Newspaper Page Text
BY WILLIAM S. JONES.
GA.
SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 13.
Tlie Compromise--Gov. Wriglkt.
Governor Wright, of Indiana, in his late
annual message to the legislature, which is prin
cipally devoted to affairs of the State, makes the
following patriotic reference to the Compromise
Measures, in conclusion:
‘ Throughout the past year,peace and harmony
between the various sections of the Union have
been gradually and firmly established. The great
disturbing questions which for a time threatened
results, the ultimate issue of which no man could
toresee, have been put to rest, and with it the
heart-burnings and sectional recriminations
which it brought in its train. Our present tran
quality is the hest evidence of the wisdom and
prudence ot the measures of adjustment adopted
by the last Congress.
“The high conservative ground maintained by
our State is shown in the fact that we support no
man who favors agitation. Our people want
peace, and they esteem no sacrifice, short of that
of principle, too great to secure it.
“Indiana holds him an enemy to the well
being of this republic, who pursues any course
tending to widen the breach between the North
and the South. Minor questions sink into in
significance compared to the great paramount
duty of every American citizen, the preserva
tion of the integrity of the Union.
“Each and ail of the laws constituting that
compromise, which has been as oil cast upon the
troubled waters, are assented to, and have been
out, so tar as they apply to us, in word
anu letter, according to the strictest judicial con
struction, by the citizens ot our State. This has
been done cordially, and wife 1 as near an ap
proach to hearty unanimity as any measure en
acted to reconcile similar sectional differences
can ever be expected to receive.
“Indiana desires to see the compromises, made
under the Constitution, and expressly framed to
carry into effect its provisions, remain undisturb
ed. She says to the South .as well as to the
North, that these measures must stand; that this
sectional controversy must not again be opened
up; that time, as an element which enters into
every thing that is valuable, must test the r
wisdom and efficiency; that from whatever
quarter of th: Union efforts shall be made to re
vive this sectional agitation, Indiana is against
it.
“She favors not, nor will she by her votes
countenance those who favor, the opening afresh,
in any manner, under any pretence, the ques
tions so recently and-so happily disposed of, let
us hope for ever. Our duty ij plain : abide by the
past , sustain th - m asures faithfully , cease agitation ‘
and trust, for the future to the intelligence and pa
triotism of the people, under the guidance of Provi
dence.
This is the language of a patriot, whose highest
ambition seems to be to promote the prosperity
and accelerate the greatness of his country, by
perpetuating unimpaired the institutions--of our
fathers. We commend it to the careful consid
eration of those purturbed spirits, North and
South, who so much desire agitation.
Tha Case cf the Promettiec«.
The letter of Capt. Churchill, which we
published some days ago, giving an account of
the firing into the Prometheus, has elicited the
following comments from the New York Com
mercial Advertiser •
The Prometheus Fired at. —The captain of the
steamer Prometheus seems to have very unne
cessarily involved himself in difficulty, and his
vessel and passengers in peril, by an unjustifia
ble attempt to leave Grey town without paying
port dues. According to his own statement, the
authorities made a charge of $123 for anchorage
and port dues, which Captain Churchill assumed
to be illegally demanded, and refused to pay.
Accordingly, as he was about to leave port, an
attachment was served on the vessel by the civil
power. This he set at defianee—thinking prob
ably that the authorities had not power to en
force their laws—hove anchor, and dropped
down the harb° r with the current. An English
brig-01-war lying near intercepted the Prome
theus, firing a shot each over her bow and stern,
whereupon Captain Churchill prudently lay to,
sent a boat on board the brig to ask an explana
tion, and was told that the brig would protect
the authorities of Greytown in their lawful de
mands, that he must return and pay up, which
he did under protest;—the very thing he ought
to have done before he sailed, instead of trying
to get away from the responsibility and defying
the civil authority of the place, whom his gov
ernment would have held responsible for any
wrong.
The Baltimore American copies the above, and
very justly and pertinently remarks:
The conduct of Capt. Churchill, whether right
or wrong, whether imprudent or not, is not
brought into the ieal issue in this matter. The
true question relates to the assumption of author
ty by a British naval officer to fire upon an Ame
rican vessel, and to the inference that in so do
ing he was asserting the sovereignty of England
to the Musquito country and to the town of Ni
'Sg*agua, called by the English designation Grey
town. The case will bring that question to a
definite issue, and it is high time, we think, that
it was so brought. This country is very desirous
to know how it is that the British occupation of
the San Juan still continues, notwithstanding
the express stipulations of the Clayton and Bul
wer treaty to the contrary. That such occupa
tion will not be permitted, when the canal by
that route is completed, may be taken for grant
ed. The treaty we are sure will be enforced to
the letter; and indeed if'the treaty itself did not
contain a provision for the cessation of British
sway in that quarter, this country, in justice to
her own rights, interests and dignity, could not
allow such sway to continue. But the treaty is
explicit on the point in question.
