Newspaper Page Text
took Iter to be. She is growing weak
tneUUtOy, as well as physically. What
has that poor mute ever done to her,
or her*-, that she is so mortally afraid
of hint?” 1 went down however.—
WelborH was sitting tipped bank in a
chair, on the back piazza. He was
reading in a newspaper. Not hearing
my footsteps of course lie did not look
up. and I glided back to the invalid’s
chamber, unperceivcd. But I disliked
to tell her that he was below. Yet the
truth had to be spoken. I said as soon
as I reached the door, “ No Miss Church
—the mute did not go with the hmiters
—he is on the back porch reading the
HemUT
Instead of seeming to be pained by
tho intelligence, l thought on the contra
ry, from the'exprcssion of her features, i
that it gave her pleasure. Her eye i
brightened and a smile came to her
O
lips.
“Certainly,” thought I“ my teacher
is a livings breathing enigma. I never
know what, will afford her pleasure or
pain. I said when she first came to ‘
Oakland—when I saw the Odd Fellow’s I
pin which she wears, that I would for !
the sake of my father’s memory treat her
well—that. I would study her disposition j
and tastes, and in all things conform my |
conduct to them, but every day I find \
out that I know less and less of her.-*- I
She is a marvel, and a mystery. Why
does she start and blush when Fanny !
Bates addresses her ? Why does she j
shun the observation of the visitors here, j
and why does she at one moment declare j
that the presence of a poor deaf and dumb |
half-idiot on the premises, although en- j
tirely removed from her sight, is a source 1
of discomfort to her, and the next mo- j
ment smile as if she felt a sense of relief,!
when told that he is here ? I cannot uu-!
derstand her.”
Under my grandmother’s vigilant su- j
perintendenoe, the baggage was all rea- j
dy at an earl v hour. Fred did not come j
as he had promised to do, with the bird i
before dinner. On the contrary it was
late in the afternoou when he made his
appearance. He came uj\ to the front
steps with a pretty little forest songster
in bis hand. Its gay plumage was some- !
what ruffled, and it droojnxl about life- j
lessly in his fingers. .
“ Here cons,” he said, “take this to Miss j
Church, and tell her that 1 could not find !
an eatable bird for her dinner. I how
ever killed this pretty creature accidently
and brought it along that she might see
its gay feathers. It will not do howev
er to cook.”
I took the bird.
“ We are going to start for home to
morrow morning, cousin Fred,” l said.
“Miss Church is busy about her trunks,
and will not like to be interrupted.”
“Going home to-morrow!” he exclaim- I
ed with evident surprise. “ Why what j
has brought that about f’
“ Miss Church is sick and tired, and
grandpa and grandma say that they are
ready to go, and that you may stay be
hind and finish your visit here and fol-j
low at your pleasure.”
“ l shall go when the rest of you do, j
of course,” lie said, but nevertheless he
looked somewhat disappointed.
“ What w that, Miss Claude?” said;
Fanny Bates, coming up to us “whatj
is that about going home T
“We are going in the morning,” I ‘
said.
“ Is it possible ?’ she exclaimed, evi- ;
dently with regret. “ Going to-mor- i
row ?” |
“ Yes.”
“lam very sorry. It will be dull
here when you leave.”
“ Miss Bates, who is such a great fa*!
vorite with all parties will hardly notice,
1 suspect, the abscence of two or three.
She never lacks society,” said Fred in n
complimentary tone.
The beauty’s check was generally as
delicate as a rose-leaf. It now blushed i
and glowed like crimson. She looked
down at first, but afterwards cast a timid
glance into Fred’s face.
“ l shall miss the society of Mrs. Als
ton, and Miss Church, and Miss Claude
very much indeed I assure you, sir.”
I think she had never looked so pretty
iu Fred’s eyes, as she did at that mo
ment. Mr. Maroon came up, however,
and interrupted the conversation, but at
the supper-table, and in the parlor after
wards, my cousin’s eye was a good deal
upon her.
Its asked her to play chess. She was
skillful, and Fred delighted in the game.
The contest between them was long and
exciting, but the beauty, amid the ap
plause of a band of spectators who had
gathered together and hung over the
back of her chair, check-mated her ad
versary at last.
“ You must acknowledge,” said Mr.
Maroon, “that that was very cleverly
done, Armstrong. You may understand
military tactics, but your king has been
driven into very close quarters, and there
is no prospect of esci>e ”
“lie never could have been imprisoned
by a fairer hand,” said Fred, laughing
and sweeping the board. “ Miss Bates.
I must leave to-morrow, and cannot now
show my skill, but I hope to have an op
portunity, on some future dav, of retrie
ving my diameter for generalship.”
