Newspaper Page Text
said*
DEATH PROM A FRIGHT*
The following extraordinary circurrfctanccs
rolated bv Galignani’s Paris Messenger, well
I lust rates the danger of trying tAcks upon tho
«, .sibility or imagination : '1' wo young men,
i lie Count de Brechtenstein and Baron Liefiern,
j ato |y lived together at Perth in Hungary, on
intim ite terms. The former always boast' d
rf his intrepidity, and declared that nothing
could frighten him.
“What, not even supernatural things ?
M. dc Lieftern.-
•‘Even less than* others,’* said his friend,
•'since they do not exist.”
The upshot of the affair was, that a bet of
100 ducats was made by M. de L’efterii that he
should be able to terrify Iri-t friend. Four
months passed over, and nothing was heard of
the wager, when one evening M. de Lieftern
persuaded his friends valet to permit him to
hide himself under his master’s bedv He took
care to draw the balls from a pair of pistols
tint always hung at the head of the hed,
M. de Brechtenstien' returned home as usual
and went to bed. As soon as he had fallen
asleep, M. do Lieftern came out from under
the bed, threw a sheet around hhn, and put nn
a mask representing a skull. He then drew the
quilt to awake his friend, who, on seeing the
rpectre, cried out, "Be off and leave me quiet!”
Seeing that the figure still remained, he took
down one of lire pistols and fired it at him.
J\I. de Liefiern then rolled on the bed one of tho
balls which lie had taken from the pistols, M.
de Brechtenstien, who was sitting up, on seeing
this, fell buck in tire bed. His friend immedi-
ately ran forward to assure him that it was all
a trick, but M. de Brechtenstien was dead—
lie had been struck with appoplexy. M. de
Lieftern immediately gave himself into custo
dy. Tile vnlet iras been arrested, und both will
bo tried in the course of next month.
THE FEELINGS IN CANADA.
The Kingston News has a long article on
••Peace or War?” from which we make the
following extracts:—
“If hostilities shall be the result, the battle
must, in great part, be fought here. There
may be a little skirmishing, with some two or
three thousand in the Valley of the Columbia,
nnd the Atlantic coast of the United States
may be the scene of many a desperate encoun
ter between the naval and land forces of Great
Britain and the United States, but in this Pro
vince must the full force of war be felt—lierc
must the chief brunt of tho battle be borne.
The United States have long looked with cove-
lous eyes upon Canada, and the occasion of
hostilities with Great Britain will unqestion-
nbly be seized upon to make a strong effort to
drive the ‘‘British” out of so important a
portion of this continent as the provinces of
British Nortli America constitute.
War seems inevitable: even they who most
fervently pray that such a calamity may bo
a veiled hardly dare entertain the hope that
their wish will be gratified. The language of
tho Chief Magistrate of the Union is unmituka-
bie in its character; and although in itself it may
not be regarded as authoritative, with the sup
port of Congress, which it is confidently stated
lie will obtain, this language must be taken as
the ratified declaration of tho Government of
the United States. The substance of the offi.
cial declaration may be given in a few words:
"No compromise which the U. Slates ought
to accept can now be effected.” If no com
promise can be effected, what is the alternative!
Either the abandonment of the whole claims of
Great Britain, or nn appeal to arms. Which
will be adopted? Theic can be no doubt that,
much a3thc British Minister is anxious to avoid
collision, he will infinitely perfer the latter to
the former.
In fact it is absolutely necessary for him hero
10 make a direct stand against the aggressive
policy and proceedings of the United States.
The covert attempt to prosscss Canada mado
by. the republic in 1839 nnd 1839, was over
looked; large concessions madein the settlement
of the N. E. Boundary; and fresh concessions
in the matter of the Oregon have been offered
or. tho part of Great Britain; indeed every
effort which could be made has been directed to j
the twenty dollars which you gave me into oui
Bible bank, that when the day of trouble came
upon us, wc should have something to sue us
from the wolf.”
" But why put it in the Bible Kate ?”
«* Because it is a goed bank, and will not sud
denly break,” replied the iady. - .
" You are an angel, Kate,” cried her de
lighted husband, clasping her to his heart.
And so she is. Does any ono doubt it?—
There are thousands of such angels, despite tho
railings of our miserable, woman-slandering
bachelors.
Senator Bagby bos' pulbished nn address in
vindication of his conduct on the Texas ques
tion in the United Stales. The unsoufld posi
tions which the Senator assumes in his lengthy
defence-, were so fully shadowed fortli »i his
letter which we recently published, that we
deem its publication unnecessary. There is
one remark, which, m the hurry of its perusal,
we could not forbear making, that the address
is made to the people of Alabama, not to the
Legislatin'*, to which latter body lie was undre-
stood to have held himself responsible as Sena
tor of the State.—51 ontcornery Advertiser.
