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King must have understood the extent of this principle and
the number of our adopted citizens, when he announced the
prediction of the tide of emigration to California for the en
suing five years. We cannot, with reference to the limits of
this sketch, present Mauri tv. to our readers in the numerous
fantastical appearances he was forced to assume, which put to
the test of unlearning the habits of his old vocation, and be
ing drilled into the “school of the soldier.” We pass over the
sea Voyage without comment, as presenting nothing but what
lias been graphically described.
Mauritz began to feel the disadvantages of his exchange af
ter half a month spent upon the desolate island, Brazos St. Ja
go, and although not a specimen of vegetation, of any charac
ter, relieved the vision from the monotony presented by the
boundless waste and expanse of water on every liand, that
surrounded and often with the fury of the storm-spirit
lashed the bleak area of sand which he temporarily occupied,
he did not yet entirely despair of fragrant orange groves and
the sight of citrons and olives. True, the heat of the vertical
sun and its intense glare upon the white sand, parched up the
fluid of his body, and the only relief was the lengthened shad
ow of his tent, which he eagerly followed as it told the hours
of the long day, like the sands of the sun dial of Ahaz.—
Withal, his best meal may be judged of from the relish of
the best thing it furnished—a simple cup of coffee which
lost its aroma in the process of preparation for the humble
board. It was made in water taken from six-inch sinks, which
our hero himself dug with his fingers in the beach. Our unin
initiated readers may at any time test the quality of this de
lectable beverage when they may have die inclination to know
the substantial force of the arguments operating upon the pat
riotism (?) of our hero, by dissolving only a handful of com
mon salt in their morning and: evening beverage, and placing
themselves near a red hot furnace, which intensifies the sum
mer heat of the circumambient atmosphere of their apartments.
Mtiuritz only began to despair and deplore his change. This
was, however, “ the beginning of the end” of his aptitude for
die war. One march of ten miles and he is again upon the
continent, but this march in the heat of July impresses upon his
memory no very pleasant reminiscences of the famous Bocca
Chccco , and does not particularly strengthen his satisfaction
with his new life.
Tents are pitched in the black mud on the delta of the Rio
Grande, and here no change comes over the impressions of
Mauritz, and when the heavy rains of that region and the sea
son set in, more than once he regretted his enlistment. Straws
often indicate the direction of a current, and we must discov
er the hidden thoughts of Mauritz from very trivial acts of
this part of his soldier-life. Ilis first essay after reaching the
enemy’s territory clearly warrants the assumption that up to
this period his mind was more constantly engaged upon reap
ing from the fruit crop, than splintering lances with the foe
man. While in the Brazos, he began to entertain capital
doubts whether, after all, any thing vegetated in Mexico *, but
here these doubts were dissipated, for when the heavy rains
flooded the low grounds, he was detailed to cut out a camping
ground, in a dense chnpparal , the character of which can
only bo known accurately to those who have been similarly
employed in them. This work accomplished and Mauritz
momentarily encouraged by the scrubby undergrowth to be
seen on the distant hills, he set out to search for fruit, visions
of which had so long kept up his spirits, under the real hard
ships of his lot. He had not long prosecuted this search,
when he found acres of fruit—bearing bushes bending under
golden tinted'berries. Who shall describe his feelings on
this occasion! Ilis companions gathered around him. He
eagerly collected his hand full of fruit and passing them to
His mouth, as eagerly masticated them. lie had felt the dou
ble-refined extract of heat before, but the berries intensified
By the sun which had before produced sensations to which al
lusion has been made, seem now to his more delicate organs
to have had concentrated in their juices all the essences of pun
gent ingredients.
“Pithoned, pithoned'!” exclaimed Mauritz, the contor
tions of his facial muscles giving occular confirmation of the
new alarms awakened in his own bosom. The unhappy fruit
hunter had fallen on one of those tempting patches of wild
pepper, which abound in that region, and which are decidedly
better to be looked at than tasted.
“ Pm pithoned,” continued Mauritz, at intervals of his long
dVawn respirations, bilking and blowing like one who had fire
upon his tongue. I'm pithoned,” reiterated the fruit hunter
as the intense heat increased and his pallid face assumed the
hue of a corpse.
It availed nothing that there was a plentiful supply of the
same sort left. Mauritz felt tliat the death-spasm was upon
him ; and if during his alarm and actual pains his mind could
have been directed to the pictures of the recruiting sergeant,
he was now fully prepared to vote them down right Munchau
sen. Not being a very bold man, it is strange that he did not
fall a victim of terror. But every thing has its end, and ihe
disappointed soldier was after some long minutes relieved—
This little incident may serve to show how the long cherished
dreams of Metterch were dissipated early in the campaign.
Upon these we have seen his military ardor rested, and it was
not long after the “ baseless fabric” vanished, before it was
evident that Mauritz was wretchedly sick of the service.—
How soon men sink from the accomplishment of a high pur
pose, when the motive that pampers self-interest is impaired.
We shall next follow Mauritz after it is announced that his
regiment is environed by dangers, and actually marching up
on a pass in the mountains said to be held by Canales with
sufficient men of all arms to make a desperate stand. As the
reports brought in by spies magnified the dangers of this
march, our hero began to cast in his mind a scheme for extri
cating himself from the service becoming hourly more criti
cal. In this the littleness of his intellect was evinced. He
Hoped to deceive the surgeon of the regiment, and although
the line between a really siek man and one fcignedly so, is
palpable to those accustomed to the hospital, he actually in
vigorous health threw himself upon the list, and booked his
disease in his own language, “ rumatismns .” Ilis own de
scription of the character and seat of the disease were as
new to the physician as the name by which it was designated.
