The Southern sentinel. (Columbus, Ga.) 1850-18??, June 27, 1850, Image 2
SOUTHERN SENTINEL.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA:
THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 27,1850.
Our Book Table.
Harters’ New Monthly Magazine. —We have
received the first number of this new Monthly, and at
first sight pronounce it tiie monthly of America.— j
The exhaustless resources of the Publishers, their in
domitable energy and fine taste, ensure for their mag- (
azine a success unequaled by any similar publication j
in the Country. The plan of the periodical is to ’
“transfer to its pages, as rapidly as they may be issu
ed, the continuous tales of Dickens, Bulwer, Croley. I
Lever, Warren and other dirtinguished contributors
to British Periodicals: articles of commanding inter
est from all the leading quarterly Reviews of both
Great Britain and the U. States: critical notices of
the publications of the day. &c., Ac. The number be- :
fore us contains 144 pages of double olumn, closely ‘
printed reading matter. Published, at S3 per annum,
decidedly the cheapest publication in America.
Tiie School Fellow. — The June No. of this ;
pleasing little monthly is on our table. We hope it
meets with a liberal patronage among the young folks
o'otfo. munity. It is decidedly the 1 est er olical
for school children that we know any thing ot", and
wc cheerfully recommend it to the attention ofparents j
and teachers.
The Glorious Fourth.— We are pleased to see
tl at extensive arrangements are being made for cele- 1
Latin’ the approaching anniversaiy of our national
independence. We h< p.• the day will never eotne win n
the fourth of July will be as other days. From an
advertisement in another place it will be seen that “the
Sons” will make a demonstration on that day. lion.
James K. Bf.lser will deliver an address, and after
wards, a magnificent, old fashioned, barbecue will be
spread in the shady grove of the Baptist Church lot. 1
The military will celebrate the day as usual.
We see it stated in the last number of the Ameri- ;
can Farmer, published in Baltimore, that Mr. Ed- j
mund Ruffin the well known writer on Calearious
Manures will be a contributor to that paper during ,
the ensuing year. Those of our planters who wish to S
avail themselves of the views and experience of Mr.
Ruffin will do well to become subscribers to the Far- |
rnor. The subscription for a year is SI,OO. Anew!
volume, will begin with July.
ColumbM.s Feniale Academy.
We are requested to give notice that the Ex- |
animation of the Columbus Female Academy
will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the j
2d and 3d of July.
Washington House.—AVe invite the atten- !
tion of the public to the advertisement of this |
establishment, which will be found in another |
column. W e arc informed by those who are j
acquainted with the Houso, that there are none
in the Northern cities, affording superior ac- j
commodatians.
To Planters.—Don't forget to attend the
Agricultural meeting at the Society’s Room,
next Saturday morning.
New ‘Music. —Prof. Chas. Reps has laid on our
table a piece of music called the “ Bombardment
of Vera Cruz,” composed by //. Bernrcuter, and
dedicated to Cast. John E. Davis, of our city,
and arranged for the Pianoforte by Charles Reps• j
The Address. i
We publish to-day the address to the Southern |
people, which was adopted at the Nashville Couven- j
tion. It will require no invitation on our part, to sc- j
cure a careful perusal of this paper. Though all that
has been said in disparagement of the authority of the
Southern Convention be true, the character of those
by whouj this address was drawn up, entitles it to the
respectful consideration of tho Southern people. It
is tho result of an honest examination into the rela- i
tions which the different sections of the Union sustain ;
to each other, and the truths which it embraces arc j
equally interesting, whether they were prepared in or j
out of the Convention. We will not now argue with
its enemies, the question of the authority of this Con- j
vention, to represent the people of the South; we j
will indeed admit, for the sake of the argument, that j
the members of that body are alone pledged to, and j
alone responsible for, the result of its deliberations, i
Suppose ninety gentlemen of eminent abilities, and :
known to the world as men of influence and character, !
of their own mere motion, and without any authority j
from the people, should convene from different parts
of the South, to confer about our common danger, and
to devise some mode of deliverance from the evils
which threaten us. Their action would carry with it
none of the obligations of law, but who doubts that it
would make an impression upon the public mind, j
vastly exceeding in consequence, the iufluenec which j
would be accorded to the suggestions of any one indi- j
vidual? Such men composed the Nashville Conven
tion ; men of mature minds, men of character, men
of determination, and men of influeneo. They have :
for nine days deliberated in a manner, that for dignity, j
calmness and dispassionate reflection, might serve as
a lesson to the two houses of out national Legislature.
They referred this agitating subject to a committee, |
which eould not have been iqore ably constituted in the
United States Senate, and that committee has report- ‘
ed the address which we publish to day. This ad
dress will be more generally read than any other pa
per which has ever appeared on the all absorbing
questions of Southern Rights. It will make a deep
er impression upon the public mind, and, unauthori
tative though it be, will more directly give tone to
public sentiment than any document which has been j
written on the subject. Nor will its influences stop
there. It will modify the legislation of the country. !
The leaders at Washington have anxiously watched j
the Southern movement at Nashville. They have
stood still until its result was known, and they will
now set to work, the friends of the South encouraged
to greater exertion in her behalf, and her enemies,
dispirited by the unmistakable evidences which that
Convention afio. dq that th j Southern people yet “know
their” rights, and knowing, dare maintain.”
Mr. Toombs, of Georgia, in replying to Mr.
Echenck, denied that the opposition of the South
to the admission of California was based on the
ground that she has excluded slavery. No man
from the South held such doctrine. During the
last session the present Secretary of the Navy
introduced a bill to admit California as a State.
The Wilmot Proviso was offered, and the North
voted to attach it to a bill of Ins friend from Illi
nois, and others on the Democratic side were
overborne by Northern votes. In his judgement,
the right asked for, involving as it does political
equality, is worth a thousand such Unions as
we have, even if they were a thousand times
more valuable than this. Deprive us of this
right, he said ; appropriate this common prop
erty to yourselves it is then vour government, not
mine. Then lam its enemy, and lam willing,
if I can to bring up my children, and my constit
uents to the altar of liberty, and, like Ilamilcar,
1 would swear them to eternal hostility to your
foul denunciation. Give us our just rights, and
we are ever ready as heretofore, to stand by the
Union every part of it and its every interest.—
Refuse it, and I for One will strike for independ
ence [Several gentlemen cried: “Good! ”
“good!”]
