Newspaper Page Text
SATURDAY, FEB. 20.
The Charleston Mercury.
The Edgefield Advertiser, io publishing the re
cently issued prospectus of the Charleston Mercu
ry, says with much truth, that “ The Mercury is a
paper of many proud associations. For years it
has occupied the position of a leading southern
journal; and by its devotion to southern rights
and interests, has well sustained itself in that en.
viable attitude. Boasting, in its long and brilliant
career, a succession of talented and spirited edi
tors, its very name has come to be thought of as
inseparably connected with the intelligence and
chivalry of the sunny South. Under its present
efficient management, it cannot well fall below its
established popularity, or do discredit to its histori
cal antecedents. Its proprietors and conductors
have onr best wishes for a continued increase of
the weal and prosperity of their old and favorite
press.”
The Mercury is published daily at ten dollars
per annum; tri-weekly at five dollars, and weekly
at two dollars. The editors and publishers are
Messrs. Hkaht A Rhett.
Large flocks of wild pigeons were recently
seen in the neighborhood or above Columbia.
Gen. Lamar, at last accounts, was at Grey
town, and expected shortly to reach Managua.
The Macon Messenger announces the death j
of Rev. Daniel F. Wade, an old and wealthy citi
zen of Houston county. He died recently while
on a visit to Alabama.
The same paper states that Orin D. Tucker, a
highly respected-citizen of Houston, died on the
20th of January.
In & letter to the editor of the New Orleans
Picayune , from Aspinwall, dated Feb. 3d, the
writer says: “ A gentleman from Greytown tells
me that it will be impossible for any company to
open a line to California, across that Isthmus, in
less than four months, even if the different claim
ants stop quarreling. He says all the boats are
nearly destroyed, the machinery having rusted and
been broken, and the vessels being rotten. It will
also take some considerable time to repair the
transit route.” _
War between Brazil and Paraguay is now j
considered very probable. In view of this distur
bance, Paraguay will be in rather bad condition to
resist the demands of the United States for the
outrage to the Water Witch, and the offenses com
mitted against our countrymen.
The Recorder of Memphis recently fined
the fire companies of that city for running their
engines on the side walks, while the streets were
so very muddy and boggy as to preclude the pos
sibility of moving forward the engines by the
force usually employed. The tine by the Recorder
has justly excited the indignation of the firemen,
and some trouble is anticipated. The companies
met last week and determined to remain inactive
until their appeal to the public sentiment shall
have relieved them} from the odious infliction of
the injustice done them.
workshop of Mr. Wm. M. Watkins, ]
two houses belonging to Dr. McGaughey, and the ]
still house of Mr. Ki;ssel Shepherd, in Walton 1
county, have recently been destroyed by fire, and j
is supposed to have been the work of incendiaries. ,
3ST The Charleston Courier, of Thursday morn- i
ing, says: “ The morning train which left Augus
ta yesterday, on the South Carolina railroad, did
not reach this city until midnight. The detention
was occasioned by the burning of several cars of a
cotton freight train, which occurred a short dis
tance below Kidgeville. The fire reached the
stringers of the road, and consumed them for some
distance; and, in consequence of this and the ob.
struction by the burnt cars, the passenger train
from Augusta was detained as above stated.”
J3gf” A lady by the name of Mrs. Johnson, residing
in Forsyth county, according to a statement by j
Dr. Maxey, recently gave birth to a boy child,j
which weighed fifteen pounds. The child was, and
continues, in good health.
The New Orleans LeUa, the Vicksburg
Southron, and Memphis AcaUn,.ohe, have bein
scoring Manager Crisp with editorial hashes.
Kansas. —The" Territorial legislature of Kansas
has passed a bill through both branches providing
for an election of delegates to a new Constitution
al convention. The election of the delegates is to
take place on the second Tuesday in March.
A Significant Attitude. —The members of the
Virginia legislature are said to object to the posi
tion of the new statue of Washington, in Ihut the
eyes are turned-to the House of Delegates, while
the index finger of the right hand points signifi
cantly, in the direction of the Penilentiiry !
Ex-President Filllmore’s marriage took place
quite privately in Albany, only his son, Judge
Hale, and a few other friends being present. The
bride is the widow of the late Ezekiel C. Mcln
tosh, and she has foi; some time occupied the
“ Schuyler Mansion,” formerly the residence of
Alexander Hamilton, (where he married his
wife,) and subsequently occupied by the celebra
ted Col. Schuyler. The bride will accompany
her husband to Buffalo to reside.
The venerable widow of President Harrison has
been for a considerable time confined to her bed
at the residence of her son, J. Scott Harrison,
near North Bend. Old age, rather than any par
ticular disease, has asserted its influence upon a
naturally robu.- organization. The venerable iady
is now eighty years of age.
Interesting from Central America. —Advices
from Nicaragua announce that the treaty nego
tiated between Mr. Y risaeri and our government
had been ratified, and also that the treatv betw en
Costa Rica and Nicaragua had been rejected by
the first named Republic. These events would, it
was thought, lead to the renewal of hostilities.
There were great rejoicings in Granada on the re
ceipt of the news of the capture of Gen. Walker
by the United States naval forces.
At the suggestion of several southern gentlemen
the Secretary of the Interior has requested Gen.
