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EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
£i-tract from a letter to the Secretary of the
Navy, from Lieut. Charles IVilkes , com
manding the United States South Sea Sur
veying and Exploring Expedition, dated on
board the United States Stoop Vincennes ,
harbor of Rio Janeiro, November 27, 1838.
1 proceeded with the squadron for Madeira.
We continued our cruise with light, favorable
winds, without any occurrence of importance
until the 6th of September: when, being
Dear a shoal, laid down on ti e chart as St.
Anne’s shoal, I deemed it fulfilling instructions
to delay sufficiently for the purpose of exami
ning the Same; and having fully explored the
locality in and near its supposed neighbor
hood, by spreading the vessels of the squad
ron to embrace a large circumference of the
ocean, nothing of it was discovered. A few
hours, however, after leaving this vicinity, we
fell in with a large cotton wood tree, 120 feet
in length and 15 feet in circumference, which
was at first reported as a shoal; and if the
sea had been at all rough, it might, in passing,
have been mistaken for one.
I have little doubt but similar trees have
occasioned the frequent reports of vigias or
shoals being in existence hereabouts. Our
position at this time was in latitude 37 deg. 0
37 North, and longitude 40 deg. 41 51 West,
and where any floating bodies drifted by the
(iulf Stream would probably have been de
posited, as there is little or no current, and
that variable.
We arrived at Funchal!, in the island of
Mad eira, on the 10th of September, after a j
pleasant passage of twenty-nine days.
I directed a party of officers to make an
excursion to Pico llicivo, the highest point in
Madeira, for the purpose of ascertainments
barometrical admeasurement, in regard to
which doubts have existed, owing to a disa
greement of those who have preceded us.
Our observations were conducted with
great care, and the barometers used were of
the best manufacture of Thoughten and
Simms. Simultaneous observations were
made at the residence of the American Con
sul at Funchal), who was kind enough to af
ford us every means within his reach to facil
itate our various duties.
The party remained on the summit of the
mountain over four hours, which afforded us
an opportunity of mailing a number of simul
taneous observations, the result of which, in
giving the height of Pico Ricivo, was as fol
lows :
The highest point of the peak above the
Consul’s garden, was 6,181 feet.
The cistern of the barometer at the garden
above half tide carefully levelled, was 56-6237
feet.
I feel much confidence in our result, al
though, from the high standing of Captain
Sabine, U. A., I leel some hesitation in put
ting it forth ; but the fact of mv being sup
ported by such high authority as Dr.°Bow
ditcli and Dr. Heinekar, with whom we have
differed only seventy-three feet, and one hun
dred and sixty-three feet, induced me to be
lieve that some accidental error must have
occurred in Capt. Sabine’s observations, or
that lie was misled by bis guides, and stopped
short of the summit of the mountain as they
attempted with our party.
It appears, also, that the different results
made at three separate periods, and byjdifler
ent persons, approaching so near each other,
would be more correct than that of Captain
Sabine* who makes a difference of nearly sev
en hundred feet.
We made, also, a series of magnetical ob
servations onshore for dips and intensify, and
established the rales of our chronometers bv
a portable transit. We made by them the
longitude of the consulate at Funchal!, in
16 deg. 54 11 West, and found the latitude
by observation to be 32 deg. 38 11 North, all
which assured me that our chronometers had
been performing well since our departure from
the United Slates.
On the 25th of September, having com
pleted all that was deemed necessary, we
sailed from Madeira, and stood to the south
ward, intending to pass over and search for
the different shoals and vigias laid down on
our track. After passing the latitude of the
Canary islands, we experienced a northeas
terly current of about half a mile an hour,
until we reached the latitude of Bonavista,
one of the Cape de Verds, which set in an
opposite direction to the current said to pre
vail between these Islands, in (he longitude
from 19 to 20 deg. West. We hove too, and
tried the current morning and evening, and
always found the same result. The current
low used was two kegs, with a distance line
ot five fathoms between them, the lower one
being just loaded sufficiently to sink the air
tight one under the surface of the water, with
the usual log line attached to the centre of
the distance line, precluding the possibility of
its being a surface current; besides which,
the dead reckoning of the ship, and our ob
servations gave the same result.
On the 29th of September, we passed into
colored water, quite as green in appearance
as that of fifty fathoms in depth, on sound
ings. On entering it, the temperature de
creased one and a half degrees, and rose two
degrees on leaving if.
W e contimisd in it until the 2d of October,
having run a distance of four hundred and
fifty miles. The vessels of the squadron re
peatedly sounded with from one to three hun
dred fathoms of line, but no bottom was
found.
The first reported shoal laid down on our
route upon the charts was the Maria rock,
in latitude 19 deg. 45 North, and longitude
20 deg. 50 West, which we stood for, and
hove to near the position, until we had as
certained our situation correctly, by careful
observations. The vessels were then Spread,
and the course marked to run directly over
the spot ; the surface of the ocean visible at
the time from the squadron, was not less than
sixty miles in circumference, with every op
portunity which the clear weather could af
ford, and sufficient swell of tlie season, lo
have caused breakers on any shoal within fif
teen feet of the surface. Nothing, however,
was discovered, and no bottom could he found
with three hundred fathoms of line.
The next position examined, was Bona
Feliz shoal, said to he within thirty miles of
Ma ria rock ; this we searched for in the same!
manner, but were equally unsuccessful.