Le Courier ms Etats-Unis tells an anec
dote of Thiers sufficiently piquant. The mar
riage of the historian lias not been blessed by
oilspring, which has been the source of much
chagrin to the family of Mad. Thiers, which is
naturally proud of the alliance with the great
statesman, and would see the race perpetuated.
Before leaving for Spain tho ex-Minister an
nounced to jVI. Donse, his father in law, that
he had just presented to Madame Thiers the
fruits of lus fifth and sixth volumes of the His-
tory of the Consulate. "It is veiy gallent on
your part,” replied M. Dosne, "but you ought
to think seriously, my dear Adoiphe, thalt
have not bestowed upen you daughter for the
purpose of making books alone,”
OBSERVE THE DIFFERENCE.
The contrast presented by the two parties of
this country in respect to the spirit displayed
just now, when the subject of our relations with
Great Britain is very manifest, is so striking
that it cannot have escaped the attention of any
ono. A prediction may be made, and "time
the test of truth” will certainly make it good,
that the same deep condemnation awaits the op
position for their general course with reference
to the Oregon controversy, as has long since
been expressed for the whig party on account of
its resistance to the annexation of Texas; a:i
opposition in that case factious and artificial,
got up and stimulated chiefly for the purpose of
sustaining a presidential candidate in the new
and absurd position which, in a most distressing
exigency, he assumed, and very unfortunately
for himself, as the event proved.
No; it cannot be forgotten that no longer
since than the Iasi year, the din and clamor
about the imminent danger of war was as loud
and continuous as we find it to be at the conclu.
sion of this year. The meek conservators of
the peace of the world, whose warning and la
mentations we have so often heard, arc likely
to meet now, so fur as we can sound public
opinion, with as little sympathy and respect as
they have hitherto received.
That the United Slates was to be involved
with Mexico, on account of what was alleged to
be our unwarrantable aggressions upon her ter
ritory—that in consequence of a certain collis
ion with that republic, wc were to be embroil
ed with England—and that finally all Europe
would participate in the quarrel, on this or that
side, were recently regarded ns events of inevi
table occurrence. The democratic party re
mained impassive, certainly unterrified by these
evil omens. The process of Texas annexation,
unimpeded by the enivarrtly arguments urged
to arrest it, is terminated at last without war,
or an existing apprehension of it on that ac
count. With this example—supplying as it has
done proof of strong delusion, or a feigned
alorm—we are not prepared now, more than
formerly, to see the nation panic struck by the
certainty of a war with England, much less at
the prospect, be it never so remote,
There is evidently a set purpose to scare, if
the preservation of peace, by the removal of possible, the people of tho United States, by al-
all cause of difference between the two nations.
But so far from securing this object, the de-
mauds and the tone of the one have more than
kept pace with tho complaisancy of the other.
The negotiation on the Oregon question affords
a fair index of this fact.
A SAVING WIFE.
A New York cotemporary boasts of having
had an introduction to the heroine of the follow
ing sketch—an acquaintance of which to be
proud, and a wife such as is “a glory to her
husband.”
Mr. , a merchant, now residing in Phil.
adelphia, who formerly lived in rather extrava
gant style, was in the habit, every Monday
morning, of giving his wife a certain sum of
money for table und other household expenses
of the week; ho never mentioned his business
to Ids wife, and she, deeming him sufficiently
capable of attending to his own affairs, never
inquired into them. About fifteen years after
teeir marriage, through some slight mismanage
ment, nnd the rascality of his confidential clerk,
Mr. suddenly broke, nr.d his fall was
mentioned, sympathizitigly, on Change, and
—like all such matters—there all sympathy
ended. The merchant kept the affair secret,
ane the first intimation his l.idy had of it, was
by a paragraph in the “ Ledger.” Shortly af
ter dinner was over, on the day of the discovery
of the startling fact, Mrs. requested her
husband to remain in the parlor a few moments,
as she had something to say to him. She then
left the room, hurried up stairs, and shortly af
terwards returned with a splendidly bound bi-
ble in her hand. Handing it to her husband,
she said : "George, the day after our marriage
you gave me this precious book, as a token of
your love, and as a rich fountain to look to in
the day of trouble. Its pages have been pre
cious to me, and, as your brow looks sad to
day, I now return it to you, that you nmy glean
from it some consolation in the hour of gloom/
She then left the room.