Luther Blake, of Georgia, to join Col. Rector and
Major Garrett, Indian Agents at Tampa Bay, to
aid in effecting the peaceable removal of the Semi
noles from Florida. The General’s influence with
Billy Bowlegs and his tribe, now occupying the
Everglades ofFjorida, warrants the belief that ere
long they will consentto join their brethren West
of the Mississippi;
The les Crop.— All speculations in regard to the
ice crop, at the North at least, may now be set
aside. We have accounts from Boston, Maine,
New Hampshire, Albany, and along the North
river, which state that the ice from eight to eigh
teen inches in thickness is now baing harvested,
with a fair prospect of the quantity increasing.
Serenade op the Ex-President.— A large num
ber of citizens paid ex-President Fillmore and lady
the compliment of a serenade at the Schuyler Man
sion, in Albany, on Wednesday night l(nh inst. Mr.
Fillmore did not make his appearance, but he. ap
preciated the compliment. Judge Harris ad
dress ail the concourse on his behalf.
St. Louis, Feb. 15.—George Smizer, late collect
or of St. Louis county, is a defaulter in the sum of
one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
Annapolis, Feb. 15.—The Saint Anne’s Episco
pal church was destroyed by fire to-day.
(The Kansas Question in Congress.
Gen. Calhoun, the President of the late consti
tutional convention of Kansas, to whom, accord- <
ing to the schedule, adopted by that convention, 1
the returns of the first election under the Constitu- i
tion, for a Governor, members of the legislature, <
and State officers, were made, has determined, it ]
is stated, to withhold the result of that election, i
until the Kansas question, as now presented in 1
Congress, is disposed of. The result of that elec
tion gives the State organization to the Black Re- \
publicans or to the Democrats—makes Kansas a j
free or a slave State—and the reason, we imagine, \
which induces Gen. Calhoun to withhold it is that <
the question of the admission of the State under '
.the Lecompton Constitution may not be affected by
it, but may be determined upon its own merits. Os
the admission of Kansas into the Union under that
Constitution, we have now scarcely a doubt. The
action of the special committee of the House, at its
first meeting on Wednesday, in refusing to go, in
their investigations, into the facts connected with
the formation and adoption of that Constitution,
beyond the Executive department, indicates the de
termination of a majority of the committee to
make an early and favorable report. Even if this
is not done, the Senate will pass the bill which,
the telegraph announces, the majority of the com
mittee on territories reported yesterday, to admit
Kansas under the Constitution she has present
ed, and the Democratic party will be strong
enough to carry that bill through the House.
This at least, is the confident anticipation of the
friends of the Lecompton Constitution.
We make this statement m relation to the pre
sent position and prospects of the Kansas question
in Congress, because we observe that some of our
American contemporaries, assuming that it has
been determined against the administration and
the South, are commenting upon the fact, as an ev
idence that the Democratic party has forfeited the
great claim to southern support it has always urged,
i. e. ability to protect the rights and interests of the
South. The question has not been determined
against the administration and the South, and as
we honestly believe, never will be. The first skir
mish in the House resulted in the discomfiture and
defeat of the friends of the Lecompton Constitution,
not by the defection of northern Democrats, but
by the treachery of an American Representative
from a slaveholding State , and if our American
contemporaries must vent their spleen, let it be
upon this southern American who voted with the
North, rather than upon the northern Democrats
who failed to vote with the South.
New York Tribune and Mr. Stephens. 1
The New York Tribune of the 15th inst., con- 1
tains three editorials, devoted almost exclusively ’
to our immediate Representative, the Hon. A. H. <
Stephens, and his prominent connection with the 1
leading Administration measure of the session— 1
the admission of Kansas into the Union under the *
Lecompton Constitution. The first is an article 1
upon the Democratic caucus held in the Represen
tatives’ Hall on Saturday evening, from which we *
make the following extracts:
“ Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, an old fillibustering 1
Whig, essays to be leader of the Democracy in the c
House at Washington, a task which he seems to
find very difficult. We learu by telegraph that he
held a caucus of his hosts on Saturday night in the (
Representatives’ Hall, the object of which he de- <
dared to be to take some measures by which liis 1
party would not be subjected to the mortification \
of being so often outvoted by the Black Republi
cans, who, he declared, were constantly defeating (
them.” ' ° J
“ * * * Mr. Stephens proposes that a com- 1
mittee of half a dozen, more or less, shall be \
chosen to block out work, and enlighten members
of the party as to how they should vote, so as to J
exhibit some show of having a majority on the
Administration side.”
********
“We feel for Mr. Stephens in his efforts to keep
up a pro-slavery majority in the House, becau*w?
we know the job to be a tough one. To insure it,
it is necessary to be constantly buying up mem
bers, and watching them after they are bought up.”
The next is an article upon the same subject,
from which the subjoined extract is taken :
j “The administration members of the House held ,
• a caucus in the hall on Saturday evening to dense
the ways and means of putting through the Le
compton Constitution. The object was not avowed
in so many words, but there was no mistaking it.
To give him the most Haman-like elevation possi- i
ble, Mr. John Cochrane, the eminent free-soil can- i
vmsser and resolution-writer of 1848, was called to
the chair, with Mr. Reagan of Texas as Secretary. *
Mr. A. H. Stephens of course officiated as driver. ‘
The Herald's correspondent thus sums up his
speech:
' Mr. Stephens of Georgia, stated the object of
the meeting to be to effect if possible a concert of
action iu the Democratic party relative to the bu
siness before Congress. It frequently happened,
he said, that the Republicans were in a majority,
aud the reason why it was so was that they were
, always on the ground when the roll was called:
whereas the Democrats often absented themselves
from the liall after a certain hour in the day. He
'■ desired to remedy this in some manner. He
5 moved that a committee of five be appointed, with
. power to call meetings and attend to business gen
erally.’
