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Tlie Houston and Pierce Cormpondcnce.
In consequence of the circulation t>f re
ports discreditable to Gen. Houston, that
he had addressed President Pierce aud de
clared that uuder no circumstances cculd
he be induced to resume his seat in Con
gress, &c., Mr. A. H. Mickle, of New-York,
disbelieving the assertion^ addresses a let
ter to the “Hero of San Jacinto,” and re
quests, that “if consistent with his sense of
propriety, that ibe General submit the cor
respondence in question to the public.” In
compliance with this request, it has been
given ns follows, completely -turning the
table upon bis revilers.
SAJI HOUSTON TO ANDREW H. JliCKUE.
Washington, Feb. 11th, 1856.
My Dear Sir-: Your favor of the Oth ins
tant reached me to-day by mail. 1 thank
your for the interest you have evinced in
caring for my reputation. For months
past the newspapers inimical to me have
been twitting me on the subject of a cor
respondence with the President. Of late
the allusions to it have increased in num
ber.
In writing my letter, I was actuated by
the kindest feelings of personal .regard for
Mr. Pierce, a desire for the success of his
administration, and an auxious wish for
the prosperity of my country. I have the
control of my own correspondence, and
therefore send you a copy of my letter.—
It you think it necessary and lit, you are at
lull liberty to give it publicity as you may
think proper. If its publication incurs any
responsibility, or should reflect discredit
upon me, 1 would rather it should pass for
what it. is worth than to have repeated in
sinuations made against my character.—
My motives require no vindication. I will
not send a copy of Mr. Pierce’s reply, be
cause it was doubtless written hastily, and
without any more expectation than I had,
of ever seeiLg it published. It is, neverthe
less, but justice to Mr. Pierce -to say, that
he was pleased to characterize mine as a
kind and noble letter, and responded hearti
ly t a every sentiment and opinion expressed
by me.
Thine truly, SAM HOUSTON,
A. II. Mickle, Esq., New York.
SAJI HOUSTON TO FRANKLIN PIERCE,
Washington, D. C., Jan. 28, 1853.
General: It is not on the ground of fa
miliar acquaintance • that I now address
you. It is because I am a member of the
democratic party, of which you have been
the standard bearer in the recent election.
A sincere desire to see the principles of
the party triumph, united with respect for
your character,induced me w'itli cheerfulness
and sincerity to use all fair and hononable
means to secure the election of the demo
cratic nominees to the Presidency and Vioe
Presidency. The success was triumphant,
and I am happy to congratulate you. upon
the result.
It is natural, under present circumstan
ces tu*i every lover of our institutions and
of the Lnion should feel anxious lor the
success of your administration. As one, I
certainly do, and I doubt not but you feel
duly impressed with all the respousibi
lities ot your position. From what 1 hear
around me in relation to the gentlemen
who are to compose your cabinet, I
liuve grounds to suppose that various in
dividuals ara pressed upon your notice
V numerous gentlemen, each claiming
for their respective favorites places in your
cabinet. These circumstances will most
reasonably suggest reflections as to what
might be the proper course for a President
to pursue in its formation. No one* I pre
sume, will deuy a proposition so self-evi
dent, as that the President is to be respon
sible to the American people for tiie char
acter and acts of the gentlemen who com
pose his cabinet. From my observation in
life I have come to the conclusion that, as
the President is responsible for the action
of his counsellors, the right to select them,
independent of all extraneous influences, is
a conceded point.
Perhaps one of the most unfortunate po-
lltical events in General Jackson’s life-
may be traced to tiie contrary principle.
He permitted individuals to be urged up
on him, by most respectable influences,
an 1, yielding to that pressure, placed per
sons in his cabinet who would not have
been selected by bis uninfluenced choice.
II ence, it was composed of discordant ma
terials, and the consequence was, the re
moval of the members who formed the ori
gmal cabinet, and the formation of one
entirelv new, composed of his own selec
tion. In my opinion it is not a reason suf
ficient to urge the pretensions of gentle
men, because they possess marked ability
or that they have powerful and influential i
friends, or that those friends may desire
to obtain for them a commanding position,
tiitj they may enjoy a large share of po
litical influence, to induce the Executive
to waive his own preference and defer to
the wishes of others.
The relations between the Executive
and his cabinet are of a confidential char
acter. lie desires for his confidential ad
visers those on whom he has unbounded
reliance. They ought not only to harmo
nize touching political subjects, but a per
sonal intimacy and respect should exist be
tween all the members. No one can so
properly judge of these important and del
icate relations as the Executive himself.
If he lias not full confidence in the mem
bers of his cabinet, •larmony cannot ex
ist, and suspicions once entertaiued, would
embarrass not only the Executive, but clog
the measures which lie might think most
important to the country’s prosperity. If
he selects gentleman whose personal and
political relations lie approves, the conse
quence will be that they will feel that
they owe their selection to him, and their
allegiance will be necessarily given to him
aloue and not to others. Their feelings
of esteem and gratitude toward him will
be a guaranty of their fidelity, and their
efforts will be united iu maintenance of the
principles which he presents and the suc
cess of his measures.
If lie were to select his cabinet upon the
recommendation of others, those who are
selected would be awarq of the influence
which had been exercised in their behalf
with the Executive, and instead of feeling
under obligations to him, they would na
turally advert to the circumstances which
caused him to make the selection, and in
stead of feeling their dependance upon him
and an interest in the success of this ad
ministration, they might imagine that,
uninfluenced, be would not have selected
them. Hence, their sense of obligation to
him would be lessened by the reflection
that the influence which brought them in
to the cabinet was irresistible, and there
fore the President not independent of them.
