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Journal & UJesscngcr. J. KNOWLES and S. ROSE, EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS. Tli‘ Sail 4|iM‘lion in Alabama. Thi* Las been agitating the public mine! for some time past on account nt the enor- t mous price placed upon this ailiele by those wh< have been so fortunate (or raiher unfor tunate) as to secure a monopoly of this in- - dispensable article, has reached the ears of our State Legislature,who have taken prompt action on it On Sunday evening, the fol lowing private dispatch was received here fri/ir. Montgomery, from one of our Repre sentative', to a gentleman in tins city: Montgomery, Nov. 10, 1861. “ Penitentialy offence to sell salt to go nut of the Star.-. The Governor is authorized to seize all salt.” At the same time, the Governor dispatched to the iVpnty Sheriff of Harbour county, who reside- here,follows: ‘•1*0 John YY. Johnson, Deputy Slier ill: “The Legislature has passed an act, au thorising the Governor to take possession of i all the salt, in this Sratc, which is aton'd, j ~n shipboard, or held for sale, for the pub lie me. Von will immediately take posses sion of all pnch salt, in the city of Kufaula, or countv of Harbour, and hold it until fur ther orders. A B. MOORE.'* The Legislature, it seems, has stepped in to interpose between the ncceaeitiea of the people a a mass, and the cupidity of a few who would speculate upon their necessities, in older to “put money in their pockets."— JCoJanla Spirit •>/ thf Month. Had for thf. Speculators.—The Legis lature of Alabama has passed a law to pre vent the sale of salt in that State by specu lators, at exorbitant rates. The law author izes the Governor to seize and hold, to lie sold at fair prices, all salt now in the State on consignment. Holders of the salt to lie allowed the privilege of appeal in case they are dissatisfied with the priee given. It also authorizes to forbid the shipment of large quantities of salt from the State. Heavy penalties are affixed for violation or attempt ed evasion of this law. The Montgomery Advertiser chronicler the first enforcement of the law: “Seizure of Salt.—YYe learn that, on Friday last, Gov. Moore seized 1,400 sacks of salt, at the Montgomery k. West Point depot, that were being transported from this city to avoid the enforcement of the bill against the exportation of this necessary ar ticle, which had just passed both Houses of the Legislature. We learn that a much larger lot was on the eve of being smuggled off, but wa< prevented by the prompt action of our efficient Governor. “We are glad to see vigorous measures be ing executed to put a stop to the wholesale speculation and rascality which has been carried on here and elsewhere i# regard to salt and other prime necessities of life.— Thousands of sacks of salt have been bousrht up by a few men in this city at a dollar or two a sack, and have since been sold, or arc now held, on speculation, at an advance of fiorn two hundred to a thousand per cent.— Speculators at other points, combining with those at Montgomery’, by a system of ficti tious valuer among themselves, thought they bad it in their power to demand exorbitant price’ for all the salt in the country; but th'-y have found out their mistake when it i> too late to profit by it. “They can now receive a reasonable com* jvrisafii.ii for their rs.lt, but they have been foiled iti their attempt to rob the community, and must suffer the penalties of a just con demnation. Mon who have no consciences, must now learn, by the strong arm of the law, that it is in the highest degree criminal, ayej treasonable, in times like these to take tedvautage of the limited supply of the ne cessaries of life, and grow rich upon the life-blood of the country. Every good ami true man wij{ say well done to the Legisla tnm and Gov. Moore.’* t'oinniillecii wi the Senate. On Privileges and Elections—Brown, Fletcher, Anthony, Griffin, Jamison, Swear ingen, King. On Petitions —Hill, Lane, Mcßae, James Hilliard, Alexander and Stephens. On Enrollments —Dyer, Fort, Gaston, Bothwell, Smith, Ware. On Journals—Bell. Killeii,Wnn, Wright, Tims. Ilillard. On State of the Republic—Gibson, Bell, Furiow, Seward, Brown, Gordon, Yason, Kendall. On the Judiciary—Seward, Y’ason, Suit’-* t<>rd. Hansel!, 801 l Boyd, Jackson, Lewis. On Finance—Jxwis, Mitchell, Hansel), Mosely, Stafford, Dyer, Shewmake, Brown. On Internal improvements—Furiow, Gor don, Beasley, Vason, Shewmake, Stephemt, YYinn. On Education and Free Schools—Echols, Anthony, Fort, Dyer, Lane, King, Gaston, Boyd. On Hanks—Gordon, Hansell, Gibson,] Hrowu, Hill, Stafford, Mitchell. On New Counties and County Lines— Smith, Simmons, YVare, Wright, Griffin. <)n the Peuiteutiary—Alexander, Boyd, Echols, Kane, Jauies Hilliard, Kendall, Jackson. thi Lunatic Asylum—Kendal!, Echols, Fort, Furiow, Anthony, Harris, Bothwell. On the Military—Killed, Smith, Seward, Swearingen, Thos. Hilliard, King, Gastou, Vason. On Printing— Afosely, Harris, Simmons, Mcßae, Fletcher, Shewmake, YY’are. On Deaf and Dumb Asylum—Beasley, Lewis, Simmons, Mitchell, Stafford, Boyd, Alexander. On Institution for the Blind—Wiun, Bothwell, Seward, Gibson, Killen, Moseley, W right. On Agriculture—Harris, Furiow, Hill, Beasley, Dyer, Jamison, Lane. Auditing Coinuiirtec—Stephens, Swear ingen, Griffin. Engrossing Committee—Jackson, Fletch £i, 1‘ rt. Mcßea, Thomas, Hilliard. Li o.’iji n Inland Expedition.—The inrtchiui jy for thcsevenjgun-gnato now King built at Cai AiJoleut (near St. Louis,) and Mound City ha> l.cn inspected and certifi <-itH au .tided by the Government Inspectors, it i-* eipcud that these Liats will be finished and r< ady’ L>r service by the loth inst., and Hessian hirelings tauntingly proclaim fliai a great Inland Expedition will then be Parted up the Cumberland aad Tennessee rivers, with the avowed purpose of occupying Nashville, Clarksville, Florence anil Hunts ville as YY tutor Quarters. A great number of Army transportation, wagons, arms, and infantry equipment*, together with large quantities of bright Zouave clothing, intend ed fur the negroes they expect to steal aud fiirni into regiments, comprise a portion of jtjbe expedition stores. They hare alio .stip themselves with several hundred foot iOulLs for their soldiers to exercise with in our streets and groves. Bully for old Abe ! fV’ont have t good time of it ?