Newspaper Page Text
Unto*, April 6.
Soo.hoTn CommerciH, Convcnuon.
„ to L Stati in the
bj Gorerno -’ j Convention, which is to as
£ffiSSsS£ Alabama,' ou the second
I^^ , S2 S jsa#wHste
B. Gilmer, V 'l> l ■ i^nYWart'c r, llm.- Holt,
Herscbergl-j™"' 1 *> ci^V;s } Jenkins, Win. fl
#c&S ! 3
Krep”^’™ o "' johu w - Andt "' 3on * A - R -
Lamar, of Chatham. ■ , .William Dongb-
Bichard H.
Zltet William «■ %-^”; hingt( , n Poe>
Rl d b ’n?bb- Pete h r W.’Alexander, Upson; D. P.
"«& n bb ,’. r Peeples, Monroe; A. i. Owen,
TalbotGeo’rge R-
W fhLr(®’ District.- Hon. Edward Y.
m h b -Ztx: %.£rs^:
S° gge f'r u hon ’Robert J. Cowart, Fulton ; John
Cobb; Wm. C. Darnel DeKalb; Wm.
T Harris Memwether : Hugh Buchanan..Coweta.
'congressional District.- John H. Lumpkin,
H V M Miller, Floyd: S. Fouche, Floyd;
Floyd, H-' • ®.’ Wm. k Wofford, Cass;
lmdsav Johnson, Cass’; Joseph Pickett, Gilmer;
o'„J. S Fain, Gordon; C. B. Wellborn, Whitfield;
District. —Sumner J. Smith,
Towns - Robert McMillan, Habersham; Asbury
Hull Wm L- Mitchell, John Billups, Clark ; Wm.
* liwis Forsyth ; James P. Simmons, Gwinnett;
SamuffiKnox, Franklin; W. Boyd, Lumpkin; S.
Congressional District. —Augustus
■Reese Geo. R. Jessup, Morgan ; Permetus Rey-
Newton; Miller Aneve, Sr., S
R M. Orme, Sr., Baldwin; David W. Lewis,
Hancock; John W. Burney, Jasper; Robert R.
Bannov Twiggs; Junius Wingfield, 1 utnarn.
sghth Congressional District,—lsaiah T Irwin,
Wilkes; John Milledge, James T. Ntsbet, W.
Gibson, Thomas Barrett, Richmond; A. J. Law
son, Burke ; A. R. Wright, Jefferson ; E. H. Pot
tle, Warren; Robert Hester, Elbert; Dr. Willis
Willingham, Oglethorpe.
from the Charleston Courier, April 7.
Tiiit to the lion. Edtvard Everett, in 185 G
In the summer or fall of 1856, we were at Bos
ton in the midst of the excitement of the Presi
dential electiou; witnessed the grand torch light
procession which hailed the return of bully Bur
lingame from his western tour, and heard bis
braggart speech out of Brook’s ear-shot; saw the
magnificent procession and pageant, attending the
inauguration of Franklin’s statue, on the site of
his old school house or play ground, and feasted
on the Ciceronian tones and rich thoughts of the
accomplished Wmthrop, who delivered the inau
gural oration; and also partook of the various
sights and enjoyments, which the modern Athens
and its environs abundantly afford the transient
visitor. Shortly after our arrival, we made a morn
ing call on Mr. Everett, whose acquaintance we
had the good fortune to make, and whose surpass
ing oratory we had enjoyed, during the great Pil
grim celebration at Plymouth, in 1853. The gifted
orator and distinguished patriot received us with
» cordial welcome, and delighted us with social
and general converse, embracing a wide and in
teresting range of topics, for a winged hour.
While at his noble mansion, in Summer street,
we embraced the opportunity to note the pictorial
and other adornments of his parlors, and his li
brary, all on the second floor of the building.
Perceiving our evident interest in his paintings
and statuary, Mr. E. took a kindly pleasure in ex
hibiting and explaining them to us.
In his fine parlor were admirable portraits of the
first four Presidents of the Republic, Washington
John Adams, Jetferson, and Madison; of Daniel
W T ebster, in his youth, yet in all his grandeur of
forehead and intellect; ot the late Peter C. Brooks,
Mr. E.’s father-in-law, and of Mrs. Everett; ex
quisite paintings of the exterior and interior of the
Villa Carreggi, near Florence, which Mr. E. occu
pied, with his family, as a residence, during his
sojourn in Italy, whence he was called to the Eng
lish Mission, and which he graphically described
in his celebrated Dorchester Address—and also his
own bust, by Powers. In the same apartment were
excellent engravings of the Duke of Wellington
and Sir Robert Peel, presented Mr. E. while Am
bassador to England, by those distinguished per
sonages. The illustrious Duke accompanied his
gift of the counterfeit presentment of himself
with an autographic note, carefully deposited and
preserved by Mr. E., under the glass cover of the
engraving, in the following words;
“ London, August Oth, 1545.
u My Bear Sir: I have the honor of sending
you an excellent impression of the painting, made
of myself, by the late Sir Thomas Lawrence.
This is supposed to be the best of all that have
been published. I have signed my name uoon it.
Ever, my dear sir, Yours most faithfully,
Wellington.
Hon. Edward Everett.
Among the treasures of the small parlor were an
original painting of Coleridge, from the pallet of
Washington Allston, by which Mr. E. informed us
he set great store, remarking that it was a great
painting of a great man, by a great artist; a copy
of Guereino’s much admired “Svbil,” in the Tri
bune at Florence; Petrarch’s Laura, from the
graceful pencil of J. S. Osgood ; “ Birds,” by Au
dubon, an original oil painting ot that great orni
thologist ; portraits of his daughter (Mrs. Henry A.
Wise, wife of a nephew ot Gov. Wise, of Virginia,
resident in Washington, D. C.,) and of his young
est son. He there showed us also a precious relic,
in a lock of hair of Napoleon 1., given to Mr. E.
by the Prince of Canino, the great Nupoleon’s
nephew.