We then stood for the place assigned the
Bonetta shoal, to the eastward of Bonavista,
said to be in latitude 16 deg. 32 north, and in
longitude 20 deg. 37 west. We, in like man
tner, limned for this, and after exploring the
locality of its position on the chart, I steered
on ihe course of its reported hearing east bv
north from Bonavista until nearly up with
the Hartwell reef, lying in sight of Bonavista,
which has, without doubt been taken for and!
reported as the shoal called Bonetta.
Our inquiries at St. Jago assured me that
that the Madeline (the vessel last wrecked);
was cast aivav on tlie Hartwell reef, which
they have reported as the Bonetta shoal.
I am well satisfied that the positions as
signed tlie above three shoals on the chart,
and their vicinity, are free from all dangers.
Jam of opinion, also, that the particular;
and indefatigable search made by Capt. Bar- j
tholomew, of her Majesty’s ship Leven. and
the opportunities afforded me of covering.i
with the squadron office vessels, so large a
space, at the same time ought to be sufficient
evidence that no such dangers exist ns are
laid down in those positions, and should cause
them to he obliterated from the charts.
From Port Prayn, we steered (or Patty’s
over alls, as laid down in the chart, in lati
tude 11 deg. north, and longitude 21 deg. 30
ivest, and had a good opportunity of exam
iner their locality. A few rips were observed
within a degree of the situation assigned
then,, but little or no current was found : and
>1 fed confident in asserting that no danger I
exists in this vicinity, as we were hecalrncd’
in the position and in close proximity to it \
lor lorty-eight hours, the squadron, as usual, j
being spread apart, and having’ a broad ex-;
pause ot ocean under view.
Owing to light contrary winds, it was Rome j
days helore we reached Warley’s shoal, said j
said to be in latitude 5 deg. 4 north, and lon-1
gitude 21 deg. 25 west. This point was also;
carefully examined, but no shoal or appear- j
a rice of shoal water, or any danger discov-j
ered.
Our next examination was of Frenchi
shoal, said to he (as laid down) in latitude 4
deg. 5 north, and longitude 20 deg. 35 west.
This was also examined, and no danger or
appearance of shoal discovered.
From this point, I took advantage of the;
southerly wind, and proceeded east; which!
carried me as far as thirteen degrees of west {
longitude, and over the position assigned the
shoal by the French hydrogra pliers, to ena
ole me to cross the equator eastward of the
seventeenth degree of west longitude.
We succeeded in crossing Ihe equator in
that longitude on the sth of November, and :
then stood (or Triton’s hank, said to be in j
I nitilde 00 deg. 32 south, and longitude 17
deg. 45 west. W hen within a short distance j
of its position, the squadron hove to lor the
purpose of ascertaining aur position accurate
ly ; after which a course was steered nearly j
west. Being at the time well to tiie east-!
ward, we ran on a line due east and west j
over it; the vessels of the squadron being
spread a bout three miles apart, on a line north j
and south. We did not, however, find it in
our progress, or any bottom or indications of.
soundings; no discoloration of water was!
visible, or change of temperature, although
the line extended thirty miles east and west
of its reported position ; after wh ; ch we again
stood to the north, and ran over a vigia as
laid down on the charts, but none such was
found in existence.
Our next examination was for Bonerl’s
Sandy island, which was in like manner care
fully searched alter, in and around its position
as laid down on the charts, hut our search
was equally unsuccessful.
Finally, search was made in and about lat
itude 2 deg. 43 south, and longitude 20 deg.
35 west. Extending to the north, northwest
ol this point a distance.of thirty miles here
abouts, having been assigned as the situation
of the submarine volcano reported by Admi
ral Krusinstien, which it was supposed might
have left a shoal. This locality was twice
run over in different directions, and carefully
examined with the squadron in open order,
but none such was found in existence.
Lieutenant Hudson, of the Peacock, hav
ing separated from me on the 16th of October,
proceed oil a different course in search of the
same shoals which we were looking for, hut
was equally unsuccessful in finding any, as
appears by the following extract from his re
port to me, which affords further evidence, if
it were needed, of their non-existence.
‘ Having separated from you on the 16th !
of October, it was not until the 23d that I
had worked up to the Warley’s shoal; and
at 8 o’clock that night I was directly on the
spot where it was laid down on tiie chart.
We placed good lookouts, and kept our Datent
lead going for fifty miles before reaching the
location of this shoal as laid down on the
chart; also observing our drift at night, in
hopes of sweeping over it at early daylight.
‘ I continued cruising in this vicinity in va
rious directions, getting casts of lead in from
50 to 100 fathoms, without finding bottom.
‘ I now continued my examination, and af
ter having swept over a circle of 40 or 50
miles in different directions, am perfectly sat
isfied that \\ arley’s shoal exists nowhere in
the neighborhood laid down on the chart.
‘I then proceeded lor the French shoal
with the wind ahead, (south by west,) where
I arrived on the 25ili of October, and contin
ued cruising all the following day, with a fine
breeze, immediately over the location of the
shoal as laid down, and in every direction for
mile| in its vicinity. After thus thoroughly
searching the English locality of this shoal, I
directed my course for the French position,
seventy-six miles distant, making nearly an
east course, with lookouts, and the lead go
ing, until I had run immediately over and
around the spot, sailing in various directions,
a distance of forty miles, without effect.