So far as I hear suggestions, I conclude
that the nation expects an able and faithful
administration of the affairs of the General
Government by you. And that a strict
adherence to the principles laid down by
Gen. Jackson will be the lanu-marks by
which the policy of the nation will be
managed by your teteotaffifendation and
your guidance. So far as my individual
opinions and feelings are concerned, I can
desire nothing more, and hope for nothing
less.
I will rejoice to assist, so far as my sit
uation in the Senate will enable me, an
honest, patriotic President, in quelling the
rank abuses jvliich have grown up since
General Jackson left office. It will prove
an Herculean task ; corruption infects the
very atmosphere of the Government; but
few places are now sought by the tribes
who hunt the spoils of office, without a
view to some speculation or illicit gains ;
scarcely a contract is made with public,
functionaries without covering some fraud ;
and enormous claims are assisted and car
ried against the-Government by infamous
agencies, employing fraud and bribery as
the means.
I declare to you, sir, that I have found,
from some examinations I have been call
ed upon to make, a disease at the heart
of the Government which, unless arrested,
must eventually undermine the Constitu
tion, and surrender the Government to
spccul ators.
In Gen. Jackson’stime, the contest grew
out of the attempt of the Bank of the Uni
ted States to engraft a corrupt monied in
fluence on the Government, to gain a par
tial control over its finances : now tiie
Government, in all its branches, is more
corrupt than the bank ever was, and is ra
pidly verging to that jobbing system which
makes the English Government a curse to
the unhappy millions that live under it.
The commanding vote which brought
you to the Presidency, in such time, marks
the confidence of your countrymen in the
ability and fearless probity on which they
rely for the reversal of this downward
tendency. A cabinet of irreproachable
and unapproachable integrity, if intelligent
and industrious, is all you want in such a
work—the rest depends upon yourself.—
Relying with full faith on an honest course,
you may boldly press on to the extirpa
tion of abuses, and set at defiance dis
tasting leaders of faction or sections. The
people will sustain you. The issue is no
longer between this or that section or
whether'this or that party shall prevail—
The question is, whether honesty or
knavery shall triumph in the Govern
ment.
In such a struggle,-* the great point is
absolute confidence, on the part of the
nation, in tire purity of the men called to
high trust in the administration. That
yen may be fortunate in selecting such
associates and in effecting all the good
your country anticipates, is my sincere de
sire.
General, I have submitted these as j
some of my reflections, in all frankness !
and good wishes for you, personally and (
politically. I have done so with more ;
freedom, because no consideration would
induce me, if spared, to remain in official
position in Washington.
I am, truly, your most obedient servant,
^Signed] Saji Houston.'
Gen. Frank Pierce, Concord, N. H.
Senator Toombs' Lecture in Boston.
The recent lecture of Hon. Robert t
Toombs in Boston, on slavery, has been 1
published by the committee. The follow- j
ing is the concluding portion of it:
No stronger evidence of what progress j
society may make with domestic slavery j
could be desired than that which the pre- j Harris of Alabama, Lake, Wakeman, Tap
ing the head in token of aesant. The
members from all the New England States
observed the same ceremony, making the
declaration in the way I have described.
Among the New-York delegation there
were five or six members who chose rath
er to take the oath, swearing on the Bible.
Among the Pennsylvania delegation, Mr.
Knight, a Quaker, and one or two others,
affirmed—something of a cross between
the oath and the affirmation. I have said
that the members from New England and
the Northern States almost universally af
firmed. On the other hand, those from the
Southern States, with hardly an excep
tion, took the oath on the Bible. This
difference of style is remarkable, as show
ing the fidelity with which the people of
each section have maintained the manners
and custom derived from their ancestors.
The Puritans and non conformists of New
England, in their condemnation of forms
and ceremonies, had departed from the
then universal and only mode of adminis
tering oaths, while the Cavaliers and Hu
guenots had cherished and maintained this
to them most sacro'd form.
The next thing on the programme was
the drawing for seats. This was an amus
ing operation. A motion was made ami
carried that the clerk he directed to place
the name of each member on a separate
slip of paper-in a. box, shake up the same,
and then draw the slips out one by one,
and announce the name ; whereupon the
gentleman answering to the cognomen was
entitlec to select any seat in the hall that
suited his taste, and which happened to
be vacant. To give effect to this rule all
the members wereiirst compelled to leave
their seats and withdraw into the lobbies,
where they kept crowding together, listen
ing anxiously each to hear his name call
ed. This was a rare and amusing scene
for the lookers on, with whom the galle
ries were all the day crowded. I believe
that Campbell,'of Ohio, was kept the
iongest in suspense, his name ofninously
refusing to come up, and when he, came
in the last man, he found all the eligible
seats pre-engaged.
Congress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAVES.
Washington, Eeb. 13.
The Speaker announced the joint Stand
ing Committees as follows :
Elections—Messrs. Washburne of Maine,
Stephens, Watson, Spinner, Oliver of Mis
souri, Hickman, Colfax, Smith of Alabama,
Bingham.
Ways and Means—Messrs. Campbell of
Ohio, Howard, Cobb of Ga., J ones of Ten
nessee, (who was afterward excused at his
own request.) Davis of Mil., Sage, Phelps,
Campbell of Pa., and DoWitt.
Claims—Messrs. Giddings, Letcher, Bish
op, Jones of Pa., Dunn, Knowlton, Taylor,
Gilbert, Marshall of Illinois.
