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Cmiatitatianaltst K Eipuiilir.j 1 E? JAMES gARDITBR. j' OFFICE ON McINTOSH-STREET, THIRD DOOR FROM THE NORTH-WEST CORNER OF BROAD-STREET. TERMS: Daily, in advance par annum.... ,$G 00 If notin advance per annum 7 00 Tri-Weekly, in advance .per annum...... 4 00 If not in advance per annum 5 00 Weekly, in adrance. ...per annum 2 00 Report of the Secretary of the Interior. We condense from the report some additional facts and suggestions of immediate interest to the ci;izens of the District of Columbia : After giving an account of the progress of the construction of the Iron Suspension Truss Bridge across the Potomac, at the Little Falls—two spans of which, of 160 feet each, with stone piers, will be completed so as to permit the passage of vehicles early this winter—the report adds that the engineer recommends that this structure be extended across to the main shore in the district, in order to make the whole permanent, and es timates the additional amount required at $75,- 000. This is more than it was supposed the work would cost, but the extraordinary rise of labor and materials, and the unexpacted difficul ties that constantly existed in its progress, have convinced the Superintending Engineer that it cannot be constructed for less. The report next proceeds to point out ether improvements needed to the public property.— The following extracts, it is to be hoped, will command the prompt and favorable considera tion of the present Congress, now that we have an overflowing Treasury. The District of Columbia requires anu merits the fostering care of the general government. It is true much has been expended upon public im provements within its limits, but they ary in valuable to the different departments of the gov ernment. There aie few who know their char acter. extent and utility that can regret the ex penditure. There never was a more auspicious period for erecting the additional public edifices so much needed. Fire-pr of buildings are required lor the State, the War, and the Navy Department. All of these, together with one for this Depart ment, cm be constructed in connection with each other at an expense not exceeding three millions of dollars. The pieient buildings are not fire-proof, and the destruction of either of them by fire, to which they are constantly ex posed, and from which there is little to protect them, would be a far greater ioss to the govern ment even in a pecuniary point of view. Much inconvenience and embarrassment are experienced by this department, as well as most of the bureaus under its charge, in consequence of their distance from it. That freedom and in tercouse which is essentially necessary to the proper discharge of the duties incumbent on each, cannot exist. Questions of moment are constantly arising that might be considered, and decided promptly, and without consuming much time, if the head ol tbe department and the chief of the bureau having charge of the matter could readily and conveniently consult together. JTfais, however, is not the most serious objection to the present position of these bureaus. The Indian office is in the War Department, and occupies rooms which are not fire proof. They are also nee ded,and have been demanded by that department, and should be surrendered. The General Land Office remains in the Trea sury Building, notwithstanding the Secretary of the Treasury requires the rooms, and has made a pressing application for them. These rooms are too small and too limited in number. The Commissioner has been compelled, in several in stances, to crowd eight or nine clerks besides the desks, paper cases, and ordinary furniture, into a single loom, where more than two clerks, cannot conveniently be accommodated. In con sequence of this, and the w ant of proper ventila tion, the health of the clerks is impaired, and their ability to labor much diminished. The files and papers have increased so repidly, that for want of space many cases of valuable papers are placed in the passages, where there is not that security from fire which is requisite. The Pension Office is in a better situation, but it occupies inconvenient and uncomfortable quarters, belonging to the War Department. The Indian and Land Bureaus must be remov ed, aud the only question appears to be, whether the west wing of the Patent Office Bulding, shall up for the temporary accommoda tion of these Bureaus, or they bg placed in rented buildings, not fire proof, thus exposing to imi nent peril papers of immense value to the Gen eral Government, the States, and and private in dividual*. This building may be so finished within a year, and until a suitable structure can be erected for this Department, it will not be required by the Patent Office. Some opposition has been made heretofore to a somewhat similar proposi tion, but this, it is presumed, was based on the erroneous supposition that the cost of the entire structuie had been defrayed out of the patent fund. The amount thus far expended and ap propriated is $1,367,750, of w'hich $1,048 750 has been paid out of the Treasury, and only $319,000 out of the patent fund. Such' being the fact, there is no reason why a portion of it should not be temporarily used as proposed, until needed by the Patent Office. It this should even some what incommonde that office, it would be of small moment, in comparison with the evils that might result from withholding the use of it from the bureaus. Skillful artizans are of the 05 in ion that the necessary improvements can be ea sily made, without interfering with or injuring the original design. Unless, therefore, Congress by express enactment, otherwise determines, I intend to direct the completon of the west wing, so as to accommodate these bureaus, and secure the public archives. Within a few years the Patent Office will need the main building and the two wines for its exclusive use. In the meantime a structure should be erected for this department; and as it consumes much time to complete such a build ing, sound policy should induce its immediate commencement. One sufficiently large and commodious, and entirely separated from the other departments, can be constructed jn a plain, substantial manner for $250,000, and in the most approved style, with all the modern im firovements, for less than a half a million. Sure y, at this time, there can be no more proper or profitable application of the public moneys. The considerations urging it are strong and apparent, and it seems to me, cannot fail to convince eve ry one w'ho reflects upon the subject of its abso lute necessity. Applications are made at almost every session of Congress, for repairing the bridges crossing the Potomac, from Washington city; although in the aggregate a large amount has been expen ded on them, they are in a most unsafe and inse cure condition. Permanent and substantial