“VVe thank Mr. Stephens for this emphatic attes
tation of the fidelity and energy of the Republican
' members of the House, which we are happy m
: diffusing among their constituehts, adding our own
. assertion that we believe it to be well deserved.
The fact that the Republicans and Douglas men
absolutely drove their opponents to a vote on the
reference of Lecompton, and beat them on that
* reference, every Republican but one being present
i and votiDg, is but one of many evidences of this.
We trust the Republican members will continue to
deserve Mr. Stephens’ undesigned commendations.
“But Mr. S. deals unreasonably withhis own fol
lowers, at least so far as those from the free States
are concerned. He must know that the work to
1 which he lashes them is most distasteful and un
l welcome—that they loathe and revolt at it, while
, the repugnance to it of their constituents |is still
more emphatic. Those members are doing what
their own consciences condemn, what their better
k natqre revolts at, with a moral certainty that most
r of them will be discarded by their constituents in
consequence. It isn’t fair to put men on fatigue
duty, and expect them to work on empty stomachs,
3 in such a cause. If the energetic aud capable
. leader can keep them up to the work till three P.
t M., he ought rather to praise them for standing
the service so well, and let them off with thanks.
1 J l an complain that they are not willing to do more.’
As d the last is the paragraph which follows, in
1 relation to the special committee appointed by the
• Speaker, under the resolution f Mr. Harris, of
’ Illinois:
1 “The House of Representatives,‘on a remarkably
full vote, directed a thorough and searching inves
tigation of the origin, legitimacy and validity of
Q the Lecompton Constitution, preliminary to*any
i. decisive action thereon; the minority resisting
d such investigation and insisting that the bill be
0 sent to the standing committee on Territories,
whereof Mr. A. H. Stephens is Chairman. Mr.
l " Speaker Orr, in appointing the select committee
h ordered by the House, gives a majority oo it to Mr.
e A. H. Stephens, and makes Col. Harris, who made
e the successful motion to commit and investigate,
though nominal Chairman, the head of a minority
1 only of the committee; In other words—the
House ordered a reference to Col. Harris and a
committee like him; but the Speaker overruled
e the House, and sent the measure to Mr. Stephens
t and a committee of those whom the House had exi
!# pressly refused to intrust with it.”
li These extracts show that oar distinguished Rep
_ resentative is regarded by the opposition as the
leader of the national Democracy in the House,
aud feared by them, as the member whose ability
and influence are most to be dreaded. The charge
• which they contain, that a majority of the House
7 must be bought up to secure the passage of a bill
* admiting Kansas into the Union, our readers,
. will simply regard as a fresh proof of the unblush
* ing mendacity of the Tribune.
The New Steam Sloops of War.—The five
steam sloops of war now being built have been
named by the President as follows: The one build
r ing at Pensacola, “ Pensacola;” the one at Norfolk,
“ Richmond;” the one at Philadelphia, “ Lancas
ter ;” the one at New York, “ Brooklyn;” and the
one at Boston, “ Hartford.”
The Acquisition of Cuba.
We published some time since, a memorial ad
dressed to the Senate, by citizens of Wisconsin, .
urging that the government of the United States i
should in some way, and at once, secure the island I
of Cuba. The Providence (R. I.) PM, in the fol- I
lowing paragraph, gives us another indication of i
the strong feeling which exists at the North in i
favor of the acquisition of the island: i
“Cuba is wanted. Our commercial, our manu- '
factoring, our mechanical, and our agricultural
interests, call for its purchase. We want it for its
market; we want it for its productions; we want
it for its immense wealth; we want it because it is
ours by the law of nature; and we want it because
it needs a better government.”
Acquisition ol Territory.
The Hon. Lewis D. Campbell, of Ohio, in the
House of Representatives on Monday last, asked
unanimous consent to introduce a joint resolution
providing for the acquisition of foreign territorv.
Mr. Keitt, of South Carolina, objected, and Mr.
Campbell, having moved that the rules be sus
pended and called the yeas any nays on that ques
tion, it was taker, and was decided in the negative,
—only ten members of the House voting with Mr.
Campbell, all of whom were northern men. This
vote is easily explained by the resolution itself,
the purport of which is as follows:
“ The resolution requests the President of the
United States to negotiate through the department
of State with the respective governments possess
ing or claiming the Canadas, Nova Scotia, and
other portions of North America, and Cuba, and
other islands adjacent thereto, with a view of an
nexing the same to the United States on terms
compatible with the peace and honor of the na
tions negotiating; provided, however, that in the
event of any annexation, no portion of the territo
ry should be admitted as a State into the Union
until there should be therein a sufficient popula
tion to entitle it to one member of the House of
Representatives, and until the bona fide residents
of the same, being citizens of the United States by
treaty stipulation or otherwise, should have had a
fair opportunity of rotiug on their Constitution, and
of regulating their domestic institutions in their
own way, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States.”
A most unprovoked murder took place on
Saturday night last, in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Gig.
H. Simonson, said to be a well known and worthy
citizen, was the victim. The outrage was com
mitted by rowdies, without provocation. The
community of Brooklyn were so incensed*at the
event, that a public meeting was held on Sunday
afternoon, over which Ex-Mayor George Hall
presided, and who .stated, on taking the Chair,
that the time had come when it was incumbent on
the citizens to adopt some measures with reference
to the assassination of Mr. Simonson, and with a 1
view to the protection of the lives and property of
citizens generally—it was time the public should
take an active part in the matter, as the streets of
the city were filled with young men who were
brutal in their passions, and who committed crime
with impunity. A committee was appointed to
“watch the trial of the prisoners,” and to see that
the laws are rigidly enforced.
