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CHRONICLE <fc SENTINEL.
—— i
BY WILLIAM S. JONES.
OFFICE IN RAIL ROAD BANK BUILDING.
DAILY, TRI-WEEKLY WEEKLY.
TERMS— DaiIy Paper, to city subscribers, per
annum, in advance $6
Daily Paper, mailed to the country 7
Tri- Weekly Paper, “ ..4
i Weekly (a mammoth si. eet) “ 11 •• 2
CASH SYSTEM.— In no case will an order .for
the pape r be attended to, unless actompanied with
the money, and in every instance when the time for
which the subscription may be paid, expires before
the receiot of funds to renew the same, the paper
will be discontinued. Depreciated funds received at
value in this city.
From the Huntsville Star.
Terrible Conflagration in Huntsville.
Great loss of property, two whole squares and a
half in ruins Market House, Caldwell House
Democrat Office —Stores, Private-Dwellings
Sfc, Consumed.
The inhabitants of our usually quiet city
were aroused at the hour of twelve, on the
night of the 2nd, by the starting alarm of tire.
Owing to the fact that the town bell, from some
cause, could not be rung, lhealarm was not gen
erally heard by our citizens before the fire had
made considerable progress.
Shortly, however, the whole town was arou
sed and nearly all the inhabitants hurried to the
scene. It was one which baffles description,
one which we sincerely trust we may never
witness again in Huntsville.
The fire having originated in the work shop
of Mr. George H. Warwick—in which all the
articles were light and combustible —immediat-
ly spread with inconceivable rapidity. A brisk
south wind too increased its awful fury. The
whole row upon that square soon became one
blazing sheet of flame —carrying swift destruc
tion in its progress. The engines were early
upon the ground and our citizens strenuously
endeavored to use them to the best advantage.
But it availed little against the overwhelming
rapidity of the fire assisted by the strong south
wind. The flames soon reached the dwelling
and silver smith shop of Mr. Thomas Cain.
These being of wood were consumed in a few
moments. The family scarcely had lime to
make their escape and effect the removal of
some articles. The flames soon reached the
saddier shop of Mr. J. D. Cross, speedily de
stroyed it, and from thence to the Caldwell
House, one ofthe largest buildings in the city.
Meanwhile, upon the right, the fire was con
suming the two story brick house occupied by
J M. Caldwell, also the frame store adjoining.
The engines meanwhile were strenuously work
ed by our firemen—endeavors were made to
prevent the fire from reaching adjacent buil
dings.
At this time the greatest confusion prevailed,
all seemed horror struck, and overwhelmed by
the terrific strength of the fierce flames. In
vain they endeavored to save house after house
each successive moment, the fire reached dif
ferent buildings enveloping them in one living
mass of flames. J. Johnson’s grocery-store,
Parker and McKenzie’s dry good store. Dr.
Wilkinson’s Dentist Shop, the Democrat Of
fice and other adjacent buildings were wrap
ped in fire during the same moment. The
wind changing slightly the Bell Tavern became
in the most imminent danger. Time after
time, again and again, it seemed inevitably lost
—then again hope revived. Here our firemen
and citizens nobly did their work, battling
and struggling against the opposing flames.
Often it appeared as if no human arm could
prevail—no human strength successfully op
pose the raging elements. While these efforts
were thus being made to preserve the Bel)
the fire rushed onward in its devastating march
in other quarters. Prevented from crossing
over to the Bell—it poured its fiery flames
on and on down Jefferson, Washington and
Holmes streets —and the cross street leading
from Washington to Jefferson. Upon these
streets the loss was very great, as but little time
was allowed for the preservation of propertv.
Building alter building caught fire and was
consumed —amid the vain regret and hopes of
the beholders. As we have said, the Bell Tav
ern was the scene of the greatest trial—at least
after great efforts and many trials it was saved.
Upon the east of Meridian street the buildings
were frequently on fire and saved with much
difficulty.
Subjoined is as correct a list of the buildings
ost as we can at present make out.
On the square—The three story brick block
comprising Parker & McKinzie’s dry goods
store—Terrel and Robinson’s Barber shop. J.
Johnson’s grocery store and Dr. Wilkinson’s
dentist office. The Caldwell House—The
Democrat Office—J. D jCross and L G. Figg’s
saddler and silversmith shop. Thos. Cain’s
shop and dwelling—Geo. H. Harwick’s furni
ture ware house, and J. M. Caldwell’s auction
and commission house. Washington Street—
J. Gastons’ dwelling—Geo. H. Warwick’s V
Small Grocery store, Market House, engine
house—Brown & Pickard’s livery stable, D.
M. Bradford’s brick dwelling house—A B.
James occupant, Mr. Reuben’s dwelling, also
Mr. Charles Jones B. Fergurson’s and Robert
Graham’s.
Jefferson Street.—J. A. Slaughter’s grocery
Mr. Schaudie’s shoe shop, R. Ferrel’s barber
shop and Bath Establishment. Mr. Callaghan’s
dwelling, carriage shop,&c, the Livery sta
ble on the corner. Dr. P. B. Robinsons’s
dwelling, also Dr. Newman’s and J. B. Trott
man’s.
