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tageously employed, even or one-founh part of that distance,
while engaged in the repairs of a common roa . ,
In consequence of the inadequacy of tUedirecfln for
just alluded to, or of the paucity of numbers in the Ln-
gineer Department, compared with the extent of road u
der contract, frauds may have been commuted in the con
struction of the road, of a character to impair its efficiency,
in a greater or less degree. A few instances of this cha
racter have already been detected tn two of which, logs
of wood enclosing empty cavities of considerable capacity,
have been discovered in the embankments, having been
fraudulently inserted in the absence of the directing Engi
neer. In another instance, the mason work of one of the
bridges appeared so defective, that an examination of its
interior parts was deemed advisable. On the examination,
cavities of considerable size, apparently formed by design,
■were found in the interior of the work. I liese and other
defects of various kinds, rendered it expedient to demolish
and re-construct large portions of the work.
These frauds were perpetrated at a time and in a man
ner to escape the observation of the directing Engineer.
Although we have no reason to apprehend that abuses of
so flagrant a nature have been practised on any other part
of the road, yet their occurrence in the cases alluded to,
show the propriety of constant vigilance on the part of
those charged with the direction and supervision of the
work in order to guard effectuallyaguinst their perpetration.
It is obviously the interest of every contractor to get his
work done at the least possible expense, in order that be
may realize the greatest possible profits. Hence, he may
be disposed to commit a thousand trivia! delinquencies
which cannot be prevented without a careful and constant
supervision, and which can only be detected after t ie 10a
shall have been finished, and subjected to use. As exam
ples of the defects here alluded to, we may enumerate the
introduction of logs, stumps, lurf, and other perishable and
unsubstantial materials into the embankments; the neglect
to remove stumps, trees, &c. from the sites to be occupied
by the embankments; the insertion of defective stone in
the mason work ; want of care in laying the foundations cf
abutments, piers, culverts, walls, &c., and in adjusting the
bearings and slopes appropriate in these parts of the
work; want of skill and attention in preparing the joints
and bonds, both of the masonry and in the supeistructure
of bridges—in relation to all of which, ar.d to numeroos
other delinquencies, the contractor is likely to consult his
own interest, rather than that of the public, and in conse
quence, may be induced to commit errors prejudicial to
the work, unless prompted and held in check by constant
and intense watchfulness on the part of a disinterested and
competent overseer. Although we know that peccadillos
of this character have been occasionally committed, yet
we would fain believe that they have been of rare occur
rence, which if true, must be attributed to the unflinching
fidelity of the contractor, rather than the vigilance which
the Engineer Department, with its limited force, has been
enabled to bestow.
The work of construction was commenced with compa
rative small force, on the first day of January, 1838, under
certain stipulations with the conductors of the work, de
nominated temporary contracts, sanctioned by the Board
of Commissioners, and regarded as preliminary to the
more formal contracts subsequently to be made. The
work of construction was prosecuted during the first quar
ter of that year (1838,) with considerable energy; the
force employed varying from fifty to three hundred. In
order to '..cep this force advantageously employed, the or
ganization of the Engineer Department, which was still
occupied on the definitive survey, location, and domarka-
tion of the road, preparatory for the contemplated lettings
in April of the same year, was so modified, as to admit the
personal attention of the Superintendent and his special
assistant, Mr. Herbert, together with occasional helps
from other Engineers in tlie service, to be applied in di
recting the progress of the work nndertaken during the
quarter.
The number of sections wrought upon during the quar
ter was twelve. The quantity of grading done during it,
93,197 cubic yards; bridge timber 28^ thousands board
measure; and the number of sleepers 1152. The amount
expended on these various objects, was $17,663 20, leaving
a balance of $5,017 20, as security subsequently payable
to the contractors.
No organization of the Engineer department adapted
specially to the work of construction having been made till
the close of the quarter, nothing definite can be stated as
to the extent of the duties required of the several individ
ual engineers employed in this branch of the service during
the same period.
The lettings of April, 1338, embraced a distance of up
wards of fifty miles of the line of the road extending from
its southeasterly terminus, near Whitehall, to a point a few
miles beyond the Etowah river, and comprising the DeKalb
first, second, and five sections of the third division. These
lettings covered by far the most rugged and expensive por
tions of the road, the runnel section at Little Blue Ridge
excepted. They were wrought upon during the second and
third quarters of 1833, with forces varying in the aggregate
from five to twelve hundred; the number of sections actu-
a'ly in hand at the close of the quartet last mentioned be
ing fifty, which also indicates the distance in miles through
which the operating forces were extended.
The engineer force employed in directing and supervi
sing tho various operations on the road, to which allusion
has been made as above, consisted of the following officers,
with their assistants and attendants, viz:
A. H. Brisbane, Asst. Engineer and Superintendant.
A. Herbert, do. and Asst. Superintendant.
One attendant—their field of duty being co-extensive
with the work in progress.
The other officers and agents of the Engineer depart
ment employed on the construction of the road, and the
localities on which they served are as follows:
First residency, covering 16 sections, A. Campbell, Res.
Engineer; T. Cuyler and A. B. Brown, Surveyors; J. D.
Goneke and J. B. Gibbs, for the 2d; and J. M. Harlston
for the 3d quarter. Assistant Surveyors, and one attendant.
Second residency,covering 17 sections, T. Stockton, Res.
Engineer; J. L. Grigg and Wm. M. Stockton, Surveyors;
E. A. Davis and C. Moore, afterwards superseded by L.
D. D. Lyon, Assistant Surveyors, and one attendant.
Third residency, covering 18 sections. Wm. H. Vining,
Res. Engineer; F.Carnes, Surveyor; F. Nims and R. Mor
ris, Asst. Surveyors, and one attendant.
I he compensation allowed to the Superintendant, his
Assistant, and the resident Engineers, varied as follows, in
accordance with the terms of their engagement in the ser
vice, viz:
To A. H Brisbane, Sup’t., $250 00 per mo.
“ A. Herbert, Asst. Sup’t., 125 00 “
“ A. Campbell, Res. Engineer, 166 66 “
“ T. Stockton, Res. Engineer, 203 33 “
“ Wm. H. Vining, Res. Engineer, 208 33 “
The compensation allowed to the Surveyors, &c., as
above enumerated, was as follows:
To each Surveyor, covering all allowances, $66 66 pr. mo.
