg.
Esq., we make cur acknowledgments for their
favors. ‘I heee papers almost transport us to
the Mexican capital. We have a bird’s eye view
if the doings in the great day to day.
We see the reviews of troops in the Plaza, the
glorious ‘Cerro Gordo’ division of Twiggs, march
ing in column by the “ Star” office, with the
gray haired veteran who has been in every battle
but one, at their Lead, with their bright gun bar
rels and bayonets flashing in the sunlight, and
studiously clean pipe-clayed cross belts, all indi
cating the regularity, order, and neatness of gar
rison duty, where the smallest details of discip
line are observed. The “North American”
draws the picture to our eyes:
“Shops of every class have been opened—the
atres embellished—races, billiards, conceits and
amusements of all kinds are regularly attended,
and things go on as quietly as if the city were
still in tiiC hands ofits original inhabitants. Mrs.
Sheppard issues her card, in which she ‘has the
honor to inform tns gentlemen ol the American
army’ that her benefit takes place at the National
—the ‘old Kentucky restaui'unV invites epicures
a! kite corner of San Francisco si. r eet —C. S. Betts
respectfully informs the citizens of Mexico’ that
he will tu!*e their likenesses at tho sign of the
‘ White Fhtg, 1 adding that ‘satisfaction shall i>e
given, or no charge made’ —the ‘Ragle Coffee
House’ has been eslab?. ; “hed ‘on the American
style’—Peter Wright osiers leaden Cojfiins, ‘of
-mportance to the generals and cheers of the
army of the U. S.’ —a soldier advertises for ‘two
great Mackinaw blankets lost on the eighth ol
September, at the battle of Moliuo del Rey be
ing badly wounded & suffering for want of them’
—and and so we have, side by side, remembran.
ces of the war that has so recenly rolled its
bloody surges over the Aztec capital, and gayety
that have followed so close on its retiring waves.”
In one of the papers we see the proceedings
of a Rail Road meeting, attended by officers oj
the army, and several Spanish names are obser
vable on the committees. The object is to unite
the capital with Vera Cruz by an Iron Road, a
project that is to cost six millions of money.—
One of the resolutions of the meeting purposes
to ask the permission of the United States to run
the Road. Others too, as will be seen by our
letter from Mexico, are turning their inquisitive
thoughts to the Mines of Zacatecas, and forming
plans for raising stock companies to drain and
vvork them. All are active, limy, and full of
genuine Yankee life and enterprize. The sword
is scarcely sheathed after most bloody use, when
the thoughts of our Yankee warriors are alj
turned on the arts of peace. Be it observed too,
.hat they arc laying out no ephemeral plans—no
work that is to be accomplished in a day. They
1 ill contemplate time and permanent occupation
of the country. That is the feeling of the army,
and that, is more the feeling of the “ citizens of
the army,” as its followers and employers are
termed. Mexico has lost her day. Fool-hardy
‘and obstinate, she has run upon her*own ruin }
and now Jonathan having placed hi 6 foot on her
pleasant places, having slept in her halls, gazed
>ri her venerable cathedrals, tasted the fruits and
the air of her balmy climate, peeped into
her mines and laid off her territory for a network
of internal improvements—who is to make him
withdraw that foot ? Who is to make him give
back, whose motto and practice is to “go ahead
Verily, it will net be the resolutions or speeches
of the antiquated and worn-out politicians of a
past age.
The Uxivkhsal Yankee Nation —Th e
Charleston Patriot concludes a comment on the
Rail-Head project in Mexico, with the following
tribute to Yankee genius. We ore a great peo
ple, though, John Bull says, “tee say it, who
should’nt say it.”
“ After this who will not say “ long .live the
universal yankec nation,” who first conquer
their"enemies by dint of hard fighting and then
build rail-roads for their convenience. If the
war can only be continsed a few months longer,
we shall succeed in thoroughly civilizing the
Mexicans, and the proofs of the;r enlightenment
will be, a rail road and a telegraph from Mexico
to Vera Cruz, a newspaper in every village, a
patent cooking apparatus in every kitchen, a
baby jumper in every nursery, and a wooden
clock in every parlor.
Gen. Cass. —This distinguished Senator ha s
written a letter which has appeared in the public
press on the subject of the war and the Wilmot
Proviso. Like the kt:er of Mr. Buchanan, the
Speech of Mr. Dallas and the resolutions of Mr,
Dickinson, all Noithern Democrats Statesmen—
Gen. Cass takes the only true constitutional
ground, of an utter negation of the right and pow.
er of Congress to interfere with the question of
Domestic slavery. He of course goes in for a
vigorous prosecution of the war until full indeni,
nity for the past and security for the future are
obtained from Mexico. We shall publish thektle r
next week.
Mn. Clat’s Speecu in Mexico. —The Lex
jnJ*on speech of Mr. Clay has been extensively
circu jdou fhroughout Mexico, and has created
quite a lively sedition among the Mexicans.
