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About Daily chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1837-1876 | View Entire Issue (July 19, 1847)
CHRONICLE & SENTINEL. by j. W. & W. S, JONES. JAMBS M* SMYTHE, Associate Editor daily, TRI-WEEKLY Sl weekly. OFFICE IN RAIL ROAD BANK BUILDING. TDRMS —Daily Paper, per annum, in advance**slo Tri-Weekly Paper, “ “ “ " 5 Weekly, (a mammoth sheet) “ • • 2 ('ASH SYSTEM.—In no case will an order for the paper be attended to, unless accompanied with the money, and in every instancewheu the time for which any subscription may be paid, ““expires before CTie re ceipt of funds to renew the same, the paper will 1 e discontinued. Depreciated funds received at value in this city. From the IS'etc Orleans Picayune and Times, of the Bth instant. LATER FROM VERA CRUZ. Arrival of tire Steamship McKlm. The steamship McKim arrived at this port on Sunday afternoon in charge of her first officer, Capt. Pilsbury having died on the passage of yellow fever. The McKim left Vera Cruz on the 3d inst. There had been nothing later received from the city of Mexico than was brought down the night of the Ist inst., but fuller accounts had transpired at Vera Cruz than were received by the Alabama. We have no further information of the march of Gen. Pillow. Had any disaster occurred to him, the news of it could scarcely have failed to reach Vera Cruz promptly. Our letters make no mention whatever of him or mand. A letter of the 2d inst. from V era Cruz says that Brig. Gen. Pierce would leave that city in a day or two at the head of 4000 troops. When they reach Gen. Scott he will have over 14,000 men under his command. Whether he will await the arrival of Gen. Pierce we have no means of determining, but the impression at Puebla and the city of Mexico is decided that he would move at an earlier day than the e re inforcements could be expected to reach him. By this arrival we have files of papers from the city of Mexico to the 20th of June. In the Diario del Gobierno of the 28th June ap peared an important diplomatic correspond ence. The first note is from the Mexican Min ister of foreign Affairs to the Secretaries of Congress, referring to that body a communica tion from Mr. Buchanan which announces Mr. Trist’s appointment. We learn that this letter was communicated to Santa Anna by or through the British Minister at Mexico, Mr. Bankhead, who has exerted himself to bring about a nego tiation for peace between the two nations. As the subject is one of commanding interest i at this moment, we give a translation of Senor j Ibarra, and then Mr. Buchanan’s communica- ; tion, Letter of Ibarra to the Mexican Congress j Enclosing Diplomatic Correspondence. Ministry of Internal and External Relations , ! Mexico, June 22, 1847. Gentlemen : By order of the President ad interim i of the Republic, approved at a meeting of the Minis ters, I have the honor to transmit, for the purpose of beiqg laid before the Sovereign Congress, at their first session, a copy of the official note, addressed by the Secretary of State of the United States, to this Go vernment, under date of the 15th April last, in which he communicates that the President of that Republic intended to dispatch to the headqoarters of the army of operations in Mexico. Mr. Nicholas P. Trisf, as j commissioner, with plenary powers to treat for a defi nitive peace with the Mexican United States. At the same time, I enclose for the information of the Sovereign Congress, a copy of the reply, approved at a meeting of Ministers, which his Excellency, the President, has made to the said note, in the full con viction that the august assembly to whom is reserved the disposition of the subject referred to, in this com munication, will act upon it with that dignity and wisdom peculiar to their patriotism and well known enlightened views. With this object, I reiterate the assurance of my distinguished consideration, etc. etc. ' God and Lib-rty. " Domingo Ibarra. | To the Secretaries of the Sovereign Congress. Mx*. Buchanan’s Letter. Secretary of State’s Office, > Washington , April 15, 1847. \ To the Minister of External Relations of the Mexican Republic: — Sh —l have the honor to ac- ! knowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s note, da- i ted the 22d of February last, in reply to mine of the I 18th of the preceding month, in which it was pro- ■ posed, on the part of the President of the United States, to dispatch one or more of the most distin guished citizens of that country, to Havana or Jalapa, or any other point that the Government of Mexico might select, as commissioners, invested with full pow ers to conclude a treaty of peace with commissioners whom Mexico on her side, might nominate, and who should repair to the spot agreed on, as soon as it was ascertained that the Government of Mexico had fixed f on her said commissioners. It is with a profound sentiment of regret that the i President learns that the Government of Mexico re- \ fuses to accede to the friendly proposals “ until the j blockade of our ports (the Mexican,) is raised, and | the invading forces have evacuated the territory they j now occupy in the Repul lie, which acts must be de- i creed, as a preliminary c mdition.” The President directs me to inform your Excellency 1 that this preliminary condition is absolutely inadmis- i sible; it is neither required by honor, nor is sanction- i ed by the practice of nations. If such were the con- ! dition of treaties, it would tend to prolong wars, cs- j pecialiy those which two contiguous countries wage against one another, which could only terminate by ! the complete submission of one of the two contending j parties. There is no nation on record, that after having sa- \ crificed men and money in the invasion of the territo ry of an enemy, after having taken possession of a considerable portion of the soil, has consented to with draw its forces as a preliminary condition for the opening of negotiations for the