‘ I then made the best of my wav for the
Triton bank, with the wind veering and haul
ing from south southwest, to south southeast,
and passed the equator on the night of the
3d of November, in longitude 17 deg. 40
west, and continued over and around the lo
cality of that hank, until the morning of the
fifth, getting casts of the lead during the time
in from fifty to two hundred and fifty fathoms,
up and down, without finding bottom.
‘1 have, in our search, fully satisfied my
self, and hope our examination will prove
equally so to you, and all others, that these
shoals do not exist.’
Thus, sir, we have effected the examina
tion of the supposed position of eleven shoals
or dangers, which have occupied their places
on the charts, much to the alarm of naviga
tors. And I sincerely trust that the result of
our endeavors and diligent search, with the
exertions heretofore made hy others, will be
sufficient to cause them to be obliterated from
the charts, as there are already real dangers
sufficient to awaken the watchfulness of the
navigator without his being harrassed with
imaginary ones.
FLORIDA.
Gov. Call having sent a message to the
lif gislature, enclosing the resolutions of the
late Commercial Convention, at Augusta,
Geo. the following proceedings were had
thereon:
The message having been read, was laid
on the table, and 5,000 copies ordered to be
printed.
Resolved, That it be recommended by this
Convention, to the several southern anti
southwestern states to assemble in Conven
tion, in their respective states, from time to
time, at such times and places as each state
may determine, to consult on the measures
best calculated to promote a direct trade be
tween those states and foreign countries.
Resolved, That the several State Conven
tions he requested, when so assembled, to;
appoint a standing Committee for each state,’
to he denominated ‘The Committee lor di
rect Foreign Trade,’ whose duty it shall be
to disseminate information on the subject of
a direct trade, its progress, and the measures
best calculated to promote it.
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing
resolutions be transmitted by the President of
this Convention io the Governors of the re
spective states interested, and to such per
j sons as may be designated by ihe Delegates
j of the several states and territories, to the
I President, urging them to unite their efforts
with ours, in procuring the assemblage of
Conventions in their respective stales, and in’
| other measures calculated to promote the ob
| ject in view, and especially requesting the
Governors of the states, and of the territory
j ol Florida, to communicate to their respective
; Legwla tores, copies of these resolutions and
j of the report of this Convention.
Augusta, Nov. S, 1938.
To his Excellency, R. K. Call:
Sir—l have the honor to inclose to your
Excellency a copy of resolutions passed by
the Commercial Convention at its late meet
ing at Augusta, Georgia; and most respect
lolly to invite your attention to the recom
mendation they contain to the several south
ern and southwestern states and territories
interes'ed in the ‘ promotion of direct foreign
trade.’ The Convention which lias now
thrice assembled at Augusta, Georgia, has
effected much in awakening attention to the
above important subject, and in developing
[facts exhibiting the injurious effect? on the!
! South, of an indirect comnserciaFcommuni- ’
| cation with the countries which consume
! their produce, and which supply in return,
| by the same indirect channel, the labiics of
S their manufacturing ingenuity. Every devi- 1
| avion which this trade makes from its direct
j course is only an additional tax on those who
j produce the Southern staple, and consume in
exchange European manufactures, and it is;
! confidently believed, that in establishing this [
problem, there is capital, enterprise and in- !
| genu ity enough at the South U) devise the!
means by which our trade shall fall back into
those direct and natural channels, into which i
it is our interest now to direct it. If the 1
Convention at Augusta has aroused, as it is j
believed it has, the public attention of the |
whole South to the importance of ‘ direct ;
trade,” it has effected still more, in bringing !
the citizens of the South nearer together, and
in making them better acquainted with each
other. Thus a harmony and unison of feel
ing, by these frequent meetings, has been !
encouraged and strengthened among com- j
munities having interests and institutions in
j common to sustain. If, with no other object
therefore, the calling annually these conven- [
lions together must be productive of essen- i
tial good, and it is therefore that they have j
been continued, and that the next assemblage j
will be at Charleston, S. C., on the 3d Mon
j day in April next. Il is left to the wisdom of
: the Legislative Council to decide whether
I they will maae nominations or not to repre
! sent the territory of Florida at said meeting.
Copies of the proceedings of the late Con
vention at Augusta, will be transmitted hv ;
its Secretary to your Excellency, as soon as
j they shall have been printed and ready for
issue. With respect, I remain vour obedient,
james Gadsden,
President Augusta Convention.
FROM THE EAST.
The intelligence from Maine, received by
the mails this morning, confirms the news
which was published yesterday.
Sir John Caldwell and several other gentle
men from the Province of New Brunswick,
arrived at Augusta on Saturday evening.
They brought the communication from Sir
John Harvey to Governor Fairfield, inform
ing the Governor that Sir John was willing
to abide by the memorandum recommended
by Mr. Fox, the British Minister at Wash
ington, and proposing to enter into negotia
tions to carry it into effect.
The following extract which we copy from
the Boston Daily Advertiser gives the gene
ral purport of Governor Fairfield’s Message :
‘ Under these circumstances, the question
now recurs, shall we withdraw our forces
agreeably the recommendation contained in.
the memoranda signed by Mr. Fox and the
Secretary of State, and leave the future pro
lection of the timber to the concurrent action
and agreement of the governments of Maine
and New Brunswick? Under a full sense of
the responsibility resting upon me, 1 have no
hesitation in saving, that we ought not. I
admit that the general government has nobly
responded to our call ; and with a prompt
ness and efficacy beyond all praise, has made
preparations to discharge its constitutional
obligations to this sta<e. Much is due from
us on this account, to the Union. But the
duty of Maine to herselfßemains unchanged.