The library, into which a door opens, from the
large parlor,*is a spacious and elegant apartment,
elongated in form and oval at the farther end,
most beautifully and commodiously arranged,
decorated and furnished, and stored with valuable
books, in rich and durable binding—we doubt
whether a more elegant and commodious private
library exists in our country. It is in this literary
tarctuvi and intellectual mine, that the illustrious
statesman and orator gathers and assimilates those
materials which, blended with his own original
musings, produce those noble, philosophical and
ornate addresses, which instruct the public mind
and charm the general ear, and place their author
on & level with the most famous orators of ancient
and modern times. In this sanctuary of mind
and literature, and store-house of varied knowl
edge, the arts are as highly honored as in the
other apartments, and one may enjoy the com
panionship of both living and departed greatness.
There are to be seen portraits of Grotius, Edmund
Burke, Washington, Samuel Rogers, Lord Aber
deen, Webster, and Lord Brougham, with
the busts of Henry Clay, Chief Justice Marshall,
Peter C. Brooks, John Quincy Adams, Shakspeare,
Sir Walter Scott, the Rev. Dr. Channing, Homer,
Antinous, W. H. Prescott, and the’Prince ot Wales
(son of Albert and Victoria) in the character ana
costume of a sailor boy. In addition, are four
bronzed casts of warriors of the fifteenth and six
teenth centuries, and an Italian deer hound, by
Greenough, from life. ,
As the gifted proprietor of this literary and ar
tistic treasury will soon revisit our city, to instruct
and delight us with bis delineation and lllustra
tioDS of she character of Washington and to open
our hearts and purses to melting charity. as well
as to do homage to the shade of The Father of
our Country,” we have revived the foregoing
reminiscences for the gratification of our readers.
As perhaps, not altogether out oi place, we
close this stray leaf from the chapter of memory,
with the following play of mingled compliment,
and wit between Mr. Everett and one of his
most eminent, but now deceased contemporaries,
the learned and illustrious Judge Story premis
ine howeTer, that, although it is an old story,
we’are not sure that our version cf it is alto
gether accurate, either as . respects place or
W< At S ßome festive occasion, connected with Com
mencement, at old Harvard, Judge Story, hav
ing been called on for a sentiment, after appro
priate introductory remarks, gave
“The Hon. Edward EoerM.— Fame follows
merit where Everett {ever it) goes.
The uproarious and deafening applause, called
forth by this ieu d’teprit, haviug subsided, Mr.
Everett rose, repaid with usury the compliments
and laudation he had received, and gave, in re
turn, „ . . .
“lhe Hon. Joseph Story.— No eminence, in vir
tue, learning, or jurisprudence, can rise higher
than one Story."
1 Prom the Richmond Enquirer, Aprils.
Moout Vernon to be Purchased by tbe
Ladies.
In publishing the following correspondence be
tween “A Southern Matron and Mr. W ashington,
we are happy to announce that tb«sW*?TL'fec of
Mount Vernon to Mctuit Vovpon Asso
is now a fixed fact.
The evidence of this will be laid before the pub
lic as soon as certain necessary legal preliminaries
can be arranged:
Richmond, March 12,1558.
Mr. John A. Washington — Dear Sir : The bill
providing that Virginia should purchase Mount
Vernon, on the faiththat the purchase money was
to be refunded by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Asso
ciation of the Union, was called up in the House
of Delegates to-day, and defeated by a vote of
twentv-nine to fifty-seven.
For more than four years, through three succes
sive legislatures, has the mother State been im
portuned to secure to herself the possession, for all
time, of the grave of that immortal son, whose
fame has been the glory of her past history, and
is the source of her present power and influence
in a confederation of States. _
To our earnest petition to grant Virginia, once
again, an opportunity to become the custodian of
his grave, you reluctautly yielded, and only with
the assurance that this, the third, should also be
the last opportunity offered her, ever to secure this
precious charge.
We joyfully accepted this condition, with no
fear as to the result, for we knew that patriots of
almost every section were anxious to be permitted
a share in ttiis custodianship, and would pledge
themselves to pay the purchase money, and bear
the expense of future care and preservation, only
to obtain that simple boon. ,
AVe grieve to announce to you that wc erred in
judgment, and that a majority of the General As
sembly of the old Coinm'onwealth has placed on
record—never to be effaced from the page of Vir
ginia’s history—that she did not desire to possess
Mount Vernon, either as a gift or a purchase.
By the law of our confederated government,
Congress cannot purchase land in a sovereign
State, without the consent of, and cession of the
title bv, the State in whose domain the property
lies. Virginia, through her Congressional repre
sentatives, has declared emphatically, that she
will never cede to Congress the title to Mount
Vernon.
In your desire to procure for it a sacred des
tiny—to place it beyond the contingencies of
time and change, inseparable from private pos
sessions, you have announced that you would
only sell to the United States, or to Virginia.
For seven years you have received advances
which induced you to believe that the Federal
Government or the State intended to purchase.
For seven years you have awaited their final de
cision, and’ the result is now before you. Have
you not done all that consistency, self-respect, and
ancestral pride require, in furnishing these re
peated opportunities to the State and nation,
to become possessors and guardians of the home
and grave of your illustrious ancestor ? Because
one cannot purchase and the other will not, will
you continue to refuse the overture of parties
who pledge themselves to accomplish the end in
view—bolh for the place and the nation?
May we not hope that the events of the past year
alone have been sufficient to convince you, that the
people cherish the memory of the father of their
country, and would be the most proper guardians
of his remains? Over the length and breadth of
this land there is but one voice to be heard, from ,
rock bound New England, reverberating over the
plains of New Mexico, and re-echoed from the
golden gates of California, that as Washington be
longs to the whole country, his grave should be
the property of the nation. The nation’s repre
sentatives have no power to make it so, and Vir
ginia refuses to do it herself, or to aid others to
gratify a nation’s yearning. Yes! a nation’s yearn
ing, for the heart of this great people has been
touched, and the old and the young, men, women,
and children, orators and statesmen, Masons, Ac.,
the children of Washington of every class—politi
cal, religious and social—uniting in one common
brotherhood, pledge themselves and their descend
ants, to the latest time, to guard the grave of their
renowned lather, whose memory alone can have
the power, while it remains first in their hearts to
bind them together in bonds too strong to be
severed.