“ Each Asst. Surveyor, do. 50 00 “
“ Each attendant, inclusive of board, &c., 30 00 “
During the same period, (second and third quarters of
1838,) one Asst. Engineer and dlaftsman, viz : J. F. Coop
er, with a monthly compensation of $125; and one Sur
veyor and Recorder, viz: H. L. Currier, with a monthly
compensation of $66 66, were attached to the office of the
Chief Engineer, to aid in appropriate duties in that office.
With this organization for carrying on the work of con
struction, and performing various other services required
of the Engineer department, the work progressed with
great speed till the close of the third quarter, when it ap
peared that the work on all the sections under contract,
viz. 52, except the 17th section of the first division; the
13th, 19th and 20th of the second; and the 2d, 3d and 5th
of the third division, had been commenced, and were ih
rapid progress. At this time, numerous complaints were
forwarded by contractors on various parts of the line, that
their progress was much impeded, and that they sustained
much damage for want of engineers to readjust their level
pegs and other demarkations, and for want of more frequent
instructions from the engineers, relative to the mannet of
executing the work. Every possible attention was paid to
these complaints, and every available means that indus
try and activity could afford, were resorted to for the pur
pose of obviating these reasonable complaints of the con
tractors, and complying with their demands.
In October of the same year, (1838) an additional por
tion of the road, embracing a distance of about 50 miles
more, was subjected to contracts. These lettings, added
to those of April, (1838) covered an aggregate distance
of 100 sections, or about an equal number of miles of the
road. In order to adapt the organization of the Engineer
department to the work thus extended, three additional
residencies were established, and engineer forces stationed
at them respectively, in the following order, viz:
Fourth residency, covering 18 sections, four of which
were previously included in the third residency. W. S.
Brown, Res. Engineer; D. W. Higginson and B. YVhit-
well, Surveyors; L. W. Hazlehurst, J. B. Lynch, and W.
A. Ivuper, Assistant Surveyors, and one attendant.
Fifth residency, covering 17 sections, Jas. S. Williams,
Res. Engineer; R. H. Gardiner and B. C. Morse, Survey
ors; J. P. Heath and C. Livingston, Asst. Surveyors, and
one attendant.
Sixth residency, covering 17 sections, W. S. Whitwell
Res. Engineer; L. Tilton and H. B. Lane, Surveyors- b'
E. Wells, W. W. C. Kelley and Geo. Palfrey, Asst. Sur
veyors, and one attendant.
Mr. Cooper, previously attached to the office of the Chief
Engineer, was now assigned to service as second assistant,
to the Superintendant.
The compensation to the several resident Engineers thus
added to the constructive department of the service, allow
ed in accordance with the terms stipulated at the time of
their engaging in the railroad service, was as follows, viz:
lo W. S. Brown, Res. Engineer, $150 00 per mo.
“ Jas. S. Williams, Res. Engineer, 166 66 “
“ W. S. Whitwell, Res. Engineer, 208 33 «
“ j!,B - F - c “«per, Asst. Superintendant, 125 00 “
The monthly compensation to the several surveyors, as-
sistant sutveyors and attendants, was as before stated.
To each Surveyor, covering allowances, $66 66 per mo.
" Each Asst. Surveyor, do. 50 99 o
“ Each attendant, do. 33 99 “
The duties of the several officers and agents of the engi
neer corps were similar in all respects to those heretofore
designated in pointing out the services required of its seve
ral members. Their compensation remained as above sta
ted till the fitst quatter of 1839; from and after the com*
menceinent of which, and in accordance with instructions
from the Board of Commissioners, the pay aod emoluments
of all the Assistant Engineers, except the Superintendant,
were equalized, and limited to $185 for each, per month,
which was to be regarded as full allowance lor pay and
perquisites of all kinds.
In the mean time the work of construction was prosecu
ted with great energy and despatch, the force employed
varying from 1200 to 2000. All the members of the corps
found full employment in the discharge of their various
appropriate duties.
At an early'date in the first quarter of 1839, the Super-
intendant. Gen. Brisbane, and his assistant, A. Herbert,
resigned their,appointments in the railroad service, and
the duties assigned them were assumed by the Chief Engi
neer, aided by Mr. Cooper, as his special assistant, and
the resident Engineers, whose duties were moc ined in a
manner to conform to the new state of things thu* present
ed. On the same occasion a change was made in the offi
cial stations of the subordinate agents of the several lesi-
dencies. One of the surveyors of each residency was pro
moted to the rank of assistant resident, with a pay to each
increased from $66 66 to $83 33 per month. The other
surveyors were promoted to the rank of sob-nssis:ant engi
neers* and the assistant surveyors to lhat of surveyors.
Tho duties and responsibilities of these several agents were
increased in due proportion, each being required to serve
in a more efficient maimer, in the admeasurement and com
putation of work done, &c. &c.
The organization above contemplated has been continued
to the present date, with such modifications as the condi
tion and progress of the work seemed to call f ir, and with
such reductions, from time to time, in the number employ
ed, as the exigencies of the service seemed to admit with
out serious detriment.
The withdrawals from the Engineer corp.s, including
those of the Superintendant and his assistant, are as fol
lows, viz:
Feb’y. 1, 1339—A. Herbert, Asst. Superintendant.
“ ' « J. M. Harlston, Surveyor.
“ “ J. B. Lynch, do.
“ 11, “ R. L. Morris, do.
“ 12, “ A. H. Brisbane, Superintendant.
April 30, “ Hugh Rose, Surveyor.
“ “ Geo. Palfrey, Asst. Surveyor.
Aug. I, “ D. W. Higginson, Asst. Res. Eng’r.
“ 25, “ H. B. Lane, Sub-Asst. Eng’r.
Sept. 11, “ Ben. Whitwell, do.
Oct. 9. “ C Livingston, Surveyor.
“ 30, “ J. P. Heath, do.
Dec. 31, “ W. S. Brown, Res. Engineer.
Feb 20.1840—VV. A. Kuper, Sub. Asst: Engineer.
Mar. 10, “ L. D. D. Lyon, Surveyor.
