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PIRATE LAW.
Tlie ni u.fti.g wind had sunk to sleep on its ocean bed,
nn|> left a aniail foretopsail schooner rocking on the long
Mii ioLa swells avvav ui stward ol the roast ol Porn. She
viefl sir a id gal iso l model of uaval beauty. Light as too
frightened sea-gull, she ruse on the clear deep wave, show
ing a long, low, shining l.iaek hull, of faultless mould, i lie j
tall elegant n.a=ls'"slood proudly up with that graceful ral.e |
neeuhar to this class of vessels ; the clean polished yards |
suddenly there was a confusion onboard; she blued on,
uu.lcio.vded all sail! With a stamp ot inge. the chat
ordered his men on d-ck. The dreaded black flag was
run up. and the long was cleared away for clmse 1 re-
scutiv the approaching wind played and whirled cn;.n-
ciwur'y on the billows, the fust light pull awoke the sleep-
i>, and ilic pirate schooner slip]*ed Hopelessly along.
lug *u
were swung with tin* nicesf ar.eurnry, tapering from the •
middle with li> r .undvd .-ymmetry ui u iady*» linger; the j
cane;.* hungioniry folds amid the trim, tautrig-
. like the floating dies-; of a fuirv queen
spot!. „
ging. like the floating dress of a fairy queen. I he figure
heel of « dark haired Moorish girl, leaned ir. laughing
loveliness from the sharp raising bow, as it to kiss the gaol
beneath waters ; w ith one Land site held the wild lily ol the
Pacific Isles, while the other playfully grasped a scrap, on
which teas written “ The Flower ot the Sea. ’ A single
flag dropped over the narrow steam ; us it flapped aside
with the rolling waves, it revealed tiie bright blazonry ol
the Spanish Arms.
To one untaught in s<3a lore, the vessel might have pas
sed for a peaceful carrier oi trade, but a snunan wou.d
have remarked that she was built for surpassing swiftness
without regard to burthen. He would have told you she
v as too prettv to ho any thing else than a smugg.ei or a
pirate, such gentry always displaying a more cln-tic taste
than their less romantic brethren ot the salt water, llis
keen eye. too, would have detected the dark nmuih of a
c moon, known to the ciaft by the name of “ Long Tom,
lurking mysteriously under a heap of canvas and coiled
r -,pe, just aft the fore craft. All doubts as to her charac
ter were put to rest by the motley crew of whiskered des
peradoes that covered the deck. Some slept Half naked
in the hot sun, some were gambling and quarreling, and
others, with a spice of poetic feeling not uncommon to the
cloth, were leaning over the side to watch tne frolicsome
porpoises splash! ig on the sunny sea. It seemed from the
confusion, of tongues, that the mob of every nation had
met together, and sent each an envoy to this “ Assembly
of free agency.” Among them especially were to he seen
the dark devil eyed Mexican, and the braw n y scowling
mulatto.
Such was the pirate. - The wars of Spvin and the Ame
rican colonies had given a new and dangerous impulse to
lawless adventure. The profession of piracy rose to a fa
ta! rank, and among the rest, the “ Flower of the sea” be
came known as the “scourge of the Southern wave.”
Her name carried terror far among the islands, and the
very ports ofthe pacific. Swift and daring, she set capture
at defiance, and laughed at pursuit. Many a boastful cruis
er had fell her power in the running fight before she left
him “hull down” astern. Many an honest mariner had
espied at dusk a speck of a sail prowling on the red
edge ot the horizon, and ere the evening star had set.
wiih a blaze and a hurrah ! the pirate was upon them !
Beneath the awning on the quarterdeck, reclined a fierce
man under the common height, but of powerful frame..
Full white trousers, girded smooth and tight around the
waist with a crimson licit, scarcely hid the outline of a leg
too large to he called handsome. A pair of Morocco slip
pers completed bis dress, leaving bate a broad shaggy chest
and muscular arms of Herculean size. Two large pistols
and a long glittering knife, which weapons he never laid
aride, were stuck into his belt. His lace, almost covered
by whiskers and music,chins of enormous growth, were ter
rible ns the storm of the desert. An eye that would scare
n murderer’s t; host hack to his sheetless gibbet, g.ared
intently under a busy mass of hail that overhung hi# brows.
Such was Bernardo, the pirate, chief. He commenced his
career of villainy in carlv vmilli, by murdering an aged and
only relative in Jnmaca, hi« native land. He fled and be
came a freebooter, Growing more daring and desperate
ns blood thickened in his hands, he acknowledg,-1 no »u-
pvor in crime but ids great master, the devil, ami was of
ten heard in ids druken revelry to vow a hard fight for em
pire with that potentate on the sulphurous Styx.
Feared and liatrd by,his gang, the tenure of his author-
i‘y was the sabre’s point; yet tie maintained his swnv by
m il consummate boldness and cunning, which men ol h:s
rank and calling never war it. The glance of the chief dar
ted restlessly from time to time among his tameless crew,
and then, like the panther in ambush, travelled keenly
around the horizon.
High amid the sngrv oaths of a knot of gamblers at the
forecastle, arose the gruff voice of Antonio, a gigantic mu
latto, of a most villiinous aspect. Inferior to none hut
Bcrnado, in piratical accomplishment?, lie was acknow
ledged second in power, and not one dared to dispute his
claim. Opposite to feim sat a wild looking, long haired
youth, sioudor but active foun. His features were
once singularly handsome, but a companionship of vice
and his own untamed passions, had lent him the reckless
hearing of an outlaw. His losses were rapid and heavy;
with an impatient.curse he threw down his last stake; tfie
cards were played ; the mulatto won. and sw-pt the gold
into his pocket with a fiend’s laugh,
"Antonio, you are a base cheat!” muttered the youth,
grinding his teeth with passion.
“fa cheat!” returned Antonio, raising wrathfu’ly.—
“ Look you, Arnold Kell, when a man calls me so, mind
you, a man, this is my answer,” touching tiia handle of
his knife;” but when a cross boy, 1 correct him as would
his mother thus,” and with his open hand sent the youth
reeling backwards.
With a scream like the wild cat in her rage, the young
man flashed his knife in the sun, and bounded at his huge
antagonist. In an instant his uplifted arm was stilled, and
liis naked throat clutched in the vice-like grasp of Anto
nio. “ Die like a puppy as you are, unworthy of bullet
or steel,” growled the ruthless negro, and he laughed
hideously at ihe starting eyes and hanging tongue of the
gasping Arnold. The crew rushed towards them, and
Antonio, bent on th : death of his victim, stepped hark,
i he strangling boy, in his last throa, tripped his foot dex
terously as he retreated. Antonio loosed his hold, end
caught vainly at the shrouds; wildly, tiiumpiiuntly did
Arnold send home l.’s knife in rapid succession, and ere
the mulatto fell, his heart’s blood was smoking on the
deck. The maniac veil of tin; victor was foi.’or-ed by the
curse, the death rattle of the fallen.
“ Hell and furies,” thundered Bernardo, throwingaside
the crowd, “ who dares my authority on this dcckf who
has done this deed ?”
“I,” said the youth, holding up his reeking blade, ”1,
Arnold Kell, sent the devil to his home.”
“ Then after him, with this message from me,” snd
Bernardo’s pistol glittered at his head.
He was right,’”muUerrd twenty voices, and as man;
knives started from their sheaths.
As the crippled snake in his angry pain, so did Bernar
do turn on his rebellious gang, i iis eye flashed fierce as
tiio lightning’s blaze on eyes ns fierce as his. Mad with
rage, yet fully aware of the spirits over whom he held his
wavering ascendancy, the wily chief searched for an in
stant the dark faces around.
