Newspaper Page Text
TIIE U NlO N—•A 3O L1" I' 10 NIS M.
The following is mi ex.r u t from mi Abbess de
livered before ti e Alumni of Pr.uvemn College, b\
the Hon. J un s Aid)well, of Virginia :
“I shall be ptirdoued, I tins’, I y this midhini-, al
ready taxed too long, lor introduci >t?, in connexion
With this t it’tv o| a patriot’s duty and as an np* ropii
ate appendage to it, a < loony ivmnrk upon mi allei -
grossing and all-p.'cv i l.ng snbj> et, which d< eph, in
tensely, an 1 sternly involves it; a subject which, tho’
it t ikes hold more imine /lately and more totally of
the peculiar intcres’s and structure ot southern popu
lation, yet in its final issues, inV nveav s itself indisso
lubly with the peace, ami the b*-,pes, and the destinies I
oi us all. Il it is ever important to consider with it
admonitory reference to, its inevitable mid its dread
results, it is at this PYiinent, above all others, the most i
important, whilst the public mind is ruminating upon
it, and Indore any violent or any irrevocable act has
thru*t it mt Iwn the foi’itat fre tsni, to be iliscussei!
and de'idl'd on t ie Ii Id of battle.
“It is n >w, it' ev r w i<- t a t‘ reatentiig frown
•Cowl* an I low TS u.ioi it. fro t>, til it et d me should
be heard, I tan "ii vary pt de num hosii >l< t loose the
* word to “si iy the rna i that is th - , fellow.” l, ( > i
h*re that nsks—who h re that needs to be Ic'd that
abolition is the snbjei t mean ; that t bp < t of mon ter
omen, though perchance ot |i<» shir h—which foster
ed and forward <1 wid) a v.i! I nn.l explosive e’.ierey,
has been nude t > tour above cvi ry intru st of party,
aid above ev< rv m a ue of pclicv, by putting-into
contest the ven both and b< ing of tin- State. Pass
ing by the questions of t eoio<*, and m< nils. and
Constitutional power, and private r ii' t w H'.lt have
been imho led with ihi* sti‘■ j«wt, I h ive this only to
•ay. which my sou loin pos,t:ou. mid, theiefore, mv
keener apprehension, both as witue-s and victim o
nil its resul s. will i mV ie me to .-ay that if it be pushed
i»n by.those who are loc illy fori ign to its interests am
its dangers, tin i| it b conus t!:e i fiicient and admitted
cause of some in-ttrgen' elml ition, it will be the pa
tent not only ol unit ter able calamities to us, but of
Certain,irretrievable,and bloody undoing to themselves
—and to all.
“ Let those nmong-t you who choo-e, bewail the
existence ot slavery as a m Jcstrom in the bosom of
the southern society, but if they touch it with prag
matical, with forbidden and infatuated hands, thep
render it atn d strom to cngtdph the Union. Be ad
jured, therefore, by tli>- weal ■>! this and of coming
ages, by our own and < Inlditn’s good, by all that we
have mid al! that we hope for in the glories of ot i
land, to leave th s stih’i < t of s!av< ry, with ( very ac
countability it may imp *e, i-vi r, remedy i’ may re
quire, every a> cninnlati n of •'itfi. ifity or <>f | r< -sun
it max r ach, leave it :.ll o ti t i itie.-t and the wis
dom and th- con ci ti e o tho r upon „ horn the pro
vidence o( God mid die co -i tiifui i ot vottr t omitrv
have ca*t it. le ave it to dr in nar <t:i.l forever, uim
stop, before st. p is impossi de, the I'm ion.* lira' wav
of that destructive an I mad pl/d. •Dlliiopy which i
lighting up ! r die nat’on itself, the fir * of the’-taki;
which is rushing on. s r'de a ter stride, to strife and a
woe that may bury us all under a It nkr and wickeder
slavery than any it would extinguish. Nothing but
bittern- ss, nothing but tigjrnvatio . of I cm t and of lot
has lx?<n brought upon t'-at nnlortunate num nit ni
rash and pernicious attin; ts, the promptings of this
blind and bnlelid *pii it. have bi en put forth to benefit
They have broken down die footing he had readied,
crushed the symp ithies he b id w m, embarrassed and
aci iir-ed the fortunes th' y wi re interposed to control.
’I he ger.er. us air! elev •tm<r i dhieinc of our fee in
stitmi ns was relaxing hi bondage, lu itering his con
di’ion. lifting up l.is char n ti r. ti-rnliiu upon 1 ini du
public anxi tie-; mi l the public councils a> a great
object of provident and i ti' Jicprovis'-on.vvascliaiiging
at all point- the nsj t- t- of his fine, w hen a spirit, sent
of h’-avi ti, as it in aa. |y iniagitn <l, < "tn from abroad
to scourge bun wait a<| men vi-itati-ti; towrtn h
him fro n the arms of hs only tine an I only i-apablt
ben« factors, to throw i i » back again upon lie eaitl
•a thousand fold more S'l-pccted ami tm re sepa atee
than before; ri e tiiiu- upon him > yi rv tc'ti r it would
loosen, poi oning ev< rv file sing i. would bestow, and
filling his whole ease with demeiit'. o! h >pi lessites«.