structures are required and ought to be erected. In the end it wili prove a saving to the govern ment, and in the meantime conduce greatly to its interests, and the benefit of all who are in aoy wise connected with this District. The plan adopted fer improving and orna menting the public ground*, should be vigorous ly prosecuted. It will conduce to the health, as well as greatly add to the beauty of the city. These and other improvements that might be suggested are required. They are not merely for the use and benefit of the people of this Dis trict, but they minister to the pleasure, comfort and health of every one who visits it. This is the metropolis of tae Union, and the pride and ambition of its representatives should induce them to make it worthy of a great nation. In regard to all such objects a liberal policy should be pursued; and, at least, all improvements should be made which the public service imper atively demands. The erection, furnishing and fitting up of an asylum for the insane of the District of Colum bia, and the army and navy of the United States, in the neighborhood of Washington, have not progressed very rapidly, owing to to the difficul ty of obtaining suitable machines and materials. It is hoped, however, that the building will be completed and prepared lor the reception of pa tients by the first of August next. The estimate# of the amounts required for the service of the Indian Departments during the year ending June 30, 1855, are $3,937,793 50. [From'Jhe Savannah Republican.] | Cotton Planters and Cotton Buyers. The following bill is now before the House of Representatives at Milledgeville. It deserves the attention of merchants as well as of buy ers : A Box for the protection, in certain cases, of Planters and Cotton Sellers within the State of Georgia. » l Be it enacted, &c. That from and rftef the passage of this act, Cotton sold by Planters and Commission Merchants, shall not be considered as the property of the buyer, or the ownership given up, until the same shall be ful ly paid for, although it may have been delivered into the possession of the buyer, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 2. And be it further enacted, That any person engaged in the business of buying Cotton, either on his own account or for others, who shall buy or engage to buy Cotton from a Planter or Commission Merchant, and shall fail or refuse to pay for the same at the time agreed on, or if no time shall have been specified, then, when required, and shall make way with, or dispose of, any Cotton purchased and not paid for, shall be deemed.guiity of fraud and embez zlement, and shall be liable on conviction, to be imprisoned in the Penitentiary, not less than one nor more than five years, at the discretion of the jury trying the case. Further Foreign New* by the Arctic. The details of the news brought by the Arctic to the 30th ulfc., have come to hand. Great Britain.— During the past week about one million pounds sterling in gold have been shipped, mostly to Russia. The strikes of operatives at Preston and else where are as far as ever from being settled. Sir Edward Parry, the veteran Arctic voyager has been appointed Deputy Governor of Green wich Hospital. The anniversary meeting of the Royal Flax Society of Ireland was held at Belfast on the 25th. The prospects of the Society are encour aging. In 1848 there were 53,863 acres under flax in Ireland, while this year there are 175,495. In several districts the manufacturers have come to a resolution to work only four days a week instead of six. According to the notices already given, 40,000 operatives will be affected by this measure, irrespective of the 60,000 who have so long suffered from their miscalculated strike. France. —None of the Paris papers mention the circumstance of the “fusion,” or to speak more intelligibly, the reconciliation of the French members of the family of the Bourbons. A correspondent of a London paper however, gives an account of it, the Count de Chambord on the 17th sending his carriage for his cousin, the Dukede Nemours. When they met in the presence of Duke deJLevis and Count Monte, Chambord took Nemours by both hands, and in a very friendly, but very dignified tone, said. “My Cousin, 1 a.n happy to see you !” The Duke de Nomours replied— “lt is I, my cousin, who am delighted to be able to do now what I have so ardently desired to do long since. I declare to you in my own name, and in the name of my brot ers, that we recognise only one royalty in France, and that royalty is yours; but one throne, and that the one on which we hope soon to see seated Pairs de noire moison —the eldest of our house.” The Duke was further pleased to observe : “I have just laid a bridge over the abyss that separated us—a bridge that will lead its all back to France.” The Emperor Louis Napoleon is said to think this “fusion very funny.” The affair in regard to the Bourbon family is causing much excitement throughout Paris. The French army is being largely increased, and there is a great desire among the people to aid Turkey. Count Roget, commander-in-chief of the French artillery in Rome, died at Naples, whith er he had gone on leave. Turkey and Russia. —A Marseilles paper has the following from Constantinople : Admiral Slade, with the ship-of-the-line Med jidieh, five frigates and a steamer, has gone to cruise in the Black Sea, His object is to drive the Russian cruisers from before Anapa, which is the only port of the Caucasus on a coast of 80 miles. He is accompanied by Seffir Bey, the Circassian Chief, who was so long detained at Adrianople, and he is to supply ammunition and arms to the Lesghians. the Laghes and Tcher kasses tribes. This expedition is of the highest importance. If the Turks succeed in taking the fortresses that defend the entrance into the Caucasus, they will put an end to all communi cation, by land, between Russia and the Trans- Caucasian provinces acquired by the treaty of Gulistan. Numerous Polish and Russian deserteis have reached the Turkish advanced posts in Asia.