The State iioad.
The Joint Committee appointed by tho Legisla- 1
ture have through a sub-committee, Blade the fo’l- ;
lowing report on the affairs and condition of the
State Road, which, strangely enough, rubs off not
a little of tho whitewashing applied by Gov.
Towns to his distinguished Chief Engineer, W.
L. Miciieli,. Tho Report is accompanied by nu
merous tables which we omit:
REPROT of Sub-Committee on Internal Im
provements, on the Western and Atlantic Hail \
Road.
To Mr. Anderson, Chairman of tho Committee '
of Internal Improvements:—ln accordance with a
joint resolution to authorize tho k Committeo on Iter
nal Improvements of the Senate and House of
Representatives, to appoint n sub-committeo from
each of their bodies respectively, to form a joint
committee to examine into the nffai rs of tho Wes
tern and Atlantic Railroad, Mossrs. Farris and Tum
lin wuref from tho Senate, and Messrs. Fan
nin, Perkins and Tift from tho Houso.
After tho organization of tho joint committee, by
the selection of Mr. Fannin as Chairman, Mr. Tift
having declined to serve', the balance of tho com
mitteo proceeded without delay to tho Western and
Atlantic Railroad, and entered upon the discharge
pf their duties. We wore fortunato in securing
IHHMKU I HMVMLE A SIMM
the sendees of Mr. L. E. Bleckley, the former Book
keeper, whose clerical ability and intimate acquain
tance with the business aided us as much in onr
labors.
It. could not bo expected that the committee, in
the limited time allowed, could make an investiga
tion so full and complete as might be desired, but
after a laborious and searching examination into
the mnnagement and business operations of that
important work, ask leave to submit the following
report:
The gross profits of the Road, for the last year,
were from—
Freights $183,371 59
Passengers 89,656 85
Mails 12,000 00
Total. $285,028 44
Expenditures (settled) 204,022 25
Leaving. ff $81,006 19
Available for settlement of unadjusted claims and
profits.
For tho purpose of understanding the causes of
tho great expense of conducting the business of the
Road, we have collected the details for a period of
months, and classed each item of expendi
ture under its proper head. This will be seen by
reference to tables No. 1 and 2. Table No. 4 ex
hibits the linaneial condition of the Road on the
31st Oct., 1851. Other tables of interest aro appen
od to this report
The Committee was unable, on account ,of the
unsettled condition of the business of tho road, to
determine tho exact amount of net earnings, but
after u scrutinizing investigation, wo are forced to
tho conclusion that tho expenditures duo to the
last fiscal year, will lessen Mr. Mitchell's estimate
of the amount of nett profits.
This unfortunate result is mainly duo to tho in
efficient management of the work, Wo have no
evidence of fraud or corruption. On tho contrary,
we boliovo that there has been none, but our inves
tigation has developed that tho management has
boen loose and inefficient, and that the road is with
out a proper equipment, either of cars or engines.
The management has been loose in pcrmittii.
agency accounts to run without prompt settlement
(see Tablo 3,) in delaying orders lor spikes, cross
ties, Ac., which has compelled tho Engineers and
Supervisors to use inferior materials, greatly to the
detriment of the work. By the absence of tho offi
cers from their posts ; by the want of a correct
ticket system, without which conductor is re
sponsible only for the amount of passage money he
chooses to return ; other parties must share tho re
sponsibility of this result, with the officers of the
road. No sufficient excuse can be offered for delay
in settlement of the agency accounts, or lor neglec
ting to]provido materials, tho necessity for which
was foreseen. The salaries of some of tho officers
are too low to secure the proper business qualifica
tions, or to onablo tho incumbents to devote their
time exclusively to tho business of tho iioad.
We should not bo too hasty, however, in con
demning tho policy of the past administration,for it is
a mooted question whether any direction could havo
conducted tho affairs, of this Road profitably, with
the acknowledged inadequacy of tho equipment.
Tho legislature neglected to furnish the proper aj -
pliances for tho successful prosecution of tho busi
ness, and upon thorn should be fixed a large share
of the responsibility. Taking into consideration all
the causes which combined, tended to produce th •
unsatisfactory result of last years operations, we
earnestly rcoommend an appropriation sufficient
to ofover tho estimates of the Engineer’s and “a
new system of management, fouuded in a wise and
severe economy, and looking to an increaeo of rev
enue, and diminution of oxpense as tho only solid
basis of a substantial and enduring prosperity.”
Tho Committee concur with the Engineers, whoso
advice they had, in tho pressing necessity of repla
cing the bridges and trestle work named below,
with embankments, and also in tho additional in
vestment for Cars and Locomotives.
Mr. Hull, the resident engineer, and Mr. L. P.
Grant, whoso namio is so well known as a successful
practical engineer, assisted tho Committee in pre
paring tho following estimates :
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS.