•explosion and evil, which the heart sorrows whilst it
sh alders to think up m.
*’ H hv, th. n, per-ist ? Why abet the grow th o'
the daring of ilte po.v. r of a spirit which wisdom and
mercy plead to you with >dl their longues to silence
and to stop! Will any daughter in this assembly, the
cherish l d, the cherished and defended of a parent’s
love, blessed ’o the uttermost with the holy peace ol
perfect security, si cl.'ered tn the uttermost from tin
apprehension and the approach of every wrong, with
no enemv to dread, no ha- d to injure, no let ror to af
fright, saf- in her r oos-, s'tfe in her io-mei in e al ev
levy hour and io every pa-e. wil -lie do that w Inch.
all-vahie!e.- ‘iir it- o’ ie (s, will v-t |,e a'l-i owerltd t<
send wakefuhv s-. and wtiichi-ig and dangci and an
guish pi reliance, to t c d 'Vs ;-nd f c ' i fits. V> tin
siiniimr shade a- w>|| .is <> th- buried and bol <<.
chamber of In r-onfliei n* S'sn t ? Vv id any mother
here, a- she soothes her i< font I > its rest, am! Io k
upon its l>al-oy s| ep. an I pre- igit to her heart
bow- in gratitude to God for l.is n eri ics to her child,
thanking him that its Ide i- sail : sail 1 from l aim.
safe from vinlenit- and r v. iiee, and that all its sh.m -
bers arc guard d by a i>ali>’-power ; will ski—oh!
can she, a- the con-i qm lire of In r acts, bear to behold
the soti'hern mother st r Img mid dmddermgat every
foot-fill, mil til every noi-e wl.i-b breaks uj on die
silence of the nigh , a.i-l living f <>m 11 r pilltvvol
wakefulness and w n fi-hedm *• to Kneel and crouch up
on the cradle, weeping and sobbing in the anguish ol
her soul, over the murder mid horror that surround it?
Will the father an J the eitiz- n hail us and me- t us and
pre-s us to their lio-om, as bi Iter brethren and better
men. when we shad come up with our hands all red
# and reeking widi the blood they have made us shed ?
But if imt, then abjure die cause which involves the
crime, and the disi ipb s who support it. Friends of
the slave! they are stripping him of die wreti bed rem
nant of liberty he has left. Friends of liitmanily !
they are cruelly and recklessly staking it upon means
ol massacre and convttlsion. Frii-tuls of du-country !
they are rapidly becoming its iron homicides, cleaving
down it* iiistituti ms with murder-ns hand mid
it limb from limb. Ji yon would see t’c practical
working ot the spir t that is spoken of, the woe mid die
ruin it can occasion, go to the rptict and the pas-ive
slave of die south, pour insurrectioi'arv sentiments in
to bis ear, parade die word ol’ his condition m ar ltd
and in pictured horror before hi-eve, then trace ti e
progress ol the poison ; tra •<• it through hi-murmurs,
his resentment, hi- re-i-t im c, his pas.ions growing
deeper and darker at every s <-p, under the discipliiiv
lie provokes, until anger and nlci ration mid ngmiyof
spirit have done tli ir work, mid revenge and nririfer
have become t!i-- co up inions of his boso n—then s- e
him leagm-d and banded with others as fi ll and as fu
as UiiDwlt, the vulturo at his heart, the dagger
: nd du- t rch in his h aid, scaling into the silent mid
let inight chamber, and standing with horrid and up
lifted weapon over die parent mid the chiul, as they
slum! er ter the blow. See him! let the slit i- k, tlie
gasping struggle, the gory blade, the blazing dwelling
tell <mi the deed that i- done. For one moment, one
palsied moment, a skivering and convulsive horror
seizes upon the heart of our people ; in the next, a
dreadful wrath drives on to a dreadful retribution.—
But if the blood ot our people is ever thus to stream
in our dwellings and ooze from the bosom of the soil
that feeds us, it will cry fiotn the ground like that of
Abel, for vengeance—vengeance against the brother
hand that shed it—and vengeance would be had, tho’
every drop that was left should be poured out igi one
anguished and dying eft’m t to obtain it. Nothing, no,
nothing but Heaven could prevent a people so lashed
up to frenzy, by rage and suffering and wrong, from
pouring back tip< n the ft- Ids anj firesides of the guil
■y, that vi-itat'mn ofcalant'ity and death which h-d
.Hen sent to desolate tlgii- own. Spare us! oh, spare
us the • ti'se of a rti ittn-d b:otherliood, of a ruined,
ruim-d country. Give up your happy and unite;
country ; give it up to the madness oi some faction;
hour, to the frenzy of some fanatic spirit; let it sink
ovety. | ie l n (1( , <( . n , f s!|lu ~f | )iot }„ w ; i(
brother, mid yon will recover its libeities ami it- bless
ngs again - when the snn shall slumber in thecloud
forgitful of the voice of the morning.”