— XartrifF? /Vto'V. Tli<> Arrival at Savannah. YY’e give the foil iwing letter, says the Augusta Srntiuef, corroborative of the good news we published yesterday. As the arri val is already widely known, there is no good object now to be attained by refraining from publishing it: Savannah, Nov. 12, 1861 KditOl thi Inin <V Snittnrl ; We arrived here safely last night. Stop|**d at the Pulaski —found everything quiet. — The excitement of the last few days had en tirely worn off, and the good citizens of this place have no feats of an attack trom the “Great Armada” at present. Several cele brities are stopping at Pulaski; among thini I notice Gen. Lee, Gov. Brown, Corn. Tatnnll, and several lesser lights. This morning, about 8 o’clock, telegrams were m*eived announcing that a steel-clad steamer had arrived outside the bar, with arms, am munition, blankets, Ac., for the Government. Later intelligence confirmed the fact, and as the news spread, groups collected about the corners discussing the (at this time) unlocked for arrival. The most intense joy seemed to be manifested by all—and, as an eminent Di \ ino observed—“surely God has blessed us in ! bringing us such needed articles at this time.” Al*out half past two o’clock P. M. the boom ing of cannon announced the arrival of the vessel, and instantly a rush was made for the wharves. The steamer came gradually and gracefully up the stream, and at 2 o’clock, anchored off the Exchange. Cheer after cheer went up from the gratified people, and as ('apt. E. ('. Anderson (through whose instrumentality she had ln*en purchased and brought, here,) from the boat to the wharf, three times three and a “tiger” were given him. The “Firigal” (the name of the steamer) is, I should judge, al*out. 6oG tons burthen and is a neat trim built propeller, evidently a fast sailer. She has two 12 and two 24- pound guns in position, aud was undoubtedly prepared to “run the blockade.” Her cargo consists of a large amount of Enfield Rifles, cartridges, heavy ordinance, blankets, &c. She sailed from Greenock, Scotland, and has been twenty-nine days on her passage. The following extract from the London Times, probably gives as good an account of her cargo, as can bo obtained : Probable Clearance of a Vessel Lad en with Arms for the Southern Con federacy.—The European Times reproduces the following somewhat suspicious statement from a Greenock paper: The steampr Fiogall is announced to have cleared at that port recently “ for Madeira and the YY'est Coast of Africa,” with a cargo of munitions of war valued at ,£49.000. • It is difficult to believe that rifles, 400,-’ 000 cartridges, 500 sabres and a quantity of wrought leather belts, several tons of shells, four pieces of artillery, and so forth, are destined for negroes. African trade guns are never usually rifled, and it is just as pos sible that our Greenock contemporary has, by a slip of the pen, substituted Madeira and the YVest Coast of Africa, for the Southern States of North America. She saw nothing of the blockading fleet outside and came in unmolested. I under stand, the Pilot first made Warsaw and con cluded to try Port Royal, but on passing Tybee and seeing no signs of the Llockaders concluded to come up to the city. The Confederate Court met at 10 o’clock this morning, but owing to the death of the District Attorney and the failure on the part of the Government to fill the vacancy as yet, adjourned till the next regular term on the Bth January, 1862. Ren wick. The Savannah Republican of the 12th gives the following interesting incidents of the recent affairs at Port Royal: Nkoroe Fidelity. —We hare heretofore stated that in the retreat from Hilton Head, Captain Head was compelled to abandon two hra-s held pieces, and leave the horses gra zing on the island. Saturday last, a faith ful negro man, the property of Mr. Pope, who resides on the island, captured all the horses of the battery, sixteen in number, placed them in a flat, brought them to Sa vannah and delivered them to the Captain. We take it for granted he was liberally re warded, and only regret that wc were nim ble to learn his name, and put it on record. We also learn that the guns have been re covered, and will be up in a day or two. A Praiseworthy Act. —l)r. W illiam Klliot, of this city, acted a noble and self saerdicing part in and after the battle of Port Royal, and it deserves to be noted.— He accompanied the Georgia troops in an unofficial capacity, we learn, to the island and was present ministering to the wounded throughout the action. At the time a re treat was ordered, he was engaged with four wounded men in the hospital, and had every opportunity to make his escape, but he pre ferred risking his capture and a protracted confinement in Lincoln’s dungeons rather than desert the unfortppate. lie remained with them for several days, and uutil they were properly cared for, without being moles ted, and then, through the assistance of a negro, left the island and returned to the city. Thf. Federal Loss. —A negro man on Hilton Head, the property of General Dray ton, seeing a number of officers approaching a small house on the island, unobserved eon concealed himself underneath. The officers entered, took seats, and discussed at length the event* of the battle, which occurred the day previous. In the course of the conver sation, the negro says, they reefcened up their killed in the action and fixed it at forty, nearly three times the Confederate loss Sugar vs. Sail. The Jail New Orleans Juices Current makes a suggestion in reference to packing bet-f, which we suppose may be extended to the curing of bacon and be found useful and economical at the present time. It says, “in packing beef the usual proportion of sugar may be materially increased, and a corresponding reduction made in the allow ance of salt. If thjs be done, as it can be economically at Hie present price of sugar, it will sensibly diminish the demand for aa’t, and perhaps make our present supply ample until the opening of the port” It is known that sugar to a large propor tion mav be used in the curing of meat of all kiuds —perhap* with the addition of very little if any salt; but we are unable to say what proportion of sugar may be used with out injuring the flavor of bacon. Sugar class, and as “inferior” may be used for this purpose, and we sec that description is now quoted iu New Orleans at 1 a2c. per lb.