Newspaper Page Text
Weekly Journal and Messenger
Uffice in Ralston Hall Building
Cherry Street-Up Stairs. 6
For Three fl *
* or >e Year "I""" ipoa
«wuare lnKerted ln Weekly at 11,00 per
n ’ aUd 50 cenU * '° r e *° h
The Labor Exchange.
The streets of Macon are full of negroes,
with “a smart sprinkling of whites among
them," all busy In negotiating labor con
tracts for the curreut year. Prices range
from twelve to lifteen dollars per month—
a considerable rise on last year’s quotations,
which rarely exceeded ten.
Few or none of the negroes will accept
a share iu the prospective crop ascompen
sation. Sambo has, In his mind’s eye, the
unfavorable results of last year, and knows
full well that though “ white man be
mighty ousartain," the seasons and the
darkies are a good deal more so. Sambo
shows a commendable smartness in refus
ing to underwrite either himself or the
weather. Ho knows very well that the
working contingencies of the weather are
rare. It’s not good to work when it rains,
’kune then he gets wet—when it’s dry,
’kaso it’sso a'mighty dusty—when it’s hot
'kase he get de fever—when it’s cold,’kase
dpn he liab pneumony forsartaiu. Its
not good to work early in the morning in
de dews—not at midday in de hot sun—
not iu the evening, ’kase of the dews
again. Sambo, when a slave, was a perfect
duck in respect to swamps, puddles, aud
standing water, but Sambo free is afraid
of water as a ben. Sambo, therefore, takes
a philosophical and practical view of the
case when he respectfully declines to work
on shares, for he has more than a shrewd
suspicion that he is not going to make
enough to afford a dividend.
We see some sagacious theorizer iu the
agricultural papers es imates the cost of
making cotton before the abolition of
slavery nt four to six cents a pound, and
since that time at fourteen to twenty. We
agree to his figures. That is about the
state of the ease ; and it may be set down
a3 a fact, unless greater economy in pro
duction is ascertained to be practicable,
the three cent tax will prove too heavy a
burden on American, negro grown cotton.
Some years may be necessary to demon
strate this fact, because the difference in
seasons makes a great difference in the
product. Last year was a substantial fail
ure—that is to say, the crop fell far short
of paying expense . This year hope tells
a more flattering tale. The planter, in his
arrangements and calculations, is irresist
ably tempted to fix his base upon tlie high
est practicable resu ts with good weather
and fair labdh Surely no two such sea
sons as last year are going to follow each
other. A streak of lean should by all
rules be succeeded by a streak of fat. For
tune is fickle, and because she has been
cross she must be propitious. All say, too,
that such a winter as this presages a fruit
ful harvest; and thus it happens that the
visiou of hope pierces the clouds which
envelope the immediate situation, and sees
radiance and prosperity beyond. We trust
the event, will justify all these hopes and
vaticinations.
Meanwhile, in this grand annual labor
exchange which must be held now in all
the Southern towns in the month of Jan
uary, we see occasion, propriety and ne
cessity for rules and regulations which
would protect the employer, and reward
the faithful laborer. For example Here
the parties meet in great part as strangers,
and the trade is effected with little practi
cal knowledge of or respect to the charac
ter of the services purchased. It seems to
us, if employers will not otherwise do it
they should be compelled by law to Fin
nish, at the end of the year or upon dist
charge, each laborer with a certificate in
which his disposition and capacity as a
laborer are as accurately stated as possible.
The value of such a certificate, it is true,
would be seriously affected by the charac
ter of the employer, but jt would he very
useful both as assurance to the hirer, and
as the touudaticu of a just vjlaim upon the
part of the faithful aotVlndustrious labor
er for more tha;-aveva,rp wages. Planters
know full well thatnegroes are bet
ter worth tweiiy similars than others arc
worth one; anu-nany would be very dear
at the cost q[ feeding them. Why should
not all parties be protected by a classifica
tion founded on experience?
Negro Suffrage in Ohio.
The .Statesman says the Republican
press of the Reserve are very urgently de
manding that the Legislature shall sub
mit a constitutional amendment to the
people providing for negro suffrage. Lead
ing republicans have beeu in favor of the
movement for some time, but they have
thus far declined to make it from the fear
that the people will not second the mo
tion, and the canvass would result in the
injury of the Republican party. “We
think” says the Statesman, “ that this
apprehension has passed pretty much
away by this time; and we are not sure
that a majority of the voters would not
vote for negro suffrage at the ensuing
election, if the proposition should be sub
mitted to them. The Republican voters
have been pretty well educated upon this
question.”
The question of negro suffrage in Ohio
is, however, a mere bagatelle. Thecoiored
population of that State is but a drop in
the bucket, and will not be felt in elections
one way or the other. How different is
the case in the Southern States, in some
of which negro votes would preponderate
under the most favorable circumstances—
in all of which they are sufficiently nu
merous to provoke a lively contest for su
premacy ? Surely there could be no more
dangerous experiment than the introduc
tion of universal negro suffrage here.
The Letter which Killeth.
The difference between clx and cl.r,
among the doctors, was strikingly exhib
it«d*u Washington recently in the case of
a Miss Lihy Hollingworth, who, having
been ill, was attended by a physician.—
This geutlemau prescribed for the invalid,
who died in a few hours from the effect of
the medicine, which, it seems, was ex
tract of opium. The doctor said before
the eorouer’s jury that he intended that
she should have taken elixir of opium,
aud maintained that the accident was
caused by the negligence of the druggist.
That individual, however, showed that
the prescription read “ext.” which he in
terpreted to raeau extract, and the physi
cian rejoined that he had intended to give
the patient elixirol opium, which is harm
less, whilst the extract is dangerous. •
Casualties in 1808.
Ihe Herald, of the 31st ult., printsa list
of (ires winch occurred in the United
Htates during the year just closed. It
shows 501 fires, involving a loss of $66,-
410,000. The total loss by fire in the last
twelve years was $280,998,000. The rail
road accidents were eigkty.fl VC( iu which
115 were killed and 607 wounded* Iu 1866
they amounted to 183, in which 335 were
killed and 1427 wounded. The steamboat
accidents of last year were twenty-three
in which 683 were killed and 166 wound
ed. In iB6O there were 32, in which 1788
were killed and 26-5 wounded. During
thirteen years, ending with 1866, the
steamboat accidents were 347, in which
6005 were killed and 1705 wounded.
SflKpt iontw&il iti9 Jtlcsscmjc?,
By Rose Ac Burr.
The Radical Congressmen in the South
west. !
