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About Daily chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1837-1876 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1851)
Mill imuMl LI! t SENTINEL, BY WILLIAM S. JONES. Orr»CK IW RAIL ROAD BAWK BPILDIWO. 9AILT, TRI-WEEKLY A WEEKLY. 'ffHßNS —Daily Paper, toeity subscribers, per annum, in advance Daily Paper, mailed to the country ' Tri-Weekly Paper, « “ “ “ *' \ Weekly (a mammoth sheet) “ CASH SYSTEM. —in no case will an order for th« paper be attended to »»|«» “'^”',^e W for sr ’»"'«ript.oa MJ be pmii, expiry before the receipt of funds to renew the same, the paper •rill be discontinued. Deprecated funds receded et value in this city. From the Home Journal. Divorce at Josephiae. Napoleon had become very strongly attach ed to his little grandchild, the son of Hor te nee, and of his brother, Louis, the King of Holland. The boy waiextremely beautiful, and developed all those noble and spirited traits of character which delighted the Emperor. Na poleon had apparently determined to make this young Prince his heir- This was so gen erally the understanding, both in France and in Holland, that Josephine was quite at ease, and serene days again dawned upon her heart. Early in the spring of 1807, this child, upon whom such destinies were depending, then five years of age, was seized suddenly and vi olently with the croup, and in a few hours died. The blow fell upon the heart of Jose phine with most appalling power. Deep was her grief at the loss of the child; she was over whelmed with uncontrollable anguish in view of those fearful consequences which she shud dered to contemplate. She knew that Napo leon loved her fondly. But she also knew the strength of his ambition, and that he would make any sacrifice of his affections, which, in his view, would subserve the interests of his power and his glory. For three days she shut herself up in her loom, and was continually ba‘hed in tears. ,* The sad intelligence was conveyed to Napo leon, when he was far from home, in the midst of the Russian campaign, lie hud been vie torious—almost miraculously victorious—over his enemies. He had gained accessions of E" ower, such as in the wildest dreams of youth e had hardly imagined. All opposition to his sway was now apparently crushed. Napoleon had become the creator of kings, and the proudest monarchs of Europe were constrain* ed to do his bidding. It was in an hour of exul tation that the mournful tidings reached him. He sat down in silence, buried his face in his hands, and for a long lime seemed in the most painful musings. He was heard mournfully and anxiously to repeat to himself again and again. “To whom shall I leave all this ?” The struggle in his mind between his love for Josephine, and his ambitious desire to found a new dynasty, and to transmit his name and fame to all posterity, was fearful. It was man ifest in his paiid cheek, in his restlessness, in the loss of appetite and sleep. But the stern will of Bonaparte was unrelenting in his pur poses. With an energy which the world has never seen surpassed, he had chosen his part. It was the purpose of his soul—the lofty pur pose before which everything had to bend—to acquire the glory of making France the most illustrious, powerful aud happy nation the earth had ever seen. For this he was ready to sacrifice comfort, ease ,and his sense of right. For this be was ready to sunder the strongest ties of affection. Josephine knew Napoleon. She knew the power of his ambition. With almost insup portable anguish she went over the death of his child, upon w hose destinies her own seem ed to be so fearfully blended, and with a trem bling heart she awaited her husband’s return. Mysterious hints began to fill the journals of the contemplated divorce, and of ihe alliance of Napoleon with various princesses of for eign courts. In October, 1809, Napoleon re turned from Vienna. He greeted Josephine with the greatest kindness, but she soon per ceievd that his mind was ill at ease, and that he was pondering the dreadful question. He appeared sad and embarrassed. He had fre quent private interviews with his ministers. A general feeling of constraint pervaded the Court. Napoleon scarcely ventured to look upon bis wife, as if apprehensive that the very sight of one he had loved so well, might cause him to waver in his firm purpose. Jo sephine was in a state of the most feverish so licitude, and yet wascompelled to appear calm and unconstrained. As yet she had only some forebodings of her impending doom. She watched, with the most excited apprehension, every movement of the Emperor s eye, every intonation of his voice, every sentiment he ut tered. Each day some new and trivial indica tion confirmed her fears. Her husband be came more reserved ; absented himself from her society; the private aceess between their apartments was closed; he now seldom en tered her room, and whenever he did so inva riably knocked. And yet not one word had passed between him and Josophine upon the fearful subject. Whenever Josephine heard the sound of his approaching footsteps, the fear that he wascoming with the terrible an nouncement of separation, immediately caused such violent palpitation of the heart, that it was with the utmost difficulty that she could totter across the floor, even when supporting herself by leaning against the walls, and catch ing at the articles of furniture. The months of October and November passed away, and while the Emneror was dis cussing with his cabinet ihe alliance into which he should enter, he had not surmn tied cour age to break the subject to Josephine. The evidence is indubitable that he experienced in tense anguish in view of the separation, but this did not influence bis iron will to swerve from its purpose. The grandeur of his fame, and the magnitude of his power, was now such, that there was not a royal family in Eu rope which would not have felt honored