We will run the risk of having again to back
out from our praises of Mr. Toombs, senti
ments contained in the foregoing synopsis of a
speech recently delivered by this gentleman in
Congress, arc such as will meet \v ith a cordial
enchore from a Southern Constituency. Give
us our rights or give the Union to the degs. Call
us traitor if .you please, or call us disunionist,
but Heaven save us from the disgrace of a das
tirdly abandonment of our honor.
The Weather —An unusually wet spring, has been
succeeded thus far, with an unusually dry summer.
The corn crops of the country are suffering considera
bly for the want of rain, and unless we have a shower
soon, that crop must be seriously cut off.
Significant Vote.— ln the Senate,on the 1 9th
inst., the question was on the adoption of Mr.
Davis’ (of Miss.) amendment to the Compro
mise Bill, which was in these words:
“And that all laws or parts of laws, usages, or
! customs pre-existing in the Territories acquired
by the United States from Mexico, and which
I iti said territories restrict, abridge, or obstruct the.
full enjoyment of any right of person or prop
erty of a citizen of the United States, as recog
nised or guarantied by the Constitution or laws
of the United States, are hereby declared, and
shall be held as repealed.”
Mr. Ilale had moved to add thereto the fol
lowing :
“Provided that the laws abolishing slavery in
j said Territory are excepted from this repealing
; clause.”
The question was taken on the amendment of
Mr. Hale, audit was rejected.
The question was then taken on the amend.
| ment of Mr. Davis, and it was rejected by the
! following vote :
YEAS.—Messrs. Atchinson, Bell, Berrien’
Butler, Clemens, Davis ofMississippi, Dawson,
Foote, Houston, Hunter, King, Mason, Morton,
Pearce, Rusk, Sebastian, Soule, and Yulee—lß.
NAYS.—Messrs. Badger, Baldwin, Benton,
Bright, Cass, Clarke, Clay, Cooper, Corwin,
Davis of Massachusetts, Dayton, Dodge of Wis
consin, Dodge of lowa, Felch, Greene, Hamlin,
Jones, Miller, Noris, Phelps, Pratt, Shields,
Smith, Spruance, Surgeon, Underwood, Up
ham, Walker, and Whitcomb. —29.
Now what was Mr Davis’ amendment? Why
nothing more than this, that if there was any
thing in the existing laws of Mexico in force in
the newly acquired territories, which interferred
with the rights of person or property of Ameri
can citizens, it should be repealed, and yet the
American Senate rejected the amendment.—
Among those voting in the negative; we find the
names of Messrs. Badger, Benton, Clay and Un
derwood, from the South. This vote is tanta
mount to the passage of the Wilmot Proviso.
The anti-slavery laws of Mexico are held to re
main in force in California. These laws inter
fere with the rights of property in slaves. They
can only remain in force by the sufferance of the
U. S. Government, and when that Government
is asked to repeal them, it refuses to do so.
What is this but re-enacting it ? Such a vote is
singularly inconsistent in those who uphold th e
doctrine of non-intervention, which is, that this
question of slavery shall be left to the exclusive
decision of the people of tiie territories. In
what sense can the people of the territories be
said to settle it, when it is held that the Mexican
laws positively exclude it, and Congress refuses
to remove the restriction. And yet we find the
name of Gen. Cass, among those who voted in
the negative. “Save us from our friends.”
The “Southern Press.’’
We have received the first numbers of the
new Southern Organ at Washington. It makes
its appearance under the Editorial auspices of
Mr. Ell wood Fisher, and Mr. Edwin de Leon,
both of whom are able writers and true as steel
to the South. It is published daily, triweekly
and weekly, at $lO, $5 $2.
The Editors “have the pleasure of announcing
to our friends on its commencement the success
of our undertaking. The subscriptions already
so promply received, with those we learn alrea
dy on their way, are enough to gurantee the
support of this paper. And from the spirit man
ifested in the districts already heard from, we
look with confidence to a prtronage unsurpassed
by any other. To accoinphish the desire of our
friends, we have urged the appearance of the
first number before an adequate preparation of
materials, and hence they must excuse the de
fects of matter and execution visible in it. But
we are determined to render it in every respect
a paper of the first class, as to news, debates, and
correspondence—and agricultural, commercial,
scientific, and literary subjects.
We shall have the aid of many of the ablest
pens of the country in communications, and our
large subscription list-will we trust, invite and re
ward an ample share of advertising-favors.”
The Girard and Mobile Kail Road.
We have been shown a letter from the inde
fatigable chief of this enterprise, Maj. Robert S.
Hardaway, who is at present, in company with
an efficient corps of engineers, locating the road.
The Maj. speaks in cheering terms of the pros
pects of success. Capt. Abercrombie, who has
recently been at Washington City, entertains no
doubt of obtaining a grant of the public lands on
the route, from the government, and Mr. Eger
ton, one of the Directors, resident in the city of
N. 0., speaks confidently of a cash subscrip
tion of a half million of dollars in that city.—
With the aid which may be safely reckoned on
from these sources, we think we may reasonably
predict the speedy accomplishment of this mam
moth enterprise. The promptness and activity
of the board of direction, entitle the gentlemen
composing it, to the thanks and substantial coop
eration of those interested in the work.
Since writing the above we find the following
in the proceedings of the United States Senate
of the 20th inst—
SELMA AND TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD.
Mr. KING moved, and the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of the bill granting to the
State of Alabama the right of way and a donation
of public lands for making a railroad from Selma
to the Tennessee river.
The bill was amended to conform to the other
similar bills, and was then read a third time and
passed.
We presume that the amendments alluded to
arc such as include the contemplated grant of
Lands to the above mentioned Road.
The National Washington Monument.
It lias been suggested by those who have this
work in charge that it would be well to take up
collections for this purpose, at the coming 4th of
July Celebrations throughout the country. We
think the suggestion a good one, and hope that
it will be acted on in this city. The object is to
enlist every body, to give every one an opportu
nity to contribute to the completion of a work
which shall at the same time be a monument to
the memory of Washington, and to the public
spirit ot his fellow countrymen. A contribution
of even 25 cents from all who participate in the
celebrations of our national jubilee, will raise an
amount that will go far towards the completion
of the work. We hope therefore that arrange
ments will be made from this object at the ap
proaching celebration, and that every man, wo
man and child will come up, prepared to give
something.
