Georgia Historic Newspapers

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ants to the vacant scats from New Jersey, and
that they be informed thatthe committee has re
considered, and indefinitely postponrjl the reso
lutions furnished them on the 28th .|sstant, and
that this committee will hear them a'} their com
mittee room on Saturday, the Ist February prox
imo, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, tin the sub
ject of the measures which.should be to
obtain the evidence applicable to the inquiry be
fore the committee.’’ |
Ttie parties accordingly m n t a:vin * n
committee room, and, after they severally
heard, the committee adopted Uie following re
solution : |
“ Resulted, That we will now take lip the tes
timony which has been referred t" tie commit
tee in the New Jersey case; and if.llunng the
investigation of t!ie subject, it shall by
either party to furnish additional testi|iony, that
then the parties be allowed such re is liable time
as may be determined by the comniii|;e, to take
such additional testimony in the man|er prescri
bed by the laws of New Jersey relating to con
tested elections, unless the parties Igree upon
snne order mode which may be saiptioned by
the committee.”
Thus it will be perceived that bes ea paper
purporting to be testimony in this case, yas open
ed by the committee, it was resolved*lhat time
should be allowed either party requiring it to j
take additional testimony, with a v’»?w,as we j
supposed, of ascertaining the whole truth touch- |
ing the merits oflhe election, and the only action
of the committee under this resolution was to
decide on the objections raised by either party to
the competency of the testimony exhibited.
This resolution the committee adopted, with
out knowing how it would affect the interests of
eillier parly, or which should be the li/st to ask
for time ; for it depended on what portion of the
testimony might he received, and vvha? rejected
on cither side. j
In pursuance thereof, the committee proceeded
to hear objections and arguments on the compe
tency of the evidence. Most of the testimony
on the part of the non-commissioned claimants
consisted of certificates and sworn copies of pa
pers, the affidavits, appended to which were ex
parte, and taken without notice. And most of
that adduced by the commissioned claimants,
besides their commissions, consisted of depositions
taken before fState officers in New Jersey, upon
notice to the opposite party. Numerous objec
tions were taken to the competency of. this evi
dence, but the undersigned felt no crnb|r rasment
in respect to any of them, except that Vt|aich rais
ed an inquiry as to the sufficiency of She notice
of taking the depositions; there being |io law of
Congress or ot the State, applicable to|lhis case,
directing the mode of taking evidence,! the com- j
mittee experienced great difficulty in fiijJing any
rule that would do justice to all concerilxl. Ihe
usage of the House, for many years, !*id sanc
tioned the practice of receiving depositions, in
cases of contested election, taken on reasonable
notice ; but had not settled .vhat was reasonable
notice. The commissioned member.-: indicated a
willingness that, inasmuch as they wese to re
turn to New Jersey to obtain additional proofs,
the committee should reject a' l testimony in re
spect to which there was me doubt, t| the end
that they might retake the evidence place
the matter beyond dispute. $
It is proper to state that this suggestion, made
from motives of prudence, avowedly influenced
the action of one of the undersigned, who voted
for the exclusion of testimony which he would
not have hesitated to receive if compelled to pro
ceed at once, and dispose of the case Dibits mer
its. The chairman seemed disposed t«< take a
liberal view of the subject, and to admi|. nearly
the whole of the evidence on both sid ; treat
ing what we deemed objections to co mpetency
as mere objections to the sufficiency oft e proofs:
the effect of which was, with the aid of the four
members concurring in the report alreldy sub
mitted. to let in much the most important part of
the testimony adduced by the non-commissioned
claimants, though taken ex parte, and without
notice. Hut when the testimony on she other
side came under consideration, the same 1 >ur mem
bers voted against its competency, though taken
on notices, in some instances at least, ample and
abundant; and it so happened that i.c. conse
quence of the doubts of one of the uad reigned,
and the influence of a wish which he Indulged
to have the case cleared of all embarrassment by
re-taking the evidence, much the most, impor
tant part of the proof offered by the commission
ed claimants was rejected, and the testimony be
fore the committee was left in a very confused,
imperfect, and chaotic state, and in such k condi
tion as to render it. in the judgement ot|the un
dersigned, in a high degree unjust to male it the
basis of their action eitherin the conaaiitfoe or the
House for any purpose whatever. |
When the committee had thus disposifl of the
questions of competency arising on the Jvidence
before it, the commissioned members aga'|i renew
ed their application for further time, to Inish ta
king their testimony; and again verbally Mated to
the committee the various difficulties w?ich had
prevented the completion of t:ieir prool| before
the session of Congress. And this statement not
being denied by the non-commissioned claimants,
the committee, m consideration of thoseSdifficul
ties, and also in reference to the fact that touch of
the testimony adduced had been, rejc in the
manner above staled,'deemed the
able, and determined to grant i’; and botll parties
being decidedly of the opinion that the ttltimony
could not be taken before the second Mcliday of
April next, the committee adopted a j gamble
and resolution as follows: f
“ Whereas the People of the State Iff New
Jersey are at present deprived of five-.|ixths of
their representation in the House of Kej’esenta
tives, and it being highly expedient that lye decis
ion of the question between the several ciliimants
to the five contested seals in the House islbresaid
be made as speedily as practicable, consistent
with a due investigation and deliberation;, and J.