“Is there a man,” said he, with loflr vehemence, “who
has joined this daring mutiny, that will say when yourebief
forgot his duty? When has the sweeping storm hurst over
us, that I guided not the helm ? Vv lien lias the lightning
lit up the midnight surge, that I trembled at its glare?—
When has the fight dyed the sea with blood, that my sabre
was not there? And who was at my side in allahis?—
There he lies, the murdered Antonio! Who so fearlessly
sprang aloft, w lieu the hurricane rent the fluttering can
vas ? Who so true to cripple the flying p.rize ? Who,
when the kneeling coward prayed for hi# trembling life,
so quick to stop his tongue, es Antonio? Dead men tell
uo tales."
A murmur of approbation was heard. Bernardo eyed
Arnold with a hellish joy. “And who,” continued lie,
“is his murderer? A stray cur that swam off to us with
a rape about his neck. A weak fool, who sleeps on his
watch, and starts and mutters of his father and liis home,
whose woman’s tongue preached pity to men like you,
when your knives were cutting the way to victory. He has
basely killed your brave companion, whose life was worth
a hundred such coward's as he ! Wiiat says our law ?
* life for life; 1(10011 for blood.’ ”
The stern words of the law were repeated by ail in a
tone thot silenced ixricy.
Arnold heard his doom with score. “ Coward as I have
been called,” said he haughtily, “I will not ask dogs for
a life worth less than this dead jackall,” spurning the huge
corpse of Antonio. “I ask tor death hut let it he on the
decks of the enemy.”
“The law, the law! Bleed for blood!” interrupted
Betnardo.
The ominous sentence v.as whispered again, like the hol
low threat of the midnight w ind.
A sLadder thrilled the frame of the doomed; for an in
stout, in that dread moment, his eye sought the bright still
sky; one bitter tear stole down mid trembled on his lip;
he thought of his far oft'home, his mother’s smile; but
again defiance mantled on his brow; dark and fearless lie
looked on the seekers of his blood.
“ I must die; hut etc 1 go, I’ll hurl the lie back to the
teeth of the damned one that spoke it,” said he, bending
n hateful glance at the chief. “ It becomes him well to
call me cur and coward, who came front the womb speak
ing a curse on men; who grew and fattened on his kindred
blood.”
“ Fool 1 do you beard me lipre 1” cried the furious Ber
nardo, flashing a pistol in the face of the youth. The ox-
eited crew closed between them, when Arnp.'d drew his
blood stained knife, and sprang up the mainmast. “ \\ ho-
ever follows,” shouted he “shall leap with me from the
mast head.”
The fearful brawl was arrested by the hurried cry of “a
sail on the larboard bow !” In an instant all was hustle.
Aw’ay to the west a. dark streak on the sea marked the
coming wind. Just within its edge a large brig was seen
b/mring due south, under full sail. “ She will escape us
fey this cursed calm,” growled Bernaido. “ XV hut colors ?”
“ American,” returned the lookout.
“A prize, but not torus,.”'
The dead Antonio was hastily thrown overboard with
a shot fastened to his heels, and his blood capelessly wash
ed off the deck. It was no time to resume the quarrel,
and Arnold remained sullen and unmolested-, Bernardo
strode the deck impatiently, watching the distant sail, like
the shark w hen he secs his prey sporting in the shoal wa
ter. “ Ha 1” soil! he, stopping short, “ perhaps they have
Christian charity; up with a signal of distress! Down
below, aH, and b«i ready.”
The orders were promptly obeyed. Tine to the appeal
of humanity, the devoted bri£ wore round, avid steered
directly for the pirate. It was a moment of-intense aux-
j.< The brig held her course for half an hour, when
As the voung breeze grew into it steady w ind, the. accurs
ed black banner unrapped its gloomy (old, and slivainod
aloft; tiie loam parted wide from the bow, and it was soon
evident lhat she gained rapidly on the brig.
“Give them the hot irou !’’shouted tiie chief. “But
i w here is Antonio ? w here is your gunner now ? Shall hts
I murderer escape7”
Curses, deep and angrv, were heard, and many vengeful
looks were fastened on the condemned youth, perched in
the rigging The politic Bernardo stepped forward to
try his skill; he sighted carefully along the piece as the
schooner yawned, aad gave the order to fire. Ihe ligLt
ciaft trembled under the bellowing discharge, but the brig
kept on unharmed. A broadside of oaths lollowed the
gun’s discharge. After a hot chase of an hour, the figure
of a man was distinctly seen at the helm of the flying ves
sel—he stood fearless and alone. Again ihclonggnn blaz
ed aw av ;-as the smoke swept astern, the pirates shouted
to see the foretop-mast fulling to the leeward. A few more
rapid and well-ain.cd shots, and the ill-fated brig was crip
pled and unmanageable. The pirate hove too, within pistol
shot. Two boats were lowered and instantly filled with
the ferocious wretches. Into the foremost sprang Bernar
do; he stood eagerly in the bow, with a pistol cocked in
one hand, and a heavy sabre in the other. With a bowl
like hungry wolves they pulled for the prize. A silence,
dread as the famished lion before he wakes, reigned aboard
her. A small crew stood around their captain on the quar
terdeck! a single swivel, a few old muskets, and u sabre
or tw o, with the usual sailor knife, were their only arms.
A powerful emotion agitated their leader; h- trembled,
hut it was not the coward’s quail ; his face was deadly
pule.but fear blanched it not; his words quivered through
bloodless lips, hut they breathed not of terror or dismay.
It was the energy of a dauntless soul mastering its physical
tenement. He looked on Ins faithful crew with thoughts
that pen cannot portray.
“ My men,” said he, in a low and anxiens tone, “we
may soon heat anchor in a foreign port, hut before we set
sail, if anv man has aught to say of me, let him speak hi*
mind. When my poor, wild son left his father to go I
know not where, my vessel became my home ; I have tried
to do my duly as an honest skipper should — 1 love you all:
would die for you.”
“ We love \ou—vrill die for you”—burst from the affec
ted tars.
“ My valiant hoys, 1 thunk you ; fight while the last
plank holds together ; remember your wives and sweet
hearts I am good for a dozen of the villains !”
One. full, hohl shout from the crew was the answer.
“Take the foremost boai—fire!” shouted the master of
the brig, discharging his musket, which was followed by
a sheet of flame from the swivel and small arms of the
men.
The effect was terrible; a yell of agony arose; Bernardo
tumbled heavily over the how. The shattered boat filled
and went down, leaving a dense mass of dead, woundrd,
and cursing pirates on the bloody wave. But hefoie the
brave crew could reload, the other bout was alongside the
brig, and a third w as putting off from the schooner. The
pirates poured on deck ; their wild erics and horrid blas
phemies rent the air, hut not less terrific was the pealing
hurrah! of the impetuous captain, as he whirled his sabre
over his head.
“ Fight for your lives, your skipper and your craft; we
are one to ton my brave hoys, but I am good for a dozen.”
For a moment the pirates hesitated. It was a thrilling
pause. It is dreadful to war against hope, hut the strug
gle is more terrible. Another band leaped on hoard, and
ihe fight closed like the meeting of whirlwinds. Then
came the hot strife of life and death in his fiercest shape
—the scream—the blaze—the crash—the gasp—the death
hug—the jetting blood—the heavy L.ll—and the last
groan. The sailors fought with the fierceness of revenge
and the recklessness of despair. Many a foul pirate
gasped his lust curse on that dear bought prize. But no
courage could withstand the overwhelming numbers of ihe
buccanicrs. One hy one a deep plunge told that a son of
the ocean was sinking in liis ocean grave.
The pirates were masters of the brig; the intreprid cap
lain aloi.e remained; yet siil! his sabre whirled its circle
of death; still the stirring lbunder of his voice cheered
his men to victory. He looked around, and they were nil
gone! A few scalding tears travelled with funeral pace
over his gory check.