“The details of the,visitof the radical Con
gressmen to the Bon th west shows that
they were every where cordially received
by men of all parties, were well cared fot>
in all matters material, and in general
showed themselves very happy and good
natured. The speech of Beauregard at j
Canton is much questioned and •omment- i
ed, particularly in reference to his alleged
declaration for a “consolidated govern
ment." There is no reason to doubt that
thisdeclaration was actually made in man
ner aud form as reported. The General
has been carried away from his moorings
by the strong drift of public opinion ; but
we are firm in the faith that the American
people will ultimately find a “consolidated
government” as little to their liking as
State sovereignty and secession. The
following is the Crescent report of proceed
ings at Magnolia, where great deal of love
and liappeness found vent:
At thaec o’clock Magnolia was reached,
and hereGeu. Benton, Gen. Wirt Adams,
Mr. Henderson and others joined thetrain
at the Central House. The hospita
ble host awaited the arrival of his guests
with well filled tables, and maintained his
generous reputation by throwing open
hia entire house to the accommodation of
the party. A dimierof'Weftfkrm.’gffme anfl"
rninee pies having been dispatched with
gusto, toasts were in order, and Gen.
Beauregard, the master spirit of the occa
sion rising, said : “I desire, gentlemen
aud ladies, to propose a toast. Please fill
your glasses. I propose the health and
prosperity of our iuvited guests; they are
welcome amongst ue, and we are happy to
eat our bread aud salt with them."
Vice-President Foster replied:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have been so
kindly greeted aud so hospitably enter
tained since we left the national capital,
that our lauguage is now nearly exhaust
ed. It is not easy to learn new forms of
sjieech, but I am prepared to otter our
thanks for your most generous hospitality.
Through Virginia and Tennessee we wore
recipients of the most kindly treatment,
and now in Mississippi, aud when met by
the Committee from New Orleans, so great
is your warmth of greeting, that in reply
we can only say that some day we hope to
see you visitors yourselves further toward
the North pole, that we may return your
hospitality.”
Hon. C. Roselius was here called upon,
and responded ir. a few happy remarks as
follows:
“The time has come when sectional
distinctions have once more been abolish
ed. [Appiausse. j Thank God. the lines
dividing tho Btales are now only looked
upon in geography.
“In heart, in sentiment, in love of coun
try, wo are one united loyal people. There
are no longer a South, a North, a West, aud
East. There is one Union, one people, one
interest, one patrotlsiu, animating the
hearts of all; aud we of the South thank
you for the visit now pain us. We thank
you because it aflords you an opportunity
of knowing our sentiments, our wishes
and our earnest desire to unite with you
iu the great work of maintaining our great
aud glorious republic iu that position she
ought to occupy.
Unfortunately, (and.none regret it more
than the South,) theie.has been a domestic
difference—a family 'quarrel— but thank
God it is at an end. The cause of it we
will not recall. The most affectionate
husband and wife will sometimes be over
come by these clouds that sometimes come
round the domestic circle; but when they
come to the sober second thought that the
welfare of one is that of both, they say as
we do, “Let- us forget aud forgive, and
kiss each other." [Loud laughter aud
applause.]
But ladies aud geutlemeu, there are a
certain class of husbands and wives who,
haviug made up, say afterwards, “My
dear, tint you are wrong,” “Oh, no. my
dear, ’twas you who was wfong," turn the
Quarrel opens agaiu. I therefore propose
“The health of the people of the United
States—one people— united great and pros
perous. May they never he separated.”
Senator Lane also said:
Fb:.bow-Citizens—l have only time to
thauk you kindly, (I mean the people of
the South and Southwest) for the hospi
talities tendered to us from the time that
we entered the gorges of the Tennessee
mountains until now that we approach
the banks of the mighty Father of Waters.
We are proud to meet you as fellow-citi
zens of an empire prouder than any over
which a Roman sceptre ever was swayed.
" We are brethren, let there be no strife
between us.” Let us take to ourselves
the interest of our common humanity,
and let the magic strains of “ Yankee
Doodle” and “ Dixie” intermingle their
harmonies. Wherever the flag floats there
is my home.
After further remarks by Judge Walker,
Senator Ramsay, and Messrs. Thomas and
Marshall, the entire party again em
barked, and without auy further impor
tant stoppage, reached the depot in this
city at 12 o’clock midnight, where car
riages were in waiting to convey them to
the St. Louis hotel.
The Currency.
The present aspect of the currency ques
tion is thus sketched by the Washington
correspondent of the Chicago Republi
can :
“There is no probabiiityjthat Congress
will do much on this subject. The action
of last session is considered a compromise,
and members who have no particular
views of their own are not willing to dis
turb it. Mr. McCudoch is permitted to
withdraw $4,000,000 a month. There are
$880,000,000 out now, so that this will re
tire $48,000,000 a year, sand thus take
about seven years to withdraw the legal
tenders at present rate. Now, the party
in favor of withdrawing faster is quite
powerful. Iu view of this fact, conserva
tive until are willing to rest the matter
where it is. There is, however, a formi
dable third party springing up, which in
sists that the government should have the
profits of the circulating medium, and
who, therefore, insist ou the withdrawal
of bank bills, instead of legal tenders, and
"who wish to wind upall the national bunks
gradually and substitute government bills
for their issue. This makes a triangular
fight about the currency. It having been
reported that there was an extensive lobby
in Congress, supported by the banks, to
fight McCulloch’s policy under the com
promise bill, many of the supporters of
the latter have voted with the anti-bank
party, thereby making it apparently
strongei than it really is. In this trian
gular tight it is safe to say neither Mr. Mc-
Culloch nor the banks will get an increase
of power at the present session. The vol
ume of the currency will remain as it is,
excepting that s4,ooo,ooo j>er month con
traction.”
Better Times at Hand.—The para
graph below we find in the New York
Express of the 31st ultimo:
“Saturday’s Financial Chronicle thinks
better times are at hand—and for these
reason’s: Ist— The relaxing of the recent
stringency in the loan market. 2d— The
loanable capital or idle fuud9 seeking in
vestment. 2d— lmproved public confi
dence. 4th—The conviction that nothing
violent or rash will be done by the Seore
taay of the Treasury, or by Congress. Af
ter next Monday, then, when the National
Banks make up their quarterly settle
ments, in which they desire to make as
good a show as possible, aud strain a little
to do this, greater ease, enlarged confi
dence aud increased prosperity Is looked
for. We hope in all this, our financial
neighbor will prove a prophet. Then, be
yond a higher confidence, there is the
hope of a more stable money market, and
a more equitable distribution of taxes.
The last must come, and it can come
alone from Congress, before people aud
trade have substantial relief
Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, re
cently sent a farewell address to his Legis
lature, in which he puts the debt of the
btate at thirty-six million of dollars, and
Hnn^T Ddß . the ad °P u °n of the Constitu-
S?xf Uw^m^ ent fiercely proclaims
that it would be monstrous to let the South
have any voice iu the matter.
“ The Supreme Government.”
Tbiis phrase, in humble imitation of the
enlightened Republic of Mexico, is con
stantly on tho tongue’s end of Congress
and the Republican editors, but by the
Constitution the powers of the Federal
Government are expressly denied a uni
versal supremacy. Here are two well
| known clauses, which should be reprinted
i once in a while:
Art. IX. The enumeration in the Con
stitution of certain rights shall not be con
strued to deny or disparage other * retained
by the people.
Art. X. The powers not delegated to
the United Btates by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the Btates, arc reserved
to the States'respectively, or to the people.