— 2,000 deserter* are said to have reached the camp—a large number—yet, perhaps, correctly stated, as the Russian army in the Caucasus was the receptacle of all punished and degraded sol diers and officers, and consequently contained a i great number of malcontents. Hungarian offi | cers, who served with Bern and Dembinski, have undertaken to organize these deserters into serviceable corps. From Bucharest, Nov. 21st, two words me tel egraphed, “ nothing new.” From Belgrade Nov. 24, “all quiet. ’ Besides the steamer that ran ashore at Batoum another Russian ship, the Yenikale, had been wrecked near Sebastopol. The first regiment of Oostensacken's divis ion passed through Jassy on the 12th. to re-in force Gortschakoff. Baron de Bruck, the Austrian negotiator, and Maj. Wiidenbruck, the Prussian, had been re called trom Constantinople. Baron Bruck will resume his post in the ministry. There were fourteen hundred lives lost on board a Russian man-of-war wrecked in the Black Sea. Ten thousand more Egyptians were embark ed from Alexandria on the 19th for Constanti nople. The Mohomedans of Hindostan are said to be much excited with the news that the Sultan is i *t war, and that the English are assisting him. Recently it was announced that the Czar had formed an alliance with the celebrated Dost Mohammed; but present advices tell a different story. This latest account comes from Constan tinople, 16th, and says that Dost Mohammed had notified the Shah of Persia that the Affghans are at war with the Russians; that he (Dost) means to attack them in the direction of Chirvan, and that he will march through the Persian ter j ritory for that purpose, with the Shah’s permis sion, if he will give it—and without it, if relused. The Ivhan of Bokhara has been killed by a band j ot Atlghan?, and his piace is taken by his late uTu ie i r -’ Affijhan prince, named Ildhirim, or | the lightning.” A despatch from Vienna says : “ It is credibly I reported that a serious conflict has taken place between the Servians and the Turks near Lsbitza, on the Servo Bosnian frontier. The Tunis were repulsed.” The loss of both parties is estimated at 500 men. Germany.— From Freiburg. 26th November, we learn that the government measures against the reiractory Roman Catholic clergy had led to deplorable .riots. A party of gens d’armes who were ordered to arrest some priests, was at tacked and put to flight by the peasantry m the lauber \ alley. In other places the priests were rescued by the people. It is expected that the whole affair will be speedily adjusted. In Han over* caange of Ministry has taken place. China. —Advices from Shanghai are to the 27th ult. There was no change in the state of affairs, the rebels bolding the city, disagreeing among themselves, and ne government formed. At Chin-kiang-foo the rebel force was report ed to be increased by constant desertion from the Imperial camp. The rebels in Amoy still hold the island against the Imperialists fleet. Canton was threatened, and there was little doubt but that it would have changed masters before the despatch of the next mail. The naval forces of the Imperialists now seem to be concentrated around the Island of Amoy. A stray shot from an Imperialist junk came on board Her Majesty’s brig Rapid, and took off the | carpenter’s arm. I A lartar invasion in China is beginning to Ibe talked of. The Mantchoo dynasty have nothing to hope tor in such an event, lor they are said to be very unpopular. In Chinese Tar tary aud 1 bibet there appears to be no immedi ate cause for apprehending such movement, and we hear of no Tartar leaders. In harbor, U. S. irigate Macedonian, At Whampoa, U. S. steamers Susquehana and Mis sissippi ; and steamship Supply. AtCumsing moon, U. S. steamer Powhatan and sloop Vaa dalia. At Shanghai, U. S. sloop Saratoga. There were British steamers and ships of war at various points. The island of Fomosa is also the theatre of an insurrection. Between Canton and Hong Kong there is still continued fighting. We learn from a dispatch, received last night, by the Agents, Messis. Padelford, Fay & Co., that the steamer Alabama arrived at New York on Monday, all well. She was detained by the severe storm, which prevailed on Thursday and Friday.— S*v. Nsm, 14th inst. | Ttkgr&phti for the Saltifmn Sun.] Arrival of the Georgs Law. New Yoke, Dec. 12. —The steamer George Law, from Aspinwail, has arrived, bringing 467 passengers, and the Caliiornia mails of the 16th. She has SBBB,OOO on freight. Among her pas sengers are Major G. T. Andrews, of the army, and Gen. Nevarro, late a member of the Mexi can Cabinet, who has been sentenced to twenty years’ banishment by Santa Anna. The steamer John L. Stephens, which left San I lancisco on the 16th. arrived at Panama on the 28th, bringing 600 passengers, and $1,200,000 in gold. The principal ieature of the news is the ex citement incident to the report of the discovery of the gold valley of Amazon. Ihe expedition to Senora remained in statu quo. Intense excitement had been created at Sono ra by the rumors of the sailing of the fillibuster expedition. Yroops had been sent to Sonora from Guayamas. It was reported that Gen. Ta con was on his march with 2,000 men. Gov. Guadara had authorized the settlement of a col ony of Germans at Sonora. A line of steamers was talked of between San Francisco and Guayamas. A company of U. S. dragoons had an engage ment near Rogue river, with a party of Indians, len Indians and two Americans were killed, and many wounded on both sides. A large meeting of squatters had been held at Sacramento, at which exciting resolutions were passed to the effect that the ground on which Sacramento stands belongs to the United States as overflowed lands. The mining news was geneially favorable.— The miners on the river beds were preparing to leave on account of the near approach of the rainy season. A new filiibustering expedition was talked of. It was said a party was to follow the Sonora ex pedition, and another to go to the Amazon. It was reported that a joint stock company had al so been formed, witti a capital of $2,500,000, to establish steam navigation on the Gila. The intentions of this company were looked on with suspicion. Gen. Lane is pledged to a division of Oregon Territory. The schr. Capacity'-, with Government stores was wrecked at Guaymas. James C. Hackett, founder of Berford’s Ex press, was killed on the 14th, by being thrown from a buggy. Proceedings against the brig Arrow, for being connected with the Sonora expedition, have been abandoned. The magnetic telegraph line between San Francisco and Marysville, is now in opeiation. Two expeditions are now fitting out at San Francisco, one for Peru and the other for Ecua dor. The former was being organized under the auspices ot the Peruvian Consul, lor mining purposes, and the latter was said to be connected with another Fiores expedition. A piivate company, with a capital often millions, has been formed at San Francisco, for steam communication with China. The steam er Fremont is to be the pioneer of the new line to Guaymas. A new line is also to commence on the Ist of December, to run between San Francisco, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Mayor Gunnison has sent in a message to the CommouCounc.il, stating that the funded and floating debt of San Francisco is but little short ot $2,000,000. The city is to be lighted with gas on the Ist of January. In Sacramento real estate has advanced 50 per cent since last spring. The markets in the mining districts have im proved. From Oregon.