“ All gone but me? my poor boys,” said he sorrowfully,
“yon did your duty, and the great Skipper that sails aloft
won’t forget you, when all hands are called on deck to re
port their watch.” Faint and wounded, he cuts his stag
gering wav to the cabin.
“Take him alive, take him alive! he shall die bv
inches,” shouted a husky voice, which the pirates recog
nised to be that of Bernardo. Bale, wet, anil bleeding,
lie climbed on board; a ragged piece of scalp, hung over
hi* right ere and temple; his right arm fell splintered and
powerless by his side. . “Take him alive,” again he
cried, hoarse with passion, “for vengeance I must
have.”
After a sanguinary struggle, the heroic eaptain was ta
ken and bound. The brig was plundered and set. on fire;
tl ...
I.OCO-FOCO AGRARIANISM.
Although almost all well judging men have * natura-
and instinctive abhorrence ot the doctrines of the Loco I
Foco |»artv, a* avowed ot public meeting* and in Lc*
gislative assemblies, few, we imagine, are entirely aware
of the extent to which they have evinced a disposition to
push their theories. This has been more particularly ex
hibited in their writings upon Government and the rights
of property, and from a treatise upon these subjects, front
ono of their high priests, so to speak, we shall extract
some passages, which w ill serve to show the excesses to
which they are inclined to proceed. This treatise has
been issutd iu New-York under the following imposing
title.
Title Tage.—“ The rights of man to property, being
a proposition to make it equal among the adults ot the pre
sent “generation.”—“Printed by Alexander Ming, Jr.
The object of the early chapters of this work is to show
that the present property of this wor.d, both real and per
sonal, fixed or moveable, is now held, and most unjustly
detained from the rightful owners, hy persons who have
no just tight so to hold it, and “ that ii ought to be
taken away from its present possessors ” Not only be
cause they now hold it unjustl* - , and without lawlu! title to
it, hut because it is used to extort from others their labor,
“personal qualities and efforts,” says the author—and
therefore it should he wrested from them on the same
principle (hat a sword or a pistol may be wrested from
a robber.”
It takes ground not only against the right of men to hold
property, hut, particularly against the right to transmit it
to-their posterity hy will. The following is its doctrine
upon this subject:
* * - “The right, as it is called of making a will *
* is without foundation.” “ Ilow long does a man
own property?” “ May not the being who i.a* once owned
property, and is now deceased, have his wishes gratified
by having such disposition made of that which was once
his, as he may have desired in his lifetime? 1 answer
no.”' All kinds'of conveyances * * * “ hy the prior
generation—whether by individuals or companies, or na
tions, are all null and void.”
“ It is apparent,” says the author, “ from all 1 have
said, that there is no such thing * # as testator, will,
or heir—that they are mere fictions of the law.”
“ The origin of all properly,” says the author, “is a gift
from the Divinity,” “if there be such a be ing." , * * *
“ Being a gift to tho whole in their collective capacity, ii
belongs as much * * * to those who arc wifiout in
dustry as to those who are industrious—to those who are
prodigal, as to those who are economical, nr.d to those
who are destitute of skill, as those who possess an extra
ordinary share of it.”
** # * “It will be said, perhaps, that although the
soil * * * is not. subject to he disposed of l>v will—
yet that moveable property inny he bestowed by way of
legacy. But it depends still upon the pleasure of the
community, whether even these sl.ull Leconie personal
property.’’ * * *
“If a majority determine that every thing moveable, ns
well as immovable, shall be common—as they had the.
undoubted right to, even to articles of dress, then would
there be no subject upon which wills could bo brought to
“ So far then ns wills are vindicated on the gToiind that
those who acquire property by industry, economy and skill,
ought to be allowed to convey it to their children or other
legatees, we see that such vindication is without avail,
since it is clear that no such acquisition iu tho first„organi-
zation of society can ever take place.”
* * “ With regard to individuals of any generation,
their rights cannot go beyond the limits fixed by a majority
of such generation.”
* * * “ With regard to a wholsnalion, it cannot con
fer rights on any one, extending to an encroachment on the
rights of another generation.”
* * * “ The notion prevails to a considerable ex
tent among men who have not reflected much—although
the materials of the world belong to others in all age*
equally with themselves, that still they have the right to
transfer toothers the result (produce) of their labor which
remain* to them above their own subsistence. But they
should recollect that these labors * * * are insepa
rable from materials which are not their own. hut which
belong to the great mass of the present and all future gene
rations.”
* * * “ There is therefore no such thing as successor
in tli« meaning of the woid as received at the present
day. It is only a misunderstanding of our rights that
could have tolerated its use or existence among u«.”
” * * “ In whatever aspect, therefore, we contem
plate the operations of wills, either of individuals or of en
tire communities; in the disposition, as well of that kind
It of pi operty which is persona! and exclusive, as of that which
e- j is indivisible and common, we are met by incongruities and
absurdities, impolicy and injustice, to such an extent, that
it is much to be wondered at that they (wills) should ever
have been tolerated among nipn.”
It will, no doubt, bn a new thing to the majority of our
readers to learn that it was for the supretnnry of such doc
trines as these that the Loco Focos of New-Y'ovk have so long
striven to Wring under theircontrol all the departments of the
government, and that it was for the prevention of the an
archy and ruin which must have ensued, that the Whigs
have so perse vein ugly labored to thwart them. Wo are
far from imputing such principles or designs to all the sup
porters of the Administration, but we think it can be main-
greedy element patted his wily tongue up the rigging I tained with the most perfect show of reason that the rise
and dressed the vessel in flame. ihe pirates with their ; and progress of these excesses have been the legitimate
isoner and booty, put off for their schooner, heedless of j consequences of tho licentious spirit of Gen. Jackson’s dv-
[Rvported ftir the NewTork Express.}
TUB TOM PAINS' DINNER.
Tuesday was the grand anniversary. Ihe American
flag waved from Tainmuuy itits honor. At three o clock.
I'. M., about one hundred and twenty five of the faithful
ami true—the men who rally the voters at tho elections,
and who control the older part of the Tammany Hall Re
gency, sat down to dinner at the Shakspeare. Air. Yale,
presided. Before the ceremonh s commenced, he said.
“ Gentlemen, ns there is none of the clergy present, every
man will say grace for himself!”—(Laughter.)
The diutter was good—the beverage, brandy and water,
and gin. After the cloth was removed, tl*»»-President in
vited the uudience to order tlieir wine if they wanted any .
the more aristocratic part being thereby taxed for the rest.
Tom Bainc was then the toast, which wax drank iu silence
ami standing, music to correspond—and the long faces
and solemnity of manner the audience received it with,
showed that old-Torn was as dear to each one *»f tnem ns
the apple of their eyes. After a few more regular toasts
in which the Christian Religion, the. priests, atnl the oti.-er
fruitful themes of bigotiy, ir., were used, the 1 resident
first gave a toast, and called on Ben Often, lor a senti
ment, to which Ben responded in a toast and sjieech.
The substance of the former was the “ Halls ot Iree dis
cussion, w henever they were open, higoliy and fanaticism
disappear.”
Ben then pioceeded to give an account of the progress
of the equal rights party, from its origin in this city up to
the time that it had arrived at its tremendous dillusioit
throughout the United States.
F ourteen years ago, said he. nr-d there vva* but one spot
which could ho found which was open to the lollowers -!
T orn Bailie, and that wa* the very place iu which the pre
sent company were now assembled. There was hut one
man that could ho found who had tho courage, the moral
courage to open liis doors to the meeting ol the infidel*.