The powers of the Federal Government
are supreme in certain cases aud for spe
cific objects, and the powers of a certain
department of the Federal Government
are specifically declared supreme for cer
tuiu ends.
The Constitution declares that the de
cisions of the Supreme Court shall be su
preme law; hut just here we find the whole
Republican party denouncing the recent
decisions of the SupremeCourt.againat
the test oath, and against the military
trials of civilians. We have copied from
the Herald a curious article in which these
■fWrtstonvare denouncedasan outrage, and
threats are uttered that Congress will up
set an arrangement by which one man can
set aside the will of the nation as declared
by Congress. So it is just where the Con
stitution denies supremacy, that the radi
cals mean to make Congress supreme; aud
it is just where the Constitution gives su
premacy that they intend to take it
away.
The Bupreme Court was created by a
higher power than the Constitution as an
icgis to the people and the States against
an oppressive and lawless majority of Con
gress. By the constitution of that tribu
nal a majority of one settles the supreme
law as effectually as a full bench; but the
very moment a clear constitutional su
premacy of the government is asserted,
all radicalism is up in arms. The reason
is plain. The Constitution no where con
fers supreme power on a branch of the
government except as a defence of popu
lar and State rights against hasty and op
pressive action of the government. Buch
powers are intended to operate practically
as a check and limitation upon the Fed
eral Government. But the supremacy
the radicals contend for is simply the su
premacy of Congress which is expressly
restricted, first, by the original grant of
legislative power, aud secondly by the re- ;
visory power of the Courts. The original
grant is in these words:
* “All legislative powers herein granted
shall be vested in a Congress of the United
Btates, which shall consist of a Senate
aud House of Representatives.
This, it will be seen, limits the scope of
Congressional legislation, by all tlie re
strictions of the Constitution. The sub
jects of legislation must come within the
granted powers, or such as are essential to
their exercise, and it is the business of
the Courts, upon the application of the
Btates or the j copie to determine, between
tlie parties, whether unlawful powers
have been assumed, and improper subjects
embraced in the legislation of Congress.
Thus the effort of tlie radicals to make a
department of government supreme where
it is not, and to deny supremacygßiere
it exists,looks to the siugie end of impair
ing the security of tfie Btates and the
people. This they do in the vain notion
that, as they wield the power, there is no
danger to themselves or their section.
The miuority alone will suffer, and they
make no calculations that hereafter for
ever they will be found iu the minority.
Romo and the Pope.
The ! atest letters from the Imperial City
represeutit as very quiet audexhibiting no
indications of popular discontent with tlie
Papal Government. The Pope, it is said,
has determined to remain in Rome at all
risks; but tiie Cardinals and the Pope’s
suite have all the public documents and
their own valuables packed up, ready to
leave upon tlie first symptom of a popular
outbreak.
The Federal Union.
The last, number of this excellent paper
contains the valedictory of Mr. J. H. Nis
bet, who states that he parted with his in
terest in the publication on the 24th ult. —
Mr. Nisbet is a sensible, judicious writer,
and, regretting that he has left the Geor
gia press, we hope he will profit, personal
ly, by the change.
Views of the President.
A special correspondent of the Baltimore
Bun sends by telegram, to that paper, the
following exposition of the views of the
President upon the great questions of the
day. It has quite a“ by authority” air
and manner:
The various printed reportaof interviews
with the P esident and privateiudividuals,
purporting to give the political view’s,
etc., of Tilr. Johnson, should be received
with caution. It must be apparent to ev
ery person wiao reflects a moment, that
Mr. Johnson would not seek to send to the
country his political sentiments through
the medium of fugitive, irregular and con
tradictory statements ,of private indi
viduals.
Since the President submitted his an
nual message to Congress on the 3d ult.,
his views and opinions upon the political
situation, and the proposed amendments
to the Constitution, have undergone no
change. That he does not favor these
amendments is notorious, and he does not
hesitate to express his disapproval of them
on all proper occasions ; but he has not,
neither in his official or private capacity,
attempted to interfere with the free action
of any of the Btates upou the question. He
deems the fate of the amendments, at least
in their present form, as already effectual
ly determined by the action of the South
ern Btates ; and he doe 9 not regard the
threat of territorializing those Btates as
cause of serious alarm, since there is good
reason for believing that should the pro
posed territorial bill be enacted into the
form of law, the Supreme Court would,
upou an agreed case presented for decisiou,
at once decide the bill null aud void.
Busteed Among the Corks.
The Meridian Messenger tells the fol
lowing amusing story of “ Judge Busteed,”
a gentleman who, through the instrumen
tality of the public prints, is rapidly ac
quiring notoriety.
It will be seen that Dick on the bench,
and Dick “among the corks,” are two dis
tinct individuals:
We hoard a good story of Judge B. the
other day—too good to be lost—concern
ing Judge Busteed’s views on the Consti
tutional amendments, connected with
“Dick Busteed’s” opinions.
On the eve of the adjournment of the
Alabama Legislature,-a few days ago, a
number of that bodv had a high old time
with Judge B. at one of the crack restau
rants of Montgomery. After shooting off
numerous champagne corks against the
ceiling, Judge B. got excited, and, at the
mention of the constitutional amendments,
fired off a piece of his mind right into the
crowd. Said he:
“As the Hon. Ritchard Busteed up there
presiding as United Btates District Judge,
I am for the amenmeuts; but, as plain
Dick Busteed down here, boys, I’d see ’em
damned first!” [Great applause aud an
other volley at the ceiling.]
Nation, Wtul p day, Jainiarj 9, 1867.
The Absurdities of Coercion i-. The Aii gF
t on of ConstituMoimi A men diner 4|
The following is a special dispatch A
the New York Evening post, n •*#?
radical paper:
Washington, December 27. — Xt is as
certained that a decided majority of the
Republican Congressmen hold that Con
gress is bound to admit tlie Representa
tives of any Southern State that adopts
the Constitutional Amendment within a
reasonable time.
This position of the “decided majority”
of the radical Congress necessarily "admits
two facts:
Ist, That tlie Southern State-* are now
States of the Union else they could not
vote on constitutional amendments.
2d, That the only r condition of their re.
retaining States of the Union is their adop
tion of the proposed constitutional amend
ments.
These two propositions, taken together,
involve another, viz: That though tlie
constitution requires the assent or three
fourthsof the Btates to adopt amendments,
yet a bare majority of the States (or, what
is worse, a bare majority of Congress, j>er
liaps not representing a majority of the
States) may compel tire minority to adopt
desired amendments of the constitution,
by excluding them from representation in
Congress, or by other penalties, if they
refuse! The simple statement of the pro
position is sufficient to show it fallacy.
It vests absolute power in a bare majority,
while the constitution carefully forbids it *
exercise by less than three-fourths. It re .
pudiatea tho s-dV-gitards of the right- of
minorities, established by the constitution,
and makes all tlie terms of the national
compact dependent upon the will of the
majority only, when the constitution ex
plicitly reserves to one-fourth of tlie States
the power to defeat amendments.