in conferring upon him a bride. It was at first contemplated that he should marry some prin cess of the Bourbon family, and thus udd to the stability of the throne, by conciliating the royalists of France. A princess es Saxony was proposed. Some weighty considerations urged an alliance with the majestic empire of Russia, and some advances were made to the court of St. Petersburg, having in view a sis ter of the Emperor Alexander. It was at length decided that proposals should be made to the court of Vienna, for Marie Lonise, daughter of the Emperor of Austria. At last the fatal day arrived for the announce ment to Josephine. It was the last day of November, 1809. The Empress dined at Fontaiubleau alone. She seems to nave had a presentiment that her doom was sealed, and all that day she had been in her retired apartment weeping bitterly. As the dinner and 1 t a P pr ® ac hed, bathed her swollen eyes, | down^.k 10 regain composure. They sat not speak ° j able L in si,ence - Napoleon did fe *oi« S «u.,T pbi 5 8 could •>»« her feigned to Neither of th em even in, and afler co «”0 was &-tal paleness revealed the m ° u u ched - A mor -1 Napoleon, in his embarrassment ““ e ?, ch beart * I « nd apparently unconsciously ’ “ e e ® ha “ l ? aU J' Jhe edge of his glass with hi. tVrfV whSf nk i ing la thought. A more melancholy meil was probably never witnessed. The aftoL I "ound the table caught the infection and I gazed m motionless silence. At last the cere jkmeDj of dinner was over, the attendants were m dismissed, and Napoleon and Josephine were alone. Another moment of most painful silence ensued, when the emperor, pale as death, and trembling in every nerve, arose, and approached Josephine. He took her band, and placing it upon his heart, said : “ Josephine ! my own good Josephine ( } yon know how I have loved you. It is to you , alone that I owe the few moments of happiness _ l have known in this world. Josephine! my - destiny is stronger than my own will. My dearest affections must yield to the interests of France ! ” Josephine’s brain reeled, her blood ceased • to circulate ; she fainted, and fell lifeless upon the floor. Napoleon alarmed, threw open the g door of the saloon, and called for help. At j tendants from the an'e-room immediately en } tered. Napoleon took a taper from the mantel, : and uttering not a word, but pale and trem ’ hling, motioned to the Count de Beaumont to ! the Empress into his arms. She was r st *ll unconscious of every thing, but began , to murmur, intones of angush, “Oh, no! r you cannot surely do it. You would not kill t me.” The Emperor led the way through a dark i passage to the private staircase which conducted to the apartment of the Empress. The agi tation of Napoleon seemed now to increase. He uttered some incoherent sentences about a violent nervous attack; and finding the ' stairs too steep and narrow for the Count de . Beaumont to bear the body of the lifeless Jose - phine unassisted, he gave the light to an atten dant, and supporting her limbs himself, they reached the door of the bedroom Napoleon then dismissing his male attendants, and laying Josephine upon her bed, rang for her waiting women. He hung over her with an expres sion of the most intense affection and anxie ty, until she began to revive. Bat the moment consciousness seemed returning ha left the room. Napoleon did not even throw himself upon his bed that night. He paced the floor until the dawn of the morning. The royal surgeon, Corvisart, passed the night at the bedside of the Empress. Every hour the restless, yet unrelenting Emperor, called at her door to inquire concerning her situation. “On recovering from my swoon,” says Josephine, “ I perceived that Corvisart was in attendance, and my poor daughter, Hortense, weeping over me. No !no ! 1 cannot describe the horror of my situation during that night. Even the interest As affected to take in my 1 sufferings, seemed to me additional cruelty. How much reason had I to dread becoming an Empress ! ” A fortnight now passed away, during which Napoleon and Josophine saw but little of each other. Daring this time there occurred the anniversary of the coronation, and of the , victory of Austerlitz. Paris was filled with rejoicing. The bells rang their merriest peels. Tne metropolis was refulgent with illumina -1 tions. In these festivities Josephine was com pelled to appear. She knew that the sove reigns and princes then assembled in Fans were informed of her approaching disgrace. In all these sounds of triumph she heard but the knoll of her own doom. And though a ' careful observer, in her moistened eye and her pallid cheek would have observed indications of the secret woe which was consuming her heart, her habitual affability and grace never in public for one moment forsook her. Hor tense, languid and sorrow stricken, was with her mother. Eugene was also summoned from Italy by the melancholy duly attending the divorce. From the saloon he wentdiiecily to-the cabinet of Napoleon, and inquired of the Emperor if he had decided the question of a divorce from his mother. Napoleon, who was most strongly attached to Eugene, made no reply, but pressed his hand as an ex pression that it was so. Eugene withdrew his hand, and said : “ Sire ! in that case permit me to withdraw from your service.” “ How,” exclaimed Napoleon sadly, ‘ will you, Eugene, my adapted son, leave me? ” “ Yes, sire,” Eugene firmly replied. “ The son of her who is no loger Empress cannot remain Viceroy. 