Tlie merchant opened the hook carelessly,
and a bank bill fell out of it. lie picked it up
and glanced at its face—it was a $10 bill. He
opened the book again, and another note of the
same amount was before him. lie opened it
nt the first page, and continued to find an X
between every two leaves, fill he arrived at the
commencement of the book of Revelations.—
lie was saved—could again commence busi
ness, und had a capital of $9,000 to commence
with!
lie rang the bell—a servant appeared.
** Request your mistiess to come to me im
mediately,” said the merchant.
The lady obeyed, entering the room with
something lietween a tear and a smile.
“Kate! Kate! Where did you procure all
this money ?”
"T'isthe weekly savings of our household
expenses, for the last fifteen years,” was the
modest reply. Every week I put ten out of
I lusions, pregnant and emphatic, to the power
and the sensitive national pride of Great Brit,
aim And lest that sort of intimidation should
have the effect to make us think a little of our
own power, and our own proper pride, long
dissertations upon real national honor—and es
pecially upon “ American honor”—are prepa
red by editors assuming great consequence in a
position of party neutrality, and who write in
a vein very descriptive of the class to which
they belong—a vein, by-the-by, distinguished
for a good deal of impertinence and vain glory.
At the head of the neutral concern, in our
estimation, and certainly in its own, stands the
New York Journal of Commerce. Right as
that paper is upon several subjects, and distin
guished as it has been in upholding the truth
when truth has been on its side, we must say
that the “Journal” is rather foolishly occupied
in writing such articles as we find commended
by the “ National Intelligencer,” and appropri
ately honored, as the whig editors affirm, by a
Christmas repuhlication.
Let us give tho reader a specimen, in the
shape of an extract fiom the Journal of Com
merce article, which has so tickled the fancy of
the benevolent and pacific editors of the Nation
al Intelligencer. Says the Journal, “Some of
our statesmen are talking now very loudly
about national honor. That must be sustained
at all hazards. What do they mean by Amer
ican honor,? Are they pinching the people’s
ears as they would a dog’s? oi is it true that
the honor of ilicsc United Stales is in danger?
How can it be? Our mercantile honor has
been ever well sustained by our importers, ire.
&c.
We think it probable that the first proof ofll r-
ed in this flattering enumeration is the very
first in importance in the estimation of the
Journal of Commerce. From the priority in
the order of succession submitted, the “ Com
merce” editor evidently regards the priority of
the class patronizing his paper entitled to par
ticular encomium, and the subordinate instan
ces in which he thinks lie seo3 proof of the pres
ervation of “the American honor” are of a char
acter that goes to show the ridiculousness of
any other staodard of national honor than the
payment of debts,
“ Some of our statesmen are talking very
loudly about American honor.” Well, and
who are they, pray, that arc guilty of this cry
ing offence? Arc Mr. Webster’s sensibilities
particularly aroused by that theme? With ail
exception or two, (tho more conspicuous from
being almost alone) what whig has had the
gunerous ardor to talk as lie should without re
serve, without qualification, and without dread,
about “American honor?”
Has the Jojrnal of Commerce an audacity
mingled with its piety, sufficient to authorize
the belief that its poor sneers have been direc
ted to public men who lmve, and are yet ready,
to peril life for "American honor ?” Has Gen
eral Cass, by a course unanimously sustained
in tiie Senate—sustained grudgingly by several
who durst not oppose his propositions—is it that
gentleman who is honored with thesaicasms of
a commercial gazette in the city of New York?
If so, as no doubt it is, the blush of shame
should mantle the cheek of him, who, venting
his reproaches upon the most eminent patriots
ofthe land, finds no congenial spirit in the Sen
ate who did dare vote against a series of reso
lutions which contemplated tho possibility of
war, now or hereafter.
The course of the Journal of Commerce is a
sample of that of the whig press generally, but
not universally. To read what, is said about
tho Oregon difficulty, and observing the temper
and lone which mark the whig press, one might
conclude that it was in affiliation with the most
anti-American portion of the English Journals.
The democratic papers,, with, extraordinary
unanimity, arc exhibited in glorious contrast.—
They are averse, deeply averse to war. War
they deplore. But, with them, "American hon
or” and American rights are something—
something for which they may be called upon
to make the sacrifice of peace, dear and desira
ble as that may be.—Wash. Union, Dec. 26th.
From the National Intelligencer, Dec. 27.
THE OREGON NEGOTIATION.