Subsequently a Vigilance Committee was about
to be organised, something like that at San Fran
cisco, but was abandoned for the present.
This affair should be a warning to young men in
other localities besides Brooklyn, to avoid scenes
of dissipation, and all dissolute associates. Pub
lic opinion is being aroused in all sections against
the numberless idle boys and young men who, in
disregard of all law and order, congregate together
and commit acts of violence and outrages of all
kind. Committees of Vigilance “to watch the
trials” may be sprung upon the first occurrence of
an outrage, and young men should see to it in time
that their trials are not made the first objects of a
Committee’s attention.
Severe Weather.— According to the “weather- .
reports,” Vermont takes the palm for coli weath
er. At St. Jolinsbnry, on Friday morning, the
mercury was thirty-one degrees below zero; at '
Woodstock twenty-eighth below; at White River
Junction twenty-four below; at Montpelier twenty *
oelow. The ice crop will no doubt be good in ‘
that region.
Among the arrivals at New York on the 13th 5
inst., by the North Star, from Southampton, 27th *
ult., anticipated as to news, we find the names of 1
J. M. Locke, bearer of dispatches, and J. Marten
Spanish Consul at Savannah.
A party of gentlemen are now engaged in ex- a
ploring a recently discovered cave in Ohio county, ]
Kentucky, whiefi bids fair to prove as extensive as !
the great Mammoth.
News items from the Calhoun (Ga.) Plat
form, Feb. 18 th:
On Saturday last the trestle work of the bridge
across Oothcaloga creek, near Adairsville, gave
way so that an engine could not pass over. But
little delay is made, as the cars are pushed over by
hand, and an engine waiting for the' purpose, car
ries them directly on. The injury will be repaired
so soon as the water falls.
After the 18th instant the evening passenger
train will take supper at Calhoun, and up evening
passenger train at Ringgold. The down morning
passenger train will take breakfast at Cartersville,
and the up morning passenger tram at Dalton.
Conventional Interest.
The following, upon rates of interest, is from
the able pen of Freeman Hunt, editor of the Mer
chants' Magazine :
“ There are few propositions respecting which
mercantile men are more unanimously agreed than
that which affirms the inexpediency ana folly of
what are called the usury laws ; and the tenacity
with which our different legislatures adhere to their
interdict of the freedom of trade in this article of
money, is a striking instance of the propensity of
our legislators to trammel trade with laws winch
it must either violate or sink under.
“ The argument against the propriety of legisla
tive interference to regulate the rate of interest ap-
Cears to us so conclusive and unanswerable, and
as been so repeatedly and clearly set forth, not by
money-lenders so much as by monev-borrowers,
who may be presumed to have understood what
the interests of trade demand, that we are amazed
that the whole system of usury laws has not long
since been blotted from the statute books of every
State iu the Union.
“It has been justly urged, that it is plainly in
no respect more desirable to limit the rate of in
terest than it would be to limit the rate of insur
ance, or the prices of commodities. And though
it were desirable, it cannot be accomplished. The
real effect of all legislative enactments having
such an object in view, is to increase, not diminish,
the rate of interest. When the rate fixed by law
is less than the customary or market rate, lenders
and borrowers are obliged to resort to circuitous
devices to evade the law; and as these devices are
always attended with more or less trouble and
risk, the rate of interest is proportionably en
hanced.
“Fixed rates of interest are absurd, because the
value of money is constantly varying, being sub
ject to the same law that regulates other articles.
Everybody who notices the daily newspaper re
ports can see for himself that no market is more
i fluctuating than the money market. At one period
and in one state of things money is worth twice as
much as at another time and in another state of
things. Unless the legislature can stay all the
fluctuations of trade, it is idle to think of singling
out the article of money, and insisting that that
shall command a uniform price.
“Other considerations euter into the contract be
, tween the borrower and the lender affecting the
just premium for the use of money. The rate will
of course depend, in a measure, upon the security
giveb. In proportion as that is doubtful, should
the premium rise. The lender must be compensa
ted tor the risk he incurs, as well as for the use of
his funds, and it is right and reasonable that he
sbould be.
“In short, the laws to which we are objecting are
destitute of all sound basis. They are unreason
ble, impracticable, oppressive to those whom thev
profess to protect, embarrassing to legitimate trade,
and an unwarrantable restriction upon every man's
freedom. For these aiai other reasons they ought
to be abolished.”
Letter from Hon. Hiram Warner.
We publish this morning a letter addressed by c
Judge Warner, to his Excellency the Governor, j
upon the Kansas question, which, on account of its y
length and the pressure upen our columns, has £
been withheld for several days. It is unnecessary i
to accompany its publication with any comments, J
as the reputation of the writer and the importance (
of the subject discussed, will attract to it the at- \
tention of our readers. t
s
Dinner to Joseph P. Carr, Esq. f
The Charleston Courier , of Friday, contains an j
account of the proceedings at the complimentary
dinner given in that city, on Thursday last, to the ,
Hon. Joseph P. Carr, the recently elected mem- i
her from Kansas, in anticipation of the J
admission of that Territory into the Union as a ]
State. (
The assembly was presided over by C?ol. I. W.
Hayne assisted by S. G. Courtenay, Esq., and 1
Capt. Joseph Johnson, Jr., as Vice Presidents.
