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TXMDESS & SENTINEL
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
•(TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 1, 1858,
Middle and South-Western Georgia.
To the traveller passing through many portions of middle
Georgia, the question often occurs, how do the people live?
Unless he have faith in the care ot an overruling Provi
dence or give large credit to the tenacity with which hu
man beings cling to life, the problem will be incapable ol
solution. He will see large tracts ol country whence all
of virgin freshness and fertility have long ago dep arted—
exhibiting every variety of mountain scenery from the roll
ing hill-side, whose red earth a tale unfolds of bye gone
floods and furrows, to the abrupt and craggy cliffs where
the chamois may not safely tread, checkered with ravines
and chasms whose monstrous proportions impart an air ol
sublimity to the desolation. We gaze upon them in mute
regret and are astonished to find that they have not been
surrendered to the spirit ol solitude and the recuperative
energies of idleness—tbat they are still tenanted by hered
itary occupants who strive to exact a scanty support from
the parsimonious and reluctant clay. Why do our people
continue to cultivate those barren hills? We assert our be
lief most seriously that hundreds of planters, in that once
fertile section of our State, do not receive an annual return
for their labor of two bags of cotton to the hand. Except
on the narrow strips ol land that skirts the creeks and
blanches they cannot count on more than ten bushels of
corn per acre- The yield of small grain must also be pro
portionably small. In every regard agriculture is no lon
ger profitable in that country. Then why does the planter
uot remove. Can’t sell out? The plea is bad. In many
instances it is not true, in most, he could at least give out
and in all there is one alternative of which nothing but
death could deprive him. He could mote away. With
the proper statistics for comparing the productions of that
with other portions ol our State we have not a doubt we
could justify the latter policy upon purely economical
grounds. Within two hundred miles ol this barreness—
this desert, lies a Canaan—the promised land of labor.—
In the counties of Lee, Dougherty, Baker, Calhoun and
other contiguous thereto are many thousands acres of land,
yet reposing in the shadow of the primeval forest, waiting
to reward with abundance the industrious husbandman.—
They will produce from one thousand to fifteen hundred
pounds ot cotton and twenty bushels of corn per acre, and,
with anything like a rational system of culture, will con
tinue to yield it for a thousand years. What is there can
escape only by the processes evaporation and production, i
No hill sides, precipices and chasms —no necessity for sus
pension bridges; the whole country is almost one unbroken
plain. The lands can be purchased at from eight to fifteen
dollars per acre ; the price within these figures depending
upon the degree of improvement and proximity to market.
All things considered we regard that section of country the
most desirable planting region in the South. It no longer
labors under the disadvantage of being far removed from
the great highways of commerce. It has been tapped by
the South-western Rail Road at Albany and is now reap
ing the benefits which that facility confers, in the rapid in
crease of population and appreciation of property.
Planters from South Carolina and eastern Georgia, we
mean cotton producers, are fast turning their attention
thither. May we not expect that the insecurity with which
the western floods have recently stamped the title to prop
erty in the Mississippi valley, will check Georgia emigra
tion in that quarter and give it an impulse in the direction
of our fertile South-west, where our own enterprise will be
consecrated to the development of our own great resour
ces.
What Shall be Done?
For the past week our exchanges have teemed with ac
counts of the violations of our flag by British vessels. Nor
have there been wanting suggestions of the proper manner
in which we should seek, a vindication of our honor
in this emergency. With the occasional exception of a
black republican scribbler, who would complacently En
dure any obstruction of our commerce, and any insult to
our flag, for the chance of catching a negro, the voice o
the country demands prompt and-adequate satisfaction.—
There are certain established formularies of diplomacy, of
course, which have to be observed, and which will neces
sarily delay the settlement, but from the known temper of
the administration upon the question involved in these out
rages, we are authorized to anticipate au exaction fully up
to the mark of justice- ,We have no doubt that to the lull
measure of our demand we shall receive indemnity lor the
past. But security lor the. future is., always; desira
ble; and to this end it is worthy of consideration by our
government, whether we may not better maintain our hon
or and preserve peace in future by ’promptly removing the
cause which can furnish the only possible pretext for are
petition of such insults. We do not desire to avoid the
responsibility ol usuertiug and maintaining the mviqlabili-
The ostensible purpose ol the recent searches has been to
ascertain whether our vessels have not been engaged in
illegitimate commerce—the African slave trade. To sup
press this traffic, Eugland, Frauce and the United States
entered into a treaty to furnish a naval armament to cruise
around the coast of Africa. The two first mentioned
powers have practically nullified the treaty by adopting the
Policy of supplying labor to their West India dependencies
wiih African ‘Apprentice* (?) Franco, especially, has
openly embarked in the business, and with unblushing ef
frontery boldly justifies it in the face of the treaty. She
eyen issues orders toher men of war—to protect her citi
zens in the hypocritical work ot hiring (?) the unsuspecting
natives. England, though more moderate in her demands
upon African labor, equally offends against the spirit of
the treaty, by her wholesale importation of Coolies. There
can he no doubt that, it this practice hadbeeu in existence
or could have been anticipated at the formation ol the
treaty, it also would have boen embraced in the proscrip- \
tion. Indeed, the humanitarian ideas, upon which alone
that instrument was based, apply with increased emphasis
and point to this traffic. By as much as the condition
of the Chinese at home is superior, in point of comfort and
liberty, to the African, by so ’much* is the inhumanity of
their translation and enslavement aggravated. Seeing
therefore, that the provisions and spirit of the treaty are
both practically repudiated by the other parties to it, at
whose instance, chiefly, it was formed, a decent regard for
our own dignity and so If respect requires, that we demand
either its rigid enforcement or abrogation. It would be
simply foolish in us to expect England and France .to em
brace,in good faith, the first term of the alternative. Hu
manity has cost them very dearly, and slavery must reim
burse them. They will, at least, require time to complete
the experiment, and, if successful, interest will perpetuate
it. The matter of advantage to us. to which we have
alluded, would not consist in reopening the slave trade
This we do not advocate. Our laws in relation to this
subject need not be changed. But we could withdraw our
squadron from the African coast, and assign to it the duty
of protecting our commerce from molestation and our flag
from insult; or send it on another “expedition to the
stars;” or in search oi Sir John Franklin. Any disposi
tion of it would be more honorable and useful than the
part it is now playing in the disgusting larea on the coast
of Africa.
Important Decision.
A case has recently been determined in the Court
of Errors and Appeals of Mississippi, which involved the
question whether free negro legatees residingin a free State
should be allowed to take a bequest of property in Miss
issippi to the exclusion of the next of kin—the testator him
self a citizen of the last mentioned State at the time of his
death. The decision was in favor of the legatees, and was
founded on a principle of comity which respects and re
cognises, in the State where they are sought to be enforced,
the rights secured to their inhabitants by other States.