“Having now fully aroused my foe.’
said the beauty, laughing iu her turn,
“ I presume ! shall find, as did an
old warrior in ancient times, that my
victory has been rny undoing.”
” l do not imagine that yon need give
yourself much liueusiness,” said my cous
in, “ but reallv, my reputation i>a milita
ry affairs is at stake, and I must manage
to get you check-mated on some future
day.”
The clock just then, in the dining hall
struck twelve. The company in the par
lor started as if surprised at the lateness
of the hour, and soon afterwards separa
ted for the night.
When f went up stairs 1 found Miss
Church still up. She had her trunks
all locked and strapped —a card attached
bearing her name and destination, and
her travelling dress hung over the back
of a chair, ready for the morrow’s jour
ney.
“ Claude, child,” she said,, “ It is mid’
night. Why did you stay below so,late,
and what were all those people so noisy
about in the parlor, a spell ago ? I could
hear Mr. Armstrong’s voice distinctly a
bove all the rest. Pray what have
they been doing J”
“They were playing chess,” I said,
“ and Fanny Bisfcs check-mated her ad
versary.*’
“ Who did she play with ?”
“Cousin Fred. The noise you heard,
was the applauding. They all laughed
when she had the king fast. You ought
to have been down there.”
M Was that—that—that creature there
Newt Welborn, 1 mean. Was he .in
the parlor, Claude ?”
“ No; Miss Church, l have not seen
him since you sent me down to look af
ter btm. I think be has left.”
“ God grand it!— left never to return
| while we stay here at least—God grant ,
it,” said the governess, earnestly. “As I
I before said, l am dreadfully afraid of I
him.” An almost imperceptible shiver
ran through her slight frame. I stopped
in the middle of my undressing, to look
at her. But she did not not : ce me, and
we were, half an hour afterwards, safe in
i bed.
llk GokVi) 3Lh)k?-
PART OK CHAPTER IS.
Omitted last week.
Cousin Fred and Miss Bates almost lifted
tho girl to her seat. She drew her green ba
rege veil, closely down over her face and at
that instant, the mute, who had for a mo
ment disappeared from the top of the rock,
came around its base, and stood near the
horses. He nodded, and smirked, and bow
ed to cousin Fred and Miss Bates, in token
of recognition. They were too much alarm
ed at the state of the invalid to return his
cordial yet silent salutation, and when the
carriage drove away, we left him looking
alter us with an expression of wonder in his
blank and meaningless countenance.
. Poor Newt!” said Fred, t lie thinks I
have forgotten him but I have not. I’ll prove
to him if he will only come up to the Springs,
that I remember him very well.”
Just then we met Mr Maroon galloping
along on horse-back.
*. What! going back again, Miss Fanny ?”
lie said in a disappointed tone. •* You make
short visits.”
The girl bowed gravely, and the widower
passed on. G randmother met us at the front
door evidently much flustrated by apprehen
sion.
Why did you come back so soon ?” she
asked of Fred. Was Miss Church sick r”
We all stated how the matter stood in a
breath and Miss Bates led Miss Church care
lully up stairs, and then went in search of
tier father.
The old Doctor came in —felt of his pa
tient’s pulse, and said that her faintness a
rose, he had no doubt, from sudden alarm.
He gave her a sedative—a small white pow
der from a blue paper, and said that she
must be left alone or nearly so.
i. 1 will watch beside her,” said his daugh
ter. The patient moved her hand.
No,’ she said, • leave me entirely alone.
It will soon be dark and I shall sleep—per
haps,” she added in an undertone.
• She had better be left alone if she wish
les it,” said the doctor kindly. Come Fan
! —come Miss Claude ! We will go down.”
As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I
l saw, through the front door, Miss Bates’ nev
|er tiring admirer riding home from the ru
! ins, and by his side walked the strange un
coot i being whom we had left standiug near
the base of the rocks.
*• That is Newt Welhorn, papa !” said the
belle. We saw him at the tort. He was
standing on the summit of the great rock,
ana I think it was the sight of him which
caused Miss Church to faint.”
* All ?” said the doctor; ,he has not been
here before this summer. lie is enough to
frighten anybody.”
It was not long before the mute came into
I
the public parlor where Fanny and I had
seated ourselves. lie had shaken hands
wi h Cousin Fred, and the Doctor on the col
onnade, and now he sought the feminine
part of liis acquaintance.
The belle received him kindly—almost af
fectionately. You would have thought that
there was some tie of kindred between them.
Tne mute bowed, smiled, made signs innu
merable and talked to her by means of his
long skinny fingers. The language was un
intelligible to me, but she understood it per
fectly. Every now and then she would in
terpret to uie his words. lie wants to
knowshe said, if he did not see us at
the ruins and what we ran away from him
for.”