— Freights are now high, but we estimate that sugar purchased at Jfc. in New Orleans may be laid down here at 3c. This is far below the present price of salt, or any price, we apprehend, at which if can soon be had. The /V/rc Current soys it is known that there aie a number of cargoes of salt at Ha vanna, destined for the New Orleans mar ket, and it adds, “the removal of the block-’ 4<le would probably at once reduce the price of coarse suit to less than *1 per sack.”—’ CfJuinLut Kitijalrer, ‘ MACON, GEORGIA? IVtdnt'sda), Noh-ihlmt 20. 1861. TO OI K FRIEIOS AND FATHOMS. Many of our old and friends and fat rons have promptly responded lo our call for old due*. Others are, apparently, well satisfied to receive the piper, from year to year, without maL in>’ any payment, whatever. We shall shortly our subscription hook*, and the names ol rtueh delinquents will lie projierlv dealt with.— Should we be compelled to strike the names ot quite a number front our list, we do not wish them to understand it as a xettlnnewt of their dues.— There are many of this class, who we know to be of most ample means, aWe to pay at any time, but we cannot afford to continue to pay for paper for their gratification any longer, without compensa tion. In common w ith other papers, the “old Journal A Messenger” is struggling to keep its head above the dark waters which have already overwhelmed many of its contemporaries. If its friends and patrons will give us a helping hand, we hope to outride the present disastrous storm. We shall give the people an honest, journal, and shall he glad, in return, to receive an increased list of subscribers am! advertising patrons from this and all the adjacent counties. We are also prepared to do all kinds of Rook and Job printing. N’. It.—Executors and Administrators will find in the Messenger a good medium for tbe advertise ment of estates, as its Southern circulation is fully sustained, notwithstanding the financial pressure of the times. by a letter in the Telegraph of yesterday, we learn that, the enemy have taken one of our mall boats with a few men at Pensacola. The election of Confederate Senators has lieeti postponed to Tuesday next. COMPTROLLER GENERAL TIIWEAT W ill please accept our thanks for a copy of his very able and interesting Annual Report. GEORGIA LEGISLATURE A good of important business is before this body, but we believe no bill has yet passed of much moment, though several are now pending. We shall announce them as soon as they are perfected. OUR NEWS DEPARTMENT Is quite opulent this week. Events of exciting interest are transpiring in Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas. Indeed, Aikansas and Ten nessee, before many days may be invaded by the enemy. The arrest of the Confederate Commis sioners upon the high seas in a British vessel may arouse the ire of John Bull, and possibly inure to our advantage. We shall soon know. In the meantime let the people be of good cheer, and be ready for every emergency and every sacrifice in the holy cause of freedom. THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS Met on Monday last. There was barely a quo rum present, and no business of importance trans acted. We presume the President’s message was transmitted on yesterday. We hope Congress, hereafter, will sit with open doors, except when considering important State secrets. It is due to the jieople that the acts of their servants be known, that they may be held to strict account. It is time the proceedings of late sessions of thi* body were given to the world. Y/AR IN THE WEST. The Memphis Avalanche says that Gen. Borland had received intelligence that the enemy, 7,000 strong, were marching rapidly upon I’oeohontas, Arkansas, where there was but a small Confederate force, but a large amount of ammunition and sub sistence. The people in that section were rallying in great numbers to repel the invaders, ami Gen. Borland was being rapidly reinforced. The Memphis Appeal of the 15th, has received intelligence that from 75 to 100,000 Federal troops are preparing to descend in gun-boats and barges the Mississippi River, and calls upon the people to rush to the rescue of their homes. We predict that these barges will be snagged and swamped long before they reach Vew Orleans. SUGGESTION FOR MAKING SALT. A gentleman, of Pulaski county, has suggested the idea that as we have several thousand soldiers on our seaboard, in the region of pure salt water, who are idle most of their time, that their leisure hours might be employed in boiling salt. There ate thousands of sugar-boilers in the vicinity that are used only a few days in the year, that could he procured for the purpose. In this way, they might pay all their army expenses, and perhaps a surplus over for themselves—and while they were protect ing the people with salt from the “enemy in the rear,” they would always be ready to do their dutv with saltpetre, if the enemy in front presented themselves. If Gov. Brown needs another regi ment for coast defence, our friend thinks the salt question would he the most popular one on which it could be raised. FAST DAY. Last Friday was very generally, if not univer sally, observed by our fellow-citizens, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. Appropriate re ligious services were held in the different, churches of the city, which were attended by large and se rious congregations. At the Methodist Church a very impressive and appropriate discourse was delivered by the esteem ed pastor, Rev. Dr. Mann. The eloquent and learned speaker dwelt with peculiar emphasis upon the practical atheism of the times, and with great clearness and force traced our present