Many true men had sunk under the arduous duties and in
cessant exposure of the camp, but is safe to say that if the fa
tigue and privations endured by the soldiers had been suffi
cient to-impair the health of every man but one in his plat
toon, that man, according to all rational expectation, would
have been Mauritz. When neither medicine nor the ruma
tismns made any effect upon the face of Mauritz, he thought
it time to shift the disease, and being near enough the hospit
al, guessed the name of the most common ailment. Despite
the ridicule of his companions, sufficiently withering to have
had a different effect, and the pertinacity of the doctor in refus
ing him a discharge, Mauritz continued to report sick.
It was the duty of each first sergeant to report a list of the
sick of his company ever} 7 day to the physician, those out of
the hospital and able to walk generally accompanied the or
derly on such occasions. Day after day the name of Mauritz
and his woe-begone face haunted and distressed the good Doc
tor. The latter was a man not to be deceived, but he did not
like to misjudge the motives of another. Bread pills proving
inefficacious, the Doctor finally determined to give the pre
tender a notion of more real sickness, and ransacking his far
rago, lie administered in broken doses a potent and nauseating
emetic. It was a hard fight between the medicine and the
tough stomach of Mauritz, and for a time the latter seemed to
have every advantage ; while the doctor who eagerly watch
ed the contest was about to despair. The sickening potion
was repeated until its effect was visible, yet the incorrigible j>e
tioner for a discharge was not cured.
At this juncture, the doctor hearing of the aversion of
Mauritz to wild pepper determined to test the virtue of a strong
decoetion. The preparation was made and directions as to its
use left with the patient. The day succeeding this Mauritz
was again seen with ihe orderly at the doctor’s tent, when the
following conversation ensued.
“ Well, Metterch, how are you to-day ?” inquired the doc
tor, with difficulty repressing a smile, as he recalled the di
rections and subject of his last interview.
“ I pc nich besser as I vash,” replied the patient, placing
his hands over the abdomen, the seat of the present disease,
by which movement he meant to indicate, with the aid of his
countenance, present suffering.
“ Did you take my prescription ?” inquired the doctor.—
We will explain that at the time the pepper decoction was
given, the doctor ordered the patient to use about a quart
through the day, itself sufficient for any one man, as its nau
seating properties were increased by the addition of a power
ful drastic powder. “ I told you to keep your tent,” contin
ued the doctor, an ominous cloud overshadowing his face and
increasing the sad empliasis upon which lie dwelt. It was a
fearful moment with the patient, as he put his own interpreta
tion upon the emphatic sentence and foreboding face of the doc
tor. “ What brings you out ?” continued the doctor in still
, ; more alarming-tone, “ You have not used all the medicine in
one day V This question and the serious face of the doctor
taken together, left the impression upon more than Mauritz,
that if the answer to it was affirmative, that the army farrago
of medicine might be exhausted without finding any thing to
extract the poison in his system.
“ Yes,” stammered the affrighted Mauritz.
“In one day !” echoed the doctor, in well feigned alarm.
“ How did it serve you ?”
Mauritz reading the indication of the doctor’s concern, in
his broken lauguage described the convulsive twitches which
he had endured during the night.
“ How did you take it ? In what quantity ?”
“ More as a q-u-quart for breakfast, m-m-more as a q-u
----quart for d-d-dinner, a-n-and m-more a-a-as a q-a-quart for
supper,” faltered the patient, under the .mpression that the
simple alarm which made him stammer, was nothing more nor
less than the death-rattle.
“ W-h-e-w,” ejaculated the interrogator, “ its all over.
Go back and drink more as another quart, and it may
allay your agony and help you to die easy.” And with
these words, pregnant of evil to Mauritz, lie turned, without
relaxing a muscle of his face, to other patients.
Our alarmed hero went off to die, but had no idea of car
rying out the suggested plan of the doctor to hasten that event,
for it was no pleasant reflection to die in that region, where
the last rites to the dead were happily performed, if after his
long illness there was enough of his worn blanket left to an
swer the double purpose of shroud and coffin.
He reached his tent exhausted, and as the exascerbation of
the spasm increased, he felt sure that what he had so long
feigned was now real.
It was dismal to think of dying in that dreary land, in which
a coffin was never known, and the hyena propensities of the
prairie wolf were to be seen upon every grave.
The kind-hearted doctor visited our hero and apparently
worked hard to relieve him. The great difficulty was to al
lay the fears of the patient. In the course of time he was re
stored to health and a petty appointment to menial service,
which relieved him from camp duty, and with the recollection
of his sufferings induced Mauritz to abandon the sick list. We
hope yet to have a better story to tell of Mauritz Mettereh.
[For the Georgia Citizen.]
Loaves from a Portfolio.
Leaf iv.
Disinterestedness.— There is no portion of character
which commands more universal commendation or more
evinces the nobleness of the soul than disinterestedness. Its
contempt of all of those advantages applying only to the few,
and not to the masses of mankind, enlist for it more sincere
love and regard than volumes of eulogies could attain for it.
All who profess a true sense of appreciation most ardently
admire and respect those who act, in every cause, in a spirit
that boasts its freedom from interest or bias. They are re
commended to children by careful parents, as sublime exam
ples, and in every manner worthy of being followed. The chil
dren look upos them and revere them as models they feel proud
to follow. Those men who practice this godlike virtue, are
they on whom the country relies for the permanency of its
social ties, and its perpetuity. Science ranks them as her
favorite and foremost devotionalists; virtue names them as
the pristine and ceaseless guardians of its purity; and forsooth
all laudable enterprises owe their advancement to them. The
widow and orphan, the poor and the destitute, and the bend
ed form of age and infirmity receive from them such aid and
consolation that they for awhile forget all their bereavements.