That inasmuch as the legatees by the laws of their domi
cil (Indiana,) would be entitled to take the legacy in ques
tion, ihis right should not be denied them in Mis issippi,
uoless it were in contravention of positive law or public
policy. If the bequest had been ot specific property as
land and negroes the couri intimated ihat a grave question
might have arisen to be determined by considerations of
public policy ; but as the will directed the whole property
to be sold and the residue, after payment of debts to be paid
in money of course, to the iegatees, the court did not con
sider the public interest affected by the application, in this
instance of the principle of comity, and decreed according
ly. What a marked contrast is here exhibited to the man
ner in which the rights of Southerners are respected in the
Northern States!
Resumption in Carolina.
We alluded, a few days since, (says the Charleston
Mercury,) to a meeting of the Presidents of the non-spe
cie paying Banks of this city, at which it was determined
not to resume specie payments previous to the first of July
Since that time they have had full consultation with their
respective Boards of Directors, and we are informed that
they have definitely determined to resume specie payments
in July next.
The Tract Society.— The opponents of the action of
the American Tract Society, at its late anniversary, in
sustaining its publication committee,held a meetingat the
Church of the Pilgrims, (Dr. Cheever’s) on Thursday eve
ning last. Violent speeches against the Society and the
South, were made by Dr. Tyng, Dr. Thompson, Dr.
Cheever and others. All the speakers expressed their de
termination to remain in the Society, and to agitate the
subject, until it authorized the Circulation of tracts upon
the subject of slavery throughout the South,
Take the Whole or None.
The Montgomery Confederation of the 37 th contains
an article of considerable length, of which the object is to
show the superior value to the South of the Conference
over the Green Amendment Senate Bill. Ihe Enquirer
of this moruing quotes an extract from it for the benefit ot
ourselves and k those of our democratic brethren, who
thought with us, and refers to it as authority to pro ve the
correctness of its own position at the time the Senate bill
was before the country, undergoing dissection. We have
no disposition to discourage the Enquirer iu seeking demo
cratic endorsement of its opinions. We think it a move
in the right direction, but we are justified in objecting to
the use it makes of that reference. The extract referred to
contains two propositions, first—“ The Senate bill contain
ed the Green amendment, wherein it was suggested to the
people of the territories that they could at any aDd all
times, alter or amend the constitution, notwithstanding.the
express ordinance in the constitution prohibiting any al
teration in the terms slavery before 1864,” and secondly,
“The Conference bill leaves out this amendment altogeth
er, and accepts the constitution of Lecamptim pure and
simple, as it came from the Kansas Convention which fra
med it.” Now we happen to differ from our able cotem
porary over the river, upon both of the above propositions.
We think the Senate bill a better bill than he deems it, and
we have less partiality for the Conference bill than he ex
presses. But we will not quarrel about these differences.
Our own opinion upon both questions has been so often
and freely set forth in our columns, that we should Dot be
justified in again repeating it. But we insist that the En
quirer shall receive the whole testimony or none. It is a
rule of law that no man shall be allowed to discredit his
own witness. This our neighbor certainly does in accep-
ting one proposition and rejecting the other. If he refers
to the opinion of the Confederation as authority upon one
point, he cannot object to the citation of the same author
ity upon another. Indeed he is bound to receive and credit
the response of the oracle. 11, however, he awards it no
greater force than may be due to the individual opinion of
a solitary witness, this opens the door ior the introduction
of countervailing testimony, and we need not indicate
our opinion of the result oi the trial.
Affairs In Morinondone.
Information from Utah, supposed to be reliable, has
reached us to the effect that the Mormons are not dis
posed to submit their pretensions to the arbitrament of
war and will be ready, on the advent of the United State
forces, to make proposals for peace. It is perhaps unfortu
nate for tho future quiet of the country that those who
have so long maintained an attitude of defiance to the
authority of the government jeannot be made to feel its
power to suppress rebellion- Such experience would be a just
retribution for their past conduct and a sure guarantee of
future obedience. The government, however, will not feel
authorized to reject their pacific overtures, and thus will be
terminated a bloodless but very expensive Campaign. In
the conditions of peace which it will be our right to im
pose, we submit that it would he well to demand.the per
petual ostracism of the mormon despot, Brigham Young,
irom the territory. His turbulent and fanatical spirit is
the chief cause of all the trouble there and while he is al
lowed to remain and wield the most absolute spiritual des
potism over tho peopte, we need not hope tor any perma
nent pacification.
Crops.
A trip on the Mobile & Girard Road, from which
wo returned yesterday, gave us some idea of crops in the
section through which the road passes. On the river lands
beginning just below the city and stretching to Fort Mitch
ell, both corn and cotton look finely. With regard to
corn, particularly, we may remark that the prospect of
abundance was never more flattering in this region. The
stand could.not be better, and the Spring has been of such
a character that grass had no ‘chance to injure it. The
growth of cotton has been checked by the recent cool
nights, yet the stand is generally good, and the plant
looks healthy. Oats are a complete failure. We rarely
meet a planter who expects anything from that crop.—
The harvesting of wheat has begun, but we do not boast
much of our production in that respect. We went do fur
ther west than [Guerryton, but we learned that beyond the
“Ridge” in the praine lands, there was something that
would astonish us—Corn from shoulder to head high and
cotton from hall leg to knee high. This requires all our
credulity, yet w e—believe it.
New Advertisements.
Our fair readers must not fail to notice the inducements
offered by Messrs. G. W. Atkinson & Taylor, we cannot
recollect the names, and il we did, should have to upset
our tonguo to call them, but we imagine the provision is
ample to dress them “irom top to toe” and at greatly re
duced prices. Give them a call.
See, also, advertisement of plantations tor sale by J. A.
Fox. Fersons wishinv a heaitliv locution with niot
muii uisunTceirom me city, on easy terms would do well
to give him a call.
London Quarterly- Review.
Tile April number ot this valuable periodical i3 on our
table- Contents: Early Life of Johnson ; Fictions of Bo
hemia ; Italian Touis and Tourists; The Progress of En
glish Literature; Michael Angelo ; Public Speaking; Siege
of Lucknow; France and the State Ministry.
Divines in Columbus —Rev. Bishop Elliott of the
Episcopal Church is iu Columbus, and has preached in
Trinity lor the last two nights.
Rev. George W. Carter, Rev. Mr. Lany and others ol
the Alabama Conference, and Rev-Blakely Smith of the
Georgia Conference, M. E. Church,are also here, and do
ing effectual service in their labors of Ihve, at the Metho
dist church, where the revival influence seems enlarging.
The altar at this church was crowded last night, and
some fifteen souls professed conversion.
At the Bpptist Church, Rev. Mr. Dawson has been la
boring arduously for some days to the edification of the
church and the conversion of sinners.
We are not aware that Rev. Dr. Higgins of the Presby
terian church, has aay ministerial aid at present.
The good work is going on finely at all the churches
and the religious feeling in the community is unabated.