In the name and on behalf of the Ladies Mount
Vernon Association of the Union, we now ap
proach you to renew our offer to purchase Mount
Vernon. We do so with the hope that you will
not again refuse, for we know that you appreciate
the unselfish patriotism and devotion which
prompts and sustains this movement. We will
place before you such evidence of past successes,
and present prospects, as must convince you that,
in relying on the patriotism of our countrymen for
the means to redeem our pledges to you, we rely
on an exchequer which will not be exhausted by
our demands. We offer to obtain every legal guar
antee needful for the protection of your interests,
and not inconsistent with the patriotic object we
wish to keep steudily in view. We beg your most
serious consideration of the fact that there is now
no party or power in the Umted Stabs, except the
Mount Vernon Association, which can make, or
desires to make Mount Vernon the property of the
nation—with grateful women pledged to guard the
sacred ashes of Washington, and to adorn his
home for a national shrine.
Such being the ease, we cannot doubt your de
cision. With sentiments of high respect,
A Southern Matron.
Mount Vernon, March lfitb, 1858.
To "A Southern Matron ” — Madam; Your letter
of March the l‘2th has been received, in which you
inform me that the bill, providing for the purchase
of Mount Vernon by Virginia, has been defeated
in the House of Delegates, and in the name and o»
behalf of the Mount Vernon Association, you re
new your offers to purchase this place.
Heretofore, 1 have only been willing to dispose
of Mount Vernon to the United States, or to Vir
ginia, as I believe that in the hands of one or the
other it would be better protected and preserved,
than in the possession of any individual or associ
ation. The events of the pa’st seven years, howev
er, seem to indicate, that neither Virginia, nor the
United States, wish to acquire the place. Under
these circumstances, and believing that after the
two highest powers in our country, the women of
tbeTOnd will be the safest—as they will certainly
be the purest—guardians of a national shrine, I am
willing so far to comply with your request, as; to
await for a reasonably limited period of time, the
propositions you wisfi to make me on behalf of the
Association over which you preside. And I assure
you that unless these proposals are inconsistent
with what I believe to be my duties upon the oc
casion, I shull be inclined to give them the most
favorable consideration. With assurances of the
highest respect, I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant.
John A. Washington.
Mr Everett.— This distinguished and eloquent
citizen arrived in town by the eleven o’clock train
last night, having come from Charleston byway
of Augusta. He was received at the depot becom
ingly though without demonstration, it being un
derstood that he desires, as far as possible, to
make his visit a quiet and unostentatious one. Ihe
committees appointed by Council and the Georgia
Historical Society, attended, in carriages, on the
arrival of the train, and after a cordial greeting,
our distinguished guest was welcomed to the city
bv Geo. A. Gordon, Esq., of the Council commit
tee, in a brief and complimentary address, to
which Mr. Everett replied, as he does on all occa
sions, appropriately and happily. He was then
taken to the residence of our townsman, I. K.
Tetft, Esq., \\here he will remaiu during his short
sojourn in the city.
Mr. Everett will be happy to receive those who
may desire to honor him with a call, at Mr. Tefft’s,
at twelve o’clock to-day.
His great oration on Washington will be deliv
ered at 8 o’clock, this (Wednesday) evening, at the
Atbenieum. Reserve□ seats may be secured by
application at the box office, after 10 o’clock a. ni.
Mr. E., we learn, will remain in the city until
Thursday, when he will proceed to Augusta, where
he has engaged to deliver his address, Friday
evening.— Savannah It<publican f April 7.
, In Luck.— We learn that the capital prize in
Swan’s Sparta Academy Lottery, which was
drawn in Augusta on the 3d inst., was sold by the
agent, Mr. J. J. Hesler, to a purchaser in this city,
wuo thus comes the possession of a small for
tune in ready cash, “a consummation most devoutly
to be wished” at any time, but most especially to
be rejoiced at in these stringent times. We learn
that the money will be paid on demand. We
congratulate the lucky ticket holder in his good
fortune, and trust.that his sudden wealth may
bring him as much happiness and enable him to
do as much good in the world as he has ever in
his most sanguine aspirations promised himself.
But Fortune is a capricious jade, at one moment
bestowing her favors with a liberal hand, and at
another keeping them to herself for Meant of a
purchaser. For instance, Mr. Hesler returned the
ticket No. 3809$ in the lottery on tbe Havana
plan, which would have entitled the holder to a
prize of SIO,OOO. What a pity it did not find a
purchaser. —Savannah News, April 6.
From the Chronicle <B Sentinel.
Our Church Yard. '
Were you never in our beautiful
Did you never see the evergreen ht«g^^mrXh»
rich-green turr, clotted over with the: vvbi*,o„u
-tuenhs .vhirti mark the graves of Chi who
died years ago ; and which, ulthongii gta>aprown,
are suit cared for—the roses creeping yffiF them
still trained, and the weeds kept down ¥ Did von
never see the hawthorn bush, trained into the form
of a cross, which grows on just as if nature had
formed it so? and ivv which creeps up to the very
eaves of the dear old Church, making one almost
forget that a city, with noise and railroads, is neai?
Did you never see the Mason’s grave, the old mon
ument near the gate? I have always had a lurk
ing fanev that the old man must have desired
greatly to visit the Pyramids of Egypt, and dying
with this darling wish uugratifled,
widow, if be left one, resolved to gratify in death
what was denied him in life, and had this minia
ture pyramid erected over him; what his name
was, or whether he had one, or wife, or child, no
body knows; that somebody lived, and died, and
was’buried under this uusightlv rile of brick and
mortar, is all that tradition has handed down to
us; we have all wondered at it, and often wished
that it would fall to pieces, and disclose the mum
my which we feel persuaded is shut up inside, but
no one could devise a plan for beautifying it, until
our wonderful sextoD, that “seventh son,” as he
says he is, with the “ magic touch,” planted ivy
arinind it, and it is fast becoming an ornament and
a beauty. Bnt I forget, you have not seen all that
l wanted to show you—there is one thing more,
which is, to me, touchingly beautiful; so come
with me to our vestry room.