Like the eyes of the traveler in the desert which gladdens
at the sight of an oasis, so our eyes gladden when we view a
man with a disinterested spirit. The man who is superior
to regard of private advantage is, we apprehend, as far
above the generality of mankind as the heavens are above
the earth. If we would be happy we must choose those for
ottr companions, whose hearts are not corrupted by selfish
ness ; for then we are confident we are commingling with
those who are worthy of our confidence and esteem. A
man to be a circumspect Christian must needs be disinterest
ed beyond enough to answer his wants. He must never
wear the fetters of bias, but have for all men a feeling of
friendship approximating the love and deference he has for
his Saviour, who suffered the excruciating tortures of the
cross, with a spirit of love and unapproachable disinterested
ness fortlie deliverance of mankind. SENECA.
Cnrrenpknir.
LETTER from ATLANTA.
Atlanta, April 23, 1850.
Dear Doctor: —The examination of Demby, Collins and
Mulkey, the precious trio arraigned on suspicion of being con
cerned in the extensive robberies from the Depots and Cars
in this place, terminated yesterday. Demby was fully exam
ined before Justices Buell and White on Friday last, on the
complaint of Mr. Orme, Agent of the Georgia Railroad and
Banking Company, and required to find hail in the sum of
$3,000; and, at the instance of Col. Williamson, Agent of
the Macon & Western Railroad Company, who are also hea
vy losers by Demby’s light-fingered “operations,” $2,000 ad
ditional bail was required. Collins was examined on Satur
day, but for want of sufficient evidence of his participation
in the “transaction,” he was discharged. Mulkey stood his
examination yesterday, and was required to find bail in the
sum of SI,OOO. In default of bail, they will both lie taken
to-day to the “lock-up” at Decatur, there to await their final
trial in September next, before the Superior Court. If jus
tice is done them, they will, in all probabilty, he assigned to
permanent “ sits” in the State's great work-shop at Milledge
ville. The excitement growing out of these examinations has
been intense throughout the entire week; and the Court
room lias been crowded every day, mostly by persons depen
dent upon their daily labor to supply food and raiment for
their half-starved families.
I understand that my friend Nat Mangum, Esq., attended
’Squire Casey’s Court, about five miles above our city, on
Saturday last, where lie plead his client's cause, gained the
suit, and whipped the defendant badly! That, I think, was
a pretty fair day’s work.
On Saturday last another flare-up occurred which in no
way tended to allay the previous excitement. A brute hav
ing the general appearance of a man, but whose countenance
resembles a cake of domestic soap with a few grains of rotten
corn stuck in the centre, feeling somewhat belligerent, for a
fancied affront, belabored a poor defenceless woman severely
with a cane! He was forthwith taken before Justice Buell,
who, after a hearing, ordered the graceless scamp to the
tombs, in default of S2OO bail. This fellow's name is Cham
berlain. He has a wife and several children.
Suspicion that A. W. Wheat fired his own premises on
Monday night of hist week is entertained by many per
sons here; and I understand that his policy of insurance
has been protested, still I am unwilling to believe him guilty.
I mention this for the purpose of satisfying your readers that
our community have not been excited altogether without good
cause.
One Negro was convicted on Wednesday last of stealing
goods from the Depots here, and three or four others confess
ed their guilt of the same crime. The one convicted was sen
tenced to receive forty stripes; whereupon, the owners of
the others agreed to waive a formal trial and submit tliat
theirs should receive a like punishment. Accordingly, on
Wednesday night they were whipped and immediately turn
ed loose. For my part, I consider the sentence of the Court
just no punishment at all; but rather as a carte blanc to eve
ry negro to steal till he can. Had these fellows received
their just punishment., they would each have been branded,
cropped, or publicly whipped for ten or fifteen consecutive
days. But negroes are “ private property” and the private
rights of individuals must not be infringed upon, even though
the whole community arc plundered !
A scoundrel named Sims was arrested this morning on a
charge of high-way robbery. It appears that he enticed an
old man named Foote into the woods, and arriving at a se
cluded sj>ot demanded the old man’s money. Finding him
destitute ol tliat needful article, he compelled him to give up a
copy of a note (the original being lost) for $250. Siins es
caped shortly after his arrest, but was re-captured, and will be
sent to Decatur to-morrow to await J udge Hill's semi-an
nual visit, in September next.
I have just learned that an altercation arose yesterday be
tween two individuals, living about twelve from this city, when
one of them dealt the other a blow on the head with a hoe,
which is likely to prove fatal! I)o you doubt that we live in
a great country ? If so, come up, and be undeceived. I pray
that the ensuing Legislature will grant us a Court, to be per
in §s©§u emisH.
petually in session, for the trial and punishment of a portion at
least of the thousand and one outrages against the Laws that
are daily committed in our midst. Until the community can
be thoroughly purged of its villians, thieves, cut-throats,
w -s and w——mongers, I am decidedly in favor of sum
mary punishment!
I have not, as yet, been able to get all the information I de
sire in regard to certain matters connected with the manage
ment of the State Railroad ; but have concluded to give one
item now, and continue the exposition as facts come to my
knowledge. Most of your readers will remember what a hub
bub was raised in, and how much precious time w 7 as consum
ed by, the hist Legislature, in reference to granting to the
Contractors, Messrs. Gray & Cos., extra pay for work done on
the Tunnel; and that the matter was finally referred to a
Committee of practical Civil Engineers, who were requested
to examine the work and report to the Governor. It will be
remembered also, by all who take any note of the matter, that
the Chief Engineer was, next to the Contractors, more solici
tous than all others besides, to press the claim through the
Legislature. What, then, I ask, can be thought of his “ de
votion to the interests of the Stale,” when it is known that,
even prior to the sitting of the Legislature, the Chief Engineer
had (by curtailment of the length of the Road, and the sub
stitution of lighter and inferior work on the extension above
Dalton) favored the said Contractors to the handsome amount
of about thirty-one thousand, dollars ? This fact is not gen
erally known ; and I trust that this notice will meet the eyes
of the Committee appointed to adjudicate the Contractors’
claim, that justice may be done our good old Commonw 7 ealth.