During the evening addresses and sentiments
were delivered by Col. I. W. Hayne, Hon. J. P.
Carr, Hon. Jambs Simons, Richard Yeadon, Esq.,
Capt. Joseph Johnson, Col. John Cunningham,
Col. R. B. Rhktt, Jr., Capt. R. D. DeTreville, and
others, and the occasion is reported to have been
one of the heartiest and most successful festivities
of the season.
We have only room to copy the following por
tion of the address of Mr. Carr, and would im
press the importance of its thorough considera
tion upon the mind of every southern man. The
future of Kansas is involved in the results embo
died in the annexed paragraph:
“ In conclusion, he paid a tribute to the effortsof
those by whom the designs of the so-called free
State party,** whose only purpose has been to create
dissention and rebellion against the laws of the
land, have been frustrated. A brighter day seems
to be dawning in the Territory. Kansas will be a
slave State. It can be kept so, if the people of the
South desire it. They have only to go in there.
It is utterly impossible for the party now in power
to maintain themselves unless they have assis
tance. The Democratic party has done all they
can do. In two years the next elections will take
place. Before that time, the Black Republicans
will send forward their recruits, and it is for the
South to say whether those who have thus far
fought the battle, shall be left without assistance
to continue the contest.”
We had the pleaasure last evening, through
the kindness of a friend, of seeing a beautiful oil
painting, representing the scene at our city
cemetery, upon the occasion of the recent visit of
the Oglethorpe Infantry to the tomb of their late
Captain, Andrew J. Miller. The design and ex
ecution of the painting reflect great credit upon
the accomplished artist, Mr. A. V. Sharpe, who,
we may add, is not only a denizen, but a native of
our city.
Sight Exchange ou New York, in Charles
ton, is quoted at one to one and a half per cent,
premium.
25F"The Charleston Courier, of yesterday, 19th
inst., reports the sale, at fourteen cents, in that
city, of fifty-six bales of Jethro Cotton, from the
plantation of Mr. Wilds Kolb, of Morgan county,
Georgia.
Kansas and the United States Senate. —lt is
stated that thi Democratic Senators in caucus on
Saturday last, determined that when the bill for
the admission of Kansas was reported to the Sen
ate it should be taken up and considered until
finally disposed of, without any postponement.
They also, it is said, concluded to recognise the
right of the people of Kansas to amend their Con
stitution whenever they see proper, and nothing
contained m the Constitution shall be permitted to
interfere with this right.
Seizure or the Collins Steamers.— The steam
ers of the Collins line are in the hands of the
Sheriff of New York. Messrs. Brown Brothers,
it is staled in the Tribune, have sued out a writ
ofexecution for six hundred and thirty-six thousand
eight hundred and ninety dollars, against the New
York and Xiverpoo! Mail Steamship Company,
and the steamers of the line have been attached to
satisfy the claim. Sixty days from the 28th of
January, the date of the execution, have been al
lowed the Company to raise the amount.
News items from the Chattanooga Adcer- \
tiser of the 18th inst:
Much Produce. —The ? tearaer Jefferson arrived
at her landing yesterda/, from above, with the
largest freights of produce, consisting of wheat,
flour and bacon, that has been brought down the
river in a number of years—and we understand the
spring freights will be very large. To our south
ern people who want the coarse provisions, we
can say corne along and we can supply you.
Any Quantity of Them. —The immense flocks
of pigeons daily flying over our citv are wonder
fully astonishing the natives. The woods all
around here are chuck full of them, and they af
ford fine chances for trying the steady nerve and
sure eye of the sportsman. The abundance of
acorns in the forests attracts them to these locali
ties.
Protectorate over Mexico and Central
America*
The following is the resolution introduced in
the Senate on Tuesday last, by Mr. Houston, of
Texas:
Whereas, the events connected with the numer
ous efforts of the people of Mexico and the Cen
tral American States of this continent to estabish
and maintain order and good government, since
their separation from the mother country, have so
far resulted in failure and consequent anarchy, and
demonstrated to the world the inability of said
people to effect an object alike so desirable*and so
indispensable to their welfare and prosperity:
Therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on Foreign Rela-’
tions be instructed to inquire into and report to
the Senate upon the expediency of the government
of the United States declaring and maintaining an
efficient protectorate over the States of Mexico,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, aud
Sau Salvador, in such form and to such an extent
as shall be necessary to secure to the people of
said States the blessings of good and stable repub
lican government.
From the Savannah Georgian, 1 Gth inst.
Hon* John E. Ward and the llank Veto
Meetings.
In the proceedings of the meeting held in Clinch
county, we find the following resolution, which is
similar in language and intent to others passed by
meetings in other sections:
Resolved, That the conduot of the Hon. John E.
Ward, President of the Senate, in leaving the
Chair, making his defense of the bill, and then
calling the previous question, thereby depriving
others of au opportunity of reply, calls for the
unqualified condemnation of this meeting.
Its publication in our issue of Sunday furnishes
U 3 with an opportunity, which we have desired, of
correcting the impressions which may have been
made upon the minds of tho&e who passed these
resolutions, by designing persons and for a specific
purpose, and to enter our protest against this un
fair attempt to strike down one who, though differ
ing with ourselves and others in his views on the
banking question, did only what he honestly con
ceived to be his duty to his constituents.