15. Aycrigg, William Halsted,and other I having
made application to the committee forUime to
take further evidence to maintain theirlright to
ssats in said House, and the contestors having al
leged that if the committee go into an investiga
tion of the question of who received the jlurality
of legal votes, they desire time also to Ui|e testi
mony : |
“ Therefore resolved. That the chairlum be
• required to notify the several claimants a|»resa:d,
that this committee will not proceed to a Inal de
cision of the question of ultimate right defending
before them until the second Monday 2i April
next, at which time the committee will rei ort, the
proofs to be closed, and will not receive nv tes
timony taken by eillier of the parties as: i;r that
time; but nothing in this resolution shall jrevent
the committee at any time before that C iy from
taking up and deciding said case, if the parlies
shall declare themseb es ready with all thjr testi
mony.” I
Injustice to the chairman of the comnfittee, it
should be stated, that he indicated to the |ommit
tee an anxious wish that the time allowed for the
completion of the proofs should be a jbjpviated,
with a view to bring the case, upon its m|r ts, be
fore the House, at as early a day as practicable;
and three of the undersigned, in deferent’! to the
opinions and feelings ofihe chairman, co-|perated
with him in an effort to procure a reconsijeration
of the above resolution; which was defeated by
the votes ot the other members of the cot*mittee.
Nothing now remained to he done, but o carry
out the original plan as exhibited in the sc d reso
lutions ; and accordingly the following rej dution
was offered by one of the undersign, i, and
adopted by the comm'(fee:
“ Resolved, That the parties m the contested
election for the State of New Jersey Sc, and
they are hereby, authorized to take the tc jfimony
of such witnesses as either of them ma| desire
»
• s
to examine, by deposition in conformity with the
laws of that State in force at the time of taking
any such testimony, on the subject of contested
elections, in similar cases: Provided, that the
parties may, hv any agreement under their hands,
regulate the mode of giving notice, and other
matters of form, at their discretion.”
Soon after the adoption of these resolutions,
the commissioned members left the city for the
State of New Jersey, to finish taking their evi
dence, where they still remain. We did not an
ticip ite, nor had we an intimation, from any quar
ter, that turtber proceedings in the case were con
templated, cither in the committee or the House,
until the expiration of the time allowed the par
ties to complete their evidence; ncr are We willing
to believe that the House would have adopted
theiresolution of the 2Sth of February, if it had
known the situation of the case before the com
mittee, or anticipated the construction which the
committee would put on the resolution.
Nothing is more abhorrent to a well-regulated
mind, than the appealance ol deception or treach
| cry in the administration of justice. We will
not. for the honor of our country, believe that
the highest deliberative assembly in the land, act
ing as a judicial tribunal, and deciding, not only
upon the rights of individuals, but also upon the
rights of one of the sovereign Slates ot the Union,
will, for a moment, after these parties have been
j sent away in confident security that they were
I to have time to take tiieir evidence, en ertain the
idea of taking up the case in their absence and
deciding it without a hearing, and with the proofs
on one side wholly incomplete. Such a proce
dure would be an example of injustice and perfi
dy so flagrant, and establish a precedent so perni
cious, that it would hardly be respectful to this
honorable body to give it a further examination.
At this stage of the proceedings (the parties
having returned to New Jersey to complete their
testimony.) the subject was again brought before
the House, and a strenuous effort made to in
struct the committee to report forthwith who had
received a majority of the votes given at the
polls; and,on a proposition to amend the resolu
tion by inserting the word "lawful,’’ so as to re
quire the committee to report the lawful votes
only, a long, earnest, and, to some extent, an an
gry debate arose; and, by the casting vote of the
Speaker, the amendment was adopted, and the
resolution was sent to the committee in the fol
lowing form:
“ Resolved, That the Committee of Elections
he authorized to report to this House such pa
pers and such of their proceedings as they may
desire to have punted by order of the House, and
that they be instructed «also to report forthwith
which five of tbe ten individuals, claiming seats
from the State of New Jersey, received the great
est number of lawful votes from the whole State
for representatives in the Congress of the United
States, at the election of 1838, in said State,
with all the evidence of the facts in their posses
sion: Provided, that nothing herein contained
shall be so construed as to prevent or delay the
action of said committee in taking testimony and
deciding the said case upon the merits of the
election.”