re-establishment of [•eace; for, by such an act, it would spontaneously abandon all the advantages which during the war it might have acquired, without possessing the certainty that peace would be assured by such a sacrifice. Thus, if the negotiations did not terminate favorably, the nation that had commitcd the great imprudence of withdrawing its forces from the enemy’s territory, could not, except at a cost of life and outlay of money, similar to what they had formerly experienced, recover the advantageous position which it had voluntarily ' abandoned. Fortunalely for the peace of mankind, no case oc- 1 curs in the annals of war, which will sanction the I preliminary condition in question. The United States are as careful of their dignity as any nation on the face of the globe; and yet, not one of the great states- , men that held the reins of Government during the pe riod ot our last war with Great Britain, entertained the idea of insisting that the forces of that power should abandon the territory which they occupied, with a view to open negotiations for peace. On the contra ry, it was onr Government that took the initiative, and nominated the commissioners who were to meet in convention, when even various sections of our coun try were in possession of the enemy. The most no table fact herein is, that the treaty of Ghent was dis cussed, and concluded by the plenipotentiaries of both powers at a period when the war was prosecuted with fury by the two contending parties, and the most me morable actions took place on our own soil, after our negotiators had brought their labors to a successful termination. History is full of similar examples. In fact, there does not exist, to the knowleege of the un dersigned, a case in modern times, except in the pre sent instance, in which it has been established as a necessary preliminary to the opening of negotiations for peace, between two contending parties, that the invading forces should be withdrawn. It would be equally difficult to find an example for the conduct of the Government of Mexico, in another matter. The President, actuated by an ardent desire Kj-to avoid the war which is now waging, sent to Mexico a Minister, with a view to negotiate a peace. Since the period when the Mexican troops attacked those un der General Taylor, on this side of the Rio Grande, by this act initiating the war, the President, always animated by the same spirit of concord, has made re peated propositions to the Mexican Government, with a view to open negotiations which should bring hos tilities to an end. And although that functionary, from the onset, declared in the (ace of the world that he did not require other conditions than what were just, and at the same time, honorable to both parties; the Mexican Government having unhesitatingly refused to receive the Minister sent in the first instance, and after refusing to accede to the propositions which were made for the purpose of opening negotiations, has never informed this Government on what basis it would he willing to treat the various questions in liti gation between the two Republics. The war will never terminate, if Mexico continue to refuse to lend an ear to the propositions which have been, and may | be made, and whose object is the re-establishment of 1 peace. The President would not renew hi i oners (or the opening of negotiations, if he did not believe that the present will be acceptable to the Mexican Govern ‘ ment. Desirous, however, that an honorable peace be established, he is resolved that the horrors of war • shall not exist a day longer than is judged absolutely necessary by the Mexican Republic ; and in order that , this, his determination, be fully carried out, he intends • to send, under the title of Commissioner, to the head ! quarters of the army of operations in Mexico, Mr. ’ Nicholas P. Trist, undersecretary and second to the ‘ undersigned in the office of Foreign Relations, who ' is furnished with full powers to conclude a definitive 1 treaty of peace with the United States of Mexico. This gentleman possesses the full confidence of the President, and is deserving of that of the Government of Mexico. The undersigned abstains from making any com ments on the concluding paragraph, and one in another part of your Excellency’s note, for they involve such a flagrant injustice to the United States, that it would be calculated to alter the conciliatory tone which he de sires to preserve in the present communication. Lay ing aside, therefore, the subjects above alluded to, he dwells with sincere pleasure on the manifestation at the commencement of the said note, with respect to the regret of the Mexican Government “to witness the interruption of the cordial friendship, which she (Mexico) cultivated with that (our) Republic, whose continued progress she had always admired, and whose institutions had served her as a model.” Such sentiments arc strongly reciprocated by the President, whose most ardent desires are that the United Mexican States, under institutions similar to those which govern us, may protect and perpetuate the liberty of their citizens and preserve an elevated jiosition among the other nations of the Globe. The undersigned profits by this opportunity to offer to your Excellency, the assurance of his most distin guished consideration. [Signed]. James Buchanan. Reply of tlxe Mexican Minister. Federal Palace, (Mexico,) June 22, 1847. To his Excellency the Secretary of State of the United States of America: —Yesterday, the under signed, Minister of Internal and External Relations, had the honor to receive the note of your Excellency, dated the 15th of April last, in which his Excellency the President of the United States intimated that he was about sending to the headquarters of the army of operations, in the quality of commissioner, Mr. Nich olas P. Trist, holding office next to your Excellency, with ample powers to conclude a definite treaty of peace with the United States of Mexico. His Excel