Their very name Was a reproach. Now they numbered
not only hundreds and thousands here, l ot tiieir principles
were spread, and spreading fust ni.d far all over the United
States—indeed he might say the world. Nut only could
they meet here, hut there was not a Hull or a Hotel in
the city hut would he glad to welcome them. Yes, even
the City Hotel you may have, gentlemen, if you will pay
the price. All this wns owing to the tact that Halls of
free discussion were open to them. Big try, priests, ami
fanatics, were falling before them, and in proportion as
the people had light, they would disappear from the earth.
In short, Ben spoke with all the confidence of one armed
with the presidential authority mid governmental aid
brought into the cause. He went against aristocracy, and
for the people—equal rights, Ac., with the usual quantum
of Toco-foco cant. But there was one remarkable feature
in his speech, and in tho toasts and other proceedings, viz:
that the people had on the whole got loeo-focuism on its
back. There was not s<* much - glorification over the
Whigs and Federalists. Martin Van Burea and Jackson,
as usual on such occasions.
Various songs were sung—some of then) composed by
the infidels thumsclvos—the chief substance of which wa#,
Briusts—Tom Bainc—Itighis of Man, and “ Common
Sense.” -
E. J. Webb, was railed upon to recite something of liis
own composition—he having been for several years an ar
chitect both of buildings and verses—ami as he succccd-
M TUB srOII.8 t>F OFFICE.”
Extract from the Speech of Mr. Prentiss of Mississippi.
Since the avowal of that unprincipled and barbarian
motto, that “l<» tho victors belong tho spoils.’ office,
which was intended for the use and benefit of the poople,
lias become but tho plunder of parly. Baironage i*
waved like a huge magnet over tho land, and demagogues
like iron filings, attracted hy a law of their nature, gather
and cluster around its poles. Never yet lived the dema
gogue who woo’d not take ofti e.
The whole framo of our Government, the whole insti
tutions of the country, aid thus prostituted to the uses of
party. I express my candid opinimi when I aver that I
du not Itelieve a single oftico of importance within the
control of the Executive has, for the last live years, been
filled with any other view, or upon any other considera
tion, than that of party effect; and if good appointment*
have in any instance* been made, and benefit accrued to
the country, it has been an accidental, and not a volunta
rily result. Office is conferred as tho reward of partisan
service; ami what is tha consequence ? YVliy, the office
holders are not content with the. pitiful sa’aries which af
ford only small compensation for present labors, but do
not, in tlieir estimation, constitute any adequate reward
for tbeir previous political services. 'This reward, they
persuade themselvu*, it is perfectly right to retain from
whatever passes through their hands. Being litnght that
all moneys in their possession belong not to the people,
but to the party, it requires but sn.all exertion i f casuis
try to briug them to ti.e conclusion that they have a right
to retain wiiat they may conceive to lie the value of their
politic.ul services; just as n lawyer holds hack his com
mission*. The Administration countenances, nil this:
winks nt it ns long as possible; and when public exposure
is inevitable, generally gives the bloated pin:.deter full
warning and time to escape with his spoils.
Do you not see the eagerness with which even Govern
ors. Senators, nod Representatives in Congress, grasp nt
the luo't trivial appointments—the n.irt insignificant
emoluments? Well do these sons ofthe horse leech know
that thcic is more blood in the body than what mantles in
the cheek, and moro profit in mi office than is exhibited
by the salary.
Sir, I have given you but three or four case? of defalca
tions; would timo permit, I could give you a hundred.
Like the fair Sultana of the Oriental legends. 1 could go
on for a thousand and one nights; and even ns in those
Eastern stories, so in the chronicles of the office-holders,
the tale would ever he of heaps of gold, massive ingots,
uncounted riches. Why, sir. Aladdin’* lamp win nothing
to it. They seem to po*S”SS tho identical cap of Fnrtuna-
tus; some w ish for $50,000, some for §100.000, some tor
n million ; and behold it lies in glittering h»ap* before
them. Not even
" The gorgeous East, with richest hand,
Showers on .er kings barbaric pearl and go’ll.”
in such lavish abundance as does thi* Administration upon
its followers. Bizarro held not forth more dazzling lures
to liis robber band when he led them to the conquest ofthe
Children of the Sun.
Post OrriCK Dxpahtmk.vt.—The “Soy in Washing
ton” i* making a " demonstration” against the General
Port Office Department. We have already published one
„ of his letters on the subject. Freni the last t! at has ap
ed so well at the last anniversary in-some poetry in which j penred in the Ncw-Y’ork Courier and Enquirer, wo extract
the following:
It has hern shown, that the extent of the mail routes
hcbelaborod John Calvin, under the title of Calvin’* ghost—
the president called upon him for something of the same j
sort—whereupon Mr. Webb mounted the table ami said 1 was loss in I’I'IS than in 1857; that the transportation of
ihese routes was much less in 1833 than in 1337, vra
mated hy Mr. Kendall; that in 1337 there wns a nett sur-
P r
the imptoi
ing prize.
In u few minutes more, the “ F lower of the Sea,” fell
obediently to the wind, settling full and gracefully to one
side, and bore rapidly away.
The ill-fated prisoner was dragged with curses beforeshe.
chief on ihe quartet deck, thelreycs met with one long look
of hare.
“ What is our lo*sf” inquired Bernardo, turning to hi*
men.
“ Twenty-seran missing,” wn* the answer
cries of their wounded comrades on tho burn- j „ S sty. A disiegarcl of the restraints of law hy the head
j of tho government necessarily brings law, however hoary
| and venerable, into oontempt amongstlhe uninformed and
j illiterate portion of the community, nnrl thus n spirit of
I wild anaichy and agrarianism.^jeh as these cardinal piin-
I tuples of the Loco Focos of Naw-Y'ork disclose, is sown
I broad cast through society. The philosophic historian
| who shall write, heroafier, the decline of the tone of the
I public morals of this republic, w ill be led to ascribe it to
i the influence of Gen. Jackson’s administration, with ns
_ I much plausibility a* the decline and fall of the Roman Km-
“ B hat, has a handful ol vi lnins done all this ? Fool! i pire are traced to the corrupting influences of luxury, idle-
wliat do you expect? roared Bernardo, locking fury at his J ness and tho decay of public virtue amongst those who,
in the days of their strength and greatness, were not deem
ed too weak for tiie subjugation of a world.—Ball. Chr.
first of all, he would tnli iliem a story of Sandy Welsh, win
he said had recently been to Albany to solirit an office of
the Governor. XJis excellency said “certainly. Sandy,II
appoint you inspector genarn! of Canvass Back L’ucks.
But Air. Webb was; ut taken hy surprise, and so he sta
ted that somewheic in the newspapers, he had rend that
one Mr. Ell hud been married after n short courtship to
Mi»s Haven, and tho aforesaid fact entering into the proli
fic practical brain of liitn, the said architect of verses for
Tammany Ilaii, he rend to the audience the production of
his wits upon the hy menial occasion aforesaid. We of
coutsc, shall say nothing of its merits farther than that its
moral and pith and essence errs all comprised in the lust
line, which was received with ticnicndous applause by the
audicn’T, and runs as follows :
“And Heaven (Haven)and Hell (Ell) are one.”
In the middle of the proceeding!*, old W illiatn Carver,
w ho it seems w as in accordance with the wish he express
ed to the Police Alagistrate. let out of prison to attend the
anniversaiy of his old associate, began an harangue to the
audience—but a little part of which could be heard. The
old man said he and Toni Bainc were fellow Townsmen
together—Torn was an exciseman—lie had saddled Tom
Bailie’s horse more than lilty times! when he was going
the rounds, and while Paine was in this country there
were a good many anecdotes of that great and good man
that had never bee.n published, n il he would toil them one
or two.