I he property, for the protection of which we
sent an armed posse, under the Land Agent
and Sheriff, remains still exposed, and the
threat of expulsion from the territory and of
invasion, which we sent our military force to
repel, still remains pending over us, while
British troops, it is understood, are daily con
centrating near the line with the apparent
purpose of carrying the avowed design of the
Lt. Governor of New Brunswick into effect.
‘Under these circumstances I would re
commend that when we are fully satisfied,
either by the declarations of the Lt. Governor
of the province of New Brunswick, or other
wise, that he has abandoned all idea of occu
pying the disputed terri’ory with a military
force, and of attempting an expulsion of our
party, that then the Governor he authorised
to withdraw our military force, leaving the
Land Agent with a sufficient posse, armed
or unarmed as the case may require ; suffi
cient to carry into effect your original de
sign, that of driving out or arresting the tres
passers and preserving and protecting the
timber from 1 heir depredations.
‘From such an act of jurisdiction, an at
tempt so right and proper in itself as this,
and so imperatively called lor hv the circum
stances of the case, we should not be driyen
by any power on earth.’
To the message is appended the following
postscript :
‘ Note. Since the foregoing message was
prepared I have received a note from Sir
John Harvey, a copy of which is herewith
| communicated. From the spirit manifested
I shall entertain the hope that he will take
such a course as will enable Maine to pursue
that indicated in the foregoing.’
The message was referred to the Joint
Co:> inittee on the Boundary, and five thou
sand copies ordered to he printed.
Mr. Jarvis, the temporary Land Agent,
arrived at Augusta, from the disputed terri
tory, on Tuesday. He had discharged the
force first enlisted, and retained the drafted
militia. They were encamped on the Aroos
took, two miles from the province line, and
were engaged in placing a boom across the
river at that place, to stop the descending
timber.
A correspondent of the Advertiser writing
from St. Johns, the Bth inst. says, 4 There is
not, nor has there been, as yet, one armed
man from our side sent within the disputed
territory; nor will there he if the state of
Maine renal her armed force. We trust al
together to the firmness of your general go
vernment in restraining Maine from any acts
that would tend to bring the two countries in
collision.’
The Halifax Nova Scotian says that one
wing of the 23d regiment was under march
ing orders from New Brunswick.
Anecdote of Mr. Clay. —ln his recent
speech at Philadelphia, Mr. Preston related
the following characteristic anecdote of the
distinguished Senator from Kentucky. On
one occasion, said Mr. I’., he did me the hon
or to send lor and consult with me. It was
in reference to a step he was about to take,
and which will, perhaps, come to your minds
without more direct allusions. Alter stating
what he proposed I suggested whether there
would not be danger in it; whether such a
course would not injure his own prospects, as
well as those of the whig party in general.
His reply was, ‘ I did not send for you to ask
what might be the effects of the proposed
movements on my prospects, but whether it
was right; I had rather be right than be
President .’ *
Ihe above anecdote is taken from the
| Philadelphia papers. The occasion on which
! Mr. Preston was thus consulted, and which
he takes it (or granted every bodv would un
derstand without particular designation, was |
when Mr. Clay was about to deliver his anti- i
abolition speech. We have nothing to sav
about the political wisdom of Mr. ‘Clay in
consulting so profound an oracle, or the fur-!
ther compliment to Mr. Preston of rejecting 1
his advice. Mr. Clay seems to have under-!
stood perfectly that the flattery of admitting!
our Senator into his confidence, was quite
! enough to secure his everlasting gratitude.
Nor have we anything to do with Mr. Clav’s
sincerity in the theatrical point above quoted ;
• I had rather be right than be President!’
It was no doubt uttered with a wink that said
jin language not to be misapprehended,
‘ please take down mv words and report them
in your next stump speeches.’ Mr. Preston
has been careful to do the desired worse But i
[the argument Mr. Preston draws from the
‘anecdote is the best part of it and maybe
thus stated; ‘Mr. Clay is a great man-—a
ruble lellow—a true patriot; Jor he told me
so himself. 5
Bui tiiere is one point in the anecdote
which we cannot lightly pass over. By his
;own statement, a Senator from South Caio
; iina was consulted by the leader of Lis party,
| as to whether he should throw the weight ol
: his great influence and commit himself against
the abolitionists; and what advice did lie
[give? Did Mr. Preston, a Southern man,
; advise Mr. Clay to palter and shuffle, to look
[to the Presidency and not provoke the ene
; mies of the South, for fear they should turn
land rend him? ‘I suggested whether there
} would not be danger- in it; whether such a
! course would not injure his own prospects as
! well as those of the whig party generally.’
I Can any South Carolinian read without indig
nation that a Senator from this State could
thus place the vital interests of the South in
die balance with the petty plans of an office
l seeking clique and deliberately suggest tne
expediency of sacrificing our safety to the
[chance of abolition support. Mr. Clay did
! well to slight such suggestions, and Mr.
Preston was most unfortunate in letting the
; world know he ever made them.— Charleston
Mercury.
From the Macon Messenger.
COTTON.
Tins article is now engrossing a large share
of die feeling and attention ol the .public, and j
has become a subject of such absorbing in
terest in every mercantile community, tis to
justify us in devoting to it a small portion of
our columns. So closely identified is the pros
perity of the Southern country, with this her
agricultural staple product, and so contingent
upon the value of every other species of pro
perly, that the speculations of those who deal
in the article, whether those speculations be j
matters of opinion or practical operation, is!
a subject of interest to every class of citizens
whatever may he their calling.