“ 31, “ Wm. H. Vining, Res. Engineer.
“ 31. “ R. H. Gardiner, Asst. Res. Engineer.
“ 31, “ B. E. Wells, Surveyor.
Soon after the close of the first quarter of 1839, appre
hensions began to bo entertained with respect to the prac
ticability of procuring funds adequate to the accomplish
ment of the work under contracts within the periods stipu
lated for its accomplishment. Instructions were accord
ingly given by the Board of Commissioners, requiring the
Engineer department to relax in their demands upon the
contractors for pressing forward their work, and authori
zing an extension of the period of their contracts. These
apprehensions grew more and more alarming, and the re
quisitions of the engineers less and less pressing, so that
instead of having the road formation on 160 miles comple
ted bv the first of November, 1839, as called for by the con
tracts, only 55 sections, or about as many miles of that dis
tance, had been finished and accepted at that date, leaving
45 miles still unfinished and in progress.
Notwithstanding the embarrassments in money matters
above alluded to, yet so great was the stagnation of business
of all sorts, and so few were the demands for labor and
employment in any other way. that many of our most effi
cient contractors, some of them with large forces likely
soon to te out of employ, voluntarily offered to take con
tracts on that portion of the road not yet subjected to con
tracts, viz: the fifth and Tennessee divisions, embracing a
distance of about 38 miles, w ith the express understanding
that they should be paid for work done in six per cent. State
stock. The proposition was acceded to by the Board of
Commissioners, and lettings were effected on the portion
of the road just mentioned, in the month of December,
1839.
At this time the work had become so far advanced on
the old lettings, and so many of the sections had been com
pleted, that it was deemed practicable to reduce the engi
neer force thereon, by blending two or more residencies
into one, which was done accordingly, and by this means
a force sufficient to take charge of the new lettings was
obtained, without any new' additions to the corps. Agree
ably to this arrangement, the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th residen
cies were consolidated into one, and committed to the
charge of Mr. Stockton. The 5th and 6th residencies
were also united, and committed to the charge of Mr.
Whitwell. Of the new' lettings, the fifth division, extend
ing from Cross Plains 10 the Tennessee line, and embracing
22 sections, or miles, was constituted into a residency, and
committed to the charge of Mr. Campbell. Also, the
Tennessee division, extending from the Tennessee line to
Chattanooga, and embracing 16 miles, or sections, was
constituted a residency, and committed to the charge of
Mr. Williams.
The organization deemed applicable to the service at
the present time, and temporarily adopted, is exhibited in
the following table, which also shows the extent of the dis
tricts committed to the several resident engineers respect
ively, and the number of unfinished sections contained in
each district. The table contains also the names of the
several subordinate agents assigned to each resident Engi
neer, their stations and capacities of service, and the pay
per month of each individual of the Engineer department.
-
T? &
Names
Capacities
Residencies
5 5
c 37
r_ w)
c3 'C
of
Engineer?.
of
Service.
or
Stations*
^ o
23 W
J5
s
miles.
No'
No.
$ |
S. H. Long,
Consulting Engineer,
Marietta,
138
Conti' gl.
J. F. Cooper,
H. L. Currier,
Assistant Superintendant,
Line of Road,
138
185
00
Sub-Ass’t. do. & Rec’dr.
Engineer Office,
1st, 2d, 3d and 4th,
66
66
Thomas Stockton,
Resident Engineer,
Ass’t. Res’t. Engineer,
65£
7
6
135
00
F. C. Arms,
3rd and 4th,
32
83
33
T. Cuvier,
do. do.
1 st and 2nd,
33
83
33
F. Nims,
Sub-Ass’t. do.
3rd and 4th,
32
66
66
A. B. Brown,
do. do.
1st and 2nd,
33
66
66
E. A. Davis,
Surveyor,
do.
33
50
00
M. Clark,
do.
3rd and 4th,
32
50
00
Isaiah, (black,)
Attendant,
do.
32
24
00
Tom, (black,)
do.
1st and 2nd,
33
25
00
\V. Scollav Whitwell,
Resident Engineer,
Ass’t. Res’t. Engineer,
5th and 6th,
34-i
8
7
185
00
Lucien Tilton,
34
83
33
Bill, (black,)
Attendant,
“ “
34
24
00
Allan Campbell,
Resident Engineer,
5th Division,
22
22
11
185
00
Wm. M. Stockton,
Vss’t. Res’t. Engineer,
do.
22
66
66
J. A. Wright,
Sub-Ass’t. do.
do.
22
50
00
J. D. Goneke,
Surveyor,
50
00
J. A. Correv,
do.
50
oo
Abel, (black,)
Attendant,
j
23
00
Bob, (black,)
do.
do. >
22
23
00
Lewis, (black,)
do.
)
23
00
James S. Williams,
Resident Engineer,
Tennessee Division,
16
16
6
185
00
J. L. Gregg,
Ass’t. Res’t. do.
do.
16
83
33
B. C. Morse,
Sub-Ass’t. do.
do.
16
66
66
L. VV. Hazlehurst,
Surveyor,
do. |
16
50
00
O. Cone,
do.
50
00
Ned, (black,)
Henry Autrey.
Attendant,
do. |
do. ^
16
23
18
00
00
A n errs
rj4f n .
1
Total number of Resident and Assistant Engineers, 5—
monthly pay, $925 00.
Total number of Assistant Resident Engineers, 5 —
monthly pay, $400 00.
Total number of Sub-Assistant Resident Engineers and
Recorder, 5—monthly pay, $316 66.
Total number of Surveyors, 6—monthly pay, $300 00.
Total number of Attendants, 8—monthly pay, $188 00-
Total number of Officers and Agents, 29—monthly pay,
$2,129 66. '
From the foregoing statements, the condition of the
work, and the Engineer force employed and still for ser
vice at the close of the last Quarter, may readily be in
ferred. The extent of load still to be wrought upon, in
dependently of numerous repaiis still to be made, is 53
sections or miles. The number of Bridges still unfinished,
is 30. The number of Directing Engineers, besides the
Assistant Superintendant, whose services in collecting,
arranging and combining the Returns, Reports, Accounts,
&c., relating to the progress and cost of the work on the
line of the road generally,'are essential to a fair and full
exposition of its condition, progress and cost, is only four;
accordingly, the average distance requiring the personal
supervision and direction of each, is 13^ miles or sec
tions.