To-day is Easter—blessed heart-gladdening Eas
ter! The Church is dressed, for it is a custom
with us to dress our churches with fresh flowers
on Easter, feeling that we can in no better way ex
press the joy with which our hearts arc full; the
joy which even Christmas cannot give; the joy,
breaking forth on that first Easter, in the glad cry
‘‘The Lord hath arisen and hath appeared onto
Simon,” passing from age to age, still felt and
cherished in these latter days, and poured forth
the world around, in the holy words which our
mother the Church hath put into our lips, “Christ
hath arisen, and became the first fruits of them
that slept.” So, in token of this resurrection, this
joyous waking from the dead, with the teuderest
freen which spring puts on, with the first young
owers, we dress our churches, on this “queen of
feasts,” and thus give vent to our full heart’s joy.
The church is dressed, but we will not now go
into it, for we might linger there too long; we will
just look in, as we pass, at the beautiful flowers
with which the Font is filled—just give one glance
of admiration at the wreaths with which the pulpit
and desk are hung. We will just stop for one mo
ment to admire the garland with which that tablet
against the wall is crowned; a monument which,
strange to say, does not lie, for it is erected to the
memory of one who needed none, for her deeds
follow her; one who was so good, so gentle, so
self-denyiug, so full of love to all around her, that,
although years have passed since she went home,
her memory is still lovingly cherished—the per
fume left bv a good life still clings to her name.
Now, we will pass on around the church, and by
her grave, where violets are planted, anti along the
neatly trimmed path, where not a blade of grass
dares so much as show itself, and by the school
house, and here we are at the Vestry room. .Now,
just stand here, in the door, and look out.
Does it not look like Easter ? Did ever oak
trees wear a softer green ? or willows weep more
gracefully? and here, just before ns, is what I
jrought you to see—a grave 1 The grave of a lit
tle child—not two years old!
Notice the simple headstone! Nothing upou it
but the name and date, and this blessed text—
“ Suffer the little children to come unto me, and for
bid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Hea
ven.”
That is all. There it stands alone—no others
are near it, no longer graves of father, mother,
kindred. The mock strawberries have spread all
over and beautified the little mound with their
green leaves, and an elder tree has sprung up and
stretched out its branches, like protecting arms,
over that lonely grave.
Almost fifty years ago they laid that baby here.
That she was young, we know; but, whether,
when God sent her, her pale mother, with a full,
gushing heart of love, felt all her suffering repaid
when she saw the Father lift his first-born to his
heart and bless it—or, whether some widowed
mother shed scalding tears of anguish, as this lit
tle orphaned child was laid upon her bosom—
whether to the charm of young childhood, was
added the rich grace of beauty, and clustering
curls, and laughing eyes, and coral lips, made her
a verv llebe to the doting eyes of friends, while
the sweet music of her baby voice made a whole
household glad—or, whether the few years of lit
tle Sarah’s life were passed in weariness and suf
fering, the low, sobbing wail of a sick child
making the mother’s heart desolate. All this we
know not; but we know that around this grave,
there must have been love, and sorrow, and a
strong faith, which made those who loved her
feel that they could give her so her Savior; a
child-like faith which dried the mother’s tears, for
did He not say—“ Suffer the little children to come
unto me.” *
But we are staying too long. I did not mean to
moralize. I wanted you to see this little grave as
we have seen it, for more than twenty Easters ; to
admire the soft green willows—the rich foliage of
the oaks, the bright green leaves and red berries of
the mock strawberries which deck this baby
grave; the elder tree which shades and shelters it.
Long before we came here, other feet had trodden
this familiar path; and when we shall have gone to
our rest, other eyes shall still rejoice in all this
beauty, but we know, aud rejoice to feel for little
Sarah and ourselves the beautiful lesson which this
blessed Easter teaches us, “ That they who sleep in
Jesus shall also rise with Him,” and thnt other
lesson o 1 Holy Church in the words of one of her
most gifted sons:
“ There’s one Communion la the sky.
For There the angels and the dead
Are one in Him who Buffered.”
But now we must go. I have not shown you all
the treasures of our Church yard ; but some other
day perhaps you will leave the business aud bus
tle of every day life and search them out for your
self and selves. This surely I can promise, that
no where will the breath of spring come to you
more sweetly, no where can you bring more home
to your hearts the blessedness of sleeping in Jesus
than in the beautiful Church yard of dear old
St. Paul’s. _ ***
Western Atlantic Railroad.
We learn that the debts due by the road, so fur
as discovered, have been paid by Dr. Lewis, the
present energetic and faithful Superintendent, and
that from this time forward he will be able to
make monthly payments of the nett earnings of
the :oad into the‘treasury. On Wednesday last
Col. Trippe, the State Tr asurer, received from the
Treasurer of the road twenty thousand dollars in
cash. We are informed that the Superintendent
has purchased new iron lor some four or five miles
of the road, and is having it laid down, and the
track thoroughly repaired, wherever repairs are
needed. Gov. Brown’s order is that the road be
kept in first rate condition. If the Superintend
ent can do this, and keep the road out of debt, '
and can nay regularly some fifteen or twenty thou
sand dollars per month of clear cash into the
Treasury, the people will begin to appreciate both
the value of the road aud the value of the services
of such a Superintendent. Should no great casu
alty happen to the road, such as injury from floods
or the burning of bridges, we have no doubt we
shall be able to announce to our readers monthly
payments in future.
With such men as Dr. Lswis, Dr. Phillips and
Col. May at the head of its affairs, the people have
sufficient guaranty that proper economy will be
used and every dollar made by the road faithfully
accounted for. — Federal Union , April 6.
Old Bourbon Whisky—American Mountain
l) EW# _Some good Samaritan, who is too modest
to appear except through the medium of his good
works, has sent us two cases of superb old Bour
bon whisky, to cheer our hearts in the midst of
our arduous labors for the benefit of our readers
and all mankind. To whomsoever we are indebted
f.,r this sublime act of intelligent benevolence, it
matters not at present, for reward is sure to follow
in due time; but to Wallace, Pope & Co., whose
brand each bottle bears, and who have given this
delectable distillation to the world, we give our
share of general gratitude. The specimen of
their “ Old Bourbon” which we have before us, is
decidedly the finest specimen of American whisky
which it has been our fortune to meet with.