lency, the President ad interim of this Republic, to whom the undersigned immoiliately communicated ■ the contents of your Excellency’s said official note, directs me to reply, that the ultimate disposition of the subject of which it treats, being exclusively with the Sovereign Congress of the Nation, he has transmit!ed it to that body, to act on it, as may to them seem meet. The decision which may be taken on it, will be duly communicated to your Excellency, through i the ministry charged with the office, and by the route indicated in your Excellency’s note. The undersigned profits by this opportunity, to offer to your Excellency the assurances of his distinguished j consideration. Ibarra. We learn by the Mexican papers that Con | gress was at once convened to take the sub j ject matter of this correspondence into conside ; ration, but up to the 29th of June no quorum had been procured. By a letter from a source entitled to great I respect, we further learn that Gen. Scott gave the Mexican government till the 30th ult. to act upon the letter when, if nothing should be done he would inarch in. The best opinion in Mexico, in our judgment, we have had an opportunity of learning by this arrival. That opinion gives but poor encour agement for peace, but does not entirely de spair. Other gentlemen, with very ample op portunities for judging, write from the city of Mexico that there is no hope of a settlement of the difficulties ; that the Mexicans have not yet been sufficiently whipped ; and that Gen. Scott will have to march into the the city of Mexico. None of the letters we have seen mention anything about the number or position of the Mexican troops. From the Sun of Anahuac of the 2d inst. we copy the following order issued by Com. Perry j upon returning to the mouth of the river from j his Tabasco expedition: General Order — No. 8. U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, Off Tabasco River, June 25, 1847. ) The commander-in-chief on returning to his ship from the expedition undertaken to capture and occu py the city of Tabasco, seizes upon the earliest mo ■ ment to offer his warmest thanks to officers, seamen | and marines, composing the force engaged in the at j tack, for the gratifying proofs of zeal and courage inani ! tested by them on the occasion. Notwithstanding the extensive and judicious ar rangements made by the Mexicans for defence, they exhibited little gallantry in maintaining their well chosen position, and the only disappointment evinced by the brave officers and men proceeded from the fact that the enemy did not stand more firmly to their arms. M. C. PERRY, Commanding Home Squadron. | The Commodore arrived at Anton Lizardo | on the 30th June, with the squadron. Onr attention was first given to discover something concerning the American prisoners ! in Mexico. The following paragraph is the , i only thing upon the subject we can find. It is | i sufficiently indefinite, but shows that the pris- j j oners had left the capital. It is from El Repub- \ | licano ofthe 27th ult: Huejutla —The 180 Y r ankee prisoners of war | f whom the Government sent by this route have ! been detained at the above named :o\vn, and j we learn that Gen. Garay has not the necessary means for supplying them with food. 1 Wo Lave looked In vain into preceding num bers of the same papers for a notice of their de i parture from the capital, hut the above scanty paragraph is all that we can find upon the sub ject. A summons for Congress to assemble we find in almost every paper we open. We pre sume it is summoned to take into considera tion xMr. Buchanan’s letter announcing Mr. Trist’s appointment. It is certain that no quo rum had been assembled up to the 29th ult.— The publishes daily the list of mem bers present and absent. They have several times come near a quorum, and there is doubt less asufficient numberof members in the city 'to form one. Seventy-one are required; sixty ' six were present on the 25th. The papers of the city appeared to expect 1 that the American army would move from Puebla by the end of June. They say not a word in their later numbers of their own means j of deience, or indeed of their own army. In ! this particular they show perfect acquiescence to the wishes of Santa Anna. We see no al lusion in the papers to the fact which we have 1 stated elsewhere upon different authority that Gen. Scott had given the Government to the 30th ult. to consider of Mr. Buchanan’s letter before pushing on to the capital. The Repub- j licano says our army is too insignificant to ad- j | vance, but hopes it is true that Gen. Scott in- I i tends doing so, as it will afford a good test of j the fidelity of those Mexicans who have pledged ; themselves to defend the capital till death. — j This reads much like a sneer at the Mexican officers —a thing the Repuhlicano is very capa ble of doing. The persecutions against the press are con tinued. D. Francisco Lazo Estrada, editor of the Boletiu de la Democracia, having secreted himself to escape a prosecution, has beenfound and arrested. This is the second individual i connected with this paper proceeded against. - On the 26th ult. rumors which the Republi j cano calls “ very alarming” were in circulation in the capital. It was said that the Mexican Government had acceded to the mediation of England; that the English Secretary of Lega tion had been down to Pueble and returned on the 24th; that the object of his visit was to ne gotiate with Gen. Scott a treaty of peace; that the terms agreed upon between them would be the surrender of the Califoruias to the Ame ricans, the recoguition of the independence of Texas, and the acknowledgement of the line of 36° as the northern boundary between the United States and Mexico. [This line would give Santa Fe and over a third of New Mexico to the United States.] The Republicano has ’ no faith in these rumors. It denounces them ’ as false, but at the same time in such a manner L as to betray its fears lest the rumors