The following paragraph appears in the New
York "Morning News” of Wednesday last,
which, with other New York papers of the same
dale, reache 1 ns since our last publication:
“A report was in general circulation yester
day afternoon that a letter had been received
in the city from a member of the Cabinet at
Washington, by the afternoon’s mail; to the ef
fect that a settlement of the Oregon boundary
question had been concluded in London be
tween the British Government and Mr. Mc-
Lane on the basis of the 49th degree—the pro-
position having come from the former. We
have not seen tho letter in question, but have
reason to regard the truth ot this report as in
the highest degree probable. We know the
British Government i3 unxieus for the speedy
and amicable settlement of the question. We
kuow, too. that it was at a recent day ready to
offer the 49th degree, before allowing matters
to go to extremities. Nothing can be more
likely than thot, out of this anxiety on their
part, coupled with the fact of our Government
having recently offered to accept the line of 49
degrees, has grown n definite treaty between
Lord Aberdeen and Mr. McLane.”
Had this paragraph originated in almost any
other paper, we should have passed it by as
being a mere embodiment of ono of the multi
tude of rumors from Washington which are
constantly on the wing in the great commer
cial emporium. Nor do wo now give faith to
the rumor said to have gone to New York from
this city of the actual "settlement of the Boun
dary Question” at London. But to the re
marks of the “News” upon the rumor, we at
tach much eonsequener, from the fact that the
Editor of the "News,” J. L. O’Sullivan, Esq.,
has just returned in the Acadia from a short vi
sit to Europe, during which he has doubtless
had access, at London, to the best source of in
formation. Wiien lie says that he has “reason
to regard the truth of the report as in the high
est degree probable,” nnd that he knows the
disposition and willingness of the British Gov
ernment to be such os he says, we feel b»utid
to share the confidence which he expresses of a
speedy and satisfactory adjustment of the ques
tion on the principle above stated. Such, our
readers will recollect, lias been our hope, and,
wc may say, our prediction.
FRANCE—THE UNITED 8TATES—OREGON.
Many of ourcilixcns (says the United States
Gazette) have felt anxious to hear how France
would receive the compliments of intorforonco
which Mr. Polk in his late messago, made
against her for interfering in the affair of Tex.
as nnhexhliqn. We have yet to hear from Mr.
Guizot and his follow laborers, but the Editor of
the Courier des Ela'is Unis, who has recently
been with these statesmen, is of the opinion,
that they will find cause to recriminate. The
New York Courier translates the following:
"The French Governmant will be deeply
wounded by this accusation of treason and in
trigue (the word i'b there ut full length) openly
cast upon it from the Presidential chair. And,
let us say it, the French Cabinet will not be
wounded without rcasou. W bother the policy
is adopted on the Texas question be good 01-
bud, it owes no account of it utlici than to its
THE TELEGRAPH.
I3Bfc£S:_
Tuesday, January <5,
BIBB ELECTION.
We have delayed our paper to get the ofir
cial returns, but owing to the bad weather they
have not been sent in from all the precinetJ as
yet.
Col. Towns’ majority over Dr. Baber we
learn is 91 votes.
The following county officers were elected :
WM. II. MACARTI1Y, Sheriff.
HENRY G. ROSS, Ci.k. S. Court.
JOHN E. JEFFERS, Clk. I. Court.
RICHARD BASSETT,Tax Collector.
WM. C. KENNEDY, Rec.Tax Returns.
M U N IC IPAL ELECTION.
At the election on Saturday 3d inst., for City
Officers the following gentlemon were elected;
ISAAC HOLMES, Mayor without opposL
tion,
Aldermen.
JAMES B AYRES,
JAMES DENTON,
J. A. NISBET,
JAMES DEAN,
T. P. STUBBS,
ELIJAH BOND,
O. G. SPARKS,
CHARLES COLLINS.
A. R. FREEMAN was re-elected Clerk of
Council.
THE P EN I T ENTIARY.
The fiscal affairs of this institution, it seems,
are undergoing a sifting process, and it is like
ly to turn out that its boasted management
which was so powerful an auxiliary of Gov.
Crawford’s re-election last year, was a little
mixed with humbuggery. If so, let the decep
tion be ferreted out und exposed. But we cau.
tion our friends in their zeal in the matter, not
to confuse the question of the late good or bad
management of the institution, with the abstract
merits of the system of Penitentiary confine
ment. The system is no party question, and
wc here enter our disclaimer against its being
made so, and against any attempt to commit
the Democratic party against the humane prin
ciple ot confinement in the Penitentiary.—
Hanging for petty crimes, cropping, and brand-
ing are modes of punishment that belong to an
other age, and we never desire to see them
adopted again.
As a specimen of the "financiering” charged,
wo copy the following from the Federal Union:
But let us look into the charge for re build
ing the Pe itentiary.