“ VI 11-n enrth’s c ti ’* Snr- nn s end nor tread,
*' ‘l'd ship’s ars <'r ft ns w ith rhe dsad,
“T<. shores nhere alt is dumb.”
“ Here upon your northern fields it was, at some
d rk and dismay ing period ol our revolution, when
army after army had been lost, when wretched am,
dispiri’ed and beaten, the boldest quailed, and the
faithfulest d spaired, and all, for an instant, seemed
to be conquered except the unconquerable will of om
glorious chit f; here it was, that rising above all th:
uigtiries and the terrors around him, lie exclaimed to
the despairing of his followeis, as if inspired of Hea
ven for his work, “ Strip me of the wretched and the
-ufierinir remnant of my soldier*, take f rom me all 1
have left, leave me a standard, give me but the means
>1 plantmir it upon the mountains of West Augusta,
and I will yet draw - around me the men who will lift
up their bli eding country from the dust and s t her
b*'e- I li’tt *• West Augusta” stands here to-day
plendinu- through me, who am a son, for the ind.vid
ua! and unbrc.Ri n heritage of Washington and h's
comrade-'. Loyal to the result as to the struggle of
the rt-vuiu ion devoted, as when her devotion wa
counted upon as equivalent to fate ; true as when y ou
ware crisped and bound to the bosom id each odv-i
n the hour ol distress, it is her hope ami her wish to
finish witii you the destinies of the nation ; arm in arm
to share w ith you in a common glorv, and perish,
w :en perish she must, only upon a common field :
dins testifying through all time, to a fidelity which
here was nothing in life could shock, and noth
ing in < eath that could destroy. Turning her eye
aid her heart upon no other, banner than the proud
>ne which floats from the capitol of the Republic, she
prays as she I oks upon it with its “stars and stripes,”
diat tn- glad shout which centuries hence may hail it
.ti ti.e land of the 1 ilgiims, may be echoed back from
the waves of the Pacific Se .s’. Heaven grant th t
generations and ages hence, some futtiri- son of the
south, honored, and welcomed, anil greeted as I have
' ecu to-day, may - stand upon this consecrated spot,
praising a- d thanking God, as I do, that he also can
say, tnesc are my brethren,and this too is my country.
r I HE PROSPECT.
t lie ?>iis‘ouri Argus justly observes that the south
"in states rapidly approm king to unanimity on
the subject of the presim-mi d election.
I .et any intelligent man take a survey of the south,
md he will be c< uvinced that the Argus is right. Io
L'crgia both tLe predominant parties are opposed to
dr. ( lay. and in fact the opposition will not be ablt
io form an electoral ti< ket in that suite. Mr. King,
formerly senator from Georgia, who separated from
t e democratic party on account of th- sub-trea-ui a
•dl. has declared that he will support the re-ehetiei,
of Air. \an Buren. The people of South Caro’in
rre as tin-nin-ous in favor i f Van Buren as they
»ere in the year 1828 in favor of General Juksoii,
■d.rn the opposition was unable to find partisans in
mflb icnt numbers to form an electoral 'ticket. In
North Carolina, at th- presidential election in 1832,
Mr. Clay was beaten by a majority of 20,000 That
sound o.d state L rapidly r< tinning to its ancient
ci mplexion. ]wo of its members of congress, who
w: nt to Wa llington, Imbued with all the pr judiees
>ui(l antipathies of federalism, have avowed themselves
in favor ol the measures ot the administration and
'he re-clc'tion of Mr. Van Bitten: the-e are Air.
Sawye , of ihe I.deuton district, and Mr. Shepard,
if the Newbern district. Mr. Junius Amis, I.He a
fi der.d member of the North C r dina I-gi-lm nr ,
tils i><> declated in fav r of the admini tr.'tion—ami
m' -ive- as ir:i«(i|i. for hi* i hance ol' sen'in.” nt, that
the pokey ol Mr Van Bttr< nis in i onfbi it i-y with
thewcHaie and inteii st of the south, and that to bt
•a s iutheii stale rights repiildieen is to I ea V T an
Btiren man. ’ I fuse faits indicate the trmpcr oi
the State of North Carolina.