In the first place, then, Mr. Ward did not leave
the chair, ana make a defense of the bill and call
the previous question—and thus deprive others of
an opportunity to reply. When the Governor’s
veto message was sent to the Senate, that body
was within four hours of its adjournment and un
der the five minutes rule—which would have pre
cluded the possibility of debate had it been neces
sary. Mr. Ward was at the time on the floor in
the discharge of his duties as the presiding officer
of the Senate, signing bills, Ac. He took the chair
as was his right—and to facilitate and expedite
the business of the country, he called for the pre
vious question, and the bill was passed. We see
nothing in this to call for “ unqualified condemna
tion.”—nor can we see cause for it, in the fact that
he delivered upon the floor of the Senate, sach an
able defense of the banks, as elicited the warmest
admiration of friend and foe. It must be remem
bered that Mr. Ward represented a constituency
more deeply interested in the bank question than
P any other gentleman upon that floor.
It was his right as a Senator, to discuss all
questions which came before the body of which he
was a member, and it was his duty, as the member
from Chatham, to defend the banks and to endea
vor to allay unnecessary excitemeut and prejudice '
and to guide the minds of his fellow Senators to i
what he considered a wise and just conclusion
upon this subject. It is true that Mr. Ward is in- ,
terested in a bank himself and is the legal adviser
of others, and on this account his motives have
Leen questioned and impugned. This attack can
easily be met and successfully rebutted by the
simple statement, that Mr. Ward, as the Attorney
for the banks would have been greatly benefitteii
in a pecuniary way, if the veto of Gov. Brown had
been sustained.
Thus it would seem that his vote and speech
were directly adverse to his pecuniary interest, and
any man can easily afford to bear all the condem
nation which would follow such*an act under such
circumstances. Our sense of justice, which has
been outraged by these attacks upon Mr. Ward,
calls for this fair and simple defense in his behalf.
We have differed with nim in times past, and
differ with him now upon this bank question, but
we do not claim the right for ourselves or admit it
to others—to denounce and condemn all who differ
in opinion from them, or to single out one to bear
the burden which should be shared by many. We
see no objection to the holding of these bank meet
ings throughout the country, for the purpose cf
eliciting a fair expression of the sentiments of the
people, but if they are to be made the engines for
producing divisions in our own ranks, separations
amongst our friends, and to crush down prominent
men in our party, then they are entitled to our own
and the “ unqualified condemnation” of every hon
est and right thinking man. The question of fi
nance ana currency, is one of the most difficult and
perplexing with which any people are called to
deal. Time alone can reconcile the differences of
opinion which exist upon this subject, and demon
strate the strength and wisdom of the positions
assumed by parties on either side.
It should not be dragged as an issue into the
political arena—nor should it be used as a shield
from behind which to launch a dart at one, who, if
he has committed an error, has a goodly company
to share its responsibility with him, “ Fiat justilia
ruat oalum.”
From the Baltimore Sun, teh. 17.
Thirty-Filth Congress—First Session.
Washington, Feb. 16.— Senate. —Mr. Houston
offered a resolution instructing the committee on
foreign relations to inquire into the expediency of
the government establishing a protectorate over
Central America. Laid over.
Mr. Hale offered a resolution instructing the
post office committee to inqaire whether the trans
mission of the mails between Washington and
Boston cannot be expedited so as to prevent twelve
hours detention in York, as at present; which
was adopted.
Mr. Tnompson reported a bill to establish a port
of entry on Tom’s river, New Jersey.
Mr. Chandler reported bills making appropria
tions for deepening the channels of St. Mary’s
river and St. Clair’s flats, Michigan.
Mr. Mason called up the joint resolution for the
reception of the Turkish Vice-Admiral.
Mr. Clay objected to the expenditure of money
for such purposes. There was no limit to the
amount, and no benefit accruing from it.
Mr. Mason replied, instancing the case of the
restoration of the ship Resolute to Engtand, as
doing much towards encouraging friendly rela
tions with that country.
Mr. Seward corrected an erroneous impression
that Amin Bey was an impostor. Acts of kind
ness and courtesy, he said, although not compen
sated by money, never go unrewarded.
Messrs. Hunter and Briggs opposed the resolu
tion.
Mr. Clay referred to previous expenditures for
the reception of Turkish impostors; also to the
expenditures for wines, cigars, etc., for Kossuth.
He thought we ought to be warned by past expe
rience.
Mr. Pugh said he thought that the gentleman
who sold serfs to the Turkish Government ought
to pay the expenses of entertaining their officers.
We, said he, do not allow officials abroad to take
bribes—why should we offer them to others? He
should vote against the resolution.
Mr. Trumbull said he endorsed every word Mr.
Pugh had uttered on the subject.
Messrs. Stuart and Coliamer advocated the reso
lution.
Mr. Briggs offered an amendment limiting the
amount to five thousand dollars, which was re
jected, and the resolution as reported was then
adopted—yeas 31, nays 14.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the Indiana contested election case. By a vote of
yeas 16, nays 26, a proposition to decide the ques
tion immediately was rejected.
The original resolution pending for the taking
of testimony was then passed, and the Senate ad
journed. *
House. —Mr. Letcher, from the committee of
ways aud means, reported the deficiency appro
priation bill.
Mr. Boyce called up the Maryland contested
election case of Mr. Brooks, who contests the seat
of Mr. Davis, on the ground that the election was
carried by fraud aud violence.
Mr. Boyce argued against the prayer of Mr.
Brooks, who asked exemption from the operation
of the law of 1851, and moved that the committee
on elections proceed to take testimony.
Mr. Phillips, argued in favor of the committee
on elections having power to send for persons and
papers.
Messrs. Maynard and Wilson spoke against de
parting from the course prescribed by the law of
1851 for taking of evidence.