The number of Assistant Residents, on whom the Prin
cipals can call to aid in the supervision, and to execute
any directions that may be given, is only five ; hence an
average distribution of the line operated upon would re
sult ia giving to each a district oh about 11 miles or sec
tions.
The number of Sub-Assistants and Surveyors being ten,
the extent of the district allotted to each for his daily su
pervision, would be 5 miles.
The effective force employed on the road at the close
of the last Quarter, being equivalent to 1235 men, the
uverage force for each Sub-Division just considered, would
he 123, whose operations are to be daily inspected by a
single Agent of the Engineer Department.
Among the various duties claiming a skilful attention
from the Engineer Department, to an extent beyond the
ordinary demands of Engineer service, ore those of plan
ning and constructing wooden viaducts, ia connexion with
which the dimensions, bearings, joints and adjustments of
every part of the structure are to be carefully considered
and explained, either by means of appropriate drawings
or written specifications. Other duties fully as intricate
and complicated in laying submarine foundations for the
piers and abutments of Bridges, and especially in laying
out and constructing the various parts of a Subterranean
I unnel, claim the attention of the Engineer. A structure
of the kind last mentioned through a distance of 1400 feet,
occurs on one of the sections of the new Lettings, viz: on
Section Seventh of the Fifth Division.
Other works calling for equal skill and judgment in the
Engineer, consist in the preparation and construction of
water stations, sidelings, carriage yards, ware-houses,
machine shops, depots, &.C. &.C., with their various appro
priate apparatus, none of which have as yet been provided
for.
In addition to the appropriate duties of the Engineer
Department herein before considered, the repairs of the
road, the readjustment of its gradients, &c., &c., are ob
jects claiming the special care of the Department. These
objects haye been greatly multiplied and magnified by the
excessive rains and inundations that have occurred during
the two last Quarters. The execution of repairs in
all cases, requires the personal direction an.] supervision
of a competent Engineer, without which, a repairing force
cannot be advantageously and economically employed.
In view of what has been stated, it is manifest that no
reduction of the Enginery force below its present number,
can be made without serious detriment to the work, both
in respect to its progress, and to the economy and effi
ciency of its execution, while any abatement of the force
would tend directly to the multiplication of defects, and to
the perpetration of abuses of a character to impair, to an
incalculable extent, the usefulness and efficiency of the road.
With respect to any reduction in the compensation al
lowed to the several members of tho corps, various con
siderations concur to show the impropriety, if not the in
justice of such a measure. The compensation awarded
them is lower than is usually allowed for similar services
on other works. Their payments have been made and
still continue to be made, in a depreciated currency.—
They have been prevented by Legislative prohibition from
making investments in real estate 111 the vicinity of tiic
railroad. Although labor and subsistence have deprecia
ted, little or no reduction has taken place in the charges for
board, horse-keeping, &c., on the line of the road. These
are among the considerations that militate against the pro
priety of reducing the wages of the Engineers and their As
sistants.
Of my intention to resign the appointment of Chief En
gineer ufthe Western and Atlantic Railroad, generously
conferred by His Excellency Wm. Schley, late Governor
of Georgia, the Board of Commissioners, and through
them His Excellency, the present Governor, have been
duly apprised in a former report. In surrendering this
appointment, which I have done with a view of my resig
nation taking effect from and after the commencement of
the present Quarter, I beg leave to assure the Board,
that any future services I can render in furtheiance of the
noble enterprise committed to their charge, so far as my
abilities and opportunities will enable me to bestow them
shall be at their disposal, in any way, or f ur any pur
pose that may be deemed conducive to the successful
prosecution and accomplishment of this great National
work.
The Contractors in the Railroad service are entitled to
high commendatiens for the zeal, energy and despatch with
which they have prosecuted the work called for by their
contracts, and for their patience and forbearance under a
variety of embarrassments thrown around them, not only
by the difficulties attendant upon their undertaking, but by
Appropriations by Congress.—The amount of the
appropriations by Congress at its late session, for all ob
jects, was $23,686,037 76. Tho general heads aro thus
stated:—
Civil and diplomatic list, $10,325,113 63
Army, 5.283.677 04
Navy, 5,003,557 21
Fortifications, 878,198
Military Academy, 122,051 95
Revolutionary nod other pensioners, 1.010,348
Indian Department, treaties, &c. 1,039,125 84
Private, 13,466 09
$23,686,037 76
The following is a statement of the new offices created
and the salaries of each; and also the statement of the
offices, the salaries of which are increased, and the amount
of such increase, during the late session of Congress.
By the act to amend the act, “ to provide for taking
thp sixth census or enumeration of the United States, ap
proved March 3d, 1839.
Superintending clerk, per annum, $1,500
Recording clerk, 800
Assistant clerk. 630
Packer and folder, 650
By the act to carry into effect a convention be
tween the United States and the Republic, of
Mexico:—
Two commissioners, each to receive at the rate
of $3000 per annum, g 000
Secretary, at the rate of per annum 2,000
By the act to provide for the collection, safe
keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the
public revenue:—
Four receivers general, viz :—
One at New York, salary 4 999
One at Boston, “ o 599
One at Charleston, 11 o 500
One at St. Louis, “ o 599
Clerks not exceeding ten, whose aggregate com
pensation shall not exceed 8 000
By the act to continue the office of Commissioner
of Pensions, and to transfer the pension busi
ness heretofore transacted in the Navy Depait-
merit to that, office:—
A commissioner ot pensions at an annual salary of 2,500
The office-, the salaries of which have been in
creased, with the amount of such increases:
Treasurer of the branch mint at Philadelphia, for
additional duties imposed by the act “ to pro
vide for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer,
and disbursement of the public money,” 1,000
Treasurerof the branch mint at New-Oileans, for
additional duties imposed by the sume act, 1,000
$35,100
Commissioner of Public Buildings to equal the Com
missioner of Pii tents.
Unparalleled Precocity.—“ Isn’t he a fine child?”
said a young mother to a visitor, us she exhibited her first
born. “ T he handsomest boy I ever saw,” was, of course,
the reply of the old bachelor to whom the appeal was made.