Commerce—Messrs, Washburne of Ill
inois, Wade, Millison, McQueen, Tyscn,
Kennett, Pelton, Cummins.
Public hands—Messrs. Bennett, of New
York, Harlan, Cook of Ala., Lindley, Cul
len, Walbridge, Brenton, Maxwell, Thorn-
ington.
Post office—Messrs. Mace, Norton, Flag
ler, Barclay, Day, Powell, Walker, Wood,
Herbert.
District »f Columbia—Messrs. Meacham,
Dodd, Goode.
Judiciary—Messrs. Simmons, Humph
rey Marshall, Barbour, Caskie, Gallowav,
sent condition of the slave-holding States
present. For near twenty years foreign
and domestic enemies of their institutions
have labored, with pen and speech, to ex
cite discontent among the white race, and
insurrection among the black. These ef
forts have shaken the national govern
ment to its foundations, and burst the
bonds of Christian unity among the church
es of the land, yet the object of their at
tack—these States—have scarcely feit the
shock. In surveying the whole civilized
world, the eye rests not on a single spot
where all classes of society arc so well con
tented with their social system or have
greater reason to be so, than the slavehold
ing States of this Union.
Stability, progress, order, peace, content,
and prosperity reign throughout our bor
ders ; uot a single soldier is to be found in
our widely extended domain t ) overawe i r
protect society. The desire for organic
charge nowhere manifest itself. Within
less than seventy years, out of five feeble
colonies, with less than one and a half mil
lions of inhabitants, have emerged four
teen republican states, containing nearly
ten millions of inhabitants,—rich powerful,
educated, moral, refined, prosperous and
happy ; each with republican governments,
adequate to the protection of public liber
ty and private rights, which arc cheerfully
obeyed, supported aud upheld by all clas
ses of society.
AY itli a noble system of internal improve
ments, penetrating almost every neighbor
hood, stimulating and rewarding the indus
try of our people ; with moral and intel
lectual, surpassing physical improvements;
with churches, school houses, and colle
ges daily multiplying throughout the land,
bringing education and religious instruc
tion to tiie houses of all the people, they
exhibit a spectacle which challenges she
admiration of the world. None of this
great improvement and progress lias been
aided by the Federal Government ; we
have neither sought from it protection for
our private pursuits, nor appropriations for
our public improvements. They have
been effected by the unaided individual
efforts tffan enlighteued, moral, energetic
and religious people. Such is our social
system, and such our condition under it.
Its political wisdom is indicated in its ef
fects on society ; its morality by the prac
tices of the patriarchs and the teachings of
the Apostles. We submit to the judg
ment of the civilized world, with the firm
conviction that the adoption of no other
system under our circumstances would
have exhibited the individual man, bond
or free, in a higher development, or socie
ty iu a happier civilization.
Correspondence of the New-York Herald
Washington. Feb. 4.
1 he members were sworn in to-day.
As it may interest many of your readers
to know the modus operandi of the cerimo-
ny, I will describe it. The representa
tives of each State are called together, be
ginning with Maine, coming down through
the original thirteen States, then through
all the other States according to their
precedency of admission into the Union,
and then the delegates from the Territo
ries are called, those of Kansas and Ne
braska being last. The members of that
State coming up to the Clerk’s desk, the
Speaker dcsends from the chair and ad-
minsters the oath of declaration, or affir
mation. in these words,
“ You do solemnly declare that you
will maintain the Constitution of the Uni
ted States?”
Jhe manner in which the oath was ta
ken to-day was somewhat remarkable.
The members from Maine being first call
ed, came up and cordially shook hands
with Mr. Banks. They had been, with
one exception, I believe, firm supporters,
of his. They then made the declaration,
each holding up his right hand, and bow-
i P an -
Revolutionary Claims—Messrs. Ritchie,
Murray, Smith of Virginia, English, Ful
ler Maine, Allen, Clauson, Cragin,
Em- i. S
Public Expeditures—Messrs Dean, Ce-
rode, Kelley, Mott, Pearce, Vail, Elliot,
Waldron, Branch.
Private Land Claims—Messrs. Porter,
Herton of Ohio, Thornington, Etheridge.
Bowie, Sanbridgc, Herbert, Robinson, Her
ton of New York.
Manufactures—Messrs. Clark, Knight,
Crawford, Bliss, Durfee, Ed war s, Dow
dell, Campbell of Kentucky, Iiicaud.
Agriculture—Messrs. Holloway, Reada,
Grow, Bell, Campbell of Ohio, Morgan,
Sabin, McMullen.
Indian Affairs—Messrs. Pringle, Orr,
Billinghurst, Greenwood, Leiter, Hall of
Massachusetts, Todd, Caruthers, Herbert.
Military Affairs—Messrs. Quitman, Al
lison, Sapp, Faulkner, Williams, Stanton,
Denver, Buffington, Washburne of Wis’n.
Militia—Messrs. Ktinkle, Whitney, Har
rison, Hoffman, Foster, Parker, Watkins,
Wright of Missouri, Wright of Miss., Hall
of Mass.
Naval Affairs—Messrs. Benson, Strana-
han, Bocock, Havail, Winslow, Seward
Davis ol - Massachusetts, Boyce, Mill ward.
Foreign Affairs—Messrs. - Pennington,
Bayly, Clingman, Aiken, Fuller of Penn.,
Matteson, Sherman, Burlingame, Thurston*.
Territories—Messrs. Grow, Giddings,
Purviance, Richardson, Houston* Granger,
Zollicoffer, Morill, Perry.