And the representation of the question in
this light shows the unconstitutionality of
the project of reducing the “ refractory
States to territories, if a majority in
Congress can thus “ reduce” States—thus
destroy their status and set aside the Votes
that they would cast against proposed
amendments of the constitution—the same i
majority lias no constitutional restraint
whatever, but is absolute in power, and
the constitution may as well have been ]
never agreed to. It is only a roundabout
way of doing by the action of a bare ma
jority what the constitution intended to
be done only in a direct way by the act of
three-fourths. it is tlie re-establishment
of the uncheckeu ruie of a majority,
which it was tlie main purpose of tlie !
constitution to restrict. To claim consti
tutional sanction for such a proceeding is
an absurdity. The highway robber might j
as well claim legality for"his act, when,
with presented pistol, lie demands ot the
traveller his money or his life.
The Tallahassee Floridian has been
informed by the United Buttes Asst sor
of Internal Revenue in tiiat region, that
“more gold” watches have been returned
iu the city of "Tallahassee than were re
turned iu all New England.” Tlie Flori
dian further states that the Assessor re
j garded it, “as a striking indication of the
I honesty of our people." it is more, it in
dicates that ttis safer now to make public
mention ofsuch portable prop ily in I-'lor
ida than it was in the days of Dow; that
watches and like valuables are more Li .e-,
iy to be literally ‘ returned” now, than
immediately before, or immediately after'
the departure of Dow from the command i
of that department. 1 hat fewer watches
should be reported for taxation in ail New j
England than in the city of Tallahassee I
is not surprising, for tlie orthodox New I
England creed recognizes but one relation
between the public authorities and private
property, that of “protection,” and iguores
everything tiiat looks to assc-sment If
we remember, the assessors were able to
discoverotiiy some thirty pianos "in all
New England,” when there is abundant
evidence to show that Dow “confiscated” ]
and shipped North on private account I
more than that cumber from Pensacola]
alone. These, evidently, were not “re
turned” to the assessors, aud they arc still j
less likely to be returned to their rightful ]
owners. Low considered every niton i ike i
“key note t«>Toe relietiimi,' hi*’, - *
onslaught* upon musical Instrument l ** r
baby linen made his name :»terror in i;j‘§l
nurseries and parlors of Pensacola.—Aeit
York World.
What has the World to say about the
“return of gold w atches” from New York
City? If our memory is not at fault, tlie
Floridian was also “informed” that “wore
gold watches had been returned in the
county of Leon, with a population, white
and colored, ofless than fifteen thousiffid,
than had been returned iu-the city of New
York.” The World is merciless against
“all New England"—what about Go
tham? Who was the Dow of tlie city of
Bhodd ies ? Florid ia n.
Balance Against Admim- ibatok in
Confederate Money, How Buttled.—
Judge Meredith lias just decided a ca-e of
muiHi interest to many fiduciaries iu Vir
ginia and elsewhere, and for their iatuefit
we publish the following correct abstract
of the facts and the decision on them.
The case was this :
The administrator qualified in Decem
ber, 1863. The personal property ~f <j e .
ceased, consisting of household aud kitch
en furniture, was sold in order to p. tv
funeral expenses, Doctor’s bill, &c. Tlfe
sale took place in December, 1864, and the
property brought a most extravagant price
in Confederate money, to wit: $26,693 :;tj.
The administrator paid off all the debts
(none being since presented,) and there
was left in his hands the sum of sl2,2mJ 29.
On the Ist of April, 1865, he liled a bill in
Judge Meredith’s Court asking how this
balance should be liquidated.
With the facts above stated before him,
and the additional fact that in ordinary
times, say 1839 or 1860, the proceeds of
the sale of the furniture would have been
barely more than surticienf to pay tne
debts which the administrator paid, the
Judge decided, and very properly too, we
think, that as the administrator had the
right to retain it in his hands for a longer
period, and as it could not have been in
vested or distributed or further used in the
payment of debts, and as the Confederacy
fell within four months after his qualifi
cation, and before it was practicable to
obtain an order for the Investment of said
balance, the administalor should not be
required to discharge the said balance in
any other than Confederate currency, and
that the estate should be charged with the
same as a loss
Handsome Prices.—We read in the
Shreveport (La.) Southwestern of the Lth
ultimo the following:
The Marshall plantation, situated in
Bossier parish, about two miles above this
place, sold at auction last week for one
hundred thousand dollars in gold. The
tract contains some four tliousa and acres,
nearly all of which is under cultivation.
It was purchased by two gentlemen, one
taking two thousand three hundred and
the other one thousand seven hundred
acres. The knowing ones say they made
a good bargain. The Dixon plantation,
situated iu this parish about twenty miles
above this city, containing six hundred
and twenty-eight acres, was sold on the
6th at eighty dollars per acre in currency.
From the above sales it would look ns
though some people had not lost all confi
dence in diit.
The Constitutional Amendment—
A Nice Distinction for Congress.—
The question whether one of the lute rebel
States can be considered as a State in tbe
ratification of a constitutional amend
ment, and still be not a State entitled to
representation in Congreas, has created
much confusion throughout the country
and in Congress itself.—A r . Y. Herald.
1 uconsistency always make trouble
for those who are guilty of it; and this
Radical Congress, renowned for such con
duct, hardly knows which way to turn.—
It is mired in its own bog, hut in too ob
stinate and perverse to stop and lake coun
sel- common sense aud honesty. If a
State is a State for taxatiou, it is also a
State entitled to representation. If it
may exercise the functions of a State iu
actiugon amendments, it cannot right
fully be reduced to a Territory, from mere
Radical spite at its refusal to adopt a cer
tain line of policy! Aud yet, the blind
Radicals bold a reverse of this—that Con
gress can make and unmake States, at its
pleasure— when it is States that make
Congress. The blind are leading the blind
—and the catastrophe can neither be dis
tant nor uncertain.— -New Haven Register,
jt Ha tilufpuii S«n».
U. - * ariiington, I>ec. 31.—The opinion of
fcio** Court in the case of L. P.
t * * n *C of twv f ndi ip.ft eonepirat rs,
J ° ’ Hs ertificato of division of opinion be
i t; ecu titc Judges of the Circuit Court of
l District of ibtiiaiiu, has beeu officially
promulgated. The opinion of the Judge
“• ’ *e Circuit Court was opposed iu three
questions, viz:
" n the fact stated in the petition
nua exhibits, ought a writ of habeas cor
pus be issued ?
-iccond, on the fact stated, ought aaul
j-iliigan to be discharged from custody?
lhnd, wheUiurthe military commission
mui jumuici; m legally to try and seu
, tehee Milligan ?
Judge Davis, who delivered the opinion
ol ! lie majority of the court, held that the
; ' ,vrlt ou tfht to be issued, and that Milligan
was entitled to lie discharged.
1 hat the trial by military commission
Was contrary to law.
1 hat, as a citizen of Indiana, which was
I j l<> t hi rebellion, and not being iu the mil
itary service, he was amenable only to civil
■aw and not to military law.