The weather has been delightful for several days past, with
occasional showers, which have generally been attended by
lightning, but no thunder. Vegetation, which is very back
ward for the season, is rapidly expanding, and all Nature looks
gay, smiling and happy. Yours, truly,
GABRIEL.
LETTER from COLEIBUS.
Columbus, April 20, 1850.
“ My Dear Citizen —l hope you will excuse my apparent
negligence, of late, when I assure you, that it arose from cir
cumstances entirely beyond my control. Nothing of much
importance has taken place since my last. Occasionally we
have a drunken row as the weather becomes warm—a hair
pulling scrape between a “Boss” and his Journeyman, and
various minor incidents which would not interest your gene
ral readers.
“ Uncle Dabney”—alias D. P. Jones, the Lecturer on
Temperance, has been here, holding forth on the subject of
the abuse of alcoholic potations, lie is so well known, how
ever, as the advocate of sobriety, that I need not describe any
of the peculiar points of his Addresses against King Bacchus.
The California mania, which has been raging here for some
time, has slain many victims; and would, no doubt, slay ma
ny more, but for the one thing needful. Some fifteen or twenty
will start for the u land of Ophir” between this and Wednes
day morning, to meet the steamer at New Orleans, on the
first of May; some of them men of families, and all of them
good citizens, each one carrying with him the prayers of some,
and the good wishes of the whole community for his pros
perity end safe return to family and friends.
Many worthy men are compelled to stay at home, for the
want of means, and all sorts of games have been played for
the purpose of borrowing, but with little success. Monied
men generally keep their eyes skinned, and will hardly loan a
man an X unless he pawps a doubloon ! I will relate a scene
of last evening. It appears that several poor men had asked
a certain monied man to loan them means to carry them to
California. He agreed to meet them at a certain bar-room ,
when he would inform them what he could do. Well, night
came, and the poor fellows were dropping in, one by one,
into the bar-room, each one believing the others to be on dif
ferent business—where they waited for some time for the
monied friend, but he not coming as soon as expected, one
puts for the door, sees one or two fellows going down the
street in a great hurry, turn a corner, and immediately a roar
of laughter is heard! Well, sir, that laugh arose from the
monied man and his associates, who had been watching with
fiendish delight, through the window, the restless anxiety of
the poor fellows at the sound of footsteps at the door. AVe
will not be permitted to witness another such a scene, for rn
mor hm it tlit, a number of wealthy gentlemen, l notorious
for their benevolent acts , arc forming a society for the pur
pose of loaning money to the needy. Among the most prom
inent are Iv. M. Iv*****. Major F*****. K. E P****,
Dr. B**** and W. A****. Some say that G. ll*******
is to be the Treasurer. I wish them great success, but hope
that they wi ll not send so many to California as to injure the
interests of property at home.
I notice, among the number who are up for the “Mines,”
a certain “knight” and “deacon” whose place we (the mcm
bers of the “root and branch society”) will have to fill. T wish
you to recommend someone for the station. Perhaps your
tall win- some young friend, who is so well versed in the un
standings of men, can he induced to accept the position.—
We want a grave and elevated genius for the post, who never
writes any “ Bucket Letters” nor edits such explosive journals
as the “ Bomb-shell” of 1848, and I know of no one better
calculated than he to fill the place lately filled with so much
dignity and unction, by the man of “erosive soap” and “tooth
ache” tincture!
The times are getting pretty dull, in this city, but compar
atively few planters coming to town at this propitious season
for putting seed into the ground.
Mr. Truax, the blind Musician, gives a Concert on Thurs
day evening next, and gravely announces that the Moon lias
kindly volunteered to aid him on the occasion ! Hope it will
Ik? no “moon hoax” affair, or a yankce trick to “raise the
wind.” Were it not for Mr. T’s misfortune of blindness,
which so strongly appeals to the charitable sympathy of the
public, we do not suppose that such concerts would receive
much patronage from the cognoscenti and dillitanti of our
village.
Os the Nashville Convention I hear scarcely any thing
said, at this time. The “ Fire-Eaters” have cooled off amaz
ingly since the election, and 1 have no doubt some of them
will eventually be sicker of the joke than any of those whoso
distinguished themselves on the Rio Grande during the Mex
ican war by getting sick and remaining so, until out of
sight of the “ ehapparals,” but who soon after arrived at home
in a reasonably sound condition ! If I do not mistake the
“signs of the times,” burnt brandy will not save the Nash
ville Delegates from the public scorn which awaits every moth
er’s son of them who meditates treason against our beloved
Union. In all sincerity, I remain yours, &c. CATO.
LETTER from AUGUSTA.
Augusta City, April 20, 1850.
Dear Doctor :—T have the pleasing duty to perform of ad
vising the Georgia Citizen, of one City of this great Com
monwealth, enjoying peace, plenty and prosperity. And in
the words of Dow, jr., “so mote it ever he.” Broad St. Au
gusta, may well lie called the Wall St. of Georgia ; we hope
however, not in the way of deep shaves, but as regards her
Banking Capital and institutions, and also the numerous pri
vate capitalists who are to be found in our city. And the pro
bability is, that the number will be increased as our manufac
tures and trade with the States of Alabama, Tennessee,
South Carolina, and the interior of Georgia increases. These
great chains of Rail Roads which are penetrating those rich
and fertile rallies of Tennessee are destined, at no very distant
day, to enrich our citizens and add to the wealth of all the
cities in Georgia.