“ Tell him,” said I ,< that a lady the lady
with us, was sick.” Miss Bates spelled it to
him.
“ lie asks now,” she continued < who the
lady was, and what has become of her.”
Tell him that it was Mss Church.”
The intelligence was given. He shook his
head,
. It was Miss Churchill instead of Miss
Church,” he said. We hud not told him all
of her name.
We assured him that we had. He seemed
dissatisfied and wanted her pointed out to
him. Wc told him that she was ill, quite
ill in bed. He said he thought he knew her
but her name was Churchill.
Miss Bates assured him that he was mis
taken in the person—that this lady had nev
er seen him before—that the sight of him on
, top of i ha rock ha I frightened her very much
indeed, and told him with a serious face that
i muß t not get up there any more to frigh
j ten the ladies.
An Old Tree.
Verb ups the oldest tree on record is the
eypress of Suuuaa, ia Lombardy. It is sup
posed to have been planted in the year of
the birth of Christ, and on that account is
looked upon with reverence by the inhabi
tne**, but an ancient chronicle at Milan is
saiik to prove that it was a tree in the time
of Julias CuiHur, B. C. 82. It is 123 feet
high, 2D feet in circumference at one fee*
: from the ground. Napoleon, when, laying
down the plun for bis great road over the
Simplon, diverged from a straight line to
avoid injuring this tree.
Hon. John E. Ward.-— The Eutonton
Pratt having suggested the name of this
gentleman in connection with the Guberna
torial office, Mr, Ward, writes to the Editor
that his > name will not be either before the
people, or their representatives in Conven
tion, for that distinguished offic e.’—Federal
WnbJi.
THE STANDARD.
wiiTiam^
THOMAS A. BURKE, > EDITORS.
CASSVILLE, GEO.
THURSDAY MORNING,
MARCH 15. 1855.
have had no Foreign news since
last week’s issue. The Pacific has been due
for several days, and some fears are enter
tained that she has met with an accident.
New Post Office.
Anew Post Office has been established in
Gilmer county, with the name of Town
Creek, and F. M. Kitchens appointed Post
Master.
Crowded Out.
Several book notices and other editorials
intended for this week's paper, are unavoid
ably crowded out. We shall try to • catch
up” next week.
Commissioner of Court of Claims.
We were last week at fault in conferring
the appointment of Commissioner of this
Court upon Judge John 11. Lumpkin, of
Rome. Judge Joseph llenrv Lumpkin,
of our Supreme Court, it should have been.
Erratta.
A most unfortunate error crept into our
last week's paper. Through an oversight,
in making up the form, about half a col
umn of Cbapter IX of the Story on our first
page—.i Friendship, or the Mysterious Gov
erness”—was omitted. If the reader will
refer to the last paragraph but one, two lines
from the bottom of the paragraph, the mis
take will be found. In this week's paper
we publish the omitted part, which will, we
trust, clear the matter up. Such a thing
shall not again occur.
, Marble in Cass.
It gives us pleasure to state that a valua
ble bed of Marble lias been discovered on the
land of Col. J T. Rowland, in this county.
The location is about five miles from this
place, and within one and a half miles of
Cartersville. We have before us two speci
mens—one of a beautiful white marble,
almost translucent, of very fine grain, and
susceptible we thoull think of very high, pol
ish : the other a very fine specimen of vari
egated marble, one of the most beautiful
we have ever seen. Both of these va
rieties occur in large quantities and give
promise of great value. We shall take oc
casion, before long, to speak more fully of
this valuable discovery than we are able to
do now. In the meantime, we shall be glad
to shew the specimens in our possession to
those who call on us.
The Blacksmith of the Mountain Pass.
A late number of Dickens’ Household
Words publishes a story entitled * Col.
Qungg’s Conversion,” which is stolen, almost
bodily, from *i The Experience of the Black
smith of the Mountain Pass,” one of a series
of Homespun Yarns , contributed to the
Family Companion” several years ago, by
the Hon. John B. Lamar, of Macon. The
story may be found in a volume of sketches
—Polly Peablossom's Wedding and other
I Tales— published by Getz & Buck, of Phil
adelphia, and edited by the writer of this
paragraph. “ We think the original far su
perior, in point of style, to the plagiarism
It is a great pity that Col. Lamar does not
write more fiequently, ns the few sketches
from his pen already published are invalu
able contributions to our Georgia literature.
We sincarely trust that he will favor the
reading public with something before long
The Montgomery Mail
Os all the papers on our exchange list,
there is no one so highly prized as the Mail.