They, we are intoned, Jn Bot disguise their
hopes, that the predominance oflhe Whig party
in this country, will result in the win’drawal of
our troops from Mexico. The are destined to a
cruel disappointment.—[A r . O. Delia ;
Macon and Western Railroad. —The
Stockholders of this Company met yesterday at
12 o’clock, M., when the report of the business
for the current year, has presented hy the Pres
ident qf the Company, Daniel Tyler, Esq., show
ing, amost satisfactory condition of the affairs of
the Company. The late Board were unanimously
re-elected, and Isaac Scott, Esq of this city
elected President, vice Mr. Tyler resigned.
[Macon Messinger.
Mr. Corwin and his Constitution.— Mr
Recmolin, of the Ohio Senate, presented a j>eii
tion on tho 22J u!t. from St citizens of Ricb
land county, of both political parties, asking tbs j
General Assembly to invite Thomas Corwin to’
resign his, seutf and to confine the said Corwin J
in the Ohio Penitentiary until the close of the
tear.
Correspondence of lLie Times.
No. 70.
WxsnrjrcTOx CiTT.Jan. 2, 1848.
On Wednesday night the first Taylor meeting
Was held in Washington. For an hour before
the doors were thrown open to the public, the
prime movers in the affair were closeted together
concocting an order of proceedings, it is taken for
granted. These were Mr. Tyler’s ex-Secrelary
of the Treasury, Mr. Tyler’s ex-Consul to Gal
veston, Mr. Tyler’s ex-Coilector of the port of
New Yorlt, Mr. Tyler’s ex-Acling Charge te
Mexico, Gov. Gale, of Ala., Mr. Pendleton ol
Va., who is in excessive bail oiler with the Fed.
eraluts for helping to elect Johnson, the Demo
cratic candidate forP. M. of the House, and tour
or five others famed for the ease with which their
political principles accommodate themselveg lo
the exigencies of the occasion. When the doors
were opened, the crowd, to the number of about
eighty, rushed into the old chamber of Co!eman’ g
Hotel, in which the meeting was convened.—
Gov. Gale nominated Mr. ex-Tyler-Secretary-of
the-Treasury Bibb, for Chairman, and a young
blue-light Lawyer, Mr. R. Wallach, nominated
a Mr. Ilenshaw. Mr. H. declined, and Mr
Halidsy, proof reader of Blair & Rives Congres
sional Glohe office, was elected in his stead, beat.
ing the ex-Sccrctary of the Treasury badly.
Air. R. V. allack, keen to keep bis advantage,
forestalled Gen. Duff Green, who appeared te
hold in his hard the eut-and-dried resolutions, by
promptly moving, that under the circumstances,
it was inexpedient to proceed to a nomination of
the General!!! Mr. Sherman, a lawyer of this
i city, of indescribable politics, opposed this reso
lution,’ and so did Gov. Gale. Mr. Gentry of
7 enn., came to the rescue of Mr. Wallack, how
ever, and after making a speech in favor of the
General’s claims, moved an adjournment, which
was carried.
Thus fizzled out,Taylor Meeting A No. 1, held
in Washington. Though Mr. Gentry swore all
sorts of oaths of allegiance to the General, the
only sincere “Taylor men” present, were your
correspondent and about a dozen other Democrats
who, though by no means his political partizans,
are his well wishers and true friends; the rest
only being desirous of using him for their own
purposes. Wc know well that he deserves well
of his country, for services rendered in a righte
ous war, and weinow, too, that if elected, even
by the Federalists, circumstances will counsel
him to make a Democratic administration, as
John Tyler made.
It was recently the opinion among our friends,
that our Convention should be postponed to as
late a period as possible. This has died away,
and I find an unanimous desire among the Dem
ocrats in Congress to have it at least as
early as heri tofore. This arises from the now
evident fact, that the opposition will aim to avoid
meeting us on the old issues, as well as to shirk
responsibility lor opposition to the cause of the
country, as involved in the war. Unless we con
centrate the strength and assure it
to activity, by soon presenting our candidate,
they may be able to effect their ends in this con
nection, which will involve the loss of great ad’
vantages to us. Some time next month the De.
mocracy of Congress will probably move in the
matter of designating the time and place for the
Convention to assemble, and it behooves the par
13', every, where, to stand ready to respond to the
call, l>y having suitable delegates chosen before
hand. This is a crisis for our principles, which,
having worked so well that Federalism no longer
dare openly to oppose them, are next to be
“ mined,” if possible. The success of this
scheme will depend, in a great measure, on the
ability, tone', character and wisdom of the Dele
gates in our Convention. If they are JT'cn com
ing together for the purpose of aiding to main
tain the ascendancy of the principles of the par
ty, all will be well. If they come pledged to la
bor for the elevation of this or that aspirant for
the nomination, we shall have trouble in abun
dance.
This being holiday week, little has been done
in Congress, yet Thursday’s Senatorial proceed
ings, though not of apparent importance, were
really momentous. They settled the fact (inti
mated in my last letter,) that Mr. Calhoun’s boas
ted “balance of power” no longer exists. The
question was on the resolution to proceed at o;.ce
to the consideration of the bill from the commit
tee on Military Affairs, to create the ten new
regiments requisite for the further prosecution of
the war. Mr. Calhoun seized this opportunity
to show, if possible, that when uniting with the
Whigs he could hold the Democracy of the Sen
ate in check. He made quite a speech against the
resolution, taking ground, in effect, that if his ab
stract lesolutions were endorsed by the
tho new regiments will be useless, and he con
tended, therefore, thatthe bill should be laid over
until his prepositions were disposed of. Mr.