Our Banks are all in good condition and doing a healthy
business; if we are to judge from the dividends declared bn
the first of the present month, they have done admirably du
ring the past winter. The Georgia Rail Road Bank declar
ed a dividend of 3 1-2 per cent, for the List 6 months, which
is quite gratifying to the friends of the Road. The Mechan
ics’ Bank here also declared a dividend of ten per cent, on
their capital of five hundred thousand dollars. Also, the
Bank of Brunswick one of fifteen per cent. This Bank had
their charter amended at the last session of the Legislature,
giving them the privilege of increasing their capital to
five hundred thousand dollars. Their present capital is two
hundred thousand dollars. It was formerly located tit the
town of Brunswick, but afterwards allowed to remove to Au
gusta by permission of the Legislature, and is one of the
soundest Banks of the State. The amount, of Banking Cap
ital employed in our city is not less than two and half millions
of dollars.
The amusements in and about our city have increased with
the improvement of the weather. Last Monday the steamer
Hancock made an excursion trip down the Savannah river as
far as the Silver Bluff. She left the wharf at 2 o’clock P. M.,
and returned at 10 same evening. As is usual, a large and
well assorted crowd was on board, upon the occasion. They
had a band of music and a cannon, to suit the tastes of all
concerned. Down the river they went with colors flying, mu
sic playing and cannon roaring, and the old shores of Geor
gia and Carolina echoed back its sound of joy and mirth ;
but, to their utter consternation, dancing was not to be found
in the bill of Hire. The Captain belongs to the church or the
church belongs to the Captain, I don't know which, and the
delightful, beautiful and lovely amusement of dancing was not
in the bill! Ilcre they were ready to mix in the dance,
saints anil sinners, cod-fish aristocrats and plebians, shirt
makers and bankers, loafers and swelled heads, butchers and
braggarts—their fun all knocked into pie.
The would-be upper ten had a Pic Nic up the Canal, which,
from all accounts, passed off much to their gratification.
On Friday evening our neighbors over the river gave a
grand Pic Nic on Shultz’s Hill. It was well worthy of the
fame of that ancient city of Hamburg. The place of meet
ing was on the brow of the bill in a beautiful grove. Nearby
the clear, pure water bubbled up from a copious spring. All
around were fires of pine wood, giving light, heat and smoke,
and a few candles for the benefit of those on the platform and
the musicians. All being ready, the word was given—“ take
partners for first cotillion.” Such scrambling, running, dodg
ing and hopping, (fee., as ensued can be better imagined than
described. The ladies were found to be quite scarce, only one
to five gentlemen. Many of the gentlemen left the ground
in disgust , declaring that they never saw such a party, and
broke for home ; others took a drink and tried it again.
The fair sex who went with white dresses and faces got con
siderably smoked as well as danced. It was decidedly the
richest Pic Nic of the season, and will long be green in the
memories of many,particularly Mr. D , who unfortunate
ly was caught talking with a fair lady on the platform with
his beaver on. Poor fellow ! perhaps his head was cold.—
He probably forgot that he was in the gallant city of Ham
burg.
A fire, a few nights ago, burnt up a small wooden kitchen
in the upper part of the city, doing but little damage. Our
fire department is in a very effectual condition, which, no
doubt, is quite gratifying to our Insurnnee Companies, who
are very willing to avail themselves of their services, but are
apt to forget that merit ever has any reward.
The flare up of Messrs. Foote and Benton has created
quite a sensation in our city. It was certainly a shameful af
fair. Tt would be an honor to the Senate to expel them from
their seats. “Coming events east their shadows before
them.” What may we not expect to see in this en
lightened age, among an enlightened and highly civilized peo
ple. We will hope to see the Union perpetuated, and we do
believe that it will last forever.
I remain, Respectfully, yours, RICHMOND.
LETTER from SAVANNAH.
Savannah, April 22 d, 1850.
Dear Doctor : — I regret that you have not heard from
“Seaboard” for some weeks. It has been for want of op
portunity on my part, but I hope to make amends. 1 have
received your paper regularly and am pleased with its ap
pearance, in every respect: may success, as you deserve, at
tend you.
Since my last, many things have transpired worthy of
note, but l can only give you a few items. The delegates to
the Nashville Convention were nominated by a small meet
ing of citizens at the Exchange. Judge Law made a speech.
It was well tempered, but the gentleman gave no intimation
of what course he would pursue in the Convention. It is
very likely he don't know what he will do, like many others.
Dr. Wm. C. Daniels also spoke. This gentleman is a large
slave holder, and spoke with much warmth on the subject of
“northern aggression,” in fact, like one who felt really in
terested, as no doubt he is, but perhaps if it came to fighting
for his negroes, he would hire a drunken substitute at $1
per diem, in his place, if he had to serve as a private When
the election came on, the delegates were elected “unanimous
ly” by about 150 votes out of about 15 or I, til>o, and strange
j to say, ever}’ paper in the city, forgot to give the returns un
til two days after; hud it been an election for bailiff', with
| Whig and Democratic candidates, either side would have
! hailed it ;is a party triumph. It was a little comical to see the
! Magistrates, two or three in number, with the poll Clerks.
I sitting there waiting for votes. No crowd, not three persons
around, no “knocks down and drags out,” no sticks, nor the
usual paraphernalia of elections going on, only about half-do
zen of the “faithful” on the ground, like an apple woman
waiting for customers.
l’er contra, see the thirst for ofliee in another light. The
keeper of the Arsenal, Capt. Swinney, died a few weeks
since. As soon as it was known he was dead, and long be
fore- he was in his grave, there were, as l have heard, about
four applicants for the ofliee, and 1 wish they may all get it,
that's all.
The Gas Company arc making rapid strides with their
work. In almost every street large gangs of hands are em
ployed laying down the pipes, which gives our city a lively
appearance. The house for manufacture of the Gas is going
up briskly, also. The calculation is to have the city lit with
Gas on the 4th July night. I have my doubts as to wheth
er it will be completed at that time. It is sad to say it, but
northern men have nearly the whole of this work, even what
our own mechanics can do; even the Iron lamp posts must
come from the north! Some of our city fathers are like ma
ny other citizens who live here, who think nothing can be
done well, or as it should Ik-, unless it is done north of the
Potomac. They are great for importing, and I should not
be astonished if we, next year, imported the Mayor and Al
dermen for the city of Savannah; also, a few judges. lawyers,
doctors, Ac., Ac., for home consumption ? Why not, as
well as bricklayers, carpenters, stone masons and builders ?