It’s editor, J. J. Hooper, Esq , is one of the
spiciest waters in our mind's eye,” and by
long odds the best editor in half a dozen
States. We mean what we say, and if any
body is disposed to question our taste, let
him try the Mail a spell, nnd see for him
self. Tire same rollicking humor that ren
dered Capt. Simon Suggs the most popular
book ever published this side of the Atlantic,
sparkles in every paragraph of Hooper s
editorials, giving life and interest to the
most common place topics, while the boldness
and originality of his ideas will challenge
the reader's admiration, eveu though he may
differ with him. We are anxious to see the
circulation of the Mail increased In this re
gion. Montgomery and Nashville will soon
divide the entire Grooery trade of this Cher
okee country, and our merchants and far
mers will find it to their interest to subscribe
for a paper which will keep them posted up
as to Montgomery prices. Such an one is
the Mail. It is published daily at $8 and
weekly at #2 50 per annum. For $8 50 we
will send the weekly and the Standard for
one year, either to new subscribers or to old
ones who will pay up.
State Democratic Convention..
<> The next general election in Georgia
will bo hotly contested. If the Democracy
triumph, they must orgnnise at once, and
bring their forces unbroken to the conflict.
Our enemies are already in the field, though
they work in the dark, and creep under the
waJl upon their prey. They aie a danger
one and. insidious foe. We must unearth
them before we can conquer them. Let us,
therefore, go to work at once, and put our
spies cn their track.
We suggest, therefore, that a State Con
vention be bold at Milledgeville, Tuesday
\st day of May next, to uominate a candi
date for Governor. What says our cotem
poruries ?
“ We clip the above,” says the Federal
Union, from the Times If Sentinel of the
Oth. We agree with our esteemed contem
porary, that the Convention should be held
at an early day. Our opponent is already
nominated, as much so as he ever will be.—
But as the time would be rather short, what
say our friends of the Times Sentinel,
and our Democratic brethren throughout the
State, to Tuesday the 6th June ?” T
We like the time suggested by the Fede
ral Union, and trust that it may be agreed
on by all the democratic pnpeTsin the State.
We shall probably say move about the mat
ter next week. In tho meantime we call the
attention of our county readers to the call
i for a meeting of the Democracy of this coun
ty, which will be found iu another column.
The Ostend Conference.
We publish this week, to the exclusion of
much other matter, the report of Mess. Bu- |
clmnan, Mason and Soule, of the proceedings
I of the celebrated conference at Ostend. which |
! was composed of these three gentlemen.— j
I The conference was preceded by a correspon
! dence consisting of letters from Mr. Marcy
| to Mr. Sonle and Mr. Buchanan, extending
: from July, 1853, to August 16,1855 In
; the letter of that date to Mr Soule, Mr
Marcy suggests a meeting of the three gen
tlemen at some convenient place, that they
consult together and adopt measures for per
fect concert of action in aid of the negotia
tions of Mr Soule at Madrid The minis
ters selected Ostend, in Belgium, at which
place the first consultation was held. They
subsequently met at Aix La Chapelle, at
which they concluded their deliberations,
and thence they addressed to this govern
i ment the report of their views and conclu
sions, which we publish. It is long, but as
j we could not well cut it down, we give it en
tire, believing our readers will find it full
of interest. It presents the whole matter in
a strong light.
The deliberations of this conference, aud
the conclusions to which our ministers a
broad arrived,” remarks the Constitution
alist fy Republic., deserve the earnest at
tention of the American people. This con
ference, in connection with the organization
against us advised and encouraged by Eng
land and France, of which our Government
has receutly been notified by an autograph
letter from the Emperor of Russia, should
stimulate this country to bring our difficul
ties with Spain to an early close. We have
reason to believe that the autograph letter
was received, and a discussion had at the
President’s house on its contents. By what
process the information imparted by Russia
was obtained, or through what treachery
this consultation between the President, Mr.
Marcy, and Senators Cass, Douglas and Ma
son came to light, wc eau neither explain
nor defend.’
The New Bounty Land Act.
Below we give the new act, granting
bounty land to officers and soldiers who have
been eugaged in the military service of this
country. It will be seen that those soldiers
who have received less than one hundred
and sixty acres, are entitled to an addition
al number of acres, sufficient to make that
amount:
An Act.— ln addition to certain acts
granting bounty land to certain officers and
soldiers who have been engaged iu the mili
tary service-in the United States.