Holmes’ street. — Brittain Franks’ dwelling
and Thos. H.Eans, also the elegant house of
Mrs. Moores, with nearly allofits appurtenan
ces.
Cross street —G. W. White’s large livery
stable and a small frame building—D. M. Brad
ford owner, also a small frame dwe'ling on the
corner below the Bell Tavern.
Such is a feeble account of the immense dis
tress sustained by the people of Huntsville by
this terrible fire. A general gloom and darkness
seem to pervade ail classes of the community—
the countenances of all bear tokens of sorrow
and sympathy. God forbid that our beloved
town should ever again be thus marred and
mutilated, God forbid that we as editors, should
ever again be compelled to recount so great a
calamity. The greatest suffering is the lot of
many of our worthy mechanics—men who for
long years have toiled and labored and wrest
led well with poverty. Now the toil of these
years is of no avail—the strong blows of labor
have become as naught—in a few short hours
the fiery element has swept away the fruits of
their honest exertions. Occupation, house,
home all gone, and they are left destitute. '
Letour deepeetsympathy flow out in their behalf |
let us endeavor to assist them in their great
calamity. . Did space and time permit, instan- I
ces of individual distresss could be mentioned I
which ought to cause tears, honest tears of
sympathy to moisten the cheeks of all.
3|During the scene many acts of noble daring
and courage were performed—which reflect
great honor upon the performers. Men ex
posed their persons, insome cases periled their
lives in endeavoring to save property. One
instance, in particular, we cannot forbear in
troducing During the time the Bell Tavern I
was in such imminent danger a servant, (Sam)
connected with the es'ablishment displayed
the greatest fortitude and boldness. He stood
calm and collected upon the blazing roof, giv
ing directions to those battling against the flame
with noble energy. AU who saw him ad
mired and praised. Such deeds, no matter by
whom performed, should be recollected and
treasured up, as examples of true courage and
heroism.
Many others—many of our citizens—deservs
the gratitude and affection ofthe sufferers and
the public generally, for their praiseworthy es- 1
forts. Even the ladies, naturally delicate and
timid, were rendered strong and bold by the
terrible scene. One in particular—a lady well I
known in this community —with her delicate
hands opposed the flames, and rescued much
of her husband’s property. These and other
scenes speak well for our town.
The loss sustained by this great fire has not
been exactly ascertained. $150,000, however,
seems to be the amount generally believed
lost. The amount of insurance we cannot ex
actly ascertain. Next week we will give full
and definite particulars.
Large Meeting at the Court-House.—ln
view of the great distress we nave mentioned
above, the citizens met in the Court-Room on
Friday, May 3d, in the afternoon. The anxie
ty and sorrow depicted in the countenances of
all. was painful to behold. On motion of Win.
Acklen—Gov. Chapman, was made Chairman,
B. Figures, Sec’y. C. C. Slay, jr., then of
fered the following resolutions —prefacing
them with appropriate remarks.
Whereas, the dwellings, business houses,
and the greater part of the household furni
ture, utensils and materials of trade of many
of our worthy citizens, have been destroyed,
and they have been suddenly bereft of their
homes, their property, and their means of sub
sistence, and are now dependent upon the
kind offices and charities of their fellow-men
for shelter, food and raiment, for themselves,
their wives, and their children :
And whereas to sympathize with the unfor
tunate and the poverty stricken, to relieve their
wantsand to assist in retrieving their fortunes,
is a sacred duty of all men, enjoined upon
them by the precepts of Christianity, Philan
thropy, and of Humanity.
Therefore, Resolved, Ist, That a committee
of six persons be appointed by the Chairman
to ascertain, and report to an adjourned meet
ing to be held at this place on Monday next at
11 o’clock, the names of those who have lost
their property by the late fire, the amount and
nature of their losses, and which of them stand
in need of the pecuniary aid of their fellow
men.
Resolved, 2nd. That a committee consisting
of two persons in each ward of the town of
Huntsville and of two persons in each justice’s
beat, without the corporate limits of said town,
and within the county of Madison, be appoint
ed by the Chairman to procure subscriptions,
to be collected and appropriated by said com
mittee of six persons above named, as they
may deem expedient and proper in aid of
those whose property has been destroyed by
the late fire.
Resolved 3rdly. That a committee of five
persons be appointed by the chairman to cor
respond with the proper authorities of such
cities and towns of this and other States of
the Union as they may think best, inviting their
co-operation in behalf of those who need the
assistance of others in consequence of the
ravages of the late fire.
Resolved 4thly. That all who are uow pres
ent be invited to come forward and subscribe
the sum they feel able and willing to pay to
said committee, appointed under the first reso
lution, in succoring the misfortunes of those
who may be reported by said committee in
need of public assistance.