I tell these men, the correct principle is to sustain the me
chanics at home, even if it does cost a little more for work. It
is better than to send abroad to those who have no interest or
feeling with us. They pay the State of Georgia no tax, and
don't care if the State of Georgia and its people would all
slide into the Atlantic. But there are those, at home, who
will sustain the mechanic, and the mechanic must, also, sus
tain himself and insist upon his rights against all odd*.
The “Savannah Volunteer Guards,” Capt. C. P. Rieh
ardsone, intend paying a visit to Macon, for the purpose of
spending the Ist of May, their 18th anniversary. They
were organized in 1802, ever since which time they have
sustained the corps as one of the best in the country. It was
formerly commanded by the gallant Capt. Edwin F. Tat
nall, under whom it has mustered on parade 121 men. His
brother, Josiah Tatnall, of U. S. Navy, is still an Hon. mem
ber of the Company. There are several old veterans who
never miss a regular parade, and arc as enthusiastic in the
success of the corps as young men. Among them Mr. Da
vid Hell, who was a corporal on the first parade of the
“ Guards’’ in 1802, and Mr. A. J. C. Shaw who joined sub
sequently, and others who have “grown gray” in service.—
All honor to these noble old veterans who may be called the
fathers of the volunteer corps of old Georgia. Their exam
ple is worthy of imitation by all patriotic young men.
Yours truly, SEABOARD.
A New Invention. —A new and valuable improvement
in farming utensils, says the Perry county Democrat, is
now being exhibited in this place by Jacob Stroop, Esq.,
formerly of this county, called the “ American Combination
Plough.” The new feature in this plough is, that whilst the
farmer is second ploughing or stirring his land, it sows the
seed and harrows it under, all by the same operation, and that
too with but little or no additional power. It can l*c readily
changed from a seed sower to a dropping and covering corn
or any other grain. The whole structure is and can
be made at a very low price. Many of our farmers have ex
amined it, and are generally of the opinion that it is one of
the best farming implements introduced.
Patent Hoops. —A machine has lately been invented for
making hoops, which bids fair to do away the necessity of
growing hoop poles hereafter. Any tough, strait-grained
timber will answer the purpose. It is first sawed into square
strips, the width desired for the hoop; these strips arc next
turned round, like a hoc handle, and then slit through the
centre. Each stick thus makes two half-round hoops. They
are then steamed and bent. Casks hooped with them, pre
sent an extra-neat appearance. The whole work is done by
machinery. Just previous to setting them, it is necessary to
wet -them in cold water. A specimen of these hoops was ex
hibited at the late State Agricultural Show at Syracuse.— N.
Y. Ag riculturalist. I
2l)t (Srorgin Ciliztn.
L. P. W. ANDREWS, Editor.
MACON, GA., APRIL 25, 1850.
Cotton market.
Prices have advanced 1-2 to 3-4 of a cent in this market,
since the receipt of the late Foreign News. The receipts of
Cotton at the different Ports have been 567,576 hales less
than at the same time last year, and the stock on hand at la
test dates 42,736 less. The total amount of cotton on hand
and on shipboard not ck-aaed, is 543,988, against 586,724,
same time in 1849. Fair cottons range here at from 11 1-2
to 11 3-4.
FIRE RAGING Ilf SAVANNAH!!
At the present writing, 9 A. M., this day, an extensive Fire
is raging in Savannah! Teh-graphic dispatches announce
that it broke out about 2 o'clock this morning, and that four
or five blocks of buildings, west and south of the Market, have
already been consumed. These blocks are bounded on two
sides by Bough ton and Jefferson streets. Owing to the ne
cessity of immediately going to press, we arc unable to give
further particulars.
may Day. “We shall probably have a lively time, in
this city, on the ensuing Ist of May. On that day we are to
have with us that veteran military Company, the “ Savannah
Volunteer Guards,'’ Captain C. I*. Riciiardsone, who visit
us on an anniversary pleasure excursion, and who will, of
course, be received by our own excellent Volunteer compa
nies and cordially welcomed to the hospitalities of the town.
Besides, we may look for the usual honors to be paid to Mad
ame Flora , by the May Queen of each Female School, and
her liolyday worshippers. To her mandate—“bring flowers
—bring flowers,” we presume the juvenile feminines and their
young gallants will yield their accustomed ready obedience,
ou the interesting occasion.
OGLETHORPE CITY.
We arc indebted to the Editor of the “Journal and Mes
senger” for the following article, which he had intended for
his last issue, but which was not prepared in season.— Ed.
Georgia Citizen.
Sale or Lots in Oglethorpe. —We learn from gentle
men who attended the second side of lots in the new town of
Oglethorpe last week, that there was quite a large concourse
of persons present and that the lots were sold at from one
hundred to five hundred per cent, higher than at the first
sale in January last. Between thirty and forty lots were sold.