should be 1 true- The existence of the rumors confirms the information we derivedfrom a distinct source r in Vera Crnz that Mr. Buchanan's letter was 1 transmitted through the English embassy. The same considerations may lead the reader to attach some faith to the terms of treaty which are enumerated above. The English Secreta ry returned to the city of Mexico on the 24th and Mr. Buchanan’s letter was published on the 26th, and at the same time these rumors obtain ed general currency. El Razonador of the 25th nit. calls the earn- j est attention of Government to the immense contraband trade carried on from the port of San Sebastian and Mazatlan. Immense quan tities of bullion are taken thither from Zacate- ( cas and clandestinely sent on board English j vessels of war. Tne English ship Carysfort is j charged with having received large sums on board. The editor promises to expose the names of the great smugglers engaged in this ! lucrative traffic. We have at last, in a paper of the 26th, a , long-winded report ofthe battle of Cerro Gor do from Santa Anna himself. It is dated as far back as the 7th of May from Orizava. We will pay our respects to it on some other occa sion. D. Pedro Prebot, a wealthy Mexican mer chant in Cordova, is denounced for carrying on an extensive and profitable commerce by fur nishing supplies to Gen. Scott. The Republicano of the 24th ult. mentions the capture of nine Americans and a Mexican who accompanied them in Tlaxcala. They j were examined on the 23d, and it was thought j the Mexican would be shot. This is doubtless ' the same party the capture of which was men- | tioned by the “Star” of Puebla. On the 17th of June, Gens. D. Ignacio, Mora j y Villamil and D. Jose Maria Ortega left San Luis Potosi for the city of Mexico. They were I sent for by the Government to be employed — the former in the Army of the East and to su perintend the fortifications of Mexico, the latter to conduct the trial of Gen. Arista. The Independiente of San Luis Potosi an nounces the arrivel there of fifty commissioners from the Minister of War for officers who dis tinguished themselves at Angostura— our Buena Vista. These commissions are promotions to advanced grades. Cols. Frontera and Marti nez are made generals by these promotions. Gen. Rincon, formerly second in command to Gen. Bravo, and who resigned with him, hus made hin peace with Santa Anna, and, bin health being partially re-established, been re stored to his former employments. A letter of the 9th of June from Mazatlan speaks of the blockade as being very strict. It was maintained by the Cyane, the razee Inde pendence and a small vessel called the Eliza having lately sailed. [We have uo recollection of this latter vessel]. D. Rafael de la Vega, not the General, has resigned his post of Governor of Sinaloa. The Mexican troops stationed at Matehuula were suffering excessively from sickness. Some of the new cannon cast at Chapultepec have been tried and are said to give the utmost satisfaction. D. Bruno Aquilar, the director of the foundry, is much praised for his skill. The Republicano demands of Santa Anna the release of Gen. Arista from the fortress of Acapulco. He is sharply censured for sending him there without any trial. On the 14th June Santa Anna issued a de cree of indemnity for all political offences of w hatever kind up to that date. All in confine ment for such offences were ordered to be at once released. The President is abused by some of the papers freely for celebrating his birth clay, the 13th of June, by a grand banquet at the palace. The Republicano presumes that he did this at his private expense, and that therefore the public have nothing to say about it. Others use more harsh terms and consider the banquet exceedingly ill-timed in the circumstances of the country. The Government is represented to be using its influence at Rome to procure the elevation to the Metropolitan see of Mexico the Senor Dean D. J. M. Irizarri. The Republicano gives the following as the ! result of the election for President made on the 15th of May. Aguascalient.es, Sonora, Sinaloa and Taman* lipas voted for Gen. Almonte. Qneretaro, Oajaca and Michoacan voted for Gen. Herrera. Mexico, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi voted for Senor Angel Trias. Puebla voted for Sr. Ocampo. Chiapas voted for Sr. Anaya. Chihuahua voted for Gen. Santa Anna. Durango voted for Sr. Elorriaga. Zacatecas voted for Sr. Lafragua. Jalisco, Coahuila, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Yu catan, New Leon, the Californias and New Mexico did not vote. There is, too, a dispute about the vote of Oajaca, a revolution having occurred there since the vote was given to Gen. Herrera, and the new Legislature votjd for Santa Anna. The 81st article of the constitution provides that to make an election valid, three-fourths of the States entitled to a vote must vote. As there were 23 States entitled to vote at the late election, and only 15 votes were cast, being less I than three-fourths, the election has failed. Nor can Congress proceed to elect, says the Repub licano _ for having concluded its mission of form ing a constitution and sworm to the fundamen tal code, it has no power left to exempt itself from the operation or me law. sufficiently familiar with Mexican constitutional law to judge of this. Our limits constrain us to break off here, hut without having exhausted at all the contents of the papers we have received. The Latest from Vera Cruz, Three vessels have arrived here from Vera Cruz which left there afierthe McKim, namely, the ship Zenobia, Capt. Kinney, the ship Atlas, Capt. Homans, and the hark Lewis, Capt. Ge rard. They all made quick passages to the Balize. By these arrivals we have accounts from Vera Cruz to the 6th instant—three days after the McKim sailed. There had been no further arrivals from the army of Gen. Scott or the city of Mexico, so far as we can learn. Geu. Pierce had not left Vera Cruz with his detachment of troops. It was expected that he would do so in two or three days. The steamship Galveston had been sent up to Tampico, to bring a load of mules. Capt. Kinney, ofthe Zenobia, reports that she arrived at Vera Cruz on the morning ofthe 6th iust. The frigate Potomac had sailed for the United i States. The steam frigate Mississippi was at Sacrificios.