The above resolutions were unanimously
adopted. The (chairman requested time for
the appointing of committees. The citizens
were then called up to subscribe for the bene
fit of the sufferers. Much sympathy was mani
fested for the unfortunate, and many liberal
donations were made. The amount subserb
ed, however, though showing the liberality of
our town, is not yet sufficient to alleviate the
great distress occasioned by the fire. We
trust, our citizens at the meeting on Monday
will display that magnanimous and sympathi
sing generosity which may enable the unfortu
nate to place themselves once more in comfor
table circumstances. Let the meeting be well
attended—and let it sustain the well-known
character of our town for liberality. We trust
also that neighboring towns and cities will dis
play the same generous feelings, which Hunts
ville has on previous occasions, exhibited in
behalf of other places.
Great Freshet —Loss of Property.
On Sunday night, 21st inst., fell one of the
heaviest rains ever witnessed by the citizens
of Warren ccunty. The cloud’passed across
the Northern portion of the county, literally
deluging the country over which it passed with
the torrents which it poured from its angry
bosom.
We are told by those who witnessed this
ruinous storm, that “it did’nt rain the common
way’’—“the water just poured down” in one
continued sluice as if some great reser
voir had suddenly given way and emptied its
contents upon the earth As is usually the
case when such volumes of water are set free
by the atmosphere, the storm was attended
with rapidly succeeding and jarring peals of
thunder and angry lightnings—at times appa
rently lighting up the whole lace of the warring
elements, with one continued blaze, and ren
dering the scene terrific and appalling in the
extreme.
The violence of the storm lasted some four
or five hours, continually pouring out such
torrents of water as to flood the country
converting every little branch into a cre’ek,
and forming branches and creeks where none
had previously existed, sufficiently large to
sweep off fencing, fallen timber and whatever
came in their course. Charlie’s and Moun
tain creeks in our county, Clearfork in De-
Kalb. and Stone’s river in Cannon, were in a
few hoursswollen out of their banks; sweep
ing away dwellings, mills, stables, fences—in
fact every thing before their desolating torrents.
Upon Mountain creek was carried away
entirely the excellent mills of R. P. Wamack,
Messrs. Waldens and B. Rolin—leaving not
a single mill standing on the creek. The same
stream carried away the valuable and well
furnished dwelling of Mr. Walden, with its
entire contents, among which was S2OO in
cash: together with his srnoke-house, kitchen,
crib and every out-house. Also the kitchen,
smoke-house and crib of R. P. Wamack.
Many others lost their corn cribs and stables
aud vast amounts of stock of every descrip
tion—all the fencing on the creek is gone and
the farms covered with gravel bars, drift logs,
&c.
By Charlies creek was washed off the mills
of Mr. Keel (known as Coon’s mills)—the
mill-dam of Maj. L. D. Mercer, and the
Carding Machine of Asa Falkner, Esq , con
taining a considerable amount of wool. Leav
ing only one mill on the creek, and that one
much damaged. Central Factory on the same
stream was so much injured that it is yet unfit
for business.
The freshet in the streams far surpassed any
thing ever before seen in this county, and
notwithstanding the loss of so many houses,
mills, stock and every other kind of property,
thanks to an overruling Providence, none of
our citizens lost their lives in this county.
McMinnville flenn.) Clipper.
From the National Intelligencer.
Attorney General Johnson.—We do not
remember that the career of any Attorney
General ofthe United States has been more
brilliant, or redounded more to the solid advan
tage of his country, than that of Mr. Johnson
during the period he has|been in office. This
remark was made to us by a friend, after the
derision of the Supreme Court of the United
States in a case which was argued on the part
of the Government by Mr. Johnson, with emi
nent ability, during the present term of the
Court. It was a case to test the validity ofti
l es to an immense number of acres of land in
1 ® late ol Louisiana, claimed under the
old Spanish grants. The decision by the
courts below had been against the United
States, and his powerful argument was follow- I
ed by a reversal of that decision. In this case,
our friend observes to us that the Government
had been saved at least three millions of dol
lars.
But Mr. Johnson’s greatest professional tri
umph during the term came off yesterday, in
the unanimous decision by the Supreme Court I
in the celebrated case of Fleming & Marshall
vs. Page, Collector of the United States. This
case involved the great question of the legality
of the collection of duties in Mexico before
the treaty of peace, and the sum depending on
it is said te have amounted to about seven mil
lions of dollars. This case originated in Penn
sylvania, and during the last summer, when a
decision involving such momentous conse
quences to the United States had been made
against the Government by the court below,
where it had been tried by the former District
Attorney, Mr. Johnson was directed by the
President to proceed to Philadelphia and move
the court for a new trial, with a view to bring
the great questions before the Supreme Court
ofthe United States.
Mr Johnson proceeded in obedience to the
direction, and the public may remember the
success of his admirable effort in that city to
bring the case under review. The Court be
low had been unanimous against the Govern
ment. During the present term the case was
argued before all the Judges of the Supreme
Court by Messrs McCall and Webster for the
claimants, and by Mr. Johnson for the Govern
ment. The unanimous opinion of the Court
was yesterday given by Chief Justice Taney,
in favor of the United States, reversing the
judgment below. A friend who heard Mr.