Georgia Grays. —This gallant young corps turned out
to-day to attend the funeral obsequies of their brother
James Harris The circumstances attending the death of
this young man were very painful, and his sudden decease
has cast a gloom over many of his companions. On
Sunday night he was apparently in good health, and was
a penitent at the altar in the Methodist church. Some
time during that night he was seized with a violent cramp
in the stomach and bowels, from which he expired early
on Wednesday morning. He was just sixteen, and up to
his attack was the picture of health aud youthful vigor.
Cowhiding. — A difficulty occurred in New York
on last Friday night, between Mr. Charles Matthews and
Mr. A. H. Davenport,in which the latter applied a cow
hide to the former, which was returned with blows from
the fist. No particular damage was done as they both
performed their parts at the theatres at which they were
engaged. The difficulty grew out ot some reports in cir
culation, assailing the character of Mr. Davenport which
were attributed to Mr- Matthews.
Ihe Union denies that Col. Kane is a Mormon, and
endorses him as a patriotic citizen. The government,
though possessed of no official advices, is inclned to dis
credit the Utah intelligence. It is the general impression
that the Mormons will quietly submit to the federal au
thority, and that they- will adopt steps to emigrate, either
to some Kiand in the Pacific or British possessions, at an
early day.
Secretary ol the Tre. sury is encouraged to
believe that the receipts from customs will be so much
increased during the present fiscal year that there will be
no necessity for a call upon Congress for an additional
ssue oi Treasury notes.
Ihe Steamship Southerner, the first ever built in
the United States, was sold in New York on Wednesday
for SIO,OOO. The hull is said to be yet staunch and sea
worthy.!
Gold in lowa.— There is great excitement in lowa
about the late gold discoveries on South and Middle rivers
in Union, Madison, Warren, Clark, and Adair counties,
which lie in the Southern part of lowa. It is reported
that hundreds have gone to the diggings, and are making
from two to ten dollars a day each man, besides occasion
ally picking up lumps from one hundred to two hundred
dollars value.
New Jersey to have a Foreign Mission- —TheNew-
Ark Mercury learns that the appointment for New Jersey
will be given to the Hon. John P. Stockton, and it wil
be either the mission to Rome or Naples.
The Barque Adriatic —The many friends of the gal
lant Capt. Durham, will be pleased to learn that the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations in the Senate have adopted a
report requesting the President to demand indemnityfbr the
seizure of the barque Adriatic.
Postponement. —lt will be seen by reference to our ad
vertising columns, that D-P. Ellis has unavoidably been
compelled to postpone the drawing of his fSilver Gift En
terprise to the 25th June next. He promises that there
shall be no further postponement.
In Now Orleans last week Abram P. Philips formerly a
special, police officer, and more recently ol the Parish
Prison, was waylaid at the corner of Canal and Basin
streets by a party ofunknowu men, and assassinated in a
most fiend islt manner. He received three pistol shot
wounds and no less than sixteen stabs, a portion of them
inflicted will, a poniard and the remainder with a bowie
knife.
The Carmichael Mills at Augusta, commenced grinding
flour from new wheat on the 21st. On the same day eight
barrels were forwarded to Charleston by railroad, shipped
thence to New York by steamer, where they will be ship
ped by the Persia to Liverpool.
The W EATnER.— The last few days we have had a
smack of summer, bringing into great request Soda Wa
ter, Ice Cream and Linen Pants. Speaking of Soda, did
you ever try any at Brooks Chapman’s fountain? No !
Well, just go in and take some on our credit—we shall
be compensated in seeing you enjoy it- We understand
that to the north and east of us on Tuesday night there
were refreshing rains. Indeed, the ruddy complexion oi
our river this morning indicates that they had a little to
spare in Harris and Troup. Here, however, we are as
dry as the night debauchee, before breakfast Our city
gardens are parching, and late in the afternoon when
there is a general mixing up of dust, drays, carriages, and
footmen, we have the worst compound tor breathingpur
poses we have over seen, except some just like it. Soda,
did you say? I thank you, I’ll take a glass.
ggpThe British screw steamship Saliadin arrived at
New York on the evening of the 12th inst., from K’ng
ston, Jamaica, with sixty one of the officers and crew of
the United States steam Jrigate Susquehanna, who were
left sick of yellow fever at Kingston. Twenty-two died
at the hospital in Jamaica.
There is some probability that the Rev. Dr. Doggett
will be elected to the bench oi Bishops oi the .Methodist
Church South.
Mission to Belgium. —We learn from the Montgome
ry Advertiser that the Mission to Belgium, so long held in
abeyance by the President, has been at length conferred
upon Gen. E. Y. Fair.oi that city. It is an honor which
could not have been more appropriately bestowed, and it
is only to be regretted that its acceptance will deprive
Montgomery of one ot the most distinguished and univer
sally esteemed of her citizens.
May every good fortune attend the General in the dis
tant land. _
jgjy The Southern Georgian, announces that tho Sou
thern Bank ot Georgia, at Bainbridge, will resume specie
payments in a few days.
Communicated.
Messrs. Editors:— As you could not avail yourself of
the “Pic Nic” at Mr. Peabody’s on Saturday last, allow
one who was present to give you an account of the delight
ful occasion.
When we reached Mr. Peabody’s splendid residence we
saw bevies of beauxs and belles, the exten
sive grounds, seated under the beautiful shades of vines
and forest trees —sipping ice-cold lemonade, and chatter
ing most merrily. When we entered the mansion, not
less than twenty couples were tripping the ‘light fantastic
toe,’ to the music of the dance, and all was as merry as a
marriage bell. We and the rest of our company were most
cordially received by the kind hostess, with that true hos
pitality which has ever characterized the accomplished la
dy who presides over tho happy household. With all
due deference to Mr. Peabody himself, we must say that
his mansion would be lifeless without the soul-inspiring
presence ot his accomplished lady. However, we were
not lax in our acceptance of the gentleman's hospitable
invitations. With that peculiar nack, which has the sub
tle power of making one feel “perfectly at home,” we
strolled with him about his grounds, and listened, charmed
with his conversation upon horticultural matters, convinc
ed that the position he holds in his specialty is well de
served.
We need say nothing of his straw berry fields—they
are still the wonder and admiration of all. We have seen
them on several occasions, but never more luxuriant and
prolific than they presented themselves last Saturday. We
enjoyed a practical test oi all we met with, and the Ger
man, who sings over flowing bowls, the joys of his Rhe
nish, never wet his lips with a glass of finer Hock than
Mr. Peabody presented us ot his own culture.
Dinner was served up in a delightful grove, near a bold
and crystal spring, and you may rest assured the largo
company did full justice to the many good tilings so boun
tifully prepared.
Returning—after being almost sated with good things—
we heard, as we approached the mansion, again the en
livening sound of music. Tito dance had agaiu begun and
nOiiuei every tmng in and around was given up to the en
joyment ot all, and each seemed to feel a perfect freedom
to take advantage of the pleasing license.