Mr. Hatch, while declaring that Mr. Davis’
seat ought to be declared vacant, took occasion to
condemn the American party. Other gentlemen
also addressed the House, including Mr. Bowie.
Without coming to any action, the House ad
journed.
Thirty-fifth Congress—First Session.
Washington, Feb. 17.— Senate.— The follow
ing resolution, submitted yesterday by Mr. Hous
ton, was taken up for consideration :
Whereas, the events connected with the numer
ous efforts of the people of Mexico and the Central
America of this continent to establish and main
tain order and good government, since their sepa
ration from the mother country, have so far result
ed in failure and consequent anarchy, aud demon
strated to the world the inability of said people to
effect an object alike so desirable and so indispen
sable to their welfare and prosperity: Therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on foreign rela
tions be instructed to inquire into and report upon
the expediency of the Government of the United
States, declaring and maintaining au efficient pro
j tectorate over the States of Mexico, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and San Salva
dor, in such form and to such extent, as shall be
necessary to secure to the people of said States
the blessings of good and stable republican gov
ernment.
Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, attacked the re
solution as one calculated to disgrace us in the
eyes of the world.
Mr. Houston controverted Mr. Wilson’s state
ments. He was opposed to fillibusterism, but
thought the subject worthy of consideration, inas
much as other powers had designs on the same
country.
Mr. Mason objected to referring the resolution to
the committee; on the ground that the Central
! American States would regard such an interference
as an indignity. He also doubted the policy of ex
tending protectorates anywhere.
Mr. Hale moved an amendment, as follows:
Whereas, a state of colonial independence is not
. calculated to illustrate in theory or practice a pop
; ular sovereignty and perfect freedom, therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on foreign rela
. tions be instructed to inquire with regard to ex
p tending a protectorate over Canada and other
l Brituh possessions on the American continent.
, Mr. Toombs advocated the resolution. He said
; the time for action was not far distant, and it was
[ better that the question should be considered now.
On motion of Mr. Mason, the resolution was laid
[ on the table.
1 The Army bill was debated, but no action taken.
House. —The House refused to grant the prayer
» of Mr. Brooks, contestant for the seat of Mr. H.
\ Winter Davis, from the Fourth Congressional Dis
f trict of Maryland, asking for a special commission
j to take testimony.
r The House resolved itself into committee of the
. whole, and resumed the consideration of the In
dian appropriation bill.
Kansas affairs were discossed, but no action was
j taken.
r Planters’Convention. —This body met in our
r on Tuesday, the 16th inst., aud organised bv
i calling Gen. B. H. Rutherford to the Chair, anti
requesting Gen. James W. Armstrong to act as
i Secretary. A Constitution was adopted, and reso
lutions passed, requesting papers friendly to the
t objects of the meeting to announce that a general
* convention of the planters of the State will be
t held in Macon on the second Tuesday in June
- next, and inviting planters generally to be present.
7 We have not been furnished with a copy of the
i proceedings, but will try to publish them in full in
our next issue.— Mason State Press, 16 th inst.
Unpublished Song by Burns. '
The following, addressed by Robert Borkb te
Miss Jane Jefpebt, daughter of the parish paster
of Lockmahon, Scotland, is said to hare been in
no published collection of the poet’s works. It m
very pretty, and, whether authentic or not, has the
appearance of being so :
When first I saw my Jeannic-’i face
I could na think what ailed nie • ’
My heart went fluttering pit-a-nat
•My een had nearly failed me ’
She s ae sac neat, and trim, and'tight.
All grace does round her borer •
Ae iook deprived me o* my heart.
And I became her lover,
She's ae * Bae UUlw and pay.
She s ae sae blithe and checiy—
She a ae sae bonny, blithe and gay
0, gin I were her dearie I #
O, had I Dundaa’ whole estate.
Or Hoptoun’s pride to ahine in, *■"’
Did warlike honors crown my fate.
Or softer bays entwine In,
I’d lay them a’ at Jeannie’s feet.
Could I but hope to move her.
And prouder than a peer or knight.
I’d be my Jeannkfs lover.
She’s ae, ae, sae blithe and gay, Ac.
But sair I doubt some happier swain
Has gaiaed my Jeannie’s favor;
If sle, inay ev’ry bliss be hers.
Though I can never have her!
But gang she East or gang she West,
’Twixt Nith and Tweed, all over,
W c h , lle .,^ e . n have ears, #r eyes, or taste,
She 11 always find a lover.
She’s ae, ae, sae blithe and gay, Ac.
Four Solemn Lines.
Four lines more beautiful than these are rarely
written. The figure which it involves is exquisite:
“A solemn murmur In the soul
Tells oT this world to be.
As travellers hear the billows roll.
Before they reach the sea.”
BttJTalo Express.
!• our worse lines than these are rarely written.
The figure which involves is awful:
“ A solemn murmur ’irongst the throng.
Tell how impatiently
The boarders listen for the gong.
To call them in to tea.”
Zanesville Aurora.
Four lines more truthful than these are rarely
written. The figure which “ it” involves is abso
lutely painful:
“ A solemn buzzing In your ear.
When you retire to bod.
Tells you that swilling lager beer
Is dreadful for the head.
Louisville Tims*,
SIIAKSPEAREAN INVERSION AND PERVERSION.—The
Boston Post is responsible for the following atro
city :
A cart-before-horse blunder, to my mind.
Was Shakespeare’s writing “cabined, cribbed, confined
A something in my cabin lately happened
That makes me road “confined,’’ then “cribbed” and “cabined.’