— Dates from Oregon are to the 21st ot Oct. The overland arrivals continue large. Many parties had suffered severely on the route, some having been compelled to eat their horses. Dr. Evans, of Governor Steven-’, surveying expedi tion, arrived at Portland on the 2Sth. He re ports favorably on a Railroad route from the head of the Mississippi to Pugets sound. [From the N. O. Pic., llMinrt.] From Mexico. Important Rumars of Invasion—Arrival of the Caroline at La Paz—Reported Seizure of the City. We have received by mail, though we have not been able to ascertain by what opportunity they were forwarded. papers from the city of Mexico, to the 22d uit. We Lave the Trait d’Union of the 19th, and the Omnibus of the 18th. 19th, 21st and 22d. These papers contain the very important in telligence that the Caroline had arrived at La Paz, with a number ol men from San Francisco, who had taken possession of the city. The last accounts which reached us, having relation to this subject, were to the effect that nothing had been beard of the Caroline since she sailed, and thattho Arrow, after having been seized at San Francisco, on the ground of her being engaged in an unlawful expedition against Mexico, was released, though not, as it would appear, in a satisfactory mariner, as warm controversies were being waged in the news papers on the subject. Our latest intelligence from San Francisco is to the 16th ult. The Trait d’Union, of the 19th, contains intelli gence, which, after relerring to notices of the proceedings on the matter at San Francisco, pub lished in ttie San Francisco papers ol the middle and latter end ot October, states that a commer cial house of the city of Mexico had received a letter dated Mazatlau, November 4th, in which the writer says that the bark Caroline was seen on the 31sfc ol October, sailing under the Mexi can flag, with someone hundred and fifty or two hundred men on board, near Cape St. Lu cas ; that they had there seized some provisions without paying for them ; and that it was sup posed they would stop at La Paz for the purpose ofrevolutionizing Lower California. All this the letter gives on the authority of a passenger who had arrived at Mazatlan in the Julia, which had left San Francisco on the 18th of October. It is added that the vessel had been taken for the purpose in which she is en gaged, without the consent of her owners; and that the Captain of the Tirajo did not think him self authorized to interfere with the expedition. The writer expresses his belief that the expedi tion would not go beyond La Paz, though it was generally reported to be destined lor Guaya mas. The Trait d’Union then states that other let tars, which the editor had not seen, were said to state that the Caroline had touched at La Paz, lauding forty men there, and taking the Commandant, Sr. Rebolledo, prisoner, that the Mexicans had solicited aid from an English trigate cruising in the neighborhood, and that she had accordingly set sail lor La Paz. The Trait d’Union then refers to the official paper for lurther details. The Omnibas of the 22d contains the article in which they are giv en. The only important items which thisadda to what we have just given, are that Sr. Rebol ledo was taken in the vessel which was con veying him to his command, and that Sr. Don Raiael Espinosa was made prisoner in his own house, as soon as the men had landed from the Caroline and the steamer Arrow. How tar the already questionable credibility of the details of this account is lurther affected by the fact that there is no such vessel as the steamer Arrow, and that the brig Arrow of the expedition was at San Francisco at dates a week or two later than those ol the letters from whieli these accounts . are given, we must leave our readers to deckle. 1 here is doubtless something in the report, but the details we can hardly con sider reliable. We shall have the Texas here immediately, with papers from the city of Mex ico to the beginning of this month, in which we shall in all probability find the correct account. The other intelligence in the papers before us is of no importance. Santa Anna was busily engaged in distribu ting orders, decoiations and medals. The Indians still continued their ravages. The cholera had altogether abated in Oaja ca. Fire. —On Sunday morning between 12 and 1 o’clock, the lock-up house was entirely con sumed by fire. There were two women con fined in it; the fire bad progressed so far before assistance arrived, that they made quite a nar row escape. The door was cut down barely in time for them to get out. Supposed to have been set on fire by the prisoners. But little loss sustained, as it was only a temporary building.—- Chattaneoga Gazette. 1.3 1 h inst. Railroad Car Burned. —We learned on the arrival of the Cars on Sunday evening, that about 4 o’clock, A. M. a fine new passenger Car belonging to the W. & A. Railroad, was en tirely destroyed by fire, in Atlanta, the work of an incendiary. We have not been able to learn the particulars.— lb- AUGUSTA, GA. _ FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 16. New Year’s Address. One year’s subscription to our daily paper will be given for the best New Year’s Address for our Carriers, to be handed in by the 25th inst Here is a chance for Poets. Op- We received no letter yesterday from our Milledgeville correspondent. We publish from the Savannah News, the proceedings of Tuesday. City Charters. The article signed '"Richmond'' iu our paper this morning, sheds much light on a question of general interest, and but little understood. It is very evident that the Pennsylvania decision is sound law, and we do not question it, or the general principles it enumerates. Many City Corporations at the South, have transcended their chartered authority, and their bonds are now out for millions that were issued for illegal subscrip tions. Whether this fact will ever be of practical consequence, so far as those bonds are concerned, it is difficult to say. We presume that the general acquiescence in the original proceedings by the respective citizens of each community, has giv en a validity, moral, if not legal, which will se cure their redemption. There is no case in our knowledge in this State, where a question is likely to be raised by a tax-payer, as to the ob ligation resting on himself, as one of a commu nity whose bonds are issued, to pay his share of the debt thus incurred. But it is well that the public should understand what are the limits of authority to create debts by municipal corpora tions, on the one hand, and the liabilities of the citizen on the other. Where there is a doubt as to this authority, the safest course would always be to get an act of the legislature, sanctioning a municipal subscrip tion, or contract, for a public work not within city limits, and in which the city would be only incidently interested. The subscription to the Savannah River Val ley Railroad was certainly amenable to tne le gal objection set forth by “ Richmond but per haps other subscriptions