The Affray at Memphis.
The Memphis Eagle of the 10th inst. gives the
following particulars of the bloody affray wiiich
: occurred in the streets of that city.
On last Saturday morning, at about 11 o’clock,
our city was startled by the report that an affray
had'occurred in the neighborhood of Exchange
Buildings, in which Mr. Alansen Trigg had been
killed and Majors Connell and Gains severely !
wounded. On flocking to the scene, hundreds
of our citizens met melancholly attestation to
the truth of the report, in the sight of the corpse i
of Alanson Trigg and the prostrate formsofGen.
Coe and Majors Gains and Connell. The ac
counts of the affair are somewhat confused, but
we will give them with as much precisions as
possible: On Friday evening Gen. Coe receiv
ed a note of an extraordinary character, signed
by E. W. M. King, (late Judge of the Commer
cial and Criminal Court) and by Alanson Trigg.
The note declared that its signers had heretofore
had no unkindly feelings for Gen. Coe, but that
if, for the gratification of personal malice against
’ Dr. Fowlkes, he opposed the taking of the books,
Eapers and assets ofthe Farmers’ and Merchants’
ank out of the hands of Receiver Owens, they
should take such an action on his part, in his
professional character as an attorney, as an in
terference in their private and personal matters,
and would notice it as such, although they had
previously forborne. They further stated that
it was a matter of vital importance to themselves
and families that the assets ofthe bank, its pa
pers, etc., should pass from the hands of Receiv
er Owens. This note Gen. Coe constructed,
| (very correctly, we think) into a threat of per
| sonal violence. But, on Saturday morning he
; proceeded to Court, and unhesitatingly opposed
the motion to move the present Receiver, and
place the affairs of the bank under the con
trol of Dr. Jeptha Fowlkes and others. The
hearing of argument upon the motion was con
j tinued to another day. In the meantime the re
! port of Receiver Owen and an affidavit of Major
I Connell, making new developments in reference
; to the extraordinary manner in which tiiis bank
! rupt institution had been managed, were filled.
| Gen. Coe then exhibited tho note of King and
! Trigg to Judge Turley and several friends; ex
pressed his conviction that an attempt to assas
i sinate him would be made ; placed the note in
| the hands of E. M. Yeager, Esq., and accompan
i ied by Major Connell, left the courtroom.
! When they reached the corner of Main and
Monroe street, five persons, Trigg, Gains, Ar
rington, (Trigg’s overseer.) Tompkins and Joe
Williams appeared, and Trigg immediately ad
vanced and assaulted Connell. Seeing that the
others also advanced, Gen. Coe concluded that
the assault threatened him had commenced,
drew a pistol and shot Trigg, killing him instant
ly. Whether or not Trigg had fired previously,
is a disputed point; a discharged pistol belong
ing to him was tound in the street afterwards.
Gaines, Tompkins, Joe Williams and Arrington,
in the meantime, were rapidly advancing upon
Coe and Connell. Gaines closed with Connell,
whom he shot through the flesh ofthe hip, and
from whom he received six or seven bowie-knife
thrusts, some of which are severe, but not dan
gerous. Tompkins, Williams and Arrington
closed in towards Gen. Coe, from different di
rections, and with a wariness that showed they
were determined to take his life. By this time
Gen. Coe had fired three shots, when on attempt
ing to draw a Colt’s repeater, he found that it
had slipped down into the lining ofhis eoat. He
then retreated, Joe Williams following up, and
Arrington and Tompkins going off to a grocery
to renew their weapons. As Gen. Coe opened
the door and entered the house, Joe Williams
stepped up to the door, placed the muzzle of his
pistol immediately against his back and shot
him, the hall ranging across the spine—a terri
ble, but we yet hope, not fatal wound.
Thirty-Six Thirty—The Great Principle of
the Nashville Convention.—The annexed table
will be interesting to those who have not looked at
tho great national question through the medium of
plain facts. At the North, we have more than a
million of square miles more of territory, above the
line of 36 30, than the South. That fact is worth re
membering, when we are invited to adopt abolitionist
and cabinet theories :
Total surface of old territory, east of the
Rocky Mountains, in square miles— . 904,435
Total in acres 636,433,400
Total of new territory west of the Rocky
Mountains, in square miles 867,741
Total in acres 555,226.240
Texas in square miles 325,520
In acres. 208,332,800
Grand total of territories and Texas, in
square miles... 2,187,490
Grand total in acres 1,399,997,440
Total north of 36 deg. 30 min. in square
miles 1.642,781
In acres 1,051,381,760
Total south of 36 deg. 30 min. in square
miles 515,712
In acres 348,615,680
Length of U. S. Sea Coast.
Atlantic Coast miles 1,900
Gulf Coast.... 1.600
Pacific Coast 1,620
Total 5,120
Total length of “shore line” 38,063
As must have been seen, the Nashville Conven
tion has very conclusively shown that the great prin
ciple for which the Southern States mean to contend,
is the running out to the Pacific the line of 36 30.
Already, the promulgation of this demand, as the one
upon which the South will concentrate its whole
strength, has been effectual in proving the earnest
ness of the South upon the great points at issue. No
political juggle has concocted the principle. It ema
nate? from the souls of Southern freemen, and its op
eration upon the political character of the nation
must be sensibly felt. We perceive that, thus early,
it has had its effect upon Congress, now attaching
vast importance to the movement going on in the
Southern States, and which will be encouraged by
liberal and enlightened minds in the Northern States.
There is something eminently practical in 36 30. It
is easily understood. No theory palsies it. The
commercial men, of which class the mass of the pop
ulation are formed, understand figures, and they pre
fer to use them on a great national question, rather
than to have the country distracted, at some future
day, by the involved, and possibly impracticable,
schemes founded in mere theory.