It is extremely probable ti nt t-cidier Mr. Clay nor
Co neral Hariison will obtain a single electoral vote
south of the Potomac. Whcie are these federal can
(l,.dates to obtain vote* ? \Ve cannot form a conjec
ture that bears tljp slightest resemldame to probabil
ity. In Pennsylvania, the leading federalists amt
ißti-niSsons are in favor of Harri-on. Govcrnot
Rimer beaus the ledera! lit k«-t for electors pledged to
vole fm llatrison; and 'l’h widens St- vens denounced
Mr. Clay in a solemn speech before the federal anti
masonic convention. But Harrison’s friend* in that
state are but a very little mote numerous than tho-e
of Mr. Clay, and both united form but a fraction of
the electors.
Where are the federal votes for Clay or Harrison
to be found ? Et ho answers where?—N. O. Lou.
THE VICE PRESIDENT.
The following letter lias been written by the Vice Pres
ident to the. editor of a Kentucky paper.
White Sulphur, Scott County, Ky.
J tint: Stb, 1839.
Dear Sil : 1 have received your favor, in which you
have requested to know whether I had expressed a wish
to decline being a candidate for the office I now ini, and if
mH, whether I was willing to serve a second term if elect
led ; at the same time giving it as your opinion that it was
due to mvself, and particularly to my friends, that I should
no longer remain silent, as some diversity of opinion ex
isted as to ivy wi-hes and feelings in relation to the second
i-.invass for the Vice Presidency.
I have avoided the subject of yottr letter os much as I
well could, and was in hopes that it would not have been
< iHisidcred necessary that I should lake a different course.
15tit letters which J have received from other friends, on
die same subject as yours, have induced me to answer
your favor.
I haw never authorized the declaration that J was un-
« t.ling to be lh< demo'ratic candidate lor a m eond term,
it my lidluw . ilizmis ( !...*iud it. 1 hare no reasons wl icli
dtiijiot i-»isiui m, |j rst mmiimition, why I should relus
llte samp jetrfjoi) if re elected. 1 wish it, however, dis
tinctly understood that I have always di i laied to all with
whom I have conversed on this head, that 1 was not only
willing, but would most cheerfully retire, if it should be
itsceiiained that it was the wish of those who elected me
that another person should be selected to fill the place.
it my opinion, the othce ol \ ice President is one that
should not be sought, and I do not think 1 have any right
to be consulted,, ( >r should have any cause of complaint, if
anothei stiould be chosen. I had served my fellow citi
zens of my native State (Kemin ky) for thirty years as a
member of Congress in one branch or the otiier, and I
had retired from the arduous duties of public Ide. In this
r*tiir-nient I was called by the voice of the people to mv
piesent station. It was conferred as a testimony of ap
probation tor tny public services, and as a mark of their
highest confidence in niv fidelity and political principles
—so I considered when 1 accepted tlie office. Many dis
tinguished individuals Inne been named as mv successor.
If it slioold appear diat it is the wi-h of llie political
■riends wiih-.vh. m 1 have always acted that any one of
ihem should be selected as the candidate, I shall manifest
*s mm li cheerfulness in retiring fiom the service, of the
'-on c as I have to serve them when tliev have request
ed it.
\\ i o h-se sentiments I shall leave this subject in the
lands ui the people, from wli-mi all mv honors have come.
Most Rrspeclfollv.
R. M. JOHNSON.
From the New York Evening Post.
The subjoined remarks on the progress of the democra-,
tic principles, are taken from an article in the Christian
Review, a monudy periodical, devoted to the interests of
'tic Baptist denomination of Christians, and edited by
Professor Seatsof the Newton Theoloeical Institution:
1 o be convinced of the fact, that the democratic prin
ciple is making steady pro"iess in the world, we need only
cast our .eyes over Christendom. We know of nothing,
which is receiving fuller confirmation by the events that
are brought to light every year. One can hardly open a
newspaper, without gathet ing fresh evidence that the peo
ple are “ rising up as a great lion'.” They are beginning
to understand, as never before, the important doctrine, that
every man can best take care of his own interest and bis
own aflaiis. And, understanding it, they show a growing
boldnes and disposition to enforce its practice.