While every one is anxious to hold cotton,
still a great difference of opinion prevails as
to future prices among our Merchants, vary
ing and daily changing as we may suppose,
the local position of those who are interested,
acts upon, and influences their judgment—
All agree, that as the crop is large or small
so necessarily must be the prices. But upon
this main question of fact, the extent of the
crop, there is the greatest contrariety of opin
ion. In the interior for instance, where the
crop is ‘grovved,’ and where we consequent
ly should be the most competent judges, but
one opinion prevails ns to the extent of the
crop. We have not seen a single individual,
either Planter or Merchant, in this pail of
die country —nor a traveller from Alabama,
Mississippi, Florida, or Louisiana, (and from
our central position, we have opportunities
of seeing many of them) but who agrees,
that the crop will be a very short one, com
pared-with that of the last year. Believing
| such to be the fact, confirmed as it is by re
ports from every part of the country, our
dealers believe strongly, that the article mtM
ultimately command high prices in the Eu
ropean Markets. Hence the high prices that ;
have been in the up country, and which have
subjected us to the sneering reproaches of
our Merchants on the seaboard, who assume
to themselves a knowledge of this kind by ;
intuition.
But while the buyers of cotton in the inte
rior are short crop men as they are called,
those on the seaboard believe, or rather pro
fess to believe, in a large crop ; and upon
this consideration alone, they base their views
of future prices. They all sav, that if the
crop is to he such as is represented, prices
must go up ; hut they are still unwillrg, or
from some motive or other, are not disposed
to believe, lhat the crop is to he a short one.
Now whether ihese sceptics or large crop men,
as they are called, are sincere in their pro
fessions, or whelher they have been influenced
by such considerations as the following—
being monied men, and knowing lhat the
holders of cotton are compelled to sell, to
meet their monied ohliga’ions, and that by
such representations ns they may make, (al
though knowing them to be false.) and taking
advantage of the necessities of other'-, they
can depreciate the value of the article and j
buy at reduced prices—whatever considera
tions, whether honest or otherwise, may in
fluence such, we leave to those who are more
interested and belter able to judge than our
selves.
It seems to us that these various specula
tions of opinion as to a long or short crop
can easily bp solved by a few plain statistical
facts—premising which, every one must ad
mit to be the fact, that the roads were never
in a better condition, and that the prices have
been all sufficient to induce the planters to
bring forward their cotton, we find by refer
ence to authentic returns the following data,
from which every one may draw a conclu
sion for himself:
Rec’d un to middle of March, 1838,1.139 935
From that time to October, “ 661.562
The crop of 1838. 1.801 497
Os the crop of 1839, received to middle of
March, 919,246
To be he received to equal the crop
of 1838, 882.251
From the above estimate, it follows that
we must still receive 882 251, against 661,-
562, received last year after this timp. But
to make the calculation more fami'iar, let’s
take the receipts in Macon.
To the Ist of March last year. 86,209 hags.
March receipts last year, 6.687
To the Ist March, 1839, 59,924
From Ist to the 20th March ’39, 1,770
From the above data this inference is to be
drawn—that at this period last year, two
thirds of the crop was brought to market, and
if the same quantity, two-thirds, has been
brought ti market this year up to 1 his time,
the crop of 1839 will he 1,350,000 bags.
We have been induced to make these re
marks for the reasons—that we believe that
monied men have made incorrect representa
tions as to the extent of the cotton crop, to
answer their own selfish purposes, by work
ing upon the fears of the monied institutions,
and so cing them to curtail their discounts.
If our estimates as given above, be correct,
! it follows that bills drawn against shipments
of cotton, and now maturing, are amply se
cured, and no reason exists why there should
be such a general scarcity of money, because
the apprehension that losses will ensue from
adventures in cotton are entirely groundless.
Os the crop of 1839, there were received,
after deducting stock on October 1, 1833.
New Orleans, to March 13, 374,123
Mobile, to “ 13, 210,789
S. Carolina, to “ 15, 151.078
Savannah, to “ 15, 151,771
There must be received until the first of
October next, at these four places respective
iy, to equal the crop of 1838, as follows :
1838.
New Orleans, 536.45S
Mobile, 99.018
S. Carolina, 143,256
Georgia, 152,439
Michigan. —An injunction has been served
upon thirty-six banks in Michigan. The
people of that state have swindled to
an enormous amount. The Wild Cat and
Red Dog hanks have almost thrown their
cotemporaries—the Powwows and Orientals
—into the shade. This is the currency that
! Mr. Clay but a short time since recommend
ed the government to receive in payment of
its revenues: They were among the nine
hundred ‘specie paying banks.’— lndependent
Republican.
Fron the Tallahassee Stan
ANOTHER MASSACREi
We were resting in quiet under the im
pression that the Indians had passed to the
| eastward of the Suwannee, and that Middle
| Florida would, at least for the present, enjoy
repose and safety. But when the foe is least
expected, lo ! lie is here.
On Friday night a party, supposed to
number from 80 to 40, attacked the dwelling
of Mr. Edmund Gray, in Jefferson county
within nine miles of Monticello; killed Mr. G.
and two children, and heat and stabbed a
third child horribly, leaving it in a state of
insensibility. The house of Mr. G. was
burned to ashes, and the plantation plunder
ed of whatever was of value.