Johnson’s argument for the Government de
scribes it as having been unsurpassed for ability,
and that Mr. Justice Grier, who delivered the
judgment below, declared that he himself had
been convinced, and now concurred in the
opinion of the Court The Attorney General,
having in these two cases secured some ten
million of dollars to the country, has, we un
derstand, not received one dollar beyond his
regular salary of $4,500, for all the expense he
has incurred and for all the labor and distin
guished talent he has exhibited. Indeed, we
have good reason to know that before he left
Washington to attend the trial in Philadelphia,
it was proposed to him that although the Gov
ernmentcould not pay him such a fee as his
services might deserve were he not an officer
ofthe Government, yet the usage had been in
several instances to allow the Attorney Gene
ral his expenses and some reasonable compen
sation for extraordinary labor and responsibility
incurred. Mr. Johnson respectfully declined
the proposition, saying that while he had the
honor to hold the commission ofthe President
be would perform the whole duty without any
additional compensation beyond the salary,
however inadequate that might be.
Let our readers imagine what would proba
bly have been his compensation for such ser
vices, attended by such results, had he been on
ly a private citizen.
We have indulged in this strain of reflection
the more, because this is the very officer ofthe
Government who has been charged, by the
spirit of faction, with having allowed interest
on a few claims against the Government in
some three or four cases where hie opinion
was demanded. Let that public officer who
has saved as much to the public treasury as
the Attorney General hereafter throw the first
stone.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS
Correspondence ofthe Baltimore American.
In Senate May. 7.
The bill to establish the board of accounts
was again taken up, and Mr. Bradbury’s
amendments were discussed. The tenure and
the salaries of the commissioners were discuss
ed.
Mr. Bell moved to amend so as to provide
that the commissioners shall not be removed
from Office by the President without the con
sent ofthe Senate.
The amendment was discussed by Messrs.
Foote, Bell. Hale, Whitcomb, and others,
mainly upon political grounds, and not directly
to the question.
Mr. Turney, in conclusion, after explaining
that he was not present a few days since, who u
Mr. Bell delivered his speech in reference to
removals from office, took up the argumenta
tive portion of these remarks and responded
thereto. The debate was continued until a
late hour.
House*
The House met at 12 o’clock. The journal
of yesterday was read and approved.
The Speaker announced the following gen
tieman to constitute the committee authorized
by the resolution of Mr. Stanly, adopted yes
terday, in regard to the letter writers under
the late administration, viz: Stanly, Inge,
Schenck, R. W. Stanton, Haymond. Hubbard,
Briggs, Williams and Fitch.
Mr. Disney asked the unanimous consent of
the House, to introduce a resolution to instruct
the committee of investigation, appointed un
der Mr. Richardson’s resolution, to investigate
the conduct of Mr. Ewing, also to inquire
whether the said Secretary has not re-opened
accounts when the unexpended balances of
appropriations had been carried to the surplus
fund, and expended the said balances, without
re-appropriation by law, for objects not con
templated by the original appropriation.
Mr. Vinton objected to the resolution.
Mr. Disney said he was satisfied that what
he charged in the resolution was true, and that
the responsibility must rest with his colleague
(Mr Vinton for stifling the proposed investi
gation.
On motion of Mr. Thompson, of Pa., the
rules were suspended, and the House resolv
ed itselfintocommitt.ee of the whole on the
state of the Union, (Mr. Thompson, of Miss ,
in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of
the census bill.
The question immediately pending was the a
mendment ofMr. Vintou containing the present
census act in force until altered or amended;
and that if no other law be passed providing
for the making of any subsequent census, on or
before the first day of Jannary of any year,
when, by the constitution of the U. States, any
future enumeration of the inhabitants thereof is
required to be taken, such census shall, in all
things, be taken and completed to the provi
sions of this act.
Messrs Vinton, and Thompson, of Pa ad
vocated the just propriety, as a precautionary
measure, of the adoption of the amendment.
The question was put on the amendment,
and it was agreed to.
Mr. Vinton then offered his amendment
fixing as the permanent organization of the
House of Representatives, from and after the
3d March, 1853, 200 representatives to be
apportioned among the several States accord
ing to the provisions of this bill, by the Secre
tary of the Interior; and also making it the
duty of said Secretary after making the ap
portionment, under each census which may
hereafter be taken, to make out and transmit,
under the seal of his office, to the House of
Representatives a certificate of the number of
members apportioned to each State, and also
certify to the Executive of each State the num
ber apportioned to each State.
Mr. Vinton advocated the amendment, and
Mr. Thompson, of Pa., expressed himself in
favor of it, but advised, that as it was a pro
position of so much importance, it should be
made a separate bill, and have the action of the
Judiciary Committee thereon, before final ac
tion of the House.
Propositions were made to strike out2oo and
insert, various numbers
Mr. Bowie submitted a proposition, and
advocated it as a substitute, providing that
there shall be hereafter one representative for
every 100,000 population, until otherwise pro
vided by law. The proposition was voted
down.
Mr. Clark, of N. Y., advocated a large re
presentation as essential to represent the varied
and various interests of the country.
