Newspaper Page Text
■ , ' ■ — ! -«■!_!_ ■■' J ■' g ■ -k "
uSH ttli I n Constittttiaiiallat.
BY JAMES GARDNER.
yg* Joseph 11. Morehouse, Esq., has been ap
pointed Postmaster in Sjlvania, inScriven county,
in the place of Mr. B. L. Prkscott, resigned.
j{ r _ \f«, Rkbd, of the firm of Lacostr A
Reed, was accidentally killed in Charleston on the
17th inst.
Death op a U. S. Consol. —The Kingston, Ja
maica, correspondent of the New York Herald ,
states that Col. Harrison, U. S. consul at that
port, died there on Jhe 24th ult. His death was
deeply regretted by all the inhabitants of the isl
and. _
jgg” News items from the Columbus Sun, June
17th.
Hon. Martin J. Crawford..— The Representa
tive from this District, arrived home Tuesday
evening. His appearance indicates the enjoyment
of his usual good health.
Po»t Uflke Change. —Thename of Pataula P.
0., in Randolph county, Georgia, has been changed
by the Post Office Department to that of Linwood.
Speculations about Crops.
The editor of the Savannah Republican, says
the writer of the annexed letter is a gentleman of
experience and intelligence, and his views at all
times worthy of serious consideration. We copy
from the Republican of 10th inst:
Columbus, Ga., June 16, 1858.
Mr. Editor —Dear Sir: I notice in your daily
isrue, a call for information respecting the pros
pects of the growing crop, and therefore take oc
casion to address you in reference to the same. In
the last week or two, I have seen and conversed
with planters from various sections of Georgia and
Alabama, and am led to believe, that whilst the
prospect in some few sections is good, in many
others it is quite as poor as last year. It is uni
versally conceded that the fields are clean of grass,
and the stands good; this fact induces many per
sons to regard the crop as fine. Why are they so
clean *—is there less planted, cr have the planters
worked harder than iu past years ? No, it is be
cause the rust has desttoyed the grass as well as
the oats, and is now making its dreaded appear
ance in the cotton, blasting the fine anticipations
that so lately cheered the planter, and caused him
to rejoice at the prospect of a glorious harvest.
Can anv one believe for a moment that the western
crop will be as large as last year ? Many fields in
this section will not be chopped out before the 15th
July; add to this state of things, the many plan
tations made entirely unproductive from former
and present overflows, and answer the question. Can
any one believe the crop will be greater than last
year ? Is it not a notorious fact that the seasons
which suit one section are ruinous to another?
The rains that are required for the red, stiff lands
of upper Georgia, are not at all suited to the gray
and black lands of other sections. It may be, how
ever, that the seasons this year have adapted
themselves to everv latitude and complexion of
land; this we doubt. When all the facts in regard
to the growing crop are closely scanned and inves
tigated in all their bearings, I cannot but think
the prospect largely overrated, and fear we shall
have the crop all over the country, in less than
thirty days, entirely reversed. I hope and trust it
may not be so, but my enquiries lead to that con
clusion. A 1/iokek On.
From the London Post t June 1.
The British Aggressions.
Although we are not disposed to admit without
reserve tne apparently highly colored accounts
which the New York paper# have recently puh
rrli
that oFthe CagTiari, awaits the
of her Majesty’s present advisers.
The subject has already occupied the attention of
the American Senate, and we are informed by a
despatch from Washington that the President has
demanded explanations from England and Spain
“in reference to the search and visitation of
American vessels in the vicinity of Cuba and
its harbors.” We are further informed “that
specific orders have been sent to the United
States Home squadron to stop the interference
with American shipping from any quarter what
soever,” and that three additional frigates have
been actually despatched to give practical en
forcement to the resolution of the Senate, pro
testing against that which it describes as “ acts
of British aggressi« nin the Gulf of Mexico.” No
one, of coarse, imagines that British cruisers in
these days exercise the right of visitation and
search for mere motives of idle curiosity, or for
the purpose of giving gratuitous offense to the peo
ple of a friendly power.
The object with which American merchantmen
have lately been overhauled has been to ascertain
whether they were eDgaged in lawful commerce or
participating in that most abominable of all traf
fics—the African slave trade—a traffic which is
condemned by the positive law of the United
States, as it is by the public law of the civilised
world. It is well known that Cuba has long
been the most lucrative centre of this most inhti
-nian commerce, and that England tor more than
half a century has made every endeavor, by block
ading the coast of Africa, and by treaties with
foreign powers—mutually conceding the right of
searcn—effectingv to destroy the occupation and
profits of the slave trader. Fur this purpose the
British government has its tactics
by placing cruisers around the island of Cuba, to
intercept homeward and outward bound slavers.
Now, it unfortunately happens that the men who
engage in the slave trade are not very scrupulous
in the use of artifices which they hope will screen
their vessels from the examination of a foreign
cruiser. A slaver, manned by the vilest scum that
can be picked up in the Portuguese ports on the
coast of Africa, will hoist, just as it suits its pur
pose, the English, French, or the American flag ;
and truth compels us to add that vessels of this
kind have been sometimes owned and commanded
by United States citizens. How, then, can it be
possible to ascertain the nationality of any vessel
sailing to or from a slave mart except by the exer
cise of that right of visitation and search which,
in reality, is as necessary a measure of high mar
itime police as that rule of public law which de
clares that pirates may be seized and punished
wheresoever found ?
In the three cases mentioned by our transatlan
tic cotemporaries, United States merchantmen have
been brought to, aud their papers have been ex
amined bv British cruisers. In one of these the
ball tired from the cruiser lodged in the mainmast
of the American brig, “close to the captain’s head!”