Hale vociferously seconded his greaterfile leader,
taking the broad ground, however, that the war
being originated for the extension of Southern
Slavery, should be brought to an immediate close
by the withdrawal of the army. Mr. John M.
Clayton also opposed the consideration of the
bill at thU time, giving common-place reasons
for his opinion in the premises. In fact, his
part of the day’s drama was rather that of the
stage-manager, showing off the stars or puppets,
(shall I call them ?) with which Federalism is
bent on doing a smashing business this winter.
Messrs. Cass, Allen, and Sevier urged the ne
cessity for immediate action on the bill, if the
war i3 to b prosecuted in earnest; and on call
ing the yeas and nays, the Vice President had
the konor of deciding the question. Many Sen
ators were absent, a considerable majority of the
absentees being reliable Democrats. The oppor
tunity for Mr. Calhoun to carry out his supposed
purpose of controlling the legislation of the Sen
ate was therefore most fortunate, apparently.
His defeat is regarded as satisfactory proof, that
for the rest of the session, when uniting his for
ces with the Federalists, their opposition will
amount to nothing more than that of a respect
able nilDority- <SYc transit, q-c. The yeas and nay s
will bear out my progncstication, that Messrs.
Butler and Yulee only, of what once was Mr.
Qalhourt’s imposiing trail, are destined stHl to
follow his devious trail in tho chase of the will
o’ wisp of place, whicli fate has determined
he never shall reach. v
Though Mr; Goggin, aided by Mr. Bolts, on
Thursday, lacerated the P. M. General, in round
terms, is understood that the House, by
ve vote will endorse the propriety of that officer’s
action in the matter of the difficulty with the
Richmond R. R. Company. In truth, Mr. G.
kicked up such “ a of a dust” by way of
concealing the fact, that the report of the spe
cial committee on this difficulty virtually sus
tains all that the Post Matter General has done ;
iirthe premises. DfcSh Houses adjourned over ou
yesterday, until Monday.
The letter of Genii. Cass*to Judge Nicholson
of Tennessee, is well received by the mass of
the party in Congress. His broadly national views
meetthe approval oi* Southern as well as North
ern Democrats.
The door-keeper to the House - ,celebrated the
death of the old year by duly sacrificing last night
five more victims. This is liis second batch of
removals. This is the way in which the Feds
“ proscribe proscription.”
On Friday evening, we were treated to a ru
mor, saying that Gen. Scott had been recalled,
owing to the difficulties iu which Worth, Duncan
and Pillow are concerned. I feel confident that
the story is made of “ whole cloth.” Worth,
Duncan and Pillow, probably occupy high places
in the estimation of the Government, which, I
fancy will however leave them to settle their
trouble strictly and only according to the rules of
the service. I may safely venture to assure your
readers that neither the Government er the pub
lic of Washington have formed any such tiling
as a settled opinion in the premises. Seott has
given throughout the war such evidences of lib
erality if not maguauimity in all appertaining to
his intercourse with hisofficers of both political
parties and all grades, as to preclude the suspi
cion that self is at the bottom of this affair, or.
his part, at the same time all appear to be confi
dent that as in the case of the Fremont trouble,
investigation will show that the standing ol no
officer implicated is impeachable from what lias
occurred. The truth is, the style of very many
army'lettbrs is so much after the fashion in which
Falstaft’ would hijive chronicled the same events,
that all men of common sense believe not more
than halfthatis written. If they obtainsd cred
it here, officers to whom they do injustice of omis
sion or commission might reasonably complain.
Butene should well nigh-assoon think of being
disturbed in mind by the hyperboles of a patent
medicine advertisement.
Gen. Quitman, I hear, is of opinion that the
force now in Mexico, if kept up to its present
strength, will be amply sufficient for all purpos
es of occupation until a definite settlement of
the difficulty. He is said to advise the immedi
ate establishment of a line of permanent posts
from Vera Cruz, to the capita], from that line to
San Louis Potosi, from thence to Tampico, and
the preservation of the line that has the Rio
Grande for its base. I presume he has already
given Lis views at length to the Department. lie
goes for keeping possession of the region of
country thus cut oft from the rest of the Repub
lic, at least until other full and satisfactory in
demnity is.'jobtSLined, and peace guaranteed, of
which; ke; hope by the bye. According to
liis views, thojpeopte are rapidly becoming recon
ciled to the presence of our brave countrymen,
and are becoming to regard them as friends and
protectors, rather than foes.
The passage of the resolution of the select
committee, having in hand the difficulty between
the P. O. Department and the Richmond and Fed
ericksburg R. R. Cos., though it sustains the eourse
of the P. M. General, will subject the Treasury
to the payment of heavy damages to the New
Bay Cos,, from whom the contract by this resolu
tion is to be taken, to be restored to the R. R.
Cos. at the price offered by the P.M. General. It
is said that the R. R. Cos. will refuse the offer.
Its object is clearly to make the community suf
fer as much as possible by way of carry ing its
point. The next Rail-way charters granted will
be so guarded, I fancy, as to prevent the applica
tion of their special privileges thus, to the injury
of the public.