Revolutionary Pensions—Messrs. Brown,
Albright, Edmund.son, Miller of N. Y. Mil
ler of Indiana, Craige, Knapp, Woodruff,
Hall of Iowa.
Invalid Pensions—Messrs. Oliver of New
York, Pike, Florence, Savage, Welch, Tal
bott, Dickson, Lumpkin, Robins.
Roads and Canals—Messrs. Knox.Hugh-
ston, Ruffin, Scott, Peck, Moore, Barks
dale, Bradshaw 7 , Rust.
Patents—Messrs. Morgan,Chaffee, Smith
of Tennessee, Paine, Emrie.
Public Buildings and. (Jrounds—Messrs.
Ball, Todd, Puryeear, Keith, Roberts.
Recital and Unfinished Business—Messrs.
Sabin, Knolton, Warner, Clark of New
York, Shorter.
Accounts—Messrs. Thurston, Cadwalla-
der, Nichols, Buffington, Carlile.
Mileage—Messrs. Sneed, Brooks, Kel
sey, Evans, Woodworth.
Nary Department—Messrs. Harris of Ill
inois, Wheeler, Aiken, Tyson, Pettit.
Enrolled Bills—Messrs. Pike <fc Dodson.
Expenditures of the State Department—
Messrs. Brooks, Smith of Tennessee, Hack
er, King, Damrcll, Washburne of Wiscon
sin, Underwood, Wright of Tennessee.
Expenditures if the Post-office Depart
ment—Messrs Pettit, Cox, Williams, Bur
nett, Reade
Expenditure cn Public Buidingi—rMessrs.
M’Mullcn, McCarty, Stewart, Swop,Trippe
Expeditures of the Treasury Department—
Messrs. Waldron, Wells, A. K. Marshall,
Kidwell, Clausau.
Expendi/ues of the War Department—
Mes. Cragin, Valk, Jewett, Rivers, Cerode.
Engiavings—Messrs. Kelsey, Damrell,
V right of Tennessee.
Printing—Mes. Nichols, Cragin, Flagler.
Mr. Washburne of Maine, offered a re
solution proposing that the House elect a
Chaplain viva voice. Agreed to.
I he House then adjourned.
Cors. The Boston Traveler, speaking of the
provision crop says:
It is probable that if peace; is made in Europe,
corn will fall to too low a price to allow of its com
ing to market, except where it is grown in locations
conveniently accessible to navigable streams and
railways. The crop of corn in the West, last fall,
was enormously large, and immense quantities yet
remain on the Western prairies, standing unhar
vested amid the snow. Jt is probable that the only-
way of converting much of this crop into cash will
be by feeding it into pork, and the next hog crop of
the West must be very large
From Washington.
Washington, Feb. 18.—In the Senate,
the doings of the late Naval Board was
discussed. Also, the message of the Presi
dent on Kansas affairs, enclosing the corres
pondence of the Territorial officials, in
cluding the letter of instructions to Col.
Sumner, U.S. A., to hold himself in readi
ness to respond to the requisition of Gover
nor Shannon. The President’s course was
sustained by Senator Toucey and opposed
by Wilson.
In the House a resolution was adopted,
requesting the President to transmit to
that body all laws passed by the assembly
of Kansas, and all executive proceedings
and correspondence of the Governor of the
Territory.
A bill was introduced to enable the peo
ple of Oregon Territory to form a State
government preliminary to their admis
sion into the LTnion. Also a hill to re
establish the boundries of Kansas, and to
prohibit slavery there and in Nebraska.—
Both bills were referred to the (Freesoii)
Committee on the Territories.
Washington, Feb. 19.—The Senate con
firmed the appointment of Shannon as Gov
ernor of Kansas.
One Week Laier from Europe.
ARRIVAL OF THE CANADA.
Halifax, Feb. 17.
The Royal Mail Steamship Canada ar
rived here this mornig, bringing Liverpool
dates to the 2d instant.
She, brings -no tiding of the missing
steamer Pacific. Up to the 31st ult., she
had not returned to any of the. European
ports, advices to that date having reached
Liverpool from all points where she would
be likely to put back to.
Coramprria! Intelligence.
The sales of cotton* for the week previ
ous to the . sailing of the Canada, reached
55.000 bales. The market had advanced
fully J-d, and closed steady and quiet.
Sales on Friday, the day before the steam
er sailed, 12,000 bales, and on Saturday,
10.000 bales. Of the week’s sales, expor
ters took 12,000 bales, and speculators
24.000. Stock oil band 419,000 bales, of
wliich 253,000 are of American growth.
The following are the quotations:
Middling Orleans 5 13-lOd.
Fair do 6 3 Sd.
Middling Uplands 5 ll-16d.
Fair do 6d.
Advices from Manchester are more fa
vorable.
Breadstuff’s have declined considerably.
Canal Flour is quoted at 37s. and Ohio at
40s. White Corn. 37s. Gil a 39s; Yellow,
36s. Beef and Pork have declined, as
well as Lard, the latter selling at GO a 63.
In Sugar there was a decline of Is.
Rice has declined. Rosin had advanc
ed, common kinds bringing 4s 3d. a 5s.
Crude as well as spirits of Turpentine,
quiet.
The London markets were dull. There
had been a decline in breadstuff’s. The
iron market was firm. Bars o£8.5s ; rails
cfS.50. a 8. 10s.
Money was more stringent. Bullion in
the Bank of England had decreased Jl80,
000. Consols 90^ a 90£.
Havre, Jan. 30.—Cotton is a trifle low
er. Orleans Ties Ordinaire is quoted at
S9.
General News.
The Queen's speech at the opening oi
Parliament was quite meagre. She made
no reference whatever to American affairs.