These statements are probably exaggerated, but if
they should turn out to be correct it is difficult to
see’how the Cuban slave trade is to be suppressed,
if even* vessel, whether coming from Boston or
direct from the coast of Africa, is to hoist the stars
and stripes in the face of the British cruisers, and
sav “Search and visit me if you dare.” Upon this
theory every pirate under American colors
would escape punishment unless he happened to
fall within the dutches of a vessel of his own
country. In this state of things Mr. Secretary
Cass h'a2 demanded “the discontinuance of the
searching of American vessels,” and insists “ that
any damages that may arise in the matter are ex
pected co be compensated by Spain, or that she is
to interpose with Great Britain.” From the sub
stance of Gen. Cass’ despatch, it would appear
that the nets complained of have been computed
either within the territorial waters of Spain, or
with the consent of the governmedt of her most
Catholic Majesty. Should this be so, then we
must rejoice that Spain has at length resolved to
put an effectual stop to the slave trade in co-opera
tion with the most powerful maritime power m the
W °But*the difficulty which the British government
will have to encounter arises from that foehng of
rivalry, or rather from that feeling of jealousy,
with which the people of the United States are too
prone to regard the power of this country.
American statesman, from the time of Jerterson
down to that of Webster, has protested against
any exercise of the right of search by foreign ships
of war upon American vessels. Mr. Webster sata
in 1842: “In every regularly documental Ameri
can merchant vessel the crew who navigate it will
find their protection in the flag which is over
them.” The great American orator and states
man was no doubt speaking of protection from im
pressment ; but we may add, if the right of search
is to be permitted for any purpose whatever, the
declaration of the honorable gentleman, as well as
the long continued policy of this country, mustgo
for nothing, and be considered mere empty brava
do. But the entertainment of such an impression in
this country would be most incorrect. General
Cass, at the time of the Ashburton treaty, wrote •
an able pamplet against the right of search; and
now, as Secretary of State for foreign affairs, he
is not more likely than he was United .States Min
ister to Paris to make a concession which would
be inconsistent with that great doctrine of the
equality and independence of nations upon the
seas which America has always so strenuously us
serted. We confess that we cannot see our way
out of the difficulty.
On the coast of Africa and along the middle
passage no power appears to have strong objec
tion to the exercise of the mutual right of visita
tion and search ; but if you change the scene and
go to the waters of the Mexican Gulf, or those of
the northern Atlantic, the right—even for the
meritorious and noble object of putting down a
crime which, in reality, exceeds piracy—may be
asserted in a manner calculated to give offense to
a highly excitable and jealous people. If the gov
ernment of the United States, with a view to the
suppression of the slave trade, would maintain a
sufficient naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, and
off the coast of Cuba, all just and proper measures
to ascertain the nationality of vessels sailing un
der the American flag might be enforced without
the intervention of the cruisers of any foreign
power. By the adoption of such a course General
Cass would not only preserve his favorite doctrine
in its integrity, but he would show to the world
that the United States, in common with civilised
Europe, were determined to put a stop to a trade
which they themselves have declared to be “ irre
concilable to the principles of humanity and jus
tice,” and which the great powers assembled at
the Congress of Vienna in 1815 described as “ the
scourge which had so long desolated Africa, de
graded Europe, and affiietad humanity.”
From the London Telegraph, June 2.
It is at all times difficult to determine the rights
of nations at sea. They depend less upon actqal
treaties than upon that general and indefinite code
known as the law of nations, and great wars have
frequently originated in a misconception of the
privileges enjoyed by maritime powers under the
undeclared jurisdiction of this authority. The
rights thus acquired are partly natural, partly cus
tomary ; and much depends upon the method by
which they are enforced. A very painful ques
tion, involving the interpretation of this universal
international law, has arisen between Great Britain
and the United States of America ; but in dealing
with it we shall be careful not to prejudge the
points at issue, or accept the allegations on either
side in their entirety, since there is an obvious
and unfortunate amount of bitterness on the part
of the American merchantmen and British cruisers,
between whom the controversy has taken place.
In the absence of official information of a kind
which has certainly not yet reached any one m
this country, uolfss it be the discreet Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, it would be rash to anticipate
what complexion the dispute may assume, and all
that is possible, or even desirable, at this stage, is
to express a hope that, foreseeing as we must a
diplomatic contention of a most unhappy charac
ter, accompanied by free recriminations from the
press in both countries, a spirit of mutual gen
erosity and forbearance will be displayed. We
want no American war upon our hands; we can
afford to make no unworthy or unjust concessions;
but, if we are to escape the one and the other al
ternative, this matter must not be allowed to be
come one of jealous or arrogant boastings. If U
K* net exactly necessary that >v
1 gs It would be equally un
! wise to invoke upoliev of affronts and men ic**s,
a&ngerous to the peace of the world, and condu
cive to the interests and to the honor of neither
nation. . ..
It must be remembered that the complication is
one of serious difficulty. Certain British cruisers
are charged with having wantonly and violently
stopped, challenged, fired into, boarded and search
ed a number of United States merchant vessels, in
the Central American waters and the Gulf of Mexi
co, the complaints from the latter quarter being
the most numerous and important, since it is stated
that the commander of the British war steamer
Styx had announced that the orders of his Govern
ment were to examine the papers and cargo of all
ships proceeding up or down the GuIT. Now,this
collision between our public marine and that of
the North American Republic is one in every sense
to be regretted, since the circumstances themselves
are embarrassing, and it does not appear that any
decision can immediately be arrived at without
compromising, in an injurious degree, one ot the
great powers concerned. We cannot abandon the
right of search in reference to America without
abandoning it as regards the rest of the world: we
cannot recall our Gulf cruisers without establish
ing an African squadron ; we cannot suppress our
ocean police without again licensing, practically,
if not avowedly, the slave traffic, which has been
the curse of one mighty continent and the reproach
of another. But, at the same time, if it be really
essential, in order to maintain this principle, that
American ships should be treated as we are led to
believe by the reports in tire trans- Atlantic journals,
we may be assured that we must give way or fight,
for our prerogative; since, if there be a nation
upon earth inclined to suffer the inconvenience of
such n system, it is not the hardy, proud and poiv- j
erlul race which, in the New Word, speaks our
language and inherits our independence.