If Gen. Taylor comes here, as many say he is
about doing, he will of course previously resign
the command of the army of occupation, which
will be a heavy sacrifice for his hazardous chance
of election to the Presidency. Great prepara.-,
tionsare being made.by-tfee-WlK4s"of Washing
ton and Congress, to make a splutter over Mr.
Clay, who is said to be expected on Tuesday.
Taylorites say that he lately wrote to Gen. Tay
lor, asking him to withdraw in hie (Clay’s) favor,
and that the Gen. answered in efiect, if notin so
many words, that he’d see him —ed first; and
furt/tet', that the certainty of defeat if the Gener
al will run, is the reason why Mr. Clay is about
(as they declare) to withdraw from the contest.
J did not go to the Shield and Quitman public
dinner on the night befoiC last, for J have no stom
ach for such displays as they had there. T kC?
are gallant and servicable soldier’s, and deserve
quite as Well of their countrymen as any of the
twenty thousand patriots who have also served
their country to the best of their abilities in the
wars. ‘ While hundreds of dollars were spent in
GJiampaigne at this festival, last night, many a
poor private who has left an arm or leg in Mexico,
went to bed, in Washington, if not supperless,
at least not knowing that ho would have enough
to eat next week.
**.** * * * * *
I repeat ; Shields and Quitman are glorious
men, though they would have appeared still more
glorious, in my eyes at least, had they declined
this dinner and hinted to the subscribers that it
would have been far more truly patriotic to lend
a helping hand to the armless or legless privates
to be seen at every hour passing, mournfully
through the streets of Washington.
The important feature of this dinner was the
declaration made by Senator Johnson of Md.
thatthe war was just & righteous on our part and
that in his place in the Senate, he will fearlessly
express .he same views as those over his wine cup.
This was understood to be the platform on which
Taylorism is to stand. He being perhaps the
Taylor leader in the Senate. Though Crittenden
is supposed to be decidedly in favor of Taylor,
his with Mr. Clay preclude him
from taking a conspicuous position in the Taylor
ranks.
New Year’s day yesterday was celebrated here
as usual, the White-house as well as the resi
dences of almost all persons of note, being
thronged with visitors for hours.
LOWNDES.
Correspondence of Times.
Mexico, Dec. Bth, 1847.
The Division of Gen. Patterson has been arri
ving for the last three days, and begins, from its
strength, to bring this deluded people to the con
viction that we are in sober earnest when we tel|
them that the only alternative that is now left
them is a speedy peace or the military occupation
of the Republic. From what sources they can
now derive hopes for a happy exit from the toils
by which they are surrounded is a mystery to the
world. How iufaluated! how deluded! this un.
fortunate ! It is universally believed by
the'army that the adminis./ation have determined
upon the indefinite occupation, if not the conquest
of the nation—a measure that meets with most
hearty approval of all. Taking for granted that
such will be the result, it becomes us to inquire
into the advantages that are delivered to result to
our people from a proper improvement of those
which such a measure .holds out to the enterprr
sing spirit of the Anglo Saxon race. And first
with regard to the inexaustable mineral wealth of
her mountains.
From what I have been able to gather from
those of intelligence and experience in this busi
ness I am led to the opinion that if the skill and
experience in mining which even we possess, and
the use of our engines, could ever be applied to
the mines of Mexico the result would be that ot
extraordinary piolit. With the richest mines in
Hw work!, vuttv-a splendid college for instructing
uiiotr*, and with a code of laws which pretended
to encourage them.. Mexico has made m*. advan
ces in the science of working its mineral treas
ures while England, with only metals of infer**
value, and the United States with tames o 4 com
parative poverty, and e*e without books op*n
the su! ject have raised the art of mining to a per
fection heretofore unknown ami have carried it on
in spite of difEcultiesnottobo met with elsewhere
at this particular juncture, the mines have receiv
ed a fatal blow by the interruption to industry
produced by protracted civil commotions and by
foreign war, an immense number of them have
been obliged to suspend operations, on account of
the enormous price of mercury, occasioned by the
blockade of her ports and the insecurity of her
roads. These are now filed with water; and
with the exhausted means which her capitalists
ca n command, arc almost rendered useless, all
that is wanting to develop* their treasures, is Yan
kee skill and energy. The richest gifts of nature
are useless without the industry and intelligence
requisite to bring them into action ; and such in
dustry and intelligence are only to be looked for
where projierty is secure and rational liberty en
joyed. These have been for years wanting.—
Santa Anna’s evil genius, has been long sitting,
like an incubus, upon the breast of the people,
sucking their life blood, paralizing their energies,
ami laughing with fiend like glee at the helpless
terror which it inspired. The rule of the North
man is destined to restore health and peace to
this country and if properly improved, health and
increased happiness to ours. The fulfiment of
this prophecy begins to dawn already in the pro
ject, is now under discussion, for the establishment
of a rail road from this city to V. Cruz—the want
of which, by the way, has been one of the greatest
obstacles to the successful operation of her mines.