A majority of the committee, paying no re
gard to absolute instructions of th* House, to re
port the lawful rotes, decided that the introduc
tion of the word lawful ’ did not affect the ori
ginal meaning of the proposition, and that the
resistance it had encountered in the House from
four of their own members had no objection in it
but a perverse and obstinate determination on
their part to oppose a perfectly harmless amend
ment; and they proceeded at once, without deign
ing to go into an examination of the testimony
before them, to make a report on the whole num
ber of votes given at the polls, lawful and unlaw
ful, the men and the boys, the aliens and the citi
zens, without discrimination, and without stop
ping to inquire whether the elections were held
in the manner prescribed by law, when they knew
that allegations had been made and partially es
tablished that all these matters would be proven,
and many of them, perhaps enough, already pro
ven by the te timony then before them, to change
the result, at least in part, if they would have
opened and examined it. 15ut this the commit
tee conclude, and labor throughout their report to
prove, they were not authorized to do, because
they were directed to report, forthwith on the
lawful votes, and that the effect of that omnipo
tent and pungent word “forthwith," neutralized
and nullified the word lawful, and rendered it
perfectly nugatory: and that, being required to
report forthwith the lawful votes, they were of
necessity compelled tw regard all unlawful votes
as lawful votes, and that that was what the House
intended when, by a vote of 97 to 96, they de
termined to insert it.
Why, then, did these gentlemen themselves
resist its introduction! It was precisely what
they desired! It was exactly what they had
struggled for in commirtee, and why did they not
put the same construction on their own act in
committee, when by the casting vote of the chair
man it was then decided to insert the word legal
under the same circumstances! Why did they
not then proceed to ascertain who had received a
majority of illegal as well as legal votes, and re
port that fact to the House! Only, w-e suppose,
because that “ pungent word forthwith ” was
omitted.
This branch of the report, we confess, we feel
much difficulty in preparing, from*an indisposi
tion to say any thing that mig ,t bear the appear
ance of a want of a proper deforenct for the opin
ions of our colleagues; and yet, we have so little
respect for the reasoning contained in that report,
that we scarcely know 'how to characterise or
t~eat it. We do not mean to impeach their mo
tives or intelligence; hut, at the same time, we
are impelled to speak of it as the most extraordi
nary document that has ever come under our ob
servation. Let us compare tbe resolution of the
House with the report of the committee, and as
certain whether the instructions therein contained
have been obeyed or disregarded.
By that resolution the committee wore instruct
ed to report forthwith, which five of the ten in
dividuals claiming seats from the State of New
Jersey received the greatest number of lawful
votes, from the whole State, far representatives in
the Congress of the United States, with all the
evidence of that fact in their possession: Provi
ded, that nothing herein contained shall be so
construed as to prevent or delay the action of the
committee in taking testimony, or deciding the
said case upon the merits of the election.” How
has this position and absolute instruction been
fulfilled! Was there a member of the body that
did not feel and believe, on the introduction of
the word lawful, that was so strenuously resisted,
that the whole objects of the mover of the origi
nal resolution and his friends had been defeated!
Was there a member of the House who antici
pated that within a few days from that time,
without the examination of testimony, the com
mittee would report that all the votes given at
the election were lawful votes, because they were
enjoined to report forthwith, when they were
exprosssly required to report who received the
greatest number of lawful votes only, Croat the
whole Slate; and if there was no testimony be
fore the committee to enable them to report forth
with, what they were required to report, why did
they not state that fact to the House! Why did
they not report, that the testimony is incomplete,
and the parties to the contest are now, by order
of the committee, at home, taking evidence, to
establish what you have instructed us to report!
Why did they not give to that pungent word
“ forthwith ,” its plain, common sense meaning,
as soon as practicable, without unnecessary de
lay ! But, instead of that, it is made to control
the whole resolution. W hat says the report:
“ When the proposition to instruct was origi
nally intiodneed as an amendment to tbe applica
tion with which the committee had come before
the House, its intent was clear that a report should
be immediately made of the names of those who
had received the greatest number of voles at the
last Congressional election in New Jersey. If
any thing more was wanting to explain the mean
ing of this proposition, it is to be found in the
proviso which was added, and which clearly in
dicated that the action which the House was
moved to demand did not contemplate an inter
ference with the course, adopted by the commit
tee for the ‘ taking of testimony, and deciding
the cast upon the merits of the election .’
And, yet, when the resolution is so altered as
to require the committee to report upon the law
ful votes only, it means precisely what was inten
ded before the amendment was adopted. Such
a course of reasoning, we take for granted, can
not be satisfactory, either to the House or ihe
country.
The report proceeds to say :
“ At the same time, the commit tee cannot en
tirely, (mark (he word) overlook the word law
ful, or strike that from the resolution which was
insert.'d upon a contest so close as to require a
casting vote for its decision.”
Which casting vote may as well be ascribed to
the chairman of the committee as to the Speaker
of the House, for one vote counted as much as the
other; and wc would respectfully inquire whether
the honorable chairman himselt, who draughted
that report, attached no importance to the inser
tion of the word lawful , at the time he voted
for it.
The report goes on :
“ There is but one other basis, left, and that is
th e pri mu facie case upon the returns of the lo
cal officers of the several polls; and, the nature
of the controversy taken into consideration, it
can scarcely be doubled that to this basis the reso
lution looked.”