1 hat one of Die jilaincst of Constitution
al previsions was Violated when lie was
tncu by a court n*t authorized and or
daim and by law, arid another guarantee of
freedom was broken when he was denied
‘rial by jury.
****** *'*'* two questions were abswered
idlirmuliveJy and the third negatively.—
Chkd Justice Chase aud three otjjersdis
■pted a to third question, holding It to
boAvithid tlie power ol < dngre-s in time
ol danger or invasion to determine in
"hat Mates or districts persons may bo
tried by military tribunals. In thin, how
ever, they were overruled by tlie majority
of toe Court.
In the course of the proceedings it is re-
I marked that tlie Constitution is a law for
i fulcra and people equally iu war and
| peace, and covers with tlie shield of iu*
j protection all classes of men at ali times
! and under all circumstances, and no doc-
I trine involving more jiernicious cor.se
queuces was ever invented by the writ of
I "*»*» than that any of the provisions can
be suspended during any of the great exi
gencies of tlie Government. Such a doo
triue would lead directly to anarchy and
despotism, l iit theory of necessity on
which it is based is false.
A dispatch to the Commissioner of the
Indian Bureau confirms tho report of the
massacre by the Indians near Fort PhiL
Kearney. The United Suites soktiere
went out to give them battle, when they
met with their sad fate, 'lhe Indians,
- lid to belong to the B ack Feet, Sioux,
Bars, ( rows, Uncappus, Bruies, Ugollalaos
and other tribe--, which have recently
seemed ve -y pacific. No subsequent hos
tile demonstration was made. Commis
sioner Bogy thinks the Indians did not
start with hostile intent, but that the com
mander Lad mistaken their purpose. A
conflict ensued, which terminated so trag
ically.
Congressmen are divided in expressions
and opinions upon the subject of amend
ments as a sine gun non to the admission
of the Southern States. A large number
of Republican- a -ert their willingness to
make this the basis of admission to all
truly loyal members, but these embrace
chiefly the conservative wing ofthe party,
the extreme members being opposed
to.com milting themselves upon the ques
tion. It is not unlikely that a caucus will
be held to consider the propriety of otter
ing an amendment to the South as a final
ity.
Mr. Stevens is preparing an important
measure to be introduced in Congress,
looking to radical changes in Executive
aud Judicial quarters, ’lhe recent decis
ion of the Supreme Court regarding mili
tary trials ami other important decisions
to follow, which, it K alleged, will declare
several iaws now on the statute books un
co nst notional, has produced a feeling
Os alarm among able jurists in l>otb
Houses.
There was received at the Treasury De
paninetit this morning thefollowingstims
"'fie 1 r ‘° a*- phMHaisus M»sfe OUpAUfcj oo
*U»d : Draft on the New York Sf *:« Bi.
at Albany for .it*. No name or letter
given. A draft on the Jeflerson State
Bank at Steubenville, Ohio, for tZ S, In a
letter signed W. If. Wallace. Two thou
sand dollars enclosed in an envelope post
marked Indianapolis, lud. A letter sign
ed '‘Restitution,” in which was enclosed
!£-■>. In ali amounting to $2,340.
j The House (’ommittee on Ways and
I Means will recommend a modification of
the income tax, decreasing the amount of
exemption from income to SI,OOO a year.
The Committee find it impossible to resist
the pressure for a reduction of the taxes.
The manufacturers are here in force, and
will probably succeed in procuring a slight
reduction on some articles.
The President has conferred with tire
Judges of the Supreme Court in reference
to the iioi-itions assumed by Congress to
w trd the Southern States, When he an
nounced to Commissioner Weatlierby,
from (South Carolina, that the Supreme
Court would declare the amendment un
constitutional, it was thought he spoke
advisedly.
Workmen are employed iu erecting a
platform from the north window of the
Executive mansion through which the
visitors v ill ]i.'.ss out after seeiug the Pres
ident. Mrs. (Senator Patterson and Mrs.
Stover wilt receive with the President.—
Marshal flooding and Deputy Marshal
Phillips will present the visitors to the
President, and Hou. 11. B. French will
present to the ladies.
- The President’s ante-room was crowded
to-day, despite the snow storm. Among
the visitors were Clingman, of North Car
olina. He is on his way to New York, on
business. He has applied for, but not re
ceived, a pardon.
The steamer Gettysburg is still aground
at Annapolis. The Don has been selected
to go in her place upon the secret mis
sion, and it is reported that Gen. Grant is
to accompany the expedition.
Chief Justice Chase denies the applica
tion for writ of habeas corpus for the re
lease of Dr. Mudd.
The receipts from internal revenue siuca
July Ist, is over one hundred aud sixty
millions.
The receipts from internal revenue to
day were 81,302,793 13.
Fayinti tii*: Xatioxais Debt.—The
London (Spectator, in alluding to the pros
pect of our paying tbe national debt ere
long, remarks:
“It will be the greatest deed Democracy
has ever done, the one which will come
most clearly home to property-holders,
which jjdil most rapidly dissipate the idea
that Democracy is distinguished by an
ignorant impatience of taxation, or by an
indisposition to pay up honorable claims.
No despotism will be able to show such a
financial account, no constitutional mon
archy a better one, and successful finance
tells heavily with cultivated mankind.—
The tide of immigration will set in with
double rapidity, and the last remaining
deterrent to British North America will
have been removed. Meanwhile, wheth
er the dream is fulfilled or not, America,
so long as she raises this surplus, possesses
a force of which it is difficult to estimate
theextent. She can, for example, spend
without a loan, as much as the whole out
lay of Great Britain upon her army and
navy, and can waste every year, without
increasing her taxes, as much as the loan
witli which Napoleon paid for his Italian
campaign.
@@u Gossip reports the speedy return of
Gen. McClellan from the Continent, and
that he will reside at his country house in
Orange, N. J.
Internal Revenue Receipts.— The
receipts from internal revenue sources for
the present fiscal year to date, commenc
ing first of January last, are nearly one
hundred and sixty-seven millions of dol
: lars.
The clergymen at Norwich. Con
necticut, have protested against Sunday
funerals, and request folks to die before
Thursdays. The Boston Post says the ac
couchem are advocating the same measures
1 in their line.
Tlie President** Political Position.
The President’s position on the subject
of reconstruction is stib. made D»c tt —-c
j of what seems to us vejv needless specuta-
I tion. It has been so clearly defined by
i what lie has done and said,and by what he
! hasntfdo e and said,as to leave very little
! room for further doubt. It could hot have
l be-,-11 expected that the result of the eov
• tii ns w-.uld *■ ivh a.iy e!u*o_ r in b.aojjin-
I iulis us in eiii., ; I'juslH 'or the XPedi-;
euey ui tin p. !icy be lias urged on Con*-!
gress; and it is now equally certain that it
has made no change in his estimate ofthe
feasibility of giving that policy practical
effect. It may have led turn to change the
grounds of his reliance. Before the elec
tion he believed tlie people would elect a
Congress wbicii would adopt that policy
and carry it out, 'this hope has tailed.—
He now believes that the Supreme Court j
will annul any hostile policy which Con- I
gress may adopt, and t.,at tfie necessities I
of the country, operating alike upon the
interests and the sentiments of the people,'!
will compel a resort to the action he nasi
recommended.