The principal difficulties in the application of
machinery have arisen from the weight of the
paits, and t e labor of conveying them through
the country to the mines which are at considera
ble distance from the coast. Although greatly im
proved since Humboldt wrote, the roads are still,
in many places, ve>y had lor wheel carriages, and
most of the internal commerce is carried on by tht
use of mules loaded with goods they transport as a
mode which is inapplicable articles of great weight
and unwieldy structure. Nothing is more impor
tant to any country than facilities for the trans
portation of her produce to the coast and the re
turn of its equivalent back to the interior. Es
pecially is this truth applicable to Mexico where
the peculiar structure of the country and character
of the climate, open no avenues for travel by nav
igable streams, and where the elevation of the
table land precludes the use of Canals. If then
the rail toad which is projected, be completed, the
mines which are novr profitable will be more than
quadrupled in value, many of our officers have
already unbarked in these undertakings, one mine
which owing to the distracted condition of the
country for a few years, has not been worked, has
been purchased by a Stock Company of Ameri
cans and Europeans in shares of SIOOO each, and
is nearly ready for operation. The prospect of
advantage to capitalists in the U. S. who are invi
ted to unbark their money in mining in Mexico
is subject to be clouded at present by many doubts
respecting the political circum*tncesof the coun
try. These, however, it is hoped, will be soon
settled by our wise administration, and leave our
people here as free as at home in the exercise ot
their industry and skill.
I wished to say something also upon the agri
culture of the country; but the near approach of
the hour for dosing the mail only leaves me room
to touch upon such items of news as the times
afiord.
Have you heard that John Lamar, Surgeon of
of the U. 8. A. has been married to Miss Christian
—one of the actresses in the company of “ Old
Hart.
The council of Governors at Queretaro has been
dissolved—leaving to agust wisdom of Congress
the decision of the questions which they met to
deliberate upon. They are as great cowards mor
ally as they have provided themselves physically.
They dare no* assume the responsibility to speak
their convictions; and congress will be equally
a'raid to do any thing for the interest and salva
tion of their country. There is not a man in the
nation that is prepared to make sacrifices for its
welfare. Contemptible selfishness anti imbecility
rule equally in the Cabinet and field. There is
too much corruption in the country and too deep
ly ITTsi;HdHfii S-bedy Jiojilie for patriotism to
find a dwelling place.
It is said, Gen. Scott is so secret in his coun
sels that nobody knows that a division of the ar
my under Gen Patterson shortly march to Quere
lero—the heart of the mining district and the
most fertile pari of the lal le land. The valley in
which it is situated, says Humboldt, is 2000 feet
lower and the climate milder than that of Mexico
It is 90 miles long by 20 or 30 in breadth. The
whoa 1 ! harvest is 40 or 40 for one, and several farm
even reckon 59 or 60 for one. We shall probably
also soon occupy Toluca—a city to which many
of the wealthy citizens here resort in the sum
mer months for pleasure.
To-day is observed as one of the greatest feasts
0 ;?hc year—that of ‘■•la purrissima conception .”
I entered 4 Lis morning the choir of ‘‘La Profesa”
and imagine my surprise to see a full orchestra
of 40 odd persons there —with 7 or 8 violins,
clarionets, drums, flutes bugles, french horns &c.
performing the opera of the “Puritan” with un
bounded applause while the Church below was
full of pious and devout worshipers, in the attitude
of prayer. The music in the National Theatre
is greatly excelled by that of the Parish. In
deed it was the greatest feast I have enjoyed for
years. The acting however, of the latter was
principally in pantomime, and not so much to my
taste as that in which the divine Canete and the
sylphlike Gosse bring their heavenly charms to
intoxicate the heart. Au revior.
J. K.
Appolntmculs toy Gov. Towns.
David C. Campbell, Director of the Central
Bank.
Wm. W. Willamsox, P. K. of the Penitentia
ry-
H. J. G. Williams, B’k. Keeper“ “ “
A* M. Horn ox, Inspector . “ “ “
Dr. T. Fobt, Physician “ “ “
Rev. F. Jacobs, Oh iplain “ “ “
John L. Swissei, Military Store Keeper at Sa
vannah.
M. C. Butts, Miiitary Store keeper at Mil
ledge ville.
Dr. T. Fobt, Y
B. Stubbs C Trustees Lunatic Asylum.
Dr. 11. K. Greexe,j
Fort Gaines, 8 Jan. 1 848.
At a meeting of the Citizens of Early County,
convened according to adjournment from Blake
ly Superior Court. William Castleberry in the
Chair, and CJ. L. C. Franklin, Secretary.
Col. dc Graffenreid made know n the object of
the meeting and after taking a retrospective view
of the grant of the charter, &e. went into argu
ment illustrating the advantages in building
the South Western R. Road.
Maj. Joel Crawford being called upon by the
Chairman, addressed the meeting in a terse and
pertinent manner: showing the great importance
of the work in asocial, agricultural,and commer
cial point of view, that without|commerce, genial
climate, and rich soil, can avail nothing. After
which he offered the following Resolution, which
was unanimously adopted to Wit
Resolved, that the several subscription in
the bands of the Six Committees apoointed at
Blakely, last month, be return'd as u-arly as con
venient to the Chairman, Vv’Uiia'm Castleberry,
and that he forward the same to Elam Alexander,
the chairman of the South Western Rail Road
Company.