The Supreme Court of the United States has
laid down, in a memorable judgment, that the
slave trade ia opposed to the law of nature and
of nations, and America has eutcred into treaties
with Great Britain for the suppression of this in
famous barter, so tar as the sea is concerned. We
have a right, then, to capture and confiscate every
slaver, and even to punish the captains and crew;
but how far and ia what shape is that right to be
asserted ? Does it authorise us in visiting a
principle port of Cuba, boarding twelve American
vessels, inspecting their papers, ransacking their
holds and guaging their water barrels? Does
it qualify our captains to tire into American ships
in the Gulf of Mexico, so as to endanger life and
property, and to be guilty of insulting and
domineering behavior ? These questions we ask
without condeming any one in anticipation of the
evidence. The statements are before us and they
must be sifted. The British public has no interest
whatever in countenancing acts of outrage, or even
excess of zeal, on the part of its naval officers, in
the strict performance of their duty they will meet
with every support; but there is a very clear diiier
ence between the courtesy of a gentleman and the
swagger of a pirate, and if the conduct of certain
English commanders has been such as the Ameri
can papers allege, they mav, although in the
literal .execution of their orders, have deserved
the severest reprehension. We send out our
cruisers to prevent the traffic in slaves, but we do
not send them out to established a nautical reign
of terror in the Gulf of Mexico.
We trust that the most ample and impartial in
vestigation will be made into the whole of this affair,
which is not one to be explained away by a few
words of official ambiguity. In reply to the ques
tion put by Mr. Lindsay last night on this impor
tant subject, Mr. S. Fitzgerald, it will be observed,
orf%e part of Mr. Walpole, denied that the gov
ernment had received any official information
from Washington, assigning as a reason fur the
frequent exercise of the right of search by British
cruisers, that it was the constant practice of sla
vers to hoist American colors. For this manoeuvre
it would be rather difficult to find a remedy,
though our trans-Atlantic friends could doubtless
well dispense with so questionable a compliment.
Mr. Fitzgerald further intimated that orders have
been sent out to the commanders of our cruisers,
•onveying instructions to actjwith greater caution
as regards vessels, under the circumstances which
had been made the subject of complaint. As
usual, however, he left us m the dark as to the
precise nature of these instructions, and we are
not in a position to judge how far they are calcu
lated to answer their professed object, a
The difference, we say, is unfortunate in every
r/iapect. The honor of this country, and the con
duct of her officers, hate beeen called in question,
but this is not all. With regretable precipitancy,
a number of the American journalists have rush
TJGrTJSTA., GA„ WE?DJSrES!D.AY, JXIINrE 23, 1858. .
ed into print with magniloquent denunciations,
doing their worst to provoke the popular hostility
against Great Britain. It would be easy to excite
a similar feeling on this side of the Atlantic; but
all rational men will desire to witness a speedy
and amicable solution of the embarrassments
which have arisen. If it be true, however, that
eight weeks ago our government received an inti
mation from General Cass that the proceedings
complained of would no longer be permited, the
country will look to Lord Malmesbury for an ex
planation of the fresh and rigorous orders stated
to have been transmitted to the Gulf sinct> that
period. We have been thrown into a perplexity, to
say the least, and the best means of eluding it is
not by blind audacity. Os course, if any
can merchantman were so ill advised as to come
across one of our cruisers with shotted guns, she
would merely put America in the wrong, damage
ber moral position, and draw down upon herself;
something beyond an official inspection; but we
can scarcely believe that the United States cap
tains will act with so much rashness, ignorance
and barbarity. The only course for them to pur
sue is to appeal to “'their government for protec
tion, and not to rest while their grievances, if
grievances they be, remain unredressed. To take
the law into their own dispensation would, be to
afford a clear diplomatic advantage to Great
Britain.
What are termed, however, the “public ships,”?
or the men-of-war of the United States, stand m a
different category. Should the Cabinet at Wash
ington, conceiving that the British cruisers in the
Gulf and on the Cuban coast were straining theif
privileges, order the commodore on the Mexicaa
station to protect American shipping vi et armie ,
the result might be that a war would break out in
the western hemisphere altogether without the
connivance and beyond the control of our states
men. We might hear of a Navanno in the At?
lantic, and the whole world would have reason to
deplore the procrastinatioss of diplomacy. Let
us repeat, then, that a delicate and perilous con
troversy has been awakened—that our cruisers are
chargea with violence and illegality—that the
American mind is taking fire—-and that it is the
duty of Parliament anxiously to watch the policy
of the government. In the name and interests
civilization let this matter be settled without ap
peals to Vattel or Grotius, to Dutch jurists* and
Spanish quibblers, to constructive conventions
and distorted analogies. What, for thAsakeof
the comity of nations, do we owe to America in
her own neighboring waters? What is fair and
right between the United States and Great Britaiq?
What can be arranged upon terms of mutual re
spect and confidence? War against aggressors
but peace, in the spirit of peace, with our natural
allies, brethren and friends.