Length. Hull. Grant.
Whetstone... .440 feet $16;000 $17,550
Arms 320 do 20,000 17,000
Vinings 484 do 47,000 47.500
Et’wah (part) 1,200 do 43,000 49,500
Alatoona.... 24,700 24,700
Chattahoochee, bal. 5,000 5,000
Trestle work
above Dalton. 600 do 20,000 20,000
Totals about 3,500 feet 175,700 181,200-*181,20C
Relaying 50 miles track,
Iron, spikes ; Clamps,
Cross Tics and labor. 254,650
Add for balancing, and
improved* fastenings. 25,009
279,650
Deduct value of old flat
bar, 31,250
248,400 —1248,400
Chief Engineers esti
mate for Cars and
Engines 204,400
Machine shop and Ma
chinery 25,000
Car shop, Ac 10,000
New Passenger and
Freight Dopots..' 20,000
*689,000
BRIDGES.
After chaining the condition of every bridge, wo
report them safe for the present, but the estimates
above are calculated to decrease the length of un
necessary bridging about 3,500 feet, which must bo
replaced again if not embanked, in five years at far
thest at a cost of about 90,000 dollars.
The embankment would add materially to the
security of travel, and increase the nett profi
its of the road, as they are under the constant su
pervision of watchmen, and are coutinually needing
extensive repairs. Mr. E. Denmead, the worthy
contractor, deserves great credit for his unremitting
attention to this portion of the work. Some of the
piers of the bridges across the Chicamauga, were
founded on “Rip Rap,” and have been undermined
by the current ; those should receive immediate at
tention, boforc they sustain farthor damage; the
work at Chattahooche amounts to 53,010 dollars, of
which $48,000 have been paid The amount #lßl,-
200, stated above as necessary for embanking the
bridges, might not be provided for by immediate
legislative action, but may remain a charge upon
the revenue of the road, as the work is necessarily
fradual: The result, however, is the same, as the
tate pays in either case.
The condition of the road is not so bad as wc
expected to find. Active exertions have been made
by Mr. Hull, the resident engineer, to prepare the
track for the winter’s business, but not having tho
E roper force and machinery at his command, he
as still much to do. With tho exceptions of tho
forty miles of flat bar, tho track is in fair order. 1
The iron for relaying this portion of Road is ]
now in Savannah, and should be laid down as soon '
as practicable. The cross tics in use and on deliy-J
ery, are very inferior, and only those of full sidgt
and post oak or chcsnut timber, should be used JP
ho new track.
Tho estimate for replacing 50 miles of flat bar,
including the 10 miles already down, after deduc
ting the value of old iron, is/-48,400 dollars. Gov.
Towns and Mr. Mitchell ordered tho iron for this
portion of tho road. Some of it is already laid,
and tho balance will be received as rapidly as it can
bo used. *
To keep the track in proper order, it is positively
essential to kcop tho road bod well ditched : a good
force with a ditching train, would bo the most effec
tual means, as this forco and train, could bo made to
subserve many other valuablo purposes ; such as
ballasting wet cuts, transporting wood and materi
als for repair of track Ac.
Tho Road should by all moans, be provided with
necessary shops to repair its own Engines and Cars,
and be prepared when thero were no repairs on
hand, to build cars for their own use.
EQUIPMENT.
By reference to tho report of Mr. Mitohell, it will
AUGUSTA, GA-, SUNDAY MORNING DECEMBER 14, 1851.
be seen that he supposes the sum of $204,400 nec
■ essary to equip the Road with Engines and Cars
sufficient to perform its business. He has contraced
D o mber 0f J C4r8 ‘ and for Bix Engines.
Some of the Cars are delivered, and others in pro
construction. Some of the Locomotives
are finished, and two are on the route.
The iron mentioned above, and this portion of
the equipment, may be considered as already a
charge upon the State. The committee are aware
of the danger of a precedont which allows an agent
with limited powers, to transcend these powers:
but, in the present instance, fully recognizing the
imperative necessity which prompted the invest
ment, we recommend the ratification of the pur
chases made by the administration, lor the iron and
the equipment.
DEPOT BUILDINGS
Are needed at Cartersville, Kingston, Calhoun, and
probably Chattanooga, when the rights of the Road
are permanently defined, and the best location as
certained. Some of the buildings above named are
03 depositories for goods or produce, and as
the State is liable for loss or damage, tho Agent
should bo furnished with good and secure Depot
room for all merchandize in his charge.