Besides, all the sensible men of the North coincide
with all the South, in the belief that the Southern
States are entitled to some advantage, in behalf of
their institutions, from the soil derived, by hard fight
ing, from Mexico, and which was acquired by the
loss of many of tho most valuable lives and the blood
of the South. It is so palpable a fact, that no man
imbued with a spirit of justice, can deny that the
South are constitutionally, as well as geographically,
entitled to maintain their institutions by the exercise
ofthe popular will. Let that will concentrate upon a
great principle—such as this Missouri line extended
—and the results now beginning to be foreshadowed
and felt at Washington, and in other parts of the
country, will have a masterly and decisive termina
tion. The intelligent politician will perceive that this
principle once fully settled down upon by the South,
will gathqr strength from its popularity in every quar
ter, not less from its own merits than from the great
revolution that must take place among the political
parties of the country.
The inactive party of the United States forms the
majority of the people. It was this party that placed
General Taylor in the Presidential chair; and let it
once find a nucleus, such as the great principle of
the Nashville Convention establishes and there will be
an end to old party distinctions. The people will ral
ly for justice, and will decide the slavery question, as
their votes would decide it today, by giving the South
that fair answer to its reasonable demands, to which
it is entitled by equity and constitutional law.
It is very evident that, from the mixture of person
al ambition with the intrigues of the cabinet, Congress
will be unable to accomplish anything during the pre6-
j ent session. *lt will separate. The Nashville Con
-1 vention will form anew and very powerful party —
; now only a sensible minority, according to political
reckoning—and the great event will be justice to the
South, and the harmony of the confederacy.
[N. Y. Herald.
The Rochester Knockings.—We published last
week from the pen of N. P. Willis, an account of a
visit whieb he had recently made to the supernatural
knockere of New York. Below will be found the
comments of the Herald, on Mr. Willis’ specula
tions :
“The Rochester Knockings and the Savans.—lt
1 is lamentable to read the nonsensical accounts which
are daily paraded in the newspapers, in reference to
’ the females 1 ’ get up “these kneelings,” and 'ho
have caused some degree of excitement among the
ignoramuses and old women of the town. Yet it is
pardonable, in many of those presses whose conduc
tors are often at their wit's end for original material
for an article, or even a paragraph for their paper.
But what excuse can be offered for the conduct of a |
dozen of loading names, who claim for themselves to j
be the great men of the day, in poetry, imagination, i
physic, science, statesmanship, religion, oratory, clas- i
sieal piety—great historians and extraordinary ro
mance writers —men who have been told how great
they are in their respective professions, and have re
peated it themselves so often that, like extraordinary
liars, they now actually believe their own imaginary
statements ?
From accounts written by some of the immortal
twelve, we find that they met at Mr. Griswold’s to
examine these women, and make a report to the more
ignorant part of the world. The women very proper
ly refused to show off for Willis or any of the small
fry of the party. They conversed with Marey, Fran
i eis, Ilawka, Tuckerman and Cooper. Will it be be
| lieved that these dozen simpletons became converts,
I endorsed these impostors, and blasphemously pro
nounce that these Fish women held converse with
the spirits of the depsrted ? There is not a dozen of
the Herald newsboys, who, if they had occupied the
seats of these learned humbugs, that would not have
opened their eyes with astonishment at the verdancy
of the Fishes to try such a simple “do” on them, and
would have shouted, “Go it. ventriloquism,” before
the kuocking.s had lasted five minutes, and would
then have directed their whole attention to ascertain
who was the ventriloquist—whether the widow Fish,
the two young Fishes, or the man at the door. We
are astounded at the gullibility of this community.
We believe these females get a dollar for every visi
ter, and yet for two shillings our citizens can, go and
sec an open ami professed ventriloquist, who will
make more unearthly noises, imitate knockings, bell
ringing, cork drawing, pigs squealing, and do a hun
dred other things more wonderful than the ventrilo
quists of the Rochester knockings, who have so suc
cessfully and ludicrously humbugged these twelve
great philosophers.
“Willis says, “there is no end of the speculation on
the subject.” Did this nincompoop poet ever visit
the extraordinary magical performances we some
times have had in this city, such as Arien, Signor
Blitz, and dozens of others, at two shillings a ticket ?
Could he explain or account for one-tentli part of
these exhibitions, or do more than “speculate” about
them ? No. Yet every boy in the room, as well as
Willis, knew that it was all deception and trick. So
are the “Rochester knockings,” which are .not near
as astonishing as some of these Museum magical
performances ; and the latter have just as much con
nection with the spiritual world, as these “knockings.”
These blasphemous knockings, which they pretend
are caused by the Deity, should be pqtan end to, the
parties arrested, and sent to the lunatic asylum. No
respectable person, we trust, will countenance what
is a rank insult to God.
The whole wretched contrivance will explode be
fore long, and, meanwhile, we caution people how
they are gulled out of their money by the Rochester
humbugs.
[YANKEE COIUIESION’DENCE.]
Boston, June 16, 1850.
The Weather—Professor Webster—Temperance
Celebration—Bunker Hill Anniversary—Roches
ter Ladies and their Spirits — Mr. Paine's Hy
dro-Electric Discovery.
It is believed that summer lias come to Massachu
setts. The first swallow has been seen—that is, the
man with the white pantaloons has made his appear
ance in Washington street! A bunch of cherries
has also been witnessed in Fanucil Market. Salvitur
acris hiems grata vice veris et Favoni —as Horace
says—that is to say, “The severe weather is done
away with by the pleasant chance of Summer and the
Western breezes”—and the suburban residences and
the sea-side hotels arc announcing themselves in ad
vertisements and beginning to look fresh in their an
nual coats of paint. The fruit crops of New York
promise a fine harvest, but those of our State are not
in such a flattering condition. The long continuance
of the wet weather here, and the easterly winds have
greatly quenched and blown about the pollen and
“embryon atoms” of the gardens, and the horticultu
rists have ceased to hope for the best. The plum
crop will be short; the cherries about half a crop.
Peaches and pears have suffered a good deal. But
the apples and other hardy crops, which have bloom
ed late, will come on more favorably.