All accounts speak favorably of the re
storation of peace iu Europe.
The congress to take into consideration
the Eastern question and the propositions
submitted by the Allies for its solution,
would meet in Paris about the 17th Feb
ruary. It was doubted whether Prusia
would be admitted to take part in its de
liberations.
The Latest.
London, Feb. 2.—A protocol or memo
randum looking to a restoration of peace,
was signed on Friday by the Ministers of
the five powers. A short armistice will he
agreed to.
Despatches received from Vienna con
firm the telegraphic announcement of the
unconditional acceptance of the Allied
propositions by the Czar.
The congress would meet on the 17th
inst., and would probably settle all ques
tions in dispute by the 25th. A prelimina
ry meeting prior to the formal opening of
the conference, only awaited the arrival of
the Turkish plenipotentiary.
Prussia, it is asserted, refuses to agree to
the conditions exacted by the Allies pre
liminary to her admission to the confer
ence ; consequently she will be excluded.
Baron Bmuow and Count Orloff will
represent Russia; Clarendon, England;
Buol. Austria ; Walewski France ; Daceg-
les. Sardinia, and Dervish Pasha, Turkey.
The London Advertiser says : Mr. Buch
anan and Lord Clarendon had an inter
view in tho Foreign office on Tuesday, dur
ing which very angry words passed be
tween them touching the Central Ameri
can question.
Further by llic Canada.
Halifax, Feb. 17.—Brown & Shipley’s
circular says cotton advanced during the
week Jd. a ^.d in consequence of the tern
porary ease in the money market and the
slight stock in the earlier part of the week.
The market closed somewhat easier,
though not lower.
There was a decline in wheat of 3 a 6d
• Miscellaneous News.
The ice was breaking up in the Baltic,
and navigation was being resumed.
In the Crimea Gnrtscbakoff had turned
over the command of the Russian army to
General Luders. The army was in good
health and condition.
January the 9th, the Russians made an
expedition over the ice to attack the Al
lies in their position at Kertcli, but the
latter being on the alert, they withdrew.
Three Days Later News from Europe.
New York, Feb. 22.
The Screw Steamer .Etna, hound to
New York, put into Halifax Friday short
of coal. She brings Havrfe advices to the
5th inst., three days later than the Canada.
She brings no tidings of the Pacific, and
nothing from England.
It is still current in Paris that Prussia
will not be permitted to participate in the
Peace Conference.
Russia’s acceptance has caused the great
est astonishment iu Turkey.
Public confidence in the prospects of
peace is increasing in France.
A serious military conspiracy is report
ed at Madrid. It is said to have extensive
ramifications throughout the North of
Spain. No particulars are given.
Ilarre Markets.
Cotton is in good demand, and maintain
ing firm rates. Breadstuff's declining.
The Bogus Lottery.—In reference to
the Bogus Lottery scheme of Messrs. Har
ris and Brown, who are now iu our jail
awaiting their trial, we understand that
some 96 letters addressed to them through
the Charleston post-office were opened at
the dead letter office iu Washington, a
few days ago and found to contain $989
from their dupes.—Charleston, Mir. 19th.
DEBATE
In the House as given by the Reporter
of the Savannah Georgian, on the bill re
lative to tile State Capitol.
Feb. 13.—The bill appropriating $100,-
000 to reconstruct the Capitol came off to
day as the special order. Mr. Crook offer
ed a substitute appropriating $500,000 for
the erection of a Capitol at city.
This brought up the question of removal
and upon it the House spent the balance
of the morning and the whole of the after
noon (and probably will the night) session.
Motions were made to fill the blank in the
first section with, Milledgeville, Macon, At
lanta, Griffin, Indian Springs, Savannah,
Brunswick, St. Simons Island, but they
were all lost. The substitute was after
wards withdrawn, and the question now
jiending is whether the present cnpitol
shall here paired, or reconstructed. The idea
of building a new one will not be enter
tained I am sure. For 8100 000, the pres
ent one can be remodeled or transformed
rather into a beautiful and imposing and
much larger structure, according to the
plans submitted by Messrs. Shell & Fay of
Savannah.
Feb. 11.—Upon the reading of the journ
al Mr. Lew is of Groene took the floor in oppo
sition to the amend ment of Mr. Lewis of Han
cock, which was the point under discussion
when the House adjourned yesterday. The
arnondmeut provided that it the question oi
removal be again submitted to the peo
ple, the Governor shall, in his proclamation
ordering the election of members of the
legislature, give an estimate of the cost of
reconstructing the present Capitol and of
building a new one at the place to which
the seat of government may be removed.
Nil*. Lewis of Greene opposed laying his
substitute on the table. The question had
not been fairly submitted to the people.—
If it had been understood that the pres
ent Capitol needed reconstruction, the
people would have voted in a large major
ity in favor of removal. His constituents
opposed removal because it involved a
large outlay of money.
Mr. Jones of Muscogee condemned the
principle of submitting questions to the
people., and for that reason should oppose
the substitute. This referring to the people,
every important question was subversive of
our go vein me nt. It was shuffling off’duty
and responsibility. It reconstruction were
necessary he should vote for removal,
though lie confessed that it would be more
economical to adopt the former plan.