When Paine was returning front Philadelphia to New-
Y oik, he stopped over in the “Jerseys,” and made a negro
servant a present of some money—with whit Ii he bought
a pig. Alter the pig was bought, ilie negro feeling a gieal
deal of gratitude to liis God, went into a private room
where he said “ I thank llice, O ! Lord, because lliou hast
made me a present of this pig. Now make pork scarce
and corn plenty, and then Lord I will thank I lice again.”
llii* is the way vvi h nil prayer* *nid Carvvr, they ure all
alike, and just so all the Christian* pray.
plus rnveniie over the exporntt..™,. „f the department of
>il>»ut 8011.000 dollars; and that in 1333 the ari»»! reve
nue whs increased more than $180,000.
Now with these diminished facilities, increased revenue
and immense surplus on hand, at the comnrenceinont of
1333. what ought the American people to anticipate would
he the financial condition of the Post Office Department,
on ihe 1st .of January, 1330? I vrill not answer this in
terrogatory. Every honest man of common sense, can do
ihar .'or liimso.'f. But 1 will tell you wi at is its situation
and I call Amos Kendal! to the bar of tho peopl* to prove
the accuracy of my statement. The $800,001) of surplus
is gone in a single year; the increase revenue of $160,000
i* also gone: Heaven only knows where ; and the depart
ment is m tlii* moment on the veige of complete bank
ruptcy, from which it can only escape hy reducing existing
lacilitiosc How thi* ruinous state I f thing* I ns been so
suddenly brought about, remains for tho Post Aiustor Ge
nera I to explain. But if asked hy a Committee of Con
gress, I presume they will he referred to his “ short hand''
hooks.
YVhen I began this letter, it was try intention to have
presented several other interesting item*, but I fear to
overload it with figure*. I will therefore only refer to one
other important fact. The Post Alaster General in his re
port of 1338, say* :
The accruing exf enditurcs fertile vear, ending 30th June,
1337, were about ' ' $3,303,428
Tho engagement* nnd liabilities of the ile-
pnrtmeni for the year, ending 30:h June,
1838, were ' $4,680,038
Being an increase of expenditures in 1333
beyond 1837, of $1,376,640
I close for the present with the nstonnding fact, which
the preceding statements establish, that the extent of the
, y.*V P ^. T ° W °* **V— Th#GW,be Monday
\m filled wu t speech of Mr. Bcnfon t upon t<.
hibits considerable research, but no one can read it „j'o'
out a burning sensation of thirst, ns if he had been r'~~
ing upon sailed pork. The following passage 0 f
speech, as it whs delivered, is given bv the corrasnon,!
of Urn U. S. Gazette, and is enm—^ •- —>- ***
mouth water!
Tljlfi’l
mugh to make
“ Sir, to tax salt, is sir, to tax the providence of G 0( j i
[>s, sir, 1 repent it, sir. it i* to tax, sir, the niercv „
bounty of tfcu Almighty ! Sait, sir, what could w
without salt, sir? Nothing, sir. It preserves evenj
thing—yes, sir, it is the great preservative principle ™
tho conservative principle! (Here lie threw nn
lilting look tow aids Hive* and Tallmndtte.) Y es
atinil,;.
,ir - salt
groat preservative, it k ■ rps the food of the
_ ecoming putrescent, sir! “ eor
In this extract, in which one is at a loss to *-,y whetl
profanity, absurdity, nr vulgarity most predominate, ' Pf
see a faithful reflection of Benton’s mind. It ; 4 ,
that one so eloquent upon his favorite domestic artic'f?
could nut at once he titled out and despatched nti nn ’
{during trip up Sait River!—Baltimore Chronicle. *
Loan Di'rmax’s Pi.as for C anada.—A letter ff,
Quebec is published in the Courier ofthe 24lh, proles,,,,
to give an outline of which Lord Durham intends to n ri ^
pose in Parliament, respecting the Cai adas. Its jiriccirn,]
feature* nro, ™
To abolish the name of Canada, and divide the twnn r „.
vinces into four, with the names of Quebec, Montreal, Kii
ton and Toronto—these, with the provinces of N’ew-B ru .
wick, &c, to bear the general tmmu of British North Ame
rica.
This British North America, to have a secretarv
office for itself ia London, nnd he governed hy viceroy
Each province to have its own Legislature, and tliewhnl«
country to he divid-d into municipalities, tho people there
of electing their ow n officers.
Tim clergy reserves, Jesuits’ u*:ates. and nil fund* forod-
ucation, to he thrown into one general fund, and distriW
ted amo g the school district*.
Each province to send one or more member* tu the British
Bari lament.
In I lie hill authorizing the people of Iowa to f„ rro 4
State Government, a: d for their admission into the Union
is the following section, showing the proposed liruiu
tii ore i if, viz:
1 he said State shall consiit of ail that portion of Torn-
rot v lying within the following boundaries : beginning nt
the centre of the main channel of the Mississippi river, at
the month of the river Des Moines; at the northeast corner
of the State af Missouri ; thence up the middle of Ui®
main channel of the river AJississippi. to the 43d parallel
of north Iatitiido; thence westerly on said parallel of mirth
latitude, to the centre of the main channel of Sioux river:
thence down the ccBtre of the main channel of the Ali*.
souri river, to the northwest corner of the State of Mi*,
•otiri; thence easterly along :he northerly line of the State
ef Alissouri, to the centre of the main channel of the De*
Moines river; thence down the centre of the main channel
of said liver to the place of beginning.'
1 he said State of low a to have concurrent jurisdiction
on said rivers, and each of them, with any oilier Slatw
adjoining them.
A Marriage Buomisx.—A jury in the town ofStuhridje
have .settled what i> the exact amount in money which a
marriage promise is worth. In a case some short lima
since, a suit was brought against a faithless swain, and tha
jury gave the damsel $50#d:ininge. Shortly after slie
married Dr. Cyrus Hutchins, who it appears had been pay-
ing attentions previously to Mrs. I.aurindn Gibbs, and ahs
m 'mu brought a suit against the doctor. The jury gave
her a void let 83, tiring the principal and interest
which had accrued on the five hundred dollars receiruft
bv the fortunate Mrs. Hutchings ! It will he well for Mrs.
Gibbs to keep her eye on the young men of the town, or
*he will lose her moie-y tho same way she obtained it.
$500 is therefore llie sum which the jury have fixed a* the
true worth of a marriage piomise, and the promise carrit*
interest from tho day it is made. It is well to havu ihwa
things regulated.
Sri ct nnd scornful captive.
“ That which von know I fear nm—death!” was the re-
P'j -
At ihe sound of that voice, a quick, broken cry, might
have been hoard from eloft, hut for tho noise of the vessel
speeding on her way.
“ Y’oa, boasting dog, death vnu shall have, hut it shall he
with hot iron in your hissing flesh, and burning brimstone
in your cursed mouth.”
“ Cut-throat—coward !”
“Sileuce! my revenge is not to ho rheated hy words.
Look at mo; do you not owe me along debt of vengeance?
Look Rt this damned scar!”
“ I fired that ball—would it had struck your brain."
“Look at this blasted arm, than which a belter never
wrung a villnin’s neck.'
“1 pointed the swivel; would it had torn out your bluck
heart.’
w ith a gnash of rage Bcrnardolhi ust n pistol into the very
eye of the unfortunate captain,and fired. At the instant, a
long, shrill, unearthly scream of ‘Blood far blond !’ pierced
the air aloft. The aft! igblcd pirate* glanced wiidlv upwards,
when the whirling, whizzing body, of the forgotten Arnold,
fell on the upturned face of Bernardo, snapping liis neck,
nnd crushing him to the deck, a hideous corpse!