When we left the sud had nearly set but many seemed
loth to go. No one of that numerous company will soon
forget the delightful day!
We had almost forgotten to state that the “pic-nic”
was organized with ihe young people of Mr. Peabodey’s
household—and the cheerful sympathy which was exhibi
ted by the elders endeared them greatly to the young
hearts which hounded so joyously on “pic-nic” day. *
Washington News.
The bill for the admission of Oregon has passed the
Senate by a vote of 35 to 17.
Washington, May 22.—A bill for a loan of $15,-
000,000 was introduced into the Senate to-day.—
The Senate discussed the Homestead Bill.
Messrs Phelps and Kavanaugh, members from
Minnesota, were introducedintotliellou.se. The
Ohio contested election was taken up.
Washington, May 25.—1n the Senate to-day the loan
bill wasdebaied.
In ihe. House, the Ohio contested election case was
decided In favor oi ill r. Vallandingham, and he was sworn
in.- The House then debated the Senate’s amendment to
the civil appropriation bill.
Washington, May 27 —The execution of con.
tracts to transport the California mails via the Te
huantepec route has been postponed.
The House to day passed the civil appropriation
and revenue bills.
The business transacted in the Senate was un
important.
Judge Thomas of the Supreme Court off Mass
achusetts, in session at Lowell, has given a decis
ion in the case of the will of James Hurd, of Mal
den, in favor of the heirs, thereby depriving the
four States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
and Massachusetts of five thousand dollars, which
in said document he bequeathed to each, to be
expended in furthering the reproduction of sugar
in those States. The testimony showed that the
testator was not of sound mind when he executed
the will.
From Kansas-
St. Louis, May 20, 1858.
Accounts from Kansas continue to speak of out
rages and robberies by Montgomery’s band of out
laws. Several stores and the Post Office at Wil
low Springs were robbed on the 11th. Heavy
robberies are also reported in different parts of
Johnson County, and three hundred families are
said to have been driven out of Lynn County.
Montgomery holds a captain’s commission under
Gen. Lane. It is understood that the band have
a written pledge under which they are sworn to
drive all the pro-slavery men out of the Territory,
and to break up the land sales in July. They are
also reported to have said that unless Gov. Den
ver withdraws the troops from Fort Scott, they
will proceed to Lecompton and hang him.
Kansas Still Bieertlng.
New York, May 27.—Dispatches from Kansas
state that a fight had occurred between the settlers
who were expelled from Lynn county by Mont
gomery and his gang, who fired upon them near
Fort Scott. Ten ot the latter were killed.
Vessels Searched.
The following is said to be a list of the vessels
visited by the British ships-of-war within the last
three weeks in the neighborhood ofCuba :
Ship Tropic Bird, fired into, boarded, and search
ed.
Barque Clara Windsor, fired into, boarded and
searched.
Barque Glenburn, overhauled at sea.
.Barque W. H. Chandler, boarded and searched
while lying at anchor in the port of Sagua la
Grande.
Twelve other vessels also boarded and search
ed in the harbor of Sagua la Grande.
Brig Robert Wing, fired into, boarded, and search
ed.
Schooner Wingold, fired into, boarded, and
searched.
Schooner Cortez, seized, and now detained at
Inagua.
Schooner N. B. Borden, fired into, boarded, and
searched.
Schooner Mobile, fired into, boarded, and search
ed.
Ssareli &a4 Seisuto of Aaserlcsu Vessels.
The President transmitted Wednesday to the
Senate, in response to a resolution of that body,
several official papers, relating to a subject that is
now engrossing attention throughout the country.
The report of the Secretary of State to JMr. Dallas
is as follows;
Department or State,
Washington, 18th May 1858.
Sir: Since my dispatch No. 103, of the 12th
inst., various statements have been made in the
public papers, showing other eases of the forcible
detention and search of American vessels by Brit
ish armed ships of war in the Gull of Mexico, and
in the adjacent seas. In every case where these
reports have come to the knowledge of this Depart
ment, application has been made immediately to
the to procure from the captain a
particular account of the outrage, with a view to
make it the subject of reclamation upon the British
government. Answers to some of these applica
tions have been received, and copies of them, agreea
bly to the annexed list, are herewith transmitted,
for your prompt action. When others are receiv
ed, you shall, in llike manner, be furnished with
copies, that you may bo kept advised ot the pro
gress of these assaults upon our national rights.
giuaa ui uivou u.icuun-i t-A
In addition to these aggressions upon the high
seas, another indefensible act of violence against
several of our merchant vessels, said to be eleven
in number, by forcible entry and examination, has
been committed by a British armed steamer, in the
harbor of Saguala Grande, in the island of Cuba.
The statements in the public journals Pcontain the
details of this transaction, but no authentic report
on the subject has yet reached the Departmeni with
the exception of a letter trorn the Consul-General
of the United States, at Havana, of which I trans
mit you a copy: Proper measures have been ta
ken to procure all the necessary information, which
will be forwarded to you as soon as it reaches here.
When all the facts are assertained, proper repre-
sentations will be made, without delay, to the gov
ernment of Her Catholic Majesty against this search
of American vessels by the naval force of another
power within the territorial jurisdiction of Spain.
The United States are satisfied that the govern
ment of that country will adopt the most efficient
measures to protect their vessels resorting to the
Spanish ports from lawless violence. Such pro
tection they are entiitled to, and if it is not found
elsewhere, it must be found in tile power of their
own country. lam not informed whether any
injury was sustained in consequence of the pro
ceedings against these vessels. If there were, it
will be expected that it be made good by the
Spanish government itself, or by means oi its in
terposition with the government of Great Britain.
These flagrant violations of the rights of the
United States have excited a deep feeling through
the country and have attracted the attention oi
both houses of Congress. Their continuance can
not fail to produce the most serious effect upon
the relations ofthe two countries. The President
confidently believes that the British naval officer,
in the adoption of these high handed measures,
have acted without the authority, and have mis
understood the views of their government. But
it is not the less due to'the United States thatthei
conduct should be disavowed, and peremptory or
ders issued to prevent the recurrence of similar
proceedings hereafter. You will communicate to
the Earl of Malmesbury the earnest expectation
of the President that this subject should receive
the immedtate attention of lie Britanic Majesty’s
government, and that the officers who have been
guilty of these outrages should be held properly
responsible for their conduct, and that, where pe
cuniary injuries have been suffered, the interested
parties should receive just compensation.
Y’ou will also invito-the particular attention of \Lord
Malmesbury to the occurrence at Sagua la Grande,
and to the just expectations ofthe United Slates
that the measures of redress adopted by the British
government upon tiiis occasion will be such as to
mark with its displeasure the conduct of the officer
whose proceedings have given a serious cause
offence|to a friendly power, and to prevent a simi
lar interference hereafter.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obd’t serv’t,
Lew. Cass.