to which objections, as valid might be urged, have been made and have escaped censure, or criticism. That enterprise is destined, if completed, to benefit Augusta greatly; and if the City Council erred in legal knowledge in offering to make a subscription, in a specified contingency, to its stock, it is an er ror which should not be visited with harsh cen sure, and in a resentful spirit. It is sufficient that the error, and the legal grounds on which it can be so made to appear, be plainly and calmly set forth, that it may serve as a useful guide in future. In this view, we cheerfully publish the opportune article of our correspondent, “ Rich mondV More about Christina*. Our enterprising townsman, J, W. Zinn, it will be seen, has on hand a large assortment of fireworks, toys, cakes and candies, for the Christinas Holydays, which he says he has bought cheap for cash, and will sell on the same terms. Give him a call. The Ballet Troup®. I his is the last night of the engagement of this troupe, who have been delighting our citizens during tile past week. The bill they offer is an attractive one, with an entire change of pro gramme. W e hope to see the house feammed on this occasion. Those who have not seen them we would advise to avail themselves of this last opportunity. The Carolina Twins. It will be seen by a notice in another column, that the Carolina Twins, will remain on exhibi tion at Masonic Hall, to-day and to-morrow.— The price of admission has been reduced to 25c Go and see them. Death of Wm. Adger, Eaq. Ihe Charleston Courier, of the 15th instant, says:—lt il our melancholy duty this morning, to announce the death of William Adger, Esq., fourth son of James Adger, Esq., and one of the most esteemed merchants of this city, which oc curred, as the Telegraph informs us, at New York .yesterday. Pknnsylvrnia Coal Trade.— The Anthra cite coal trade, yielding to the season, ia begin ing to fall off, the shipment# last week amount ing to only 77,553 tons. Compared with last year, the Schuylkill navigations shows an in crease of 80,000 tons. The demand for coal con tinues good, but many boats are drawing off for fear of ice. Death of a Merchant.— The Mobile Re gister of the 12th inst. says :—We regret to an announce the sudden death of John C. Hol combe, Esq., a prominent merchant of this city, on Friday night. He died of an affection olthe heart. It is estimated that the probable stock of cot ton in Liverpool on the 31st inst., will be 277,- 490 against 333,820 bales at the same time last year. i- - • [communicated.] The recent action of our City Council, autho rizing a subscription to the stock of the Savan nah River Valley Railroad, has been the subject of much comment. I propose to give it a very cursory consideration; for a full discussion of such a matter cannot be brought within the lim its of an ordinary newspaper article. It is fortunate, that the final resolution of Council was not carried into effect: But the fact, that such a resolution was passed, and under such circumstances, renders it proper for those, who must have furnished the means lor its execution, to inquire by what authority it was adopted? How is it that our City Council, at a moment’s notice, can assemble an accidental quorum of their body, and by a bare majority of that quo rum, tax the city, for improvements, not only beyond our corporate limits, but beyond the ju risdiction of the State 1 The same principle, which would sustain the intended subscription, would authorize one to any enterprise in the world ; and if this act be legal, we are liable, by similar action, not only to be taxed for Railroads in Maine, Wisconsin, or Texas—for the great Pacific road, or a Ship Canal between the two oceans,—but the Council may, in their discre tion, take stock in a road across the isthmus of Suez, or from Calcutta to Canton, and our citi zens must foot the bill. Whence comes a power like this ? It must be recollected, that the City Council of Augusta is not a sovereignty, with power to appropriate public fund*, to any purpose, and to any amount; nor a joint stock company, autho rized to make contracts and investments at plea sure, —but a mere municipal corporation , with no attribute of sovereignty, no inherent power,—in short, with no power whatever, but what their charter gives them. The principle, that corpo rate powers are thus limited, is too familiar to require argument. Now, the only grant, in our city charter, which touches this question at all, is as follows: “ And the said City Council shall be vested with full power and authority to make such assess ments on the inhabitants of Augusta, or those who hold taxable property within the same, for the safety, benefit, convenieaee and advantage of the said city, as shai! appear to them expedi ent.” II this clause can be construed so as to give the Council power, not only to tax us for im provements within our own limits, but to bind us, and our successors, to any extent, and for all time to come, to pay for investments in foreign corporations, it has an elasticity, far beyond even that of the famous “general welfare” clause in the Federal Constitution ; and it is time to put some check on such authority. A Board of Al dermen, even if elected under all the odium of the “ Algerine Law,” would be less obnoxious, and certainly less oppressive, than such unlim ited power to tax the city lor any and every pur pose under Heaven, vested in a majority of thir teen men, who are not even required to be them selves payers of the taxes they impose, and are responsible for their official mistakes, only to the extent of being turned out of office—an office of which the labor is not small, the responsibility great, the pay nothing, and the thanks less. But let us come back to our text. We are lia ble to be taxed, “ for the safety, benefit, conve nience and advantage of the said city”—and for nothing else. It is a fundamental rule, in refer ence to all.corporations, municipal or not, that their charters are to be strictly construed. They have no powers by implication ; but only such, as are expressly given, or are necessary to carry out what are so given. Novi', can it be pretend ed, lor one moment, that the power to become a stockholder in foreign corporations is expressly given here, or is necessary “ for the safety, bene fit, convenience or advantage of the said city?” Again: Ihe charter gives no express power to make contracts. “ When the charter, or act of incorporation, and valid statutory law are silent, as to what contracts a corporation may make; as a general rule, it has power to make all such contracts, as are necessary and usual in the course of business, as means to enable it to attain the object for which it was created, and none other.”