From the Baltimore Sun*
Special Session of the U. S. Senate.
Washington, June 16. Shortly after the
meeting of the Senate the galleries were or
dered to be cleared, the thirty-eight Sena
tors present having unanimously votea to go into
secret session.
When the doors were opened, Mr. M*son
to take up the British aggression resolutions,
which was .vfcas 32, nays 3.
The resolutions are tw follows:
Resolved* (as the judgment of the Senate,) That
American vessels on the high seas, in time of
peace, bearing the American flag, remain under
the jurisdiction of the country to which they be
long ; und, therefore, any visitation, molestation,
or detention of such vessels by force, or by the
exhibition of fores, on tfce part of a foreign pow
er, is in derogation of the soverefgnty of the Uni
ted States.
Resolved , That the present and repeafod
tions of this by M**M%*pi
wt-befrin g»ng»-rrfTm MJylSrTjaßi
H Gulf of Mexico, and the adjacent teas, bynring
into, interrupting, and otherwise forcibly detain
ing them on their voyage, requires, in the judg
ment of the Senate, such unequivocal and final
disposition of the subject by the governments of
Great Britain and the United States, touching the
rights involved, as shall satisfy the just demands
of this government and preclude hereafter the oc
currence of like aggressions.
Resolved, That the Senate fully approves the ac
tion of the Executive in sending a naval force into
the infested seas with orders “ to protect all ves
sels of the United States on the high seas from
search or detention by the vessels of war of any
other nation.” And it is the opiniqp of the Sen
ate that, if it becomes necessary, such additional
legislation should be supplied in aid of the Ex
ecutive power, as will make such protection effec
tual.
Mr. Mason said he had refrained from debating
these resolutions, notwithstanding they were of an
important character.
The resolutions were then passed unanimously,
and Mr. Mason asked that this fact be entered on
the journal.
The committee appointed to wait on the Presi
dent having reported that he had no further com
munication to make, the Senate then adjourned
this extraordinary session.
From Fwter's Spirit of toe Time*.
A Drink from a Private Uottle.
Dear Spirit: A few months ago, F spent some
time ut a tavern in the southern part of Pennsyl
vania, which was kept by one of the jolliest, be'st
natured landlords I ever came across; in fact,
from the number of good things he said and did,
one would imagine that he did nothing but read
the Spirit— although I am sorry to say, that 1 nev
er saw a copy of that entertaining paper while in
bis house. *He was especially devoted to practi
cal jokes, and he played them off with such tact,
that the individuals "he sold were very often the
only ones who were unconscious of it.
One dav, when several thirsty individuals were
moistening their clay at the bar, a stranger enter
ed, beckoned Thompson aside, and; in a confiden
tial whisper, disclosed to him the fact that “he
wanted some of his heat whisky. I kefp a store
myself,” he added, “ and keep some whisky that
can’t be beat, and when I go anywhere else, 1 want
to get a good article.’*
Thompson replied that “he would give him
soriiething extra by-and-by,” looking in a signifi
cant manner at the crowd around the bar—as
much as to say, that it wouldn’t do to bring out
good liquor before them. The stranger took the
hiut, and seated himself until they left, that they
might not feel offended at Thompson’s partiality.
When they had gone, Thompson winked at us,
and produced a bottle, the contents of which, be
used to assert, “would burn holes in woolen and
and kill at forty rods,” and, handing it to his cus
tomer, told him in an impressive mariner to “try
that.” The stranger took the bottle, poured about
“three fingers” into a glass, held it up to the
light, smelt of it, and finally swallowed it at a
gasp, lie hastily poured a little water after it to
help it on its way, and laying down a “sip,” re
marked with tears of satisfaction in his eyes:
“Well, thaar , that is good whisky— fame kind,"as i
keep in my store l Don’t get that kind of stuff
everywhere!”
“That’s a fact,” said Thompson, seriously, “in
fact, it don't pay to sell that whisky except 'to per
sons that can appreciate it!" Rob.
Scene ox the Ohio.—Our boat stop peck to wood.
On the shore, amongst a crowd, was a remarkably
stupid looking fellow, with his hands in his pock
ets, and his under lip hanging down. A dandy,
ripe for a scrape, tipped nods and winks all about,
saying: “Now I’ll have some fun. I’ll frighten
the green horn.” He jumped ashore with a drawn
bowie knife, and brandishing it in the face of the
“green ’un”—“Now I’ll punish you; I have been
looking for you a week ?*’ The fellow stared stu
pidly at the'assailant. He evidently had not sense
enough to be scared—but as the bowie knife came
near to his face, one of his huge fists suddenly va
cated his pocket, and fell hard and heavy between
the dandy’s eves, and the pour fellow was floun
dering in the Ohio! Greeny jumped on board ror
boat, put his hands in his pockets, and looked
around—“ May be,”, said he, “there’s somebody
else here that’s been looking for me a week *”
St. Louis, June 18.—The Sait Lake mail says,
that seventy .Mormon families arrived at Camp
Scott claiming protection, which was given.
There are but two hundred and fifty head of
beef cattle within fifteen miles of Camp Scott.
The army have been living on eigbt ounces of
flour, and balsa pound of beef per day.