On motion it was requested that the porcedings
be published in the Columbus Times.
The meeting then adjourned to Saturday the
15th instant.
WM, CASTELBERRY Chr’m.
Q. L. C. Franklin Sec’y.
Counterfeit Treasury Notes —A counterfeit
Note for 500 dollars was received at New York
on Saturday last, from Nashville. This is said
to be the first fraud upon Treasury Notes which
has been discovered, although it was known, it
seems, at the Treasury some month since, that
a spurious note was in preparation, but the infor
mationwas too vague for action. This Note
bears no resemblance wlmteveyf to the regular
note*.
The following list of deaths in the I3tb Reg
iment of Infantry, has been furnished o for
publication. It is from L‘- Mangham of that
Regnient:
LdUi ot Bcatfca in Conjaale* *£
tlw? 13tfk laUmtry, since June 1,. 1847..
Names. Where.
John A Hen. Mier, Mex.
Be. jamin F. Anthony,.
U:ban A. Brown, New Orleaus.
Ezekiel Bernard,, Mier.
J. D. Brady, National Bridge*
Tims. J. Bugs*. Mier, Mex.
Burton Baggett, “
Pinckney Carter; “ , “
Jatnes Cook, “ “
Jas. S. Clardy, National Bridge.
Archibald Conner, Mier, Mex.
Christie, National Bridge.
Allen H. Chandler, Reynosa.
Joseph Crops, National Bridge.
R. 8. Capshaw, Matamoros.
Elijah Davis, Sa-iiiiito.
A. J. Dominique, Poi.it Isabel.
Samuel J. Edmonson, National Bridge..
John Edwards, Mier.
John H. Farrel, . Ft. Moultrie,S.C..
John Giddings, Mier.
Leroy H. Gresham, National Bridge.
Jas. C. Cause, Pt. Isabel.
Christopher Gill, Mier.
James Grant, “
John W. Gibson, “
Wm. Gibson, “
Chas. H. Garrard, “
E. H. Harper, “
James M. Hurst, New Orleans.
Hamilton, National Bridge.
John Hickman, Pt. Isabel.
G. W. Hickman, Mier.
John W. Harris, Ft. Moultrie,S.C.
John H. Johns, Mier.
J. F. W. Lewis, “
John Loury, “
Nathaniel D. Lowe, “
Job J.angham, “
John Leutz, “
Wm. H. Lester, National Bridge.
Jus. J. Lanier. Ft. Moultrie,S.C.
Geo. M. Martindale, Mier.
Albert G. Mitchell, “
John McCullough, “
- McFarland, ♦
McAdams, “
Eld ridge McAfee, “
Elijah Morrow, “
M, M. Meadws,
John Mallard, •
Fiancis Pitts, “
Nathaniel Peaoo, Ft, Moultrie,S.C.
James Potts, “ “ *•
Jcmes C. Pratt, Pt. Isabel.
B. F. Pollard, National Bridge.
Win. F. Patterson, Mier.
Charles C. Payne, “
Nathan T. Quick, **
Wm. Rose, “
Robert Roundtree, “
Wm. Reddick, Pt. Isabel.
Robert J. Smith, New Orleans.
Scott, . Mier.
Isaac S. Smith, “
Cornelius Stanford, New Orleans.
8, Sanders, Miei.
Smith, Pt. Isabel.
Hugh M. Robert, Mier.
J. L. M. White,
Jesse K. West, “
James A. Willingham. “
John H. Ward, Vera Cruz.
Moses Weston, Mier.
Wm. Wadsworth, •*
T. J. Williams, “
Wm. C. Wells,
John H. Jones, Rilled or Desert
ed at Matamoros.
Nathan Fowler, Died a f . Mier.
Enoch B. Duncan,
Pinckney Carter, National Bridge
I apprehend the /above list is incorrect, as I
have been unable Jo procure the names of some
who have died ; aiid others left sick on the other ,
line have not been heard ft pa?. i
FOR THE TIMES. ‘
SOUTH K ASTEIIN IUIL-ROAW.
Mr. Editor—The construction of a Rail-Road
to borne point, by which our city
may be conriectl?tf-AXiih Savannah as we!! as
the up-countrv of'Gcorgia, has been a subjectof
considerable interest to our citizens for the last
2or 3 years. The selection of a route which will
promote that object, and at the same lime im
prove oqi commercial advantages, appears now
to be an open question; I therefore take this op
portunity to make a few suggestions, aud offer a
few arguments in favor of a route, which has
not been much discussed or seriously reflected
upon. Belore I proceed however to give my
views in favor of the route which I think we
ought to adopt, and is the best for the interest, and
prosperity of our city, I shall in the first place
endeavor to show, that the contemplated route
from our city to Barnesville called the Barnes
ville route will not be so practicable, and will
not be so advantageous to our city as some of
its friends think it will be. Second that the
route also spoken of from our city to Macon,
called the direct toute, although in mv opinion, it
is afar preferable one in many respects to that
which is called the Barnesville route; yet I shall
endeavor to show in the faSts and arguments I
shall adduce, that it will not he so practicable,
or so advantageous a route, as the one I propose,
which is the South-Eastern route to connect
with the South-Western Rail-Road; which you
are aware is intended to be built from Macon to
Fort Gaines, and from thence to Pensacola Bay.