But the very subject of the controversy before
the House Was, whether the resolution should
look to that basis 01 not: whether it should look
to the whole vote, or the lawful votes only; and
it had been decided by the casting vote referred
to, that it should look to the lawful votes only,
and not to the whole given, as originally propo
sed by the resolution ; and while the committee
cannot entirely overlook the word “ lawful,” or
strike it from the resolution, limy find no diffi
culty in disregarding its plain import and mean
ing, and they report the very matter the\’ were
instructed by the House not to report, and this
not from a desire to make such a report, (because
five members of that committee had constantly
refused to make a report based unon any such
principle.) but in strict obedience to the instruc
tions of the House. But. in addition to this/?«/z
--gent word, “ forthwith it is said the proviso
qualified the meaning of the word “ lawful.”
Now, the construction wo give to the proviso is,
that it qualifies this word “forthwith” and was
intended as a qualification of that word when
first introduced. That is to say, that whilst you
are required to report forthwith, which five of
theve ten gentlemen received the greatest num
ber of votes from the whole State, nothing here
in contained shall be so constructed as to pievent
or deiav the action of the committee in taking
testimony, or deciding said case upon tho merits
of the election. It appears to us that there can oe
but one opinion on this subject, that the proviso
was intended as a qualification to the “forthwith”
report to be made; and it is totally incomprehen
sible to us how the minds of the committee
could have been drawn into the strange error,
that the proviso was intended to qualify what, al
the the time it was written, constituted no part
of the resolution.
The subsequent introduction of the word law
ful, as we conceive not only does, but was in
tended to qualify, control, and explain the whole
resolution: it was an explanation of itself. But
. the committe have determined that the word
“forthwith,” and the proviso, which were in
i' tended to be explained by the word “ lawful,”
. themselves explain the explanation ; or, in other
, words nullifies and renders altogether nugatory
this most important and all-controlling explan
■ atory amendment.
There is one view of this subject that is truly
singular, however, and that is, that in the early
part of the session, when the same facts were ad
mitted before the House that are now reported by
the committee, there was not a member of this
body prepared to give the scats to those who re
ceived a majority of all the votes given, including
the bad with the good. Why was the case ever
referred to the committee! The House having
refused to recognise those persons as members
i who have the legal commissions, and not ventu
ring at that time to recognise those who had no
returns, and only claimed that they had received
a majority of legal anu illegal votes, the whole
i matter was referred to a committee for investiga
tion, under such circumstances as to indicate con
clusively that those of this body who were in fa
vor of going behind the commissions, contem
plated an inquiry the most ample and compre
hensive.
I To this result the undersigned are led by a re
view of all the circumstances which have attend
. ed the House on this subject, from the commence
ment of the session, as well ashy the flsgrant in
, justice which will mark the contrary course,
leading, with a haste unparalleled, to the decision
of a great and important question in the absence
[ of the parties, and contrary to the expectation?
which they had been authorized to indulge.
In order to bring this subject more fully before
the House, the undersigned deem it proper to
, state, that immediately upon the assembling of
the committee, under the resolution herein exam
’ iued, the majority, without cons.dering the proofs
admitted to be competent, the tendency of which
was to snow that unlawful votes had been pulled
for non-commissioned claimants, settled, “forth
with,” the principles upon which the teport should
, be made; and peremptorily instructed the chair
man to add the votes of Millville and South Am-
I hoy to those counted by the Governor and Privy
Council; thus resolving the duties ot the com
mittee into the solution of an arithmetical pro
blem of the most simple character.
But there is an additional and most imposing
fact which we desire to present for the considera
tion of the House, before they decide this impor
-1 tant question.
At the moment the committee had the report
under consideration, and before any vote was ta
} ken thereon, the chairman had in possession a
' scaled package of depositions, addressed to the
' Speaker of the House, to the care of the chair
man, and endorsed “depositions in the New Jer
-1 sey case,” forwarded by the commissioned claim
[ ants; and which the majority of the committee re-
fused to seed to the Speaker, to the end that the
' same might be opened and taken into considera
tion in the decision of the question then pending
in the committee. On examination, we find that
‘ the said depositions establish and prove illegal
» votes cast for the non-commissioned claimants,
‘ which, added to other unlawful votes already pro
-1 ven, are sufficient to give one ofthe commission
-5 ed claimants [Mr. Stratton] his seat, on the
} ground of receiving a majoiity of lawful votes
5 cast at the polls.
5 The following table will show how many ille
’ gal votes the commissioned members must prove
’ (if the votes of Millville and South Amboy be
added) to establish their right over their oppo-
nents to the vacant seats, viz.
Mr. Stratton over Mr. Kilie, 31
Maxwell “ Ryall, 69
Haisted “ Dickerson 117
, York “ t’ooper, 135
Aycrigg “ Vroom, 199
The proofs laid in the first instance before the
committee would have established both Messrs.
Stratton and Maxwell in their seats, had the
same been in all respects competent.
The injustice of reftu-ing to examine the new
depositions is the more apparent from the fact
that they were taken as substitutes for other de
positions on the same subject, which had been re
jected under circumstances herein detailed. Their
weight and effect is greatly enhanced by the fact
that the contesting party was present and cross
examined the witnesses.
The undersigned made strenuous efforts to in
duce the majority of the committee to strike out
the word “lawful” wherever it appears in their re
port as qualifying the word “votes,” so that the
language of the report might correspond with the
principle on which it is based, and thus all mis
apprehension, either by the House or the country,
be excluded ; and also, to induce the majority to
insert a clause in their report to indicate opposi
tion to it in the committee, and to grant us time
for the exposition of our views through the me
dium of a counter-report, but their efforts proved
wholly unavailing.