The charge for labor is put down at $16,-
745 SO. The items, as we are informed, were
not examined by the committee. We would
respectfully inquire upon wliat principles this
valuation was made! Rumor tells some strange
tales in relation to this matter. It is for in
stance, boldly asserted, that the shingling und
and tiling of the roofs of the buildings were ap
praised at $200 per square, when the same
work has been done by the convicts out ofthe
Penitentiary, at 62J cts. per square. It is also
said that the brick work on the prison walls
was estimated at $4,00 j>er 1000, win n the
best mechanics would huve done it, for less than
half that sum. Are there and other statements
of similar character which arc current among
us true? They come to us upon authority,
that wc cannot question, and shall not, till they
are authoritatively denied and their falsity es
tablished by competent testimony. Jf they are
Hue, who can tell what is the real value ofthe
labor bestowed upon the re-building and re-
pa rs of the Penitentiary? Nay, more, if they
arc true, who can place any confidence, in any
of the estimates ofthe value, of any ofthe assets
of the Penitentiary? If the operations of the in
stitutions are conducted upon this system, the
people have been most egregiously hoed winked,
and a species of humbuggery and deception has
own coumry and to its own conscience, and it ^ ^etised, which is without its parallel in
be ongs not to any foreign Government to con- the a J na , s llf ^ We ca „ u ' the „, r _
stitute itself the judge thereof. The accusation
preferred by M.. Polk against the policy of M.
Guizot will so much the more irritate the latter,
as it will bo in the hands of the Opposition in
France a sharp weapon; the left of the Cham
ber will scourge unmercifully with it the policy
of the Ministry. But M. Guizot is not a patient
victim, and when he turns upon his adversaries
his return blow usually leaves one or more of
them on the ground. We are much deceived,
or Mr. Polk will have his share in these vigo
rous reprisals.”
Effect of the War Panic.—We stnted
a few days since, that the war panic would, in
one respect, be beneficial to this country—the
probability would be that it would be put into
a stntc of defence, which has been wanting for
many years past.
We see now, by our exchange papers, that
the government has ordered a survey to he
made of the reservation at the head of the riv
er St. Clnir, with a view to establishing a fort
there, in the place of the old barrack known as
Fort Gratiot. We would rather that the prin
cipal sea ports were first seen to, and put in
a proper stale of defence ; but we areglud that
a beginning is made any where. Wo hope
that the government will not stop until tho
whole conntry is well fortified. Had it been
well fortified and capable of resisting any at
tempt at foreign invasion for two years past,
the Oregon difficulty might have been settled
before-this time.—N. Y. Herald.
and turns their thoughts from their situation;
the produce of the labor on the cotton enables
them to buy our provisions; so to fight us would
io homely phrase, be to "fight tlietr bread and
butter.” But if they must fight, let them come
on, but do not *et us throw any new fire-brand \
into the broil. The following opinioes we ex
tract from a Charleston paper:
The Washington News.—A reference to
the letters of our Washington correspondent,
will shew that there is a prospect of an amicable
settlement of the Oregon question. Mr. Cal
houn, it will be seen, has takon up the subject
with the determination to use every means in
his power to prevent a collision between tho
two governments, and he will be sustained by
tlie Senate, so far it is certain as to prevent
any legisla'i.ve action in the premises, until fur
ther negotiation shall be found unavailable.—
There can now be but little doubt, we think,
that the "war fever” will subside, and that our
relations with England will be placed on a firm
and friendly footing previous to the adjournment
of Congress,
LEGISLATURE.
Among the acts of the late Legislature, of an
important character, are the following, which
we extract franr the Southern Recorder:
A Supreme Court for the Correction of Er
rors was established. The rate of interest on
all contracts hereafter made is redueed to 7 per
cent. Trust funds (that is, money in hands of
executors, administrators, guardians and trus
tees) are allowed to be invested in State bonds
or other Stale securities, and when so invested,
are relieved from taxation. The State road is
to be continued to Cross Plains in the next two
years, with the profits of the road, and by the
issue of of qoeds (not e xceed $65,000 per an-
nnm( on the faith of the road ouly, as described
in report of proceedings in another part @f this
paper. The price of grants to reverted lands
is changed as follows: it continues at $25 till
1st Feb., it is then reduced to $10, at which it
is to remain till 1st May; after that day it is re
duced to $5 00.
A1TROPRIATIONS AND EXPENSES FOR 1846.
Expenses of the last session, as per Speak
er’s and President’s warrants, $ 52,101
Appropriation act and census of 1866, 156,665
give an impulse to trade, and so augment th e -
When the agriculturists get low priori
uir produce, you diminish their ability t*
value
for the
purr
208,766
To be paid in 1835, under former acts:
Interest on public debt,
To Reid, Irving & Co.