George M. Dallas, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
A report from the Secretary ofthe Navy, dated
the 19th inst., states that the United States stea
mer Fulton, Lieut. Aitny commanding, has been
ordered to cruise on the north side of tlie coast of
Cuba, or such other portions as may be deemed
necessary lor the protection of American vessels on
the high seas from search or detention by the ves
sels-of war of any other nation. Orders have also
razee Sloop Savannah, at New York and the brig
Dolphin, at Boston, to join the home squadron, for
the purpose of cruising in the neighborhood of
Cuba, and the steam frigate Wabash, now fitting
out at New York as the flag-ship of the Mediter
ranean squadron, has been directed en route to
show her flag in those waters, and to protect at
all times the persons and property of American
citizens.
General Cass, on the 12th instant, instructs Mr.
Dallas, our minister at London, to call the atten
tion of the British government to the aggression,
complained of. The letter is as follows:
“The accompanying papers, copies of the origi
nals of which have just been received, will make
known to you another outrage committed against
the rights of the United States by a British armed
vessel, which calls lor the immediate attention of
the British government.
“I amjpersuaded that if the occurences took place
as they are stated, the conduct of the British officer
will be disavowed and comdemned.
“I beg you would communicate to Lord Malmes
bury the earnest desire of the President that this
practice, which seems to become more prevalent,
of detaining and searching American vessel, should
be discontinued, and that the most peremptory or
der for that purpose should be given and enforced.
Such a measure is called for by important consider
ations, which will readily occnr to you. While this
government is determined to use ail proper exer
tions for the suppression of the slave trade, it is not
less desirous that the just immunity of the vessels
of the United States upon the ocean should be pre
served. Whatever may have been the true objects
of the voyage of the Cortez, if she had papers
showing her American character, she was subjeet
neither to search nor capture by the British cruiser.
I do not doubt but the facts reported wiil be fully
investigated by order of the British government
and proper measures taken to prevent the occur
rence of a similar act hereafter.
“I call your attention, also, to the circumstan
ces reported by the consul-general at Havana,
showing the existence of a kind of police system by
which American vessels in that port are watched
and interfered with, and have to require that you
will bring the matter to the attention of the Earl of
Malmesbury,‘with a view to the correction of the
evil.”
Resumption Prospects in Charleston.
The following from the Mercury of Wednesday
gives the latest intelligence of the movements ofthe
Charleston banks:
Bank Resumption.— The community will be
gratified to learn that, yesterday afternoon, alter a
discusssion of the matter by the Presidents of non
specie paying banks of Charleston, it was deemed
advisable not to resume specie payments before
.July. The time for resuming is not fixed ; at the
period indicated, the subject, as we understand,
will again come up for consideration. The condi
tion of the banks and of the people—the amount of
specie on hand, and the residue of exchange left
c-n the one hand, with the wants of the community
to be met with onthe other, will then, as now, influ
ence the action of the officers in charge ; for it is
held that, under the circumstance, both morals and
honor require of the banks a careful regard to the
public weal. Good faith towards the State in ref
erence to her late legislative enactments, relieving
the banks from the consequences of misfortunes
brought upon them by northern connections, in
order—to shield the people from the effects of un
due stringency in the money market, which would
otherwise have followed, requires circumspection
as to the results of premature resumption upon
the community.— Charleston Mercury, May, 21.
Senator Reid of North Carolina. —The report
in the newspapers that Governor Reid has suffered
a relapse, and is lying ill, is utterly without found
ation. We had the pleasure of a visit from the
distinguished gentleman on Wednesday, 19th and
are happy to give assurance of his restoration to
perfeet health. Ho is en route for Washington,
to resume his duties in the Senate.— Richmond
South.
Literature among the Celestials. —The Em
peror of China does not appreciate costly presents
from “outside barbarians.” The magnificently
bound copies of Audubon’s Birds of America, anil
Wilke’s Exploring Expedition, which our govern
ment sent him, have been found recently in the
hands of Canton book-pedlars, who were offering
them for sale at a mere trifle. Did they ever reach
him?
Mu. Yanoby's Hiuqft'i’ in Regard to the Repeal oj
the Law Prohibiting the African Slave Trade :
The undersigned, one of lire Committee appoin
ted by the late Southern Commercial Convention
to report upon the subject of the African Slave
Trade-not having had time to read and digest there
port oft he Chairman-submits the following as m ore
specificaly expressive of his own opinions; that |the
distinctive feature which characterizes Southern
industry is slave labor; that before the formation
of this Government tiiis feature was also a char
acteristic ofNorthern labor, in a limited though
practical degree.
Tiiis species of labor was recognized by the
Federal Constitution, and one of its provisions
(Art. 1, Sec. 9, Paragraph 1,) expressly provided
against the passage of any law prohibiting the for
eign slave trade, within a given peiiod.
In the year 1807 this trade was declared by Con
gress to be illegal, and in 1819 an act was passed
to send national armed vessels to stop our vessels
from engaging in the trade—and in 1820 an act
was passed declaring it to be piracy.
The effect of these laws has been to restrict the
expansion of this peculiar species of Southern la
bor, by the usual laws whiclt govern trade in all
other species of property, ami to keep down the
prices of Southern lands, while Northern labor, in
addition to its own natural increase, has received
the stimulus of an anual emigration of white labor,
iu some years reaching as -high as half a million
persons.
The operation of this law has been a direct gov
ernmental discrimination against the South on this
most vital question affecting its prosperity—its la
bor. The act is, in the opinion of the undersigned
but a part of that system of discriminating laws,
wheih, affording bounties to Northern industry
have been restrictions upon the industry of our own
section, and which have enriched sud built up the
one section, while they have been as shackles up
on every effort made by the other to rise to nation
al prosperity.
The spirit of these restrictive laws has passed
into and become the leading idea of a powerful
and most successful sectional majority, which de
clares that no more slave States shall be admitted
into the Union.
Without expressing any matured opinion in the
views submitted as to the expediency of re-open
ing the Slave Trade, the undersigned believes that
tlm laws prohibiting the Foreign Slave Trade are
in violation ofthe spirit of the Constitution and are
unjust and an insult to the South, and, therefore,
ought to be repealed, and submits for the consid
eration of this body the foliowng resolution :
Resolved ‘ That the laws of Congress prohibiting
the Foreign Slave Trade ough to he repealed.
W. L. Yancey.
The Southern Matron.
The editor of the Louisville Journal whilst on a
visit to Richmond in February, made the ac
quaintance of Miss Cunningham, the “Southern
Matron,” who so nobly heads the movement for
tho purchase of Mount Vernon. In speaking of
her, he says :
“Miss Cunningham's voice is as sweet as a bird’s,
her heart as fresh as a spring flower, her spirit
cheerful and enthusiastic, and her conversation,
not only upon her favorite theme, but upon all
others, glowing and at times eloquent. We have
loved to listen to her words of lofty patriotism.—
Born and reared in South Carolina, and related to
some ofthe most distinguished disunionists of the
South, she early contracted the Southern contagion
and longed for nothing more ardently than for the
secession of her native State even if it should se
cede alone. But when she became deeply inter
ested in the character of Washington, and began
to dedicate herself to the sacred work of securing
his tomb and the home of hre living years as a
national shrine, where all the pilgrims of liberty
might be free to linger and worship, anew and
loftier spirit took possession of her soul, and she
gives to the whole country the love and devotion
that she gave to a section. She earnestly believes
that the Union, if saved at all, must owe its sal
vation to that deep love and reverence which the
general movement throughout the United States
for making Mount Vernon a national Mecca, must
tend to inspire in the hearts of our people for the
character of Washington and his patriotic coun
sels.”