Since my last, application has been made to the
Supreme Court for the issue of a Writ of Error, in
the ease of Professor Webster. Mr. C. B. Good
rich argued the ease for the prisoner, basing the ap
plication on alledged errors in the proceedings already
had—such as, that the records and action of the low
er courts were not sufficiently explicit in terms, nor
properly authenticated by the judicial seal; and al
so, that the final sentence passed upon the prisoner
by the Supremo Court was legally ineffective by rea
son of similar deficiencies. The hearing was before
fivd Justices—a full Bench. Mr. Beinis replied for
the Commonwealth, and the judges said they would
take some time to consider the matter. An affidavit
of J. W. Webster, stating his belief that the errors
are of importance, was attached to the petition for
the Writ. In a week, I suppose, the decision of the
judges will be given. The unfortunate prisoner lias
for the last few days seemed to realize his dreadful
position more than he was iri the habit of doing. He
had kept up liis spirits pretty well, and was in the
habit of reading the Bible and marking all those ver
ses that had reference to false testimony, and the in
fliction of wrong, &c. His wife and daughters were
permitted to sec him, twice a week. They, it is sta
ted, have the most implicit belief in the Professor’s
innocence. Latterly, he has been more gloomy.
Ilis counsel have, doubtless, been endeavoring to pre
pare his mind for an unfavorable termination to the
petition. I think the Professor must undergo his
sentence.
We had a great Gala day in Boston, a few days
ago. It was a Temperance celebration, at which,
about 4,000 persons attended and marched in pro
cession through the principal streets. The affair
comprised delegations from the other States of New
England, from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylva
nia, and the British Provinces. Our own Temper
ance Societies turned out in a very imposing way.
The day was pretty fair. The Pluvian Jupiter driz
zled a little at first, but it was considered to he in sym
pathy with the cold water celebrants. The different
delegations and societies had banners, and wore scarfs
and rosettes, and marched to the sound of fifes, sym
bals, and the roll of predominating drums. The Com
mon, State House, and Public Garden, looked very
green and very gay, and the two costive little foun
tains in front of the State House, that on the Common
and the other in the Garden, “shook their loosening
silver in the sun” vjry freshly and creditably. Mr.
White, editor of the Washingtonian, a temperance
journal, was the Grand Marshal of the day. By the
same token, he rode a gallant charger, which was ac
customed tb the hand and spur of generals and colo
nels, and the animal ran away with him. The quad
ruped, apparently, was not accustomed to earn’ an ed
itor, and didn’t like the affair! But, of course, I
can’t speak positively on that head. Sir. White was
brought up against an Irish appletvoman, but she
was brought down. She was more frightened than
hurt, however; the same may be said of the Grand
Marshal.
We are to have another celebration on Monday,
the 17th. This will be the anniversary of the battle
of Bunker Hill, and the jubilee will take place in
Charlestown, around the granite monument that
keeps the memory of 1775. There will be inarching
and music, and tho flying of flags, and the discharg
ing of cannons, and the speaking of an oration, and
minor speeches, and a banquet and an ode. There
will be a devil of a hot sun, too,.and the idea of the
whole affair is enough to put one in a p r r: piration be
forehand
The Rochester ladies are doing a pretty good busi
ness in New York. A great many believe in them
and their familiar spirits, but many go away in a
strong state of infidelity. It is the most amusing
thing in the world, to see plain, good natured, credu
lous people, men and women, going into the presence
•of Mrs. Fox and her three daughters, at Barmnn’s
Hotel in New York, with their sheets of paper in
their hands containing the questions they arc prepar
ed to put to the spirits concerning some dear or dead
friends ! One irreverent and unbelieving fejlow went
with a companion last week. He says that ongoing
in with several others, he saw the three ladies sitting
very close together on a sofa ; an oval table covered
with an overhanging cloth was between them and the
company. The spirits were to communicate by
knocks ; knocks expressed affirmatives. In the be
ginning. knocks were heard just under the table, in
reply to some question. But one sharp fellow put
his head under the mahogany to make his observa
tions, and the spirits showed tlieir sense of his indeli
cate behavior, by refusing to knock any more! This
man disgusted them, lie was every minute thrusting
his head under the table, till the people who *had
paid their money to hear the knocks, insisted he
should behave himself. The spirits were offended.
Then they were asked if they would speak any more.
Knocks. The sharp gentleman was to be favored.
! He therefore put liis questions in the shape of alter
natives ; that is, he would ask if his friend had died
at Boston, Baltimore, New York, or Washington ; ‘a
| knock would come after the name of someone of
i these places, but in this way the sharp gentleman
I (bund that the ghosts were bad guessers. Anybody
’ else would have done the business as correctly. He
i was unsatisfied. One of the three daughters is a
; married lady. She seemed to control the two others,
and now informed the sharp gent, to console him,
; that she had several guardian spirits present— four,
she said. She then asked if there was anybody by,
who had lost a friend at sea. A person said yes, and
on putting questions to the spirit concerning the de
ceased, could make nothing of the replies. Then the
married lady, to cheer the questioner, asked the spir
it if it would not communicate with the applicant
when lie came again, and the spirit knocked off a
‘“yes” in a very pleasant manner. •
The man who dived under the table, now requested
the three ladies to go to the door of a closet; they
did, and ho heard knoc king within. He went in and
heard it still. lie said he heard them press against
| the door, and requested them to stand away from it.
! They did, and lie then said the pulsations were on
the floor. Then the ladies disappeared and left the
company to their amazement 1 The narrator of this,
says the married sister looks like one who would car
ry on a trick of the kind ; the two-younger girls are
simple, good looking country girls. They seemed
| greatly under the control of the elder, and when the
I sharp gent was cross-examining them, just before
i they vamosed, they could not keep their countenan
i ecs, but looked like children in the secret of some
| thing which was on the point of being found out!
j There are two young men present, on these occasions,
jas auxiliaries of the ladies and of the spirits. They
j used to conic in with explanatians, at any pinch—
j such as, the spirits arc offended ; if the questioner
is disrespectful, they don't reply, Ae.
I believe the whole to- be a ridiculous humbug. It
is certainly an Immoral spectacle to see a mother
| and three daughters going about with a falsehood
j concealed under their petticoats, and obtaining money
under false pretences. The whole business is what
I should call a thumping fallacy. The sisters have
got some machinery for producing these noises under
their dresses. Do you know, Mr. Sentinel, (but don't
mention it, for your life,) there are three of us who
mean to pounce upon the secret, if the ladies come
here. Vie will pounce upon it; we will turn the
matter topsey-turvey! We have liquored upon it,
and it will be done, I tell you ! If there’s virtue in
cock-tails , we shall find out the puzzle!