— Picayune J3 th iust. I.nter from Sauta FV. The St. Louis papers of the 6th instant con tain the latest news hitherto received from San ta Fe, brought thence by a member ofthe La clede Rangers, who had just arrived in the steamboat J. J. Hardin. The following from the Union, is a condensation of the intelligence received through this source: Mr. Michael W. Murphey, of the Laclede Rangers, arrived last evening on the J. J. Har din. He left Santa Feon the 29th of May, in 1 company with Captain Russell’s express from | California. The health ofthe troops in Santa Fe was good. Only one death by the scurvy had lately occurred, which was that of Mr. Shep- ! pard. of this place. About 55 miles this side of Santa Fe, they met, Maj. Edmondson, Capt. Robinson and Lieut. Elliott, with a command of ; between 150 and 175 men, who were attacked l while crossing a slough at the mouth of Car- I rion river, by a party of 300 or 400 Appache • Indians and Spaniards, and were compelled to j retreat with the loss of two men killed and oue ; badly wounded, whom they left on the field. I They also lost most of their horses, equipage, etc. Col. Willock left Taos in pursuit of the enemy. Mr. Murphy also informs us that the Indians were very hostile, and attacked them several times as they were coming through, and drove their cattle away before their eyes. Capt. Bell’s Government train lost about 150 ! bead of cattle, which were stolen by the Ca manches. Captain Russell isbearerof private despatch es from Governor Fremont, and letters to Col. Benton, from which we expect to be favored with news, which we will lay before our rea | ders in due time. Captain Russell is hourly expected in this place. i CHRONICLE & SENTINEL ""AUGUSTA, GEOT j MONDAY MORNING, JOLT 19, 184 T. FOR GOVERNOR: ! DFNCAN L. CLINCH. Os Camden* I -- F 3P 3 Editorial matter prepared for to-day’s paper is crowded out. Mercer University. Our readers will find in another column an interesting account of the proceedings at the re cent commencement of this Institution. It is a source of gratification to its friends, as well : as to the friends of education generally, to learn | that it is in a prosperous condition, and so hand j somely endowed, as well as ably officered, as 1 to be capable of greatly extending the blessings | of mental and moral culture. May its prosperi | ty rapidly increase. [ f - Senatorial Nomination. At a Convention of the Whigs of Monroe, and Pike counties, Harrison J. Sargent of Pike, was nominated as the Whig candidate for Senator from that district. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved , That this convention highly approve the nomination by the late Whig Convention at Milledge ville of Gen. Duncan L. Clinch for Governor, and that we hereby express our highest gratification at the recommendation of Gen. Zachary Taylor for Presi dent of the United States. The Yellow Fever has made its appear ance in New Orleans, five cases appeared in the Charity Hospital during the week ending the 10th iust. Health of Vera Cruz. —According to the official report of Dr. Barton, Surgeon U. S. A., and President of the Board of Health of Vera Cruz, during the month of May, the aver age daily mortality in that city was over six and less than seven cases a day. During the month of June, the mortality had increased to between nine and ten deaths daily. The deaths among the soldiers during the mouths of May and June numbered 189, of which 47 were from yellow fever. Alabama Finances. —The Tuscaloosa Moni tor notices the report of the Bank Commis sioners of the State Bank and Branches, made to the Governor on the Ist inst., and adds: “ The fact cannot be disguised that to redeem the circulation of the banks and pay the interest on the public debt, will soon exhaust most of the assets of the banks, and that the foreign debt of the State, amounting to over nine millions of dollars, will have to be paid principally by taxation. This picture is by no means an agreeable one; but politicians will have to look upon it, and provide early the ways and means of preserving the credit of the State. Seizure of the French Steamer Union.— The Franco-American reports that the Union has been seized by the Custom House authori ties in the city of New York in consequence of some neglect ofthe appropriate formalities. The “ Mountain Eagle ” of the 13th inst., a new paper published atDalton (formerly Cross Plains) the first number of which has just been received, contains the following items of news: “ The name of the Post Office at this place hasheen changed by order of the Postmaster General, from Cross Plains to Dalton.” “We understand that the wheat and oat crops of this region have proved very good.— Coni crops at this time look very promising,” “We understand that the Western and At lantic Railroad will be completed to this place, about the first of next week.” No less a number of steerage immigrant pas sengers than 84,218 arrived at New York dur ing the last six months of the present year; and of these 74,423 have been landed since the first of April, giving a monthly average since the latter date of nearly 25,000. AnoiUcr “We have seen a letter from the Adjutant General’s office, Washington, of date July 7, addressed to a gentleman in this city, in which it is stated that another requisition will soon bo made on this State for a battalion of Horse. This is understood to be in response to the proffer of service on the part of Capts. Calhoun and A. Nelson, to raise a regiment of mounted men for the war. It is not yet known under what law tne requisition will be made, but we hope that Capt. Calhoun will have such a show ing in the matter as his services and patriotism entitled him to. The command ofthe battal ion should be promptly tendered him, if the Government selects the officers, and if it is left to the companies, when formed, to choose their Chief, we doubt not the honor will he confer ferred on Capt. C.