Deaf nnd Dumb,
University,
Penitentiary,
S101,000
50,000
1,500
2,000
7,657
165,157
Total to bo disbursed in 1S42, $373,923
TIIE EFFECT OF HIGH DUTIES ON COTTON.
As the modification ofthe tariff is one ofthe
most important measures which will engage the
attention of the present Congress, tire following
from the pen of a memlrer of the last Congress,
will not b j utiintereuiog. Those engaged in
the production of cotton may see how high du
ties affect tho price of tlie great stuple, as well
as the amount require! for export:
COTTON
Quality and value of Cotton exported annually from
1821/o 1844.
Movements of the English.—Wo learn
that Mr. Bell, tho cnerg' tic Circassian travel
ler, lias been in New York, and sailed on the
20th instant in the Fulton, a beautiful new built
clipper, to re-enter upon his duties as Comman
dant aud Governor-in-chicf of the Mosquito
Kingdom, to which Lord Aberdeen appointed
him.
It is said that he had frequent interviews with
Captain Elliott, "the man with the white lint,”
aud the British Consul; and that Capt. E. im
mediately after loft bv land, to meet Mr. Bell
at San Juan de Nicaragua, where a British
squadron will concentrate, to put in force the
notice given to the New Granada States, that
the port of San Juan would be restored to the
Musquito Kmg. It is our opinion, however,
that “ the man in tho white hat” will bo next
heard of somowherc in Mexico.
The whole of the Musquito dominion, exten
ding seven hundred miles south from Capo Hon
duras, is now virtually a British colony, gained,
it is said, by diplomacy—and funny diplomacy
it was, too.—iV. Y. Ilerald, 25th ult.
Georgim. Wc call upon the pi
tice interested for a fall exhibition of the facts,
for the truth the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth.
In tho same connection it may be remarked,
that it is unqualifiedly asserted that for the work
ofthe convicts in tlie repairs ofthe Stale House,
the Smt“ has been charged and lias paid for
each ut the rate of 80 cts. per day, when the
charge heretofore made to private individuals
has been only 37J cents per day; in other
words, that the Treasury of the State has been
made subsidiary to the gratification of an ambi
tion to advance, at all hazards, the profits of the
Penitentiary.
PRO SPECT A IlE A D .
A short time since, the prospect of difficul
ties wit.li Great Britain about Oregon, looked
rather dark. Mr. Cass’s speech, Mr. Allen’s,
Mr. Douglas’ resolutions, all boded warm work.
But the stand taken by Mr. Calhoun rather
clears up the gloom, and we think the great Pa
cificator will carry out the views of Mr. Polk,
without endangering the honor of our country,
or the peace of the world. Rather than sacri
fice the honor or dignity of this country, rather
than yield an inch to a spirit of rapaciousness
or domineering on the part of Great Britain, we
would prefer war—“war to thu knife.” Aud
our opinions in that respect would not be “ab
stractions;” we would cheerfully shoulder a
musket und do battle in the ranks which we
should certainly do.
But while these are our feelings, we yet wish
the matter conducted with prudence, and do
not altogether like tlm hotspur notions of some
of tlie Western Chevaliers. Mr. Cass lives in
Michigan; Mr. Allen in Ohio; Mr. Douglass
in Illinois: and a glance at the map shows that
in event of war, their homes would bo compar
atively quiet, while we on tlie Atlantic would
have the whole brunt to bear. They can af
ford to be belligerent at a cheap rate; but wo
will have it to pay for.
If the British nation, unmindful of their own
perilous relations at home, should take fire at
Mr. Polk’s calm, dignified semiments as ex
pressed in the message, and should feel bent on
war, let it come. But they belter understand
their own position toward us. We furnish the
cotton which keeps their millions employed,
Years.
Founds.
Value.
Av’ge
price.
Exported in
’18211
124.893.405
20,457.484
16.2
1822
141.675.005
24.035.058!
16 6
Low duties
1SQ3
173.723 270
22,445 520;
11.3
.
1824
1 42.369 663
24.917,404;
15.4
1825
176,419.907
36,8*6’64S
1
20.9
1826
204.535.415
?5.025,2H
12.2
1827
294.3 1,1 5
29.359.54
■
10.0
High duties.
1828
210.590.463
22.487,229
10.7
’ 829
264.837.186
26.575,3lt
10.0
1630
293.459.102
29,674.833
9.9
1831
276.979.784
25.289 49
D.t
1832
322.215.122
31.724,68
9.8
1833
324,699,604
56.491,105
11.1
1834
384.7 7 907
49.448,402
12.8
IS 15
387.358,992
611161.302
16.8
1836
423.631.302
71,*284,925
16.8
I ow duties.