The committee in the close of their labors cannot
refrain from calling the attention of tho Legislature,
to the importance of the Western & Atlantic Rail
Road, its position and its prospects. Its northern
terminus is in the city of Chattanooga from which
point diverges a system of Rail Roads which pene
trate every portion of the eastern Mississippi Val
ley. The East Tennessee Rail Road, leaving our
Road at Dalton, extends into tho fertile vallics of
East Tennessee, its continuation forms the Virginia
Rail Road, which tunneling the Alleghany Moun
tains, joins the extensive system of Rail Roads re
cently planned by the State of Virginia. When this
work is finished, there will bo an unbroken Rail
Road track from Washington City to Montgomery
Alabama. Our Road wi.l form an important link
in this great thoroughfare of trade and travel. On
the west, the Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road
Company are overcoming obstacles once considered
insurmountable, and are rapidly pushing their work
to completion: from some point on this line, the
Memphis and Charleston Road diverges, and in a
distance little less than 300 miles, reaches its west
ern terminus on the banks of the Mississippi.
Two lines are spoken of from Nashville, ono to
Louisville, Kentucky, another to some point on the
Mississippi River. From undoubted inlormation,
we learn that theso great enterprises will be com
pleted. All these improvements will necessarily be
come valuable feeders to our State work. The 1500
miles of navigation furnished by the Tennessee river
and its tributaries, concentrate upon Chattanooga
an important steam and flat boat trade. The fertilo
bottoms drainod by theso streams produce, in pro
fusion, the staple articles of food so much needed by
the planters of Georgia, South Carolina and Alaba
ma. The other terminus of our Road is in the city
of Atlanta, from which point radiate three great
lines of Rail-ways which embrace in their continu
ations and branches the whole of Georgia, most of
South Carolina, and a portion of Alabama; they
also connect the navigable waters of the Gulf with
tho Atlantic ocean, dispensing the benefits of cheap
and sudden communication lor trade and travel, to
nearly two millions of people. Our State Road /
forms tho only connecting link between these
great Rail Road centres—Chattanooga and Atlanta-
and no other line can ever bo built which will so
riously interfere with our monopoly, for the confor
mation of the country forbids it. Between Norfolk
Va.. on the Atlantic, and Mobile on the Gulf, there
is no seaport, which will not be reached or controled
by the lines diverging from Atlanta. This secures
tho concentration of tho Miss.ssippi Valley trade
at that point, over ourgßoad to bo distributed by
its connecting roads over this oxtended section.
Tholes put business, mostly local, amounts to
noarly a thousand dollars per day. This local trade
and travel will undoubtedly increase for some years
to come, at the rate of 20 per cent, per annum, as
the resources of the Cherokee country, have hardly
begun to be developed. Tbu Committee nattc'-
themselves that the receipts for tho next fiscal year
will amount to 350,000 dollars of which 50 per cent,
should be net profits.
When all tho connecting roads shall have been
finished and tho immense resources of the country
developed, wo believe that tho receipts will ulti
mately fall not much short of a million of dollars
per annum. Other roads conduct their business
with an expenditure of less than 50 per cent, upon
their gross receipts. If the Committee should bo
sustained in their calculations by future results and
our rates of nett profits be the same as on other
road 3, our State would receive an annual income of
500,000 dollars, and thus at length be repaid for
those sacrifices to a work which has contributed so
much to givo her character at home and abroad.
With these bright prospects in tho future, let us
not desert this enterprise in its hour of need, let us
not falter in this stupendous work, for tho pride of
our State is involved, but go boldly on and perfect
the pledge practically made to the States of the
Mississippi Valley. They have depended upon our
Road as an outlet for their trade, let us not deceive
them.
Wat. F. Fannin, 1
Samuel Faris, „
Lewis Tumlin, f Committcc -
B. H. Perkins, J
destructive Conflagration.
A recent fire in Portland, Maine, destroyed
twenty-seven stores, damaged nine vessels, and
consumed over one hundred thousand dollars
worth of merchandise. There was an insurance
on goods and buildings for $7,000 in the Insu
rance and Banking Company ot this city.
The London Times, in an article deprecating
the interference of England with the affairs of
the Continent, states, on good authority, that the
national defences, which have been mainly and
substantially international interference, have cost
the ountry during the present century alone, more
than 1,200,000.000£., rather more than half of
which was spent the fourteen years of actual war.
The average annual expenditure of the British
navy, army, and ordnance in these fourteen
years was 45,259,615£. In the six years from
1809 to 1814, it was 58,092,906£, the aggregate
being 343,558,438£. In the year 1814 alone,
the expenditure under these three heads was 71,-
686,707£. and if to this sum be added the inter
est of the debt, all of which had been incurred in
the prosecution of w T ars, it will be seen that these
branches of the expenditure amounted, in that
one year, to 101,738,072£, a large part of which
was expended in foreign countries, and conse
quently was abstracted from the capital of the
nation. The aggregate expenditure from 1793
to 1818, amounted to 46,289,4 59£, of which
about two-thirds (30,582,258£,) were expended
in the ten years that preceded 1814. All the
nations of Europe, except Turkey, Italy, and
France, figure in this list, of which it is sufficient
to give the year 1814:—Spain, 450,000£j; Por
tugal, 1,500,000£; Sicily, 316,667£; Sweden,
800,000£; Russia. 2,169,982£; Prussia, i;319,-
129£ ; Austria, 1,664,882£; advanced to Louis
XVIII, 200,000£; Hanover, 500,000£; Den
mark, 121,918£; total for the year 1814. 8,442,-
578£; in addition to the above mentioned sum
of 101,738,072£, w'ar expenses in the same year.