First then in regard to tlie Barnesville route :
the lriends ot that measure urge as arguments in
favor of it, that it will be a more profitable route
to the stockholders, and that by forming the con
nection at Barnesville. we will be fair competi
tors with Macon and Savannah for the up-coun
try and Tennessee trade. The question, which
will be the most profitable Rail-Road to the stock
holders, I think ought not to be of such great
importance ot itself, as to induce us to fix upon
a route upon that account alone, in preference
to another which might be less piofitable, but
more productive of benefit to the commercial
‘iiiterestsofour city. But I insist that it will not
be a more profitable road, than the one I pro
pose. The profit of a Rail-Road consists in
the amount of produce, passengers, and mail
transportal ion that is carried over the road; and
also the cheapness of working it. We cannot
claim for the Barnesville route more cotton and
goods, than goes from and to our city, and the
adjacent counties, except a few bales which may
be sent from Upson county, and which does not
now come to our place. This amount of trans
portation may be claimed for which ever route
we may adopt. I shall presently show that we
will have more travel upon the lower route,
(which I propose as the best) than over the
Barnesville route. With regard to the up-coun
try and Tennessee trade which it is contended
we will get by the Barnesville connection ; I think
the history and experience of trade showssuch will
not be the case. Produce will always be carried
to the nearest market, provided it offers equal
advantages; and if that becomes glutted, it will
seek hitler and more distant markets, then taking
hats for granted, the produce of the up-country
and Tennessee coming down the Macon and
Western Road, will first go lo Macon, only 40
miles from Barne-ville instead of being shipped
to other cars for Columbus, which is 75 miles
from that point; and after the Macon market is
tried, the produce cannot be disposed of, they
may then seek Savannah or Columbus: and it
is more than probable that we will be enabled to
buy those products cheaper at Macon than we
can send to Tennessee or the upper part of our
State and purchase them and pay the freight to
Columbus ; because the abundant supply at Ma
con will often induce ttie holderstosell at cheap
er rates; rather than take the risk, and pay the
expense of seeking another market. But admit
this last position to be wrong, there are a number
of objections I contend to the Barnesville route,
some of which are almost insurmountable.
In the first place, the road will have to pass
over a rocky and hilly country for a great portion
of the way, where the cuts or excavations i
some places will have to be made through rock.
Second, there is little or no pine timber upon
nearly the whole route of that road to Bartles
ville, which will answer for the superstructure or
| for fuel to work the engines. Third, Ui e roils
! wal P“ es U P trough Harris and TalbntW?*
‘both of which send a large amount of cotton?’
i our city, which will no doubt be diverted °
J„,,J . .he Ma ,„„ .„7fe
■ fourth, wm will have to connect with r , ?
m..„ the M,<„„ anJ Western R.l, h ™ h 1
owned by Nort lern stockholders who h..
community of interest with us ; 8n( t ! n °
motives of individual interest to theimelve’ ml?,
act or pursue a course o’ poliev oimnJa , ‘
interest. But if this did not occur hy ?, ? ° Uf
neclion after we lead colton *
Macon, we would h i liable , , S .
from one r10,,0[ to. ft, .. , J *"
a great degree, aIR-ct the Gcilitv ~ t ,n
transportation over the read, and ‘al£ ° f
some effect upon th e travel , * have
w id! regard l„ the ,',?! u , 8 ‘ f lacon ’
route to Macon which has I. . P , C “ C< ,h . e d,rect
I have little or no Jfc*? of
carried out; hut in the ** r' U ?- d
I think it cannot be ; file ’ ‘’ T ?f
are not able to bu id the , v i, Lolumbua
road from Columbus to Mi™'’ ‘ ot , * i "‘
ance; (which objection by the X* r * M “‘-
■ equal force against the adoption “.I’ 1 mtfi
vill route) and I see no hope at this Z
being assisted from any qumler to
either ot them.
„ will pcrceive from the proceeding, of vW
Central Rail-Road company, andtheCitv Coun,
cil of Savannah published last month, that
vannah and Macon are bending all their cuV
gies, and have appropriated all their mean, to
carrying lorward the project of the South-West,
ern Rail-Road; therefore we cun expect no a
sisJance from them ; and I am convinced that
the hope some have of getting assistance from
the Macon and Western Road is futile, and that
we will have to depend alone upon our city t) ,|
her citizens to build a Lad-Road upon whatever
route may ho determined upou.