“ Aly lather! oil my father! shrieked the expiring Ar
nold, writhing and crawling to the murdered captain. But
his brave soul had gone; he knew not the infamy of his
son. With a piteous moan, the poor youth clasped the
stiffened corpse, and breathed liis dying agony on his pa
rent’s bosom. The pirate# stood appalled. The bodies
of the father and son were dropped overboard together;
as they went slowly down, the face of the father, yet hold
end proud, gleamed for an instant under the bright, wave
and sunk forever—the dead Bernardo followed ; another
commander in his Stead, and “ The Flower of tho Sea”
sailed on.
Christmas of oi.d —An nccoant of Admiral Russel’s
punch bowl, and of his noble treat at Cadiz, in Spain, on
C'hri.tmas-day, in the year 1C95, according to the relation
of Dr. Oliver, w ho wns present nt the entertainment :—
There was in the middle of a garden of lemons and or
anges (which garden belonged to Don l’rcdo Velasco, Gov
ernor of Gains) n fountain which was set with Dutch tiles
in the bottom arid sides, nnd was made ns clean as a Japan
punch-bowl. In thi* fountain, on Christmas day, was
poured six butts <ff water, half a hogshead of strong Mal
aga wisie, two hundred gallons of brandy’, six hundred
weight of sugar, twelve thousand lemons, and nutmegs
and sugar in proportion. Tl.e Admiral hired ihe Govern
or’s house, belonging to the garden, and resided there all
the winter. lie ii.vitcd nil the English and Dutch mer
chants, and officers belonging to the fleet, to dine with him ;
there was 100 difhes of fre3h meat, besides many olher
dishe. - of rarities; 1 ut such a flesh feast was never seen in
Spain before. He also roasted an ox for the benefit of the
company. Dinner being ended they marched iu order to
the fountain, or punch-bowl, wheie on the punch was float
ing a little boat vvitjj u boy in it, ant! cups to serve it out
to the company. The admiral began the allies health ;
and having drunk what they thought fit, they drew off', and
in went the mob, with their shoes and stockings and all
on, and had like to have turned the boat with the boy over,
nnd so he might have been drowned in punch; but, toj >-
vent further dungcr, they sucked it up, and left the punch-
bow 1 behind. This is a comical, but a very tiue relation,
and worth noting.—From Moore't Almanack of 1711.
The Rights of the Ears.—Men frequently assemble
for particular purposes, and for those pi/rpose* alone; nnd
it commonly happens that they are obliged, by convention
al etiquette, or by necessity, to remain (or a time together.
I have no right to use of this assembly, unless by univer
sal consent, for the purpose of promulgating any other
truth than that for which the persons present were assem
bled to hear. I have t±o right to address a political town
meeting on the subject of religion - .. I have no right to ad
dress a-i assembly for religious purposes, on the subject of
polities, or any other subject foreign from that for which
they really came together. If I am so addressed, I may
complain of it os a grievance. The speaker obliges me to
hear what I have not consented to hear, nnd my consent
to hear which lie has no reason to take for granted. He
does not respect my right to the use of sir ears, and J
fpel that right infringed.—Dr. Waylattd's treatise on the
limits of human, liabilities■
Parliamentary Law.—A novel and Intricate question
of Parliamentary law, was presented some day* ago in
the House of Representatives, which puzzled and divided
the oldest members of that body. The case wns sitnplv
thi*:
The House had divided on a call of the Aye* and Noes,
and after the rail was completed, the Hon. Ely Aloorc,
asked permission to vote. It is proper to-.’.ate, that by a
rule of the House, no member who is not within the bar of
the House can rote, unless by unanimous consent; and it
is made the duty of the speaker, when leave is asked to
vote, to propound the question, whether the member was
within the bar of the House 7 In reply to this interroga
tory, propounded hy the speaker, the Hon. Ely Moore stat
ed that bis head and shoulders were within the bur,” upon
which the Speaker adjudged that the Honorable gentleman
could not vote.
Now, I think it will be agracd that this is a question
both novel and new. and in which much may be said on
both sides. It is difficult to decide whether it he a prob
lem which is to he considered physically or intellectually,
or whether compounded of mind and matter. If it is a ques
tion to be discussed as one of mere animal matter, it is
very clear that as thn rule required the Honorable gentle
man to be within the bar, the rule was not satisfied with
less than the whole animal corporation. If it is examined
as an intellectual question, it would at onen raise the en
quiry where is the seat of the most noble and digniiisd
part of our nature. Thi# again might renew another ques
tion, w hich in ancient limes was much mooted. I allud
to the location of the intellect or the soul. It seems now
to be agreed that the brain is the region of intellect, and
the heart of the affection*; ui.d supposing that the mind
and affections of the honorable member are in the right
place, it would seem that the speaker erred But if the.
physical predominated over the intellectual capacities of
the Honorable gentleman, it might still leave the matter
in dubio. It is.very clear thot the Speaker must have
considered the subject in that light, unless lie may enter
tain the now exploded opinion that the sent of the honor
able gentleman’s soul was below his head nnd shoulders.
I have reflected whether the philosophical and legal
maxim that the major includes the minor, would not apply
to the subject. But I find 1 again run into the difficulty
whether the head and shoulders of the honorable member
be the ma or or minor pair.
I have also though; of the maxim de minimis non curat
lex, hut again I run into the doubt of whether the ltti.d
and shoulder* might be considered the plus or min
imus.
It must be allowed to he a question involving much curi
ous and difficult learning, and it is thrown out as one de
serving free and full discussion.
Qucre.—If the posture of the honorable gentlemnn had
been reversed so as to have placed his head and shoulders
out side the bar, and the remainder of his system within the
bar, would it have changed the aspect of the case ?
[ Balt. Patriot.
Atheism.— What it leads to.—It is stated in the Dela
ware Journal, that William Carver, the bosom friend of
Thonius Bainc, in whose house that great infidel breathed
his last—and for a long time a leader among the Fanny
Wright Agrarians of New-Y’ork, was found on Tuesday
last in the streets of that city, begging from door to door,
in a state of utter destitution. He w ns taken to the Alms
house. He is now in his 83d year. His agrarian and in
fidel associates would, it seems, hare permitted him to
perish in the streets. They would pull down all above
them ; but they take no thought of the poor and feeble be
low their line of wotldly prosperity. This is the true
modern agrarianism. And in the case of Carver, there is
afforded an eloquent illustration of the results of evil prin
ciples and evil a.-sociations.
The Journal also states that “ when Carver was brought
to the Alms-house, he begged hard for liberty for a few
days only, that he might celebrate the birth-day qf Paine,
hut being refrised, he attempted to kill the person who had
him in charge,, and also endeavored to rut his own ibroat--
Fortunately he was secured, and is now where hi* bodily
wants will be well-eared for.” Snell are the pitiable ex
cesses of moral guilt, and extreme* of destitution to which'
men may be betrayed or reduced, whose vision of the fu
ture is hounded by that horiaon of this lower earth.
post mines in the United States was reduced, six thousand
\\ hen Paine was nt my house, here in the ei'.y—ene of j four bundl' d nrd twenty-four mile* in the yenr 1838, be-
the priests cul.ed upon liiin. l’nine had the Lilile hot ore | h,w what it wns in 1837. nrd that ihe expenses of thede-
him. nnd the priest said he was glad to see i;. “Fes,” j pertinent were increased during the seme period, one
said Bainc “ 1 study it a great deal; and the rrore 1 study j million three hundred and seventy six thousand six hun-
it the more lies 1 find in it.” Here the com] m.y had three j deed and forty dollars.
cheers.” Then llie old man liegnu line to rtiii about Jesus
Christ. “Jesus Christ if there ever was any such person,
which he did not believe,"’ nnd uttered something whirl;
we rouh! r ot gnus* at—aim iu« •• .. , i._i .)■- r„ r
not having the portraits of Jefferson and Paine en the
walls; to which some or.a replied, “they are iu theoihsr
room.