The eldest child, a daughter, about 12
years old, succeeded in making her escape,
; in the darkness of the night, although pursued
by the Indians and fired at several times.—
; She stated that the yard and house were full
.ol Indians, and that they fired often.
| Ihe citizens ot Monticello, we learn, vo
lunteered immediately on hearing the news,
jand together with Clapt. Rowell’s company
;of Florida militia, went in pursuit—the In
dians fled and concealed themselves in the
Ocilla hammocks, query— can these ham
| mocks be travelled only by the Indians?
| Mr. Gray was one of the early settlers of
this section of country —an old man, poor,
but of excellent character.
The Indians appear to gather boldness
; from each lresli attack ; they have ventured
j ‘‘ito the very heart of the country—inU) old
ami thickly settled neighborhoods; nor should
vve be astonished if Tigertail should lead on
his forces to the attack of the Capitol itself.
We have, however, anew and strong se
curity in the arrival at St. Marks, of four
companies of regulars under the command of
Col. Davenport, whose object, we learn, is
lo scour Middle Florida and afford protection
to the citizens.
Col. Davenport, when ordered to St.
| Marks, had just returned from a long scout
; upon the Coosahatchie. The Indians, it is
! said, will receive no messengers of peace from !
the whites, and threaten cleatli to any run
ner who approaches them.
We are informed that fresh Indian signs,!
and poney tracks have been seen within a j
! few days, in Cook’s hammock, in the neigh
borhood of St. Marks, near where the Pirida
vus family were murdered.
From the N. O. Daily Times.
IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO.
Treaty of peace between France and Mexi
co* — I'be French Consul in this city received
despatches yesterday from Admiral Boudin,
by the schr V\ ater Witch. The information
is brought that a conference was held on the
Bth inst. at Vera Cruz between the Mexican
Plenipotentiaries Gorost za and Victoria on
one side, and Admiral Bandin on the other,
which resulted in the adoption of a treatv of
peace. The articles of said treaty were
formed on the 9th and signed on the 10th
inst.
Mr. Pakenharn, the English Minister,
guarantees, in the name ot his government,
the payment of the indemnity due to the ex
iled f renoh, the conditions of which are to he
hereafter fixed.
France receives nothing to indemnify the
expenses of the war, and claimed merely the
§OOO,OOO mentioned in her ultimatum,
j Ihe English Minister signed the treaty as
| one of the parties, and it was expected that
i the English fleet belore Vera Cruz would
immediately sail for Europe, its object being
accomplished.
We are told that the whole Mexican pop
ulation approved of the treaty that was made
in November, which formed the basis of the
one now adopted.
The Mexicans at Vera Cruz were much
pleased with the treaty, and public rejoicings
in consequence thereof took place on the eve
nings of the 9th and 10th.
We also learn from Vera Cruz that the
blockade of that port was raised on the 9th
inst. and that the various merchant vessels
are discharging their cargoes. We congrat
ulate the mercantile community on this wel
come news.
The vaporing of the Canadian ‘loyal*
press is sufficiently amusing and certainly
sufficiently harmless. The following is a re
cent example from the Montreal Herald :
‘ That a general war between Great Brit
ain and the United States will be Ihe result
of the present border troubles, appears more
likely every day, and vve know -.hat bets have
been offered to a considerable amount, by mi
litary men. that a portion of the British army
will occupy the. state of JS'ew York before the
first of May next. This, however, is but
problematical, as it is not probable that a
general war will take place without a longer
notice than two months,although the Ameri
can government and people do not deserve
to be treated with the etiquette which pre
vails between civilized nations, and stranger
things have happened than that the foliowmg
j prognostication of the Cornwall Observer
| should become matter of fact :
‘ The time has now come when we must
I act lor ourselves and on our own responsibi-
I litv, as our weak, vascillating ministry seems
j inclined to bend to a sneaking, dastardly,
I cowardly set of sympathisers, brigands and
murderers. Let us set at rest all disputes
about the line which divides ihese provinces
Irom the states, and instead of having an
‘imaginary line,’ as it is now, let us mark it
well— let us mark it with the graves of the
sympathisers, and the ashes of their towns and
villages, for by no other means can ice settle
our present difficulties
The ability of such newspaper Bobadils to
carryout these amiable undertakings, will be
judged by the following extract from an ar
ticle from the same pen in the paper of the
same day:
‘ If ail the inhabitants of both provinces
were British and loyal, the task of preserving
this province from the United States would
be sufficiently arduous. Possessing more
than twelve times our population, trained
early and habitually to the use of arms, and
j crafty by nature and practice, having within
| itself’ manufactories of arms and ammunition,
: and lying close on a frontier, the line of which
j is to a great extent ideal-; while, on the con
j Irary, our population streaks thinly a vast ter
j ritorv, is not too conversant with arms, is
; obliged to import 1 lie munitions of war, is se
i parated from its great protectress by 3,000 j
I miles of ocean, and utterly excluded from aid I
during five months of the year; our situation
ought, in the case supposed, to lie sufficiently j
hazardous. The state of New York ought I
to be greatly an overmatch for us. The
absence of a cause sufficiently exciting to
send in upon us, en masse, the militia of the
neigbborii g states, lias alone made the de
fence of these provinces comparatively easy.
But, unfortunately, the population of both
I provinces is far from what vve have, for the I
j sake of the argument, supposed. The Cana- \
! dian population is. almost to a man. disloyal;
S and would rise upon us, in case of war with
; the United States, with a ferocity and merci
lessness created and xchetted by the recollection \
! of defeat.'’