The President evidently believes that ]
things cannot remain in their present po
sition. The country cannot stand still in 1
its present attitude. Tli« material inter
ests involved, —tlie vast commerce whose
movements are suspended,—tlie industries
eager for development,—the wants, neces
sities aud demands of the whole country
unite t i esmpt i some actiou looking toward
reliti fr<-.a Its present dislocation and par
alyiis. Congress must do so meet lung. If
it rakes violent action,—if it annuls the
local governments which now exii-t in the
Southern States, and which are products
and representatives, regularly or irregular-,
ly, of the local popular will, aud substitutes ]
for them Territorial governments of its
own creation, the President believes the !
Supreme Court will pronounce its action j
null and void. Upon what this belief is
based, except tlie general temper of the
Court audits decision in the Indiana cases, !
we are not aware ; but he holds it anti acts !
upon it. He believes that Court will bring
the action of Congress upon the status of
the Houthern Btates, to the test of the
Constitution—and that it will veto, by an !
adverse decision, every attempt to impose i
upon those States universal suff rage, assent
to Constitutional Amendments or otic r j
conditions of the kind opposed to their en- 1
joyrnentof the right of representation in j
Congress and the Electoral College. The
threatened action of Congress, therefore,
he believes is destined to prove abortive.
But even if this should not he so, he still
believes the policy of Congress must fait.
A bill stripping the Southern States of their
existing Governments, and imposing Ter
ritorial Governments in their stead, will
not execute it»elf. It must be supported
by force. An army must be sent and kept
in every Southern Btate. No ia-.v can be
enforced, no tax can be collected, no alle
giance can be maintained, but Lv military
power. This may be jioisibte, but !t will
be expensive, audit will become odious
and intolerable. It will convert the Na
tional Government into a centralized des
potism, and the people will not endure it-
They will inevitably and speedily expel
from power auy party that may do ii, and
thus Die country will be brought kick to
the necessity of adopting the policy lie baa
urged—which is the only one at once
sauctioued by the Constitution and ade
quate to tlie reconstruction of the Union.
We believe these to be the views aud
opinions upon which the President is act
ing. It is no part of our present purpose
either to approve or oppoaj them. \Y<>
merely state them a.s Dio probable, vve
think the certain, basis of the Executive
action during tho remainder of President
Johnson's official term. — X. Y. Times.
Passing Strango -Story of a Convict—
Hia Body Literally a Needle Cush
ion—Needles Driven into Him by
Thieve* and Counterfeiters.
Tlie Warren, 0., Chronicle, of Decem
ber 26th, has the following strange story :
Ed. Day, colored, convicted of burglary i
at the last term of the Court, was taken
last #ec*k totbe penitentiary, making Ins !
tniMam*eu ik« AnatiitUlocr. He. *•;«.; ns '
to be *Ol incorrigible fellow, bat claim*, to
have been more tinned against than siu- j
ning. He claims to lie the victim of a
merciless set of persecutors—an organized
band of thieves and counterfeiter*. Our ,
readers remember that we lately published ;
two instances in which surgeons extracted j
needles from Day’s neck and breast, while ,
in jail awaiting nis trial. Four large but
ton needles were cut out of his person, t
and the surgeons say he lias a great many
more—perhaps fifty—in different part.-, of I
his body. But as the needles do not seri
ously affect him, except when they work
to some especially sensitive part, he does
not like to have the surgeons operate on
him.
We were present on one occasion when
he was being examined by a surgeon, and
it was easy to observe the" locality of nee
dles in his face and neck. When first
asked how they came to be in him, he ob
stinately refused to tell; but taking sick,;
and thinking, perhaps, he had not long to ;
live, he yielded to frequent persuasions j
to divulge his secret, under condition tuat j
it should not be made public until lie’
was out of the way of his persecutors. He
claims that his principal business has been
to discover the schemes and rascalities of
certain patties, and then to black mail
them to keep him from divulging. Borne
eight or ten years since the Treasurer’s
office in Ashtabula county was robbed.
Day claims he was made cognizant of the
robbery, and employed to carry several I
thousand dollars to a certain party, but j
instead of doing so he appropriated the
money to his own use. This so incensed !
his confederates that they determined to j
punish him. He was taken and bound, 1
and while in this helpless condition hot
needles were forced into his liesli, and he
was force i to swear eternal secresy, under j
penalty of Buttering a like punishment
if he did not keep his promise.
Two years ago last Summer a party of i
counterfeiters in this place endeavored to 1
engage him to do some work for them.
(Day is td!eialile.eDgraver.) After finding j
out their plans be refused to do the work, ’
but told them he wanted several hundred !
dollars husli money. One night lie was t
decoyed'intoa place on Main street, knock
ed down, manacled and carried to a cer
tain point au a back street, and put to tor
ture that would shame the cruelties of the
Spanish Inquisition. Oue plan was to
tickle the soles of his feet until he would I
faint under the excruciating agony. After ;
somewhat liviving, red hot needles were
driven in his body, legs, arms and cheek.--. :
He says lie knows the parties, but is afraid
to-make their names public. How much
truth there may be in his story, wc will
not pretend to sav. The fact that his body i
is literally a needle cushion, leads to the !
inference that some forcible naeaus were
probably used to place them there.
This strange story of cruelty ami w ;<?k
edness is hard to believe as having occur-1
red iu these days; yet there are certain
circumstances that in some degree corro
borate his statements. Had a sharp, Ui3- j
creet detective obtained the confidence of ;
Day, he might have learned much that
would have aided in unearthing gangs of j
thieves and their nefarious schemes. We \
have no doubt there are many men at
large who are quite as deserving, to say ;
the least, of Day’s fate, as himself. Al- ’
though lie is probably a thief himself, he
is a sort of Ishruaelite among them, be
cause of his black mail levies upon them.
He says he met several members of the
gang in the penitentiary, and that he was
not free from their hate and persecutions
even there, and that the prison keepers !
w'ere at a loss to know why he was con
cerned in so rnauy quarrels with the pris
oners. He did not dare teF them, because
lie did not suppose he would be believed.
He is more than ordinarily sharp; has a
good common education, and read law for
a while with John M. Langston, of Ober
lin. He is a good penman, and sayscoun
feiters used him to imitate signatures to
their bills. He learned the art of engrav
ing, no doubt, to make bis services more I
valuable iu the counterfeiting business, j
When arraiuged before the bar for his late
sentence, he made a short speech iu his
defence, in which some points were made
with considerable ability. His attorney,
however, did not consider his case dependa
ble, the proof of his having committed
burglary being too positive to be evaded.
He goes to the Penitentiary for three years,
but he told the jailor before he left here,
that he did not expect to live through the
term. It is hard to realize what tliejre is
in life to render it desirable to him.
Vol. LIX, TS o. 45
From Washington City.
COMMISSIONER WELLS’ REPORT.