It has the rich, oily character of the finest French
brandy, and its delicious peach-blossom flavor and
purity makes it excel any imported spirits we have
ever seen. With such a domestic article as this,
there is no reason why we should any longer con
sume French poisons'; but if we must take spirits,
have a national aod wholesome article that will
save millions of dollars To the country which are
now thrown away on foreign alcohol.
Porters' Spirit , April B d.
- g x# Louis, April 6.—An election was held here
yesterday for municipal officers. The entire free
Democratic ticket was elected by a majority of
from 800 to 1,200.
ns' Redetc, for April.
L igZ Randolph Emancipated Slaves.
LETTER FROM F. N. WATKINS lO MR. RUFFIN.
On the occasion of your late visit to Prince Ed
ward, you requested me to furnish you the history,
statistics and result of the experiment of the
emancipation of his slaves, by the late Richard
Randolph, deceased. I have hot been unmindful
of my promise to endeavor to do so, but the offi
cial records furnish me but little information, and,
more than a half century having elapsed since
Mr. Randolph’s death, the recollections of but few
gentlemen give me any material aid in preparing
the paper you desire. An intelligent correspondent
of some of the Baltimore journals, (the Sun, I be
lieve,) was on a recent visit to Prince Edward, and
has written a communication on this subject of more
mterestthan I can hope to make this letter. My pur
pose was to furnish you a copy of this well-writteo
article, with the expectation that it would meet
your wishes. A renewed request, however, from
yourself aud others to confirm the views thus,
forcibly presented by this correspondent, has in
duced me to comply with my original promise,
with such material as I have beeu enabled to
gather. •
It may not be amiss or irrevelant to give you
the circumstances under which these slaves were
emancipated. John Randolph, Sr., resided at
Mattoax, in Chesterfield county, Va., and died in
1775. His widow survived him, as also his chil
dren, Richard, (only live years of age at the time
of his father’s death,) Theodoric and John, (after
wards the brilliant orator of Roanoke). The father,
John Randolph, Sr., died possessed of vast real
estate aud of u large number of slaves. Theodoric,
the son, died, without issue, in 1791, aud Richard
and John received, by inheritance or by will, near
ly the whole, if not all, of this large estate. The
portion of their patrimony, which consisted of
slaves, was encumbered with mortgages, which
their father had given thereon to secure and satisfy
debts contracted by himself, or liabilities incurred
as security for others. Richard Randolph is rep
resented to have early exhibited much genius, and
his fine talents were cultivated with much care,
under the judicious direction of Judge St. George
Tucker, who had married his widowed mother in
1778. la 1789 Richard Randolph married Judith
Randolph, daughter of Thomas Mann Randolph,
of Tuckahoe. She was a woman of great strength
of mind and highly cultivated, and to her gifts
and accomplishments she added a benevolence
and goodness of heart rarely equalled. When, in
1791, Richard Randolph on attaining the age of
twenty-one years, took possession of his estates,
and made “fiizarre,” near Farmville, his residence,
and assumed the immediate control of his large
property. No slaves m the country had a kinder
master and mistress than did his; nor were there
two persons better qualified, by nature and educa
tion, to prepare them for the freedom which await
ed some of them. The liens on the slaves were
still unsatisfied ; aud the debt, (due principally, if
not wholly, abroad,) increased bv continuing in
terest thereon. Richard Randolph was educated
for the bar, and contemplated entering on the
practice of his profession. In 1799 he died. I
learn that he was an enthusiastic politician, and
that of the “Republican” party, of that day, few
were more zealous adherents than “Citizen” Ran
dolph, (by which name he preferred to be called.)
The American and French revolutions, and the
united experiment of constitutional freedom here,
had given birth to various theories of the rights
of man and the abstract opinions of the perfect
equality among men. The most extreme of these
v ews, I learn, Mr. Randolph maintained. While
he has left the reputation of being a very kind
hearted man, of great integrity, I do not under
stand that Le was a very practical man. Richard
Randolph’s will bears date the 18th February, in
the twentieth year of American Independence; it
was recorded in one of the then district courts of
Virginia, held at Prince Edward C. 11., on the 3th
April, 1797. By his will he emancipated his slaves
(^prospectively) for reasous stated there at length,
ana with provisions which will be here stated.
The length of this portion of his will forbids its
being copied here. The language, views, and train
of argument, oue such as might be expected to
spring from the wildest and most extreme doc
trines in regard to human liberty of the political
school of the French revolutionists, which opin
ions then infected many of the first minds in Vir
ginia and the other southern States. Now, they
are to be found only maintained by Rortheru Abo
litionists, and with them founded upon very differ
ent grounds, and proceeding from entirely differ
ent sources. It is enough here to state that the
will of Richard Randolph provided that as soon
as the mortgages on his slaves could be paid off,
that all his then remaining slaves should be eman
cipated ; and that four hundred acres of his land,
in fee-simple right, should be divided among the
heads of families amoug them, in such manner as
his wife should direct, rio much is left to her dis
cretion in this respect, so much recommended to
her benevolent care, and so much was actually
done in the oest manner for the object by her in
after time, that It is certain that his wife entirely
coucurred with the testator in his view's—and that,
in her much longer continued life, every care was
used to make the subsequent and final act of eman
cipation as beneficial as possible to the slaves
emancipated. For these reasons, added to the
previous necessary sales of a large number of the
slaves, to satisfy the debts and mortgages, which
sales must have been so directed as to leave for
freedom those who were most fit to be so remand
ed, there could not be % condition of slaves more
favorable for emancipation to be beneficial—or to
be the least injurious to them.
The large “British” debt referred to, it seems,
had not been paid in 1790 or 7. Efforts to extin
guish it, in the lifetime of Mr. Randolph, proved
unavailing, and subsequent to his death a sale of a
huge portion of the mortgaged slaves was made;
how many were sold I have not ascertained. I
learn from one or two of the emancipated negroes
that more than one hundred were thus sold—and
l have heard much higher estimates of the num
ber made. The unsold portion of the slaves re
mained in the sei vice of the representatives of
Richard Randolph till 1310 or 11, probably to sat
isfy, from ihc profits of the real estate, the balauce
of the unpaid debt. In February, 1810 or 11, the
directions of the testator, in reference to the set
tlement of his emancipated slaves, were executed
by selling oft*and assigning, in lots of five to fifty
acres, some four to live hundred acres of laud to
the slaves, and by giving them their freedom.
