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E. ELLIS GO., Proprietors, Volume XVIII. COLUMBUS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, ISfiS. Democratic Convention—Oov. Drown. In the issue of tho 17th hist., speaking of the time appointed by the Milledgeville cauens for the meeting of the Democratic Gubernatorial Conven tion, we incidentally said, there was no “necessity for one to assemble."’ We meant by this simply to express our approbation of tho administration of Gov. Brown and the belief that he would beyond doubt be the next nominee of the Democratic par ty for Governor. That the assembling of a Con vention would be a mere mutter of form, as it was the time-honored usage of the democratic party to continue a Governor in office two terras, unless he had proved so recreant to the principles of the democracy as tp require another, more worthy the honor, to be substituted in his stead. The . Augusta Constitutionalists, however, evidently Op posed to Gov. Brown’s re-nomination, believing him to-be a demagogic—protests against the pol icy of not bolding a Convention and expresses its rise at our idUkiation of such an idea. It says, such a policy is “demoralizing, disor ganizing, anl •<■. .Uy -Xttii.rlfcy party, which has principles and a policy arid is not afraid to proclaim them.” Well, the Augusta Constitutionalist will set us right, if we are wrong, but according to our poor recollection,, during the last two campaigns in Georgia, when unity and strength were our watch words —when every man w T as required to buckle on his armour for the contest—when democratic conventions assembled in every District in the State and nominated their standard-bearers—lay ing down platforms and showing to the world that the Democracy had principles and were not “afraid to proclaim them"—the eighth distiet, in which the Constitutionalist is the leading Demo cratic organ, was the only district in the State which did not abide by a “time-honored usage of the Democratic party” and was the only one which pursued a policy, “demoralizing, disorgan izing and altogether unworthy of a majority par ty” Now, we do not desire to be considered as op posing conventions—we are their friend on the contrary—but we desire merely to show that cir cumstances sometimes will justify a breach of what may be regarded as the settled policy of a party that Gov. Brown is the choice of the De mocracy over and above all other aspirants for the position of Chief Magistrate of this great State— just as Mr. Stephens was regarded by common consent as the most entitled to the position of j standard-bearer of the party in the Bth District— The Constitutionalist falls into error in its efforts to detract from the well-merited popularity of Gov. Browu. That ofleaving the impression up on the minds of its readers, that the friends of Gov. Brown’s Administration tire the secret ene mies- of'the two former Administrations This is a false issue. We profess to be the warm and de voted advocate of (iov. Brown’s re-nomination and an endorser of his” Administration though differ ing with him upon a few questions of State policy. We do not sympathise with that feeling which has for its end the glory of one democratic adminis tration at the expense of another—nor do we be lieve such a sentiment is cherished in the bosom of the adiqirers of Gov. Brown. The Constitutional ist has fallen into the snare set by the opposition —r-it has turned a listening ear to the taunts of our enemies that wc were bowing in “obsequious sub servience to the behests of Gov. Brown" —that the monument that was being erected in the hearts of our people to his praise for his wise and econom - ical management of State affairs was built upon the ashes of other Administrations —that it is dis playing a great weakness and want of independ ence in the Democratic party thus to praise a lit tle “autocrat!” The Administrations of Govern or’s Cobb and Johnson were not failures by any j means. They predicted that the State Hoad would pay, when rightly managed and when un embarrassed by circumstances, which in the na ture of things would prevent it from yielding a handsome revenue during their administrations — Gov. Browu has accomplished more than the most sanguine expected in the management of the Road and has shown himself worthy the confidence and regard of the people by watching their interests with a jealous eye. If then to rejoice in his success is to glory in tho failure of others, we confess we will not know when to give tho meed of praise and when to withhold it from a meritorious officer. It becomes a deli cate matter to express a just appreciation of the services of any public man. But enough— The Constitutionalist with all its ability will labor in vain to create a prejudice against the Chief Magistrate of the State—it will labor in vain to convince the people that paeans of praise rising up and echoing from mountain-peak to mountain-peak and from valley to valley through out- the State are but the adulations of interested politicians—it will labor iu vain to distract the democratic party by raising the issue that talse friends are trying to “degrade” it and “all its truly noble, talented and gallant leaders, for the mere purpose of making personal and political capital for Gov. Brown"—itPwill labor in vain to try to defeat his re-nomination by doubting his political orthodoxy and raising the clamor that his administration of the State road is a “blunder -—it will labor in rain to impress the democratic party that Gov. Joseph E. Brown is anything else than an honest man- a worthy democrat and one whom they will delight to honor. Bishop Pierce. This Reverend Divine, who at presiding in the Georgia Conference iu this city, preached Sab bath morning at the Methodist Church. Discar ding all meretricious ornament, yet clothing his thoughts in elegant language, he preached Christ and him crucified with a force, an ability and el oquence seldom, if ever, surpassed in the pulpit. A worthy apostle of Christ, may heaven’s choi cest blessings ever rest upon him. Missionary Cause. anniversary collection for the Missiona ry enterprise at the Methodist Church in this city, on the 18th inst., the enormous sum of $3,600 was paid the Secretaries. The largest amount ever before contributed lor a like purpose was $2,200. This speaks well for the charity of the citizens of Columbus and the Georgia Conference. LaGrange Female College. We congratulate the friends of the LaGrangft Female College, upon the accession of Wm. A. Harris, Esq., to the Presidential chair of this In stitution. He is a worthy successor to Wm. J. Sasnett. Since his removal from A irginia, he has gradually won the reputation of a scholar by his fine contributions to periodicals, and taken a high position as a teacher. The selection of one so eminently fit for the position, we repeat, is a mat ter of congratulation with the patrons of the Col lege. Mr. Sasnett retires to take charge of the Alabama Mule College. The Resolution,” {say** Charleston Courier) which is designed simply to restore the Code and Discipline of the Methodist E. Church, South, to the standard of the New Testament, was adopted unanimously in the North Carolina Conference at Newbern-—ayes S6. In the South Carolinia Conference, lately in session in this city, as reported in the Courier, the vote on this resolution wa3 almost unanimous— Ayes 112; No 1. The expurgation will be effected by a large majority of the constituent annual conferences of the M. E. Cburob, South, © i# , Georgia Annual Conference. Services oT the Sabbath Bis p George F. Pierce preached an fible ser mon ott"the “Gross of Christ,” sifter which the fol lowing persons were ordained : C A Mitchell, Ja •ob C Nee sc, Win A Parks, W T McMichacl, Geo II Patiilio, John W Tteynolds, R W Dixon and W H Moss, of the Conference. W II Pegg, Jot siah Harky, Francis W MV>Hrdy, Samuel Dur ham, Henry % Evans, W V