1837
444 211 537
63.240.102
14.2
1838
595,952,297
61,556.811
10.3
18:!!)
413.624.212
61.238.982
14.8
18411
743.941;061
83.870.307
8.5
1S41
530.204.100
54.330,341
10 2
Higli duties.
1842
5S4 747,017
47,593.464
8.1
i 1943
792.297,406
49.149,806
6.2
1844
663,633,455
54,963,501
8.1
Exported in 4 years from
from 1821 to 1624.
585.661.433
86.595,463
Annual average.
Exported in 8 years, from
1605 to 183-3,
146,415,359
2,048,377.094
21.646,366
226.983.005
14 8
Annual average.
Exported in 10 years from
1833 to 184-3,
256.647.13C
4,833,657,029
28,372,876
573,715,741
11.1
Annual average.
483,305,703
57,371.574
11.8
Exported in 1843 and 1844
1.455.930.561
103.183.307
Annual average,
727.965,280 51,591,653j
7.087
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Register’s Office. Jan 30. 1845.
T. L. SMITH, Reg’r.
The tables setting forth the exports and value
or cotton, annually, from 1821 to 1S44, equally
with those just examined, prove tho singular
exactness with which all of our great agricultu
ral staples rise or fall as the duties upon im
ports go up or down. The present very low
prices should induce the farmers and planters
to inquire into the causes that produce such in
jurious results. It cannot be ascribed to over
production, for that lias been progressing since
1821; and by casting the eye over the table it
will be plainly seen that, though tho supplies
were annually increasing, yet, as the tariff’poli
cy vibrated from high to low duties, the prices
of our agricultural products also vibrated, in ex
act unison, from high to low. Look at tho in
creased supplies of cotton from 1825 to 1832,
and the fall in prices during that time, and then
look at the increased supplies from 1832 to
1S42, and mark the rise in prices in the latter
period. But as soon as Congress passed the
high tariff lull ot 1842 behold how the price of
cotton has fallen. From 1825 to 1832 there
was an increase in the cotton crop of about *5
per cent- and the price fell from 14 cents per
pound—which it had maintained during the
four preceding years down to ] 1 cents the
pound. But from 1833 to 1S42, there was a
similar increase of about seventy-five per cent,
in the crop, but the price rose, nevertheless, a
tow’ mills per pound. From 1843 to 1844,
there was still about the same increase of seven
ty-five per cent, in the crop, but the price again
fell to seven cents per pound. Certainlv, in
both instances, under high duties, tho cotton
crop, as there was about the regular rate of in
crease maintained, should, under all the boast
ed advantages of the home market, ut least,
have sold as high as it did under the descending
scaie of duties from 1832 to 1842. Thus we
find that tho home market does not enhance the
prico of our agricultural staples, but we are
forcibly taught the fact, that as you resti ict com
merce, you impair tlie value of our exports;
and on the other hand, that, as you liberate
commerco from these restrictions, you thereby
to give employment to others, and
i bus, by bringing about hard times in the
ing and planting States, you force them to C r? Jt '
suine less and export more, though, owin'* to tlm
blighting effects of the restrictive system, t] .!
got but little in return. So, too, hard times
thus brought about, equally curtail the ability 0 F
all others to consume our staples, and th e
tem which it was said would stimulate and sa 3 ^
tain a good home market for our agriculture
products, destroy itself.
CONGRESS .
We have received no mail north of Chaffer
ton, and make the following extracts from tlie
correspondence of the Charleston Courier:
Washington, Dec. 26, 1845;
Mr. Pakenhant is certainly very much averso
to a war, all his professions, private and public
are averse to it. He says that Great Britain
will never strike the first blow.
Tlie rumor that he has renewed the negotia.
lions with our government on tlie basis of a
compromise, are incorrect; but it is true that ho
lias been cousulled'upon the Bill lately reported
in the House by Mr. Douglass, from the Cbm-
mittee on Territories, for tho protection offset-
tiers in, and emigrants to Oregon, until ff, a
joint occupancy be terminated.
Several conferences have taken] place Be
tween Mr Buchanan and Mr. Pakenham on thjj
subject, and it is understood by my in for mm;
that Mr. P. had remonstrated! one provision on.
ly—the building of stockades. There is scarce,
ly a doubt that the British Government will a.
sent to all that we propose to do for the protcc-
tion of our settlers, and there cannot be, of
course, any exception taken to the treaty ri»bt
of giving the notice. War, therefore, would
seem to be lb the distant future. Oregon can
hardly be made a pretext for it, on the side of
Great Britain,
I learn that, in the absence of Mr. Rhett.of
ofS. C., the Committee of Foreign Relations
in the House are equally divided on the grara
subjects referred to them, regarding our rela
tions with England.