Monsieur Belly and the Nicaraguan
Transit Route. a
.The following item of news, in reference to Cen- j;
tral American affairs, is brought by the Europa: t
M The Paris correspondent of the London Timet c
a copy of the convention concluded between 1
the government of Costa Rica and Nicaragua on
the one part, and Felix Belly, acting on behalf of
lieliand k Co., of Pans, on the other, relative to t
the concession of an inter-oceanic canal by the
river San Juan and lake Nicaragua. The docu- 1
meat is dated May Ist. The company are to com- 1
nience work in two years and complete it in six, t
and the channel of the canal is to admit two of j
the largest ships to pass abreast. It is to be en
tirely under French direction, and the French gov
ernment is to have the exclusive privilege of keep- j
mg two ships of war on the water of the route
ttproughout the whole period occupied in the con- '
Bion of the canal. The duration of the con- f
n is ninety-nine years from the opening of i
nal, and the line is to be open to air flags at i
ei rate uniform toll. The Times pronounces
eheme impracticable, the capital being esti- 1
at ten to fifteen millions sterling. Append
ihe above convention is a declaration signed
the President of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, 1
setting forth the sufferings they have endured i
from the fillibusters, and the risks they still run j
from fresh invasions known to be in preparation,
and in reality under the patronage or the United
States government, and appealing to the great
powers of Europe to sustain them m their inde
pendence, and not leave the coasts of Central 1
America at the mercy of the marauders, but en- <
force the observance of the public law.” ,
Senator Douglas.
. b In the Senate on Tuesday, preceding the consid
eration of the resolutions in relation to the recent
outrage , the following discussion, pro- (
|roked bv Mr. Douglas, took place in reference to (
the politics of Illinois r ]
| Mr. Douglas, of 111., did not propose to go into i
r, this question of British outrages. He should vote
■for the resolutions. The object of his rising was to ]
notice a telegraphic dispatch giving an acoount of j
: -the proceedings of what was termed an AdminiS- (
■j Sration State Convention, in Springfield, in which (
% Jus public course was condemned. He proceeded
B *|o show that this was not a convention of the De-
Saoctacy of Illinois, and said that the two persons
Dominated for State officers are not and never have
been recognised as consistent Democrats. The
frxuff Democratic convention was that held in April
last, and instead of being abused, he had been en
; dorsed by it. What was this Administration con
tention ? There wa| a man in Illinois who holds
an office, traveling over the State, claiming that he
was authorised by the Administration to denounce
every man as a traitor to the party who does not
s approve the I.ecompton Constitution. This man,
with a few bolters from the genuine convention,
. where they were voted down by twenty to one, got
np the recent squad. The federal office holders
were threatened with removal bv the postmaster
at Chicago if they failed to attend. Their object
is to divide the Democracy of Illinois and denounce
him, (Mr. Douglas). He never yet had been de
nounced by a regular convention. The bogus
i gathering was got up by Dr. Charles Lieb, agent
' for the Post Office Department in Illinois. All
knew that his history is this: When Jim Lane and
ill his gang were driven from Kansas in 18fG, Lieb
led to Illinois. Pretending to be a confidential
k Sriend of Mr. Buchanan, this Lieb was the chief
J. Officer of the Society of Danites, and took the hor
nd oaths required, to break up the Democratic
party, under tiie penalty of being reviled by men,
. ' fro wned on fibrils, scorned by angels, and for-
I f said that what the
; Senator bad asserted was the last thing which
■ would have occurred to any man’s imagination.
. He bad before heard this allegation against Dr.
I Lieb, and cailed his attention to it. Dr. Lieb sol
r emnlv denied ever having belonged to such an as
sociation, and said the use of his name was with
out any authority. He was not in Kansas at the
date of its organization.
Mr. Douglas replied, this compelled him to make
a contrary statement. The first time he ever saw'
Lieb was in ISSG, when he admitted he was the
man. The fact was susceptible of proof by hun
dreds of people in Kansas, and be has admitted it
hundreds of times. It was only an evidence of
the vileness of the man’s character if he denies
that he was the chief officer of the Danites in Kan
sas under Jim Lane. This fact was brought to the
attention of the Postmaster General before Lieb
was appointed, but the Postmaster General said he
promised Lieb he should have the office before he
| knew it. The freesoil party in Illinois had no
| hope of success in the elections’except by destroy- '
i mg the Democracy, and an alliance was formed
j between them and Lieb and his bolters.
I Mr. Broderick, of California, wished to know
: whether the administration recognised Lieb?
Mr. Douglas replied, he did not say that the ad
ministration gave him authority. The infamy of
his acts is too gross to induce the belief that the
President or his Cabinet officers could have given
him such authority ; yet he did say that if it was
not disavowed after the facts were known, they
would become as responsible as if they had given
the authority.
Mr. Broderick expressed his delight at the re
marks of Mr. Douglas.
Mr. Trumbull, of 111., had no disposition to in
terfere with the factions of the so-called Democrat
ic party. He would not have risen had not his
colleague Said the freesoil party have no hope of
suo#*s except by ihe alliance with Lieb and com
pany. If his colleague was laboring under such
a misapprehension, ne would disabuse his mind.
The Republican party intend to beat both Lieb
and the Democratic party, together or separately.
There is no alliance between them and this man
Lieb and his associates. The Republicans will
oppose the Lecompton Constitution, and all other
Constitutions lik• it, and would be happy to unite
with bis colleague to do it. This Lieb had been
active against the Republicans, and he might be
obnoxious to the charges against him for aught
he (Trumbull) knew. The Springfield convention
had denounced the Republicans in the most abu
sive and gross language, and falsified their princi
ples. They are no allies of the Republicans.
I Mr. Douglas replied, the hope was that Lieb
would take off enough Democrats to elect a Re
publican legislature. This threat—“ we’ll beat
vou at all hazards” —reminded him of Andrew ,
Kennedy, of Indiana, who was asked how he, a ;
Democrat, was elected in-a district giving four j
thousand whig votes? Andy replied: “ I beat j
four of the ablest whigs, and could have beaten
lour more if they had run against me; the district ,
was divided into four parties, and I could have *
beaten them if they had been divided into eight.”