The highest price was .-$350 and the average price a fraction
under §2OO. At about 2 o'clock P. M. Mr. Cabiniss closed
the sale and announced that he would dispose of no more lots
either public or privately until the road was completed and
the ears had arrived at the town. When this will be, we can
not now certainly say. The late Reports of Mr. Reynolds,
the President of the company, and of Mr. Holcomb, the En
gineer, announced that the road will be open in ample time to
convey tlie growing crop to market—say by the Ist of No
i vember. The difficulty of procuring bands upon some of the
contracts lias somewhat impeded the progress of the work and
it is not probable now, that the road will be open much before
the middle of December. The purchasers of lots however
are making active preparations for the opening of business at
that time. A number of houses have already been erected,
and many of the lot holders are only waiting to procure brick
and lumber in order to press forward their improvements with
increased vigour. Several extensive Ware 1 liaises will be
! in readiness for the receipt of cotton even before the road is in 1
! operation. Mr. Arnold, formerly of Lanier, has already a
j fine stock of goods opened at the place. Two companies arc ;
actively engaged in manufacturing brick in the vicinity of the
town, and two large steam sawmills will be in successful op
eration by the first of June. From all these indications we i
are inclined to think that Oglethorpe is destined to be a for
midable rival t) our own city, and that, to >, at no distant day.
Brown’s Eccentric Progressive Power Press.
Mr. A. 1). Brown, of Clinton, Ga., is the inventor of the
new power press, of the above title, a model of which can
now Ik* seen at the establishment of E. E. Brown, Esq., in
this city. It is well adapted for pressing Cotton, Hay, Hemp,
Tobacco, Ac., by Horse Power, and by using a wheel and
pinion may bo made very compact, and answer admirably for
pressing any other article, where great pressure is required
in a small s|>ace.
The annexed cut gives a side and longitudinal view of this
Press :
The frame and Bale Box is made in the usual manner of eot
ton screws, the stock being composed of two upright pieces
connected to the Pressure Block by screws or otherwise, and
united, above, by a tie-block. The follower slides up and down
between guides or cheeks on each side, which are made in any
manner to guide the follower, in a perpendicular direction, to
the bale-box. The follower and stock are raised up, when tlie
bale is pressed, by a rope or chain, which is made fast to the
frame, passing under the eccentric pulley over one sheave and
under another small top sheave, thence to the capstan, where
it winds round, the reverse way from the chain. Between
the sides of the stock there is placed an eccentric pulley over
which passes the chain which is secured at one end to a sta
ple, in one of the transverse beams of the frame, and e A*nds
to the capstan, under the sheave. The capstan is operated
by power applied to the Lever, whieh, by winding the chain
on the capstan, presses or draws down the stock, (at the same
time unwinding the eliain or rope) and the follower down up
on the cotton in the box. It is intended that the pulley, whieh
is placed in the stock, on an eccentric, or nearer the periphery
than the centre, shall make only one half of a revolution in
pressing a bale of cotton.
This “press is therefore a very ingenious combination of the
Lever power of the capstan and the revolving eccentric
pulley, whereby greater speed and small power is used at the
commencement, and less speed and greater power as the
compression proceeds.
Mr. Brown is now prepared to sell the State County rights
for this Press, except for Georgia, which State he will supply j
himself, by selling single rights, and furnishing the materials 1
to all who may desire to purchase. The exact cost of the j
Press he will be able to make public, as soon as he can ascer
tain the expenses of a full set of irons for his machine.
Planters interested in such improvements will do well to j
call at E. E. Brown’s and examine the model.
Northern Amusements:— Kidnapping young white
girls, rapes, seductions, divorces and murders, seem to have
become quite common amusements among the descendants of
the Pilgrim Fathers, north of the Potomac. These are some
of the fruits of the mongrel system of socialism, abolitionism
and rascality which there finds favor with the “higher class
es” of the community. We have no space to record one
hundredth part of such incidents, even if we had the inclina
tion.
The Mechanics* Library.— The work c*r establish
ing a Library, by the Mechanics’ Society of Macon, has been
Commenced with flattering prospects. Already a consid
erable subscription lias been obtained among the members
themselves, and a committee lias been appointed to collect sub
scriptions, in Money. Books, C'liarts and Philosophical Appa
ratus, from the citizens at large. The intention of the Society
is to make the Library accessible to the public on the most lib
eral terms. For instance, a subscript ion of five dollars will
entitle the subscriber to a family privilege,/er the year, to the
Institution, and in that proportion of time for a larger sub
scription. Thus, any gentleman who will make a donation in
Money or Books to the Library, of SSO, will have ten years’
privilege to the same without further cost. The Librarv,
moreover, will be a general one, not confined to Suieflee and
| Mechanics, but adapted to the miscellaneous and general tea
; der. For those not able to give a subscription of $5, theft!
will be a privilege, at a low rate on each volume loaned from
the Library.
As we are certified that the moral and intellectual improve
ment of the members of the Society is the sole motive, in the
formation of the Library, we cannot but hope that the efforts
of the Society and its committee, will be crowned with sub
stantial success. The following are the names of the gentle
men appointed on the committee, to either of whom subscrip
tions and donations may be made :
C. P. Levy, David Toucey, A. F. Sherwood and Robert
Findiey, Regular Members—andS.T. Chapman, James A,
Nisbet, J. H. R. Washington and Geo. W. Fish,Esqs., Hon~
orary Members.
Health of the C ity. —As tlie warm weacher approach
es it becomes the duty of the Board of lk-alth to examine
into, and report upon, all causes of disease, which may be
found to exist, within the limits of the Corporation. And if
the official gentlemen will honor us with a call, at the begin
ning of their sanitary rconnoisance, we will guarantee to
show them as nice a place for breeding ntusquiioes, malaria,
fleas, Are., as they may wish to find on a summer's day, say
nothing of a pig-sty, bard by, the iforous exhalations of
which do not resemble the perfume of “ ottar of Ruses” or
the fragrance of “Araby tlie blest,” by upwards of consider -
ble! Do, gentlemen, step in, and we will point you to the
spot where the “ stuff that fevers are made of” can be dis
covered, even by a man Wind from birth !