We have said enough, we trust, to establish the
propriety of having the report of the committee
recommitied, that the instructions given may be
literally and faithfully obeyed.
With this statement of facts, to sustain which
we respectfully ask foi the printing of all thedoc
umenls, we leave the case to the House: and if it
be contemplated to maks a report, submitted un
der such circumstances, the basis of any action
that will compromise the rights of either of the
parties in this controversy, we beg leave, as mem
bers of the committee, as Representatives of the
peoploe. and, in behalf ofthe sovereign States of
this Union, to protest against what we conceive
a most indefensible and unlawful proceeding.
Millard Fillxxore,
Jno. M. Butts,
Geo. W. Cna nii,
Tucmax Smith.
Washington, March 10, 1840.
CHRONICLE AND SENTINEL.
AUGUSTA.
TUESDAY MORNING MARCH 24.
Minority Report.
This very luminous and logical document will
be found in this day’s paper. It is a paper of
great merit, and in a calm, temperate and dignifi
ed tone, exposes most triumphantly the illogical
reasoning and absurd conclusions of the Majority
Report. It is in truth so complete and so well adapt
ed to the comprehension of every mind that it woul 1
be a work of supererogation on our part to attempt
any elucidation cf its contents. We therefore ask
for it a careful investigation, w T ith the confident be
lief, that every man whose sense of justice predom
inates over his party bias, will agree with us in
saying, that the minority of the committee would
have been fully justified from the facts in impcach
ing the motives of the majority.
From Harrisburg. — At the time this paper
went to press (says the U. S. Gazette of Wednes
day) the mail from Harrisburg had not arrived. It
may be well, therefore, to state that a letter was
exhibited at the Exchange, yesterday, in which the
writer expressed his belief that the Resumption
lliil would be allowed, by the Committee of Con
ference, to sleep unreported through this session of
the Legislature.
An apology is due our readers for the absence
of our usual variety in this morning’s paper.
The length of the Minority Report, which we
could not divide without greatly impairing its
force, and consequently diminishing its influ
ence, has excluded that vsriety which we should
otherwise have served. We hope, however, that
all who feel any interest in this very important
question, and all should, will be much pleased,
although it may have-excluded some items of
news.
The Great Mail Route.
We are indebted to the courtesy of Capt. Ro
binson., of the Charleston Rail Road, for a copy
of the petition which we published some days
since, for the establishment of a line of daily
coaches from the termination of the Georgia Rail
Road, to the head of navigation on the Tennes
see, &c. &c. The petition is at our office, and
we hope that all who feel an interest in the pros
perity of the city, will call and enter their names.
Mr. Richards’ Lectures.
We are requested by Mr. R. to state that his
fourth lecture takes place to-night, and if the
weather will permit, the subject will be Electri
city, if not, Magnetism and Electro Magnetism.
The Mails.
The recent rains have cut off for some days
back all communication West. It has been so long
since we have had a mail West of Columbus,
Geo., that we have quite forgotten when it was;
and yesterday the Northern Mail again failed be
yond Richmond, Va.
St. Augustine, March 20,
Indian Murders. — I’he express rider who ar
rived at Black Creek, on Wednesday morning last,
18th inst. states, that the wagon train from Post
No. 2, on its way to Micanopy for supplies, escor
ted '•y some of Lieut. Hanson’s Company, 7th In
fantry, (Lieut. 11. commands Post No. 2,j wore at
ticked by Indians —two of the escort, the team
ster and one or two of tho mules killed. The
bodies of the men were much mutilated. — News,
Correspondence cf the Charleston Courier.
Washington, March 19.
There are rumors about the Capitol of trouble
with England. It is stated that the correspondence
between Mr. Fox and Mr. Forsyth, in relation to
the British military preparations at Temhcouta be
came “ rather particular,” as they say “ down
east,” and ihat Mr. Fox, before answering any
qestions, claims time to communicate with his
government. What is most remarkable about this
matter that there is no peace party in this busi
ness —among any dozen whom you meet, ten of
them will express an opinion in favor of a war.
The benate sat but a short time to-day, and with
closed doors, in executive session. The subject
under consideration, yesterday, was an Indian
treaty.
In the House, we had the usual N. Jersey squab
ble; and, after that the treasury note bill was taken
up Mr. Bond concluded his speech on the sub
ject, opposing the bill. Mr. Vanderpoel replied to
the arguments urged against the measure, shewing
that it was the most convenient resort that the go
vernment could have, in the present emergency.
He stated that Parliament never adjourned
without issuing exchequer bills, and if the reve
nue should not be equal to all the expenditures,
they would be funded at the end of the year. But
they did not resort to a direct ioaa, until it was
ascertained that it would be necessary. So, here,
he contended, Treasury notes ought to be issu
ed for the purpose of anticipating revenue, and
avoiding a permanent loan.