There is plainly a new, and a widening, and a deepen
ing current ol a free thought, flowing through the popular
mind, before which oppression, and all sorts of abuses of
power fail, as if smitten by a snpei natural arm. There Is
a widespread conviction fastened upon the people, thatali
men are essentially equal, that the rights of one are just
as important as those of am tlier, that the happiness of one
is as dear as that ot another, the liberty of one as precious,
and the conscience of one as sacred and inviolate, as that
ol anotbei. Dts- iples to this > r-ed are rapidlv multiplying
ill everv section of the cltrisii. niz.ed woild. The people
are every where awaking to the undeniable truth, that, ab
solutely, all political power and authority rightfully eman
ates from them. Themselves they consider as the only
source whence these can flow, in opposition to the princi
ple of 11 eir flowing from one as in sib*'. lire monarchy : oi
their flowing from the few, as in an aristocracy. Aid in
almost every country, in whiili these latter piim iples are
in vogpe, or constitute the basis of government, there the
democratic ptimipie is arraying itself in stern conflict
with tin ni. Led on, as it seems to ns, by a divine baud,
the people me contending for, and establishing one after
atmtlu-r, dociriues favorable to universal liberty ; and de
signed to place in every man’s hand be he ever so poor
and humble—that which is his birth right, the civil right
of doing just as he ph uses, provided th it lie invades not
the similar rights nt liis m igldmr. With this only provi
so, h is to flam his own opinions upon politics, mature
bis own lx lief itr religion, pur-ue his own business, make
choice of his own pleasures, in one wind, be the sole in
dependent aibiter oi Lis own conduct. Tlie people are
steadily asserting their,claim to govern themselves. Auc
thus, if any tax is needed, tin * insist upon the right of
saying how imicli shall be levied. If any law is to lie pas
sed, they declare that their influence shall be felt, diiecilv
or indirectly, ii. passing it. If auv groundless change be
nvidi* iti the leading principles of those who administer
the affairs of Sta'e, In y assert their piivih ge to speak in
loud terms tlirungli the b -ilol box, and tints designate Olli
irs to succeed the offriideis against tile popular w ill. Suc
cess. ii deed, has put invar ably crowned these efforts.—
Oppression still exists; abus-s are yet n-imerous : much
remains to he done. But. gencrallv, the people tire beco
ming hilly awaie ol their pri.rugatncs, and feel disposed to
stand by them manluilv.
What we h ive now stated, as generally descriptive of
the progress which the denmciatic piinciple is making in
the christianized world, -mist agree, we think, with every
reader’s observation. Were it necessary ,it would be ea
sy to establish ali that has been said. Were we to consult
tin- leading journals of the times, we should be continually
reminded of the great fact, that, win-reas a few centuries
since, governments wen- carried on mainly by court in
trigues, and the cabals of prime niiiiis'.ers and royal fa
vorites, whose macliiavelian tortuosity tint people could not
trace, and whose daik meaning they could not fashion now’,
it is necessary , that “ prince cm ounter prince, state en
counter state, and faction icutei-d with faction, on tlie
broad .ireua ot' ipre-eiitativ<• chambers, and through the
• pen runll ov.-i*i< sos an unsparing press.” Intrigues in
i our s and i alum is there max be Vet, hot tli« v are hunk in
their nature, and imp.tent tn llu-ir lesidt, as compared
widi tin- link, and complicated, a d perilous machinations
of (oiim i time*, when the de.irest interes'sof tlie people
weie mami-.-i d by a few f ‘Vurites of the king, whose cli’mt
aim, like Miralieau’s, consisted in n.akii'g words the dis
guise of their thoughts and thus, efi'ectiiaily, hiding their
measures fiom the public eye. But lite age for conducting
ilie alt iiis nt stale in ki<avi*h dtitkm-ss is gone. Tlie time
lor governing a nation by set tel cabal is past. There is a
spirit abroad, tint demands every thing relative to govern
ment to be done in open day. And the main cause of this
change is of course, attributable to tlie ascendency of pop
ular control, the vigdance ot tile press, the publicity of all
state documents, and above all the necessity there is, of
ligl ling every political battle before the eyrs of the people,
either on the floor of a house of representatives, or, as
before observed, through the columns of a perfectly free
and unshackled press.
Ely Moore, late member of Congress, from New York
city, lias been appointed Surveyor of’ tlie District and In
spector of tlie Revenue for the port of New York.
I his is another appointment that does infinite credit to
Mr. Van Buren. The recipient is one of tlie fairest speci
mens of an American citizen in tlie Union. V? ithout
friends or patronage, lie lias raised himself to a station that
ihe.proudest in tin- laud may envy. Once a journeyman
printer subsequently a member of Congress, and always
since his first appearance in public till.', a genuine friend
to liberty—free trade, ami equal rights, hisselection must
be gratilyiug to his political friends.
IX FA MODS SA C Rll. EG' E.
Under this head lit'' Moral Michigan Gazette nn
tioiiin t's n most diabolical outrage perpetrated upon
the e<;inmnitit t, in the sbaint fnl violation of the new
Catholic C‘'iii' |> of St. Anthony, which was broken
open (lining the irght by st gang of villians, ami en
tirely despoiled of ex ery thing valuable. The sacred
ornaments of the altar w ere not span (I ; ami anioni.’
the articles stolen, were a golden chalice, ami a repre
sentation of the sun, of massive silver, of great beau
ty mid valtKb
COMMUNI C A T 1 O N.
PROFESSOR COTTING’S LETTER,
C< NCLLJ EF.