A Crystal Palace in New York.— A peti
tion is about to be presented to the Common
Council of New York for the use of Madison
square for the erection of a Crystal Palace to ac
commodate the second Great World’s Fair in
1852. Mr. Paxton has made the design—soo
by 200 feet, two stories; and the contractors agree
to have the structure completed in three montlis.
Mr. Riddle, Unithd States commissioner to the
World’s Fair, has the pledge of some seven hun
dred contributors of rtaicles.
, Legislative Proceedings.
. Milledgeville, Dec. 10,1851.
I feel called upon, if you will permit me, in
justice to Col. Walker, one of the Representa
tives from Richmond county, to set him right
before the country, in regard to the ground he
took in opposition to the visit of the members of
the Legislature to Savannah.
The Savannah Republican has fallen into the
error of publishing to the world, that Col. W.
was impelled, in his course, by motives of jeal
ousy for the growing prosperity of the city of
Savannah. I am certain the liberal and un
biased editors of that journal, as soon as they
shall have been satisfied that they have been
wrongly informed, or drawn improper conclu
sions from the reported action of the Legisla
ture on that topic, will relieve Col. W. from the
imputation of having taken a hostile attitude to
the interests of our sister city, and withdraw a
charge prematurely made.
I was present, during the entire discussion of
the matter in question, and know that Col. W’s
opposition was predicated upon what he consid
ered the interests and legislation of the State
demanded. He was careful to disclaim hostility
to Savannah, and he avowed hostility to any
interruption to the business of the State, only
and exclusively. Col. W. is the friend of our
principal, nay, our only seaport. His recorded
votes in favor of measures touching her interests,
attest it. And I feel authorised in saying, that
when other measures, now in progress, in which
she has a heavy stake, Col. W. will be found
“armed and equipped,” to do battle for her.
He, as well as other Georgians, know, that if he
has to contend with any rival of Augusta, that
rival is up the coast, and notdow r n the Savannah.
I have had the good fortune to obtain one of a
few copies of a memorial from the Legislature of
Tennessee, to that of our State. It has been re
ferred to the Committee on Internal Improve
ments, to consider and report upon. If the doc
ument did not contain matter bearing upon the
rights and interests of your city, I would have i
remained silent till the committee had made
their report. As it is, my intention is to furnish
you with the facts w’ithout delay, that you might
examine them, and make such comments as you
might think the truth of the case demands.
The entire forenoon was taken up in the
House, in debating motions to re-consider the
substitute of the Judiciary Committee, and the
original bill to prohibit the importation of ne
groes into this State. Those who spoke in favor
of the motions, Messrs. Hill, Bartow, Stephens,
Sgward. and Tift, did so on the ground, mainly
that the bill contains many objections and im
perfections which ought to be removed and cor
ro<?tod. TnoSe -wix» objected to the motions.
Messrs. McDougald, Russell, and Floyd, were
satisfied with the bill as passed. From the
temper of the debate, which was rather warm,
and somewhat seasoned with personalities, it is
not possible to say how long it would have been
protracted, had it not been arrested by a sustain
ed call for the previous question. The House
refused to re-consider the substitute by a vote ot
49 to 69, and agreed to re-consider the passed bill
by a vote of 82 to 36.
In the Senate, Mr. Slaughter made a long and
well written report on the condition, prospects)
and wants of the Lunatic Asylum. It speaks
in highly favorable terms of that institution, re
commending several improvements, which, if
carried out by the Legislature, will contribute
largely to its usefulness. The document is to be
printed, hence I forbear making any further
remarks upon it.
Mr. Harman laid a resolution on the table
tendering seats, within the bar of the Senate, to
Mr. Kerr Boyce, from Charleston, and Mr. Jas.
E. Whitesides, from Tennessee. I have no right
to suspect the object of these gentlemen’s mis
sion ; yet, I have no fears that their influence
will be any greater on the floor of the Senate
than on the benches of the gallery.
Mr. McCune introduced a bill to change the
penalty for the offence of Larceny from the
House, in certain cases.
A resolution was agreed to, requiring the Gov
ernor to inquire iftto the causes of the recent runs
off upon the State Road, and if practicable, not to
prevent.the engines lately ordered, to be placed
upon the track, till a new organization is effected.
The remainder of the afternoon was taken up
in discussihg the bill to incorporate the Bank of j
Atlanta. !
Mr. Calhoun made a long and able speech in
favor ol the bill, and Mr. Fuller an equally
strong one against it.