1 will follow my mother . into her retreat. She must now find her con solation in her children.” Napoleon was not without feelings. Tears filled his eyes. In a mournful voice, tremulous with emotion, he replied : “ Eugene, you know the stern necessity which compels this measure. And will you forsake me? Who then, should 1 have a son, theobjsctof my desire, and preserver of my interest—who would watch over the child when lam absent ? Who will bring him up ? Who is to make a man of him ? ” Eugene was deeply affected, and taking Napoleon's arm, they retired, and covered a long time together. The noble Josephine, ever sacrificing her own feelings to promote the happiness of others, urged her son to re main the friend of Napoleon. ** The Emper or,” she said, “is your benefactor—your more than father, to whom you are indebted for every thing, and to whom, therefore, you owe a boundless obedience.” The fatal day for the consummation of the divorce at length arrived. It was the fifteenth day of December, eighteen hundred and nine. Napoleon had assembled ail the kings, princes, and princesses, who were members of the im perial family, and also the most illustrious offi cers of the empire, in the grand saloon of the Tuileries. Every individual present was oppressed with the melancholy grandeur of the occasion. Napoleon thus addressed them: ‘ The political inte eats of my monarchy, the wishes of my people, which have constant ly guided my actions, require that 1 should trransmit to an heir inheriting my love lor the people, the throne on which Providence has placed me. For many years I have lost all hopes of having children by my beloved spouse, the Empress Josephine. It is this con sideration which induces me to sacrifice the sweetest affections of my heart, to consult on ly the good of my subjects, and desire the dis solution of our marriage. Arrived at the ago of forty years, J may indulge a reasonable hope of living long enough to rear, in the spirit of my own thoughts and disposition, the children with which it may please Providence to bless me. God knows what such a de termination has cost my heart; but there is no sacrifice which is above my courage when it is proved to be the interests of France. Far from having any cause of complaint, I have nothing to say. but in praise of the attach ment and tenderness of my beloved wife. She has embellished fifteen years of my life, and the remembrance of them will be forever en graved on my heart. She was crowned by my hand. She shall retain always the rank and title of Empress. Above all/lot her never doubt my feelings, or regard me but as her best and dearest friend.” Josephine, her eyes filled with tears, with a faltering voice, replied : “I respond to all the sentiments of the Em peror, in consenting to the dissolution of a marriage which henceforth is an obstacle to the happiness of France, by depriving it of the blessing of being one day governed by the descendants of that great man, evidently rais ed up by Providence to efface the evils of a terrible revolution, and to restore the altar, the throne, and social order. But his marriage will, in no respect, change the sentiments of my heart. The Emperor will ever find in raa his beat friend. I know what this act, command ed by policy and exalted interests, has cost his heart ; but we both glory in the sacrifices we make for the good of our country. I feel elevated in giving the greatest proof of attach ment and devotion that was ever given upon earth.” Such were the sentiments which were ex pressed in public. But in private Josephine surrendered herself to the unrestrained domi nion of her anguish. No language can depict the intensity of her woe. For six months she wept so incessantly that her eyes were nearly blinded with grief. Upon the ensuing day the Council were again assembled in the grand Ba '°®. n » t 0 witness the legal consummation of the divorce. The Emperor entered the room dressed m the imposing robes of -tate, but pal lid, care-worn and wretched. Low tones of fi!IL C^ harmoniZ,r lf with lhe mournful scene, a P°* eon » apart by himself, leaned against a pillar, folded his arms upon ms breast, and in perfect silence, apparently lost in gloomy thought, remained motionless as a statue. A circular table was placed in the centre of the apartment, and upon this ibere was a writing apparatus of gold. A vacant arm chair stood before the table. Never did a multitude gaze upon the scaffold, the block, or the guillotine, with more awe than the as sembled lords and ladies in this gorgeous saloon contemplated these instruments of a more dreadfal execution. At length the mournful silence was inter rupted by the opening of a side door, and the entrance of Josephine. The palor of death was upon her brow, and the submission of despair nerved her into a temporary calmness, She was leaning upon the arm of Hortense, who, not possessing the fortitude of her moth er, was entirely unable to control her feelings, but immediately upon entering the room, burst into tears, and continued sobbing most con vulsively. The whole assembly rose upon the entrance of Josephine; all were moved to tears. With that grace which ever distinguish ed her movements, she advanced silently to a seat provided for her. Sitting down, and leaning her forehead upon her hand, she lis tened to the reading of the act of separation. Nothing disturbed the silence of the scene but the sobbings of Hortense, blended with the mournful tones of (he reader’s voice. Eugene, in the meantime, had taken a position by his mother’s side. Silent tears were trickling down the cheeks of the Emperor. As soon as the reading of the act of separa tion was finished, Josephine for a moment pressed her handkerchief to her weeping eyes, and then rising, in clear and musical, but tre mulous tones, pronounced the oath of ac ceptance. She then sat down, took the pen and affixed her signature to the deed which sundered the dearest hopes and the fondest ties which human hearts can feel. Poor Eugene could endure this language no longer. His brain reeled, his heart ceased to beat, and *he fell lifeless upon the floor. Josephine and Hortense retired with the altendaiats, who bore out the insensible form of the affectionate son and brother. It was a fitting termination of this mournful but sublime tragedy. But the anguish of the day was not yet over. Josephine, half delirious with