I he superficial soil, | find, to be i w - o deep on an '
average: abounding in vegetabie decomposed mailer, the i
whole very finely comminuted. The immediate subsoil is a
coarse ferruginous sand and clay, intermixed with a veget
able and animal deposite two feet in thickness; two feet
moie is a very fine ferruginous clay mingled with animal
and vegetable matter. I’liis rests on a stratum of coarse
river sand, and this last on very fine sand. The. soil of
the plantation is more regular, and finely comminuted than
any I have examined South ot it. In manv others, there
are numerous small strips of white sand extending to a
distance and to some depth below the surface; but here,
although I examined very minutely, 1 could discover only
two in a field of 300 acres, and those not more than three
rods square. 1 hey Were composed of coarse white sand
and decomposed vegetables. They are at present fertile
but will soon degenerate, unless they be mixed with dav
or mail.
Much of the soil of this plantation rests on a very com
pact subsoil of variegated clay and blue argillaceous marl ;
in some places the blue mail is three inches in thickness.
It is about three t'eet from the smface, but it is not extens
ive. Under the whole, there is a stratum of shell lime
stone and calcareous mar) which crops out in the river
bank. A number of springs oi excellent water issue (rent
the bank above the limestone. The water is not affected
b\ t e lime, no trace ot it could be detected by the most
di lii ate test. Except a slight portion of iron, it is per
fectly pure.
The proprietor of this plantation with the. true policy of
<i good planter has paid some attention \.o ditching—& prac
tice which should be followed in all the counties of Geor
gia, if the planters would realize the full production of
their permanent and fertile lands. The ditches at Ford
ville are altogether, two miles in length, and it is ia con
templation to extend them as portion of the woodland is
cl-ared. In this way many low stagnant places compri
sing some of the most valuable lands have been reclaimed
and are now in cultivation.
Half the tract is not cleared, the whole is about seven
hundred acres, but the woods will soon yield to the indus
try and enterprise of the piesent proprietor. I believe the
uncleared part to be full as good on an average, as that
w hich is cultivated, it is all situated on the same level, is
strictly alluvial. lam persuaded that there cannot be bet
ter found in Decatur, or Early, on the river.
1 hr re is a similar tract adjoining the plantation, on the
river, bi longing to Dr. McKinley of Oglethorpe and ano
ther opposite in Alabama, they are ail on the same level.
From present appearances, I am led to the belief that
this is the bed of an ancient bike, or rather, that it flumed
cue of the connecting links in the chain of small lakes,
wheie the river now runs. It is difficult to account flu
di" tegular strata, the deep rleposites of vegetable and an
imal matter, and the large tracts of level land with the high
embankments, on any other hypothesis.
1 "is tr-'ct is not subject to inundations with the highest
freshes of the river, the whole being several fret above
high water mark, but through the whole, the elevation of
ho ohp part is morn than ten feet. The of the
three tracts taken together, are about three miles long, and
ot (• and a quarter wide.
Another (tact of excellent land, two miles from For
G tines on the river, is owned by James P. Holmes, Esqt.
It is nearly h vel and more than a mile wide. The alluvial
deposite is from three to four feel deep, consisting of
vi iy fine Hay, marl and vegetable and animal decomposed
matter. Ihe elder of stratifiialien is as follows. 1. Ve
getable deposite with cnmmiuuted sand, day, marl and
mica. 2. A tenaccous day. 3. Coarse sand and gravel.
4. Ski ll limestone which forms the bod of the river. Part
"I it has been an Indian field, and in cultivation from time
immi mofial, it is still very fertile. The deposite is near
ly an impalpable powder, yet it is not liable to butt., in
< onseqtience ol the sand and day, being duly proportioned.
I lie surface near Fort Gaines is undulating and billy
Some of the hills are from two to three hundred feet high,
composed of ferruginous sand, day, shell limestone, mark
red and grey sandstone, iron ore and siliceous shell-lock.
I lie soil, even to lite summit, is fertile, and verv go d
crops of cotton can be raised on it. Even the soil of the
pine woods is superior to that on the eastern section of the
State, in consequence of lime forming a constituent, it ap
proximates to a proper soil. The growth of the bills is
pine, oak of seveial species, luckoiy, < hesnnt. cliinquepin,
&•(■. similar to the iroiintainous regions of Georgia.
In the vicinity ol Blakely, the suil is thin but contains
much fertility. Li wet seasons, it wili produce good ( tops
of rotten, and some tracts are well tali tdated for col .
1 he extensive tract of land comment ing near the junc
tion of Dry and Spring Creeks, extending to their source.*
and compiising most of their blanches although iiregular,
is extraordinary good land. Some of it carnot be surpas
sed in this or any other conntv lor d< pth ot so'o, fertility,
or quickness of vegetation. There is similar land on the
up; or part of the Cooloomnokee creek, and on the creek*
in the e.xtieme northeast of the comity. The soil is pecu
liar, such as I have never discovered in any part of Grot -
gia, I must omit a description of it until I have analysed it.