This land lies two or three miles West of Farrn
ville, and to the village and vicinity was given the
name of “isratj Hiir.”
From the only record I can find of any part of
these transactions, the number of emancipated
slaves at that time was sevenly-ttvo. Two of the
men, (carpenters,) with small families, were loca
ted in the now' town of Farmville, where thev and
their descendants now live. The “Israelites*’ pro
per were mainly farmers and planters.
In 1810 or 11, we find the slaves of Richard Ran
dolph taking possession of their land and entering
upon the so-called enjoyment of their freedom. It
is well and justly remarked, by the correspondent
of the Baltimore paper referred to, that “ the con
ditions of the experiment were eminently tavora
ble for the manumitted, and the elements of suc
cess surrounding them numerous ; that they were
choice seivants of one of the most humane and
cultivated families in Virginia, reserved from sale
because of the excellence of their dispositions , their
fidelity and their industry. They had enjoyed the
advantages of association with intelligent whites;
they were taught the principles of the Christiau re
ligion; they were trained to habits of labor and
were settled on fertile lands in a temperate climate;
fuel and water were abundant; they were surround
ed by kindly disposed neighbors, who gave them
employment at harvest, and at many other times
during the year. And more than all, they were
not brought into competition with white labor.”
Let me add, in confirmation of this statement, that
their very kind friend, Mrs. Randolph, manifested
much anxious care of the interests and comforts
of those negroes, aiding them in starting their en
terprise, aud giving them much profitable employ
ment on the Bizarre farm. And few, if any, color
ed people were, at that time, of better reputation
for “honesty, probity, and good demeanor.” I
cannot omit here to mention that there still lives
a venerable patriarch of the tribe who, to-day, is
as highly respected for tried and well sustained
character as any man ; and if Sam White is a fair
specimen of those who were emancipated, the
Israel Hill community compared favorably with
any other for good ana sound morals.
More than forty years have elapsed since “ the
foundation of the village of Israel Hill. I *shall
not attempt to give you the history of its various
but declining fortunes. 1 learn that for a year or
two these farmers and planters, while industrious
and content with accustomed pursuits, were suc
cesslul and prosperous to a degree equal to expec
tations. But a few years, however, sufficed to con
vince every observing man that Richard Ran
dolph’s experiment would be a failure, and that
his friends would be disappointed in their hopes
that the condition aud comfort of bis slaves would
be promoted. Not a few of these, coming to man
hood, soon became victims to idleness, discontent
and kindred vices. The men, for years, seemed to
prefer to seek and obtain employment on the bat
teaux, by which the produce of the country was
carried to Petersburg. women, for the most
part, led idle and dissolute lives. A few of the
original and native population have removed, but
other free colored people have intermarried with
the Israel Hill inhabitants. I have made several
unsuccessful attempts to ascertain the number of
ihe population of the Israel Hill village in 1854,
including those who were emancipated and their
descendants. From the most reliable information
which I can obtain, I estimate their numbers to
be about one hundred. According to the census
table of 1850, the whole slave population of the
United States has increased from one million one
Ijpndred aud ninety-one thousand three hundred
and sixty four in 1810, to three million two hun
dred and four thousand three hundred and thirteen
in 1850—or nearly two hundred per cent, in forty
years. There should be added to thjs increase, all
the former slaves and their descendant, who, since
1810, have become, free (or are so counted in the
census,) either by being emancipated, or by ab
sconding to the northern States. This proper ad
dition, and still more for the extension of time to
1854, would certainly have made the true general
increase of slave population, from 1810 or 1811 to
1854, more than two hundred per cent., and most
probably two hundred and thirty per cent. At two
huudrea per cent, only, the Raudolph negroes, if
continuing slaves, would now be (72-j-144»=-)216,
instead of their actual number of one hundred, and
an increase of not quite thirty-nine per cent, in
forty-three or forty-iour years. These statistics
appear more remarkable when we compare them
with increase of other negroes in the immediate
vicinity; I refer to families of negroes owned by
religious societies in Prince Edward (whose histo
ry I again notice in this communication)—where
the increase of population was from two to about
seventy , in the period of sixty years.
The unwritten, but well-known, “annals of the
parish,” the records of the courts, the concurrent
testimony of the whole neighborhood, and the very
appearance of the “rotten borough” of Israel Hill,
afford abundant evidence of the utter failure of
this experiment, and furnish material for the mel
ancholy history of the “ decline aud fall ” of this
once happy and prosperous community. I doubt
if one family or individual among them have ma
terially added to their fortunes, in the forty years :
their lands have been sold, and are unredeemed in
some instanc es, for taxes; death, from suffering
and absolute want and poverty, in one case, at
least, has occurred ; and many of these poor peo
ple live by dishonest means. The natural effects
of vicious and dissolute habits on population may
be proven from a single fact: An old gentleman
who knew them all, in passing five ot the most
healthy of these women, from twenty-five to forty
years of age, inquired the number of their chil
dren, and he ascertained that the five (some if not
all of whom were married) had only three children.
In a word, I am confident that the unanimous
opinion of the people of Prince Edward, who have
been at all acquainted with this colony is, that
freedom has not been a blessing to these people.
And I make no doubt whatever, that those of the
slaves of Richard Randolph who were sold, aud
w ho, or whose descendants, are now in the pvsses
sion of kind masters in Albemarle, are in a more
happy condition and far better cared and provided
for than their brethren of Israel Hill.
You also requested me to furnish the facts in
relation to negroes formerly ow’ned by certain
churches in Prince Edward. 1 regret that I have
not been able to obtain the statistics on which you
would desire the statement to be made. Thus
much, however, I learn, that, in 1707, gentlemen
connected w’ith the Presbyterian churches in this
community, subscribed a sum of money and pur
chased two negro girls. They and their descend
ants, till 1835, were annually hired out, and the
proceeds of these hires appropriated to the pay
ment of the salaries of the pastor. The members
of the churches, believing that the comfort of these
negroes would be promoted by a sale, instead of
continuing their annual hiring, ordered a sale and
the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In
1835, the number had increased to about seventy.