Mr. Meacham advocated a larger represen
tation than the present even as necessary in
consequence of the increase of territory and
population.
Messrs Thompson, ofKy., Kaufman, Vena
ble and Toombs advocated a less representa
tive body that the present; Messrs. Gentry,
L. A. King, of N. York, and Durkee, advo- (
cated the largest practicable representative .
body; and Messrs Littlefield, McMullen and
Green, opposed the entire provison.
The amendment of Mr. Vinton was adopted
by a vote of 72 in the affirmative and 63 in
the negative.
Mr. Jones of ’Penn., submitted a proposi
tion providing that the election for members of
Congress shall beheld in all the States of the
Union, on the first Thursday in May in the year
of such elections.
This, after a modification as to the time, was
voted down.
Phe substitute of Mr. Miller, from the mi
nority of the Judiciary Committee, for the
entire bill, which provides for taking an enu
meration merely of the inhabitants of the
United States, was considered, and rejected—
by a vole of 50 in the affirmative, and 92 in the
negative.
The Committee then rose aud reported the
bill to the House.
Mr. Thompson, of Pa., moved to amend the
amendment of the Committee of the Whole
on the State of the Union, so as to substitute
233 as the number of representatives instead
ol 200. He then moved the previous ques
tion on the bill. The main question was or
dered.
All the amendments of the Committee of
the Whole to the bill, to which there was no
exception, wereconcured in.
The House then adjoured.
Chronicle unit Sentinel.
AUGUSTA, GA:~
SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 11, 1850«
Chattanooga—Cotton and Produce.
Some idea may begin to be formed ofthe
immense business and trade which the railroad
connexion with the Valley of the Tennessee
river is likely to bring to Georgia markets, by
the following extract which we take from
the Steamboat register of the Chattanooga
Advertiser for the week ending the Bth inst.
When the reader reflects that this is only the
commencement, ere the business and produce
of that fertile valley has taken a general direc
tion to the Atlantic coast, this report is well
calculated to excite the most lively anticipa
tions for the future.
ARRIVALS.
May I—James Jackson, from Decatur.
•* I—Ellen1 —Ellen White, from Decatur.
“ I—Union, from Elk River.
“ 1— Nicholson, from Knoxville.
“ 3—Cassandra, from Decatur.
<! s—Pickaway, from Decatur.
“ 6 —Ellen White, from Kmxville.
“ 7—James Jackson, from Decatur.
“ 7—Union, from Elk Rivar.
“ 7 —Cassandra, from Knoxville.
DEPARTURE.
May I—Ellen NN hite, for Knoxville.
“ I—Union, for Elk River.
*• 2 —James Jackson, for Decatur.
“ 3—Cassandra, for Knoxville.
s—Nicholson, fr Decatur.
‘‘ 7—Pickaway, for Knoxville.
“ 7—Ellen White, for Decatur.
“ B—Cassandra for Decatur.
There have been brought up einco our last 1,045
Bales of Cotton, as follows ;
James Jackson, -535
Union,
Pickaway,.- - IQO
Total number of bales,. 1,045
The Pickaway also had on board 80 bales for
Knoxville. —The Union brought up 330 Sacks of
Corn from Elk River, purchased to fill an order
from Georgia.
The Cassandra brought down 2,000 bushels of
Corn.
There have been no arrivals of Produce Boats since
our last.
Scarlet Fever.—We learn from the Augusta
(Ga.) papers, as well as from private sources, that
the scarlet fever is very prevalent in that city, and
in several instances has proved fatal, even among
adults. Persons are advised not to take their chil
dren within the sphere of its influence. The disease
also prevails to some extent in Lincoln county. —
Great care should be taken by parents to keep their
children aloof from places where it exists, as it is
extremely fatal among children.” —Athens Banner.
With a view to correct the impression
which this paragraph is calculated to make on
the public mind, we append the report of the
City Sexton, showing the interments made
during the past week, ending this (Friday)
evening, and the diseases of the patients. We
have also, made it our business to inquire of
a number of physicians, whose practice would
render them familiar with new cases, if any
had occured,and are gratified to learn that the
disease has almost entirely disappeared.
A«B ~
date. Sex. ye-m-ds. Disease Nativity.
WHITES.
May 7. Male. 212 Thrash Augusta.
“ 7. “ 9 Cong’ve fe’r Ireland.
“ 10. Female. 13 Scarlet fever Tennessee
Whites, 3
BLACKS.
11 8. Female. 75 Dropsy
“ 9. Male. 65 Pneumonia.
“ 9. Male. 1 Pneumonia.
Biacks 3
A Religious Revival has been progressing
for some time in Eufaula, Ala. The Shield
of the 4th inst. says: About seventy persons
have been added to the Methodist Church since
the meeting first begun. When it will end we
know not —may it continue to progress until
the whole town is converted to God.
Frost in May.—There was a slight frost in
Athens, Geo., on Tuesday morning the 7th
inst. No damage was done to vegetation.