grief, bad ano ther scene still more painful to pass through, in taking a final adieu of him who had been her husband. Josephine remained in her chamber in heartrending speechless grief, until the hour in which Napoleon usually retired for the night. The Emperor, restless and.wretch ed, had just placed himself in (he bed from which he had ejected his most faithful and de voted wife, and the attendant was on the point of leaving the room, when the private door of his apartment was slowly opened, and Jose phine tremblingly entered. Her eyes were swollen with grief; her hair disheveled, and she appeared in all the dishabille of unuttera ble anguish. She tottered into the middle of the room, and approaching the bad—then, ir resolutely stopping, she burst into a flood of tears. A feeling of delicacy seemed for a mo ment to have arrested her steps —a conscious ness that now she had no right to enter the chamber of Napoleon—but in another moment all the pent up love of her hear, burst forth, and, forgetting everything, she threw herself upon the bed, clasped her arms around Napo leon’s neck, and exclaiming, “ My husband ! my husband !” sobbed as though her heart was breaking, The imperial spirit of Napoleon was for a moment entirely vanquished, and he also wept almost convulsively. He assured Josephine of his love, of ardent and undying love. In every way he tried to soothe and comfort her, and for some time they remained locked in each other’s embrace. The attendant was dis missed, and for a i hour they continued in this last private interview. Josephine, then in the experience of an anguish which few hearts have ever known, parted forever from, the husband whom she had so long, so fondly, and so faithfully loved. The beautiful palace of Malmaison, which Napoleon had embellished with every possible attraction, and where the Emperor and Em press had passed many of their happiest hours, was assigned to Josephine for her future resi dence. Napoleon also settled upon her a join lure of about six hundred thousand dollars a year. She was still to retain the title and rank of Empress Queen. The ensuing day, at eleven o’clock, all the household of the Tmlieries were assembled up on the grand staircase and in the vestibule, to witness the departure of their beloved mistress from scenes where she had so long been the brightest ornament. Josephine descended, veiled from head to foot. 'Her emotions were too deep for utterance, and she waived an adieu to the affectionate and weeping friends who surrounded her. A close carriage, with six horses, was before the door. She entered it, sank back upon the cushion, buried her face in her handkerchief, and left the Taiiieries for ever. Cuban News.— Tho New York Sun has “important news from Cuba,” and says: “We were yosterday allowed the pleasure of witnessing a sight well calculated to atir a gen erous glow m the heart of the coldest and most indifferent—almost to ‘create a soul bsueath the ribs of death.’ It was a large quantity of women’s jewelry and trinkets, collected by the ladies of Cuba, and sent by them to the Cuban Junta in this country, to aid in bringing arms and ammunition for the liberation of their op pressed country.” The intention of the Junta, wo understand, in regard to these jewels, and the rest which will follow, is rather to borrow money on a pledge of them, redeemable at a future day. than to dispose of them by sale —looking for ward to the time when they will trrasured in worthy places of public the Cap ital of Cuba, as the fitting regalia, or ‘crown jewels,’ of the liberated Republic.” There are four boxes of diamonds, pearls, precious stones, brilliants, gold bracelets and chains, necklaces, <fec. &c. The Sun adds: “These articles, which we have seen with our own eyes, and handled with our own hands, are the contribution of the women of only one single town-****"***— whosn total population is not more than twenty or thirty thousand inhabitants. The same operation is extending all over the islhnd, and in many other places the patriotic girl* and matrons of Cuba are carrying out the same noble move ment, and it will not be long before a million of dollars will be raised in this manner, and sent to the United Slates.” It may not be improper to reflect after read ing the above, that the organ of marvelousnces is well developed on the cranium of the New York Sun, and that it has a particular fancy for “running saws ” With this simple remark we give the paragraph for what it is Worth. [Ed. Chron. & Skn.J Marins Disasters.— The vessel reported, as having been seen in Stono River, on Sun day last, by Capt. Peck, of the steamer Meta mora, proves to be the Br. brig Minerva, Mark, 16 days from Montego Bay, (Ja.,) for Glasgow, with a cargo of Rum, Sugar, &c. Having experienced very heavy weather about the 10th inst., which caused the brig to leak bad, when she bore away for this port, to be repaired. On Saturday last in a thick f°fs» f? ot ashore on Stono reef, which they succeeded in thumping the vessel over into the river. Capt. Mark arrived in this city yesterday, to procure assistance, and we learn that the steamer Massasoit, has been chartered to proceed to her relief, and tow her to the city The schr. S. M. Waen, previously reported in the otfing, is ashore on Folly Island Beach. We have received no particulars from her.— Charleston Courier. Arrival of the Southerner. —Too steam ship Southerner, Capt. Dickinson arrived at this port early yesterday morning, from New York, < having left at her usual hour on Saturday after noon. Our New York correspondent of the Com mereial Advertiser, Express, and Courier if Enquirer, have favored us with files of their la test papers.