. (Ang. Amts, 145.) Is this subscription such a con tract as “ is necessary and usual, in the course of municipal business?” Is it a necessary “means to enable it to attain the object for which it was created?” What was that object? Municipal government, and nothing more. Now, without regard to the consequences of a different construction, which would only go to show the danger of adopting it, it does seem that the total absence of the power claimed, is too plain to bear argument. But this question is not a new one. As long ago as the year 1846, Mr. Binney, of Philadel phia, who is well known, not only as one of the ablest lawyers in the country, but as no “ strict constructionist,” and no opponent of corporate rights in general, published an opinion on the right of the City Councils of Philadelphia to sub scribe for stock in the Pennsylvania Railroad— an enterprise, be it remembered, confined to their own Slate. I have never had the good fortune to see this entire opinion ; but the following is a brief ex tract from it: Speaking of the City, he says: “When we come to the consideration of matters which are not part of her local duties, and are not within her local superintendence, but operate indirectly upon her welfare, as everything done by the State anywhere in the State does, more or less —roads, bridges, canals, public works of any kind—these, as they are matters of public con cern, and operate upon others as well as upon the City, and no part of them rs within her limits, are altogether within the duty of other persons, and no power can be implied in the Corporation to effect them or any part of them. The State may tax our property to make such works; the City cannot. * * *■ The power to carry on such public works by the resources of her in habitants, or the power to make them because they might afterwards, by a local work, be made available within the City, cannot be maintained without throwing the State out of her orbit and putting the City in her place J ” The power in question, is here treated as an act of sovereignty, to he exercised only by the Legislature. Well,—the Legislature of Pennsyl vania was applied to. Various laws were pass ed, giving to the City Councils of Philadelphia power to make such subscriptions. They made them. But, even under these positive acts of legislation, the power was considered so doubt ful, that interested parties applied to the courts for an injunction, on the ground, that the law was unconstitutional—that even the Legislature could give no such power to the city. The case, that of Sharpless and al. vs. the Mayor , sc., of Philadelphia , came before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburgh, in September last; and even when backed by express legislative authority, the power to take this stock was sus tained, only by three Judges against two—a bare majority of the court. If such a power was doubtful, when specially authorized bylaw, what becomes of it, when resting only on an act of incorporation, by which no such power is granted? But the case de cided does not leave us to mere inference, on this point. In the opinion, sustaining the law, the Chief Justice says : “No lawyer doubts that a borough can only subscribe to a Railroad, when ezpressly authorized , by law, to do so.” This able court, then, while a majority of three held the law, giving the power, to be constitutional, unanimously concurred with Mr. Binney that, without such law, there could be no such power. But, even thus limited, this decision has. by no means,met universal acquiescence. It has been already stated, that two of the J udges dissented; and the American Law Register for November contains a very able opinion to the contrary, from Judge Lowrie. The same Magazine also gives us an excellent review of the opinion of Chief Justice Black, 1 from which the following are extracts: '"T. he proper iunctions of such corporations are confined to the government of the place, to preserve order and to promote the health, com fort, convenience and weliare of its people by police regulations, by opening roads and streets, and by the erection of buildings, and such other accommodations as may be required. For these purposes they may impose taxes and make or dinances, but beyond these local purposes their power does not extend. They cannot enter in to schemes for the general welfare of the place requiring action beyond its limits. They can- ! not attempt to promote the wealth or commerce of a city or district, or its interests of any kind, by other means than local government for local objects.” # * * * * # “The power to appropriate private property for public uses, without compensation except | from such uses, in other words, the power to tax is an attribute of sovereignty—a high preroga tive of government. This power, by the com mon law and by giant, municipal corporations possess and have always possessed, as a nectssary incident, to be exercised for local purposes and limited to local purposes.” ****** “To bestow, therefore, on municipal corpora tions, power beyond these limits, power over things which concern directly or indirectly the whole State, is to bestow on them legislative power which the Constitution declares shalt be vested only in the government of the Common wealth, and which it has no authority to dele gate ; it is “throwing the State out of her orbit, and putting the City in her place.’ ” * . * # * • * “Ihe times are not without warning that the power possessed by government to borrow mon ey and to impose taxes, though exercised only ' by the government, guarded as it is by the con- j stitution, is dangerous enough—that it is not , sufficiently guarded. The influences to which j it may be subjected, the purposes to which it may be perverted, the eofruptlon of. which it i« } t,® P-ohflc sounce, are revealing themselves to ; all observers. To delegate this immense power ! over the property of every citizen, to the petty \ authorities ot cries and counties and districts to I obscure tnen elected by small portions of the ' people for small objects; to give to such rneu i power to borrow millions, to impose taxes for ! millions, for the construction of works be«innitw ; and ending hundreds of miles fiom the lnni's of ' their minute territories, and embracing in their scope the material interests of the whole State • to subject such men to the seducing influences of capital, of superior intelligence and social posi tion, seeking their own ends, cf transient, ig noiant, local popular opinion artfully manufac tured, inflamed and exaggerated by demagogues; what is it but to sweep away every restraint established by the constitution, every defence that stands between cupidity and property, and to convert the government into an oligarchy, leaving only the mocking forms, the empty shell of a republic? “This power so rashly granted, has already ! been exerted to such an extent that important i interests have grown up under it. Valuable iin- j provements have been commenced, millions : have been borrowed, and the bonds which rep- I resent them have passed into the hands of inno- j cent holders. A vast amount of property Was therefore at stake upon the decision of this case, shat is to say, the practical question involved ia the case was, who are the rightful owners of this property ? Ought the money to remain in the pockets of the people taxed, or is it to be paid by them to the holders of the bonds ? “Had the decision of the Court been different, much financial confusion and alarm, much dis tress and loss to individuals would have been produced, and this is the natural consequence of unjust legislation and usurped power. The de frauded holders of the bonds would have had great reason to complain. They would have had a meritorious claim to indemnity, but upon whom ? Obviously upon the Legislature, whose error, or something worse, had produced the evil, and through it, upon the peop'e of the State, whose interests these works will so extensively promote. The Legislature is competent to tax the w'hole people for them or any part of them, because the whole State is benefitted by them. “But such consequences, however disastrous and deplorable, sink into insignificance, when compared with the importance ot maintaining inviolate, the great principles which are the foundations on which rest the liberty and secu rity of society. The destruction of any amount of property, is of small concern, when compared with the destruction of those constitutional de fences by which all property is protected. Fi nancial derangement and pecuniary loss, are soon repaired by enterprise and industry, under free institutions, but it is a hard and painful and perilous task to re-construct a government, to restore the walls of safety which have been un dermined by corruption or shattered by popular violence arid folly. The losses or gains of indi viduals, however serious, which hang upon the decision of principles of law, above all, of great principles of constitutional law', are interests of the tew and of the passing hour, but the princi ples themselves command the destinies of the whole people, and of all the future.” To these remarks from a writer, who, though not named, evidently understands his subject, nothing need now be added. The question is one of great importance to our citizens, and to their “sober second thought” it is confidently submitted. Richmond. [Correspondence of the Savannah News ] Milledgeville, Doc. 13. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. Editor: —The rule being suspended the following bills were introduced, viz : Mr. Riley—A bill authorizing the Justices of the Inferior Court of Lumpkin county to levy an extra tax tor the purpose of erecting a jail in said county. Mr. Stapleton—A bill to incorporate Bethany Camp Ground Academy. Mr. Brown—A bill to add lots No. 152 and 122. ia the 11th district of Marion to the countv ot Talbot. Mr. Mobley—A bill to incorporate the Colum bus and Hamilton Railroad "Company. Mr. Redding—A bill to change the name of “ Forsyth Female Institute to Monroe Female University.” Ibe bill to repeal the present tax laws and revive the laws which it repealed, having been made the special order of to-dav, was taken up and made the special order of Friday next, to gether with a substitute offered by Mr. Philips, ot Habersham. One hundred copies of each or dered to be printed for the use of the House. Bills read the third time. A bill to organize a new county from the county ofjßaker, to be called Dougherty. This bill elicited some argument in which Messrs. McDougald and Pottle were the leading dispu tants, the former against the name of Dougherty, the latter in favor—Passed. A bid to appoint Commissioners with authori ty to raise by lottery a sufficient sum to com plete a monument in the city of Savannah, to the memory of Greene and Pulaski—Passed. A bill to compel all persons owning land in the county of Decatur, to pay taxes therefor in said county—Lost A biii to authorise the organization of a Firs Company in the City of Macon, to be called “Macon Fire Company. No. I—Passed A bill tor the relief of Hannah Levy, of the county of Cass—Passed. A bill to allow John A. Lyons, of the county ot Cherokee, to practise medicine on the Botan ic system, and charge therefor—Passed. The House adjourned until 3, P. M. F. IN SENATE. Milledgeville, Dec. 13, 1853. Mr. Editor: The Senate met at the usual hour this morning. Mr. Saffold reported a bill to amend the Pe nal Code, and add an additional section to the same. t Mr. Miller: a bill to incorporate “Beilville Factory. 1 Also— To provide for a call of a Convention * to change the Constitution of this State. The i Convention to convene next year, and 100 cop ies were ordered to be printed. ’ Mr. Mosely introduced a resolution as to the ’ meetings and adjournments of the Senate, inclu • ding night sessions. The yeas and nays were r called—Ureas, and 42 nays. So the motion L ; was l° st and very properly. Members have { enough to do of Millhorse W'ork in the day time i , without night sessions. Another new county bill was brought for i : v ) rari f by Mr. Hubbard, to dismember the coun | ties of Carroll, Paulding and Polk, i Ihe bill for the pardon of Bird was called up ’ j as the regular order ol the day. Some speaking i was had, and the bill put on its final passage.— | On counting the yeas and nays, they were tound I to be 41 to 41. The President, Col. Stell, deci -1 ded it in favor of Bird by voting yea. Thus is 1 the poor lellow saved by one vote. He should be thanklul for small favors. The Senate had a long discussion upon a bill designed to effect loans from the State to Rail road Companies, and the yeas and nays were called for. The yeas were 32, and the nays 56. So the bill was lost. i The Senate then adjourned. F. DIED ! In Edgefield District, S. C., on the Ist inst, Mr. John W llerkin, in the 70th year of his age. McLaae’s Worm Specific.—The fol- Bf*-*!*!!-* lowing, from a customer, shows the de mand which this great medicine has created wher ever it has boon introduced: | Blossburg, Tioga Co., Pa., March 30,1850. Gentlemen: In consequence of the great con sumption of your “Worm Specific’ in this p!aco and vicinity, wo have entirely exhausted our stock. W r o should feel obiiged, by your forwarding, via. Corning, N. Y. 20 dozen with your bill, on the reception of which wo will remit you the money. From the wondorful effects of said “ Specific,” in this neighborhood, there could be sold annually a large quantity, if to be had (wholesale and retail) from some local agent. If you would compensate a person for trouble and expense of vending, I think I could make it to your advantage to do so. Yours, Respectfully, Wm. M. Mallory. Messrs. J. Kidd A Co. Per W. E. Porter. bold by Ilaviland, Rislcy A Co., and Wm H. Tutt, Augusta, Ga.; P. M. Cohen A Co., Charles ton, S. C.; Hill A Smith, Athons, Ga.; E. C. Jones, Madison; A. A. Solomons; Savannah; and by all Druggists and Dealers in Medicine throughout the South. 