. Mr. Harris of Fulton thought the time
had come for deciding the question wheth
er the present building should be recon
structed or a new one built elsewhere.—
He contended that the question of remov
al had not been properly submitted to tlie
people. They were told that no repairs
were necessary for this building and this
was a strong argument against removal.—
It was this idea that induced them to op
pose removal. But tell them now that
$150,000 were necessary to reconstruct this
building, or $500,000 to build a new one,
and lie believed removal would receive a
large majority. They v ill speak decided
ly when thus addressed, for it will touch
their pocket nerve. Gentlemen said that
here was the proper {dace to decide the
question. NVc represented the people.—
Now a bill was passed in thejast House of
Representatives to remove the Capitol, to
Macon, and yet that city did not reserve
5000 votes on the question of removal at
the last election.
Mr. Lawton, of Chatham, also opposed
submitting the question to the people. It
never could be decided properly liy them.
colateral propositions. The General As-
and yet they can't agree upon any place to
which to remove pand therefore, they have
agreed to act upon the rule or ruin policy,
aud let this building rot away—fall to ru
ins. This, sir, is unfair, unwise, and unjust,
and unworthy of legislators.
Mr- Lewis of Greene, here offered an
amendment to the amendment of the gen
tleman from Hancock, provided that the
estimate submitted by the Governor shall
not exceed ten thousand dollars.
Mr. Lewis of Hancock—Mr. Speaker, I
don’t understand the amendment. Does it
mean that the Architect shall not be paid
more than $10,000, or that tue reconstruc
tion or rebuilding of a new capitol shall not
cost more than that sum ?
Mr. L. of Greene—It means the former.
Mr. L. of Hancock—Then make it read
so.
Mr. L., of Greene, was about to do so,
when I saw him get an admonitory, depre
ciatory nod and wink from the gentleman
from Fulton, and he then said the amend
ment suited him very well—“I tkan t
change it.”
Mr. L-, of II.,—I give tiie gentleman up,
he is too hard for me.
The amend met was agreed to.
A vote was then taken upon the amend
ment of the gentleman from H., which re
sulted in its rejection.
Some members now moved to Jay the j
bill, substitute and amendments on the ta
ble for the balance ol tiie session. Others
opposed loudly. Some called “‘question.”
“question,” others wished to amend, and.
indeed, such was the confusion worse con
founded. which prevailed, the conflicting
claims clamorously enunciated, and filling
the representatives of these embryo capi
tals with alternate fear a.al hope as to the
result, if the question should again be sub
mitted to the people, that to calm tiie
troubled waters, settle the question defi
nitely, and give all a chance, by having a
capital every where and nowhere, Colonel
Milledge proposed an itinerant Legislature,
which shall honor, by its presence, ail
parts of the State, by adoption of the fol
lowing amendment :
That the Treasurer shall furnish two
large portable tents, to accommodate the
General Assembly, and that henceforth the
Legislature shall be required by his Ex
cellency to have alternate sessions iu each
of the Congressional Districts.
Mr. Harris, of Fulton—Mr. Speaker, 1
solemnly protest against this amendment.
“’Tis better,” Sir, “to be a door keeper in
the House of the Lord, than a dweller in
the tents of the wiched.” This was re
e'eived with derisive laughter. The House
felt it was a Joab stab of bitter irony.—
The subtitute was now agreed to, and pas
sed on a vote of ayes 61, nays 56. Tbe
question to be submitted t<^the people by
this bill, should it pass the Senate, is : re
construction of the present Capitol, or re
moval.
Feb. 15.—Upon the reading of the journ
als, Dr. Phillips moved to reconsider the
bill relative to appropriation of moneys lor
t l -e repair of the State House, and the “re
moval question.” The Dr. made a few
sensible and cogent remarks in support of
his motion. The State House, as was ap
parent to all, was in a most ruinous, dilapi
dated condition ; SI,000 would not leave it
in a safe condition until the next session ot
the Legislature. He objected to leaving
the “removal question” again to the people,
as they had already decided against remov
al by a large majority.
Mr. Fields opposed the motion. These
reconsiderations consumed too much time,
and, especially at this late hour of tiie ses
sion, they should be opposed. He argued
Louisiana, Richardson, ^ TJ?
of Aik,
uemocratea whose™ , H e
would have elected him bv a for Aik
lowing the K. N. vote of The *4?
stand as it did. The query 'arise/ U , lIer *ea
these seven Demo,-rates in their p W ' -*“ re
they not vote for Aiken ? ces why
Now let those partisan editors '
so keen in detecting the errors Z ar
ponents, account for the “ th ' >lr o t
these men, or, before they
charge against the Americans
their own eyes arc not closed ,h
cal motes.—[Columbus Eny. ' Hit
Soittlierit iUfcrifr.
/ - - -
6 jYvUu.
ter •
it*,
*«t*j I
nor any other question involving so many .that the vote upon removal, at the last
sembly was the proper place to decide it. ; ;ir sentiment upon the question
The people had no further concern in nV counties it was not agitated a
P _
legislation than to elect, their representa
tives. Ours was a representative govern
ment. We represented the people, and we
ought not to shrink from any responsibility
which our positions threw upon ns. He
repeated, it was mere “clap-trap” to be
continually seeking the decision of the
people upon questions arising in legislation
It was the duty, the right of the Gener
al Assembly to decide all such matters.—
Members objected to his characterizing
this policy as “clap-trap,” but the admis
sion of the gentleman from Fulton proved
that it was nothing more or less.
Mr. Terhune was for the amendment.—
The question had been understood by the
people, lie wished to give all the Tight
upon the subject.
Mr. Pickett said lie hoped against hope
in opposing the gentleman from Floyd,
(Terhune) and Imped the amendment
would not be received. He was proud ot
the talents of the Executive, but thought it
would he asking too much and requiring a
departure from his proper sphere to ask
him to make estimates of the cost of recon
struction or of building a new State House.