Mr. Paine’s great invention for producing fire from
water, is discussed in the newspapers very generally.
Some men of science are startled, and do not believe
it possible to do what Mr. Paine promises. But men
of science make wonderful mistakes. Dr. Lardner,
who knew the steam-engine by heart, said it was
foolish to expect to sec a ship carried across the At
lantic by steam ! He stated before the British Asso
ciation at Bristol, that it could not be done ! In less
than a week, the Sirinc had raced across and been
j greeted by the acclamations of the citizens of New
j York ! Sir Humphrey Dony proved the impossibil
ity of lighting towns with gas ! Hydrogen and oxy
: gen, the components of water, are fiery particles.
| Hydrogen gas is combustible, and oxygen gas sup
i ports combustion. This was long known ; there is
j nothing extraordinary now in the fact that flame
should be created from them. In fact, Mr. Paine has
‘< made the flame, from them. In reply to the doubt
j fill, he goes and does the thing ! The question now
j is—is the discovery sufficiently available, on a large
scale ? We know Mr. Paine can read by his own
water-flame and boil his kettle with the same ; but
can his apparatus furnish a steamship with fuel—a
city with light ? Wc shall see. A negotiation is
now on foot between several influential parties in
New York and Mr. Paine, for the purchase of his
plan. Mr. Paine shall bring his machine to New
York and produce, at a merely nominal expense, gas
j enough to light the Astor House for six successive
l nights. The parties are to deposit SIOO,OOO, with
John C. Pedriek, of Boston, who has been Mr.
Paine’s assistant for the last two years, to be paid over
to Mr. Paine, should the experiment on that scale be
successful. Mr. Paine fixes the value of the patent
for the United States at ten millions ! An enormous
sum ! But if the thing shall be successful, the change
it will make in the world will be a thousand times
more enormous ! I should be struck with incredulity
in this matter, if I did not know that a fact of science
i lives indestructibly, and declares that water is onlv
j hydrogen gas and oxygen gas combined. Now, sup
! pose Mr. Paine’s machinery is imperfect. The thing
| will still be done ; somebody else will hit upon the
! machinery, electric or otherwise, which shall resolve
j hydrogen and oxygen into sufficient flame ; not into
j flame, for that’s already done—but into sufficient
i flame to light cities and make steam in ships. Mr.
| Paine may bungle his business, (though there is not
the least sign of this, yet,) but chemistry is close upon
\ the track of an •invention which must be had, and
j which will change the social history of the world,
j In less than a month Mr. Paine's experiment at the
Astor House will be made.
Anew banking house is about to be established
here to transact the exchange business of the London
Baring’s. The firm is to be Gilmore, Blake, and
Ward. Mr. “Ward is a son of Mr. Ward, the Boston
Agent of the Barings. The new company will begin
operations somewhere about September, with $250,-
000. This company will act in another capacity—
that of an agency for the sale of English rails, and
the general equipment of railings. There is the op
eration of the free trade principle in this. The impor
tation of foreign iron will still further injure the de
pressed iron manufacturers of thiq country. The
above company may be called an English one.
Judge Bullock, of Louisville, has decided to grant
a divoree between our fellow citizen, Mr. T. B. Law
rence and his wife. Mr. L. will publish a pamphlet,
in a short time, to confute the representations of his
wife’s friends.
YANKEE DOODLE.
[correspondence of the southern sentinel.]
Eatonton, June 18th, ISSO.
My dear C : The dull monotony of our town has
been disturbed for a few days past by the interesting
exercises which have attended the examination of the
pupils of the female school. This institution is, as
you know, under the superintendence of our friend B.
and is in a flourishing condition. On Thursday last
the examination commenced, and the exercises were
more than satisfactory to the large number of specta
tors who had collected to witness them. On Thurs
day night the senior class read fine compositions, dis
tinguished for the classic elegance and purity of their
style, and the elevated moral sentiment which perva- I
ded them. One fair hand swept the poetic lyre wth
an ease and ability which would had done honor to one I
longer familiar with the muses.
On Friday, the recitations of the pupils were con
tinued before a highly pleased and attentive audience.
Music was interspersed through the various exercises
on Thursday, and Friday in order to prevent seholas- j
tic recitation from cloying-, and to give us a sweet
foretaste of the concert we were to have on Fridav
night. At last, Friday night came, and the house
was crowded to feast the ear with the delicious con
cord of sweet sounds. There was the father whose
heart palpitated with delight at the progress of liis
daughter. There was the mother whose eager gaze
bent upon her child showed the interest which a
mother’s heart alone can feel in the object around
which it most closely twines the tendrils of its affec
tions. There stood the lover whose thundering
rounds of applause at the close of some particular per
formance of music pointed out who was his dulcinea.
| There was the beauty fully blown, and there the rose
: just in its tender bud. Altogether, my dear C., the
scene was sueli as to awaken strange, though not new,
i emotions in the heart of your bachelor friend. Mr. B.
you know, is au fait in music, and liis pupils are so
: likewise. The concert pleased all.
There is one suggestion I would respectfully make
however in reference to the nature of some of the
pieces which were played on Friday night. It seem
ed to me there were too many on the higglety-pigglety
j iggle-rigglety order of music. Wc had too many
waltzes, quicksteps Ac., and too few songs. Now,
my dear C. I am no connoisseur in music, and am not
I entitled to speak cx cathedra on this subject. Yet I
know what pleases the popular ear and what docs not.