Wheat Crop —The Hamburg Republican
says: “We have just conversed with an in
telligent gentleman that has recently been in
Newberry, Laurens, Greenville, Anderson,
Pickens, and Abbeville, who informs us that
the Wheat Crop of those Districts were never
more promising. The cold wet spring has
caused it to be generally backward, but unless
some unforseen disaster befals it the yield
promises to be much beyond the usual crop.”
Antique Gold Mask.—At a late meeting of
the Asiatic Society, London, the Director ex
hibited a golden mask which has been entrust
ed to him by the Court of Directors of the
East India Company. The mask was found in
an ancient Coffin on the banks of the Eu
phrates, by Captain Lynch, one of the officers
engaged in the Expedition which surveyed that
river some years ago. It is formed of a thin
sheet of pure gold is of little size, and was
apparently moulded from the face of the de
ceased occupant of the coffin in which it was
found. The grave appeared to have been
rifled at some former period ; but the fear of
pollution, and perhaps a superstitious respect
for the dead body, had prevented the discovery
of this curious relic, which was in close con
tact with it. The character of the face bears a
considerable resemblance to that of the Assy
rian portraits which are sculptured on the
Ninevite monuments recently discovered; and
the very few details we could gather respect
ing the accompaniments of the coffin, would
seem to favor the belief that the mask is really
the portrait of an illustrious Assyrian, buried
more than twenty-six centuries ago.
From the N. Y. Commercial Advertizer 7th inst. 1
From California.
BY THE EMPIRE «ITY AND GEORGIA. ONE MONTH
LATER.
The steamship Empire City, Capt. Wilson. I
from Chagres via Jamaica, arrived at her dock
this morning at about half past ten o’clock
She left New York on the 15th of April at 3
q clock, P. M., and arrived off Chagres early
in the morning of the 24th, having made the
passage in eight days and a half from this city.
She left Chagres at 10 o'clock, P. M., of the
27th, arrived off Port Royal, Jamaica, at 12
o’clock night of the 29th, and left for New
York at 5 o’clock, P. M., on the 30th of April.
The Empire City on her passage from Cha
gres, met with an accident to her machinery by
which it became necessary to dispense with the
use of one paddle wheel. Iler arrival has
been seriously delayed by this accident.
We have San Francisco papers to the Ist,
Panama to the 19th, aud Kingston, Ja., to the
29th April.
BY THE CKOKGIA.
Shortly after the arrival of the Empire Citv,
the steamer Georgia, Lieut. Porter, U. S. N.,
hove in sight, and arrived at her wharf a little
after noon.
The Georgia in nine days from Chagres, via
Havana, and brings one hundred and forty-six
passengers and the Pacific mails, and $874,760
in gold.
The steam ship California arrived at Panama
on the 23d of April, with 223 passengers, and
two millions and a half in gold dust.
Ihe ,Georgia left at Chagres, in addition to
those mentioned under head of the Empire
City, the steamers Alabama and Great West
ern. All the Southern passengers took pas
sage in the Alabama.
The Georgia brings all the passengers who
had not through tickets, with the exception of
a few who did not get down in time.
The steamship Sarah Sands and the pro
pellor Carolina had left Panama full ofpassen
gers, and about three thousand still remained
upon the Isthmus, waiting their chances.
The rainy season had not yet set in, and
Chagres and Panama were stfll healthy.
Many robberies were daily taking place at
Panama and on the Isthmus.
Ihe Georgia has had a very quick passage.
She sailed from Chagres on the 27th, a. d run
to Havana tn three days and twelve hours.
Left Havana on the 3d and run to New York
in 3 days 20 hours, whole running time from
Chagres 7 days 8 hours.
California Items.— There had been a con
tinuation ol fine weather, which was beginning
to produce an effect upon the market, which
had been in rather a torpid state. Although
thre have been no transactions of any note,
s.ill there is a disposition of evidently more ex
tended operations, which it is thought will be
more apparent after the sailing of the steamer.
Another matter of great importance to the
trade is the decline of rates of interest, the high
rates heretofore maintained having been one
of the greatest obstacles iu the way of opera
tion.
Passengers by the Georgia report that gold
is more plen iful than ever, and that property
has somewhat fallen in prices. Provisionsand
even luxuries are very abundant in San Fran
cisco
The Legislature.— The day previous to the
sailing of the California, the collector of the
customs in San Francisco was notified that
the money collected for duties must be paid
over to the State Government in accordance
with a resolution passed by the Legislature,
steps are being taken to form and independent
Government. Commodore Jones it is said
is about to take active measures to prevent it.
A law has passed the legislature imposing a
tax of 2a dollars a month on every foreigner
who works in the mines.
A bill has been introduced in the Assem
bly to provide for the inspection of steam
boats at San Francisco. Also, a bill to sup
press gambling.