(Laughter.; Mr. Douglas said his colleague knew €
well the hope was to get Lieb to take off members
from thn Democratic party, and thus insure a free- 1
soil victory, and elect John Wentworth to Mr.
Douglass’ place in the Senate. Who W ent- v
worth is the history of the House of Representa- c
tives will show. Mr. Douglas, charged the al- g
fiance, and said he could prove it if he could make
Sena* o.n witnesses. .... T , t<
Mr. Bayard, of Del., said whether Lieb is a Dan- c
ite or not, it was not important for the country to e
know, in connection with the pending resolutions. r
He regretted exceedingly that Mr. Douglas had Q
interposed the politics of Illinois, unless the Sena-
tor thought they were more important than sub- g
jects connected with aggressions from a foreign v
power. _ k
Supreme Court. ®
Savaxxah, Friday, June IS, 1858. ,
Peter Poullet and wife, plaintiffs in error, vs.
Jacob Johnson, et al defendants in error. The “
court to day delivered its opinion in this case,
which waa argued on Monday last. The case in-
volved the right to a lot of land in the city of An- ,
gusta. The exceptions to the decision of the court
below were numerous. -
The court sustained the decision of the court be-
low. , . w
Gonld and Snead appeared for the plaintiffs m
-in error * Miller and Jackson, contra.*
t Savannah Republican , June 19.
The Commissioners for the erection of the Ethan e
Alien Monument have published a statement de- C
nying that Abe bones of Allen were found in the o
grave yard at Burlington. It is still unknown p
where they lie buried, o
The President has been indisposed since the s
adjournment of Congress, and was bled by his 0
physicians on Tuesday evening. The Star, of ®
the 17th inst., announces that he was so far re- t
covered as to be able to transact business on that e
day, as usual. _ c
The President and cashier of theManufiic- \\
Hirers’ Bank of Macon, in the affidavit appended *
to the semi-annual statement of the condition of J
that institution which they publish, swear that ;
they hare fully complied with the provisions of <
the act of 1857.
Eg” The directors of the Main Trnnk road
have determined to locate that road on the line J
which, in the surveys for a route, has been known J
as the southern line. It will run about three 1
miles to the South of Troupville, crossing the i
Withlacooche near Mineral Springs, and terminate j
at Thomasville.
On the first inst., it became unlawful to pass, or
attempt to pass, other than Kentucky bank bills !
in that State of less denomination than five dol- ,
lars. The penalty is not less than twice, nor more
than five times the amount of the bill so passed.
Rumored Breaking up or the Cabinet.— A ru
mor has been in circulation in Washington for a ,
day or two past, to the effect that the cabinet was 1
about to be broken up—that Secretary Cobb was to t
give place to Senator Pearce, of Maryland, in the j
Treasury Department, and that Secretary Flotd .
would retire from the War Department, growing i
out of a personal difficulty between Secretaries
Cobb and Flotd. The Union thus notices these
rumors, without, however, denying the probabili
ty of their retirement:
“Although the present cabinet is 1 probably the
most harmonious one that has erer existed in the
history of the government, the public is every now
and then edified by some cunningly devisett fable
of dissensions, jealousies, and alienations among
its members. \Ve believe the latest rumor of the
sort refers to the Secretaries of the Treasury and
of War. It proclaims, first, an alienation between
these two gentlemen; and, second, an actual resig
nation by both of their respective positions! The
first part of the allegation obtained currency by
having received, by some accident, an interroga
tory and incredulous mention in the columns of
the New York Herald. The other part, we sup
pose, grew out of the first, and was bandied about
the Capitol yesterday morning for a few hours.
“We stated, some time ago, that the President
entertained entire and implicit confidence in each
and every member of his cabinet; we can add
now, in response to this new class of rumors which
1 have had a more recent invention, that the utmost
good feeling exists between all the members of
1 the cabinet; and if any two of them are on terms
‘ more cordial than the rest, they happen to be the
‘ very gentlemen whom this latest ana freshest ru
* mor announces to be at dagger’s draw!
From the Atlanta InUliiget,ctr. June 19.
1 Execution of Kudford J. Crockett! !**■
I From Eight to Ten Thousand Spectu
* tors Present.
‘ To-day, about one o’clock, P. M., Radford J.
Crockett, the unfortunate young man whose life
c and character has been the suMfct of so much
comment in this community tor the past two
months, suffered the extreme petmßy' of the law.
In addition to the singular interest &r. I
e such exhibitions always excite in the human mind,
a other causes combined to make this an extraordi
■ nary occasion, aud brought together a much larger
assemblage of spectators than would have been
present under other circumstances.
The high respectability and piety of young
* Crockett’s parents—his association and connection
? with a notorious clan of thieves and assassins; and
above all, his free and unreserved confession of all
this, as well as of the murder of Landrurn, united
to create a deep sensation in the community, and
to invest his case with a degree of interest more
intense than perhaps was ever before manifested
. in Georgia, on any similar occasion.
The criminal was taken from the jail, by Mr.
Sheriff Love, and Deputy Sheriff Green, about
twelve o’clock, M., and placed in a private car
nage. Rev. Mr. Key, Pastor of one of the Metho
dist Churches in the city, and Dr. E. N. Calhoun,
rode in the carriage with the officers and prisoner.
The ancient custom of conveying the criminal
from jail to the gallows in an open wagon or cart,
and sitting on his coffin, was departed from in this
instance. Neither was the prisoner dressed in his
grave clothes, before leaving the jail, as is usual,
but wore his customary clothing—a black suit.