The Vice Presidency. —The Conservatives
first nominated their leader Samuel Swart
ivout for Vice President of the l nited States.
! Since he ran away, vve believe they ‘ never
mention him,’ and the Federal paper in On
tario which hoisted his banner, lias furled it,
jwe understand. N. P. rallmadge is iheir
!candidate for the time being, and may be re
garded as their present leader.— Fonda GY.
Y.) Herald.
Quite an Hrmy. —The British troops in the
iCanadas, number about 18.000.
SENTINEL & HERALD.
COLUMBUS, MARCH 2s, 1839.
Cotton 12 1-2 to 14 1-2.
REDUCTION CONVENTION.
On next Monday the citizens of Georgia
are called on to elect delegates to represent
them in the Convention, to be held in Mil-!
ledgeville or> the first Monday in May next*
for the purpose of amending the Constitution
so as to reduce and equalise the representa
tion in the state Legislature. We look on
this question to he one of primary importance
to the people; and in the selection of dele
gates they should select with an eve single
to the important subject for which they are
chosen. If there is a reduction to be had,
they should know well the plan on which the
same is to be effected ; or, if it should be then
desire to prevent a-reduction, because a re.
duction and equalization cannot together ex
ist on the scale, as made bv the act conven
ing them, they should so choose. By refer
ence to the act of the last session of the Le
gislature calling the Convention, each county
is to be entitled to at least one Representa
tive, and no Senatorial district can consist of
more than two counties contiguously situated.
V\ ill this plan effect the object of reduction
and equalization ? We think it will not.—
Muscogee county should at least, in one
branch or the other of the Legislature, exer
cise a greater influence than the county of
Marion. Can this be accomplished upon the
foregoing plan ? if it cannot, would it he right,
for the purpose of avoiding the trifling ex
pense that the state incurs, that the voice of
a portion of the people should be thus stifled ?
i It seems to us that we had better submit to a
! partial inconvenience, than to yield an im
i portant right.
In the choosing of delegates, we would say
to our readers, that there is another thing in
the creation of that body that it is well to be
considered: that if it should be determined
on that a reduction shall he had—that the
State shall be laid otTinto Senatorial districts,
then the plan of these districts should not he
left to one party alone, and that if parlies are
to be heard there, our Union friends should
be active in giving as much strength to their
own as may be practicable. These remarks
we intend to apply to those counties in which
there regularly organized tickets oa each
side of the question; in such counties we
would urge our Democratic friends to press
to the polls, and not to suffer defeat from
carelessness, inattention, or apathy to this
important subject.
It is to he hoped that harmony and a sense
of equal justice may control that body; hut
if the state is to he gerrymandered ; if the ar
rangement of the Senatorial districts is to be
so as to give an undue influence in the scale
of polities, why, we say, it behooves us to look
to ourselves.
TEMPERANCE.
The cause of temperance in the use of spi
rituous liquors, we wish lo be considered at
all times the warm advocates of. Our atten
tion has been particularly called to this sub
ject from the report of a temperance meeting
recently held in the county of Putnam. In
that report the great evils resulting from the
intemperate use of intoxicating liquors are
ably pourtrayed, and to most of the evils
flowing therefrom we are willing to subscribe
as true; but to the means suggested to he
resorted to for the prevention of the evil, we
do most solemnly protest against. It is pro
posed that petitions be gotten up in every
county in the state, to be presented to the next
Legislature, praying the passage of such a
law as will effectually put a stop to the re
tailing spirituous liquors. Massachusetts, we
believe, is the only state in the Union that
has dared to encroach on the rights of the
citizen to this extent. We say that it is an
invasion of the citizens’ right, because you
are restricting them in the enjoyment of a
privilege that can he exercised in moderation,
and by a large portion of our fellow citizens
is, when it is exercised imprudently and im
moderately by a smaller portion of ihe com
munity. You might, with the same propri
ety, ask the Legislature to break down the
credit system generally, because a portion of
our fellow citizens, by an immoderate use,
bring on themselves bankruptcy, &c. We
have always considered that the system of
wise legislation was to throw around us all
those safeguards necessary for the protec
tion of the citizen in the full enjoyment of af
his private rights, and not for the purpose of
abridging them.
By the foregoing remarks we do not wish j
to be considered in the character of enemies I
to the great cause of temperance; but we be- !
lieve that the Legislature has the same right:
to declare what you shall wear and eat, and
what church you shall attend, as that you
shall not vend, by retail, spirituous liquors.
UNION MEETING IN TALBOT COUNTY.
w e are glad to see the spirit with which
our friends are every where preparing for the
coming contest. They seem alive to the great!
importance of maintaining their principles,!
and determined to reclaim the ground here
tofore lost by their supineness. No where Jo
they seem more united than in Talbot. We
publish below the proceedings of a meeting
recently held by our party, at which a ticket
i !l>r the Legislature was nominated, and
I which, we doubt not, will meet with the cor
| dial and undivided support of every true
Democrat in the county. All of the gentle
men stand deservedly high, and there can he
no reason why a single man should fail to!
give them his support. W esay to our friends,
be just to your principles, and the cause of
1 truth must prosper.