evils and calamities to a forgelfolncss of God, and neglect, as a nation, to gratefully and publicly acknowledge Him. The speaker also dealt some heavy and timely blows upon the small politicians and dema gogues, who, in days past, have elevated party above country; he deprecated the promotion of bad men to office, as offensive to God and destruc tive to all good government. He also gave a well merited broadside to the American press, for its licentiousness, ami as hav ing largely conL’ibi,ted to tfic present deplorable condition of things, by supporting, under the lash of party, unworthy and corrupt meu. To some extent, we felt ourselves verily guilty upon this point—having occasionally, to promote party, supported or voted for men of doubtful morals. For this sip we “ truly and sincerely re pent,” and intend, God being our helper, never more to offend. We shall hereafter support those, and those only, we deem worthy and well qualified. In the inauguration of the new govern ment we adopted this as a cardinal principle of our creed. We expect to adhere to it. And un less this principle is adopted by the people gener ally, of what avail will be their fasts and prayers and oblations? What impious mockery, to rise from their knees, and straightway cast their suf frages for men who optrage all the proprieties of Christian civilisation, an,d set at defiance t)iu laws of God and plant And yet spefi been the, practice of American people. Let us repent of these our misdoings, and hereafter support good men. Then may we hope that Heaven’# smile wii* rest upon us, and we be that “happy people whore Goo is the Lord.” Looking after Family Effects.— One of Gen. Drayton’s negroes, from Hilton Head, reports that Commander Drayton, of the fleet, w ho is a brother to the General, visited the plantation of the latter some days ago took ft complete inventory of the negroes, crops, Ac., Ac., now on the place.— Possibly he considers it nia share of the spoils of, the Expedition, and had a desire to know how much he was worth. A DAY AT THE METROPOLIS We spent last Wednesday in Milledgeville, and had the pleasure of taking by the hand many of our old and esteemed friends and acquaintances. As will be seen by reference to our Legislative head, the General Assembly has been most feftu nate in the selection of its presiding officers as well as Secretaries and Clerks. In entering the Senate Chamber we were struck with the changed aspect <>t that body. It is now reduced to more wioldy and Senatoi ini proportions, and a more quiet and orderly assemblage of legislators we have nevei seen. It numbers among its members quite a number of clergymen of learning and piety, several distinguished lawyers and physicians, aud many intelligent and worthy planters and business men. The House, as ever, is still large and unwieldy. It is composed largely of new members, who look as though they catne together to do important wotk rather titan play, at the people’s expense. On Wednesday afternoon a very impressive and touching scene occurred in the House. A bill was under consideration, changing the name of Cass county to that of Bartow, and Cassville to that of Bartow viiie. Whilst this bill was pending, Speaker Akin, one of the representatives from that county, took the door, and in a brief and eloquent tribute to the lamented Bartow, advocated the change. Os course the bill was passed and by a rising vote. Whilst the House was in session a telegram was received from the Governor at Savannah, announc ing the arrival of a vessel from Europe with a large amount of arms, ammunition, Ac., which produced the liveliest emotions. This ttmely’arrival looked so much like a gracious Providential interposition, that on motion, the session was closed with prayer by the Speaker, to which every heart seemed to respond. To see the whole house on their knees— for every knee was bowed —and witness the tearful eyes of members present, was a scene most itn perssive and grateful to the Christian patriot. There is much important business before the General Assembly, and it is doubtful whether they adjourn under forty days from the time of their meeting. We are happy to believe that Bibb county lias no occasion to be ashamed of her rep resentatives. On Wednesday night the ladies held a Fair. We were compelled to leave and forego the pleasure of being present. We are happy to learn that it was well patronized. We have some knowledge of the taste of the Milledgeville ladies in getting up such entertainments. There is some little feeling in Milledgeville on the salt and provision question. We presume the legislature will take the subject in hand. NEW ORLEANS PRICES OF SUGAR AND MOLAS SES. We were blamed by some of the sellers of these articles for giving wrong impressions with regard to the cost of them. We then quoted from the New Orleans Prices Current, and now do so by copying the entire article from the New Orleans Bulletin of the 16th inst, that every one may come to their own conclusions whether there should or not have been anv recent rise here in the prices. The railroad freights on them are moderate, being all the way from New Orleans, by railroad, for sugar, SI.BB per hundred; molasses, at the own er’s risk, $1.67, at the railroad’s risk, $1.70. Sugar. —The receipts have continued fair, and with a moderate demand prices have ruled still more in favor of buyers, the sales comprising st)o hhds on Wednesday, 600 on Thursday, and 300 yesterday, at such irregular and unsettled prices that it is difficult to give quotations. This makes a total for the week of 2600 hhds. We now quote Interior at l@l.)c, Common to Good Common at 1$ (a 2 1 , Fair to Fully F- tat 3@4, Prime to Choice at 54@5£, Yellow Clarified at 6(Vi>7, and White at 7)('lo. Received since the 12th inst., 2209 hhds. Week’s receipts 4321. Exported none. Molasses.— With libera! receipts and an ac tive demand, the business has been to an in creased extent and prices have continued firm, the sales comprising 2200 bbls on Wednesday, 4000 on Thursday an.i 1800 yesterday, making an ag gregate for the three days of 8000 bbls, and for the week of 14,000. The sales of half bbls com prise 1000 bbls, making an aggregate for the week of 1800, closing at 22.)