For himself, lie was ready to assume the
responsibility to do either without asking
the advice of the people.
Mr. Lewis of Hancock, next took the
floor, and as usual gave utterance to many
piquant sayings and bitter home thrusts at
liis opponents.
It appeared to him that the gentlemen
from Gilmer and Greene labored under
the painful apprehension that he wanted
to make a carpenter of his Excellency.—
Now, the gentleman from Gilmer offered a
similar resolution at the last session of the
legislature.
Mr. Pickett, (interrupting) that was for
information to be communicated to the leg
islature.
Mr. Lewis, what is the difference ? I
don’t require his excellency to make the
estimates but to procure them from compe
tent architects. In accordance with thatres-
olution, the Governor in his last annual
message did communicate the probable
costs of remodelling the present Capitol.—
For $150,000 this building can be re-con
structed in a style commensurate wi^li the
wants aud greatness of the State. There
are the drawings, (pointing to the ground
plan and elevation of the proposed remod
eled Capitol) specifications hung upon the
walls, open for the inspection of all. The
gentleman from Fulton (representing the
claims of Atlanta) can’t keep his gaze off
them, he looks at them every time lie rises.
They are really so beautiful, of such sym
metry, of such grand proportions and fault
less design, that he is haunted with* fear
that the plan will be adopted, and there
will be. no removal.. Now sir these plans
and estimates have been made by as com
petent architects (Messrs. Slioll &: Fay of
your city are the gentlemen alluded to) as
can be found in tho United States. This
is what I want the people to know. Let
them understand that this building can be
remodelled for $150,000 ; but if the Capitol
be removed, it will cost a million to build a
new State House,
Now Mr. Speaker, I don’t make the
change, but it does seem to me, that from
the pertinacity with which the gentlemen
from Fulton and Greene fasten on and en
deavor to relieve themselves from the
charge of “clap-trap,” that there must be
something in it.
And now, Mr. Speaker, for a word or
two upon tbe difficulty tfie House-is in on
this present question. It is very clear that
a majority are opposed to Milledgeville,
lection, was not a fair index of the popu
In ma-
at all; hut
where it was discussed, and the facts, with
regard to the expense of remodelling the
present Capitol, the people voted iu large
majorities forremoval. In hiscounty, where
the people were informed upon the subject,
out o/ a population of 1970 votes, all but 7
voted for removal to Atlanta. Upon the
motion to reconsider, tbe vote was, ayes 47,
nays 74.
MILLEDGEY’U j p,
TUESDAY HORYIYC. FEBItlARY 2.Q
The Legislature.
The House 1ms passed a bill to remote the P
tentiary to the Stone Mountain and am,
for that purpose.
The House has also passed a till infe,^,-
the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad Con;pant *
thorizing a subscription of stock in the
State to the amount of $1,000,000. Ti . .
terminus of the Road is to be near the p„; • u 9
the line between \Vayne and Ware o mnit
the southern boundary of Appling, and -he _
is to been tbe Chattahoochee river semeivl.-
tween Fort Gaines and the mouth of F!i;t . ..
The Road is intended to be a main trunk
which the Savannah and Brunswick 11. ? ',
connect. It is provided that no iron shall be
upon the main trunk until such a cceneetien v
it shall have been made by one or the other
those roads. The bill has yet to go before tl s -
ate and tYpi present indications it is believed :
it v. ill pasZ
The Senate has passed the bill heretofore p?.
by the House, appropriating $.”>,000 annuallv
two years, to complete the buildings now U , ,
cess of construction at the State Lunatic An
The bill was amended in the Senate in some
ulars which will doubtless be concurred in bv;.
House.
The House has also passed the bill hcretefa
passed by the Senate to require the l.^gblttn:;;
meet annually on the tirst Wednesday in Som
ber. The sessions are restricted to forty dars. .-
less by a vote of two-thirds the Legislature shall jj
termine to prolong them. The provision of :. !
Constitution requiring the election for med
bers of the General Assembly to be held bi-euciai; I
has not been changed.
The bill appropriating $5,000 to endow the- Saj£.j
em Botanico Medical College at Macon, hr.?:,.
ed bo*h Houses and only requires the Gothm
signature to bejpmc a law.
On Saturday evening, after a warm disc;;. :
the House passed a bill authorizing the Guvitb
to call a Convention upon the happening of censi
contingencies mentioned in the Georgia Pkrfrc.
1850. Tbe bill passed by yeas 71, nays 29.
The House passed on yesterday two of Jnc'r
Cone’s bills which have heretofore passed the S
ate; one in relation to attachments and g'r.l-.
ments and the other limiting the time iu wLi i
suits iu the courts of law and equity in this .Sts:; m
may be brought and in which indictments naj
found, &c.
The American Convention.
Philadelphia, Feb 22.—The National
Council having .adjourned yesterday,, the
National Convention assembled to-day.
A temporary organization has been effect
ed, much time having been occupied in the
examination of members especially in the
case of the Pennsylvania delegates, two
sets being present.
Feb. 23d.
The American Convention yesterday
passed a resolution calling a new Conven
tion at Augusta, in case the present one
nominates candidates affiliated with the
Black Republicans.
The Convention last night admitted
the Pennsylvania delegates, who ignore
the 12th section of the national platform.
There is wild excitracnt among the South
ern members, a large majority of whom
left. A split is anticipated to day.
SECOND DAY.
The Convention this morning elected
Ephriam Marsh, of New Jersy, permanent
Chairman. Repoits (majority ami minority)
have been made by the committee on Con
tested Seats, in favor of each of the Penn
sylvania delegates. The Southern mem
bers of the committee refuse to recognize
any delegate repudiating the 12tb section.