Some of them are owned in this county, and are
with their families. I have no information which
induces me to believe that they are not contented
and happy.
In complying with your request, my dear, sir, I
have attempted to give a truthful and plain narra
tive of facts, and have forborne to present thoughts
which will readily occur to yourself and other re
flecting men. But you will allow me to suggest
for your consideration the question, whether the
facts which I have given you do not contribute to
throw light on a grave and important problem in
the history of races. I refer more particularly to
the opinion, that when two races r, .tempt to occupy
the same territory, the weaker must give way to
the stronger and more enlightened, (as the Indian
race for example,) or occupy to their superiors the
relation of slaves. My rellectious lead me to be
lieve that such a relation is far better for the ne
gro in Virginia, and is the arrangement of an uu
ering and beneficent wisdom which overrules and
directs all things. If we shall be enabled earnest
ly to discharge the duties arising from the relation
of master and servant, established by God himself,
we shall accomplish more for our slaves and for
humanity, than impious and fiendish Abolitionism
or sickly sentimentality.
With seutiments of high personal regard, I am,
dear sir, truly yours, F. N. Watkins.
Farmville, Prince Edward, Oct. 2, 1854.
Additional Foreign News.
Portland, Me., April s.—By the steamer Indian
we have letters from Liverpool dated Wednesday
afternoon. These report that in the beginning of
the week there was more tone in the cotton mar
ket, and prices were generally one eighth penny
higher; out, although afterward there was no ac
tual change in quotations, the market nevertheless
became dull and prices inclined to droop. The
sales during the three days previous to the Indian’s
departure amounted to twenty-six thousand bales,
of which speculators and exporters took three
thousand, and the trade the remainder. The sales
on Wednesday (the day of the steamer’s departure)
it was conceded would reach six thousand bales.
Quotations were nominally as follows: Middling
Uplands seven pence, middling Mobile seven and
oue-sixteentb, middling Orleans seven and one
eighth to seven and three-sixteenths.
Trade at Manchester and in the manufacturing
districts was generally more buoyant, and higher
prices were being asked for goods and yarns.
In the London money market there was no change
perceptible. The export of gold to the continent
exhibited a slight falling off, and the bullion in the
bank was believed to exceed eighteen million
pounds sterling, being the largest amount ever
held. Loans ou government securities are quoted
at two to two and a half per cent. Cousols fluc
tuated but slightly, and closed on Tuesday evening
at ninety-six and seven-eights for money—the
same as by the previous steamer.
In American stocks a quiet feeling prevailed,
and quotations were more or less nominal.
London , Tuesday Afternoon. — Cooso/u. —Closing
prices ninety-seven and one-eighth for money and
account.
Liverpool Cotton Market, Tuesday Evening.—Mar
ket stead}'. Six thousand bales sold, including
one thousand on speculation aud for export. Mar
ket better supplied.
Overflow in Arkansas S—Levees Given
Way—Country Submerged !
Vicksburg, April 3. —The river towns of Napo
leon and Prentiss, we learn from accounts received
here this morning, have been inundated, in contfc
quence of the height to which the river has risen.
The levees below Napoleon are reported to have
given way, thereby causing the whole adjacent
country to be submerged.
The river is now as high, within a few inches,
as it ever has been known at points bctw'een this
city and Memphis. Opposite this point it has
risen eight inches within the last twelve hours.
Large quantities of freight intended for points
above, have been brought hither from landings
which are covered with water.
Congressional.
Washington, Aprils.— Senate. —The Senate was
engaged all day on the Washington Police bill,
which Anally passed. Adjourned.
House. —The House concurred in the Senate’s
amendments to the Army Increase bill, for three
instead of five regiments," including Texas.
The Washington Police bill was reported and
refered to the committee of the whole, to be con
sidered after the deficiency bill is disposed of. It
is the same as the Senate bill. There is an evi
dent disposition in the House to do something for
the suppression of murder, violence and robbery,
which are of such frequent occurrence.
Marriage of a Venerable Couple.— We learn
that Mr. Joseph Stratton and Mrs. Kendall
were married on Thusday evening in Union Hall,
Athol, by Rev. Mr. Burt. This was the second
marriage of the bridegroom, who is seventy-eight
years of age—the third marriage of the bride,
whose age is seventy-four years. The officiating
clergyman has reached the venerable age of ninety
two years. It was generally known in the village
that the interesting ceremony was to take place,
and many citizens were present, each paying ten
cents for admission to the hall.— Boston Journal.
Col. James A. Russell died at his residence in
Lagrange on Monday last, from the effects of his
being burned, at the Trout House in this city, the
Saturday evening before the last October election.
Atlanta Examiner, lQthinst.^
From the Baltimore Sun.
Thirty-fifth Congress—First Session.
Washington, April s.—B*hat»— Various peti
tions we r e presented, among others, one by Blr.
Seward, from citizens of New York, in favor of the
passage of a general bankrupt law, and one from
the chamber of commerce of New York against the
abolition of titt light house board. He also pre
sented the resolution of the New York legislature
in luvor of paying revolutionary debts.
Mr. Bright moved that the President send n
copy of his instructions to the United States com
missioner to China, Mr. Heed, to the Senate.
A resolution wasreceived from the New Jersey
legislature asking the .President to promote Lt.
Maury.
Mr. Brown brought up his police bill for af
fording better protection to life and property in
the city of Washington. The bill provides for a
patrol of one hundred meo, and other stringent
regulations.
The accompanying report from the committee
on the District is expressed in the strongest terms
in regard to the late bloodshed and riot in the
city, and throws on Congress the responsibility of
maintaining order.
A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Seward de
scribed the present state of affairs as a reign of
terror.
Mr. Douglas said that all know that no man’s
life is safe m the citv, even on the most public of
all places, Pennsylvania avenue. We must have
a reform, or you will drive the community to a
worse alternative, which no one can regard with
out shuddering.
Mr. Fessenden attributed, in part, the prevailing
rowdyism to the bad example of men in very high
places, and partly to the incompetence of the
police regulations.
Mr. Wilson said he would vote for the bill, and
made some comments. lie said the state of things
now prevailing was the legitimate fruit of the ac
tion of Judge Crawford, two years ago, when a
man was murdered by a representative of the
House. After some debate the bill was passed,
substantially as introduced by Mr. Brown—yeas
34, nays 9.