“ Yes, bless bis little heart!” exclaimed the better half
author of the little bantling; “ and so vpry forward of his
age, don’t you think !” “ Very forward,” said the echo.
And as the young matron removed the cap from her
Bobby’s bead, the inexperienced bachelor continued, in
evident amazement, “Bless me! he is forward! I never
before saw a person bald headed so soon /”
Van Burenism in Maine.—At a Van Buren celebra
tion, at Eastport, Me., on the 4 th of July, the following was
one of the regular toasts drank :
“ The Trading Community—A curse lo the nation.
The“ second declaration of Independence,” Mr. Brown-
son’s system of political economy, the Democratic Review
and other approved “ Documents” of the Van Buren pally
must have suggested this patriotic sentiment.
the disappointments they have experienced in seeking for
a liquidation of their claims for work done.
To the officers and other gentlemen of the corps, my
coadjutors, now in the Engineer Department, I take leave
to tender my sincere thanks for the regards, personal as
well as official, they have uniformly shown me, and for the
fidelity, zeal and ability evinced by them in the perform
ance of the various duties assigned them ; while at the.same
time I indulge the fullest confidence in their skill and com
petency to bring to a successful issue, the various works
of -construction still remaining to be done on the road.
Please accept, Gentlemen, for yourselves and for your
constituents, the worthy friends and advocates of tlie
Western and Atlantic Railroad, my grateful acknow
ledgements for the confidence reposed in me, the flatter
ing sentiments entertained for me, and especially for the
disinterested exertions, and successful efforts that have
been applied towards the advancement and consummation
of an enterprise so dear to ourselves, and so intimate
ly connected with the future prosperity and welfare,
not only of the State of Georgia, but of our beloved
country.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your most ob’t. serv’t.
S. H. LONG.
Late ChiefEngincer.
Consistency.—The London papers mention that, on
the day of his death, Morrison refused to have a physi
cian ; took fifty of his own pills, and died accordingly !
Rumor estimates the value of the property left by the
late John Parker, Esq., of Boston, at nearly 6,000,000
dollars.—Boston Post.
FROM FLORIDA.
It becomes again our mournful duty to re
cord the successful effusion of blood in this
ill-fated Territory, and the triumphant accom
plishment on the part of the Indians, of an ad
venture bordering on romance. Indian Key
a small spot of not over seven acres in extent,
and situated a short distance in advance, mid
way between old and new Matacombia Key,
about thirty miles from the main land, and on
our Southern Atlantic coast, was invested by
seventeen boats containing Indians ; seven
of its inhabitants murdered, the island plun
dered, and its builings burned.
About two o’clock on the morning of the 7 th
inst., a Mr. Glass, in the employ of Mr. House
man, happening to be up, saw boats approach
ing, and informed a person in the same em
ploy, when they passed into Mr. Houseman’s
garden, and were satisfied that they were
boats containing Indians. The Indians com
menced their firing upon the house of Mr.
Houseman and Dr. Perrine ; the former of
whom, with his family, and that of Mr.
Charles Howe and Family, succeeded in es
caping to boats and crossed over to Teatable
Key. The family of Dr. Perrine passed
through a trap-door into their bathing room,
from whence they got into the turtle crawl,
and by great effort removed the logs and es
caped to the front of Houseman’s store, they
then went to a boat at the wharf which 6 In
dians (all who remained) had partly filled and
were in the store after a further supply—
they then pushed off and pulled with an oar,
a paddle, and poles towards the Medium, they
were met by a boat when they had rowed a
mile, and taken to the schooner.
Mr. Motte and wife, and Mrs. Johnson, a
lady of 70 years of age, fled into an out house
from whence Mrs. M. was dragged by an In
dian, and while in the act of calling on her
husband, “John save me,” she was killed.—
Mr. Motte shared the same fate, and was scalp
ed ; and the old lady as she was dragged forth
suddenly jerking from the Indian, broke his
hold and escaped under a house. Her grand
child, a daughter of Mrs. Motte, aged four
years, was then killed with a club, and the in
fant strangled and thrown in the water- This
was seen by Mrs. J. from her hiding place;
but the Indians fired this building, and she
was again forced to flee, and escaped to Ma
loney’s wharf, and secreted herself, and was
finally rescued. James Sturdy, a buy about
11 years of age, hid himself in the cistern un
der Mr. Houseman’s house, and was scalded
to death by the burning building heating the
water." The remains of an adult skeleton were
found among the ruins of Dr. Perrine’s house,
supposed to be the Doctor, as well as that of
a child thought to have been a slave of Mr.
Houseman.
The Indians were vvbat are known as Span
ish Indians, and were headed by Chekekia,
the samechief who headed the party massa-
creing the men at Caloosahatehie. They ob
tained a great amount of plunder from the
houses and stores; and whilst engaged in ob
taining these articles, Mrs. Perrine, with her
two daughters and little son, reached a boat
partially loaded, and put oft’ to the schooner
Medium, laying atsome distance. They were
promptly rescued by a boat coming to their
assistance, and were taken to the schooner.
On Mr. Houseman reaching Teatable Key,
Midshipman Murray, U. S. N. started with
his only available force, of 15 men and two
swivels, 10 of whom were in hospital so sick
as to he certainly unfit for duty, but urging
their claim were permitted, hoping to cut off
the boats and thus prevent the escape of the
Indians. On the second fire of his guns, they
recoiled overboard, and the Indians then com
menced a fire upon his boat from a six pound
er belonging to Mr. Houseman, charged with
musket balls, and drove hack this active offi
cer.
Communication was immediately despatch
ed to Lieutenant McLaughlin, who was at Key
Biscayne with the United States schooners
Flirt and Ostego, and they proceeded down.
The Indians, however, had escaped, after
maintaining possession of the island 12 hours,
carrying ofl large quantities of powderaud oth
er articles, and laying the little settlement in
ashes. All escaped save the unfortunates na
med above.