Be enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That
each of the surviving commissioned and non
commissioned officers, musicians, and priv
ates, whether of regulars, volunteers, rang
ers, militia, who were regularly mustered
into the service of the United States, and ev
ery officer, commissioned and non-commis
sioned, seaman, ordinary seaman, marine,
clerk, and landsman, in the navy, in any of
the wars in which this country has been en
gaged, since seventeen hundred and ninety,
and each survivor of the militia, or volun
teers, or State troops of any State or Terri
tory, called into military service, and reg
ularly mustered therein, and whose services
have been paid by the United States, shall
be entitled to receive a certificate or warrant
from the Department of the Interior lor one
hundred and sixty acres of land ; and where
any of those who have so been mustered into
service and paid shall have received a certif
icate or warrant, he shall be entitled to a
certificate or warrant of such quanity of
land as will make, and the whole, with
what he may have hertofore received, one
hundred and sixty acres to each such per
son having served as aforesaid : Provid
ed, The person so having been in service
shall not receive said land warrant if it shall
appear by the muster-rolls of his regiment
or corps that he deserted, or was dishonora
bly discharged from service:
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That
in case of the death of any person who, if
living would be entitled to a certificate or
warrant as foresuid under this act, leaving
a widow, or, if no widow, a minor child, or
children, such widow, or, if no widow, such
minor child or children, shall be entitled to
receive a certificate or warrant for the same
quantity of land that such deceased person
would be entitled to receive under the pro
visions of this act, if now living : Provided,
That a subsequent marriage shall not im
pair the right of any such widow to such
warrant, if she be a widow at the time of
making her application: And provided
further, That those shall be considered mi
nors who are so at the time this act shall
take effect.
Bec. 3. And be it further enacted, That
in no case shall any such certificate or war
rant be issued for any service less than four
teen days, except where the person shall
actually have been engaged in battle, and ;
unless the party claiming such certificate or
warrant shall establish his or her right
thereto by record evidence of said service.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That
sAid certificates or warrants nmy bo assign
ed, transferred, and located, by the warran
tees, or their heirs at law, according to the
provisions of existing laws rogulaling the
assignment, transfer, and location of bouuty
land warrants.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted. That
no warrant issued under the provisions of
this act shall be located on auy publio lands,
except such as shall at the time be subject
to sale at either the minimum or lowergrad
uated prices.
Sec. 0. And be it further enacted, That
the registers and receivers of the several
land offices shall be severully authorized to
charge and receive for their services in lo
cating all warrants under the provisions of
this act, the same compensation or por oeu
tftge to which they are entitled by law for
sales of the publio lands for cash, at the rate
of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre,
the said compensation to be paid by the as
signees Vs holders of such warrants.
* * * • .7 *
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That
the provisions of this act, and all the boun
ty land laws heretofore passed by Congress,
shall be extended to Indians in the same
manner, and to the same extent, as if the
said Indians had been white men.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted , That
the officers and soldiers of the Revolutiona
ry war, their widows or minor children, be
entitled to the benefits of this act.
Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That
the benefits of tills act shall be applied to,
and eintrace, those who served as volunteers
at the invasion of Plattsburg, in September,
eighteen hundred and fourteen, and also
those who were engaged in the battle of
King's Mouutain, in the Revolutionary war,
and also in the battle of Nickajack.
Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That
the provisions of this ret shall apply to the
cnapiains who served with the army in the
several wars of the country.
Sec. 12. And be it further enacted. That f
the provisions of this act be applied to those
who served as volunteers nt the attack on
Lewistown, in Delaware, by the British
fleet, in the war of eighteen hundred aud
twelve—fifteen.
Attest ; ASBURY DICKINS, Sec.
•
For the Cassville Standard.
A Word about Love.
The breast of woman is a mystery to man,
and man who differs in feelings, sentiments
and desires from woman, will never be able
to solve that mystery.
Separation from a beloved one produces
no change in the love of a true woman ; her
love is eternal, and she is satisfied by the
mere knowledge of that love.
Man, on the contrary, requires the con
tinual presence of his mistress to stimulate,:
or to temper his love. In one case his love ;
will burn With such ardor that his life is j
consumed, and he dies broken hearted, when j
circumstances drive him from the presence j
of his idol, while in another case, his love I
will grow cold hy absence, or he will place ■
it on another object whose immediate pres- I
ence can administer to his desires and i
gratifications.
The love of man, generally, ; s prompted i
by selfish motives, while woman's love springs
from a pure fountain; she finds her greatest
happiness in making sacrifice for the man
she loves.
Both sexes are obliged to learn by experi
ence the true attributes belonging to each.
Before marriage a woman esteems the one
she loves almost a God ; but after she lias
become more intimately acquainted with his
true character, she is disappointed in finding
him a man. On the other hand, a lover es
teems his mistress as an angelic being ;
marriage assures him that she is but a wo
man. .
Os the two sexes, however, woman is alone
purely unselfish. Years of separation will
not quench her love. Where can be found
purer, stronger affection than in a wife, a
mother, and a sister who are anxiously n
waiting the return of a long absent husband,
son or brother ?