— Ch. Cour. tflircmiclc and Sentinel. iiUGUSTaTg A • THURSDAY MORNING FEB, 90. Disunion in Alabama, As a a part of the history of the times, we publish the Preamble and Resolutions adopted by the Disunion Convention, recently assem bled at Montgomery, Ala, to which we invite the readers’ attention, as evidence of the pur pose of the actors, and those with whom they are associated under the misnomer of Friends of Southern Rights, to dissolve the Union, No man who reads this document can doubt as to the purposes and objects, either of those who put them forth, or those who sympathize with them: PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED by thb Southern Rights Comvbhtion. The preamble to the Constitution of the United States deilares the objects for which the government of the United States was formed. Those objects were “to form a more perfect Union, establish jus tice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Those objects, in our opinion, have been wilfully disregarded in the administration of the government —commencing with the law admitting Missouri into the Union, and closing with the late system of mea sures, miscalled the Compromise. The pretence upon which this system of hostile le gislation has been based, is that slavery is a moral and political evil—its end and aim the emancipa tion of every slave in the United States. The go vernment is in the hands of a sectional ma jority, and political interests and conscientious con victions of duty alike urge them to the successful prosecution of this system. Believing that the aim in the formation of this go vernment is no longer to bo observed in its adminis tration, we, the delegates of the Southern Rights As sociations of Alabama, in Convention assembled, do resolve— General Government by the people of the States, have for a long series of years, been perverted by a dominant, sectional majority to the aggrandisement of the non-slaveholding—and to the oppression of the slaveholding States. # 2. That in our opinion, powers have been exer cised by the General Government for the purpose of restraining the extension of the institution of slavery, and of eradicating it in places where it now exists, which were not granted to it by the people of the States. 3. That in our opinion, a radical change has been effacted in the character of the General Government by tho success of this system of legislation ; that the power and dignity of the Union have become de structive, in a very great degree, of the rights and dignity of the States which created it. 5. That a tame submission to or a patient acqui escence in this hostile and unconstitutional legisla tion wou d not, in our opinion, be conducive to the peace, happiness, prosperity and honor of the South ern States. 5. That we fully endorse the doctrine of Mr. Ma dison, as contained in the Virginia resolutions of 1T93, “ that in case of a deliberate, palpable, dangerous ex ercise of power not granted by the federal compact, the States who are parties thereto, have the right, and are in duty bound to interpose for arresting the evil, and maintaining in their respective limits the authorities, rights and liberties appertaining to them.” 6. That such interposition should not be myde, sc long as I lere remains a reasonable hope that full and ample redress will be made for past injury, and pro vision be made against fatnre aggression. c 7. That recent events, in full unison wfth that system of legislation which we have condemned, as sure us that there is no reasonable ground on whicia to base a hope that we shall obtain either redress for the past, or guaranties for the future. 8. That in our opinion, a due regard for the honor and interest of the people of this S ate, and each ot the Southern States, demands that they should at once “set their house in order” with a view to accession. 9. That each State voluntarily became a member of the confederacy, so it can be no just cause of war upon any State, that chaoses no longer to remain a member thereof. 10. That the question of the secession of Alabama from this government is reduced to that of time only. 11. That we approve of the proposition of the Nashville Convention, that the slaveholding States hold a Congress in November next, and pledge our selves to use our best exertions to have Alabama ful ly represented in that body, and concur in the sug- 1 gestion that said Congress be held in Montgomery. 12. That we recommend to the people of Alabama to suspend their old party divisions until redress and security can be obtained as proposed, and to know no party but the great Southern party. 13. That the Governor of Alabama be requested to convene the Legislature in extra session for the election of members to the proposed Southern Con gress ; such called session to take place after the first Monday 1 in August next. Should the Governor fail to convene the Legislature, tnen we recommend to the various precincts composing the several Congres sional Districts to open a poll on the first Monday in October next, and hold an elect on for one member to represent each Congressional District in the State ; such election tone in ail things governed by the laws, usages and regulations which govern elections for members of Congress. 14. Tint should Congress declare it to be the duty ofthe Southern States to secede and one or more of the S tates shall secede ; or if one or mot e of the States should do so without such action by the South ern Congress, in our opinion it will be the Juty and interest of A abama, and good faith to such seceding State or Stales require her likewise to secede, and to use all proper efforts to the formation of a Southern Confederacy. 