Althougii I ha e been for a long time in fa
vor of the so called direct route to Macon, under
the present aspect of affairs, I am convinced that
the only practicable, and the best route for u
is to connect with tire SoutlmWestern Rail-Road!
h irst, because wo can make that connection by
building thirty-five or thirty-seven miles of road
which will cost us only three hundred and fifty
or four hundred thousand dollars ; which I think
wc are able to do without calling upon any one t >
assist us. Second, because that route will paw
through a sandy pine-woods country which i
easy tojexcavate, and where we can get an a'.un
dant supply of pine timber of the best quality
for the superstructure, and for fuel. Third, be
cause the road will run out from our city in nn
East direction, through the centre of our county
and thus must greatly improve the value of itl
lands. Fourth, because the road will pass thro’
the lower and poorer part of Marion countv
which is not a large cotton growing country’
where there are mostly small cotton farm, the’
proprietors of which would never think of send
ing their cotton to Macon or to Savannah, but
would prefer, as they now do, to haul it in thoic
own carts or wagons to our city, ami then sell it
and obtain their small supplies. Fifth, hecauw
this lower route would piss so far below Talbot
and Harris counties, and our cotton countiA
above our city • that wc would run no risk at
losing the cotton from those counties, as Colum
bus would be the nearest point to the Rail-Road;
and by this lower route wo would only run tha
risk of losing the cotton from the Western por
tion ol the county ofSumter,which now sometimes
conies to our city, not probably more than two.
thousand bales, which would he a very small
loss in comparison to the great advantages wo
would derive from adopting the lower route.
Upon examining the profile of the South-West
ern Road, made by Mr. Holmes who has recent
made a survey of the route; I find that, that
toad commences about two miles below Macon,
and runs iiom thence a South-YY estern direction;
through Houston and Macon <v>uulics, until it
crosses the Flint River near Traveller’s lfo-st ;
from thence it takes almost a direction,
through Macon and Sumter counties, and passes
a little Nortli of Tondtovvii, and extends seven,
miles West of that pl-.ee, ;n the direction of Co
lumbus, to a point within thirty-seven and a,
halt miles of our city, when it diverges South ;
from this diverging point straight line to Colum
bus in a direction about North-'Wcst wouldi
strike the Upaloic Creek about the mouth ofi
Randal’s (Jrcek, sometimes called West Upatoio,.
which route vou will perceive would make (as.
1 stated before) the nearest point of the Rail-.
Road from Harris, Talbot, and the upper coun
ties, from which we get nearly all our cotton..
Another great advantage of this route over cither
of the others, is, that it would cost us less than,
one half the money. And in addition t > this,
it wouid not tap our cotton country nor take
from our city any cotton trade that now comes
to us, which I think the most important thing to
he considered. Now with’ regard to the profit
of this lower route as compared with the profits
of the other two routes spoken of. It will not
ho contended, I apprehend, that less cotton or
goods will De carried over the road on the lower
route, that the uper routes ; cither routes will
be dependant upon our city and the adjacent
counties mainly tor the cotton or goods that may
he carried over it; and consequently the amount
of both will he nearly the same on either route.
If time and space would permit, I think I could
show successfully that if the lower route wers
adopted, we would draw to Columbus colton
from Stewart and from some of the counties in
Alabama, that we do not now get; which would
greatly increase the quantity brought to our city,
am! the quant.ty carried over the road. Then
taking for granted that the amount of cotton
and goods will be the same or not materially di;-
ferent over either road ; I shall proceed to show
that the profits of the lower road would he great
er than a road built on either of the other routes.
It is well known that the citizens of Savannah
and Now York have two first-rate steamers now
building, which are to run those cities,
and which must greatly facilitate and increase
the travel from New York to New Orleans ;
and I understand that a steam slip came from
New York to Savannah within two hours of tbo
time it takes to go to Charleston, so that il two
passengers should leave Charleston and Savan
nah immediately after arriving, tlie one by the
way of Savannah would arrive at Macon at tho
same time that the other would arrive at Greens
borough on the Georgia Roid; so that if wo
had this connection formed with Macon by tho
South-Western Road (a distance of 110 miles)
the passenger by the way of Savannah would
get to Columbus before or at any rate as soon
as the one by the way of Charleston, would
get to Griffin on the Macon and Western Road,
consequently the passenger by the way of Sa
vannah would have ten or twenty hours advan
tage over the other; this would throw nearly all
the travel upon the lower route by the way of
Savannah, particularly if we take into the ac
count the great superiority of the entrance and
bar at Savannah, over the liar and entrance at
Charleston ; vessels can at all times, either day
or night, come to and go from Savannah without
having to wait for the tide, which they cannot do
at Charleston. The above calculations are pre
dicated upon the belief that if we form the con
nection with Macon, the connection will also le
made with the Alabama Road, and Columbus,
of which there is not the loist doubt.
Taking the statements above to Ire co.’tec*,
you will perceive that nearlv all the travel must
go over the lower route of Rail-Road, and con
sequently make it the most profitable, and as I
think I have shewn, more advantageous to the
commercial interest to Columbus.
In addition to thw, I have (for many reasons
which I have not time nor space to give) no
doubt that if this connection is formed with the
South-Western road, the Rail-Road project from
Atlanta to West Point will be abandoned.
You may ask, (admit all this to be true,) how
arc we to accomplish the end desired unless we
obtain a charter from the Legislature to autho
rize us to connect with the South-Western Roaii.
I answer, this has aheady been done, by the two
last sections of the charter of the South-Western
Rail-Road Company, which give to the City
Council of Columbus, the authority to create a
capital stock, &e. and when subscribed for the
company, shall be a body corporate under the
name and style of the South-Eastern Rail-Road
Company of Georgia, with all the pown and
privileges bestowed upon the South-Western
Rail-Road Company.