But can the same be said of man ? True,
the ties of home strongly bind his affection ;
but can a lover, or husband be happy and
remain faithful to their loves, through years
of separation from the objects of their pas
sion ? 1 fear not. A man's passions and
desires are all powerful; they demand the
presence of his idol, and if that is impossible,
he gives way to despair, or seeks another.
E. P.
For the Cassville Standard.
Mess. Editors : As the times for holding
the State Convention for nominating a suit
able candidate for Governor, and the district
Convention to nominate a candidate to rep
resent the Fifth district in Congress, are
apiproaching, it is meet and proper that the
Democrats of Cass county should hold an
early meeting for the purpose of nominating
suitable delegates, aud also to make nomi
nations for Senator and Representatives
from this county in the next State Legisla
ture. We therefore beg to suggest the first
Tuesday iu April next, (Sale day) ns the
proper time for such mcetiug, aud Cassville
as the place.
MANY CITIZENS.
Cass county, March 12, 1855.
The Diplomatic and Consular Bill.
The bill which has just passed Congress,
under the auspices of Mr Perkins, of Louis
iana, in the Houso, and of Mr. Mason in the
Senate, is considered a measure of great im
portance. It equalizes the salaries of our
diplomatic representatives, and is expected
to ndd to their efficiency ; and n the consu
lar branch will correct many abuses here
tofore considered somewhat grievous. It
proposes to give the following salaries with
no outfits:
To Euvoys Extraordinary and Ministers
Plenipotentiary : To Great Britain, $17,000;
France, $15,000 ; Spain, Russia, Austria,
and Prussia. $12,000 ; Switzerland, Rome,
Naples, Sardinia, Belgium, Holland, Portu
gal, Denmark and Sweden, $7,600; Turkey,
$9,000; China, $16,000; Brazil, $12,000;
Peru, $10,000; Chili, 9,000; Argentine Re
public, New Granada, Bolivia, Ecquador,
Venezuela, Guatemula, and Nicaragua, $?,-
500; Mexico, $12,000.
Secretaries of Legation are to be paid tvs
follows: to Great Britain, $2 500; Franco
and Spain, $2,600; Russia, Austria, Prus
sia, $2,000; Switzerland, Rome, Naples,
Sardinia, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Den
mark, Sweden, Chili, Argentine ltepublio,
New Grunada, Bolivia, Eouudor, Venezuela,
Guatemala, and Nicaragua, $1,600; Brazil,
Peru and Mexico, $2,000. A commissioner
to the Sandwich Islands is to receive an an
nual compensation of S6,(WO; an interpreter
to the mission to China, $2,600; and a drag
oman to tho mission to Turkey, $2,000.
Consuls are to have fixed salaries, and
some of them are to be oouiiued to consuiur
business ahne. Others are to have small
salaries, and to be allowed to engage in
oommeroial pursuits.
None of these officers are to receive com
pensation until they shall have reached their
respective posts and entered upon their offi
cial duties. Citiiens of the United States
alone to be appointed.— National Intelli
gencer.
The Charleston Artesian well has now
reaohed a depth of 1225 feet. Supply of wa
ter to 25 to 80 gallons per minute. Water
improving.
Official Report of the Ostend Confer
ence.
Washington, March 5, 1855.
, The following is the official Report made
to the Secretary of State, of the results of
; the celebrated Osted Conventios :
Aix La Chapelle. Oct. 18, 1854.
. To Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Sec ry of State:
Sir r The undersigned, in compliance with
the wish expressed by the President in the
( several confidential dispatches yoa have 1 ad
dressed to us respectively to that effect, have
met in conference, first at Ostend, in Bel
gium, on the 10th and lltli inst., and then
at Aix La Chapelle, in Prussia, on the days
next following uo the date hereof.
There has been a full and unreserved in
terchange of views and sentiments between
us, which we are most happy to inform you, 1
has resulted in a cordial coincidence of opin- :
ion on the grave and important subjects !
submitted to our consideration.
We have arrived at the conclusion, and
arc thoroughly convinced that an immediate
and earnest effort ought to be made by the !
government of the United States to purchase
Cuba from Spain nt any price for which it
can be obtained, not exceeding the sum of
dollars.
Ihe proposal should, in our opinion, be !
made in such a manner as to be presented
through the necessary diplomatic form to i
the Supreme Constitutional Cortes about to ;
be assembled. On this momentous question,
in which the people both of Spain and the
United States are so deeply interested, all
our proceedings ought to be open, frank and
public, lliey should be of such a character
as to challenge the approbation of the world.
Me firmly believe that in the progress of
human events, the time has arrived when
the vital interests of Spain are as seriously
involved in the sale as those of the United
States in the purchase of the island, and i
that the transaction will prove equally bon ‘
orable to both nations.
Under these circumstances, we cannot an- !
ticipa*e a failure, unless possibly through j
the malign influence of foreign powers who |
possess no right whatever to interfere in the 1
matter.