Simpson, James P Henderson, John J Sessions, Thoa. Rutledge, W B Thompson. W G Booth, W G Gartrcll, Charles G Johnson, John I) CiariTe, James W Uarris, W B Merritt, Hansford. Andrews, W M Crima, M A Maddox and W W (Jilin of thb local preachers. In the afternoon, Dr J B McFerrio preached, and the Bishop ordained the following elders : James M Armstrong, Alvin J Dean, J JW Burke, G UN McDonald, AV J Scott? James W Tray wick, Thomas T Christian, Wm S Turner, John P Howell. James-0 A Clarke, W S Baker, Milford G llamby, Wesley P Pledger, JasT Ainsworth, afod John W Turner, of the Conference ; and .J*s G Tison (Ala.) Daniel T Hrinug ( -K-aroitojijM 1 - nr. i. i ioii.l v w*gr Geo W Barker, Basil II Overby and Samuel Beckett, of the loeal preachers. At night Dr. Jesse Boring delivered a most powerful discourse. FIFTH DAY. Monday, Dee. 20, 1858. Conference met and was opened with religious exercises by Rev. James B. Payne. Minutes of Saturday were read and confirmed. The order of the day was suspended to take up the case of C Austin, and the Bishop presented his written decision on the question of law previously submitted. Tho report of the committee was read and adopted, which gives said Austin anew hearing. The order of the day was taken up, and the re port of tho committee on the ease of the Rev Noah Smith was made. The proceedings of the trial before committee were read. After some discus sion, the accused was declared not guilty by a unanimous vote. He was then superannuated at his own request. Rev. Mr. Robinson of South Carolina was intro duced. T B Hawkins’ case was called and laid over. Adjourned with benediction. siXTn DAY. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1858. Conference met and was opened with religious services by Rev. AV. J. Parks. Minutes were read and confirmed. Rev. C. R. Jowett nd Rev. W. J. Scott of the Conference, and S. A r ance3 r of the laity were elec ted to fill vacancies in the Board pf Trustees of Lagrange Female College. Rev. J. S. Key was elected in place of Wm. G. \ Connor, resigned, on the committee for the fund of special relief, and R. B. Lester in place of R. Lane on the fund of special relief. Rev. Johri W. Simmons was admitted to the travelling connection. Tfie committee on Book Depository presented their report. Laid on the table for thtf pres ent. The case of Tyre B. Harbin was again called and lis character passed by resolution, but he was not elected to Elders’ orders. lie was reprov ed for some little improprieties. Rev. C. lv. Marshall of Mississippi was intro duced. The committee on the funds of special relief made their report, and the funds were distributed according to the appropriations of the Board. A collection was taken up for tho benefit of this fund. Rev. J. AV. Burke, Tract Agent, reported that he had raised this year from collections and sales upwards of $9,000 00. The report of the committee on Book Depository was then taken up, which was adverse to tho plan of R. Abbey. On motion to adopt the report. Dr. J. B. McForrin was heard in defence of the [dan. Dr. Jesse Boring replied in opposition to the [dan. While he was speaking the Bishop an nounced the hour of adjournment. The sesssion was protracted to take the vote of the conference on the expunging from the Discipline tlie general rule on the subject of slavery. - The vote stood Ayes all—Noes none. AFTERNOON SESSION —3 o’clock. Opened with religious exercises by Dr. J. B. McFerrin. Minutes of the morning session were read and confirmed. The certificate of Rev. John 11. Rob inson was presented for admission. He was ad mitted. The business of the morning was Liken up—-the Report of the committee on Book Depository. Dr. Boring concluded his speech. Dr. McFerrin rejoined. General Consolidation of Telegraph Lines. —We learn from good authority says the Washington States, that all the telegraph lines running out of Washington will be consolidated into •owe general company on the first of January, under the direction of the “American Telegraph Company”—the owners of the prineipal.Telegraph lines in the United States. The Company will work the various forms of instruments now iu use including the Morse instrument and the House Printing instrument. Anew telegraph line has been erected South from Alexandria, A'irginia, to Memphis, Tennessee, from which place it will connect with New Orleans. It will be completed to this eity’by next week, when we will have two telegraph lines to the South, and three lines ot posts to the North. By this new arrangement in creased facilities will no doubt be afforded the public; for when one line of wire may be interrup ted from communication, the other may be in working order. Patents.—The official list of patents issued for the week ending on the 14th inst., includes the following. Robt. A. Adams, of St. Louis, Mo; for im provement in Stencils. G. AV. Grader and B. F. Cowan, of Memphis, Teun.: for improved steam and water alarm guage for steam boilers. R. M. G. Little. W. I. Alston, and Lorenzo AV. True, of Williamson county, Tenn: for improved folding cha r. ~ . Z. F. Nance of Richmond, A a.: for improved machine for turning irregular forms. F. Roy, of Parish St. Bernard, of Lag for im provement iu furnaces for evaporating sugar J 1 Thomas Stubblefield, of Columbus, Georgia for improvement in water guages for steam boilers. And the following for the benefit ot the hoop inhabiting class of the population: Geo. D. Russell, Samuel A. Russell, and (.nos. L. Russell, of Birmingham, Conn.; lor improved forceps for fastening clasps on hoop skirts. A Good Custom.— lt is the practice, in many parts of the country, with those who have just entered the marriage relation, to send, with tho announcement of th# fact, * year’s subscription u> the journal they may select, to let the public know of their happiness. It is so sensible a cus tom that we would cot be surprised at its being soon inaugurated as an institution in t-e City ot Hills. It is well known that next to a good com panion for life, is that admirable newspaper whose name modesty forbids us calling, should any of our friends contemplating matrimony thinkfavor ably of the new style, they will find our office on Market street, near the Postoffice. — Lynchburg Rennblican. CffiSAß Befcses the Cnowx.-Tho Tribune’s Washington correspondent says: Ju<lge 1,011 ’ glas hi,, prepared and will soon publish a. declar ation of bn intention not to be ft candidate ter the PrtiidtnoY i* 1880,” TUK I N)II N OP THE STATES, AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OfT H E ST ATE S, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 18 58 Fronrthe Savannah Republican. Death of Hod. John A. Tucker. Dawson, Geo. Dee. 10, 1858. Mr. Editor.—Our little town was thrown in to quite an unusual state of excitement yesterday evening, by the announcement of the death ofCoL John A. Tucker, (the democratic nominee for the Judgeship of the South-Western Circuit, and also Senator in the last Legislature from Stewart.) He had been spending a few* days in our town and vicinity in a canvassing tour, and on yesterday kept his room all day, at the Hotel, saying Inr felt indisposed.’ On sending to his roomjotdiirn to dinner, he, stated that he was too unwell, and declined any assistance whatever du ring the whole of the afternoon. On going to his room to see him about supper time, he was found dead. In hia room were two bottles (1 drachm each) “-morphine uutouched ; one empty one, and another empty one thrown out of the window, though the cork was left on bis table, and several letters, all seated. with one excepticn, wAihA was read at the CftioqfoW. i , M*4Aca4:..lt attteqd jjkak.hq irewLiar Would) commit smcide, and direeled wnat dispo sition to make for his family. The Jury’s ver dict was that he came to his death by morphine administered by his own hands. Very respectfully, S. C. AN AC T To •abolish Imprisonment for Debt, on certain con ditions herein set forth, and for other purposes. Sec. Ist. Be it enacted, That from and after the passage of this act, no capias ad satisfaciendum shall issue against the body r of any defendant, from any court of this State, until the plaintiff, his agent or attorney, shall first have filed an.af fidavit in the clerk’s office of the court in whieh judgment has been obtained, or with the Justice of the Peace by whom the same may have been ) rendered, stating that he has just cause to believe that the defendant has money or property which cannot be reached by “fieri facias ,” (other than such as is allowed by law,) or that the defendant has property that is beyond the jurisdiction of the court in *bch said judgment has been rendered. The affidavit must state of what the property con sists, particularly describing the same. Sec. 2d. US it further enacted . That when a defendant, being [is?] arrested under the provis ions of the first section of this Act, he may file a , schedule, in the Clerk’s office of the Inferior Court, and take the oath now'prescribed by law for the benefit of honest debtors, by giving to the plaintiff, his a gen tor attorney, three days notice ol'hisin tention to do the same. Three Justices of said court shall be sufficient to administer the oath.— ’ Plaintiff may tender an issueof fraud, in which he shall plainly set forth all the facts in the case which he expects to prove, and particularly de scribe the property which he may allcdge to have been left out of the schedule filed by the defen dant; upon this being done, the Justices of the Inferior Conn may cause a jury to be summoned instavter, and proceed at ouee to the trial of the issue formed. If either party shall make it ap pear to the court that they are not ready for trial, the cause may be continued to such lime as the court, iu tts discretion, may deem uecest>ary to enable the parlies to prepare for the same, li the continuance beat the instance of the plaintiff, he shall make oath that the facts which set forth in the issue tendered, are true: when con tinued at the instance of the defendant, he shall give bond and security, as is now required by law, for his appearance to take the insolvent debt or’s o'ftthat the final termination of the cause. In the event that the jury find for the defendant, he shall be permitted to take the oath, by delivering to the sheriff or ins deputy, all the property de scribed iu the schedule which he has filed. Should the defendant fail to appear at the time appointed by the court for the trial of the issue, the"’ court may enter up judgment upon the defendant’s ap pearance bond, in favor of the plaintiff, for princi pal, interest anddbst. Provided, it does not ap pear that the defendant is absent from providen tial cause. Sec. 3d. lie, it further enacted , That the sheriff shall be paid the sum of two dollars for summon ing the jury under the provisions of this act, to be collected out of the party cast in the trial. Sec. 4 lb. Be it further enacted , That all laws and parts of laws, militating against this act, be and tho same are hereby repealed. Approved Dec. 11th, JSSB. AN ACT To collect interest on Open Accounts in this State, after they are due ; and to fix Ihe time when accounts shall fall due , when the same is not agreed upon by the parties. .Sec. Ist. The General Assembly of the State of Georgia do enact, That all accounts in this State, made after the first day of January next, ahull be held and considered as becoming due ou the first day of January next after such accounts are made, unless a different day is agreed upon by the parties; and that all accounts, after becoming due as aforesaid, shall draw interest, at seven per cent per annum; and shall be placed upon the same footing, as regards interest, that liquidated demands arc. Sec. 2d Repeals conflicting laws. Approved Dec. ]i)th, 185S. Things in Washington. Tho books of the War Department show the remittances for the last quarter to be $4,406,900 and for this quarter to date 52,727,462. The Secretary of War has been called on for the estimated force necessary to garrison military posts in Mexico, according to the recommenda tions of the message. The military Committee of the House will re fuse to report the bill for the increase of the army. The Judiciary Committee© will shortly report a bill amending the neutrality laws and removing hindrances to commerce. Gen. Jerez fears that his correspondence has been intercepted on the Isthmus. He is confident of receiving a ratified treaty in time to have it submitted to the Senate at an early day. He re grets the course the of English in Nicaragua mat ters. The House Committee on Foreign Relations have*agreed unanimously to report a resolution of inquiry relative to the visit of British officers of the Valorous to the steamer Washington. It asks for information, whieh may be received in future, for Sickles has informed the Committee that, as yet, Government has received no advices. At a meeting of the House Committee on Ter ritories, Stephens, of Georgia, asked for authority to report the bill for the admission of Oregon with a recommendation that it pass. It is opposed by the Republicans, who say that they are unwiling to admit Oregon with a population of only 40.00 U, while Kansas is refused admittance with a popu lation of 90,000, The vote stood four ifi favor of and four against reporting; so the motion was lost. Texas items. Col. J. A. ATileox, of San Antonio, is announ ced as a candidate for Congress from the Western district of Texas. The Ranger says that it has it from reliable au thority (an intimate personal and political friend of Gen. Houston) that the General will again be a candidate for Governor, and that a Houston ticket for representatives will be run in every county. The Galveston News announces that Col. Forbes Brotten, has been nominated as a candidate for Congress, to represent the AYestern district of Texas. The News also announces the arrival in Galves ton of Major Ben McCulloch and Mr. Rose, who are now on their way to Arizona, as special Gov ernment agents, according to the despatches, but wc are duly authorized, to say, says. the News, that the object of their mission is of a private character, namely, to make purchases of lauds in Sonora for a company with which they are connec ted. The Waco Democrat, of the 25th ult., learns from Geo. Barnard, esq., who returned a short time since from the Brazos Agency, that a grand council of Indians was called, which opened with a “big war dance,” aferward received their annuity presents from the Government commiss ioners. While this fandango was going on, the wild Camanches stole in and carried off two hun dred bead of horses belonging to the Reserve In dians. Next day being Friday, a consultation was held, and on Saturday, about sixty of their number started on foot in pursuit of the stolen horses. Polygamy. We learn from Washington that a bill for the suppression of polygamy in Utah and all other Territories, will he introduced at an early day in Congress, and be vigorously preiwd. COLUMBUS, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1858. Lecture of Deo. D Prentice. Wc attended, on Monday-night, at Temperance Dali, the lecture of tho above gentleman, upon the condition and ftppoets of American politics.