Your modern music, it seems to me, has too much art
or science or something about it, that destroys the
charm. lam not singular in my opinion in this res
pect. Nine tenths of a popular auditory will agree
with me. Wc who have not formed a taste for sci
entific music, or art music or whatever else you may
| please to call it, cannot be pleased with your higlifer
j lootin waltzes and quicksteps when our cars have been
j greeted from our cradles upward with such
j songs as “Old Hundred,” “Auld Lang Syne” Ac.
pieces which can never lose their interest hswever
much they are called old when you desire them play
ed upon the piano. It seems to me that in our day
music, poetry and painting are governed too much
by rule. There is too much art and too little soul in
each of these three things. The rules for the con
struction of each have bec-n reduced to such precise
ness that any jobler can take his square and compass
es and execute a poem, painting or piece of music with
as much ease as a jack-leg carpenter can make a
j bench or a table : not because either has any creative
1 faculty, but simply because there have been so many
i poems and benches made before his and the rules for
j constructing them have been reduced to so much
j plainness and exactness that even a fool cannot possi
| bly err with liis form book before him. The po
ets of Queen Anne's time—Pope especially—made
poetry a mechanical business. The poems of that
period had the form but not the soul of poetry. The
genius of a Byron, burst the shackles which had been
thrown around the poets of his age, and breathed” the
essence of a living soul into the dead mass of Fnglish
versification. So must someone throw off the incubus
j of artificiality, which aits so heavily and destructively,
j to all natural music upon the pieces composed in our
day.
You must not think, my dear C. that I am finding
fault with the performance of the young ladies on
Friday night. The execution of the pieces they
played, was almost perfect. lain finding fault with
the pieces themselves ; and what I say of these pieces
is applicable to nearly all our new music. Mr. B. and
his pupils do not compose the pieces they play, and of
course arc riot responsible for their composition. The
teacher is undoubtedly a master of his profession—
having not only learned the art, but having always
shown a genius for music. I know that those versed
in the science, may condemn what I say, and, vow
that I have no taste for music. Well. I have no taste
for scientific music, because that must be an acquired
taste. Yet I have a natural taste for it, and know
what pleases the popular ear. Why should onr ex
cellent old Scotch and German airs be thrown away
for a Frenchified, Italianized school of music?
Our schools in this place, both (lie Male and Fe
male, arc under this superintendence of young men of
“our own raising.” They should be liberally patron
ized for the consideration alone, even if they possessed
only mediocre capacity. But when we remember
that none arc better calculated than they are by birth,
education and moral character, to occupy their possi
sitions, every one should lend them a helping hand to
encourage them in their most laudable undertaking.
You know what I said in my last, in reference to
Southern teachers. B ANQUO.
CORRESPONDENCE OK THE “SOUTHERN’ SENTINEL.”
Milford Conn. June 15, 1850.
What an old time Yankee village is—The present
and former condition of Milford contrasted. Style of
Architecture— Geese and pumpkins the staple commo
dity—a serenade—equality of condition —effects of pre
mature engagements Ac.
Simply to say that this is a country town, I fear
would convey an incomplete idea of what I mean ; as
there is every difference between a Georgia county
town, and a New England village. No court weeks,
sale days, and collecting together of the people for
miles around on election days, but one undisturbed
quiet reigns throughout the year. And of all the
quiet villages in New England, perhaps this is the
quietist. It has a population of near three thousand,
covering an area of about two miles square; containing
sixteen district School houses, one High School, five
Churches, a hall of the I. O. of O. F. and also of the
S. of T. an occasional store where crewel and candy
is sold by the cents worth ; and the grocery where
nothing is dispensed stronger than Ale, which is pump
ed up for you in a foaming goblet by the proprietor,
who handing it over the imitation marble topped coun
ter, receives the three cents with a eoniplaisantness
that bespeaks the unbonght pleasure of handling
coin.
The inhabitants arc composed principally of fisher
men, school teachers, ministers, doctors, —there is
not a lawyer in the place!—tailors, and more shoe
makers, than would recruit the peace establishment
in case of a war. Each citizen has a peculiar genius
of and in nothing is it more forcibly displayed
than the styles of architecture, which are exhibited in
every variety of building, from the old fashioned hip
ed roof with gable ends looking like the inverted bot
tom of the ship of a century ago. to the scolloped,
carved, fretted and fluted embellishments of the mod
ern domitory, containing as many apartments as there
are holes in a pigeon box, none of which are scarcely
large enough for three well grown babies to lie a
breast.
The harbor at this time contains a few crafts the
most conspicuous of which is a fishing smack with
her broad pennant floating from the mast head in the
shape of a flounder. The shipping as you observe is
not very extensive, not such as it used to be, w hen my
landlord says he was a boy. Then the young men all
went to sea, and left the girls widows. Nor is there
such exciting times now, as my landlady tell about,
“when we gals cried so mournfullyat seeing the mel
ancholy spectacle of the boys all gwine down to the
beach to fight the British.” Such times are past and
the old folks— too truly feel like they have some com
pany on the downward trail.
Unlike most villages “deoun east” the reigning still
ness is uninterrupted by the hum of machinery, but
the little Waubagowa flows through the centre,
turnip only the wheels of a venerable saw and grist
mill, its banks luxuriant with wild plants, and its glassy
bosom unruffled exeept by the palmissed oars of al
most myriads of geese which, from their indistinguish
able character the inhabitants seem to raise in “Cali
out.” Some of the old settlers pride themselves upon
their thorough knowledge of goose anatomy. and
pumpkin culture. After hearing an elaborate argu
ment the other day upon these subjects of fimncitie at
tertion, I came to the conclusion that the old fashion
ed grey goose and tlie old fashioned yellow pumpkin
have the decide ! preference in their origin. Indeed
every thing must be old fashioned to take here.
But I guess you have never enjoyed a serenade as
is a serenade in Milford. As was my usual custom I
had been rambling over the hills and valleys of thu
surrounding country until night overtook me, when I
struck a bee line for the hotel—if I may be allowed
thus to dignify it. After supping I withdrew to my
room to cogitate over the events of the day. Atoms
time wandering how the deuce the farmers of Con
necticut could dig a living out tff such stone beds and
then again as I remembered the lighting up of the
countenances of those whom I had seen digginfhmong
the stones as I congratulated them upon the recent
rain and succeeding sun shine, I thought of the boun
j teous providences of Nature and the abundant har-
I vest which the aero potatoe patch, the two acre” ryo
, field and the slips of corn which with its tender leaves
j j us *- shooting from between the crevices of the rocks,
| “ ou id in a few weeks yield. Anon I thought of homo,
and ata-r wandering over the path of boyhood sought
• repose. But hardly had the first gentle slumber be
i gan to come over me, when I thought I heard the
sounds of a fiddle. Then the thought struck me of a
serenade, as I called to mind the “bonnie faecs ,r
which I had seen over the way. Says Ito myself,
the boys are out and so they were. First commenced
an overture with the tamborinc, eastinets and violin.