W e proceed to state some of the reasons;
which have brought us to the conclusion;
and for the sake of clearness, we shall spec
ify them under two distinct heads.
first. The United States ought, if practi
cable, to purchase Cuba with as little delay
as possible.
Second. The probability is great that
the Government and Cortes of Spain will
prove willing to sell it, because this would
essentially promote the highest and best in
terests of the Spanish people.
Theyirsf— it must be clear to every re
flecting mind that, from the peculiarity of
its geographical position aud the considera
tions attendant on it, Cuba is as necessary
to the North American Republic as any of
| its present members, aud that it belongs
i naturally to that great family of States of
j which the Union is the providential nursery.
From its locality it commands the mouth
j of the Mississippi, and the immense annual
ly increasing trade which must seek this
avenue to the Ocean. On tlie numerous
navigable streams measuring an aggregate
course of some 30,000 miles, which disern- i
bogue themselves through this magnificent
river into the Gulf of Mexico, the increase
of the population within the last ten years
amounts to more than that of the eutire Un
ion, at the time Louisiana was annexed to
it.
The natural and main outlet to the pro
ducts of this entire population, the highway
of their direct intercourse with the Atlantic
and the Pacific States, can never be secure,
but must ever be endangered while Cuba is
a dependency of a distinct power, in whose
possession it has proved to be a source of
constant annoyance and embarrassment to
their interests.
Indeed, the Union can never enjoy repose,
nor possess reliable security, as long ns Cu
ba is not embraced witbin its boundaries.
Its immediate acquisition to our govern
ment is of paramount importance, and we
cannot doubt but tliat it is a consummation
devoutly wished for by its inhabitants.
The intercourse which its proximity to our
coast begets and encourages between the cit
izens of the United States has in the progress
of time so united their interests and blended
their fortunes, that they now look upon each
other as if they were one people ami had
but one destiny.
Considerations exist which renders delay
in the acquisition of this Islaud exceedingly
dangerous to the United States.
The system of immigration and labor late
ly organized within its limits, nnd the ty
ranny and oppression which characterize its
immediate rulers, threaten an insurrection
at every moment, which may result in dire
ful consequences to the Americai people.
Cuba has thus become to us an unceasing
danger, and a peruiaucnt cause of anxiety
and alarm.
But we need not enlarge on these topics.
It can scarcely be apprehended that foreign
powers, in violation of international law,
would interpose their influence with Spain
to prevent our acquisition of the Island.—
Its inhabitants are now suffering under the
worst of all possible governments—that ot
absolute despotism, delegated by a distant
power to irresponsible agents who are chang
ed at short intervals, and who are tempted
to improve the brief opportunity thus afford
ed to accumulate fortunes by the bases*
means.
As long ns this system shall endure, hu
manity may in vain demaud the suppression
of the African slave trade iu the Island.—
This is reudered impossible while that infa
mous traffic remains au irresistible tempta
tion and a source of immense piotit to ueedy
and avaricious officials, who, to attaiu their
end, scruple not to trample the most sacred
principles under foot.
The Spanish government at home may be
well disposed, but experience has proved that
It cannot coutrol these remote depositories of
its power.
Besides, the oouimoroial nations of the
world cannot fail to perceive and appreciate
the great advantages which would result to
their people from a dissolution of the forced
and unnatural oonnectiou between Spain
and Cuba, and the annexation of the latter
to the United States. The trade of England
and Frauoe with Cuba would, in that event
assume at once an important and profitable
oharaotor, and rapidly extend with the in
creasing population and prosperity of the
Island.
But if the United States and every com
mercial uatiou be benefitted by this transfer, ;
j the interests of Spain would also be greatly
j and essentially promoted. She cannot but
j see what suck a sura of aioney as we are
willing to pay for the Is land! would effect
the development of her va* natural resour
ces.
Two-thirds of this sum, if employed in the
construction of a system of railroads, would
nltimntely prove a source of greater wealth
to the Spanish people than that opened to,
their vision by Cortez. Their prosperity
would date from the ratification of the treat
ty of cession France has already construe,
ted t< at i nuovw lines ol railroads from Havre
| Marseilles, Valenciennes and, Strasburg, vid
i Paris to the Spanish frontier, and anxiously
! awaits the day when Spain-shall find herself
in a conditir n to extend these roads through,
her northern provinces to Madrid, Seville
Cadiz, Malaga, and the frontier of Portugal.
This object once accomplished, Spain would)
become a centre of attraction for the travel
ing world, and secure a profitable and per
manent market f> r her various productions
Her fields, under the stimuli** given to in
dustry by remunerating prices, would, teem,
with cereal grain, and her vineyards won?j
bring forth a vastly increased quantity of
choice wines. Spain would speedily become*
what a bountiful Providence intended sho
should be—one of the first rations of Conti
nental Europe, rich, jowerlu! aud content
ed.