Trial fora Violation of the Neutrality Laws. —
The case of Thomas J. Mackey, indicted before
the United States District Court, under the Act of
1818, for organizing an expedition against Nicara
gua, came before the Court toy
cution was conducted by James Conner, Esq., the
District Attorney, and the accused was defended
by F. D. Richardson and L. W. Spratt, Esqs.
The leading facts of the case are that, in Octo
ber last, Mr. Mackey, representing himself as the
agent of Gen. Walker, and representing General
VValker as the legally elected President of Nicar
agua, who had been expelled, was engaged in en
listing recruits for the purpose of re-instating Walk
er in his Presidency.
It appeared by the letters of Mr. .Mackey intro
duced in evidence, that to two young men of the
upper country he had offered commissions and
held out prospects of advancement and promotion.
It further appeared by statements of Mr. Mackey,
that he had succeded in recruiting a body of men
to go out with him to Nicaragua. It was contend
ed on the part of the accused, that all the prepar
ations made and all the men enlisted were for a
peaceful purpose, and not in violation of the neu
trality laws of the United States; that the organi
zation was simply of an emigrant character. The
testimony was closed on Thursday, and the case
was yesterday argued for the accused with great
ability by Mr. Spratt and Mr. Richardson, and by
the District Attorney, in behalf of the prosecution
and after a very learned and lucid charge by his
Honor, the case was submitted to the jury, who
leturned a verdict of not guilty.— Charleston Cou
rier May 22 d.
Jacksonville.— The Republican of the 12th inst.
says :
During the last two weeks quite a number of
strangers from abroad have been visiting our city
with a view of becoming citizens. Without a sin
gle exception, so far as we learn; they all returned
to their respective homes highly pleased with their
visit to Jacksonville, and intend locating early in
the fall.
What is ihe Leviathan good fori —In case the
attempt to employ the Leviathan in commerce
should result disastrously, it is suggested that she
would make a good monument. Standing on end
the monster vessel would rise to more than three
times the heght of Bunker Hill Monument, higher
than the projected Washington Monument, “and
higher than any monument in the world; also
higher than the Pyramids. If nobody dies and
nothing occurs, worthy to be Commemorated by
such a monument, then she might be used for the
section of a tubular bridge across the Mississippi
River,
Rust in Wheat. —We are sorry to learn that all
the wheat, or at least most of it in this section, is
being seriously injured with the rust. Some of
the farmers whose grain is less forward than others
are fearful of losing their whole crop. Wheat
which is just blooming, or in full bloom, will suffer
very seriously.
Since writing the above, a friend, who is usually
good authority upon agricultural topics, stated to
us that he considered the Wheat crop a failure all
over the State. He says there is a worm in the
stalk which is doing more damage than the rust.—
Temperance Crusader, May 20.
The Crops.— The recent frosts, cold nights, and
heavy rains have greatly injured the stands of cot
ton in North Alabama, and the prospect at present
for cotton is far from being good. Corn and oats
look better. Wheat has been somewhat injured,
yet we believe that if nothing more occurs to injure
it, a fair crop will be made. But on the whole the
growing crops are backward this season, and need
warm showers and hot days and nights to bring
them forward.
A fine season of rain fell on Tuesday, and the
weather has been for the last few days more sea
sonable.—Huntsville Advertiser, May 20.
Dr. Mittag’s original work on the Natural Lan
guage of Forms is highly spoken of by several sci
entific gentlemen of the North who have perused
the manuscript. The eminent Dr. Francis, of New
York, in a letter to the author, says of it: “Your
work will prove a lasting monument to your intel
lectual powers.”—National Intelligencer.
Can Actors, and Musicians be Ckistians?
Bishop Eastburn has declined lo confirm “Honest
Tom Conner,” because he leads an orchestra in
the Boston Theater. Bishop Kip, ofCalifornia, has
just administered the rite of confirmation upon
Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne, the well-known actress;
and Fanny Kemble Butler is a regular communi
cant of the Episcopal church.
A Novel KutsrpiUe.
We notice a telegraphic dispatch in the Mont
gomery Advertiser, of the 20th inst., in which it
is stated that Mr. Gesner, ofMilledgeviile, had just
passed through Macon with fourteen hundred
young Shad, and would reach Montgomery on the
20th. ■ „ re
The Atlanta Intelligencer thus notices Mr. Ges
ner’s arrival in that city : ‘
“A rare and novel cargo of freight arrived here
on YVedneseay evening last, by the Macon & Wes
tern railroad, en route for the Alabama river. It
consisted of a large wooden tank, holding one or
two thousand gallons of water, located in an open
car, in which was placed some six or seven thou
sand young shad fish. The large family were alive,
and seemed to be doing well. We understand
they were taken in branches near the Ocmulgee and
Oconee rivers, in the vicinity of Macon and Mil
ledgeville, and belong to a comapny of gentlemen
in Alabama, who design putting them in the Ala
bama river, and other streams in that State, where
nature seems to have omitted the sirnon pure
white shad.
The cargo that passed itere, are very diminutive
specimens ofthe shad tribe, ranging from about a
quarter of an inch, up to three inches in length—
the larger ones being thin, and so transparent that
one could easily see through them.
We learned from the man in charge, that the
company has a pond, through which a fresh water
stream passes, somewhere in the neighborhood oi
Montgomery, in which the little fish are to be kept
until large enough to take care of themselves. Or,
rather, until they are old enough to have some idea
of instinctive law of self-preservation, otherwise
they would probably all be destroyed by the large
fish in the rivers.
This is an interesting experiment, and we hope
it may prove entirely successful.
From the Southern Recorder.
Shad for the Alabama River.
Many of our readers are not aware of the fact
that shad are not found in the waters that empty
into the Gulf of Mexico, land all that find their
way to the Chattahoochee and beyond, are carried
packed in ice. Why shad [are not found in the
Gulf we are notable to say, and the question now
is, will they live if carried and put into the Gulf
waters? Mr. Gesner of our city, a gentleman who
has given the subject much study, and everyway
qualified for the experiment, left here on Wednes
day last with about thirteen hundred young shad
taken from the Oconee river, from an inch to two
inches long. They were put in a tank holding
about one thousand gallons of water, and will he
supplied with fresh water as needed from the rail
road tanks on the route.