15. fiiaiin order to render ourselves more effec tive in sustaining these views, we will separate our selves from all old federal party organizations, aud that we will cultivate the doctrine of State reliance, and oxert all the agencies in our power, political, in dustnal, commercial, social and educational, to pre pare the State for that crises which federal policy, perverted and distorted by the anti-slavery spirit has forced us to contemplate. t earing the effect of such an open avowal of their real sentiments, upon the public mind in Alabama, the Advertiser, a most zealous ad vocate of disunion, sought to soften down their effect by the following paragraph: “We have no room for comment to-day, if any were necessary. The resolutions speak plainly for themselves, so that every one can fully comprehend them. Some few of them created a division among ourselves, and therefore it would have been best not to have past them through. They are not intended however, we presume, as a platform for the Southern Rights men throughout the State, but rather as an expression of opinion by the delegates assembled here, representing the various Clubs of the State now formed. In this light, we suppose, they will be viewed; so that our friends can reject or adopt such portions of them as they may think proper, without detriment to the great cause which we all have so much at heart.” This insinuation that the preamble and reso lutions were only intended for Buncomb, and not as the platform of the party in Alabama, was quite too grave a charge for the sensitive leaders of the faction: hence the Editor was waited on with the following “ Card," from the leaders, bead men and warriors of the Con vention, which appeared in his paper the next day: A Card. The undersigned, membeis of the late Convention of Southern Rights Clubs, held in this place, were surprised to find ia an Editorial of the “Advertiser and Gazette” of to-day, the followin* language m reference to the Resolutions forming the platform adopted by that body; 6 “ ar ® no } »«te«ded, however, we presume, as a platform for the Southern Rights men throughout the State, but rather as an expression of opinion by the delegates assembles here representing the various Clabs of the State now formed. In this light, we sups »e, they will be viewed; so that our friends can reject or adopt such portions of them as they may think proper, without detriment to the great cause which we all have so much at heart.” f^ e w ? w well acquainted with the views o the Convention, and believe the “ Advertiser and Gazette is mistaken in the statement that the Re solutions of the Convention were not intended “ as a platform f or the Southern Rights man throughout the State. They were the result of much effort, distinctly to establish a Southern Rights platform for the Southern Rights men of Alabama, and were adop ed with remarkable unanimity as such. (Signad)—Thomas Williams, President S. R. C.; Adam Felder, Secretary ; J. A . Elmore, A. Perry man, A Gayle, Samuel P Rice, J. H. Campbell, T. J. Peyampert, Wm. L Yancev J J Woodward, Jefferson Noble H. W.Lafid Wm h! Anderson, and E. Harrison. ’ * Here was indeed not only a 11 surprise,” but a wide difference in the opinions ofthe leaders and their organ, as to whether the proceedings were to be regarded in a “Pickwickian sense,” or a« expressing not only the real sentiments of the Convention, but of all those who sym pathise with them in Alabama. And although the Gazette endorses tho sentiment of the re solutions, yet from prudential motives and an enlarged and grasping philanthropy, excited perhaps by the hope the better to gall the people, be has no idea of endorsing such a Procrustean platform. Hence he rejoices in the following rather tart strain, in which he very unwittingly discloses the character ofthe Convention, its composition, and how a large portion of the good people of Alabama were represented therein: “ We weie much surprised on receiving the above communication, about the lime of going to press last evening. We regret very much, of comse, that there should be a diversity of opinion as regards what were the objects of the Convention in adopting the resolu tions referred to. It is certainly very true that we did not converse with a single individual upon the paint in dispute, before we penned the article a’ludei to, but we were simple enough to take it for granted (and we should regret much if we were mistaken, though we do not say that we arc not, after this com munication signed by many of our personal and par ty friends,) that the very lew counties represented had not nndertaken to speak for the entire Southern Rights men throughout the State. But eleven coun ties were represented— out of Jifty-two in the State— many of them very partially. I caving out Montgo mery, Lowndes and Dallas, there were but twenty two delegates from the balance. (We mention these things “in sorrow.”) Surelyj then, we had some reason for our opinion, that they were not intended as a platform for the Southern Rights party through out the State. “ But if these resolutions are to be the bed of Pro crustes, and every Southern man whom it does not fit is to be stretched or lopped off, then, gentlemen, we fear that although you and we may lie down upon it, we shall have very few bod fellows. In other words, are we to discard every Southern man who will not subscribe to the platform laid down by this Conven tion? We tell you plainly, gentlemen, you may, but we shall not. Let us not be misunderstood —we do not abate one iota of our zeal and devotion to the cause of the South, So far as the principles enun ciated in the resolutions are concerned, we concur with them, and would even go further if we could ; but what we object to is, this lopping off every man who will not subscribe to this platform. We have heretofore declared our willingness to take every man by the hand who was opposed to submission and in favor of resistance. “We have frankly expressed the opinion, to which we still adhere, that we could see no effectual reme dy for evils past, present and future, short of seces sion ; but, in the spirit of the Lowndesborough reso lutions, we were willing to show some “ deference to those who admit our wrongs, but advocate a mild, er form of resistance,” and were ready, in the lan guage of that Club. “ without compromising our pre lerence for the remedy above indicated, to co-operate in any plan of non-intercouse, however stringent, having for its object the redress of Southern wronys.” Such has been oar course in the past—such shall b mr course in future, the Montgomery Convention plat form to the contrary notwithstanding.” Position or Free States.