Wo did not wait to hear any of the vo’unleer toast*.
wh : ch tve suppose, of i ou.se, resisted of similar sertimunts
as those of last year—amongst which wore the following:
“The land we live in—may its republicanism extinguish
superstition. Boih cannot exist in harmony together.—
Republicanism must destroy superstition, (Religion) or
superstition will heat down republicanism.” The senti
ment here uttered, that until Religion is destroyed Loro
Focos cannot arrive nt perfection, pervades all writings,
proceedings, and lectures of the pnity. They -peak of tho
groat success they have had during the last fow years,
with gratitude to Jackson, Benton, rod such other distin
guished worthies.
Carver appeared in n new eon I fiom which wo irfer that
the Christian offices of tho Police were more liberal than
the Moral Bhilauthrnphists of Ttimninr.y llalk
New-Orlkaxs, Feb. 4.
Earthqakk at Martikique.—'J he Pauline which ar
rived yesterday from St. Pierre (Islinul of .Martinique)
which she lcli on the 12th isst,, bring* us the unpleasant
intelligence, that on the 11th, a dreadful earthquake took
place in that colony. The town of St. Pierre has suffered
greatly, hut the destruction lias been far greater at F'oit
Royal, in which town the number of victims to this dread
ful calamity is not less than font hundred—at ilm depar
ture of the Pauline, however, the entire extent of devasta
tion produced by the earthquake, was by no meansaceurare
ly ascertained.
Hundreds of plantations on the Island has been utterly
destroyed, and intelligence of new disasters wus continual
ly pouring into the town.
The following is an extract of a private letter from St.
Pierre, tinder the date ofthe 12th.
“The Pauline being ready to sail. I transmit vnu in great
haste, a few details of tliecutnstroplie we have just experi
enced. Yesterday, on the 11th inst. ut 6 o’rlork A. M. a
very severe shock w as felt iu this town, which lasted about
five minutes, with the same intensity. Many of our houses
have been overturned or^battered to pieces; among others
two in the street in which we ..-side: two individuals have
been buried in the ruins of the latter. At Fort Ruvnl the
calamity is far more frightful; from the news rereived this
morning, we learn that the number of victims already with
drawn from the ruins, amounts to more than three hundred.
Nearly all the houses in that town are destroyed. In short
it is said that this unfortunate city is nearly sntirely over
whelmed and destroyed ”
To augment if possible this sad calamity, the yellow
fever commits terrible ravages. Among other victims is
Mr. Lucotte, aid-de-camp to the Governor.
Wc subjoin the Governor’s proclamation, for a ropy of
which we are indebted to the politeness of the French
consul.
PROCLAMATION OK RF.AR-ADMIKAT. GOV. A. DE MOGl’S.
Citizens of Fort Hoy a l—Y on have been visited bv a
frightful misfortune. Your houses are overthrown; you
seek beneath tlieir ruins your parents, your children, your
friends.
France nnd the king will soon learn this dreadful ca
lamity, and will conic to your aid.
In the interim, let all those whose rournge does nor fail
them, who possess manly hearts nnd strong arms, unite
with the garrison anti marine to give a free passage to the
waters, to open the streets, to prop up all the buildings iu
danger of falling, and thus pi event new misfortunes.
The assistance of the king’s government, together with
that of the rest of the colony who have suffered less than
yourselves, will not bo wanting, and you will succor each
other with your accustomed generosity.
Citizens of St. Pierre—I have this moment learned
that your city has suffered greatly in common with other
parts of the Island ; my utmost effort* shall he exerted to
aid you in sustaining and repairing your misfortunes.
Fort Royal, Jan. 11, 1839.
Rear Admiral-Governor A. DE MOGLS.
id forty
COMMODORES PORTER AND ELLIOTT.
Chester, Der. 24th, 1838.
S.i, , I t.„ n rbc honor to enclose to von ihe copv of a
Irilrr which I nddrrsse.i to Con...,,,d*„e Elliott.occasion
ed by eourtesi** offered to me publicly, white I’v, n4 rr >_
moving from the Washington Railroad curs in Baltimore
to those which conic to thi* place. I have tho honor to
be, with great respsrt, vour very obedient servant.
DAVID PORTER.
lion. J. K. I’auldino, See’y of the Navy.
Chf.ster, Drc. 22d, 1833.
Sir :—Tn avoid any misconception, as to mv receiving
snd returning any o urtrsies ficm yen, ] have to request
tho favor, should we inert, that you will consider me as a
perfect stranger, until the reports which ore in circulation
prejudicial to you,are removed hy the decision ofa compe
tent tribunal.
'llie reason for making this request is, that I have three
sons in the Navy, who I am unwilling should think that 1
treat such reports lightly. I am with great consideration.
Your very obedient servant,
DAVID PORTER.
Commodore J. D. Elliott.
Philadelphia, Jan. 3d.1839.
Sik:—Your note ofthe 22d ultimo is recked. Jtenn-
not be more agreeable to you than to myself that cur ac
quaintance should erase. 1 am, sir.
JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.
To David Porter, Esq.
Georgetown, Jan. 6ih,-1839.
Sin:—I have received a note from Commodore Elliott
of which the n.elused is a copy, on which I shall only re
mark that the man who is so indifferent to opinion, and so
rec kless of his own rhqineler, is I should think, an unfit rx-
yimple to the younger officers of the Navy. I have the hon
or to be, with great rrspect. vodr very obedient servant.
DAVID POUTER.
Hon. J. K. Paulding, Sec’v. of the Navy.
Gen. Francis Marion.—After the drf.-at at Yorktown
Gen. Washington invited the English officer* to an enter
tainment. Hie officer* of each army, gave suitable toast*
and cheerfulness and go °d will pervaded the asscmblv.
1 ho late belligerents did each <>:lier the justice due thvir
bravery and conduct—they drank to the memory of thus*
who had distinguished themselves during the war. >Vhe»
it came to the turn of Lord Cornu nlit* he lifted high •
hnmper to the “Honor of General Marion.” “Yes,
please your Excellency,” continued he, looking at Wash
ington, “ I honor Marion. Slei .’er was his force, he y*t
gave me more alarm than any of your officer*. I often de
tached my able partizuns to surprise him ; and they often
promised me hy express that they had got him within
strisiag distance, and would soon give a good account sf
an old swamp fox. But instead of surprising him, it al
ways turned out that he surprised them.
Bill of Fare on the Great Western.—As a spe
nt™ of the dinners provided on board of the Great Wes
tern, our readers may take the following bill of fare :—
Breakfast—6 dishes broiled hnm, 2 ditto fish, 6 do mut
ton chops, 100 eggs in omelet*, 6 dishes devilled leg* poul
try, 6 dishes Indian meal. Dinner—6 tureens inock tur
tle, 2 dishe* venison. 4 roast turkey*, 4 couple of ducks,
4 dishes roast beef, 4 do codfish, 4 couple of chickens, fi
dishes fried oyster*, &c., 4 do.stewed oyster*, 4 do boiled
mutton, 4do maernrnui, 6 do.baked mashed potatoes, fi
do mushed turnips, 6 d<» potatoes, 6 do parsnips, 6 do plain
potatoes. 6 plum puddings, 6 custard do, 6 raspberry pies,
6 apple do, 6 cranberry do, 2 cherry d/v Choice n ine* in
abundance.— Bristol Mirror.
The Report of the Secretary of the. Treasury in reply
to n resolution of the House of Representatives' is worthy
of notice, mainly for the new position which the Secretary
has assumed in regard to his official responsibility. He
now asserts, that “the duty of ascertaining defaults and
of instituting proceedings against delinquents, exclusively
belong* t" the account ing officers nnd the Solicitor of the
Treasury. ’ “Neither the Secretary of the Treasure,nor
even the President, under the constitution and laws, p»*
sesses any power of interference in the adjustment of »uch
transaction*. The only control helonting to tiie Execu
tive. i* merely the removal front office.”