— White wo were well entertained, we confess to considerable disappointment. His appearance, which, perhaps, should not be considered, was far below our expectations; his voice wanting entire ly of melody, while his manner was graceless and unimpressive. He has none of the attractions be longing to a popular lecturer, save the chief cst thought and language His discourse was great ly elaborated, well written and interspersed with brilliant thoughts, occasionally pointed with an tithesis and keen sarcasm. The picture of the demagogue he'’painted tviib life-like faithfulness, but his designation of those whom the painting epresentod was far from accurate. Whoever was igainst the Union , without limitation as to cause, was a selfish, huckstering politician. Indeed, there was a strong under-current of Uuion-aUaH nb •„ mk well prepared for this revelation by some knowl edge of the political antecedents of Mr. Prentice, lie has been for many years the editor of the LouisviUe Journal —a paper which has been as much distinguished by its uncompromising advo cacy of all compromises by which the South has been cheated of her rights and honor, as by the Ability of its editor. If lie had substituted “Con stitution” for “Union” in many parts of his ad dress, his sentiments would have accorded better with the feelings and convictions of his audience. This blind and unreasoning devotion to the Un ion ou the part of the South is the originating cause of all the disaffection and alienation that exist. The proposition is paradoxicol but true. If the Southern people had early and jealously guarded their rights—had resisted tho first at tempt by the general government to infract them, and had uniniformly shown a determina tion to abide nu abatement of that equality guar anteed them by the spirit of tho Constitution and implied in the very fact of sovereignty, the occa sion would never have been presented in whieh a Southern man could have felt the necessity of in voking tho sentiment of love for the Union. Nor do we admit that the necessity now exists. Iu every battle in which the cry of disunion has been raised, the most ultra men of the South have never contended for more than their consti tutional rights. The proper place for uttering such sentiments is in a higher latitude—among a people who regard the Union so ligluly that they put its existence at hazard for the sake of indulging ihe impulses of a morbid, pseudo-philanthropy. The South has ever had an affection for the Un ion. She has loved it “not wisely, but too well,” as her patient submission to aggression and out rage sufficiently attests. When the spirit of her people, chafed and fretted beyond endurance un der rhe accumulation of w rong, shall give audible and heartfelt utterance to the purpose of disso lution, no fancied opprobrium attached to the ( names of disunionists and disorganizes will deter ’ them from.the deed. They will not forget that the American revolution vindicated the cause of the “rebel” and gave nobility to his title. Legislation not Perfected, or Vetoed The adjournment of the late session of our Leg islature appears to have been a real stampede— something “turned up” to frighten the wise law makers, and they abandoned their ‘acts’ and *reso- i lutions as precipitately as a drover’s heard of inua- { tangs flee from the camp when a gang of half-devil | Camanches raise the war-whoop and rush pell-J mell upon them “in the stilly night.” Some bills ; that had passed both houses, it is said, were lost j because the two branches, did not continue long enough in session for the presiding officers to sign them : many others could not bo enrolled in time by the clerks : and others that were enrolled and signed were found to have been so imper fectly enrolled as to render them unlit to receive the Governor’s signature. The above iz from the Enquirer, and is, so far aa our knowledge extends, true. It has always been considered a buncombe to adjourn early and legislators seldom have the firmness to pro tract a session beyond the time appointed.- The consequence is frequently the business of the session is not half transacted. At the last session of the Legislature, it was ap parent before the adjournment, that the bills could not be read on the table of the clerks, yet every motion to prolong the session for two or three ; days, was opposed with obstinacy. Mr. Slaughter of Dougherty, made several ineffectual efforts in the Senate, to pass a resolution reconsidering the one previously passed, adjourning the General Assembly on the Ilth inst. The late lamented Tucker also raised his voice in behalf of his con stituency. that the adjournment should not take place on the day appointed—but ail without ef fect. We trust that the Enquirer will publish the ayes and nays iu the Senate on the motion to pro long the session, that the people may know that a majority of the American party are implicated with the buncombe democrats in bringing on the “stampede, v of which it complains. Let the con fusion—the hasty legislation—the blame—lie at the door of those who obstinately refused to pro long the session. We do not fear the record. Naval Depot We commend to the perusal of our Congress men, an article in another column, from the Ma con State Press in relation to the Naval Depot at Brunswick. The people of Georgia feel great in terest in the completion of a Naval Depot on their sea coast. Legislature— Public Acts. We commenced publishing yesterday some of the Acts of a public character passed by the last legislature. We find in the Georgia Telegraph the caption and substance of the general laws, which we are permitted to publish. A law has been enacted extending the writ < f Certiorari to all possessory warrants. This is an excellent addition to our Statutes. The act in relation to taking cases to the Su preme Court, is a good one. It provides that in any case where tho Judge, before whom it was tried, shall, by reason of absence from the State, death or sickness, or other Providential cause, be prevented from signing and certifying a bill of exceptions, the affidavit of the Attorney [for the Plaintiff in error, and other erediblo persons, with in three months from the trial of such case, to the truth of the bill of exceptions, or the agreement of the parties thereto, shall be a sufficient authenti cation of the bill of exceptions, and it shall be the duty of any Judge of the Superior Court, on being presented with the same, to order the case sent to the Supreme Court. An act to make tax receivers, assessors of prop erty, in eases where they believe it has been re turned below its value, and providing in cases where the party so assessed shall be dissatisfied with the assessment, for the selection of three dis interested persons to determine the value of the property, is a wise and much needed amendment to our Tax law. In the Tax act we notice the following explan atory clause“And whereas doubts exist among some Tax payers as to what property they are to give in and pay taxes for, under the present ad valorem system,” the seven section provides “That it is true intent and meaning of the present law, that bonds, notes, or other obligations for money, on persons in other States, or bonds of the United States, or of other States, or bonds of corporations of other States, and shipping at sea, tUt other itomi mentioned, except Unde and negroes, out of this State, shall be returned for taxation. And to insure a more full return, the tax oath is changed to conform to the above provision. . AIL Insurance companies out of the State doing business in it, are taxed one per cent upon premi ums received. Tax act of 1850, in relation to foreign Bank capital, is revived. An act providing thgt from and after first of January, IS6O, all laws authorizing Lotteries in Georgia, or the vending of Lottery tickets in said State, are repealed—was passed. Au act providing that the liability of Stock holders in Banking and other chartered Institu tions shall not cease on the expiration of the char ter. but shall continue until the whole business of tho company is fully settled up, was also passed. An act providing “That voluntary manslaugh ter shall be punished by confinemout and labor in the Penitentiary, fora term not less than cue, nor more than twenty years,” was passed. The following acts were also passed. To make \ oidthe contracts of minors, except shall be good, unless the case is such that the parent or guardian shall refuse, or fail to supply said minor. An act to amend an act, approved 19th Janu ary, 1829, pointing out the mode of