Ii contains much in n, sand, and a peculiar kind of clay
with some lime, but what the proportions are, w hich caus
es such fertilizing properties, I am not prepared at present
to say. *So far as appearance of the pr< sent vegetation
goes, it is the most productive bind in the comitv. 1 have
no doubt of its permanency it ptoporly managed, from
'he depth of soil, and the tact ot its containing lime tlirougli
out ; but tho practice of deep ploughing with a coulter
plough, is indispensable, if its fertility is to lie persevered
\ssome persons judge of the goo-Ines* of land by the natural
growth, I took pains to ascot tain the dimensions of cer
tain trees growing in field Ko. 9, at Bolingbiook, the plan
ation of Maj. Robei t Taylor. Almost eveiy species of
(lee, glowing in the low country of Georgia, as well as
shrub, is found here of an enormous size.
A cypress was measured and found to be 24 ft. 5 in. in
girthat three feet from the ground it was perfectly sound,
and preserved its Uniterm taper to the limbs.
A Black Cherry, 12 feet, five indies.
A Sassafras, 9 feet, five inches.
A Grape Vine, 6 fret.
The Magnolia grandiflora, Tupelo, Wahoo, Sweet Gum,
Led Elm, \\ bite and Red Oak, Ash, Black Walnut, Pop
lar, &.c. grow here to an uncommon size.
You request some account of the bluff at Fort Gaines.
The first bluff on the summit of which the village is situa
ted is 178} feet above low water mark. The Geological
formation in a descending series is as follows :
1. Siliceous white sand.
2. Ferruginous sand and clay'.
3. A stratum of fossil oyster sl-ells.
4. Green sand, or green marl.
5. Shell limestone.
6. Siliceous shell rock.
7. Giey sand stone.
8. Coarse sand and gravel.
I he above stratum of green sand wil be highly valuable
foi resuscitating worn out lands. It is in great repute
among the farmers of New-Jersey and Virginia and in Eu
is considered prefl-rabie to Plaster of Paris.—
I his is lhe (inly locality of well defined green sand that I
have yot discovered in the low country ot Georgia.
A spring issues out at the base of the bluff neai low wa
ter inai k, whicli I have no doubt, it proper care be taken
to secure it from the encroachments of the river, will be a
valuable discoveiy for the citizens of this village. I find
on titinalysis that it contains the following mineral substan
ces.
1. Sulphuretted hydrogen.
2. Bi-caibonate of lime.
3. Caibonate of magnesia.
4. Sulphate of iron.
It is as highly charged with lhe above ingredients as anv
water of the kind 1 have examined in the State.
I' ort Gaines will unquestionably become a favorite resort
for those of the low country of Florida who ure in pursuit
of healthy summer retreats. It i a „ beautiful table land,
on the summit ol .he bluff, directly at the river, on which
p!y tw< De steamboats, from the Appala, |,i, <da Bay to Co
lumba* Ibis place ls the head of summer navigation.
It is tn North lattmde So deg. 34 min. Longitude, west
hum Gieenwi. hBS deg. 9 min. Ils heigbi above the At
lantic Ocean is 312 feet. It is nearly in the same paral
lel of latitude as Darien, yet it is 342 feet higher, and uear
la as high as Applingtun Columbi i county. It is 277 feet
higher than Savannah, and 97 feet higher than Augusta.
It commands an extensive prospect up and down the river
and of th** high lands of Alabama.
I he water used for domestic purposes is pure, and I can
discover no local cause of disease. The substratum is
shell limestone, but this does not affect the water of wells.
In the rear of the town where the Female Acedemy is
located, there is another elevation of 127| feel making in
the -vli' le 3 6.} feet from low water maik. In all human
foresight, tins must eventually be a place of muce business,
already there is a good portion transacted. It is the prin
cipal iat ding for the planters tn the neighboring counties.
As far as I am able to determine, the citizens are moral,
enlightened and entetpiising. Attention is paid to public
worship on the Sabl.athj and to education. There is a
flourishing Male and Female Academy, and arrangements
are making to erect the present season, a handsome church
in the centre of the village.
I - fee from itividuotis distinctions, I must candidly state,
that 1 know of no place in Georgia, which 1 have yet ex
amined, in which 1 could more cheerfully spend the re
mainder of my days, than in the vicinity of Fort Gaines.
I anticipate the time, and that at no distant day, when
these hills will be ornamented with elegant dwellings, and
peopled with a moral and enterprising community. Na
ture has been lavish of her beauties, let man do iiis part-
I have thus, sir, endeavored to answer your letter, by
giving you an abstract of the survey of lhe two counties.
Early, 1 consider to possess the most good land. The
whole of it is comprised in the great shell lime formation,
and has a deep, permanent soil. It affords healthy situa
tions, as much so, as any county I have examined. It is
comparatively level, and no part liable to be denuded, or
washed, but a small part in the vicinity of Fort Gaines.
With sentiments of esteem,
JOILN RUGGLES COTTING,
State Geologist of Georgia.
Gen. Wm. P. Ford. .. .