Among the bold and lawless feats of daring
which have characterised the enemy during
the war, there is nothing that will hear a com
parison with this. We have seen the murder
ed remains pf the citizen and soldier almost
within sight of the garrison, when the white
flag of overture was waving to these inhuman
rascals in acts of kindness. We have seen
the armed rider stricken by the bullet from
the covert of the hammock, and the carriage
of the traveller made to receive the last life
drop of its occupant. We have seen the faith
lessness of the tribe, even when the humanity
of the white man was devising every means
for its comfort, planning their accursed
schemes of murder, and Caloosahatehie, the
ground of confidence and good will, red with
the blood of our troops and citizens. But an
Island we had thought safe—as little would
we have loooked for an avalanche amtd the
sands of Arabia, or the glowing warmth of
the equator, amid “ Greenland’s icy moun
tains,” as an attack from Indians upon an
Island. A force, too, of seventeen canoes,
averaging five men each, make a voyage of
at least thirty miles from the main land,
and •* ransack, pillage, and destroy,” and
return in safety !! ! When will these horrors
end ?
INDIANS.
On the 12th inst. two men were fired upon j
at Hope’s, 7 miles from Micanopy, andSmart;
killed, and Lerien badly wounded in both his j
legs.
Shortly after, Indians made their appear
ance at Fort Crane, carrying off corn from
the fields, and firing at two of the citizens,
wounded both of their horses. The men es-1
caped.
On the 13th inst., they fired on a body of j
soldiers at McIntosh’s field ; two of the sol- j
diers killed and one wounded. The Indians
numbered from 91 to 100. They were pursu
ed closely by upwards of 100 men from Mi-
canopy, and the adjoining posts, under Cap
tain Benneville ; the trail leading to the Ock-
lawaha.
Portions of five or six families have been
murdered near the Georgia line.
On the night of the 8th inst., at 11 o’clock,
Lieutenant B. H. Arthur, commanding at Fort
Barker, Cook’s Hammock, Middle Florida,
with a detachment of his Company (E. 1st In
fantry,) surprised a party of 3 Indians, about
7 miles from the Fort, on the road to Talla
hassee, and killed two instantly, the other
ran into the Hammock, and it being very dark
he could not be found. The next morning
there was a shower of rain, which washed
away all traces of his trial. He is proba
bly dead, as he appeared lo he badly woun
ded; he fell several times while running a-
way.
A murder of four persons named Cosey,
took place by Indians at New River, on Tues
day the 11th inst., near Thigpen’s Station.—
The trail crossed the Black Creek and Fort
Harlee road. The family had hut lately re
moved from Georgia. Lieut. May, 2d Dra
goons, and Lieutenant Hanson, 7th Infantry,
started in pursuit.
Ou the 26th ult., as privates McDowall and
Hartigan of Company K., 3d Artillery, were
proceeding from Fort Lauderdale to the river,
they were fired upon by Indians, and both se
verely wounded. The white flag was flying
from the staff of the garrison at the time, and
the men were within gun shot of its folds/ 1 —
They will both recover.
A negro of Jack Hope’s hunting for birds
near Mr. Hope’s plantation, ou the Alchuta
Prarie, came unexpectedly upon five Indians.
He discharged his double barrelled gun at
them, killing oneand wounding another. The
Indians took to their heels and the negro also.
The body was found, and the wounded trailed
a lonji distance.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.
Washington, Aug. 21, 1840.
The state of feeling at the metropolis—Har
rison s election regarded as certain.—The glo
rious triumphs of the Opposition in North Car
olina, Kentucky and Indiana, and the promise
of victory in Alabama, Illinois, and even Mis
souri, in November, which the result of the
election in those States gives us, have produ
ced an effect upon the office-holders’ party
here, which is too distinctly marked in all their
appearances and behavior, to escape the most
listless observer. The President himself (who
has retreated for the present from the splen
dors of his palace, to a more secluded but
equally luxurious abode, at a short distance
from the city) affects, it is true, to treat this
mighty swell of public sentiment—this decis
ive condemnation which the people have in
dignantly, and from the bottom of their hearts,
pronounced against him—with contempt, and
tells his desponding and disconsolate followers
when they venture to talk on the subject of his
signal reverses, that “ all will he well in No
vember”!! But his tones of encouragement
have little effect upon his partizans. They
remember that when he returned from his dis
honored and disastrous electioneering tour
through the State of New-York, last fall—re
pelled, rebuked and rejected at every step as
he had been by the virtuous, the high-minded
and the public spirited people of his own State
—he still boasted to his hangers-on that Neiv-
York had returned to him, and that his party'
would succeed by a majority of fifteen thou
sand. They remember how completely his
empty vauntings and their silly confidence
weie put down by the voice of the people of
New-\ork. They see now the truth of the
case, that brag, brag, brag, and piophecy, and
what is to be done, are all that is left to their
insignificant chief.
Van Buren is tactician enough to put on
the best possible face, in the midst of all the
signs of his certain downfall. Not a word of
distrust will escape him to any of his co-ope
rators. But not so with others who possess
less cunning, and have less at stake. They
cannot conceal their dismay and chagrin at the
assurance which every day confirms, that pow
er is soon to depart from their patron and
chief, and that the people have already cho
sen William Henry Harrison for their Presi
dent.
1 he subordinates in the offices show most
decidedly what they think of the course of
events. Such turnings of Van Buren men to
Harrison—such open declarations of opposi
tion to the powers that be, from men who ne
ver, perhaps, were with the Administration in
their hearts—such deciding of the wavering,
and confirming the strong—such courting of
prominent Opposition men, by persons who
were yesterday prominent for nothing hut their
servile, prostrate devotion to the President and
the Cahiuet—have seldom been witnessed
any where, as we have seen in this city du
ring the last fortnight. All this goes to con
firm (what every man in Washington, posses
sing ordinary opportunities of observation,
and accustomed to attend to the circumstances
by which lie is surrounded, the actions and
words of men, must have discovered weeks
ago,) that the office-holders here regard the
re-election of Martin Van Buren as hopeless;
and look upon General Harrison a3 the next
President. D.
Important Decision.—This is a very com
mon caption to judicial decisions in general,
although in many instances the points involved
in the case may possess interest with but a
small portion of the community. The case
alluded to, however, in the following paragraph
especially on account of the judicial opinion
given in the matter of long courtships, must
be held to have general interest. The U. S.