—The “ lev land Democrat ,” a very stiff free soil sheet, gives the following as the position o- twelve free states on the slavery question ; “ Iswa—For the compromise. Wisconsin—All for peace sad rescinding the res olutions passed in ’43, instructing Senator Walker to resign or vote for the proviso. Illinois—Pro slavery cut and out, and Senator Shields, elected as a free soiler, changing front. Indiana—All for the compromise, and re-election Mr. Bright U. S. Senator ! Ohio—For Gen. Cas,?/ Michigan—Servile to the lowest degree. Pennsylvania—Electing as U. S. Senator Brodl head. as rank a pro-slavery mao ns can be found. New Jersey—For the compromise in all it? parts. Connecticut—Compromise and peace. Massachusetts—Governor elected by the votes of i free soilers, and as boldly pro-slavery as can be. New Hampshire—Utterly servile. Maine —For the compromise.” This classification of tho twelve free States, by a Free Soil organ, will doubtles astonish if not interest some of those Southern readers who are accustomed to hear the whole of the Free Slates, charged with a disposition to make aggressions upon the South and her insti tutions. The fact ia, there is about as much truth in the statement of the Freesoiler as. in thitof his Southern ally, the Disunionist. Neither states facts, for the obvious reason that the promulgation of truth on this question w uld blast all hope or prospect of accom plishing this common object, the dissolution of the Union Damage to the State Road. — A rumor reached this city yesterday morning that 300 foot of tho Bridge on the Western and Atlantic rail road over the Oostenaula river, had been car ried away by the late freshet. On enquiry, however, eo indefinite were the accounts, that we were unable to determine whether it \v».s the Bridge or the trussel work at the end. that had been carried off. This mornings train wi 11 bring definite information. Telegraph to Chattanooga. —We ob serve by the Chattanooga Gazette, that ar rangements are now in progress to establish a line of Telegraph from Atlanta to that place. Exchange.—The Banks yesterday advanced the rate of Exchange on the North to £ per cent, premium. Albany, seb. 14.—The trial of the alleged robbers of the Albany Post Office has been brought to a close. Gaylord s case was given to the Jury at noon. About 4 o’clock they cai me in with a verdict of guilty. Judge Conckli ag sentenced Pemberton, who turned States’ e vi dence, to two years imprisonment; Bramhidl, who was previously convicted, eight years; and Gaylord eight years. These trials hare occupied the U. S. Court nearly three weeks, and will cost government not less than SIO,OOO. abe Marshalls and Deputy Marshalls haue been untiring in their exertions to bring abo ut this result, being satisfied of the guilt of the accused Washington, Feb. 14.—Chancellor Walwoi ah, to whom the Supreme Court referred the ques tion as to the bridge being an obstruction to the navigation ofthe Ohio River, has at length reported. He states, that, from the evideti ce taken in the case, he decides the bridge to be an obstruction, and recommends tb at it be rais sd twenty-eight feet. SITUATION WANTED. An KXCBSLLBSNT Washer and Child’s- Nurse, wishes a situation either in a Hotel or private family. Apply at this office. fe!B-2* TO HIRE, A GOOD Cook and Washer. Apply to te!B-3t JOSiAH SIBLEY. OIL-A superioi article f ln Basket *s and Barrels, just received by i* 2B WM. JH* TUTT, From the New York Herald, of Saturday. NEWS BY THE AFRICA. The British steamship Africa, Capt. Ryrie, arrival at 9 o'clock last night, with the joyful intelligence of the safety of the eteamehip Atlantic* The Africa left Liverpool at 11 o’clock A. M. on the Ist inst. Annexed ia an account of the accident to the Atlantic, from Lieut. Shuleldt, the gentlemanly first officer of the A.: ACCOUNT OF THE PASSAGE AND SAFETY OF THE STEAMSHIP ATLABTIC. R. M. Steamer Africa, Feb. 13, 1851. In order to prevent garbled itatements of the recent accident to the Atlantic from obtain ing publicity, I take the liberty of sending you a correct narrative of facts, compiled from her log, and for which I cun personally vouch. The Atlantic loft Liverpool on the 28th De cember, in fine steaming condition, and with ou tany apprehension on the part of her offi cers in regard to the voyage. It was blowing a strong gale at the time of depanure, from W. S. VV., so ranch sc as to render it im possible to land her pilot. On the 29th Dec., at 930 P. M., she passed Cape Clear, and fairly commenced her homeward passage by plunging at once into a heavy head ses, and stemming strong westerly gales, which con tinued without intermission for the time following up to the day of the accident. On the 6 h of Jan., at noon, she was in la'. 40 12, long. 41 W , it blowing string gales from VV. N. W. t At 630 P. M, the engines were stopped, as it was first supposed by the en gineers on account of the breaking of the eccentric strap to the starboard engine—and, on examination, it was determined to go ahead again, working that engine by hand ; but an other revolution of the wheels proved that the accident was of a more serious na ure — The main shaft was found broken eompler.e ly through, (in a diagonal direction,) the bear ing of the starboard pillar block, and the ad ditional turn afer the first stoppage caused one part of the shaft to lap over the other thus fracturing both pillar biecks, and render ing the engines perfectly useless. The ship was at once hove to under storm canvass, the wheels lashed, and all hands employed daring the night, and for the following day, in send ing up her square yards, and stripping her wheels of the floats—a task at once difficult