Bank Bills Under Five Dollars.
The Southern Recorder , in publishing some re
marks which appeared in this paper on the policy
of suppressing the issue of the banks under five
dollars, says:
We fully agree with the Constitutionalist in the
views expressed above, as to the injurious effect*
of the stoppage in the circulation of small bills.
This effect would not be confined alone to editors,
but all classes of society would suffer. We well
remember the great inconvenience experienced be
fore the banks were authorised to issue them, and
wish not to feel the like again. The country, for
the want of such a circulating medium, was flood
ed with private change bills, whose value was con
fined to their own locality, and beyond that point
were mere trash. Unfortunately, we still
some of them in our possession. So much do we
give the preference to small bank bills over specie,
that even at the present time, although the banks
are in suspension, we prefer them to handling the
specie.
This subject was agitated in the last legislature,
and we felt happy in seeing the effort- to suppress
them defeated. We cannot conceive what evils
have as yet resulted to the country from the use of
small bankable bills, that it should have been made
the subject of legislation at all, aud we imagine it
must have arisen from some latent spirit of retalia
tion towards the bunks, because they had been
driven into a state of suspension. “ Titfor tat ”
if you wont redem over five dollars, we wont let
yon issue any under. To all such we would say,
remember the old adage, “ don’t cut off vour nose
to spite your face.”
Wasting Time.—There is what is called a “per
sonal liberty bill” before the legislature of the
little seveu-by-nine State of Rhode Island and
Providence plantations, which is thus spoken of
by the Providence Journal , the leading Black Re
publican paper of the State:
“The doctrine of the bill is right; the only things
in the way are the Constitution and laws of the
■United States. If any method is found of getting
around these, we hope the General Assembly will
immedialy turn its attention to the admission of
Kansas under the Constitution which the people
have adopted. This is also a very jest, measure,
and we are certain that our General Assembly has
as much power over one subject as the other.
From the New York Journal of Commerce.
American Sweet Oil.
A few days since we received a letter from Mr.
Holt, Commissioner of Patents, in reference to the
cultivation of the Beue Plant, and he referred us ta
the Patent Office Report of 1654, which he sent ns
for information, saying that the statements on ibe
subjects contained in that Report requtred greater
publicity.
Several years ago, when the house of Suydam
and Wycoff were In business in New York, they
received from a correspondent in the State of
Georgia a consignment of bene seed, which they
sent to an oil mi!! for pressing out the oil. One
cask of oil was produced by cold pressure, and
several casks by hot pressure. The cold pressed
oil was colorless aud flavorless, a most beautiful
article for table use; the hot pressed was a little
colored by heat, and had the flavor of nut oil.
We purchased the whole lot, and sold it to Messrs.
Clark, then extensively engaged in the druggist
trade in Maiden Lane. They paid us either two
or three dollars per gallon for the cold pressed oil,
and about two-thirds that price for the hot press
ed, as near as we can recollect—for it was about
thirty years ago. This oil did not congeal by
cold, nor become Tancid by age.
The information contained in the Patent Office
Report of 1854, is as follows:
“Statement of H. M. Bry, of Monroe, Washita
parish, Louisiana:
“ In 1843, I sent six teen bushels of seed of the
“bene” plant (Seiamutn Oritn'a'e ) to a mill in Cin
cinnati to be manufactured into oil. It yielded
thirty-nine gallons of clear oil, and about five
quarts of refuse oil, or about two and a half gal
lons to the bushel.
“ In consequence of the mill imparting the fla
vor of flaxseed, I could not use it as a salad oil,
for which purpose I am confident it would be
superior, when pure, to the adulterated imported
olive-oil. I used it, however, as a substitute for
castor-oil, and gave 'a considerable quantity away
for that purpose. All who used it, praised it high
ly, both for its gentle purgative effect and from
being free from the nauseous taste peculiar to
castor-oil.
“I cannot state with certainty how much seed
this plant will produce to the acre, but believe that
twenty bushels is a moderate estimate.*
“The leaf of the plant is an excellent remedy for
bowel complaints in children, and also in adults.
For this purpose, two or three leaves are put in a
tumbler of water, which they immediately render
mucilaginous, but impart no disagreeable taste.
The negroes c uitivate it for food, using the parch
ed seeds with their meats.
“ I consider it so useful that a few stalks at
least should be raised in every garden. And I
believe it will soon be extensively cultivated for
manufacturing oil, yielding as it does, about a
gallon to a bushel more than flaxseed.
“I doubt whether it will mature well North of
latitude thirty-six degrees. It should be planted
as soon as the frost is oat of the ground. Poor land
is best suited to its production, as it branches too
much in rich soil, because the pods are more liable
to shatter from the branches than from a single
upright stem. The seeds should be planted in
drils three feet apart, aud six inches distant along
the drills.”
There is no doubt tSfe bene plant can be cultivat
ed to great advantage at the South, and the
manufacture of oil from the seed would be attended
with profit to the producer and advantage to the
public.
The seed was first brought here from Africa,
where it is extensively used. I have thought this
notice, thus early in the season, would enable
those who may be desirous of cultivating the plant
to obtain seed in time for spring sowing. E. M.
Brooklyn Heights, Feb. 11, ISSB.
Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne brings with her from
. California, as nett proceeds of thirteen months act
, ng, the snug sum of twenty thousand dollars.
* The maiden name of the present Mrs. Fillmore
i was Miss Van Loon, daughter of the late Peter Van
Loon, of Albany, N. Y.