An attempt will be made to sit out the question
to-night —but without success as I imagine. The
bill cannot come up, till next Tuesday, without a
vote of two thirds, and again, on Wednesday, the
Printer’s Reporter from Mr. Black’s committee
will have precedence over it.
It is stated that in London, the legal profession
consists of 1500 barristers, 100 conveyancers and
pleaders, and 3000 solicitors and attorneys. In
Dublin there are 700 barristers, and 1800 solic
itors and attorneys.
Original Anecdotes of Decatur.—The
late gallant Decatyr was a sailor to the very
heart’s core, and loved to tell anecdotes of the
common sailors. I recollect qua which he used
to relate, to the following purport: In one ot the
actions before Tripoli, while fighting hand to hand
with the captain of a gun-b .at, Decatur came
near being cut down by a Turk, who attacked
him from behind. A seaman named Reuben
James, who was already wounded in both hands,
seeing the risk of his commander, rushed in and
received the blow of the uplifted sabre on his
own bead. Fortunately, the honest fellow sur
j vived to receive his reward. Sometime afterward,
when he had recovered from his wounds, Deca
tur sent for him on deck, exprossed his gratitude
for his self-devotion, in presence of the crew,
and told him to ask for some reward. The honest
tar pulled up his waist-band, and rolled his quid,
but seemed utterly at a loss what recompense to
claim. His mess-mates gathered around him,
nudging him with their elbows, and whispering
in his ear; 4 He had all the world in a string,
and could got what he pleased the 41 old man
could deny him nothing,” etc. One advised this
thing, another that; 44 double pay,” “double
allowance, 44 a boatswain’s berth,” 44 a pockct-full
of money, and a full swing on shore,” etc. Jack
elbowed them all aside, and would have none of
their council. Alter mature deliberation, he an
nounced the reward to which he aspired ; it was,
to be excused from rolling up the hammock
cloths !
The whimsical request was of course granted ;
and from that lime forward, whenever the sailors
were piped to stow away their hammock. Jack
was to he seen loitering around, and looking on,
with the most gent'emanlike leisure. He always
continued in the same ship with Decatur. 44 1
could always know the Stale of my hiie by Jack,”
said the commodore. 44 1 f I was in good humor,
and wore a pleasant aspect, Jack would be sure
to heave in sight, to receive a friendly nod; if I
was out of humor, and wore, as I sometimes did,
a foul-weather phyisognomy. Jack kept aloof, and
skulked among the other sailors: It is proper to
add, that Reuben James received a more solid
reward for his gallant devotion, than the privilege
above-mentioned, a pension having been granted
to him by Government. * * * On another occa
sion, Decatur had received at New York the free
dom of the city, as a testimonial of respect and
gratitude. On the following day, he overheard
this colloquy between two of his sailors; “ Jack,”
said one, “what is the meaning of this “freedom
of the city,” which they’ve been giving to the
“old man V 1 “Why, it’s the right to frdlick
about the streets, as much as he pleases; kick
up a row ; knock down the men, and kiss the
women!” 44 O ho!” cried the other;“ I.hul.s
something worth fighting for !”— Knickerbocker.
It is said that a wealthy Jew, a brother-in-law
to the Rothschilds, is endeavoring to negotiatefor
a tract of land in Palestine, for the purpose of
planting a colony of Jews there, preparatory to
the final restitution of that dispersed and perse
cuted people to iheTand of their fathers.
A Chinese Map of the World.—Malcolm,
in his Travels, gives an account of a Chinese
map of the world which is two feet wide by three
ami a half high, and is covered almost entirely
with China. In the left hand corner, at the top,
is a sea, three inches square, in which arc deline
ated as small islands, Europe, England, France,
Holland, Portugal and Africa. No mention is
made of Arneiica —whether because the Celes
tials ditl not know where to locate it. or because
they thought it too inconsiderable to he noticed,
we are uncertain. Their idea of navigation at
sea is rather singular. The ocean is represented
in huge waves, with smooth passages, or high
ways, branching oft’to the different countries, or
islands. They suppose that ships which keep
along these highways go safely; hut if they di
verge, through ignorance or stress of weather,
they soon get among the awful billows and are
lost.
These notions are quite in keeping with the
characteristic self-importance of the. Chinese.
How ridiculous soever these ideas may seem, it is
easy to discover in them nothing more than the
natural consequences of that seclusion from the
rest of the world which it has been the policy of
that empire so long to preserve. The effect of
isolation in an individual would he of acorrespon
ding nature. Self, in being the centre and the
circumference of the range of ideas, would grow
and enlarge as it continued to form the chief ob
ject of contemplation; and this the more from the
want of other standards of comparison by which
the true relations of things might be ascertained.
commercial”
Latest dates from Liverpool, Feb. 29
Latest dates from Havre Feb- 25
ALGU ST A MA RK ET.