@23c for Prime to Choice. We quote Inferior to Common at 15@18e, Prime at 19c, and Choice at 20c. Received since the Pith inat., 8125 bbls and 1430 hall bbls. Week’s receipts 14,869 bbls and 2204 half bbls. Exported, coast-wise, none. PECULATION. Mr.. Editor —l am informed there is a regiment at , which is swindling the Government after the following manner : The Captains borrowed men of one another to make up the number required in order to be re ceived. They are drawing rations for the borrowed men while the men have gone back to their own com pany. Thus two companies are drawing for the same men, or else one of the companies is draw - ing for those who only exist in name on their roll. This, 1 fear, is only a specimen on a small scale of the swindling going on in the various departments under the Government. Truth Incog. We find the above in the Rome Advertiser. A good deal of this kind of peculation and fraud was carried on in the “ Florida War,” but we had hoped the present struggle would not be disgraced by such barefaced swindling. It is the duty of the press and every patriot, indeed, to expose and bring to punishment all such offenders. Let the Captains referred to, if guilty, be drummed out of the army. Give them the rogue’s march. Coiigreasiouat liter lion. We publish to day the official returns from all the counties which have been received at the Ex ecutive Department. We shall continue to fill up the blanks as fast as the returns are received. It will be seen that, in the 6th District, Mr. Clark, of Newton is elected. His majority over Mr. Hammond, being forty-seven. The delegation from Georgia will stand thus : First District —Julian llartridge. Second “ C. J. Munnerlyn. Third “ Hines Holt. Fourth “ A. 11. Kenan. Fifth “ I). W. Lewis. feixth “ Vy\ W. Clark. Seventh “ R. P. Tripps. Eighth L J. Gartrell. Ninth f* if. Strickland. Tenth A. R. Wright. The following is the vote in this district f Kenan. Cobb. Traywick. Baldwin, 417 38 3 Bibb, 289 344 Crawford, 86 193 Jones, 210 45 Jasper, 251 94 Houston, 69 404 8 Laurens, 111 .... .... Putnam, 2)6 75 Pulaski, ; ti) 141 298 Twiggs, 242 47 —- WilSinson, 311 60 4 [Federal Union. The above figures gives Col. Kenan a majority pver Col. Coiiu of 877. Assuming that Mr. Tuay- Wicx’s vote would have goup to Mr. C., had there been but two candidates in the field, and when the full returns are made, it will be seen that had Col. C. been earlier brought,forwaru, with a little effort upon ihu part of his friends, he could have been easily elected. As it is, notwithstanding the report started on the eve of the election and circulated in this city at the polls, that Mr. Cobb hud withdrawn, (confounding his name with that of T. R. R. Cobb, who declined to run in the 6th,) every county on this side of the Ocmulgee gave him respectable majorities. fluaF-ItwjiJ bo accfi l>y reference to the proceedings of the Legislature, thift business is accumulating in that body to a degree that gives little promise of an early adjourn ment, without hasty legislation aud great neglect of the public interests. The Atlanta Confederacy of the 14th says : “One thousand soldiers, well armed and long drilled, passed through here yester day, for the purpose of paying their respects to the traitors of East Tennessee.” POSTAGE STAMPS What is the reason the Post-office Department does not furnish the public with postage stamps? The subject elicits much conversation and inquiry. The complaints have been growing louder and more general for several months past, and they have at lust given place to downright indignation. The pie.i originally put forth to cover and estenu ate the neglect or the refusal to perftyin the plain and manifest duty lor it was a duly—that the Department hail not time to prepare the stamps, no longer holds good—it was never worth the breath spent in making it—and every one knows it. to be a sham and a deception. Why are not the stamps forthcoming? we ask. Why have they not been furnished long ago? The people have a right to know. Thus writes the Editor of the N. O. Commercial Bulletin, and we re-echo the questions. In no department of the public service—not even the yuartermaster and Commissary—has there been sucli gross inefficiency and neglect as in the Post office. The public patience lias been abused be vond endurance, and the popular clamor should be made to ring around the ears of Mr. Reagan until he retires from a post for which he has demon strated his utter unfitness. From the beginning of his administration till now, the mails have been left to take care of themselves. Never was there such confusion ; and instead of improving, matters are daily growing worre. However unpleasant to him and painful to us, it is due to truth and the country that we should speak plainly about this matter. —Savannah Republican. The above article reminds us of inquiries and complaints often made in this citv. We have seen specimens of the new postage stamps, and leant that several of our citizens have sent to Richmond Treasury Notes, and iu return, have procured a supply. Some have suggested that the reason why they are not furnished generally to the peo* pie is, that officials, by exacting specie, increase their own emoluments. There is evidently some thing wrong somewhere, and the people demand that it shall be corrected. Some time ago a memorial signed by a large number of the ci'izens of Bibb county, was for warded to Richmond, requesting a change in the Macon office. We should like to know why their petition was disregarded. We respectfully call upon the Department to examine into this matter. Will our Richmond contemporaries give us some light on this subject?* ENGLISH OPINIONS OF OPENING A COTTON PORT We copy the following from “Gore’s Liverpool Advertiser” of 19th October. The article is inte resting, and shows a very correct view and knowl edge of the position of matters in this country. — It commences with asking the question (which every one can answer) “ With whom is the bal ance ot success” in the war—and proceeds: “ Whether to superior generalship, or discipline, or pluck, or greater patriotism or enthusiasm, or to whatever else it may be attributed, there can be no doubt of the fact that hitherto the balance of success has been with the South. This is not the place to discuss the why or the wherefore.