takiug testi mony of females, so as to include practicing Physicians, and School teachers iu actual employ ment. An act to add the wages of any Superintendent, overseer, or white laborer on any farm, to the debts due by any intestate or testator, to be paid first in order. An act to permit Executors, Administrators, and Guardians, representing estates, having wild and scattered lauds lying in different counties, to sell the same at private sale, whenever the inter- j ests of the estate or ward shall require such sale. From the Georgia Macon Telegraph. (iov. Brown’s Yeloes. Mii.lkdgf.ville, Dec. 17, 1858. Tho following bills passed by the Legislature just adjourned, have been vetoed by the Gover nor. They arc for the relief of persons who have been divorced and who, as the guilty party, are not permitted under the statute to marry again. The Legislature refused to pass a general bill to permit nil persons in the condition to marry again, but passed a special act to relieve each individual who applied. The Governor being of opinion that these exceptions are wrong, if the rule is right, refused his sanctions to the following bills, to wit: For the relief of Wm. S. Buckley, and to re lievo him from certain disabilities. For the relief of John B. Griffin, of Muscogee, and Seaborn Whitehurst of Pulaski county. For the relief of Mrs. Mary Francis Nunor, of Cobb, and Sterling S. Jenkins, of Merriwcther county. For the relief of Mrs. Mary Jane Warren, of Houston county, and for other purposes therein -specified. For the relief of Lawson Cody, of Chattahoo chee county, and Emily Shaw, of AValker county, ; and for other purposes herein mentioned. For tho relief of James Hagan of the county of Floyd, and John W. Hardwick, of the county of Jasper. For the relief of Melissa A. 11. Booker, of Gor don county. For the relief of Maria Searcy, formerly Maria Small, of the county of Houston. To authorize and permit Benjamin M. Biglev to marry again, and to protect him in so doing from the pains and penalties of Bigamy. For the relief of Alexander Teague, of Union j county, and Ira S. Noles, of Terrell county. I For the relief of David Dyer, of Morgan conn- ; i ty, and Overton Sego, of Bibb county, and for I other purposes. ! For the relief of Henry Clark, formerly of Ba ker, now Mitchell county. For the relief of David W. Irwin, of Chatham, | .Tames Smith, of Clay, Francis Drith, of Randolph, Henry Branson, of Mclntosh, and Polly Ann Mary man, of Miller county. For the relief of Amanda C. Flournoy, of Washington county. For the relief of Thomas Turner, of Whitfield ‘ county from all disabilities and liabilities on ac- | count of his intermarriage with Mary Turner, Lis ! wife. Also for the relief of Eleanor Gay. The following bills were not signed by the Gov ernor on account of the failure cf either the Presi dent of the Senate or Speaker of the House, or both, to sign them as required by the Constitution. The sanction of the Governor could not therefore | give them tho force of law : An act to add a part of the county of Gilmer to the county of Fannin, and for other purposes. To legalize and make valid the Sheriff’s Bond of the county of Glasscock, and also to provide for the drawing and empanelling Grand and Petit Jurors, for the second week of the term of the Superior Court of the county of Walton. To incorporate A. J. Miller, Lodge No. 204, of free and accepted Masons, and to confer cer tain powers. To amend the first Section of the third Article of the Constitution of the State of Georgia. To require the Judges of the Inferior Courts of Franklin and Thomas counties, to appoint a Board j of Commissioners, Ac. To allow teachers of poor children in the coun ties of Calhoun and Columbia, to charge for Books furnished to said children, and to require the Or dinary to pay said accounts. To repeal all special laws providing for the pay ment of Grand and Petit Jurors of the county of Baker. For the relief of the heirs and representatives ■ of Luke Padgett. To authorize the appointment of Masters or i Auditors in Equity and define their duty. To compensate the .Sheriff of Jefferson county. To alter and amend an act app. sth March, 1856, entitled an act to alter and amend the 6th Section of an act app. 11th Feb’y. 1854, entitled an act to incorporate the Dalton Copper Mill & Turnpike and Rail Road Company, and for other purposes therein named. To require the Inferior Court of the county of Muscogee to pay expenses necessarily incurred in holding the Superior Courts of said county. To provide for the better regulation of the Town of Crawfordsville as to eating tables, kept by negroes either free or slave, and i'or other pur poses. For tho relief of Benjamin T. Rees, guardian of Goveneur H. Embre. and authorize said guar dian to purchase a farm for the benefit of said Minor’s Estate. To regulate the granting of Retail License and sale of spirituous liquors in the county of Clay. To authorize the Inferior Courts of the counties of Fayette and Madison, to levy an extra tax to pay the Grand and Petit Jurors one dollar per diem for their services as Jurors. To define the line between the counties of Clay and Early counties. To incorporate the Ellijay Gold and Copper Mining Company. The Governor withheld his sanction to the fol lowing bills on account of provisions contained in them violative of the Constitution. To authorize the Ordinary of Richmond coun ty to demand and receive certain fees therein mentioned, and for other purposes. To incorporate the town of Thomson, in Col umbia county. The following bill was not sanctioned because the Governor did not consider the claim a just one against the State, and because the sum ap propriated was insufficient, if the claims were just, viz : ... An act for the relief of John M. Wilhite, of Jackson county. A large number of bills were lost on account of the inability of the cnroller's Clerks to have them enrolled in time for the signature of the President and the Speaker, before the adjournment of the Legislatnre. The number that passed the day and night of the session, was so large that the Clerks could not possibly enroll them all. A num ber of those, too, signed by the President and Speaker, were so imperfectly enrolled that they were not in a condition to receive the Executive sanction. Congressional. Washington, Dec. 20.—1n the Senate to-day, the Pacific railway bill was discussed. A substi tue was offered by Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, providing for the building of that road by the government, but his amendment was negatived. In the house, the old soldiers’ bill was discussed. A resolutiun looking to the census of iB6O was passed. A joint resolution was adopted that both houses of Congress will adjourn on Thursday next, until tfct 4th dftyofJftiwy, ; * 1 The linpeachiLteJit of Judge \Yatrou. The House then resumed the consideration of j the report of the Committee on the Judiciary in the case of John C. Watrous, district Judge of , the United States for the district of Texas. Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, would endeavor to j lay down Some rule by which his vote would be | governed in thia case. It had been said that this I was the first case of impeachment in this country j of any official person where corruption has been j the charge, lie believed that this was true, and lit was u matter of congratulation to all. He ! thought the same could not he said of any other j country on the earth. It was, therefore, from its ! very nature, a grave question. The House was : acting under limited powers, and he did not agree with those gentlemen who argued * that misde meanor is a term in the constitution used in con tradistinction to good behavior. The constitution authorized them to impeach for treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors. It was not to be understood by this term misdemeanor that it was whatever a majority of the House and ! a majority of the Senate might think raisboha j vior. From tho days of Magna Charta in Eng i land, and much more so in the United States, ho ! man could be deprived of life, liberty, or property, i or in any manuer be injured in his state or repu tation but by a violation of some law. In his opinion, before they could try a man they must wfljrno uaJaw Gwm He quoted from Judge Story to show that it was a settled doctrine of tho high court of impeach ; nient that jurisdiction, when given, was to la? ex ercised according to the comuiou law. In deter mining what were high crimes and misdemean ors, the common law was to be their guide, and it was not every offence even against the common law that was impeachable, for it must not only be an offence, but a high crime. They were first to determine the offence according to the principles of the common law, and then it must be a high crime and misdemeanor. All that had been said in the debate about the purity of the bench, and the means of preserving it, ho fully admitted, and every word that had been uttered lie endorsed. And when he took up this case and looked at the facts, there was not a single one that led him to believe that the sanctity or purity of the bench J in the person of Judge Watrous, had been sullied, i It was not true that Judge Watrous had become interested in the matter charged iu tho memorial of Spencer, secretly and for the purpose of liti gation in his own court. If he had, and had kept it secret until detected, he would say, put the brand of eternal infamy upon him. But when ho took up the book of evidence, he found that Judge Watrous had avowed his interest at the commence ment of tho claim, and had never passed a single order from beginning to end in any ease in which he was interested. Mr. Reagan, of Texas, cited the testimony of Spencer to prove that ho had. Mr. Stephens did not want to have anything to do with Sponeor further than tho record, and when a man came forward and proclaimed to the House of Representatives that Judge Watrous had con cealed his interest for four years before he was de tected and exposed, ami when he saw from the record that it was untrue, he would not believe him upon oath. He could not believe that there was a member in the House who believed that that power of attorney wqs a forgery. The Supreme Court of the United States had decided that it was not a forgery, and iu addition to that he would cite the statement of the gentleman’s colleague, [Mr. Bryan,] which proved conclusively that the power of attorney had been granted. Every ru ling of the court, in his judgment as a lawyer, was right, and if there had been an error an ap peal ought to have been taken. Army Intelligence By direction of the President of the United States, a Court of Inquiry is ordered to assemble at West Point, New York, on the 15th inst., to in vestigate a matter of complaint preferred by Lieut. James St. C. Morton, Engineer department, against Prof. Dennis 11. Mahan, of the United States Military Academy. The court will consist of the following officers; Col. Robt. E. Leo, Scc j ond cavalry ; Maj. Robert Anderson, First artil- I lery ; Capt. Randolph B. Marcy, Fifth infantry, i Capt. Samuel Jones, First artillery, will act as j Judge Advocate and Recorder. A board of officers, to consist of Col. Johnston, first cavalry; Lieut. Col. Buchanan, Fourth in fantry ; Lieut. Col. Sfceptoe, Ninth infantry; Capt. Dyer, Ordnance department; Lieut. IFilcox, Seventh infantry, is ordered to convene at Fort Monroe, Va., for tho purpose of making experi ments with small arms. Lieut. Muynadier, Tenth infantry, will act as Judge Advocate of the court. j It is stated that Gen. Scott is about to visit Isa ; vana for a brief sojourn, passing en route through i Charleston, where it is proposed to give him a pub | lie reception. i We are authorized to state that the story about j the yacht Wanderer bringing three hundred slaves to this country is simply ridiculous, from the fact she could not possibly accommodate more than half that number. The truth of the matter, as we ; are informed, is, that she had but eighty negroes, who were selected on account of their health, vigor, size and strength; that they were treated with the utmost care ou the voyage, and finally landed in good condition at some point between Florida and Georgia, where they readily brought seven hundred dollars each—making an aggre gate of fifty-six thousand dollars. It will be seen by the following extract from our correspondent from the coast of Africa, that tho Wanderer was up the Congo river in October last: “At this place we learn from the yacht Wan derer and brig Helen are both up the Congo river after slaves, so reported. Keen eyes are upon them, and they will have to be smart to get off'.— Trade here is quite dull.— N. Y. Herald. Kant Alabama College,—Rev. Wm. J. Sasnett, D. D. We are pleased to learn that the Alabama Col lege will soon be completed, both as to building i and endowment. The College building is said to | be one of the most beautiful and imposing struc | tures of the kind in the Union. The endowment ■ fund is to be about one hundred thousand dollars, j about seventy-five thousand of whieh is already J received. This College and endowment altogeth er, is a noble scheme, which, when completed, will remain an enduring monument to the noble and generous people who arc engaged iu the enter prise Tho Trustees, at a recent meeting, unanimous ly elected Dr. Wm. J. Sasnett, now President of LaGrange College, as tho President of the Ala baba College. In this selection, they have dis played great wisdom and judgment. Dr. Sasnett enjoys a wide and brilliant reputation in the world of letters and the cause of education. Ho is yet compatively a young man, in the prime of life, and in the vigor of manhood. His future, if he lives, must be brighter than his past has been.— We may confidently assert, then, that his present position and his rising fame, will give great char acter and position to the promising Institution to which he has been called. Fracas at Wasaington.— Fight between Mr. Montgomerg off ennsylvania, and Mr. Engliehof Indiana ,— Fists. Canes and Bricks. — Washing j ton , December 18.—A difficulty occurred at 1:30 A M., this morning, betwern Congressmen English of Indiana, and Montgomery of Pennsylvania, on Pennsylvania Avenue. These two members of Congress happened to meet for the first time this session, when Mr. English, extending his hand, said: “How are you, Mr. Montgomery?” Mr. Montgomery withheld his hand, and utter : ed au insulting expression, something like — “I don’t speak to puppies !” Whereupon Mr. English struck him a severe blow over the head, breaking his cane to pieces by the blow, and knocking Mr. Montgomery into the gutter, but not entirely down. Montgomery on rising, hurled a brick ot Eng lish, striking him on the boot, but doing no injury to him. Mr. English states to his friends that he was entirely unarmed, and was not aware that Mont gomery had any ill feeling towards him up to tho time of the rencounter. Mr. Montgomery, as to strength and size, is su perior to Mr. English. Items. Hon. Arthur P Hayne, while on a recent visit to Columbia, was by resolutions, invited to scats on the floor of the Senate and House of Repre sentatives of South Carolina. Rev. Mr. Spurgeo i, the famous Baptist preach er, has written letters which encourage tho hope that ho will be in N Y during the religious anni versaries in May next. Major General Scott baß sailed from New York for Charleston to-day, from whence he will pro ottd la the ittamtr Xsfttol to Hftvaaft. COLUMBUS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 185S. Georgia and Alabama (laluis. We give in another column the remarks of our ; immediate Representative, Hon. Martin J. Crawford, oa tho claims of certain citizens of j Georgia and Alabama on account of losses sus- i tained by the depredations of tho Creek Indians, j