The Senate adjourned to 3 o’clock without ta
king a vote on the bill.
Thr EE o’ctOCK, P. M.
Ihe following bills were introduced :
By Mr. \as worthy—To authorise Aug. H
Anderson and Moses P. Greene to erect a toll
bridge across Ogeechee River, on their own land.
By Mr. Shewmake—To regulate the retailing
of spirituous liquors in the county of Burke.
This bill forbids Clerks of the Inferior Court to
issue licenses to any one unless on the recom
mendation of a majority of the Justices.
Mr. Moreland submitted the report on the
Lunatic Asylum, accompanied by a bill to make
appropriations for useful and necessary impro
vements. It recommends $50,000 for enclos
ing the premises with a suitable an substantial
wall, &c. It also recommends and increase of
the Superintendant’s salary from $1,500 to sl,-
800, founded, very justly too, upon the increased
duties of that officer. It should be borne in mind,
that when the Asylum first went into effect, and
for a few years afterwards, the number of pa
tients was small, and hence required, compara
tively, but a small portion of the time and at
tention of that officer. Now, the number has so
far increased as to demand every minute of his
attention, even to an encroachment upon those
hours which nature demands for relief from ar
dous labors.
Mr. Stephens presented the memorial of the
Southern Agricultural and Mechanical Institute,
which was, without being read, referred to the
Committee on Internal Improvements.
Mr. Bartow, from the Committee on Internal
Improvements, reported a bill to provide means
for equipping, repairing and paying off the lia
bilities of the Western & Atlantic Railroad.—
The bill provides for the issuing of State Bunds
to the amount of $750,000, bearing interest at
6 per cent, per annum, —redeemable 20 years
after date—interest payable semi-annually, with
in the United States.
Mr. Harper introduced a memorial and bill
for a new county from Newton, Jasper and Mor
gan, to be called “ Marshall.”
The bill giving the election of Judges to the
people, was made the special order for next
Tuesday, and the bill for the government of the
State Road, for Wednesday next.
The Senate has rejected the bill to incorporate
a Bank at Atlanta, by a vote of 17 to 23.
(Cotrcspondence of the Baltimore Sun.)
Thirty Second Congress—First Session.
Washington, Dec. 9,1851.
Mr. Houston appeared to-day.
After the presentation of a large number of
petitions and memorials.
Mr»Stockton presented a petition from citi
zens of New Jersey, asking the interposition of
this government in behalf of Mr. John S.
Thrasher, lately condetnend and imprisoned after
a mock trial by the authorities of Cuba.
Mr. Stockton said that he would, at present,
wait for information before making any move
ment in the matter, and with that view sub
mitted a resolution calling upon the President to
communicate all the information in his posses
sion, touching the imprisonment of Mr. Thrasher
which was adopted.
Mr. Hale introduced a joint resolution author
izing the President to interpose friendly ' offices
with the French ’-Republic in behalf of Abdel
Kader.
Mr. Bright introduced his resolution to lein
state the 49th rule, so as to have Senate officers
elected.
A large number ot bills were introduced and
referred.
Mr. Shields moved to postpone the resolution
concerning the compromise acts; and to take up
the resolution extending a welcome to Kossuth.
Mr. Seward addressed the Senate at length in
support of the resolution.
Mr. Berrien opposed the resolution in a speech
of an hour, the bearing of which can be best con
densed by giving an amendment he proposed to
be added to the resolution, which was as fallows:
“Jlnd be it further resolved , That the welcome
thus offered to Louis Kossuth be extended to his
associate Hungarian exiles who have landed on
our shores; but while welcoming these Hunga
rian patriots to an asylum in our country, and to
the protection which our laws will afford to
them, it is due to candor to declare, that it is not
the purpose of Congress to depart from the set
tled policy of this Government, which forbids all
interference with the domestic concerns of other
nations.”
Mr. Hale and Mr. Foote replied, and in sup
port of the resolution.
Mr. Miller advocated the resolution, but dis
claimed any idga of going beyond a welcome to
Kossuth, the exile.
Mr. Sumner got the floor, and then the Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
After the reading of the journals, several mem
bers attended and were sworn in.
The Clerk then read the list of Standing Com
mittees, which had been appointed by the Spea
ker.
A message was received from the Senate, in
forming the House that they had passed a joint
resolution authorzing the appointment of a Chap
lain by each House, who should interchange
weekly.
Mr. Jones, of Tenn., said he would not make
a speech on the occasion, but should oppose the
passage of the resolution for two reasons—first,
because they have no power, and secondly, be
cause he considered it a burrlesque upon the
Christian religion. He therefore moved that
the resolution be laid on the table.
The ayes and nays being demanded, the ques
tion was negatived by a vote of 22 in the affir
mative and 159 in the negative.
Mr. Henn, of lowa, then moved an amend
ment, that the Chaplain should receive no com
pensation from the Treasury of the United States;
and Mr. Evans, of Maryland, called for the pre
vious question, which was sustained, and a call
for the ayes and nays was negatived.