Mr. Douglas, from the committee on territories,,
reported a bill for the admission of Oregon into
the Union. The Senate then adjourned.
House.— The House took up the Senate’s amend
ments to the volunteer bill.
Mr. Quitman preferred the original number of
regiments, but, as the tr.mps should move imme
diately, he would, he said, cousent to the reduc
tion.
Mr. Hughes suggested that as Texas has to have
a full regiment, New Mexico ought to have an op
portunity to raise one in its own defense.
Mr. Otero acquiesced in this view, particularly
as the regulars were being removed from New Mex
ico to Utah.
The House concurred in all the Senate’s amend
ments which would leave it discretiouary with the
President to accept one regiment of mounted vol
unteers for the defense of Texas, and two regiments
for the protection and safety of immigrant trains,
and the suppression of Indian hostilities. This was
agreed to by eleven majority.
The House finally concurred in the amendments
of the Senate to the army bill for two regiments
besides those required for Texas.
Mr. Goode reported a bill for the appointment of
one hundred men as an auxiliary guard of protec
tion for the citizens of Washington. Referred for
consideration.
The House then adjourned.
News from Texas.
The Galveston Civilian, furnishes the following '
news paragraphs:
Gen. Tw iggv accompanied by Dr. McCormick,
left San Antonio on a short furlough, and before
his return may visit New York and Washington—
expecting to return some time in the month of
Apiil. During his absence Col. Henry Wilson
7th infaDtry, will Lave command of this military
department.
The prospect for the grain and fruit crops in
western Texas is reported as remarkably good.
The San Antonio Herald says that more than two
weeks ago, on the'Medina, there were fields of
corn more thun u foot high. The stands are re
markably good. The peach and plum trees are
overloaded with young fruit. The last frost did
no damage
The Telegraph slates that in 1844 the commerce
of the city of Houston consisted in the exporting
of about live thousand bales of cotton, nine thou
sand hides, and twenty-five thousand pounds of
peltries, making an aggregate of about one hun
dred and seventy-five thousand dollars. The salts
of merchandise Were about one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. Now the commerce consists of
exporting niuetv thousand bules of cotton, thirty
thousand hides, and other produce valued at fifty
thousand dollars. The aggregate value of its ex
ports is about three and a half millions of dollars.
The Sau Antonia Herald announces the depart
ure of a company of young men, citizens of Bexar
county, “ for some remote region, jn search of
gold.” They were to join another company from
aldwell county.
In a severe hail storm at New Braunfels, on tbfe
15th ult., several bail stones were picked up weigh
ing, it is said, one and a quarter pounds.
Grasshoppers, the Austin Gazette says, are very
bad m the vicinity of San Antonio, and in fact in
almost all the counties South-west of Austin
Serious apprehensions are eutertuined by the plan’
ters that the crops will be destroyed.
They have had a tremendous rain in Austin
lately. For four days the sun was hid behind the
dense clouds, until at last, on the night of the 23d
ult., the rain and hail came down amidst flashes
of lightning, and roars of thunder, with a violent
wind, completely deluging the city. The l iver rose
afoot during the night and six feet the next day.
Trees and fences were blown down, und also the
bouses of Messrs. Dorse and Barnes, some eight
miles to the North of the city.
The Palestine Advocate, of the 21th ult., reports
the Trinity river out of its banks, and still rising.
There was considerable cotton on the river bank
awaiting shipment.
Late from Utah.— Mr. Win. Gerrish, who left
Camp Scott on the 15th ot February, has arrived
in this city, and reports the army well, and with
provisions to last till June Ist, ut thirteen ounce
rations.
He encountered little snow in his journey. ll
met Col. Hoffman’s command—two companies of
cavalry and two of infantry—at Big Blue river,
one hundred and forty-live miles on the ir route, in
good condition and making good time. Roadc
were excellent and more grass than in May of last
year.
Major Lynde proposed to start a provision train
of one hundred and twenty-five wagons on the
20th of March, from Laramie, with an escort of four
companies of infantry.— Evening Star , s th.
He Did Right Gov. Drown received the other
day from the Governor of Maine, a very inflamma
tory get of Abolition resolutions, denouncing the
Lecornpton Constitution, the President, &c., of
which the following are part:
“Resolved, That the recent message of the Pres
ident of the United Spates is a falsification of the
history of Kansas, a libel upon the free people of
that Territory, and a deep disgrace to the Ameri
can name, and to the otlice once filled by Wash
ington/’
“ Reiolbed, That if that Constitution (the Le
compton,) shall finally be placed upon Kansas
against the solemn remonstrance ot its people,
then in the opinion of this legislature, they will be
justified in resisting it at all hazards, and to the
last extremity ; and in so righteous a struggle the
people of Maine are ready to aid them, both by
sympathy and action”
These resolutions, with a number of others of
like character, passed by the legislature of Maine,
were sent to Gov. Brown, with the request that he
lay them before the legislature of Georgia. De
termined to trouble the legislature with no such
communication, he returned the resolutions to the
Governor of Maine, without comment.
Federal Union.
Vaccination with a Magnetised Needle.—Pro
fessor Rocastates that since 1856, hundreds of
children have been vaccinated, with scarcely any
failures occuring. The point of the needle ie
well saturated with the magnetic fluid before prac
tising the vaccinations, which are then performed
in the usual manner, a single magnetization serv
ing for many vaccinations. It is quite surprising
to observe the rapidity with which the vaccine
virus is absorbed, when the needle is thus prepar
ed.—London Illustrated News, March 18.
Mind What You Drink.— Hunt’s Merchants'
Magazine enumerates no less than thirty-eight
substances which are employed to give potency,
flavor, consistence, and other desirable qualities
to lager beer. Among them are chalk, marble
dust, opium, tobacco, henbane, oil ot vitriol, blue
vitriol, copperas, alum, strychnine, and other
deadly drugs! These drugs, says “Life Ulus
traUd” diminish the intoxicating effects of the
liquor, while they greatly increase its potency tc
kill!
Boston, April 6.—The U. S. sloop of war Levant,
from the East Indies, arrived here at noon to-day’