Gazette says : We have before us a report
of a case of breach of promise, tried in Dub
lin, and we copy the decision of the learned
judge for the benefit of all parties in this coun
try, and the gentlemen of the green bag es
pecially:
Baron Pennefather charged the jury in an
exceedingly able and forcible address, in the
course of which he remarked that he hardly
ever knew a long courtship to turn out well,
and that whatever the lady might do to remain
constant, the gentleman seldom did.
The jury retired, and in about half an hour
returned with a verdict for the plaintiff—
d£l,200 damages and costs. This is high au
thority against long courtships.
A clever trick was played by a Yankee ped
lar upon one of the Captains of the steamboats
running from New-York to Albany, on the
Hudson river. The Yankee was fully aware
of the custom of putting people on shore who
attempted to gain a passage for nothing, and
his destination was a place called Poughkeep
sie, about half way between New-York and
Albany. He therefore waited very quietly
until he was within a mile or two of Pough
keepsie, and then went up to the Captain—
“ Well, Captain, 1 like to do things on the
square, that’s a fact; I might have saiJ noth-
ing to you, and run up all the way to Albany,
and to Albany 1 must go on particular busi
ness—that’s a fact; but I thought it more hon
orable like, to tell you at once, I hav’nt got
a cent in my pocket: I have been unfortunate
but by the* ’tarnal, I’ll pay you my passage
money as soon as I get it. \ ou see I tell you
now, that you mayn’t say I cheat you ; for
pay you I will, as soon as I can; that’s a fact.”
The captain, indignant as usual, at being trick
ed, called him certain names, swore a small
quantity, and as soon as he arrived at Pough
keepsie, as a punishment put him ashore at
the very place the keen \ ankee wished to be
landed.— Y. Y. Amer.
COMMUNICATIONS^
FOR THE FSECOHTJer
TO THE STATE RIGHTS PARTY OF GFORr 1
I request yon to lock buck h few years, and (a ^ e n ,J -4.
spect of the fefetory of the past, of the thril in-, f rp,rn -
that hare excited your 6030019; remember the A- on,e *U
tliets that were heaj-«-d upon yon when the word Ntfirfi*’'”
tion Wasr made to signify "Treason,” “Tor. ” up
ralisl,” and all the most degrading slang was hean^l
your port?. And by stfiorf) Was off this abase he a f. 1 n I’° n
von? Was it not tire self-styled Union paMs, the « "7* 1
me, nat
to ft foreign powe.-? Hare yon not seen Com- parrr -
all its difficulties, and nil the odium heaped nnr.n it l" .
enerrfie?,. rising, year after year, fill if obtained a n 7 } ! *
over these enemies? I know- you bt.ve felt an
rise hr yotfr b'usrrrcys, when yoir Would see the ncco - t,^" '
tug in. developing the iLing majorities in- favor of '
principles of Stale Rights. But, alas! into wbat i'^" 8
have we fallen t ir.ttr what company have some of B „. ^
Right* brethren put themselves? We see them a,"* 3 , !e
ting with the3e State selling. Proclamation, Forre Bi ] 1/
mocrats, joining them now in all their odiuas epi;h r t< ,7-
forged slang against Gen. Harrison, and all Tho 777
him. Yes, these otd and nevr light Democrats are 7;?
you, that we who support HaTrison, are tobcr krw W n Lv '
company thut tve keep; and they then tell yor, t i la . n jj 7
Federalists and all the Abonticrtiisfi go f (>r £f ;l • 1
State Rights men, do you befreve these Federal,
Democratic editors? Did they t'eff the trnili when i : 7
called you traitors and lories, a few years brick ? I)„ 9
tell the truth now ? Let me ask you, in whoee romn-n -
is Mr. Vati Buren ? Is he in a crow d with Mr. Senar7
Tappan. who, if lie were to see the river Ohio rm ;E i n . 7- ,
the blood of your women and children, rkirtghtered 7 ^
negroes, would, if he took a part at nil. join hi the
ter? Who is in company with Mr. Se.^stor Buchanan?
Is he a Republican? Bui I may cutne nearer home
Who is in company with Dr Fort, of State selling memo
ry, and Cothbert, and all the State selling men of Go -rjii'
And why did their party join President Adams in his cno
sade against Georgia and Troup, in the case of the o' :
Treaty? and why is the leading organ of their party railed
“ Federal Union” 1 Who goes for a standing army of 209 .
000 men in time of peace? Who look forcible possession
of the deposites ? Who disfranchised a soveieisn Sn.
Who admits negro testimony against white men ? \Vi,
expunged the records of the Senate? Who refused t
let the representatives of the people examine the pub!
offices, to see if they were honestly and fairly kept !—
And who expends thirty-five or forty millions of the
public money annually, some of which they rail extraor
dinary expenses, which is for hurse-chesnut trees and
such like to plant in their office holders’ gardens, an)
for a Speaker’s chair, costing over $2000? Have vou
not felt indignant when you would read an account* of
these measures, and still hearing these extravagant office
holders talk about democracy ? Yet, State Rights men
three of the members elected by you are found in the
crowd with these self styled Democrats. When thev
found you disapprobated their course, they appealed from
your decision, who elected them, to vour and their e;,?.
mies—yes, to the Federal, State Rights, Slate sellms
Union Democrats have they made their appeal; and the*
have been received with open arms. Would it not have
been more in accordance with true democratic principles
for them to have resigned their present seats in Congress
and have said, State Rights men, you gave us our places
hot we can no longer do your bidding; we therefore rive
back to you the power you conferred upon us, and vou ir.av
fill our places. No, 110; they had rather appeal to the
enemies of reform and republicanism; they wish to embark
in a dirty business, and they want suitable company. I
say unto you. Slate Rights men, beware of their leaven.
You recollect when Forsyth, the Haynes’s and others,left
ns, and went to our enemies, many good honest men of mir
party followed them, ns some of you may Colquitt & &>.;
but how did it terminate ? I will give old Hancock for an
instance. When the people of that county ii!s overed the
fraud, they returned to their firmer friends, and left a f w
of the deserters to feed upon the spoils of their victory.