—almost as a matter of course. E. R. Goulding. we also learn, will take immediate steps to raise one ol the com panies, as soon as the Governor issues the offi cial notice of the requisition; and a capable and efficient Captain he will make, too, judging from his past services as second officer in I Company A, ‘Georgia Light Infantry,’ lately returned from the wars. While on this subject, we would respect fully inquire why cannot the battalion of In fantry be made up from the middle and eastern counties? The late Democratic Convention ‘ resolved’ in favor of the war, and why not resolve to fill up the battalion, forthwith, and | send it on its way to the ‘ aid and comfort’ of Gens. Scotland Taylor? We don’tunderstand the reason ofthe culpable apathy on this sub ject among the friends of the Administration, but believing that it is incurable, we invoke the aid ofthe * Mexican Whigs' to come to the res cue for the honor of the good old C om inonwealth!” The above editorial, from the “ Columbus j Democrat ,” we commend to the perusal and especial consideration of the organs and the rank and file of the Democracy. They have again and again resolved in favor of the war, and to sustain Mr. Polk and the aduiinistra ; tion, but lo ! when the call comes, their support ] £oes not beyond their patriotic and war | like resolutions. Gen. C. H. Nelson. —This gentleman, so I well known throughout the State, has arrived in the neighborhood with a company from Cass county. He is yet undecided, we learn, whe ther to attach himself to the Infantry service or the Dragoons. If to the latter, which he seems to prefer, there will still be three companies of Infantry to raise to make up the battalion. — Columbus Democrat. ■BBaBaBBBBBnHMHMHH I Correspondence o f the Chronicle Sentinel. Mercer University —Commencement. H. V. Johnson's Address —Protest against Read Speeches—Prospects of the University. Messrs. Editors:—We have again reached I the season for College Commencements. Mer | cer University has just led the way in an atfair of this kind, which will require her sisters at Emory and Franklin to do very handsomely if they equal her in the interest ot their e.ver cises. Some account of what was so interest ing to your correspondent, may not prove un acceptable to your readers. The Commencement occurred on Wednes day, 14 s h inst. At 10 o’clock a procession was formed in front of the President’s mansion, consisting of the Faculty, Board of Trustees. Alumni, Undergraduates, and visitors from various parts of the State. Preceded by a splendid brass band they proceeded to the new and beautiful chapel, which has recently been erected according to the plan of the chapel of Franklin College. This spacious building be ing crowded to its utmost capacity with the beauty and intelligence of the State, the exer cises were introduced with an appropriate prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Stokes of Hancock County. Then followed the addresses from a portion of the graduating da SS. The pro gramme announced orations from the following gentlemen : J. P. Dagg, Penfield —Ministerial Zeal. Henry M. Holtzclaw, Greene Co. —( Latin salutatory,) —The Duty of Georgia. Geo .T. Wilburn Greene Co.—Universal Attrac tion. H. L, Bunn, Twiggs Co. —The Philosophy of His- j tory. J. C. Gunn, Taliaferro Co.—The great Desiderat- • um of the Age. B. S. Walker, Walton Co. — The True Glory of Man. R. T. Asbury, Taliaferro Co.—The Power of the j Press. The last named gentleman was the valedic torian of the class. His theme —the power of the Press—though a trite topic was so managed as to throw around it a fresh interest. It was an illustration of the fact that truths, however familiar, if eloquently enforced, will awaken strong emotions. In his valedictory addresses he was exceedingly happy. We have listened to these farewell harangues at some of the most celebrated Colleges in various parts of the Union, but never have we heard one which produced so deep an impression upon ourselves. His thoughts were altogether appropriate, his j language was chaste, yet simple, his manner that subdued and tender strain which works its way directly to the heart, forcing tears from every man who has a soul. Our valedictorian had doubtless read in the “ars poctica “Si ris me Here dolendum est Primum ipsi tibi.” He took the hint, and produced the desired ef fect. The speeches all showed that the Professor of Belles Lettreshad not been neglectful ofhisduty. The elocution generally was manly and forci ble, and the matter such as to evince that 1 they had received some training from their | preceptors. There was no tinged bombast, no j pompous strutting, no puerile over-acting; a graceful and easy manner, a propriety of dic tion and gesture were exuibited by every spea- 1 ker. The address to the Graduating class was in the happiest style of the accomplished Presi dent. He spoke of the emotions of the faculty in the annual dismission of graduates, as akin to those which a parent feels on being required to part with a beloved child. “Parents,” said he, “lose their children, one by one, and at remote intervals. Ours is an annual bereave- j ment, and that too, of considerable numbers at a time. These friends look upon the growing number of the graduating class as an evidence of the prosperity of the institution, but it is al so a multiplication of our pangs of separation.” The most touchingportion ofthe President's remarks, were those in which he addressed him self to his son, a graduate in the theological de partment of the University, now sent forth after a collegiate course of four years, and a theo logical one of three years, to enter upon the | sacred duties of the ministry. So solemn and so affecting was this charge that there was scarcely adry eye in the house. This address i concluded the services, and it was something unusual to see a college commencement con cluded with the wiping of wet eyes. It was what we never had to do before, but weeping j was so pleasant that we should not shun the i occasion which from similar causes would ex- i cite our lachrymose powers. In the afternoon the Hon. H. V. Johnson i delivered the annual oration before the Cicero- ; iiian and Phi-Deha Societies. The crowd in the chapel and about the doors was not diminished, so far as we could perceive. Mr. Johnson’s oration had three points: Ist. That it is the ! probable design of Providence that the North American continent shall be the theatre for the display of the highest civilization which has ever been known in the world. 