They were delivered last Saturday (Dec. 18th) in j tho House of Representatives when tho bill was j up for discussion. Hon. Eli S. Shorter, of A!a. i led off in a speech abounding iu sound argument and point and was followed by Air. of Wisconsin in opposition to the bill. To the re mark of Mr. Washburn*, that the citizens urging I their claim for losses sustained “had to be paid ‘ for their bravery,” Mr. Shorter promptly and in j diguantly replied—that it was “false and slander ous !” Mr. Dowdell of Alabama also participated iu the debate, answering questions which were j addressed to tho House by th<ft>ppoucilta of the : measure and showing the great interest ho felt in its success. The remarks of Mr. Crawford will throw more _<tf lftw.biU.Uuxu o|u. giv? ( porn sal of our readers. Letter from lion. John A. Tucker—His Death. We give below a letter from the late Hon. Jno. . A. Tucker, which was found on the table in his room at the time of his death, directed to one of j the editors of this paper. Written for publics tion, we do not feel at liberty to withhold it. If will be read with interest by those who knew . its author,—his big heart, his generous impulses, j his strong friendship, his marked ability, his no- I bio nature, his many virtues. They will shed h [ tear of sorrow over his new-made grave, and cher ish in their hearts bis memory. But the letter: 1 To P. 11. Colquitt, I Editor Columbus Times. j Dawson, Ga. le<*. 16. I am about to do a thing which J have j had in contemplation since 1848—viz: to rid the world of me, and to rid myself of an exis tence useless to me and derogatory to others.— i And, Mr. Editor, how dare you. or any of your readers say, it is weak, or wrong, or unmanly ! to perform the act I am about to perform?— j Life is a bunion to me—has been for years. I am driven on by a destiny, 1 have no power to control. Don’t say to me “it is your fault—you could act differently.” It is untrue. I always wished to act differently—l bavo prayed to act differently—l hare prayed God to help me act differently. He knows my wish and purpose was to be a good man. This I have prayed for from boyhood; and yet I have not been a good man.— ; “There is a divinity that shapes our ends.” There ia a power that drives us on like a feather before tho wind, and we have as little power to direct our course as the feather in the gale. Now, with all my sins, follies and vices cling ing to my skirts, I am going unbidden, into the presence of ray God, to ask him if I have nol beon an honest man; to ask him if ever I wronged j a man intentionally; to ask hhn why I am not the man I always desired to be; Usask what pun ishment I am to receive for knowing my duty, desiring to perform it, and yet not having the nerve to do it. Don’t say lam drunk cither, for j it is not so. I tell you, Peyton Colquitt, that lam J doing this thing upon reflection. I lay all nigh thinking of it. I have looked at all the reason* j for and against it. Tu some respects I have \ been a successful man. As certain as the world ; stands I would beat the race for Judge by more than the Democratic majority.’ That is not tb-> j 1 thing with me. I would not live to he President j of the United States, unless I could be the man ■ 1 wUU to be. From u boy I wished to be a great j and good man—a man exerting a great eaLwkftry ; moral influence on mankind. But as i* is, lam i shedding death-shade and mildcw|[froiu the high places in the land. I would have waited till I got home, but I know it would not do. I would then never have dis charged the duty, f owe to myself and mankind. I could dot part with my wife and little cues.— Several times in the last few years I have pre pared myself for this event at home,when my wife knew nothing of it. But to look at the children j and hear them say “Pa,” or to look at a smiling, j affectionate wife,that anticipated my wishes—-that forgave a thousand follies—that never spoke an unkind word to me—that never did one unkind act—l did not have the courage to proceed. But believing, as I do, that my departure from this life will benefit my family, as well as others, I am going to die here to day. I have plenty of friends who will be sorry for this; but to one and all of them I say, John A. Tucker never professed friendship to any one, that ho deserted in the ! hour of trial. My wife and my little ones 1 com- j mend to your care. TUCKER. Georgia Annual Conference. SIXTH DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Doc. 22 l* r > c -9 o’clock, a. 11. j Conference wa ./pen <1 v h religious sci v ice by i Rev. Dr. Jesse Boring. Minutes ot yesrerda? were road an 1 con firmed. Conference proceeded to tho examination of the character of Elders, all of which were passed. Du ring the examination, Dr. Jesse Boring made known his intention to leave the Georgia Confer ence for the Rio Grande .Mission Conference. It being understood that Dr. B. is in otnbamußaed condition, growing out of money paid for the church in California, a resolution was passed de claring the validity and equity of Dr. Boring’s claim, and appointing a committee to bring said claim before the next annual meeting of the Mis sionary board. Col. James M. Chambers then made a proposition to the Conference by which ho offered to release Dr. Boring from all his em barrassment provided be would remain in Geor gia. The Bishop stated that this action would embarrass him, as he had put Dr Boring down to an important work i_i the Rio Grande Conference and that unless he went another strong man from Georgia would have to go in his place. Under these circumstances the matter was laid over for the present. I>r. Boring is one of the most popular men in the Georgia Conference, and he will be given up with great reluctance. Dr. A. Means and Dr. W. J. Sasnett were made supernumerary. C. W. Hays was superannuated. Rev. C. K. Marshall of Mississippi presented Ike elaim of his paper “The church Ev&ugeliat,” is an interesting speech, which was patiently heard. Conference adjourned to meet at 3 o’clock. AFTERNOON SESSION. Dec. 22, 1858. Conference met and was opened with religious services by Rev. Alfred Dorman. The Minutes were read and confirmed. The names of superannuated preachers were j called and their characters passed and relations continued. The committee on the ease of Jos. T. Smith re ported that his character was passed and his rela tion was continued. Tho committee on Memoirs reported Obituaries of Rev. Alex. Averett and Rev. Smith C. Quillian ! who have died during the past year. The Bishop reported the committees of Exam- ‘ ination. Conference resumed the consideration of the question of establishing a Book Depository upon which it adjourned yesterday. At the time of going to press the Conference was | •UU diMmiti&g the Depository. PEYTON H COLaUITT, ( Editors JAMES W. WARREN, * Number 52 FOR THE TIMES. The “Wanderer” Case. Savannah, Dec. 20th, 1858. ’ Dear Times ; While your city ia all alive with men working in concert for the salvation of souls, I ours too, is all “agog” upon a subject which some 1 persons claim to be, a question involving priuci j pies allied to Christianity, and philanthrophy.— ! This, hfcwever, I will not attempt to discuss, or I even expressim opinion, as to whether the im t portal ion of Africans as slaves, will redound to ; the good f thbflfe brought here or tho enlighten* * meat of fioae who may bo left behind. . Consid’ raldc excitement has prevailed here fur 1 several d<\ s past, and on Saturday ihe examina ’ tion wa Curare need. Judge Henry acting as | eomiuis? : oi er. The District Attorney, Mr. Joseph Ganahl. : and'Judge Henry B.* Jackson, upon thq,part M f the Goveri ueu•', prosecutors, and Messrs. Lloyd i & Owons f r ;ii’ Defeudapis. In our papers of i this-(norm g. \ *-ii have an account of the proceed ings <{ Snftird.iy, so I will not trouble you with that again. .ir ufelevcrathjs morn talking in,round and about the “Custop House,” the hour v, length having arrived, aud the wit nesses do 1 “called into Court,” the examination ; wa? resur. and continued for some hours in a very or-ei r quiet manuer. No important evidence ; was ddu l, nolle certainly, whieh could go, iu I the Jes.