Cotton —Since our report on Saturday, the news
by the British Queen, bringing intelligence of a
still farther decline of in Europe, has again ren
dered our market quite “flat.” Yesterday the rain,
which continued throughout the day,rendered out
door business so unpleasant, no transactions that
we hear transpired. Holders were unwilling to
make any concession from former prices, and were
in no instance, that we are informed, met by buy
eis, who all demanded a still farther d dine!—
Hence, in the very unsettled state of the market,
where nothing has been really fixed as to prices,
we are wholly unable to give any quotation which
is founded upon actual sales. We therefore con
tinue our quotations of Saturday, as the prices at
which it is held by owners, who appeared, up to
the time our enquiries closed, very firm and un
yielding.
Ordinary to middling, lo 7
Fair,* to 7$
Good Fair, 7| to 8
Prime and choice, SftoSj
Freights —To Savannah, 75 to 100 cts per bale;
| toCharleston, by rail road, 35c per 100 lbs. for
square, and 45c per 100 lbs. for round bales.
Groceries —We have no change to note in this
branch of the trade; the supply is equal to the de
mand, and the assortment varied and complete with
all descriptions, at former quotations.
Exchange. —On Ncw-York at sight, 7} a 8$ per
I cent, for current funds; Charleston at 44 a per
I cent; Savannah 1 a 2 per ct.; a 3 per
j ct.; Lexington, Ky, per ct.; Richmond per
I cent; specie commands 6 per cent, premium.
Bank Notes. —
Savannah Banks, 1 a U percent, prem,
Columbus Insurance B’k 2 “ « «
Commercial Bank, Macon, 2 « « ct
Mechanics’, 44 (Augusta,) 6 44 c» «
Agency Brunswick, 44 6 4 4 44 44
Planters’ and Mechanics’
Bank, Columbus, 2 44 44 dis.
’ Milledgeville Bank, a3 44 44 44
Ocmulgee Bank, 3 44 44
Monroe Rail Road Bank, 4 44 44
, Hawkinsville Bank, 3 44 44
Chattahoochie R. R. & B ’k
Company, 10 44 44 44
Darien Bank, 15 44 44 44
Bank of Rome, 25 44 44 44
1 A 1 other Banks now doing business, at par.
* Specie Paving Banks. — Mechanics’ Bank, Bank
1 of St. Mary’s, Insurance Bank of Columbus, Com
mercial Bank of Macon, and Brunswick Agency in
this city.
ConsigncesJpeFSoiith Carolina Rail Road.
Hamburg, March 24, IS4O.
Rees & Beall; T Dawson; Gould & Buiklcy;C A
Platt; T J Parmeloe; Stovall, Simmons & Co; T B
Reese; W Rattier; Scranton & Smith; J & S Bones-,
J W &TS Stoy; Pinson & T; Brannon & Monday;
Clarke, Me lei r & Co; \V E Jackson; D’Antignac
& Hill; I Moise; Russell & Hutchinson; D Hook;
W & E Story; K Miller; II W Sullivan; J W & I
T Heard; Bolling & H; Maher & Rhoney; G Par.
rott; Anderson & Young.
will attend without further no
tice.
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.
Savannah, March 21.
Cleared —Brig Mary Ann, Curtis, Boston; schr
Mary Reed, Gray, Philadelphia.
Arrived— Ship Minerva, Adams, New York; ship
Viola, Palmer, Boston; brig Planet, Knowlton,
Portsmouth; brig Powhattan, Laurence, New York'
brig Persia, Chandler, New York; schr North Star*
Smith, Bath, Me.; steamboat Hamburg, Wood, Au
gusta; steamboat Cherokee, Gould, Augusta.
Sailed —Brig G B Lamar. Kisley, New York.
Went to sea—British ship Courtenay, Brown,
Liverpool.
Departed —Steamboat Hamburg, Wood, Augusta;
steamboat John Randolph, Lyon, Augusta; steam
boat Erin, Hubbard, Augusta.
Ch arleston, March 23.
Arrived on Saturday —Barque Potomac, Gor
ham, Boston; steam packet Southerner, Budd, St
Augustine.
Arrived yesterday —Line ship Calhoun, Sinclair,
New York; brig George Washington, Miner, do;
schrs Mary, Griffin, Port Royal, Mart; Wandopa*-
so, Eddy, Providence; Sarah Augusta, Wbilden,do.
Cleared —Brig John C Calhoun, Bnben, Havana;
line ship Niagara, Smith New York; C L brig Em
ily", Sherwood, do; schrs Middlesex, Tyler, do; Su
san, Hardy r , Matanzas; Mandarin, Webster, Balti
more.
THE READING ROOM
Attached to this office is open to subscribers, and
strangers introduced by them, every day and eve
ning (Sunday" evenings excepted) until 9 o’clock.
Subscription $5 ; for a firm of two or more $lO,
Mr. Editor —You wi'l please announce Dr. F.
M ROBERTSON, JAMES B. BISHOP and F.
11. COOKE , as candidates for members of Council,
at the approaching election, in Ward No. 3. m 23
Mr Editor —PETER BENNOCH, Esq , is re
commended as a suitable person for Mayor, for the
ensuing year, and the following named gentlemen
for Aldermen of Ward No 4: JAMES HARPER,
EDWARD THOMAS and ROBERT FILLIP,
who will be supported by"
mar 21 ' ALL UP TOWN.
r 'T" We are authorised to announce JAMES B.