and dangerous in a gale of wind, and the decks covered with ice, but fortunately accom plished without accident. On the 7th and Bth laying-to, with tbe hope of an abatement of the gale and a change of wind, as the captain and ail hands w ere extremely anxious to reach some port on our own coast. On the 9th the wind hauled to the northwest, and became quite moderate. Immediately made sail, and shaped acourse for Halifax, 897 miles distant, and New York 1,400. This weather coniin ued until meridian of the 10th, when an ob servation placed the ship ISO miles south and 70 miles west of her position at the time of the accident. A gale now sprung up again from the southwest, and it became necessary to heave the ship to ; for even with moderate weather it was evident to all that she could da nothing by the wind under canvas. At BA. M., of the 11th, a large ship passed, bound to the eastward ; but she either did not see or took no notice of our signal of distress. At 10 P. ML, after taking an accurate account of stores on board, and considering the apparent impossibility of reaching home with the ship in her disabled condition, the captain deter mined, with the assent of his officers and pas sengers, to bear up for the coast of Europe— which was accordingly done. From this time to the twenty-second day nothing of impor tance occurred. Wo had following gales and high seas, and the ship made an average dis tance of 150 miles per day, and in that inter val ran 1,400 miles. At 3 P. M. of ’he 22d she anchored in Cork harhor, which fact alone, when considering the immense size of the ship, her small spars, light canvass, and heavy machinery, is sufficient to prove her a splen did seaboat, and must add. in no small degree, to the reputation already acquired by her commander for prudence aud seamanship. In regard to the conduct of ber passengers under such trying circumstances, too much could scarcely be said. Suffice it that they bore the misfortune with becoming fortitude and cheerfulness, and testified, on leaving, her at Cork, as much sympathy as those who have a more permanent interest in the good old Atlantic. The Atlantic had on board 550 tons of freight, and a considerable quantity of specie, which the Cambria was chartered to bring over, and probably sailed ftom Cork on the 4th inst, direct for New York Before the Africa left, arrangements were making to tow the Atlantic to Liverpool, for the pur pose of being repaired. This will possibly require three months. Toe Africa brings her mails and passengers. 11. VV. Shcfeldt, Chief Officer. From the London Illustrated News, teb. 1. The Atlantic, it appears, took ber departure from Liverpool wi.h the ordinary mails, a con siderable cargo, and twenty eight passengers. After passing Cape Clear, the steamer encoun tered a continuance of severe weather, with the wind blowing hard from the west, which, it is unnecessary to say, was directly against the course in which ber port of destination liei_3 Though the wind, at intervals, rose to the vio lence of a hurricane, tbe Atlan'ic steadily pur sued her way until Monday, the 6th January, when the wind came on moderately from the northwest; and in a few hours after, the main shaft of the engine suddenly snapped, and the engines were consequently disabled. At this time the vessel was about midway between Cape Clear and New York; and. after the ne cessary precautions bad been taken to secure the machinery from any farther injury, it was determined to steer for Halifax; bat it was found, that, from the quarter from which the wind was blowing, it would be impossible to make that port, and the ship’s course was al tered for Bermuda. The vessel then proceed ed towards the above island, which course she pursued until 12ib, when the wind again came round to S. V,., and it was found useless to per severe. The efficient commander ofthe Allan tic, Captain West, then determined to steer lor a European port, and with engines so disabled as to bo totally useless with a vessel only slightly adapted for sailing purposes, he sue ceeded in navigating the Atlantic, from a dis tance of over fifteen hundred triles, in safety into the port of Queenstown. The Atlantic was deserted off the harbor at an early hour on Wednesday morning, the 22d ult; and, as she appeared to be partially disabled, two of the river steamers went out to offer their assis tance; but the offer was declined, and the ves sel entered tbe harbor a few hours after. The injury which the Atlantic baa sustained, in addition to the breaking of the shaft, is con fined to the loss of her bowsprit aud jibboom, together with much damage to the paddle wheels and boxes, those at the starboard side especially being almost completely destroyed. We regret to state, also that one ofthe fire men bad his leg fractured by a portion of the broken machinery. The passengers have requested the insertion es the following Off Cork, Jan. 22, JB5l. At a meeting of tbe passengers, held on board the United States mail steamer Atlantic, Mr. James S. Wadsworth, of New York, being coded to the chair, and J. H. Pottinger, of Maryland, appointed Secre tary ; Messrs. Benjamin, of New York; Reese, of Pennsylvania, and Lawrence, of Mass., wars appoint ed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, in view of the circumstances which have compelled the vessel to return; Resolved, That we feel it due to Captain West to acknowledge our gratitude to him for his unwearied care and devotion to his duty, under circumstances of great responsibility, (he having been deprived in a great measure of the valuable and efficient service of bis first officer, Mr. Shufeldt, by temporary illness) in bringing the ship safely into port, as well as for tbe great attention and courtesy with which he labored to promote the happiness and comfort of those under his care. Resolved, Thai we feel it likewise due to the pro prietors of the ship to bear testimony to the great - .