12 dec 14 fjir- —Notice.—-Office Iron Steam Boat ~Company. Augusta, Dec. 5, 1853.—A Special Meeting of the Stockholders of this Com- j pany will be held at this office, on Wednesday,! the 21st inst., at 10 o’clock. A full attendance is requested, as business of importance will be laid before the meeting. By order of the Directors. j dec 6 td G, McLauqhlin, Seo and Trees. I 1 lhrec ARRIVAL as i a . Cotton Market Unchanged. The steamer Asia 1 * York with later European inWli s , ow " ' Wk Liverpool Cotton Market— The. . the week reach 45,000 bales, ot which tors took 6,000, and exporter, 3,000 ift*' quotations are unchanged. S ' li n^rXsw F l£r p ret;l 1 :1‘"- k ''' ly d," 1 * manof * Cl "™S *** U dee,m K rS ke,WaStiShfer - Jm. tMaaCtio, ' s “ Securities The war makes but little progress t ft , battles fought, are still i„ f„ vor of tl , ll ' 1 here is a new' project for an am *’ proposed by Austria. * ‘‘ lUlgetlle nt New York, Dec 15_ D Cotton. —Sales to-day 4250 hales T h ket is firmed price, have an upward tendency [Telegraphed for the Charleston Courier l Columbia, S. C„ Dec 14 ~ Legislature. —The Committees on Ftluc^™^ 0 both Houses have recommened an -in Catlon in of *3OOO for the Charleston Col!w PP '“ t ““ Bali mow, Dec 14 _C m g™s,w.-r„ ft, L. o. Senate on Wednesday, the nmc. <r v were unimportant. p oceedings In the House of Representatives Mr R ar L of Mo., declined serving as cha“ma„ ™ft' Committee on Military affairs. ” on Various railroad bills were offered Mr. Boyce, of South Carolina presented a vh fm the reduction .1 the tariff to, revenues^! Mr. Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania, offered an*. !ut:on, cal mgfor any corre» : v,„dence betiZ the Lnited States and Spain, relative to the im prisonmentof American citizens at PortoE in March, 1850. K|L0 ’ r«* Ar u. IMOREI eC * Quarrel Settled— A difhculty occurred on Tuesday between Senator Gwin and Secretary Gutherie, in Washington on account of an alledged incivility on tberart ot the latter, and a duel was at first anticipated* m J.U- S Wm i e T nded an apol but nit,- justed” ’ * 18 Sald> the matter was amicably ad- Sawuiok. Decemher 14. — The Fry Case- Mr. Fry has recovered in his suit against the New York Herald, $ 10,000 damages. ' Baltimore, Dec. 14. — The Baltimore Mar kets on Wednesday had experienced no change from the preceding day. Baltimore Dec. 14.— 1 n New York, on Wednesday, Cotton was firm, and the sales comprised 3,750 bales. Breadstuff were firmer and Coffee was steady. New Orleans Dec. 14.-Six thousand bales ol Cotton were disposed of in New Orleans on Wednesday at previous ie.es. Middling was woKh 9k cents. Exchange on New York at s,ght was quoted at par. Freights of Cotton to Liverpool had advanced to R and to Boston i cent. ”1 he schooner A. J. Horton, arrived at Balti more on Tuesday, as did the brig Pamaho, on Wednesday, from Charleston. The schooner Francis Satterly arrived at New York on Tuesday, from Savannah. The barque Ellen Parsons, from Boston, and the brig D. Maloney, from Philadelphia arrived at New’ Orleans on Wednesday. CwwKgraf. Augusta Market, Dec. 15—p. m. COT ION. ibo demand has been good to day, and holders have been able to Irealize better prieos thau could be obtained yesterday. The of fering stock is on the i icrease. SA\ ANNAH, Dec. 14.— Cotton. —There was jb active demand to-day, which resulted in the saleof 1,r43 bales, at a very full range of prices. The following eompriso the sales: 27 at 8: 20 at 8|: 29 at 83; 362 at 9; 54 at 9£; 2% at 9f; 173 at 430 at 9J; 48 at 9 9-16, 54 at 9|;f55 at 9j; 46 at 9j; 118 at 10, and 33 at 10f cents. The market close! firm. SAVANNAH EXPORTS—DEC. 13. Per schr Maria Pike, for New York—160,001) foot Timber. S'OijijJMij Jistriiijprf. arrivals from charleston. Steamship Jas. Adgor, Dickinson, New York. Steamship Union, Adams, New York. Steamship Palmetto, Vardy, Baltimore. Barque Edisto, Kendrick, at Boston. Brig Painaho, , at Baltimoie. Schr. A. J. Horton, , at Baltimore. LOADING FOR CHARLESTON'. Ship Cleopatria, Brown, at Liverpool. CHARLESTON, Dec 15.—Arr., ship Waterw, (new) Hammer, Bath, Me.; barques J. W. Dyer, Dyer, New Orleans; Henry Kelsey, Curtis, Pensa cola; Kotch Brothers, Carver, Cardenas; schr. Eli Townsend, Vaneman, Philadelphia. Chared, steamship Isabel, Rollins, Key Best and Havana; ship Fairfield, Loveland, Liverpool; barque Julih Dean, Mallory, Now York; brig Ti berias, Bramhall, Boston. Went to Sea, steamship Southerner, Ewan, be* l T ork. ' | SAVANNAH, Doe. 13.—Arr, steamship Flor i-3 da, Merritt, New York; Br. ship Marion, Bonam, i i Liverpool; ships Coosawatteo, (new) Paxton, Bat , ; 1 Me.; Consul, (new) Mills, do; brigs Philura, bra - j ' fan, New Y"ork; Gen. F. Picree, Qoodmanson.ha j timore; schr. Cataract, Rico, New York. Cleared, sehr. Maria Pike, Ormach, New xork ! Proclamation.—Friends, country , men and lovers! —hear me for my . j cause, and be silent that you may hear; discar \ ! prejudice that you may beliove, and read Facts i you may act intelligently. Who, that is ycuj, 1 ; but values the luxuriant locks of youth and <- 'ty ? Who, that is middle-aged, but shudde ' Grey Hairs? Who, that is oil, but would *veri I Baldness ?If any, speak, —for him have I o 1 none speak, then none havel oflen o addressing twenty-four million people- , , j Not one ol these many million who have a : the virtues of Lyon’s Kathairon, for Pres® >■’ (Restoring and Beautifying the Hair, butw V : claim its beneficial effects far and near. un / will convince the most incredulous. >-old un for 25 cents, by every Druggist in America. D. S. BaRNS t s - Proprietor, 161 Broadway, J*- [Y7“ Sold by every Druggist in Augusta- D. B. Plumb & 60, nov 29 1m Whojesale^l! 0 ?- THE AUGUSTA FEMALE HIGH sC^ be WILL be re-opened in Augusta, <->*>•■ g first Monday in October, unuei t rintcndance of compotent Teachers, at Cfgtei donee of Mrs. Sabal, opposite the unite Hotel, No. 142 , --.ffnctiofl Young Ladies and Misses will receive id in the Primary and higher branches ol an French and Latin Education, at very ■ rates. There being no extra charge for u * French, the pupil may cultivate, t h° ra “» i 2 tb* J uninterruptedly, the aoove languages a ; whole course of education. , ve( i ' B | The very best of teachers will be cm.' rU I Vocal and Instrumental Music. t ; n „ Po will take charge of the Drawing and t ° partnaents. . „„„ ob- Board for Y r oung Ladies and Misses t. tained by applying at the Institutiem^^ ei L Princi^ sep 21 om - ' NOTICE. abo0 t TO all whom it may concern.-! erson= purchasing TIN in the Augusta respectfully requested to call ami «a 0# stock in store, second door above Bndg Br °nov S 6l, PreVi ° US JOHN ~ BRICK WORK WANTED- . j THE subscriber is prepared to do Brick Work at short gSf ogj)