Since the above was put in r type, Mr. Gesner
has returnad home, and has furnished us with the
following very interesting facts relative to his ex
periments.
Mr. G. ascertained that the mean temperature
of the Oconee river was sixty eight degrees Faren
heit, and that it was necessary that the water in
the tank should be of the same temperature for
the well being of the fish. Upon his arrival at
Gordon, he found from the influence of the heated
entrapped air, caught from the motion of the cars,
and also the exposure of the tank to the air and
sun, that the water'grew wanner, and that the
thermometer rose seventy-eighty degrees, being
ten degrees higher than the water from which
they were originally taken. This temperature
caused the fish to grow sickly and rise to the sur
face; to counteract which, it became necessary to
use ice to reduce the water to its proper tempera
ture, which was found to succeed admirably and to
rest ire to the fish their wonted vitality.Some seven
or eight hundred pounds of ice was thus used be
fore Mr. G. arrived at Montgomery, Ala.
We also learned another interesting fact, which
was,that the Gulf stream which rises to the southern
portion of the Gulf of Mexico, is of the mean tem
peratute from eighty to ninety degrees, which tem
perature is sufficient to ‘kill any shad, as Mr. G.
tried the experiment and killed several of his.—
We think we can now account for the fact why the
true white shad is not found in the Gulf of Mexi
co, and hence the waters that empty into it; for
it is known that the Gulf Stream flows be
tween the Capes of Florida and Cuba. However,
as the waters of the Gulf bordering upon the States
receive the waters of a large number of rivers ris
ing in the western slopes of our mountainous re
gions, also the waters of the great Mississippi, the
water in the northern part ol the Gulf is doubtless
influenced by the waters of those rivers, and that
the shad put into the Alabama river will live and
nynnon to n|Wlnmaiit io tkO \7A I't lIP 1 MttU lllfur.
esting, and a full report of it by Mr. G, —of several
failures and the present success—will be found i.i
the Cotton Planter and Soil of the South, pub
lished at Montgomery, Ala.
John Forsyth.
In the Senate of the United States on the 21st
inst., a hill was reported by Mr. Polk of Missouri,
from the Committee on foreign relations, for the
relief of the legal representatives of John For
syth. It provides for the payment to the legal re
presentatives of the late John Forsyth of two thou
sand one hundred and forty dollars, in full of a
balance due him on account of his salary as Minis
ter to Spain, from 18th February, 1819 to the 3d
March, 1823.
Mr. Iverson asked leave to explain the matter
to the Senate, as he was a party in interest, being
one of the heirs of John Forsyth. He said.
“In the settlement of Mr. Forsyth’s .accounts as
Minister to Spain, the accounting officer charged
him with what was called gain of exchange on
drafts drawn from Madrid on London. That was
usual at that time. It was charged up against all
foreign ministers, under similar circumstances
until Mr. Webster was head of the State Depart
ment, in 1843, and then Gen. Cass, being Minister
to France, protested against it as an illegal charge
and Mr. Webster decided that it was “an illegal
charge, and instructed the Fifth Auditor to refund
to Mr. Cass the sum that had been charged against
him, amounting to something over four thousand
dollars. Under that decision of Mr. Webster re
peated afterwards, every minister lias refunded
back the amount lost on his account except Mr.
Everett of Massachusetts, and Mr. Forsyth, of
Georgia. The only reason why it has
not been refunded “to Mr. Forsyth has been
simply because he died in 1841, before the decision
of Mr. Webster was made, and his heirs knew
nothing whatever about this case until the last
year. While I was here last summer,my attention
was drawn to it by a gentleman who has been a
clerk in one of the departments, and I made appli
cation to the State Department to refund this
amount to Mr. Forsyth’s heirs according to lormer
decisions. There are twenty, perhaps thirty cases
where it has been done. The Secretary declined
to refund the money, in consequence of the ac
counts having been settled so far back that he did
not wish to open them, and said I had better refer
the case to Congress.
“Mr. Polk—Tlie Senater from Georgia has not
stated the case as strongly in favor of Mr. Forsyth
as the facts justify.
“Several Senators—he has stated it strongly
enough.
“The bill was reported to the Senate without
amendment, ordered to be engrossed for a third
reading, read the third time and passed.
Mr. Iversoi.—l should like to insert an amend
ment, with the consent ofthe Senator who repor
ted the bill, directing the money to be paid to the
heirs instead of the legal representatives. The
estate oi Mr. Forsyth has long since been closed
up.
“Mr. Polk Are not the heirs the legal represen
tatives?
“Mr. Iverson—Yes; but the Department might
construe it as going to the administrator. “•
“Mr. Polk—l think the proper word is used.
“Mr. Iverson—Let it go.”
Appointments by the President.
By And with the consent of the Senate. —Geo.
W. Morgan, of Ohio, minister resident ofthe U. S.
in Portugal.
James M. Buchanan, of Maryland, minister res
ident of the U. S. in Denmark.
Thos. H. Dunn, of Mississippi, consul general of
the U. S. at Havana.
Felix E. Foresti, of New York, consul ofthe U.
S. at Genoa.
Alex.Derbes, of La., consul of the U. S. at Mar
seilles.
Albert G. Blakey, of Mo., consul of the U. S. at
Talcahuano.
Rafael Preciat, of New York, consul ofthe U.
S. at Campeachy.
Luther A. Hatfield, of New York, consul of the
U. E>. at Bombay.
F. Cyrus, of New York, consul ol the U. S. at
Gottemburg.
Augustus Canfield, of New Jersey, consul of the
United States at Canada.- Washington Union, 23 d
inst.
Each moment makes thee dearer—as the parsi
monious tradesman said to his extravagant wife.
A Benumscecoe or Bnuham Young.
“St 8 50. On the first day of April next for value
received, I promise to pay Milton Sheldon or hear
er, eighteen dollars and fifty cents with interest
Ten dollars of it to be paid in good kitchen chairs
at fifty cents a piece well done off, painted andhot
tomed according to the usual mode of doing off such
chairs.”
“Mendon, N. Y„ March I6tb, 1830.”
“Brigham Young.”
“A gentleman, the administrator ot the estate of
Milton Sheldon, mentioned in the body of the above
note, has kindly presented us the original of which
tills is a copy, with the veritable signature, in a
legible round hand, of Brigham Young, the apos
tl °of Mormondorn, attached. We value the remi
niscence highly, partly for the autograph of Brig
ham Young, but more for the curious historical
value it possesses as showing the calibre ot the
man, his occupation before Mormonism had made
him great, and his status in rural society. Every
body knows that while ail industry is commended
and appreciated in a farming community,the maker
and bottomer of kitchen chairs is always consider
ed as very low down in the social scale. We are
informed also that Brigham was a cunning manu
facturer of spinning wheels, while a brace of en
dorsements on the back of the note reveal that he
had other occupations, and was pretty much a Jack
of-all-trades.