All Calk and no Cider.- -Our Savannah Correnpond
ent lightly touches a subject which should, we think, engage
j tlie serious attention of every friend to southern rights and
! southern prosperity. We allude to his notice of the contract,
by the city authorities of Savannah, with Northern me
chanics, to put up the Gas Works now being erected in
that city, while the mechanics of Savannah are overlooked,
either as unkdful or unworthy. This is a common evil, how
ever, in the South. Almost every branch of Mechanical
business is made to suffer amongst us. by the preference giv
en to Northern workmen. A genteel suit of clothing for
; our extra fashionable gentlemen can no where Ik* had, short
! of Broadway or Chesnut street, and so great “is this mania,
| that it has become a regular business for New York and
I Philadelphia Tailors, annually, to send out measurers to take
; the form and figure of Southern gentlemen, for wardrobe to
be supplied from Northern shops and by Northern work
men ! Our merchants, too, many of them, send to the North
for their Handbills and Printed Cards; our Bankers get their
blank bills of Exchange and Cheeks from the same quarter,
and even the compiler of a valuable Georgia work—the “Sta
tistics of Georgia”—had to go or send to New Y'ork, to
have his work printed ! And yet many of these persons arc
’ the most red-mouthed demagogues in the land upon the
! subject of Southern rights, Southern Conventions and other
; political clap-traps of tin* day l They, forsooth, art* bold de
i nouneers of Northern Fanaticism and Northern aggression,
and, at the same time, are annually contributing large sums
j to feed and fatten the worst enemies of Southern Institutions!
It is high time, we think, that such nonsense should be done
away with. If the South means to be independent of north
ern power and influence, she should encourage her home
manufactures, in every way possible. Her citizens and me
chanics should be [latronized in preference to all others.-
And he who does not do it, but who furnishes the sinew* of
i war — money — to our northern enemies, as is done, in a
I thousand ways, should never open his head in favor of sou th-
rights and privilege*. It i* nothing but sheer hypocrisy
and deserves the indignant rebuke of every true friend to
i Southern prosperity and advancement. For what avails it,
if we hold correct theories upon so vital a question, if our
” hole practice gives the lie to our profi-ssion ! For ourselwu
we doubt that Southern man’s patriotism, who, as a matter
of choice, sends to the North for articles of luxury or conveni
ence, wli.eh can be made as well by our own
a man is worse than a common traitor, inasmuch as he not
only betrays his country, but gives “aid and comfort” to tlm
enemy, in the most effective form, by furnishing him the
means of carrying on a ruthless warfare against us. Ix*t no
such man lie trusted.
mmmmmmmmrnmmmmm
01 R BOOK TABLE.
A friend has placed in our hands a copy of anew masonie
work, from the pen of Charles Soot*. A. M., Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of Mississippi entitled “ The Analogy of
Ancient Cra ft Masonry to natural and rcccaled Religion
with a portrait of the author's father, Edward Scott, Esq.—
rhe work is a splendid quarto of 3tt<‘> pages from the press
j of Lippincott fc Cos. of Philadelphia, and contains fifteen Lee
tures on various subjects, of interest to the Fraternity as well
as to the Literary and Christian reader. It comes highly
; recommended by P. G. M. Jnacph R. Chandler, and P. G.
j M. James Page of Philadelphia, and by other distinguished
| Masons of the country, and is doubtless a very valuable com
mentary upon the ancient and honorable Craft and its peeu
• liar mysteries and aaalogies.
We regret however to notice some incongruities in a por
tion of the work, as in I lecture XII, on the subject of the
Resurrection. There is too much sectarian cant sprinkled
t through this and one or two other Lectures to square with
our notions of an Institution, where the Jew and Christian,
Pagan and Mahometan can all sit down in a perfect brother
hood of “faith, hope, and charity The introduction of
such doubtful theological doctrines as the fall of man, the
Trinity, vicarious atonement, future punishment. fre., we
cannot but consider as blurs upon an otherwise excellent and
1 interesting work. With this exception; we can cheerfully
recommend the “Lectures” to the mystic Fraternity, wherev
er scattered abroad.
The volume can be had, in this city, on application at Mr.
Weed’s Hardware House to Mr. Joseph E. Wells. Price $2
a copy, in handsome binding.
todey’s Lady's Book. -The May No. of this beau
tiful monthly has been on our table for several days. It con- “v
tains 22 Embellishments, and the usual amount of Letter
press contributions, from the be-t authors. The story of
“ Katharine Walton” increases in interest as it progresses.
Fowler’s Works.- -We are indebted to the Publish
ers, Messrs. Fowler & Wells, Clinton Hall, New York, for
a full set of the “ Phrenological Journal” and “ Cold water
Journal” for the year 1860, up to April inclusive. These
are highly interesting and valuable works, which we would
be glad to see more generally patronized by our community.
The “ Home truths for home consumption which they in
culcate, on the important subjects of mental philosophy, physi
cal health and moral improvement, commend them to the
special attention of Parents, Teachers and young men entering
life. Trice of each work only 81 per annum, and published
monthly. Subscriptions will be received at this office.
The same publishers will shortly commence the publica
tion of a monthly work, under the title of “ Student price
$1 a year. M ill the publishers please mail us a copy of
Roseli’s “ Chronic Diseases ? ”
Merchant's Day Book. —Tfany body wants a spright
ly and valuable Daily from New York, we would recom
mend the “ Day Book” as one that will be sure to please.
It is witty, spicy and well posted, in news matters. Also
friendly in tone to the South ami its institutions.
Saturday Evening Post . —We are never disappoint
ed in opening this old established weekly. M T e always ex
pect to find many choice and chaste gems of miscellaneous
Literature, in its ample columns, and are so sure of being
gratified that we go armed with the means of appropriating
the same, whenever we sit down to its perusal. Deaeon A
Peterson, Publishers, 66 South 3d street, Philadelphia, at $2
per annum.
The Agriculturist:— Allen’s New-York ‘‘Agricultu
rist” maintains its high character as a sound, practieal, and
highly useful Journal, in the extensive range of agricultural