Wc take this disclaimer of power at this day to lie n
*ign of something. Gen. Jackson’s doctrine wns, ihnt all
the officers ol the Government were his officers—responsi
ble to him, and lie w as responsible only to his constituents,
“ th* American People.” Now this note is changed.—
The House of Representatives has recently displayed a
bolder spirit than lor the last ten y’cars. It shows signs
of calling the Chief Executive officers to a rigid reckon
ing for the conduct of themselves nnd tlieir subordinates.
Upon the instant, Mr. YVoodbury nnd the Globe come for
ward and disavow a power « hieh the Executive has claim
ed nnd exercised for ten years, and protest in advance of
the action of the investigating Committee, that neither the
President nor the Secretary is, in any respect, answerable
fur llie official conduct of their underlings. We will see
the issue of this new device to escape responsibility.
[Richmond Whig.
Texas.—From our Texas files ..e glean the following:
Congress adjourned on the 24th ult., to meet at the new
seat of Government, to be located somewhere on the Colo
rado river, near Bastrop. Provisions at Houston are very
scaice and litgli. The editor of the National Intelligencer
was elected public printer. A bill to prevent the wearing
of concealed weapons passed the House on the 21st uIl
A law passed Congress authorising the $1,000,000 loan in
the United State#, and the negotiation of $5,000,000,
wherever it enn be hnd, on the best terms. No alteration
was made in the turifF. Congress authorized the employ
ment of friendly Indians as rangers to protect the frontier.
A party of nbout 70 attacked the house of a Mr. Martin-
wen; repulsed and pursued, but surprised their pursuers,
and succeeded in killing ten men.—N.O. True American,
6th instant.
Through the Courier of lost evening, we lenrn that a
French fleet, with 10,001- troops, destined against Mexico,
had been spoken off Martinicn. Two English 74’s and 2
frigate* had arrived at Havana from Vera Cruz. A large
fleet is eiyec.ted to join them.—ii.
Cook nnd Wilson, the murderers, who fled from Mis
sissippi, were brought from Texas on Monday, in the
steamboat Cuba.—lb.
A Contradiction in Desires.—We nre fl»r lengthen
ing our span of lif* in general, hut would fain cortrarl th*
part* of which it i* composed. Ti c usurer would be very
wall satisfied l" have all the sinu; annihilated that lies be
tween th*- moment anil next quarter day. The politician
would he centeutrd to lose three year* in bis life, could h»
place things in tiie posture which hr funries they w ill stm d
iu. after such a revolution of time. The lov*r would be glsd
in strike out of his existence all the moments that bis to
pass awnv before the happy rrertiug. Thus, ns fast as our
time runs, we should he very glad in most port* of our live*
ihnt it ran much faster than it doe*. Several lours nf :he
day hang upon our hand*; r.nv, ive wi*h away whole ve*r»,
and travel time as through a cour.irv filled with manv wild
nnrl empty wastes, which we would fain hurrv over, tktl
we may arrive at those ecveial little settlements or im*Et-
narv points of rest which are di*j erstd up and down in it.
Man and Swine.—I mnv hereafter take occasion K>
observe, that there is a remarkable similarity of corstit*-
tinn between m»n and the sow. Scrofula, which word
is derived from the Intin name of the sow. “ s< ref,” i* p«-
culiar to man and twino. The** Inst are also subject ••
apoplexy ; a friend of mine lost several by this di***s*x
They are also liable to softening of the brain ; a diseat*
rare, if at rill to he met with nmor-g other brutes, but com
mon in the human subject. 1 hey are also liable to tuber
cle* in the lungs ai.d liver, to diseases of the heart, to rup
tures nf blood-vessels, accidents almost peculiar to mnnkikd
with them. And, more remarkable still, they nre subjerl
to a species ol‘ madnrs* quite different from the hydropho
bia of dogs nnd other brutr *, hut bearing an exact resem
blance to human insanity.— Dr. Dick's Diet and Rigimtn.
Beneficial Effects of Music.—The effect of musttS
on the senses was oddly and wonderfully verified du
ring the mourning of the Duke of Cumberland, uncle *f
George the Third. A tailor had an order fora great num
ber of black suits, which w ere to be finished in a verv short
space ol time. Among liis workmen there was a fellow
" ho was always singing “ Rule Britan’m,” and the rest of
the company joined in the chorus. The tailor made hi*
observation, and found that the slow time of the time re
tarded the work ; in consequence, he engaged a blind fid
dler, and placed hint near the workshop, mad* him play
constantly the lively tune of “Nancy Dawson.” The d*-
n had the desired effect; the tailors’elbows moved obe
dient to the melody, nnd the elutbes were sent home within
the prescribed period.
The Gotvlphin Arabian.—Mr. Eugene Sue, a per
son of high literary reputation in Paris, has published a
h story of this celebrated horse, by which it appears that
be was n pure Barb, and not Arab, as his name would de
note; that he was sent hy the Bay of Tunis, with seven
others, a* a present tn Louis the Fifteenth a! out the year
1 r 31, but as the favorite of the Monarch was a sort of Suf
folk punch, little attention waa paid to the Barbary stead,
and he was used for the lowest drudgery in the Royal Sta
bles. He afterw-ards became the property of on# of tha
rook* of the Royal household, who sold him to a person
to draw a wood cart in Paris, from whom he was pur
chased by an Englishman, was brought to this country,
and finally became tho property, of Lord Gndolphin.
[iBeli’s Life.
Mathias, the Imposter, again.—This notorricn* -
sroiindrel is again at hi* tricks of imposition, as vi-er learn
by the Little Roek Arkansas Advocate. He made his en
trance into that rity with all the sanctity aitd-assuranre of
a “ man of God,” nnd with a black flowing beard which
the noblest son of Israel might envy. But alas ! “ how
are the mighty fallen!” In less than six hours after he
entered the city. Sampson like be wa* shorn by the unba
lieving sons of Arkansas; and with his heard went hi*
spirit of prophecy, fie bore liis Joss like a martyr, and
without attempting to teach or preach, took leave of that
sarriligious community in two days after, fully convinced
that his case was on exeeprion ro that passage of the scrip
ture which says, “ No prophet is without honor, save in hi*
own countrv and in his own house.”
Among the deaths that have recently occurred in France
we notice the name of the celebrated Broussais, whose
theories were the rage of the medical world some years
since. But we have learned from those who saw ar.d knew
Broussai* of late years, that hr had given way to dissipa
tion, and was but the shadow of what be was. - - He was-
th’ victim of the bottle, and the young American, who had
ranked him with a Bichat, a Desault, and a Corvisart, w as
shocked at the miserable image nf the degraded philoso--
pher. It seems thot he was destined to give trouble everf
in bis shroud, as the Archbishop cf Pans has laid an in
terdict on the almoner of the Val du Grace, for receiv--
ing in the chapel of that hospital the dead body of the un
fortunate man.
New-Yosk, February 3.
The Investigating Committee will probably close their
labor* thi* week, and be in Washington the uext week.—
What they have done we know net; but we never before
had here, from Congress, such, renowned trorkies *» *h*
members of this enmnmiee are. Mr. Foster i*alit-? e "*
upon it. None of them, 1 believe, bare,even been to *“•
theatre. They eat no .'oat-door dinner*, though they are
invited to enough to give them all tha gout for life 7 *?l eR ”
no soirees or ball*; but- a*k ijnections and cipher from
morning till'late at night. And what of company they
find time to see, i* after 10 P. M-, when other people ar*
on their wav to bed-