— Viewing the war and its consequences from a commercial point of sight, the fact alone attracts our attention ; and we cannot but regard it as one ol immense importance, removing, as we think it does, the prospects of peace from the proximate to the distant future. Were it otherwise, were the balance of success ever so little in favor of the North, we might perhaps have hoped that the Federal Government, conscious of its strength to crush the South, but the same time admonished of its inability to retain military possession of it for any lengthened period, would have proposed an armistice for the purpose of negotiating a treaty of peace with the Confederate generals. As to the capture of Fort Hatteras, that is an insignifi cant item against all the reverses of the North.— The disgrace of the battle of Bull’s Run would not be expunged by the success of a score of naval expeditions undertaken against a power without any navy whatever. The success of every expedi tion of this kind may be predicated with certainty. But what of that? What if Mobile and New Or leans, and Galveston, were in possession of the North, how would such an occupation intluence the fortunes of the war? Every wav, say some wiseacr* s, these ports would then be opened to the commerce of the world, and the cotton crop would be shipped to Europe. Ay, indeed! We in our simplicity supposed that it was the North who had blockaded these ports to prevent the ship ment of the cotton, which would have supplied to the South the sinews of war. Oh, but the object is take the cotton by force, and apply the proceeds of its sale to tne conquest of its owners. What an ingenious device! If it were only practicable, it would, no doubt, fie a master stroke of policy. But tlie cotton is not at the ports, nor will it be while the war lasts. Long before the maturity of any portion of the crop, it was resolved that it should be kept at the plantations. There it Ls being put into sheds, without being baled or even ginned—stowed awn v in the* seed, so that, at the approach of tin* invading force, a match might be piomplly and efficaciously applied, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. The expedi tions against the cotton ports, whether successful or not, are not therefore likely to materially ben efit the North, and cannot restore to it the balance of military success, which, up to the last advices from New York, was unquestionably with the South. If the Federal Government be desirous of liberating the cotton crop for the benefit of the world, all they have to do is to raise the blockade, and henceforth our supply of cotton will only be limited by the extent of the crop. We are really ashamed to be compelled to treat seriously such absurd speculations.” IT OUGHT TO BE GRANTED At a meeting of the citizens of Nashville, Ten nessee, held recently,some resolutions were passed, among them, the following: “ Re sol ml, That the Legislature of Tennessee be requested to pass a law levying a tax upon every gallon of spirituous liquors distilled from wheat, corn, rye, or potatoes, that shall be suffi cient to prohibit the same during the present war and blockade, the proceeds thereof to be applied to the support of families with us of our soldiers on the tented held.” And we say to the Legislature of Tennessee that it ought not only to grant this reasonable request, but to do it cheerfully, gladly ; and that Georgia, bv her Legislature now in session, should, whether petitioned to do so or not, pass a similar law to take effect immmediately or sooner. Most cordially do we endorse the foregoing, whi<;h we find in the Sumter Republican. Let a high tax be levied upon the wretched distillations and decoctions that are brutalizing the people, whilst the real brutes are famished for something to eat, as well as meritorious persons. yUE SUPERIOR COURT, for Bibb, is now in session, Judge Lochrane pr,esjding. Tb e following is a list of the Grand Jurors; James M. Jokes, Foreman. Allien Beddingfield, Samuel F. Dickinson, Jas. G. Hall, Thos. N. Mims, Elijah Bond, E. C. Bulkley, J. J. Forsyth, Barnwell Barker, Lewis J. Groce, Jas. B. Bailey, Lott Malsby, Jackson Chambless, J. Joseph Hodges, 11. M. Lindsey, R. C. Wilder, Win. Ryder, Win. 11. Cason. GAMBLERS) IN RICHJfOHB- We are informed by a gentleman who was em ployed yesterday in inquiries to obtain a large sized room for his own use, that he found “Bosli er's Hall,” “ Corinthian Hall,” and all the large “halls” and rooms in the city engaged to gamblers for faro-banljs. He visited n'n,e in the most pub lic places in the city, and found the sporting gen try had preceded him and had engaged all of them at fabulous prices. We liud the above in the Richmond Examiner. Why not give the “tiger” gentry a chance at the Yankees ? News erom Port Royal.— The Savannah Re publican of Saturday says: Several of our corre spondents in the interior complain that we give such meagre account:; of the movements of the enemy on the coast. The simple reason is, they have made no movement since the capture of Fort Walker, but seem quietly waiting for reinforce* ments or something pise to turn up. From the best information we can gather, they have lauded some three thousand men at Fort Walker aud about one thousand at Braddock’s Point, on the south end of the Island, and while the fleet is still lying at anchor in the sound, a few of them occa sionally make a day visit to Beaufort and return at night. At last accounts the Yankees had pressed all the negroes on the islands which they hold into ser vice, aud were hard at work picking out and giu uing the cotton crops! For the Journal & Messenger. CATTLE OF Ma\ASBAB. The following lines were suggested on reading in a Northern paper that the only word of com mand given by President Davis, at the battle of Manassas, **was, “Forward, my brave men!”: FORWARD, MY BRAVE MEN! Forward, my brave men ! was