2d. The evidences that such is the design of Providence. 3d. I Our duty in the premises. These several points were discussed with singular ability. It was evidently the aim ofthe orator to produce an impression which might be salutary and lasting, rather than to amuse his audience' for a passing hour. His discourse was replete with views of the most enlarged patriotism and phi lanthropy. The facts and statistics which were adduced in support of the various positions as sumed. evinced that the oration was not written currente ealatno. We believe that a copy has been requested for publication, and we sincere ly hope that the request ma} be granted. Its extensive perusal cannot fail, we think, to be productive of the happiest results. If we ventured a remark or two byway of criticism, we should say that the discourse j would have been more effective if a little more ; condensed. The orator evidently has the copia verhorum in an eminentdegree, and this impairs I the energy of his style. Two hours is too long ! to keep an audience jammed together in a i crowded chapel on a sultry day. We would observe, also, that the address would have told better if delivered instead of being read. To read in such away as to entertain an audience, is among the rarest attainments, whilst many can speak so as to secure attention. We pro test against essays read from the manuscript on occasions of this kind. We dislike such a mode of addressing an audience at any time. What lawyer thinks of reading his address to a jury ? What member of Congress reads his speeches from a previously prepared manuscript ? isaac hill used to do it, and hence the distinction which he has acquired, indicated at the begin ning of this sentence. Who needs to be told that sermons read from manuscripts in a mo notonous strain (and this is the common strain of most readers) are most potent anodynes ? j Write, study, prepare as much as you please,! but leave your manuscript at home. Edward I Everett on one occasion pronounced an ora- j tion, memoritee, of two hours length, before a | society with which your correspondent was j connected ; he secured the close attention of the ! audience throughout; there were no indications i of weariness. Had the same thing been read, some of us might have done as people frequent ly do under soporific discourses in church. It is understood that the Board of Trustees of the University, have appointed the Rev. J. S. Law, of Liberty county, an eminent clergyman of the Baptist denomination, to fill the Professor ship of Biblical Literature in the Theological department. This department is now filled by three able Professors, and has an endowment of : {550,000. It is the only theological seminary in Georgia. Any one desirous of prosecuting ministerial studies, may, if properly recom mended, receive his tuition and room rent free. In the literary department an adjunct Professor of Chemistry has been elected. This department is now filled by professors who i would be an honor to any college, and has an endowment of about. |Bo,ooo. The Baptist de nomination in Georgia numbers about 60.000 communicants. All that is needed to make Mercer University as flourishing as any college in the Union, is the support of its immediate friends in the State. Present appearances in dicate that this will not be withheld. Yours, &c., Spectator. —— From the AT. O. Picayune l3fA inst. Later from the Brazos* The steamer James L. Day, Capt. Wood, ar , rived yesterday morming from Brazos Santia go. By her we have received the Matamoros j Flag of the 7th inst- The news is without im. j portance. . The 4th July* was celebrated with great ' spirit at Matamoros. We have not room f or j the proceedings. A rumor reached here by the Day that there was again a fair prospect that a forward move ment would shortly he made by Gen. Tay| or . From conversing with those who have late -1 ly seen Gen. Taylor, we infer that this is mere : speculation. We have been allowed to peruse a letter from Saltillo dated the 19th ult., written by an officer of the army. We infer from it that there is likely to be a stampede thereabout Rumors were current that large bodies of i armed Mexicans had been seen at different points, twenty and thirty miles from Saltillo, i Apprehensions were excited that the Mexicans were concentrating troops to make an attack : upon Saltillo, and all were on the alert there , Some suppose that Urrea may have gone round there, and led to these rumors by appear ing at different points. We attach little im i portance to these reports, which will only lead to renewed vigilance on the part of our troops. The Flag says the Mexican population of the j citv is visibly increasing. The new comers are ! represented as wounded and discharged Mexi i can soldiers, in search of employment. Many officers are also said to have arrived, seven! of whom we have had pointed out to us. They are all honest and deserving people. no doubt, says the Flag, but suggests that it will be well to keep an eye on them for all that. The steamboat Emerprize has been sunk in i the Rio Grande, fifteen miles above Reynosa, Boat a total loss. Capt. Dunlap’s