-t. to prove tho complicity of the parties arrest. J. I At length the prosecution moved to postpone i furth r ev.uuinalion, till next Tuesday, (to-mor ! row) wee! , when, us the case will probably occgp- I py some week or mure in its developments, 1 will j give you • uy thiog of interest which may trans pire. NEMO. .From the Daily Globe.] Spet(!i orih n. M. J. Crawford ofGa. On th- chiims of the citizens of Georgia and Al i nbaaia for los.*:oir'sustained by the depredations of ; the Creek Indians— Delivered iu the House of Representatives Dec., | 13th 1853. i Mr. Crawford. Mr. Chairman, it is with very ‘deepregreq I have just witnessed what has ransp - ed rerewcen my friend from Alabama [Mr. .Short't j and ihe gentleman from Wisconsin, (Mr. Washburn;] for I know how easy it is to xcite di this body prejudices against a bill be cause of ft misuiider.stuiiding between gentlemen representing different portions of the country . But, air, I beg of the committee to hear mo with out reterenoe 1 > anything of an unpleasant char actor which may have occurred, and give to tho persons • inimi.og under this bill the full benefit ■ of all the morn>: which it may possess. It is.,as ii- liile purports, a bill to provide for an examination and payment of the claims of cer tain citizens of Georgia and Alabama who had property destroyed by the Creek Indians in | 1836. These claimants for twenty years have asked of ; Congress the settlement cf their just demands again.-: the Government. From time to time tlioy ; have been deferred, sometimes from one cause, 1 somcrin.v for another, and‘yet at no time has payment been refused upon the ground that there was nothing due. Committees of the respective i Houses have repeatedly reported in their favor, andsf il’ the various bills have fallen between the ! two Houses, or for want of time. We therefore j come now, Mr. Chairman, at the first of the sea . sion. v/ith this bill, unanimously reported from i your Committee on Indian Affairs, and ask its ; consideration ond passage to day. I will not j ask the indulgence of tfic committee long, for the j facts j.. f- w. and the principles upon which the j par.':* s i -i riieir claims are clear. In 1832, all | the land* upon which the Creek nation held any | claim, cum oi tire Missi.s-ippi river, were ceded to . the i.railed .SfegtCH, and the only limit to that ces- I aion was that chief and heads of families should ! have certain reservation when the land was sur- I veyud. These were made and secured to them, j and the treaty upon the part of the Government j carried out in good faith. ! Tn 1834 laud offices were opened, and the peo- I pic invited to enter, and there settle upon these lands; t-his was done, and, in fact, not only were i the public lauds generally taken up, but nearly all those reserved likewise, so that, in tho year 1835, the settlement of the whites upon theso was large, though very much scattered. The In dians had set apart for them, west of the Mississ ippi, an equal quantity of the public domain to that which they hud ceded to us. The opening of these lands to entry by the Government was but an invitation to the people to purchase aud occupy them; and they did so, relying upon the | good faith of the United States to protect them in their possession, and to allow no depredations to bo committed upon their property. But, sir, the consequence, was that after tho Indians had sold their lands, received and squandered their pay, a largo number of them, being destitute of the means of support, began to rob and plunder the settlers : this at first was secretly done, but soon in armed bands they openly traversed the country ami at will appropriated to their own uso whatso ever they desired. The United States, # instead of gi\ mg protection to these people, had removed the i only body of troops which they had previously ; stationed in that country: and, by petition, they j appealed to the Governors of Georgia r,nd Ala > baina to preserve their lives and property. The Indian agent, who might possibly have rendered j the whites important service in this matter, had j been dispensed with ; and their only hope ofsafe -1 ty was in flight from the country, and leaving be | hind them their corn, meat, cattle, and growing (crops at the mercy of these lawless savages. Very many vppre killed in their.attempted flight, whilst all had their stores of provisions robbed, and their houses burned. Long after it was too late to rem edy the evil, Government troops reached the na tion, add succeeded in driving the Indians from their swamps and hiding places, and at the same time feeding the soldiery aud friendly Creeks upon whatsoever of provisions had not fallen into the hands of the i. ‘Miles. The result of these operations in the nation, only forced the Indians to seek anew field upon which to destroy the property and spill the blood of the wbiteman. The open war then existing between the Semi noles of Florida and the United | States, offered them the opportunity desired, and j the only hinderatoco in tho way of their accom ; plisbing their object was a small body of Govern j ment troops which had taken possession of the town of Roanoke, situated on the Chattahoochee i river, for the purp< -e of intercepting their march in that direction. Too well, however, did the In dians know our strength at that point; for, with a force sufficient to overpower our men, they entered and fired the town, murdering, indiscriminately, all who could not escape their vengeance. Soldier and citizen sought safety by flight to the neigh i boring farms ; but here they were pursued and driven away, and the homes of these planters laid j waste. They destroyed every thing which would i encumber them in their march, and then, through I sparsely populated districts, they took their way i • to the everglades of Florida, i Having presented the facts, how stands the ob ! libation of the Government to these citizens for j the payment of the losses sustained? Mr. Giddings. I desire to vote for this bill if I i cau do so consistently, and 1 therefore wish to hear the explanation of the gentleman from Geor gia upon a point to whieh he was just now allud ing. It is, whether the history of the depreda tions whieh he has just related, is not that which has characterized the proceedings prior to the breaking out of every Indian war iu New York, in Ohio, and in every part of the country ? Mr. Letter. lam prepared to show that there is a marked difference, whenever I shall have the opportunity. Mr. Crawford, We hold that one of the first du ties of the Government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of his property, and more partieu i larly that property which he holds directly from f the Government itself. This is a principle of law [ so generally acknowledged that it is useless to j argue it. The claimant referred to by this bill lire citizens: were occupying lands which the United States Government had sold them; they were living where they had the unquestioned right to live: they were violating no law, eilbeyof this Government or of the Ceeek nation : as a necessary ; consequence, they were entitled to protection for their persons and* their property. The Creek In dians bad parted with their general and their in ! dividual titles to all this territory : as a nation • they bad obligated themselves to go west, and tho ’ whites, under such circumstances, bad procured i titles and occupied the country. ft must be remembered that the United States troops whieh had formerly beeu stationed in the ; Indian country had been removed by order of the , War Department, thereby depriving the settlers of th* only *uw guftrau tee wbiob they bad againi*