Comthissio’jer Wells’ revenue report
recommends a tax of $1 per gallon on
liquors; opposes reduction of the cotton
tax. The average advance In the price of
labor is fid per cent.; and in commodities
00 per cent. The effect of the advance is a
decrease in production aud consumption,
and checking national development. Facts
about shipping, machinery, and the book
trade, are discouraging. Foreign tounage
was 1,500,000, agai nst 2,500,000 in 1800;
there are 32 vessels against 131, in 1860, in
Brazilian trade. 1 ustead of building ships
for other nations, Nova Scotia aud New
Brunswick build for us. Foreign publish
ers have books printed, bound, pay 20 per
cent, tariff, aud undersell home work, aud
nearly all kinds of machinery can be prof
itably imported. The immense profits of
manufacturing during the war caused an
‘ enormous advance in raw material, and
! tlie present condition is attributed toscarc
ity ofskilied labor, irredeemable Currency,
ami heavy-taxation. Tlie remedies sug
gested are to encourage immigration, a
speeftyreturn to specie payment, and aju
; dicious distribution of trxe«. The report
r.-courme ids a reducPon on sale of man
ufac*nrlng industry to 3 per cent., and a
corresponding reduction on analogous
branches of industry, the entire removal
l of tax on liar plates, sheet iron, and arti
cles entering■ into their production, and
admit tropieal fruits free. The report
says legislating for specific interests has
been our bane.
He argues against higher tariff, and sug
gests asa measure of temporary expediency
some increase on certain articles; but
House bill is excessive—urges duties on
teas, coffee and spices. No change in re
duction on spirituous liquors—two dollars,
abandonment ad valorem on winet*—sub-
stitution of 50 cents per gallon. Proposes
no change on cigars. Moderate reduction
on coarser staple goods—wool aud carpets;
substituting specific for advalorem, ami
slight reduction on drugs. Opposes auy
change on priutiug and writing paper—
suggests a large increase on cured meats
aud malt. Large increase of free list, em
bracing articles which enter into manufac
tures.
ITEMS.
Postoffice appropriation for the year,
1 ending June 30, ISSS, $1,895,000.
To-day's Star has the following commu
nication, received at the Freed men’s Bu
reau. from the officer at Raleigh, North
Carolina, calling tlie attention of the Bu
reau to Die whipping of negroes by civil
authorities, ostensibly as a punishment
for petty crimr*, but, in fact, for the pur
pose of disqualifying them trom using the
elective franchise under law in North Car
olina, should that right be granted them
by the law of Die land. It is stated that
tills practice is carried on in many coun
ties in that State—over sixty having been
whipped in one county during the recent
sostou of the Court.
A conversation was overheard recently
at the State House between several mem
bers of the Legislature. One said : “We
ore licking them iu our part of the Slate,
and if we keep on, we can lick them all
. by next year, and none of them can
vote."
CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington, Jan. 4.—iu theSeuate, a
memorial from til#Legislature of Montana,
asking for the c-tebflshment ofh Oovtrh
! or-f-etterxl’s office, was referred to coui
' iiiiitec on Public Lauds.
A petition from the Wool-growers’ Ho
: ciety, asking for increased protection, was
1 referred to Finance committee.
Seventy artiste’ memorial, asking for a
; sjtecilic duty of £IOO on old paintings, was
, referred to Fin. Mice committee.
Six petitions from Railroad Presidents,
asking fora reduction of tariff'on iron, had
a similar reference.
The committee ou Foreign Relations
was instructed to inquire into the relations
between France and Mexico, and as to the
probability of Maximilian's maintaining
i himself.
A VETO COMING.
Washisotos, Jau. 4. —A message veto
| ing the District Suffrage bill, will be Pres
' idetit Johnson’s most elaborate State pa
i per.
Foreign News.
London, Jau. 4, Noon.—The Times of
this morning states that the only questions
that England at present is at all involved
in with other Powers, are those waiting
for i ent between her and America,
and urges the prompt settlement of these
on a satisfactory basis.
The same journal believes that if the
Eastern question is now approached in
the proper spirit, there can be a speedy
settlement of it by the Powers of Europe
in the interest of peace.
Vienna, Jan. 4, Noon. —Thepatenteon-
voking an extra session of the Cabinet has
had a bad effect in Hungary.
Lisbon. Jan. 4, Noon.—The King open
ed the cortes this morniug, and urged the
reorganization of the army.
Kr in New York.
New York, Jan. 4.—The Austrian Ad
miral ZighofF visited the Mayor to-day.
The Gardner will case, in which a large
amount of property is involved, has been
decided by the Court of Appeals in favor
of Mr. Gardner, the brother of Mrs. Ei-
President Tyler and against her.
The harbor is filled to a considerable ex
tent with floating ice, interferring with
rapid transit of ferry boats and other ship
ping.
The Greek Committee of this city have
appealed to citizens for aid to Candians.
Daring highway robbery occurred last
evening near Hoboken, N. J.; E. B. Ba
ker was robbed of a watch, diamond pin,
some rings, ami about £IOO in money, and
was nearly murdered.
FIRE IN NEW YORK.
The Rubber establishment of Henry G.
Norton & (Jo., 359 Broadway,was badiy
damaged by lire this morning, loss $35,000
insurance. Peek, Randolph & Smith,
clothiers, lost by water $15,000. The build
ing was owned by Norton. Damage $7,000
all fully insured.
SHIPWRECK.
New York, Jan. D—Particulars have
been received of the loss of schooner E.
M. Dyer, bound to Georgetown, 8. C.,
from Richmoud. A. Bryant, C. H. Bry
ant and J. H. Sweeney, searneu, were
washed overboard and drowned; Captain
! Jeremiah Harding aud seaman George j
Niekinson died, after removal from the
I schooner. The others aboard were saved
;by the British brig Meg. It is stated that
the brig Jenny Morton, of Baltimore, re
fused assistance to the Dyer.
Sgy* The Deleware Legislature met on
the Ist instant. The Democrats have two
thirds of each branch. It is said the con
stitutional amendment will be rejected.
! DM* JOURNAL and MESSEl££fi,
j -
SUBSCRIPTION BATES
i DAILY one Month , _ JL „ „
j rto three Month* .
wwSrtaaStayif pay ** •teajaeaeemeaf of
•wwTfcxf /•kS’SkS" <tot ’
n sess*" 8 ™ rate * m ,owa9an *
An Excellent Law.
We find the following among the re
cently enacted laws of Georgia :
! An Act to Encourage Sheep Raising ir
j this State.
Whereas, It is important to encourage
; sheep raising h this (State * Whereas,
! h'i’eat complaints are made on account of
the loss of sheep through persons entering
sheep walks or pastures under the pre
text of hunting. Therefore,
Sec. 1. Be it enacted, That from and
after the passage of this act it shall not be
lawlul for any person or persons to hunt
with dogs, firearms, or other Implements,
in or through any enclosed lands, fields,
walk* or pastures wherein or .vhereon
sheep are kept or confined, without tiie
consent of the owner thereof.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That for
every violation of this act the person or
persons so offending «bali be deemed and
held guilty of misdemeanor, and subject
to indictment in any court having juris
diction thereof, and upon conviction shall
be fined or imprisoned, or both, at the
discretion of thecourt; the fine not to ex
ceed filly dollars, and the imprisonment
net to exceed thirty days, for each offence.