Miscellaneous — 'l he San Francisco Jour
nal of Commerce notices the arrival there of
the schooner California, from an exploring ex
pedition to Trinity Bay. The bay was found
in latitude 41 4, and Trinity river emptying
into it. The party landed among the Indians,
and surveyed the country around the mouth
of the river. There was no entrance for any
vessel of size ; a boat could only enter at high
wster. The following incident of the voyage
is recorded:
The California was boarded on the 26th of
Ma-ch by nine men, who left the brig Cameo
on the 16th fifteen miles from land for the
purpose of finding the river, the captain of the
brig promising to coine the next day and take
them off. They were almost in a state of
starvation, having just bought a jackass, (with
their blankets and everything else they could
dispose of) and had but slaughtered him when
the California hove in sight Before seeing
the schooner they cruised the coast for sixty
miles, but could not find even a boat harbor
The Cameo’s boat is now on board.
The election for county officers of San
Francisco, was taking place when the steam
ship California left on the first of April,
Henri Herz, the pianist, was in San Fran
cisco, and advertised one of his concerts at
the National Theatre on the 2d of April.—
Tickets six dollars for the boxes and two dol
lars for the pit.
The William and Elizabeth, Capt. Burwell,
which sailed from New Orleans on the 7th of
February 1849 had not arrived at San Fran
cisco on the Ist of April last.
The San Francisco Journal announces the
discovery near that place of what has the ap
pearance of a rich mine of coal, which prom
ises an ample supply of that most important
material of fuel, both for domestic purposes,
and those especially of steam navigation
Stockton is growing rapidly, and business
very brisk.
The new city of San Joaquin is increasing
with magical speed, and will become, during
the season, a town of great importance and
extensive trade.
A resolution was adopted, instructing theju
diciary committee to prepare and report at as
early a day as possible, a bill to prevent the im
migration of all persons not citizens of the
United States from any of the penal settlements
of Europe. A bill of that description was re
ported on the 29th of March.
Election of Judges. — The following gentle
men have been elected judges of the several
judicial districts: —1 O. S Wetherby; 2. H.
A Tifft ; 3. John Watson; 4. Levi Parsons;
5. Charles M. Creamer; 6. James S. Thomas;
7. Robert Hopkins; 8 W. R. Tarner; 9. W.
Scott Sherwood
The salary of the office has been fixed by
the Legislature at $7,500 per annum.
From, the Gold Regions.— The Pacific News
of the 26th of March has the following infor
mation relative to alleged discoveries of gold
on the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada:
The existence of gold on the Eastern slope
of the Sierra Nevada, although not seriously
questioned since its discovery on the numerous
streams heading on the Western side of the
chain, has never been authenticated in a form
to leave the matter free from doubt. A gen
tieman who has just arrived in this city from
the East byway of the Great Salt Lake and
Los Angelos, informs us that the question is
settled.
In what quantities the gold exists he is una
ble to say, as a want of provisions precluded
his party from halting long enough to test the
richness of the discovery. The metal was
found on the surface of rotten granite, and to
a certain depth intermingled with it, forming
the bed of a stream then dry. Its locality is
about two hundred miles from Los Angelos,
on the old Spanish trail between that place and
Santa Fe, in the neighborhood of the Little
Salt Lake. A party has left Los Angelos for
the spot, prepared to test the availabi’ity of the
new placer.
The Pacific News of March 30 says that the
travel toward the Southern mines is increasing
daily, and the prospects in that region, the com-
ing season, are more flattering than
New placers are discovered as exnlnr
are made, and new towns laid out as th*. al, ° ns
lation increases. Stock is said to be
rapidly, and business becoming brisk afo*
roads to the mines become passable. ' 116
I rom the Isthmus.— Our Panama ..
to the 19th of April, but they
of interest. 1,1 ,e! * items
Ihe Star ofthe date named says that i
■ng the previous week twenty-seven i, ‘ . d " r ’
and ninety-nine letters were maile/f
Atlantic Stale, at the u. 8 . cZitaJ" lh «
most of them written by Arnone,,,, °®"
way to California. The mail which w heir
leave the next day was by f ar the b
had ever been sent from Panama. * 1 hat
W. G. Wood, Esq., bearer <>r
from the State Department, was to leT' o !®’
nama for San Francisco on the Ist nfu • ’
the steamship Oregon.
From Jamaica —By the Crescent Citv
have files of Jamaica journals to the 29ik W r
Aprtl, ten days later than our previous a d VlCe °, f
Ihe inhabitants of Demerara are auitstin ’
movement in favor of a change from the
sent legislative system to a constitution simi?'
to those existing in the chartered colonies «
posed of a House of Assembly and a councTi
The Governor, however, had thrown CI J
water upon the project He is reported I
have said that he did not consider the nr ’
as a fitting time for the change, thoLh’T
looked forward for a day when such « ' e
would be both practicable aud judicious
A bill to prohibit the use of acetate of | ead
in the manufacture of sugar had passed the
Legislature of Antigua. ne
From Havana.-We have received Do D ,
pers as yet from Havana.-We have verbi
reports that sickness was prevailing to a «r P9
extent there, and that there wat no communi
cation from the vessel to the shore.
As io whether the disease was cholera of
which some manifestations were previously
reported, we have no certain information. ?
Arrival ofthe Cherokee.
The steamer Cherokee hos also arrived
here.—She left Chagres at the same time of
the Empire City and Georgia.