Thus we find two endorsements, both bearino
date J une 25th, 1830, just at a lazy time ofthe year,
when farmers do their putting tilings to rights as
follows:
“June2sth, 1830. Received on the within four
teen dollars and twenty-five cents in making picket
fence.”
“Received on the within two dollars and fifty cts.
in framing A. Park’s barn.”
The latter is evidently what is called a “turn,”
and indicates that Brigham, like Joseph of old,was
a carpenter as well as chair-bottom and spinning,
wheel maker. In fact, his occupations were very
numerous, but he was best at a camp-meeting,
where no lack of industry couid be charged upon
him. In singinghymns arid exhorting he was able
to make up for ail other deficiencies. The gentle
man to whom we are indebted for this note tells us
that he went once to Brigham’s house to dun. it
was a cold raw, autumnal day. Swinging on the
gate he found a red-headed “young one,” briAn
eyed and healthy. Going into the house lie found
Mrs. Young with one of those peculiar, rusty old
black shawls wrapped around her, cowering over a
few coals upon the hearth. He stated his errand,
but was so touched with sympathy at Mrs. Youngs
reply that he went away, determined to make no
further effort in the case. Said Mrs. Y’oungV rep y
that he went away, determined to make no further
effort in the case. Said Mrs. Young, “Mr. A., this
little pile of coals is all the wood I have in the house,
I have not a pint of meal or flour, and Brigham has
left me so for four or five days to go to a quarterly
meeting. I don’t suppose he will ever pay the
note.”
Such was Brigham Young in Anno Domini 1630.
—Buffalo Advertiser.
There is something peculiarly touching iu the
subjoined article, which we find in the local col
umns of the Union, relative to the recen death of
Henry William Herbert;
IN MEMORIAM.
Frank Forrester is added to the list of suicides I
There are two fearful things always hanging like
double Damoclean dangers over the heads of men
of genius : Suicide and Intemperance. If an uti
devout astronomer is mad with the quiet insanity
of disbelief, an undevout author is very likely to
be afflicted witti the rabies of passion, and a devout
one is by no means exempt from brain perils, as
the geologist of Cromarty has lately demonstrated.
Solitary smugglings of thought generate mental
heats and fevers, whose mists grow so thick that
the vision of reason cannot penetrate to the seat ot
the volitions, and they unchecked by rational gui
dance. play over again the old mythological trage
dy of Phaeton. The perils of genius are very great
and numerous, and its moral short-comings ought
not to be harshly judged. The worlujknows noth
ing of the fearful tension of some minds, which,
being relaxed, suffers the machinery of the brain to
become disarranged, and its envied possessor to
walk in the midst of grinning fiends and mocking
voices. A bad headache will change one’s Ea
ure ; and when every’ line is born of a jarring
nerve, what wonder that they who write much
sometimes sin much! lam not attempting to
justify suicide, hut to account for it: ordinarily it
re itia must uonieui pittite piece of cowardice a man
can be guilty of; but when, upon the roil ofthos 1
who recently have thus sought their discharge from
the battle of life, we find Laman Blanchard, Hugh
Miller, and Henry W. Herbert, to say nothing of
the long list of celebrities who have suffered the
same eclipse during the century, we must not si
lently and in midnight obscurity buryfthem in the
cross roads ’of contempt: though firerce storms
howled around them and dashed upon
tlie domes of their genius, it may be, that within
the tapers’ burned steadily, the measured chant
went solemnly up to the Highest, and, all undis
turbed turmoil, the soul bowed itself in
lowly homage. The excesses, even to suicide, of
those who live under thegcontinuons pressure of
thought, should not be catalogued with crimes, but
classified with diseases. A student cuhivatingdys
pepsia is as much a crimnai as he who terminates
his existence by the shorter process of powder and
lead. A moral coroner’s inquest might properly
bring in a verdict of “Died for want of Play” in
many of these sad tragedies.
There is something very pitiable in the frequent
repetition ofgFrank Forrester’s last request “let me
rest,” “leave me alone.” It was that very desire
to be left alone which hurried him out ofthe world.
He was striving to escape from himself, seeking
an outlet from the tangled and thorny perplexities
of his own confused ar.d over-excited brain, feebly
groping in the darkness ol his mental eclipse foi
some guiding hand to lead him from thatoverwhei
ming and torturing consciousness of self. Bur
dened beyound endurance, stung out of measure,
his last'yearning prayer is for oblivion; he would
leap into any iake whose waters could whelm and
hide him forever. Lethe’s stream murmured
musically to his weary senses; its dark tide prom
ised repose, and he hastened to strip off aft, mortal
encumbrances that he might lave his weary limbs
in the current from which mortals usually shrink.
Amidst the audible flow of the solemn river, dis
turbed by his hasty plunge, these words of his
fraught with a solemn appeal for charitabfe judge
ment, come very distinctly to our hearing, “For
what I have to account withjGod, let me account
with God and not with man, who may uncertainly
perceive and distingush facts, but cannot perceive
causes or divine motive and intentions.” Res cst
sacra miser.
Man over Niagara Falls. —VVe learn from
Conductor Wells that a man went over the Falls
oi Niagara yesterday. He came from the Canada
side at Chippewa in a sail boat nearly to the Amer
ican shore, and was in the act of returning when
he went into the rapids. It was thought by
those who saw him from the shore, that he was
imprudent in his management ofthe boat, and de
pended upon his sail long after he should have ta
ken it down and resorted to his oars to save him
self. It is said the boat was actually in the rapids
before the sail was lowered, and then it was too
late. Who the man was is not known on the
American side. Boat and man were lost sight ol
before thev reached the great fall.— Rochester
Union, May 20.
Warning to Boys.
The poor creature, Crockett, who is to be hung
shortly for his participation in the murder of old
Mr. Landrum near Atlanta, for the sum of fifty-fire
cents, was brought to this unfortunate end’ by hab
its of idleness and dissipation. Judge Bull, in pas
sing sentence upon him, conjured the young men
present to take warning. They cannot be too of
ten warned. Idleness is crime t In the parable
of the ten talents this doctrine is clearly developed.
It does not appear that the servant who hurried
his talent was in the habit of committing crimes,
and yet he is called “wicked.” Why ? Because he
was lazy — idle —Athens Watchman.
The Bold British at Work. —An attempt was
made in the harbor of Sagua la Grande to com
pel Capt. Bartlett, of the ship CiarendoD, bound
for New Y'ork with a cargo of sugar, to show his
papers and hoist his ensign, by an officer of the
same British cruiser. Capt,” B. refused. The
steamer .fired several blank cartridges to intimidate
him, alter which the commander ot the steamer, ac
companied by 100 men, proceeded to the Clarendon.
Capt. B, refused to let any one board him except
the officer, who, after an exciting scene, left with
out accomplishing his purpose.
During the affair Capt. Bartlett was struck, but
the British officer denied any inteNtion of so do
ing.
The notorious “Col. Titus” is aking up a par
ty to migrate to Arizona.