the cry Os Davis on the field; Forward to certain victory, The South must never yield. A shout went up from that brave band, Who gathered round their chief: They vowed to save their native land, Or tlie for her relief. With Spartan courage, on they pressed, * The iron hail fell fast, No coward fear possessed their breast, They’d struggle to the last. And how that day their oath was kept, The flying foe can tell, And how in death their comrades slept, Who in that contest fell. And when the pale moon’s gentle light Shone down upon the field, Oh, God! it was a dreadful sight The night queen there revealed. There, friend and foe lay still in death, There, too, the wounded moaned; And noble chargers gasped for breath, Aud in their torture groaned. The day was won, the craven foe Ingloriously had fled; And Southrons held that field of gore For which they’d fought aud bled. May Mann bring. Powder. — We are gratified to know that the Confederate States will ndt be wholly without sources of supply of this indispensable article, as the war progresses. The Government Powder Mills, at Augusta, have not yet been completed, but temporary works have been erected which are now turning out three hundred pounds daily. There are several other mills in the Confederacy which are working to the full extent of their capacity. The Charleston Courier says: Some of the extortioners, and speculators, and monopolists, who have been grinding the earnings of our people as long as they believed this war would not reach us in earnest, are cow preparing depart under various pleas. This thing must and shall be stopped. We offer or design no dictation or obtrusive advice, but we call upon the commander of the post and district to see to it that proper aud prompt arrangements be made to regulate and control the movements ot uersons seeking to sneak out ot the city. Let full facilities be offered for the transportation and escort of families, infants, invalids, non-combat tants and cowards, who wish to go, but let meas urea be taken to slop the flight of those who can be made useful and who owe us their services.— j Let the panic makers and rumor sprinklers, who ■ endeavor to alarm and excite our people, be watched, aud if necessary put to good use. We do not expect such counterfeit representations of men to fight for us, or themselves, or their wives, or children, but we demand that they shall not be permitted to fisflit against, us, or to excite vague, needless and premature apprehension among our true friends elsewhere by leaving us. Tiie Yankee Expedition Down the Mississippi. —The expedition destined for operations down the Mississippi is to consist not only of gunboats, but of floating batteries which are thus described in the Peoria (III.) L r nion : They are of solid timber, twelve inches square, and lying in three tiers of timber deep. This is strongly bolted together, and forms the hull of the vessel. We’ls are cut through tlie upper tiers, about four and a half feet square, and lined with zinc to keep oat the water. These wells serve for magazines, or places for keeping the ammunition. There are four of these in each boat. The solid I platform is 60x25 feet, being sharpened. The whole is covered with a thick plank. Entirely around tlie outside of the boat is a parapet or bulwark of iron, three eighths of an inch in thickness and six and a half feet in height. This is inclined upward, so as to give a glancing direc- I tion io any shot that may strike it. The arma ment of these floats is to consist of six 64 pound mortars, three upon a side, and so arranged as to deliver their charges over the iron parapet that surrounds them, and wh’cli protects those who serve them. There arc 38 of these monstrous batteries to be built, 26 of which are nearlv ready for use, aud the remainder are begun. There is no machinery on board of them for locomotion, but it is intended to tow them by means of gun boats. Fatal Accident in Kentucky. —A dispatch was received yesterday at the War Department, says ‘the Richmond Dispatch of Friday, giving an ac count of a fatal accident from the bursting of a Dahlgren gun at Columbus, Kentucky, by which two officers and seven private were killed on the spot. Gen. Polk had a portion of his clothing torn off bv the explosion, but escaped without very serious injury. It is thought that he will soon recover. The names of the officers who were victims of the sad casualty are Lieut. Snowden, of the Confederate States Infantry, and Capt. Kei ter, of the Artillery. Two < iirrenclea. The New Orleans Crescent says : Talking of the Post-office and mails, we are asked if there ought to be two currencies, one of coin for office holders (ala Post-office) and one of paper for the people? Is it right, we are asked, if our Post-master should receive his salary in coin, and then perhaps walk into a dealer’s office in Camp street and sell it at 12 to 15 per cent, pre mium ? The opinion is, ffcere is something out of place in the Post-office Department at Richmond. The New Orleans Bulletin savs:—“lf the Gov ernment money is good enough for the people, it is gpod enough for the Government itself. It, is time the abuse was stopped. The people have borne it long enough, and their patience is ex hausted.” New Orleans is not the only place trou bled in this way, and the patience of other people near the same crisis. Where are the Postage stamps? The inquiry is alsq being made, what j sort of a government have we? Tiie Bridges Burnt.— The Atlanta Confederacy has the following, dated lting ’ gold, Nov. 11th : | The two bridges burned on \V. kA. Rail- I road, across the Chickatuauga, are about | eight miles from Chattanooga, and about half a mile apart. The East Tennessee & Ga. Railroad crosses the stream between them, and about 150 yards below the upper one Col. John D. Grey, who built them, estimates their cost at about SIB,OOO. Major Rowland, our industrious and en ergetic Superintendent, was at the place of the disaster with a large force yesterday, aud will have good, substantial trestle bridges made, and the cars ruuuing regularly In about two weeks. He has a number of the very best railroad mechanics in the countrv actively engaged, together with a large force of laborers. Arrangements are made with the E. T. k Ga. Railroad to carry the freight, mail and pus3engess by the way ot Cleveland to Chat tanooga, and in two or three days the pas senger trains w ill run regularly on the State Road, and baggage and passengers will be transferred to and from the t! T."