The Cherokee has about one hundred pas.
sengers and in the neighborhood of two mil
lions worth of gold dust.
The Georgia has all the mails, mad agents
and express agents on board.
There continues quite a depression in busi
ness affairs, and matters are looking down.
The miners are commencing their summer
operations. It is estimated that about one
handred thousand persons are now either on
their way to, or engaged in the mines. This
immense number of diggers will, it is believed,
soon send a current of gold to San Francisco,
in view of which, business affairs are already
assuming more life. Although gold is so
plenty, money continues to be the scarcest ar
iicle and most difficult to obtain. Ten per
cent, a month is readily paid for loans. Rents
are still up. Two hundred dollars per month
is being paid in some instances for a room ten
feet by twenty.
Great quantities of lumber are arriving from
all quarters, and the market is much depressed
American furniture of all kinds is very high.
This is said to be in consequence ofthe more
numerous arrivals of ladies, who will have the
comforts, and even luxuries of life, no matter
where located. Many families have been sent
for. This more abundant introduction offe
males is beginning already to give a new, im
proved and much more refined toneto society.
Numerous mercantile houses have failed,
among which is the house of Messrs. Frank
Ward & Co*, one of the largest and most ex
tensive firms in San Francisco.
The Alta Californian says the immigration
of foreigners to the shores of California has
continued throughout the winter and opening
Spring. Under the head of advancement it
says the condition of San Francisco is as pro
gressive as a locomotive engine, under a full
head of steam.
Every thing isge-ahead. We have now two
theatres open nightly for the amusement of
the public, and they are largely attended.—
Concerts, balls, dinner parties and splendid
military suppers are all the rage. The shops
and windows in our streets exhibit all the ele
gancies that could be desired for civilization
Nothing that art has producedin any quarter
of the globe for comfort and decoration need
be wanting, if there be a disposition and meant
to obtain th m. They are all here.
As Spring now approaches the Southern
towns begin to be deserted. The population
seems to be flocking in masses to the mine?.
The roads are fast becoming passable in the
North and the South. The Southern por
tion of the country has been uniformly
quiet.
The past winter has been a very severe one
throughout all California—more so than has
been known for fifteen years.
The information from the Southern mines
generally is very encouraging.
From Oregon,
Portland, Oregon, March 18,1850.
To the Editor of the Tribune:— l take advan
tage ofthe sailing of the schooner G. H. Mon
tague, Capt. Montague, which leaves here to
day. to drop you a line about things in this
territory. The greatest excitement prevails
throughout the country in regard to the dis
covery of new gold mines on Rogner River
and Trinidad Bay. All the people who can
get away, are looking to that region; so great
is the rush, that Capt. M. tells me he hasfonnd
it impossible to procure a full freight of any
kind, so that he will be obliged to leave with
half a cargo.
Produce of all kinds has greatly advanced,
and is scarce at any price; for example, po
tatoes bring $8 a bushel; cheese $1 per lb.
butter $1,50; eggs $1,50 a $2 per dozen;
poultry not to be had at any price. Those of
us who stay here run the risk of starving, all
the farmers having left for the mines. Among
the other emigrants to Eldorado are 75soldiers,
who openly deserted for that purpose.—Sixty
of them left one day, marching through the
streets in a body, and fifteen more departed a
few days after. There is not so much as a
corporal’s guard to look after our military
welfare. I send you what ship news we have
here. Yours, B-
Public Buildings in Washington.—From
an official report relative to the public build
ings, it appears that the length of the Capitol
is 352 feet, breadth in centre 221 feet, at wings
121 feet, height to top of ballustrade, 70 feet;
grounds enclosed and improved, 30 acres; to
tal height to the top of the great dome 140 feet;
House of Representa'iyes 9i) feet long, 62 feet
wide, 60 feet high ; Senate Chamber. 75 fed
long, 45 feet wide, and 45 feet high; Rotunda,
96 feet diameter, and 96 feet high; total cost
of buildings and grounds. $2 690 459.
The length of the President’s house is 180
feet, and the breadtn in the centre, 120 feet;
height to the top of ballustrades, 50feet. The
East Room is 79 feet by 48 and 22 feet high-
The length of the Treasury Building is 330
feet, and when completed will be 500 The
breadth at centre is 190 feet. The colonnade is
336 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 65 feet high to
the top of the ballustrade.
The length of the General Post Office Build*
ding is 204 feet, breadth at wings 204 feet, at
centre 60 feet, height 63 feet.
The James Dix Burned. —This boat lying
at the lower landing of our city, was discover
ed to be on fire yesterday between 3 an I
o’clock A. M., and before any thing could be
done, the flames had made such progress as o
defy all attempts even to save the property on
her. The fire originated in the ladies’cabm-
The freight destroyed, so far as we could ascer
tain consisted of 180 bales cotton, 130 a B
corn, 25 hogsheads to-bacco, which was a id
sured in New Orleans. Some bacon and otner
freight, value not known, were lost, lhe boa
was insured for $7,500 in Louisville.