Whilst two-thirds of the price ofithe island
would be ample for the completion of her
most important public improvements, she
might, with the remaining forty (million)
thousand, satisfy the demands now pressing
so heavily upon her credit, and create a
sinking fund, which would gradually relieve
her from the overwhelming debt now para
lyzing her energies
Snch is her present wretched financial
condition, that her best bonds are sold upon
her own Bourse at about one-third of their
| par value, whilst another class cm which she
! pays no inierest have but a nomiual value,
aud are quoted at lut one sixth of the
! amount lor which they were issued.
I Besides, these latter are held principally
by British creditors who may, from day to
I day, obtain the effective interposition of
their own Government fur the purpose of
coercing payment. Imi mat ions to that ef
fect have been already thrown out from high
quarters, and, unless some new source of
revenue shall enable Spain to provide f r
such exigencies, it is not improbable that
they may be realized.
} Should Spain reject tlie present gulden op
; port unity for developing her resources, ami
: removing her financial cmbarrassmeuts.it
j may never again return.
Cuba, in its palmiest days, never yielded
: her Exchequer, after deducting the expenses
■ of its government, a clear annual inceraa-uf
j more than a million aud a half of dolhinj,
: These expense* have ncreased to such a de
j greens to leave a deficit chargeable on tho
treasury of Spain to the amount of £OOO,-
000.
In a pecuniary point of vUw, ther. forst
the island is an incumbrance, instead of:a
source of profit, to the mother country.
I Under uo probable circumstance can Cui*
j ever yield'to Spain one per cnt. n, the bu jy
! amount which the United States are willing
I to pay for its acquisition.
I But Spain is in imminent danger of lasing
i Cuba without remuneration.
Extreme oppression, it is now universally
admitted, justifies any people in endeavoring
to relieve themselves from the yoke of their
oppressors.
The sufferings which the con n] t. arbitna
|ry and uurelentihg local admiuistixuiua
necessarily entails upon the inhabitants; of
J Cuba, cannot fail to stimulate and laeep
alive that spirit of resistance and ) evolution
against Spain which has of late years lasers
;so often manifested. lu this condition off
! affairs, it is vain to expect that the sympa
thies of the people of llie United Stateo.-wilb
j not be warmly enlisted in favor of their.og
, pressed neighbors.
We know that the President is j*Hy i>
flexible in his determination to exeeutotb*
neutrality laws, but should the Caban*
! themselves rise iu revolt against the vjpces
sion which they suffer, no Lumaa power
could prevent citizens of the United States)
j and liberal-minded men of other countries)
I from rushing to their assistance,
j Besides, the present is an age of adven
; turc, in which restless and daring spirits
| abound in every portion ol the world. It is
1 uot in.probable, therefore, that Cuba am;
; be wrested from Spain by a successful rrw
-1 lution, and in that event she will not oui.a
’ lose the island, but the price which we
‘ now willing to pay for it—a price far'l*-
yond what was ever paid by one people to
another for any province.
It may also be remarked that the settle
ment of this vexed question by the cesswmof
Cuba to the United States would forevvr
I preveut the dangerous complications between*
nations to which it may otherwise give birth,
j It is certain that should the Cubans them
selves organise an insurrection against tbft
| Spanish Government, and should other inde
pendent nations come to the aid of Spain in
the contest, no human power could, in our.
opinion, prevent the people and government’
of the United States trout taking part ini
such civil war, in support of their neighbors
nnd fiiends.
But if Spain, deaf to the voice of her own
interest, and actuated by stubborn pride
and a false sense of bones, should 1 refuse w>
sell Cuba to the United States, then the
question will arise what ought to be the
oour.-eof the American Government under
such circumstances ?
Self prestrvaiion is the first law ofrature„
with States as well ns with individuals. Alb
nations have at different periods acted upon,
this maxim. Although it has been tuade
the pretext for committing flagrant injustice,
as iu the partition of Poland and other sim
ilar cas.s which history records, yet tha
principle itself, though often abustd, has al
ways been recognised.
The United States have never acquired
foot of territory except by fair purchase, or
us in the case of Texas, upon the tree
and voluntary application of the people of
that independent State, who desired to blend
their destinies with our own.
Even our acquisitions from Mexico are no
exception to the rule, because although * e
might have claimed them by the right of
conquest, in a just way, yet we purchased
them for wbat was considered by both p* r *
ties a full ample and equivalent.
Our past history forbids that wo should,
acquire the Island of Cuba without the con
sent of Spain, unless justified by the great*