Peace and Cotton.—The lit raid thinks
that should peace be actually re estab
lished, it will make a difference in the
value of Cotton subject to export of over
six millions of dollars—an improvement
that will make itself felt in the increase
of trade and augmented prosperity of the
whole country.
The whole advance since the receipt
of pqace rumors frqm Europe by the Ara
bia, on the 2d instant, has been about one
cent per pound. If we estimate the crop,
at the lowest figure, to reach 3,200,000
bales, and allow 600,000 for American
consumption, there will he left 2,600,000
hales tor export. Of this amount we have
thus far exported about 1,200,000 hales,
leaving in the country for export 1,400,000.
—The advance of one cent per pound i«
equal to S4 per hale ; hence this rise will
make a difference in behalf of the United I
States of about 85,600,000, or very near [
six millions of dollars—equal to a rise of
per barrel on 5,600,000 barrels of flour. |
Saddling the Wrong Dorse. r
We have rarely seen a stronger predi
lection for the “cohesive power,” or a grea
ter attachment (oi party to the sacrifice ft
the interests of the country, than was ex
hibited during the late contest for Speaker
of the House of Representatives. And
now that the result has terminated as we
at first feared it would terminate, in the
election of a freesoiler, we find the demo
cratic press of the South railing against
the American party in Congress for per
mitting that to he done, which the demo
crats themselves, if they chose, could
have prevented. The last Georgia Citi
zen makes out the cose as clear as noon
day, in the following paragraph. Wc sav,
then, let the responsibility rest where it
belongs.
From a list of the final vote before us, we per
ceive that Hickman, Packer and Barclay, three
Tbe Superior Courts—Times for holding tin!
The General Assembly has passed a bill and
Governor has approved the same, tisitg tketk-j
for holding the Superior Courts in a number :|
counties as follows : , I
In Marion on Abe first Monday in Marti.siil
September; in Harris on the second MciiJjv :J
Apiil and October; in Muse-oge^on the first3tc
day in May and November; in Lovvndes <*
third Monday in June and December. In th cct: i
ties of the Southwestern Circuit as fo!:o*s: ’
Sumter on the second and third Monday in Man
and September; in Lee on the fourth Mi.r.;laj:g
March and September and tiie Monday ti e; .at: 11
in Decatur on the fourth Monday in April and
toberand the Monday thereafter; in Bah?, "i;'
second arid third Mmday in May and Novcat-t j
in Calhoun on the fourth Monday in May
vember; in Dougherty cn the Monday after n
fourth Monday in May and November. In rtf i-
taula Circnit as follows : In Early *en the
Monday in March and September : in Clay
fourth Monday in Merchant! September; ia-’ 1 -
chafoonee on the first Monday in Aj ilar.JOct
her; in Stewart on the third and fourth
in April and October ; in Randolph on the firstc
second Mondays in May and November: in la :
as.on the first Monday in June and December
hold two weeks; in Berrien on the Thursday
the fourth Monday in June and December: inU>- i
quitt on tbe Monday after the fourth M nday .
May and November; in Chattahoochee or. ts« *
ond Monday in April and October and iu T.tt
on tbe first Monday in March and September' 1
In the Middle CiVcuit as follows: In Cohnri',1 * 3
the third Monday in March and the first MoL-iy-J
September of the present year and on the first Y-■
day in March and September in each year n > '
tef ; in Washington on the fourth Monday h 1 j
and the second Monday in September ot th J P’ |
crit year, and on the second Monday in Jiarcu*- j
September in each year thereafter; in Ens ; *
the third Monday in April and the fourth J
in September of the present year, and on th; ;i! "' 3
Monday in March and September m curt- ■ j
thereafter: in Richmond on the second M"!'- 1 .'
October next and the second Monday in Apri
October in each year thereafter; iu Burked
third Monday of May and November of the V'
and each succeeding year : and in Jetfc-r-
the first Monday in June and December of tb £ i ,c
entand each succeeding year.
The Inferior Court of Harris is to be he:J °“
second Monday in January and July, andtbe-
rior Court of Richmond on the Thnrsdsyau -
first Monday in March and the fiist Momi*. v “•
cember of tho present year, and on tbe fit 51
day in^}ue ami December of each year thate*^
StBDDCct to Andrew J. -Tliiler.
We are gratified to learn that the House ■
resentatives on Thursday last, passed a bih a t
printing $1,000 to erect a monument to the
ry ofthe Hon. A- J- Millkr. Col. John 36
and ’James Gardner, of Augusta, were ;1 ; ;
ed to prepare an inscription.
Death of H. L. Cunningham, M*
On Tuesday night last Matthew E.
ham, Esq., a Representative from the cou 11 .
Forsyth, died in this city of rueumonia. ^ .
On Wednesday on the announcement of bi 5 ,
cease, both Houses passed the usual resoi> ! -''
sorrow for his death and of sympathy with bb
reaved family. A committee consisting oi • ^
Moore of Cobb, and Gray of Paulding, on t - £
of the .Senate, and Messrs. Julian < f I ,ns '‘ '
Graham of Lumpkin, on the part of theH° use J
appointed to attend Ids remains to his lenm 1 ■
Both Houses adjourned for the day ano tk^ ^ |
bers forming a procession, proceeded with
mains of the deceased member from Ins
house to the cars.
ASwekt Potato, raised in East
been presented to the Editors ot toe Cw“
Courier, that weighed ttrewly-six pounds-