The resolution, as originally proposed, was
then put and carried; and the House proceeded to
the choice of a Chaplain, the following Reverend
gentlemen having been nominated:—Messrs.
Cushman, Westbrook, Beaman, Gurley, Wishart,
Wisner, Morgan, Emerson, Freeman, Finney,
Gallagher, Jaley, Jenkins, and Dorsey. The
Rev. Mr. Gurley received 70 votes, but 97 being
necessary for a choice, the list was again called,
when Mr. Gurley had 87 votes, and Mr. Mor
gan, who, at the first ballot, had 35, increased the
number to 40.
There not being suffisient for a choice, there
was a third ballot, during which a number of the
members changed their minds, and it ultimately
settled down at eighty tour for Gurley and eighty
two for Morgan. This number also being insuf
ficient for a choice, a fourth and last ballot took
place, when Mr. Morgan had one hundred and
three votes, and Mr. Gurley eighty three. The
former gentleman is elected Chaplain of the
House ol Representatives.
Mr. Hawes, of New York, gave notice that he
would, at some future day, ask leave to introduce
a bill to amend an act entitled an act to regulate
the carriage of passengers in merchant vessels.
The House adjourned.
[Telegraphed for the Charleston Courier. ]
New Orleans, Dec. 11, 9.20 P. M.
Eight thousand bales of Cotton were sold to
day, at steady prices. Strict Middling was worth
7|c. Molasses has declined—prime is quoted at 22
cents. Rio Coffee has also declined, —two thous
and bags of the new crop were sold at 81 cents.
Sterling Exchange was quoted at from 8 to 10
prem. Freights have advanced, and Cotton to
Liverpool is quoted at 15-32 d.
Arrived to-day ships River Dale, Mount Ver
non, Caroline & Mary from New York, Sheffield
and brig Toledo from Boston.
Columbia, Dec. 11, 6.25 P. M.
The Cotton market continues active at full
prices, and a fraction higher than the current
rates oi yesterday was obtained in several instan
ces. The sales comprise 1009 bales.
Columbia, Dec. 11, 9,50 P. M.
The Bill to renew the Charters of the “Com
mercial” Bank in this town, and of the “Plan
ters’ and Mechanics’ ” and “Union” Banks in
Charleston, was discussed to-day and the debate
resulted in the extension of their Charters to De
cember, 1854.
A Strange Coincidence. —Mr. Webster, Mr.
Calhoun, Mr. Cass, Mr. Benton, and Mr. Van
Buren were all born in thejyear 1782.
VOL. XV.—NO. M 6
(From tfie IV. O. '■Picayune.)
From the Rio Grande.
By tho arrival last night of the steamship Fanny,
Capt. Pennoek, we have received copies of the
Brownsville Rio Bravo of the 19th and 20th ult.
■ '"°r^ avo n . ot hing definite in regard to the posi
tion of Carvajal. VVe presume that ho is encamped
ai a place called Las Palmas, some distance up the
river. r
arr ‘ a* Matamoras on the 19th
ult. with 500 mon and five pioces of artillery. HU
ior-es consisted of a fair proportion of infantry,
cavalry, and artillory,
Gen. Jauregui had arrived from Monterey and
encampci near Carvajal. A letter from the camp
ot the latter, dated November 23d, says:
, V.;<* are all anxiously expecting the news of a
oattle of a desperate character, and by the time
you receive this, there is very little doubt but the
arms of Carvajal will have gained a victory com
mensurate with the exigences of the g'oat occasion.
His force is now about five hundred of the best
fighting monos the country. He has »een, for the
last ten days, purging his ahny of the men who
havo been so famous for giving a reputation of a
disreputable character, and now probably boasts of
a sot of men second to nono in point of honor and
respectability which tho country has ever seen.
He is getting every day more and more qualified to
meet tho emergencies of his great and growing
cause.
By strict attention to bis men, and persevering
endeavors to enforce discipline amongst all hu
troops, ho has a force combining tho strength of
the regular army, together with the zeal and enthu
siasm of the volunteer service. We hear every
day of largo bodies of men preparing themselves
to join him early in the coming month.
Another letter contains the following :
Carvajal is hourly receiving reimorcoments of
the most desirable character, and beioro this timo,
we doubt not, ho has assaulted and carried Jauregui’s
camp. Iho general has about 800 mon and seven
pioces of artillery. Ho cannot withstand Carvty al’s
attack for a singlo hour. His defuat will open the
road to Monterey for the liberators, and the seizure
of goods referred to, will afford a most timely aid in
this critical emergency.
Gen. Uraga, on arriving afir Matamoros, issued a
proclamation, calling on the people to rally to the
standard of tho Government, and assist in repelling
the invaders.