As early as yesterday afternoon, visitors from
the surrounding towns and country begau to ar
rive in the city, bv the different trains, in order to
be present and eye-witnesses of the solemn and
awful ceremonies which have to-day been enacted
in our midst. At an early hour this morning, the
crowd began to gather in the neighborhood of the
jail, and long before the hour of twelve o’clock
had arrived, an immense multitude, numbering
by thousands, had collected together in the imme
diate vicinity of the prison, and in all the streets
leading from it. So crowded were,the grounds, that
it was with some difficulty the sheriff' and his at
, tendants could make their way through the mass
of human beings, in order to reach the entrance
gate of the jail enclosures.
The place of execution was about a half mile from
the prison, near the McDonough road, just outside
the city limits. And one of the strangest coinci
dences” that we have ever noticed, occurred in con
nection with the place necessarily selected for the
execution. It will be remembered by every one
who has read Crockett’s confession, that he says
the first time he ever saw Landrum in his life,
that he (knows of, was on the day of the murder,
aud that he) saw him first, near Arch Brown’s
grocery, on the McDonough road, near Atlanta.
And strange to say, within one huDdred and fifty
yards, or less, of this spot, was the place selected
for the execution. And we understand the Sheriff
could not get any other suitable place within one
mile of the jail. Singular, indeed, that the mur
derer should be hanged so near the spot where he
met his victim for tne first time; and equally
strange that the Sheriff should Bud it utterly im
possible, (in consequence of objections by land
owners,) to get any other proper place, within the
limits prescribed by law.
But our purpose in this article is merely to give
a brief outline of what was said and done in con
nection with the hanging of poor young Crockett.
All that is curious and interesting in his short and
eventful life, has already been published in <
pamphlet form, and read by most of onr readers, i
The crowd around the jail patiently awaited the 1
arrival of the Sheriff and his attendants, and (
when they emerged from tlfe prison with the 1
criminal in full view of the crowd, a thrill or sen- 1
sation seemed to pervade the entire multitude, 1
which we cannot describe, and are utterly unable <
to understand. It could clearly be seen by a
close observer, and appeared to be a simultaneous
expression of ease, after a season of the most ter- 1
rible suspense. The carriage containing the priso- i
ner proceeded up to McDonough street, and out I
that street to the place of execution, at a slow '
speed, accompanied by a handsomely uniformed >
volunteer company, armed with burnished mus- i
kets, as a gnard. The military company number- i
ed forty-fwn men. The carriage and military es- i
cort was followed to the gallows by a large num- i
ber of men, women, and children, of all ages, •
sizes and color—a few in buggies and other vehi- i
cles, but mostly on foot. 1
,At the place of execution, a large number of cu- 1
rious spectators had also collected, at an early
hour in the morning, and having taken all she :
most advantageous positions in view of the gallows,
were awaiting the arrival of the prisoner. When
the procession from the jail joined and mingled
with those at the place of execution, considerable
disorder and confusion prevailed for afew minutes,
caused by the great anxiety of all to secure posi
tions from which they could see the dreadful trag
edy which was about to be enacted before them.
Order, however, was soon restored, and the pris
oner and his attendants ascended the scaffold, pi*,
pared for the occasion. The criminal appeared to
be cool and collected—not the slightest agitation
■■ LL=g=S.|
VOL. 37-aSTO. 26.
seemed to disturb his nerves. He occupied a seat
on the platform, while Rev. C. W. Key addressed
a few remarks to the v«ißt assemblage. Mr. Key
said ill at he entertained strong confidence, from
the prisoner’s own profession, and from the best
evidences that he bad been able to gather, as one
of his spiritual advisers, that he had made his
peace with God, and was prepared to meet his fate.
That he had seen him daily for a week past, and
that the prisoner had assured him that he died
without aught in his heart against any man, even
those who had done him the most injury. That he
had assurance that God had forgiven him for the
crime which he had no intention to commit, a few
minutes.before he did the fatal deed ; and that he
had sincerely repented of this and all others.
He further stated, that he had confidence to be
lieve, from the peculiarity of the case, taking all
the circumstances into the account, that the pro
fession of his faith in Christ was a genuine one.
That his parting words to his wife, and the calm
ness of his parting mind under the circumstances,
gave him increased assurance. He then begged
the earnest supplications of the assembly inTiis
behalf, that God would graciously .receive him,
with a few other remarks of like character, when
earnest prayer was made for him. After which,
the sheriff caused the prisoner to rise to his feet,
and to step on the fatal plank under the gallows,
when the shroud, cap, and rope, were adjusted.
All things being ready, a trigger was touched, the
plank on which he stood suddenly dropped, and
Radford J. Crocket was launched into eternity.
As before remarked, the unfortunate young roan
deported himself throughout the solemn scene,
like a man and a Christian. Exhibiting not the
slightest agitation, his countenance appeared to be'
unusually serene and pleasant. The body was al
lowed to remain suspended, for the space of about
thirty minutes, when it was taken down, placed in
a metalic coffin, and delivered to his relatives, who
will convey it to the residence of his parents, in
Haralson county. We understood that his affec
tionate and devoted wife asserted her right of hav
ing it under her special charge, and would ac
company it in person to the home of the family,
in Haralson. She has remained in the cell with
him nearly all the time since his incar
ceration, sustaining and comforting him by the
most ardent affection. Most nobly nas she exhib
ited and sustained the peculiar characteristic of
her sex during the trying ordeal through which
they have botn just passed.