Mr. Parrott has been appointed Secretary of
Legation in Mexico, and is now there. Tho
British secret and ubiquitous Envoy, Mr. El
liott—ho of the white liat—is also already
there,
Washington, Dec. 27.
We have further proofs, to-day that our diffi
culties with Great Britain are speedily to bead-
justed; and the ho|>e of an amicable issue of ibis
question has been revived by the efforts of Mr.
Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun, since lus arrival here, has been
entirely engaged in promoting a pacific settle
ment of the question. He interposed in a man
ner that no one else could do, with the same
propriety, for the purpose of renewing ihe ne-
gotintion, which had been suffered tolapse.be-
tweeri Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Pakenham.—
In this he has succeeded entirely, and although
lie negotiations are not renewed, yet there is a
fair prospect that they may be at no very dis
tant day.
Through the efforts of Mr. Calhoun, several
very anrcuble conferences have taken place be.
tween the British minister and tlie Secretary of
State.
Dispatches have no doubt, been sent to Eng
land, not only by our Government, hut by the
British minister, which may receive a pacific
response.
Air. Calhoun’s good offices have not stopped
here- He. and I may add Mr, Holmes also,
Inve used their efforts, very successfully, tiitli-
in the last two days, to dissuade the Western
members Irom pressing any bill Or project in re
lation to Oregon in either House. One of these
hills is Mr. Douglass’s, reported from the Com
mittee of Territories, in tlie House, and made
the special order of the day for Tuesday, the
Gth of January. An arrangemant has been
made, as I have learned, that this bill shall not
be pressed. It is of a character that might dis
turb any pending negotiations, by throwing
down tiie gauntlet to Great Britain, and 1 un
derstand that Mr. Pakenham has taken strong
exceptions to some ofit9 provisions.
I understand moreover, that the whig and
democratic leaders of the Senate have come to
some understanding that there shall be no hasty
action in that body. Tho democratic Ssnatori
from the West disclaim any idea or intention of
urging the question in a hasty or rash manner.
Further, the advices by the Acadia have cre
ated an impression here that the British Gov
ernment is disposed to compromise the question
upon tho basis of our late offer of the 49th par
allel, with, perhaps, some modifications. Mr.
Bates, Ihe Americau Banker, of the house of
Baring, Brothers & Co., has written, upon au
thority, it is presumed, that the British Govern
ment will accept that proposition.
Washington, 29.
The war fever is pretty well over here, though
there are those who would foster it, for person
al, party, and sectional considerations. There
is a general and strong impression, that proposi
tions will soon be made from the other side ot
the Atlantic, and that all we nave to do in the
matter, is to abstain from any legislation which
would consequently wound the pride ofthe oth
er party. There is no war spirit in Congress,
none in tho nation—but, there are evidences
of a national spirit, that would unite all parties
in the support of the administration, should
Great Britaia persist in oxactions that might bo
deemed unreasonable.
Even should negotiations finally fail, after be
ing resumed, there is still left the resource of
arbitration, which many’ of the democrotic_Sen
ators und members, declare themselves willing
to resort to.
Politicians are already speculating upon tM
results of an adjustment ofthe question upon the
American proposition. They seem to concur
in the opinion, tb- a t it will give Mr. Calhoun,as
tne arbiter of >\eace, a prominent position in lb*
innc an^ C.l A A n tlftfl*
affections an<^ confidence of the American peo -
ple * K . - 4
A treaty is on foot here between Prussia,
thu Uuited Slates, which promises mutually
grunt commercial advantages.
Tha next packet from England' will bring t' :i j
intelligence that Indian com from lh8 Units
States is made duty free. This is but the be
ginning of a system that premises great ad' 311 "
tages to the people of tho United States.
There is now scarcely a doubt that OoB? rc '’
will, at this Session, reduce and essential?
modify the Tariff'of 1842. There is a maj orl *
ty of twenty-five in favor of the measure in ' 0
House, independently of the Pennsylvanian?-
Really, it would seem that the time ot
trade and.low duties, and an economical a
ministration,of the government is, about !ocouj®j
a result hitherto, rno.rc desired than expect •
Washington, Dec. 30.
A senator from, Maryland has a letter r °®
Mr. MoLane, which expresses the opim° n i
1 learn, that if tho negotiation should be c0
milled to him, lie would be able, very W®” 1
to s'-ttla tho question that the United ^ .
would, even obtain better terms from E fl S a ’