THE VICTORIA MANIA, OR A DAY IN PHILADELPHIA.
I lately left my native town in the country with the
intention of spending a day in Philadelphia, and for
that purpose, I took the steamer Robert Morris, at
Wilmington. hen I landed at Dock-street wharf, I
fancied I was in some city in the English dominions.
T he moment I landed on terra lirma, I espied a large
placard posted on a wall at the corner of a street; it
run as follows:—“ The splendid painting of her Ma
jesty, Q'leen A ictm ia, still continues open at the Ma
sonic Hall.” I walked a little further, when f stopped
opposite a fashionable barber shop —at the window,
among other articles, was a variety of hair brushes,
with a portrait of “ her most gracious majesty” on
them. I was very much surprised to see this, hut, on
turning the corner, I noticed lhe words, “Her Majes
ty Qaren Victoria.” in very prominent characters, and
found out that it was a recommendation of some tooth
powder, because she patronized it. I entered the Ex
change—the first thing I saw was a bust of her Ma
jesty standing on the numtlepiece. I walked out, and
doubted in my own mind whether the days of old bad
not returned, and we were yet bowing beneath the
sceptre of England. I strolled up Chestnut street,
saw at an auction some Yankee clocks for sale, with
a Y ictoria portrait f'or an ornament, I stopped at a
perfumer’s to purchase something in his line, saw some
“ Queen Victoria soap, composed expressly for the
coronation.” After having made a lew purchases, I
crossed the street, and, at a hat store, in Bank place,
saw some “ Victoria riding hats,” and an engraving
oi “ Her Majesty,” mounted on a white charger, air
ing herseli in Windsor Park, on Friday, September
8, 1838, at 27 minutes past 10 o’clock, A. M. I
walked oil and stopped at a cigar store, where, among
other catchpennies, saw' “ Victoria canes,” “Victoria
riding whips,” &c. Kept on, and was opposite a dry
goods store where “Victoria lace,” “Victoria muslin,”
and “ Victoria gloves,” were f'or sale ; continued tny
walk, and saw a great crowd opposite a bonnet store
—thought somebody was liurt-asked what the matter
was, and found that the true “ Victoria shape” was to
be seen there. I walked on and met a man with a
tray on his head, full of plaster images, among which
“ Her Majesty’s” bust was very prominent. Passed
the M asonic Hall, where “ her Majesty is for exhibi
tion.” Whilst 1 was reading a transparency, stand
on the pavement, something was thrust in my face,
and a cry at the same time announced, “ buy a Ledg
er, Genius, Times,” and something else ; 1 got the
two first. On opening the Ledger, the latest news
from England was, “the Queen was in perfect health.”
In the Genius there was a notice of an old woman who
sold “ V ictoria bean soup.” I had now walked a'
mile. Crossing Tenth street, I.saw a muslin trans
parency with “ Sidley’s Victoria—last day,” painted
on it. I stopped to look into a music store. There
was the “Victoria grand march,” the “Victoria quad
i rilles,” &.c., Lc. M hen I had feasted my eyes on the
; many fine ornamental instruments of music, &.c., I
heard a mounful noise; turning round, a poor rugged
urchin wished me to purchase a paper of pins. 1 did
I so and put them in my pocket, having first noticed
■ that they were patronized by “ Her Majesty Queen
i Victoria.” I could bear this no longer; 1 event down
into an oyster cellar, got something to eat, and walk
ed as fast as I could to the wharf; there was no boat
to go until the next day, so I had to go to the “Balti
more,” formerly “ Victoria House,” where I went to
bed and fell into an uneasy slumber. At day-light, I
got up and went down to the wharf, and got on board
the steamboat as well as I could. Saw a fine brig
with the English ensign flying. “What is her name?”
said I, “ O,” said a little boy, “ that’s the Victoria.”
I turned my head away, and saw a man coming up to
me with a yery mysterious air; be commenced telling
me that he was a poor man, who was obliged to sell a
few trifles, as he was palsied and could not work. •
“ Well, what have you got?” said I. He had a little
basket with him, which he opened, and drew out a
pull’of “ Queen Victoria's Family Pills this cap
ped the climax of Victorias. I got a box out of pure
compassion, and they, like most other pills, tin ned out
to he a mere shave. The time drew near to start —
the last bell rung, the hawsers were taken in, and I
took my leave of Philadelphia—but think that the
name of Victoria-delphia should be given it.
A. D. F.
EXPRESS MAIL.
The Washington Globe says,—“ We are reajtested
to state, for the information of those coneerneu, that
an arrangement, by which the great mail is to be
transported between New York and New Qrlenns iu
nine days, will take effect on the first of next month,
(inst.) In consequence of this improvement, the ex
press mai! between Augusta, Ga., and Mobile, Ala,
i as wi ll as the branch now in operation between MonV
j gomery. Ahi., and Nashville, Tenn., will cease <&
run on that dav.”