Gen. Avalos has issued and order declaring that
Matamoros is tho only port] rocognized in that vi
cinity, and that tho goods introduced into Camargo
and Reynosa are illegally imported. The ltio Bravo
loans that ordors have been received from the Gov
ernment at Mexico, that goods not contraband, en
tered under tho late tariff of the ex-officio Govern,
raent, Gen. Avalos, have permission to be taken into
tho interior, bonds boing required for the difference
between the rates fixed by Ia& and tho amounts
alroady paid under the rovolutionarly tariff afore
said. Tho prohibited goods to remain in store at
Matamoros.
A fatal affray with pistols occurred at Edinburgh,
San Patricio county, a few days since, between a
Dr. Kvwarto and a Capt. Ross, which resulted in the
death of Ross From accounts of tho affair, the Rio
Bravo says that Ross seems to havo boeu in fault
and the other perfectly justifiable, as j-1 was proven
that he was acting in self-defence.
Richmond, Dec. 9.
Virginia Election. —At the close of the polls
to-day, in this city, Summers, Whig, tor Gover
nor had 823 majority, being a whig gain of 104
since the last Presidential election. In Albe
marle county, Summers majority is 100. Tay
lor’s majority 218. Staunton, in Augusta coun
ty, gives Summers 400 majority: Taylor’s was
about 200.
Johnson is probably elected Governor. The
returns of the Legislature are too meagre to jus
tify an opinion.
Norfolk, Dec. 9.
The democrats made are at nmrtinna tvwlay
and succeeded in slightly reducing the whig
majority. Johnson’s (dem.) majority in Nor
folk county is 228, in Princess Anne 27, and in
Isle of Wight 400. Summers (whig) has 76
majority in Nansemond.
K \D words IN THE Family. —There are few
families, we imagine, any where, in which love
is not abused as furnishing a license for impolite
ness. A husband, father, or brother, will speak
harsh words to those whom he loves the best
simply because the security of love and family
pride keeps him from getting his head broken.
It is a shame that a man will speak more impo
litely, at times, to his wife or his sister, than he
would dare to any female, except a low vicious
one. It is thus that the holiest affections of
man’s nature prove to be a weaker protection to
woman in the family circle, than the restraint*
of society: and that a woman, usually, is in
debted for the kindest politeness of |life to
those not belonging to her household.
Things ought not so to be. The man who, be
cause it will not be resented, inflicts his spleen
and bad temper upon those of his hearthstone,
is a small coward and a very mean man. Kind
words are the circulating medium between tme
gentlemen and true ladies, at home, and no polish
exhibited in society can atone for the hard and
disrespectful treatment too often indulged in
between those bound together by God’s own ties
of blood, and the still more sacred bonds of con
jugal love.
Noble Sentiments. —This is an agreeable
world after all. If we would only bring ourselves
[ to look at the subjects that surround us in their
r true light, we should see beauty where we be
held deformity, and listen to harmony where we
| h.. ird nothing but discord. To be sure there is a
, great deal of vexation and anxiety to meet; we
cannot sail upon a summer coast forever; yet if
we preserve a calm eye and a steady hand, we
can so trim our sails and manage our helm, as to
avoid the quicksands, and weather the storms
that threaten shipwreck. We are members
of one great family; we are traveling the
same road, and shall arrive at the same goal.—
We breathe the same air, are subject to
the same bounty, and we shall lie down upon
the bosom of our common mother. It is
not becoming, then, that brother should hate
brother; it is not proper that friend should deceive
friend; it is not right that neighbor should deceive
neighbor. We pity that man who can harbor
enmity against his fellow; he loses half the enjoy
ment of life; he embitters his own existence. Let
us tear from our eyes the colored medium that
invests every object with the green hue of jealousy
and suspicion; turn a deaf ear to scandal; breathe
the spirit of charity from our hearts; let the rich
gushings of hi.man kindness swell up as a foun
tain, so that the “golden age’’ will become no
Action, and islands of the blessed bloom in more
than “Hypernian beauty.”
Where is the Dictionary. —The following
is an exact copy of a note handed a few days
since by a little French boy to his school-mia
tress, as an excuse for absence from school:
“Adolph he coulden com becos he diden fiel
vel.”
A lady’s name is signed at the bottom. W ■
have not the pleasure of knowing the parties,
but we would beg leave respectfully to repeat the
question, “where is the dictionary I — N, 0. Pic.
TO PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL STUDENTS,
THE SUBSCRIBER, has now oh hand a full
and oomplete assortment of fresh and gen
uine MEDICINES, Belocted by himself, suitable to
the medical practice of the South, and as such, are
fully recommended to the profession generally—
Catalogues of the noccssary articles fora pr&otition
er just sitting out, furnishod gratis. All order* at
tended to with promptness and desj atch. A liberal
allowance made, whon are for
cash. WM. HAINES,
deo'l3 City Drug Store, 217 Broad-*,