BISHOP, THOMAS RICH ARDS, and Dr. F. \l.
ROBERTSON , as candidates for Members of Coun
cil in Ward No. 3. mar 21
Mr. Editors—The following named gentlemen
are recommended as [suitable persons for members
of Council for the Upper Ward.—
JAMES HARPER, C.B.HITT.
They will be supported by Many Voters.
mar 20
Messrs. Editors—The following gentlem nwill
be supported for members of Council, in Ward No.
2, at the approaching election: B. 11. WARREN,
JOHN G. DUNLAP, GEORGE M. NEWTON.
mar 20
Mr. Editor, please announce the following
named gentlemen candidates for election as
members of the city" council fro n ward no 1 at the
approrching election in April next.
GAREYPARISH. WM. E. JACKSON
mar IS PHILIP CRUMP.
Messrs. Editors; —The folowing gentlemen
will be supported for Members of Council in Ward
No. 1, at the approaching election:
G. F. PARISH, W. E. JACKSON,
mar 18
Messrs. Editors —Seeing from your paper
of yesterday, that the Hon A. Gumming declines
a re- electian for Mayor of the city,at the approach
’ iog election, we. therefore, take the liberty of sug
gesting the name of JOHN PHINIZY, Esq., as a
person well calculated to fill the ollice,and he will
be supported by' (mar 13) Many Voters.
Messrs. Editors: —Observing in your paper the
names of several gentlemen suggested as candi
dates for Mayor at the approaching election, we
take the liberty of proposing the name of Dr.
DANIEL HOOK, as one well qualified to fill that
office and who will be supported by
March 18 ts Many Voters.
3lr. Editor ;—Sir, I see a notice in your paper
of the 12th instant, stating that our worthy" Mayor
declines being a candidate for re-election lo the of
fice he has so worthily filled, and as it is time the
citizens should fix on a suitable person, to repre
sent them as Mayor for the next year. Allow me
to recommend the name of MARTIN M. DYE, as
a suitable person, and who will serve if elected.
Many Voters.
Doctor J. J. WILSON oilers his profes
sional services to the citizens of Augusta and its
vicinity". He will be found at his residence, the
first brick building above Guedron’s stable on Ellis
street, recently occupied by John L. Adams,
aug 17 ts
(ffPUBLIC NOTICE. —Dr. Monroe, Surgec!?
Dentist, has returned to Augusta, and has removed
his operating rooms to one door belo w Martin Fred
eiick’s Confectionary, and opposite the Br dge
Bank Building, feb 10
(fj- TO THE LOVERS OF THE ARTS .—
The Paintings at Mr. Richards’Drawing Academy,
(Masonic Hall,) will hereafter be opened to visilj
tors, every Saturday afternoon and evening, from
2 o’clock until 9 o’c.ock p. m. At night the rooms
will be well lighted. dec 19
(fj* Dr. W. FLINT offers his services to the ci
tizens of Augusta in the different branches of his
profession. He may be found at all hours at the
; ateresidence of Mr. A. M. Egerton, second dooi
from the corner of Mclntosh and Reynold streets.
ncv29 ly
(Tj* Dr. J. 11. MURRAY offers his professional
services to the citizens of Hamburg and the vicin
ity, Gilice at H. R. Cooke’s Drug More,
mar 17 1m
SCFfV. G. NIMMO, General <om miss ion Mer
chant, office on Mclntosh street, next door to the
Constitutionalist. nov 7
(ff EXCHANGE ON NEW YORK— At sight,
and at one to tw ty days sight. For sale by
nov 23 GARDELLE & RHIND
ffj NOTICE. —The Rail Road Passenger Tram
between Charleston and Hamburg, will leave as
follows:
upward.
Not to leave Charleston before 7 00 a m.
44 44 Summerville, 44 - -8 30
44 44 Georges’, - 44 - 10 00
44 44 Branchville, 44 - 11 00
44 44 Midway, - 44 - 11 30 h
* 44 Blackviile, - 44 - 100 m
44 44 Aiken, - - 44 - 300
Arrive at Hamburg not before - 400
DOWNWARD.
Not to leave Hamburg before 6 00 a. m.
“ 44 Aiken, - 44 - 730
“ 44 Blackviile, 44 - • 930
“ 44 Midway, 44 - - 10 30
44 44 Branchvill 44 - - 11 00
44 44 Georges’, « - - 12 00 m.
‘ 44 Summerville, 44 - - 2 00p. w.
Arrive at Charleston not before 300
Distance —ISfimiles. FareThrough—slo 00.
Speed not over 20 miles an hour. To remain 20
minutes each, for breakfast and dinner, and not
longer than 5 minutes for wo - 4 and water at any
station.
To stop for passengers, when a white flag is
hoisted, at either of the above stations; and also at
Sineaths, Woodstock, Inabinel’s, 41 mile • •»
Rives’, Grahams, Willeston, Windsor, Johnsons,
and Marsh’s T. O. ,
Passengers no will breakfast at Woodstock and
dine at Blackviile; aoivn , will brcaniast at A'ken
and dine at Sumraervilic. ma y