company of mounted men from Illinois had arrived at Matamoros, the men in fine health and the horses in tolerable condi tion. McCulloch’s company hasreturned fromCa margo to Matamoros. We copy the following items from the Flag: From the interior of the State. —Mr. Holliday, a gentleman well known in this city, returned i on Tuesday evening last from a journey into the interior, sixty miles beyond San Fernando. The object of his journey was to purchase mules for Government, which was frustrated on account of an irregular competition in the same business by the band of Caravajal, who were spread over the country taking forcible posses sion of all the mules and horses fit for ser vice. The alcaldes of several different villages beyond San Fernando advised Mr. Holliday not to prosecute his journey further, assnring him that it would be impossible t • obtain mules, and he was running agreat risk ofbeing either i killed or made prisoner. He was informed ! that a part of Urrea’s force was in Victoria. , and that the mules and horses which were be- I ing collected by the Mexicans were intended for a force which was raising and was to ren dezvous at Victoria for the purpose of making a descent upon Tampico. This he learned from many different sources, and he believes that an attack on that post is intended, the weakness of the garrison tiiere strongly favoring such a design. F'or the Chronicle ts- Sentinel. An Eccentric Case—[For Consultation.] Haysville, Ga., July 18, 1847. Gentlemen :—At the request ofseveral gentlemen, 1 send you an account of a strange and peculiarly ec centric physical phenomenon, which has occurcd in this vicinity, in Lincoln county. The primeval dis ease is one of no surprise ; we often meet with it in its most Protean forms, but. its sequence in this case is a matter of wonder and astonishment to all who have i witnessed it, defying every effort at a correct diagno • sis. The patient is a delicate female, 40 years of age. I She is laboring under some disease of the spinal sys tem, attended with an evident spasm ofthe diaphragm, which affects no other part of the system, her puU« is not at all excited , her mind is not perturbed or fore boding, her stomach and appendages not diseased, her head free from pain or fullness, her digestion is not impaired. She walks about the house, is calm, | quiet, and composed, her throat is not affected in the \ least, no disease of the glottis, larynx, or trachea ex j ists. consequently she has no cough, as her lungs are not affected ; but connected with all this apparent free dom from disease, for nine successive weeks without recess save three days, she has been laboring un der a loud cackling sonorous sensation , or sounds re sembling the noise made by the male chicken. The sound is easily distinguished half a mile ; persons ap proaching can hear it distinctly that distance ; it pro duces no pain or other unpleasant symptom ; the par oxysm or cackling sounds approximate so close as to prevent her from talking or chewing in continuation. She is notwithstanding quite lively, but from the fa tigue incident to it, she perspires freely, and recently has been rather constantly confined to her bed. At night the “ sounds ” decline some, not sufficient, how ever, for her to rest in perfect quietude. She then feels sime muscular debility. With the morning she re sumes her usual occupation of “ cackling ” and as the day advances she*grows more violent with her “mu sical tones.” These sounds are produced at inspira tion ; as before observed, she has no spasm about the throat, and her mind, &c. forbids the idea of its being ; hysteria. The patient has been seen and examined, ! and a concurrence of opinion expressed by Docts. Col lins, Crawford, and Hanson, of Columbia Coun ty ; Doctors, Bentley, Dill, Jennings, McLean, ( Moragnv, and myself, of Lincoln ; and several others ■ lam informed have visited the case. The patient has j excited the wonder of all classes here, and all flock to i see her. No physician who has seen her can divine the cause of th< mnd.” The old ladies of the vicinity suppose her witched” or '■'■tricked,” and I assure you silver bullets are flying in all directions about now. — The case is one of peculiar interest in neurology, and worthy ofthe attention of the ablest men in medicine ; it would probably stagger the credulity of Marshall Hall, and put at rest his powers of diagnosis. We ask the united opinion of medical men throughout the land, in reference to this strange and singular sound. After a careful search through an extensive library of old and new works, we can find no parallel for it; this opinion coincides with those who have seen it. We can sus pencTthe “sound,” but as yet we have not been able to control them permanently. All who have seen it im agines at the outset, that the sound can be easily sus pended ; a single trial however, will be sufficient to con vince the most sceptical. The treatment now adopted | promises to be successful; should it, due notice shall be j given. In the meantime we would be glad to have the i opinions of medical gentlemen in extenso upon the case, i which will doubtless subserve the interest of humani- I l Y- Very truly Yours, &c., H. A. RAMSAY. a Ist Senatorial District Convention* Davisboro’, July 14th, 1847. In accordance with previous notice the Whig Con vention for the 21st Senatorial District assembled to day. On motion of T. H. Polhill, Esq., of Jefferson, the Rev. Joel P. Leveritt, of YVashington, was elected President of the Convention, and M. C. Wil liamson and S. B. Crafton were requested to act as Secretaries. The list of delegates from the several districts of each county were then called and all were found to be present. On motion of T. H. Polhill, Esq., a committee ot three from each county were appointed to suggest to the Convention the name of a suitable person as the Whig Candidate in this district for the Senate. Th* 1 committee consisted ofT. H. Polhill, Dr. T. W.Bat.