Then. State Rights men, look before you leap. Go with
your friends; if there are objections to Harrison, shete are
tenfold more to Van. Look at b"th sides of tbe question,
iind remember tiie past, and it may save you the chagrin
of returning trom amongst your enemies when you see your
confidence has been misplaced. I beiieve the doctrines
advocated will warrant me in saying there are three par
ties now in this country: 1st, the State Rights party, the
smallest in numbers, which hold to a strict construction uf
the Constitution, and lhat. the States are sovereign, and re
tain all powers not. delegated to the General Government,
or prohibited to them; 2d, the Federal party, which mics
for a wider construction, and giving more powers to tiie
General Government, but contend for a division of that
power, agreeably to the Constitution, between tiie Legis
lative, Executive and Judicial branches of that Govern
ment; and 3d, tiie Monarchists, who contend for a princi
ple lhat consolidates all power in the President of the Uni
ted States—that is, that be can do no wrong, that he nutv
not execute a law if he believes it unconstitutional, that
be is not bound to execute the sentence of a Court of the
United Slates, if he thinks it unlawful: thus making bis
will the law in all cases. The principles of this partv
have been actually carried into practice in some cases.
The President has seized upon the purse; the Senate cen
sured him by a resolution; the President had this censure
expunged from the record ; he called himself the Govern
ment, and refused to let the representatives examine into
the public offices, calling them his officers ; and then nomi
nated his successor, which his party confirmed; and it is
the policy of this successor to reduce the price of property
and of labor, in order to make the poor man a submissive
instrument to hi3 will; and then recommended a standing
army—yea, fer all the militia to be under his command
in time of peace, and officered by him. and put under the
rules and articles of war—thereby depriving them of the
right of trial by jury, subjecting them to the side will uf
the President and his officers. Fellow citizen-, will you
be found in company with such a party ? I think not.
CARROLL.
Revolutionary Army.—We find the fol
lowing in an old Vermont paper. The num
ber of regulars furnished to the reuolutionary
army were, by New-England, 147,441; by the
Middle States, 56,571; by the Southern States,
56,997. It appears by the above, that New-
England, consisting of New-Hampshire, Mas
sachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut,
furnished more troops for the defeuce of the
country than the other 9 States, 3,872. Ihe
number of troops furnished by South Caro
lina was 6,448; Massachusetts 67,907;—
Georgia 2,697; Connecticut 31,939.
[communicated.]
To the Editors of the Southern Recorder—
Gentlemen :—In lookingover my file of tbe National
Intelligencer, I find in the paper No. 4172, dated 15tli
April, 1839, on the first page and sixth column, the follow-
language, contained in a speech of Felix Grundy :
“ Mr. President: The subject of slavery has been intro
duced into this debate. This is charged upon the slave
holding States by some as a misfortune, by others as a
crime. Were the question submitted to me, whether
slavery should be introduced, 1 should unhesitatingly de
cide against it; for such is my devotion tc liberty and the
rights uf man, that I would have no agency in subjecting
the person or will of one man to the dominion of another.
After some remarks, denying that the slaveholding
States had any hand in bringing the slaves to this country,
but charging it upon the Eastern States, he says :—
“ I name not this by way of reproach on the great body
of tho population, but the avarice and cupidity of some ot
of their citizens prevailed Over considerations of justice
and humanity. / am no advocate for slavery. I tcish
success to the exertions of the Philanthropises of all the
Slates who are engaged in ameliorating the condition,
and laboring to restore this unhappy race to the land of
their fatheis; and should another Moses rise up and lead
them peaceably to a distant land of liberty and plenty, I
would not join in pursuit to bring them back.”
Sucii was the language of this venerable Democrat, (ce;-
tainly no abolitionist.) Is he cot,in the languageof Harrison,
an ardent friend of human liberty, wishing success to the
exertions of the Humane Society, of which Harrison whs a
member, in ameliorating the condition and procuring tbe
freedom of slaves. I think he goes further than liar-
rison. Madison, Jefferson, Monroe, Washington, Patrick
II enry, and others. The three first seemed lo think that
the proceeds of the public lands in which all the States are
equally interested, might be appropriated to ihe purpose
mentioned. But if Air. Grundy’s second Moses would
take the slaves off to a land of liberty and plenty, without
anv contributions from the benevolence of others, or com
pensation to their holders, he would not follow niter them.
It was stated by a Highly respectable democrat from the
county of Butts, in a discussion at this place,lhat Granger
of New York, who was run with Harrison at the last elec
tion for Vice-President was an abolitionist. I send you a
paper containing a speech of Mr. Granger in 1335, ot
which you will please publish such parts as are to that
point. By so doing, you will remove an impie^sioa made
on the public mind, and confer a favor ou
Your ob’t. serv’t.
“ Mr. Granger, of New York, rose and said: Mr- spea
ker, I rise to protest against the manner in which the
names of these petitioners have been confounded with the
abolitionists of the North. They are men of as pure
hearts, and as pure lives, as any gentleman of South Caro
lina—they are men to whom the Constitution of this coun
try is as sacred as it is to the inhabitants of the South, and
who will rally in its defence with a spirit and powei equal
to that which was ever brought to its aid by that gallant
people. Sir, I hold the Abolitionists of the North in no-
higher respect than do the gentlemen from Carolina, or
from any other section of the country. There are many
of them for whose motives I have no respect; there an.
others whose motives are honest; but to whom, misguidec-
as they are, I would say, stay your hand : you atui-t not
“ scatter firebrands, arrows and death, and sa*—«c are
in sport.”
1 » * * * * *
Sir, who are these petitioners? They arc persons
Sivtf ItglJIWl*"** ■ t/'Htlt 1, U.IIU, l+wi, - «
that to the grants of cession by ths States of Virginia ar,
Maryland, to see under whzxt Reservations those gran
were made and accepted ; and without slopping to a ^.
the still more important qnestion. whether the residents o
the District of Columbia require any.interference, suppose
that Congress have a tight to legislate upon this s ri lt (’•
* * * “ Differing an I do ft ora manyof my
ents, I hive never entertained btU one syinton. an« 1 ^
that e'en if the eonstitotiooal sight exists, whn , - p.
strongly, there is. no qjiestic* of policy now extsttu 0
should call foi legislation upon this subject.