The prisoner was baptised by immersion on
Wednesday last, in the jail. A large bathing tub
of water was used for the purpose. His wife ami
one of his sisters, accompanied by another female
relative, visited him at the jail, on yesterday, and
: we learn from the Rev. Mr. Key who was present,
. that the separation was one of the most affecting
t scenes that the imagination could possibly pic
ture.
t There could not have been less than from eight
i to ten thousand human beings present at the gal
-1 lows. Many persons put down the number much
i higher, but we have heard none estimate the crowd
t by any lower figures than those We have men
.f tioned.
s There were many interesting and curious inci
e dents which occurred during the memorable day,
i- that might be noticed, but we prefer dropping the
curtain oveiSjje whole scene for the present.
We learn that the enterprising publisher of the
: confession and life of young Crockett, has in press,
„ a new edition of the pamphlet, and that it will be
. out and ready for delivery, by the 2oth of Jure,
when every body can read this curious and inter-
I. esting history for themselves.
h -Hr. liltflcm’s Baby,
o That first bab/was a great institution. As
r. sooo 'as into this “ bffeathijig world,” as
y the late W. Shakspjeafe HIS It, r. ill!
l s in our bouse. Everything was subsferrient him.
i- He was the balunce whegl that regulated every
r tiling. lie regulated the temperature, he regula
ii ted the food, he regulated the servants, he regula
ted me. For the first six months of that precious
£ existence he had me up on an average six times at
i night. “Mr. Blifkins,” says my wife, “ bring that
i light here, do; the baby looks strangely; I’m so
| afraid it will have a fit !*' Os course the lamp was
| brought, and of course the baby lay suckling his
fist like a little white bear, as he was. “Mr.
i Blifkins,” said my wife, “ I think I feel a draught
of air; I wish you would get up and see if the
window is not open a little, because the baby
might get sick.”
Nothing was the matter with the window, as I
knew very well. “ Mr. B1 if kins,” says my wife,
just as I was going to sleep again, " that lamp, as
you have placed it, shines directly in baby’s eyes
—strange that you hare no more consideration.”
I arranged the light and went to bed again. Just
as I was dropping to sleep again, “ Mr. Blif kins,”
said ray wife, “ did you think to buy that broma
, to-dav for the baby?” “My dear,” said I, “ will
you do me the injustice to believe that I could
overlook a matter so essential to the comfort of
that inestimable?” She apologised so very haud
lotnely, but made her anxiety the scape-goat. I
) forgave her, and wit out saying a word more to
1 her 1 addressed myself to sleep. “ Mr. Blifkins,”
I said my wife, shading me, “ you must not snore •
■ so. you will wake the baby.” “ Jest so; jest so,”
i said I, half a sleep, thinking I was Solon Shin
gle, “ Mr. Blifkins,’' said my wife, “ will yon
; get up and hand me the warm gruel from the
! nurse lamp for babv?—the dear child! if ft
i wasn’t lor his mother I dou’t know what he would
do. How cun you sleep so, Mr. Blifkins?” “1
. ’suspect, my dear,” said I, “ that it is because I am
i tired.” “ Oh, it’s very well for you men to talk
. about being tired,” said my wife; “I don’t know
what you would say if you had to toil and drudge
like a poor woman with a baby.” I tried to soothe
. her by telling her she had no patience at all, and
. got up for the posset. Having aided in answering
. the babv’s requirements, 1 stepped into bed again
i with the hope of sleeping. “ Mr. Blifkins,” said
. she in a louder key. I said nothing. “Oh, dear!”
\ said that estimable woman, i» great apparent an
guish, “ how can a man, who has arrived at the
honor of a live baby of his own, sleep, when he
| don’t know that the dear creature will live tilt
morning!” I remained silent, aud, after a while,
deeming that Mrs. Blifkins had gone to sleep, I
stretched my limbs for repose.
How long 1 slept I don’t know, but I was awak
ened by a furious job in the forehead by some
sharp instrument. I started up, and Mrs. Blif
kins was sitting up in the bed adjusting some por
tion of the baby's dress. She had, in a state of
semi-somnqJence* mistaken my head for the pillow,
which she customarily used for a nocturnal pin
cushion. F protested against such treatment in
somewhat round terms, pointing to several perfo
rations in my forehead. She told me I should
williugly bear such trifling things for the sake of
the baby. I insisted upon it that I didn’t think
my duty as a parent to that young immortal re
quired the surrender of my forehead as a pincush
ion. This was one of the many nights passed in
this way. The truth was, that baby was what
every other man’s first baby is, an autocrat—abso
lute and unlimited. Such was the story of Blif
kins, as he related it to us, the other day. It is a
little exaggerated picture of almost every man’s
experience.
Tub Great Storm.—Our exchanges fregn the
New England States have accounts of a tremen
dous storm of rain which fell in that section of
the country from Friday or Saturday of last to
Monday and Tuesday of the present 'week. The
violent storm which was experienced in this city
on Friday and Saturday seems to have been very
extensive. The Baltimore papers speak of it as
the most destructive flood which has visited that
city in twenty-one years. Bridges have been
swept away by scores all over the middle States,
the creeks and rivers ars swollen to an unwonted
height, and the crops have sustained some damage
from the heavy winds which prevailed.
The loss along the Delaware will not prove very
heavy—that along the Schuylkill will. Six and
three-quarter feet of water were pouring over the
dam at Fairmount, near Philadelphia, a few hours
after the height of the storm. The floods at the
West have been very destructive of life and prop
erty. The crevasses have rarely been so numer
ous and never more destructive since 1844.
The rain has been of the greatest benefit to the
country, however, and if we may rely upou the
prophecies of the weather-wise, effectually puts
out” of the question all fear of a drought in the
summer months and all doubt a grand harvest
in them!. —Journal of Comrnerte, -sane 10.