& Ga. Railroad at the upper bridge, untit the bridges are built. Passengers \yili be re quired to walk about 200 yards over good road, and meet with very little detention. The energy and efficiency of Maj. Row land and his officers, and the generosity of the officers of the E. T. & Ga. Railroad, will defeat the tories avid scoundrels who prowl through our laud at night to burn our property and murder people iu their hellish desigus. | WAR NEWS. Gallipoi.lis, Ohio, Nov. 11.—(; aa y a ~ dotte, Va., on the Ohio River, 36 miles be low this place, was attacked last night b ’ 000 Confederates. Out of 150 Federal-, stationed there, only 50 escaped. The rest were killed or taken prisoners. Baltfmorf, Nov. 11—Oapt. Dowell, 0 f the 20th Indiana Regiment, has returned from Hatteras, and says he found it iuipos ible for his regiment to remain there longer. San Fransisco, Nov. 11.—Benjamin Starke has been appointed Senator from Ore gon. lie is a Democrat, and a native of Conneticut. Boston, Mass., Nov. 11.—Ex-Mayor Bunker, of Mobile, and Win. Pierce, of New Orleans, were discharged from Fort Warren to-day. Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 11.—One hun dred \ ankee prisoners, captured iu the Rat tle of Belmont, arrived here to-day. Thou sands of people viewed them but offered them no insults. Columbus, Ky., Nov. 15.—Gen. Polk is still suffering from the effects of the shook which he received at the recent explosion of the Dablgren gun at this place. Highly Interesting from Europe. Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 15.—The last European steamer brings a series of interes ting letters between Henry W. Dayman, on the part of the cotton importing interest of England, and Lord John Russell. Mr. Ilayman informs Lord Joint that he, in con junction with other English merchants, had in contemplation the fitting out of a number of ships for the purpose of trading with New Orleans and other Southern ports, and also that the protection of Iler Majesty’s crui sers in the West Indies may be given to the ships intended for this expedition, or else that the ships may be permitted and author ized to defend themselves, if at acked. Lord Russell replies that Her Majesty’s Government will not afford the slightest pro tection or countenance to such an enterprise; and says that the United States atid the so called Confederate States are engaged in a civil war; that Her Majesty’s Government lias recognized that state of things, and has taken a position of neutrality between the two contending parties. Under these circumstances, a British ship —Great Britain being neutral in the war— which attempts to break an effective block ade, is liable to capture and condemnation ; and if such ship defends herself, by force, against a national vessel enforcing such blockade, such defense, because of the law of nations, will expose such ship and her cargo to condemnation as a prize, and the persons who commit the act will subject themselves to severe treatment, according to the laws of war. More Naval Expeditious. Washington, Nov, 11 .—The York Even ing Pont, of to-day, says that an expedition is preparing, if it has not already sailed, which will seal the harbors of Savannah and Charleston against the exit and entranee of any further Theodora or Nashville expedi tions. ’ The same paper states, also, (hat a flotilla 1 of thirty vessels arc now in that port, armed, manned, and ready to sail for the Gulf of . M exico. The vessels are of a peculiar size, draft, and armament for harrassing the coast i of Louisiana aud Alabama. * rrrr-r Montreal, Canada, Nov. 11—The third t officer of the steamship North Briton, who 1 has arrived at Farther Point in a schooner, reports that the steamer struck upon Paw quet Island at one o’clock on the morning of Nov. sth. The wind was then blowing a i gale, and the steamer was totally wrecked. ’ There were no lives lost. The passengers and crew were all safely landed on Point Marine. Only a few of the mail bags were saved, and these were perfectly saturated. itfore Northern Item*. F Richmond, Va., Nov. 10.—The Rich r mond Dispatch, extra, contains some items from the Baltimore American, of Nov. 13th. The report of a successful battle for the Federalists at Piketou, or Pikeville. Ky., is all a humbug. Gens. Hadock and Buel have left \\ ash ington for the West, Dispatches from Washington to the 12th confirm the Federal reconnoisance opposite Occoquan with 18,000 troops. Some of their pickets were shot, and some of them ! were taken prisoners. Nashville, Nov. 14.—The Nashville Union and American learns from a private letter received here yesterday, that a sou of Senator Pickens, of Sevier county, was mor tally wounded in an attempt to burn a bridge at Strawberry Plains on the East Term, and Va. Railroad, on Friday night. Pickens is reported to be one of the incendiaries. Win. A. Ponold, a Louisville Lincolnite, has been arrested by the Provost Marshal at Bowling Green, on suspicion of having visL ted that place in the capacity of a spy. Indianapolis, Nov. 7. —From all parts of the State wo have information that there is considerable disaffection at the course pur sued toward Freinout, and there is no mis take that the people are fast losiug confidence in the Administration. Latest Northern Aecomit—Federal Abouf the Victory at Port Royal. Richmond, Va., Nov. 15.—The New York Iferald, of the 12fh issfe, which has Been received here, says the large Federal transport Winfield Scott, which was tne con sort of the steamship i uion, and had tyto Yankee regiments on board, is supposed to have been foundered at sea, and all on board perished. The Herald has a flaming account of the taking of Port Royal and Beaufort, and says tbat’Charleston and Savannah are now in possession of the Federalists !