Approved December 4th, ISOB.
Gckkrnatorial.—We have seen a com
munication iu oue of the Macon papers
nominating Mr. Speaker Hardeman, ami
another in An Atlanta paper, nominating
Gen. Gartreli, for Governor. The people
of Georgia know where Mr. Hardeman,
and Gen. Gartrell are to lie found, and
when they want them for (Governor they
will be sure to caff for them. VVV have
also seen it stated several time* that our
present Executive would not consent to
serve another term. All of these asser
tions, we believe, are conjectural or gratui
tous. There is nothing very desirable
about the office at present, ana we do not
suppose Gov. Jenkins is anxiou* to retain
the office, but he is not the man to desert
his post in the hour of danger. I' our
present precarious relations with the Fed
eral Government continue, we believe he
w ill consent to stand by the helm uutil he
brings Ills beloved State safe through
the storm. The clamor about his unpopu
larity .has been raised chielly by repuoia
tors, with whom the great'mass of the
people feel no sympathy.— Fed. Union.
Melancholy accident.—On Tuesday
afternoon great gloom was cast over oiir
city by the meiancholly intcligence of a
distressing and fatal accident hereinafter
detailed :
Francis A. B. Jeuuing*, Mate, and Obe
diaii B. Johns, Engineer, of the steamboat
Eclipse, appeared before Joseph P. Carr,
Esq., Attorney at Law ami Notary Public,
yesterday, and made a protest, testifying
that the EcUjmc was in good condition, am!
in every respect seaworthy at the time of
her departure, from which it appears that
the said steamer left this city on the 27th
lIH., tetvms lwmr« <.t - u.u.l U -*-p—*-
in the forenoon, bound for Savannah, la
den with condemned ordnance stores, to
wit: Harms* for artillery, cartridge box
es, bayonet scabbards, et cetera. About
thirty miles this side of Hag-Cram, round
ed to, aud there stopped at Stovall’s Place,
to take in moie cargo, to-wit: about 25,-
000 feet of lumber, consisting of oak, ash
and hickory. The Eclipse left Stovall's
Place about 7 a. in., ou the 28tb, and con
tinued down the river, without devia
tion, and with only the usual stoppages
for wood, until the morning of the 30th,
when, at about half-past nine iu the fore
noon, at about one mile below Purysburg
Landing, the steamer was slopped at a
wood landing, on the left, or Carolina,
bank of the river, for the purpose of wood
ing; and there, while icing made fast,
her boiler exploded, from some cause un
known.
Obediah B. Johns, Engineer, had gone
on watch but a short time before, aud had
not time to make any examination of the
engine or boiler, and can only conjecture
that the explosion was caused by tne form
ation of loam iu the boiler, and the ud
den pouring iu of cold water, from the
subsiding of the foam, upon the flues and
ground sheet.
Roliert L. Carter, Captain: Thomas
Bottoms, Becot.il Engineer; George Ear
&>t. .tPilot. and Richard Williams, yol. 1
Fireman, wereKilfeu and&«w*r
(ooS.) Fire man, was severely scalded and
Las since died.
Half an hour after the explosion, the
tlearner sank m about twenty feet of wa
ter., the bodies of the dead going down
with her. The'iteamer, with the cargo,
is a total lo~«.— Au'/neta Chronicle.
Grape Vine of Santa Barbara.—
One of the celebrites of .Spanish Califor
nia is the immense aud beautiful grape
vine now’ growing at the Monteciio, two
or three miles below’ Santa Barbara. The
planter ot the vine was Donna Marcelina
Felix de Dominguez, of the earliest expe
dition to Souora, before IJBO. It was
planted by her over sixty-five years ago,
from a slip which she cut"from the young
vineyard at Ban Autonio Mission, in Mon
terey Cos., for a horse whip. Her husband
had got permission to make a small gar
den near the warm springs of Monteciio,
a favorite place for the washerwomen of
the new settlement of Santa Barbara, and
hero she plained it on the edge of a knoll.
It immediately took root and begun to
bud and leaf, and from careful attention
before she died, it was made a produce
more than any known grapevine in all
America, North or South. Between 1850
and iB6O it had been trailed over some 80
feet in circumference, with a trunk of 12
inches diameter, rising clean 15 feet from
the ground. Some years it has borne
over 8,000 bunches of ripe anu sound
grapes, or close on to 8,000 pounds, and
become the wonder of every resident or
sojourner in that part of California. And
what is more, for the last thirty years it
has principally maintained the woman
and her numerous family.
Prof. Silliman, when he visited it last
year, said he had never heard of such an
immense grape vine in any other country,
which issayiug a great deal, as he ha*
traveled much in the South of Europe.—
Ban Francisco Bulletin.
Sacrifice of two Hundred Men in
Dahomey.—A letter from I.aeos, ou the
coast of Africa, says:
The frigate Zenobie, carrying the flag
of Rear Admiral Viscount' Fleuriot de
I.angle, commanding the French naval
squadron on the Western coart of Africa,
has just visited St, Paul de Loande, the
chief place of the Portuguese establish
ment of Lower Guinea. The Admiral was
well received by the Governor and the au
thorities of the country. He reports that
French commerce has been sensibly in
creased at this pcint during the last 'three
years. On leaving St. Paul the Zenobie
visited Mossamedes and Elephant’s Bay,
which serves as training ground for the
ships on this station. The day after the
arrival of the frigate at Lacos, an English
schooner brought news from Dahomey.
The King was preparing to go to war with
the Ashantees, and, to propitiate fortune,
had ordered tw’o hundred men to be aaei i
fieetl to the Genii. This i9 the third time
within a year that be has indulged in this
horribly barbarity.
A bit of glue dissolved in skim milk ami
w ater will restore old crape. Half a cran
berry bound on a corn will soon kill it.—
An ink stand was turned over upon a
white table cloth; a servant threw over it
a mixture of salt and pepper plentifully,
and ail traces of it disap{ieared. Picture
frames and glasses are preserved from flies
by painting theto with a brush dipped in
to a mixture made by boiling three or four
onions in a pint of water. Bed bugs are
kept away by washing the crevices with
strong salt water, put on with a brush.—
Soft soap should be kept in a dry place in
cellar, and not be used until three months
old.
tffc. Frauds upon the revenue are not
conflned to whisky dealers alone. It is
knowu that some of our largest silk and
lace importers have perpetrated huga
swindles upon the government by means
of underv&led invoices and other contrivs
ances which they have invented to meet
E resent emergencies. One importing
ouse alone was compelled a few week ago
to pay SBO,OOO in gold for an attempt w
evade the alw.
At Pleasant Mills, New Jereey,
lives the oldest John Bmitb. His age is
one hundred and seventeen years, and his
faculties are not dim, nor is his natural
force abated.