Then the vocal struck up “Stop dat knockin,” “Ole
Joe”—“The gal wid de blue dress on,” with a pat and
a dance as an interlude to the verse which was to fol
low. At the conclusion there was a repetition of the
! last verse, when the one that yelled the loudest was
! pronounced the best performer. Suffice it to say that
! it wasn’t long before all the dogs and eats in the vi
| cinity joined in, when my feelings began to be consid
erably rutiled. The finale consisted of a whistling
chorus, when the caravan moved off. But judge of
my surprise, when in the morning at breakfast a lady
remarked how exquisitely charming had bt en the ser
enade of the night previous, accompanied by the a
grceable intelligence that the colored gentlemen quite
I frequently honored them with such delightful enter-
I tainments. Thinks I, this is one instance of equality
;—a conclusive one—to say nothing of my landlord’s
Irish “maid of alhvork” who lias a black husband.
While I write, the town is “astir,” on account of
the sudden disappearance of a young man. What
makes the matter much worse, is the feet, that in a
few days lie was to have been married. The search
has proved futile after dragging all the ponds, watch
ing the tides, and traversing the woods and swamps.
Many have come to the conclusion that he lias com
mitted suicide in preference to matrimony, doubtless
prefering a speedy to a lingering death, inspired un
doubtedly with the spirit of the bard, who in not
qnib such a desperate fit exclaimed,
“Though women are angels, yet wedlock's the
devil.”
THETA.
California Correspondence.
Y. e feel assured that we cannot offer more accept
able matter to our readers than the very interesting
letter from the Rev. Dr. Boring, found in our col
umns to-day, and which we extract from the Southern
Christian Advocate. Reliable information from Cal
ifornia is much to be desired, and all who know Dr.
Boring personally, or from reputation, will give to all
lie says the most implicit credence. If all he writes
is not actually true, we know he is deceived himself,
and has no purpose, to deceive others. Besides the
general interest of this letter, the many warm and
devoted friends of the writer will value it for the per
sonal information which it contains of himself, his
compeers and tlieir interesting families:
San Francisco, April 27th, 1850.
Mr. Editor —My last communication was dated at
Acapulco, Republic of Mexico, while being detained
for supplies of coal, water and provisions. We were
twenty-one days, or nearly so, from Panama to this
port, which is about the usual time employed, though
the voyage can, and doubtless will be made in fif
teen days. At present everything is in the hands of
one Company, except a few sailing craft, and having
control of time, steamers and passengers, they run to
suit their own plans and interests. We had nothing
remarkable from Acapulco to this port. The whole
coast is emphatically “iron bound,” presenting tho
most romantic appearance. There are successive
ranges of mountains from the coast, running back to
the interior, and rising above one another, until their
snow-capped summits are lost in the clouds of fog,
which more or less envelope this whole country.. A
few whales were seen on our way up—some beauti
ful islands, and occasionally ar. old mission station on
the coast, all of which had the effect of breaking up
in part the monotony of a sea voyage.
On Sunday the 14th inst., about noon, we madtethe
bar of San Francisco bay, and soon entered the pass,
with abrupt, mountain promontories on both sides,
covered with luxuriant grass and clover, with here
and there a group of persons watching our entrance,
and anxiously waiting the arrival of long looked-for
families, friends and letters. We soon passed,
through the stretch of five or six miles, when curving
slightly to the S. E. the city was revealed to our anx
ious gaze. It was an hour of intense interest. Tho
long and painful voyage was about to end ; the wild
and singular mountains around ; the beautiful and
expansive bay spread out before us dotted with, is
lands ; a forest of shipping at anchor, and San Fran
cisco (actually a large city) resting on the Western
shore of the bay of the same name. Never eaa the
feelings and the thoughts of that hour he described.
All were on deck: the sick wrapped themselves in
clothes and blankets, and sat supported by friends,
with anxious solicitude, gazing on tire long-sought
land. Our little band participated in the joy of tho
occasion, while gratitude to God tilled every heart, for
our almost miraculous preservation throughout the
journey. Though we had been called through hard
ships unknown to any of us before, and trials of fierce
and bitter character, together with sickness, all were
alive, and even the sick, were convalescing, and able
to enjoy the realities of the occasion. We could, and
did adopt the sentiments of the Psalmist, and call up
on “all within u:: to bless His holy name.”
In view of the Sabbath, and the difficulties in get
ting our baggage ashore, we waited until Monday af
ternoon, when we landed and took lodgings at the
St. Francis hotel, which by the way is one of the very
best houses I have ever seen. The order is good, tho
table the very best, and bedding neat and comforta
ble. But, alas, the bill—we (six adults and five chil
dren in all) staid from Monday, five o’clock, P.
to the same hour the next day, and squared off at $65.
Here, we thought we had seen the elephant, but it
was only his tusks projecting in front at our entrance.
We soon took a small house temporarily, until our
plans could be arranged for the work before as. Tho
house has four small rooms, two btlo-w aud two above,
for which we pay $l5O per month, and are all here,
some cooking, some bringing water, and some engag
ed otherwise.
You and your readers will no doubt expect at least
some description of the city and surrounding country.
It is with me a matter of deep regret that I am una
ble as yet, to give anything like satisfaction on this
subject. Allow me here to say, however, that in
this and all subsequent communications, I shall givo
Jacts as they are, according to my best comprehen
sion of them. But, with ordinary capacities for ob
servation and investigation, and disinterested honesty,
it is impossible that I, or any man should in the course
of a few weeks or months form a correct opinion of
California, much more describe it to others. It is not
only a strange land to ns—it is emphatically sui gen
eris. There is per hap* no country on the globe, with
which it can be compared, or by which it may be un
derstood. The truth is, those who have preceded us
by several years in the country, look on the apparent
ly magic scene before them with daily surprise, and
confess themselves ignorant of the real state of the case*
How then can one who came yesterday, know any
thing, so as *hat others may rely upon him l It is
impossible But, such as can be given as reliable