Pursuant to previous notice, the Union]
Party of Talbot county met in the court
house in Talbotton, on the 20th inst. for the
j purpose of nominating a candidate for the
; Senate and three Representatives to the next;
( General Assembly. j
1 On motion of Col. Chappel Cox, Dr. Jas.
Y. Gardner was to the chair, and A.
W. Sneed appointed Secretary.
On motion of Col. Chappel Cox it wasj
Resolved, That this meeting now proceed
by ballot to nominate a candidate tor the
| Senate and three canditates for Representa
t tives.
{ Upon examining the ballots it appeared;
that Dr. WILLIAM DRANE was, by the!
unanimous vote of the meeting, nominated ]
candidate for the Senate; and lhat Col. .JO
SEPH RILEY. Col. JAMES L. BURKES,
I and Maj. JAMES M. HALSEY were duly
nominated as candida-es for Representatives'.
On motion it was ordered, that the Chair
man and Secretary sign these proceedings,,
and that the same-be published.
The meeting then adjourned.
.IAS Y. GARDNER, Ch’n.
Alex. W. Sneed, Sec.
Mew Hampshire Election. —The Election
in New Hampshire has resulted in the suc
cess of the Administration Ticket. John
Page late of the U. S. Senate, is the newly
elected Governor. The members of Con
gres, (elected by general ticket,) are Tristram
Shaw, Ira A. Eastman, Charles G. Atherton
(author of the Athertonjrasolutions) Edmund
Burke and Jared W. Williams; a!] Adminis
tration men.
We are requested to say that Alexander
McDougald, Esq., whose name has been
mentioned as such, is not a candidate for the
Reduction Convention.
The territory in dispute between Maine and
New Brunswick embraces upwards of 10,000
square miles.
W e publish below the views as expressed
by the Central Committee of the Democratic
party of New York, in the year 1535, and
ask for them a careful perusal, by which it
may be seen how far the charges of abolition,
so often reiterated by the Whig press against
the Democrats of that State, are sustained by
facts.
At a Special Meeting of the Democratic
Republican General Committee of the City
and County of New York, held at Tammany
Hall , pursuant to notice, on the evening of
the ‘29th day of September, 1535, the follow
ing Preamble and Resolutions were unani
mously adopted :
Whereas, the People of the United States,
in order to form a more perfect union—estab
lish justice—ensure domestic tranquility—pro
vide lor the common defence—promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty to themselves and their posterity, did
ordain and establish the Constitution of the
United States, in which, after solemn, delib
erate, and full discussion, provision was made
recognizing the right of flawe Slates on which,,
while they were colonies, slavery had been
imposed by Great Britain, and securing to
them, respectively, a representation in the
Federal Government, for persons held to ser
vice in such States—establishing also, the
right of individuals to reclaim such persons
who might escape into another state, any
law or regulation therein lo the contrary not
withstanding :
And, Whereas, Associations have been
formed among us, presses established, and
publications circulated, for the avowed pur
pose of effecting the immediate abolition of
slavery in the United Slates, in direct viola
tion of these provisions of the Constitution,
thereby putting in jeopardy the peace, pros
perity, and safety of the inhabitants of the
Southern States—tending to excite disquie
tude and disorder among the slaves—exas
perating one section of the Union against
another, and thus creating disaffection, jeal
ousy, and distrust, dangerous to the well be
ing, and inimical to the stability of our Na
tional Confederation :
And, Whereas, the Democratic Party has
been equally firm and consistent, in advoca
ting and supporting the rights of the People,,
and in defending the rights of the States, be
lieving both to be essential to the happiness
and prosperity of our common country:
Therefore—
Resolved, That each State, on becoming a
party to the Federal Compact, reserved to
itself all the powers and attributes of sover
eignty not expressly delegated by the Con
stitution—and that, in respect to all powers
not so delegated, they are free, sovereign and
independent States—that, the relation of’Mas
ter and Slave being exclusively within the
jurisdiction, and subject only to the laws of
those States in which that relation exists, the
General Government cannot alter nor affect
that relation. And therefore, we deem it
not only unconstitutional, but highly impro
per, and eminently dangeous to the well-being
arid stability of the v'hole, that citizens of one
State should intermeddle with internal regu
lations which are exclusively under the cog
nizance, and within the jurisdiction of a sister
State. Jealous of our ouyi rights, we would
view with indignation any interference in our
domestic concerns, that would have a tenden
cy, even the most remote, to introduce dis
cord and confusion, lead to insurrection, un
lunge our political relations, and subject Ihous
ands of'our fellow citizens to ruthless violence
and indiscriminate slaughter.
Resolved, That the right of Tree discussion,
and the freedom of the press, are, and ought
to be regarded as sacred ; yet, like all other
rights in civilized nations, particularly among
sister Slates, and above all, among memher*
of the same political family ; these rights
should be exercised in conformity with the
great, the paramount, the universal law of
self-preservation—that we especially depre
cate their exercise in relation to the exciting
question of slavery—that it is an aggravated
violation of the great fundamental precept
of ‘ do unto others even ns ye would that
they should do unto you,’ for citizens of one
Slate, to form a regular organized body, and
systematically pursue a series of incendiary
measures directly calculated to produce ex
| citement and lead to servi.e insurrection, with
I its consequent honors, in any of our sister
States; that the authors and abettors of such
anti-social and unchristian conduct, are, so
far as their misguided zeal for the abolition
! of slavery carries them, hostile to the safety
and happiness, the peace and prosperity of
the Union; and if successful in iheir plans,
would ruin boih the master and the slave.
Resolved. That the Federal Constitution is
binding on all the States; and that we will
i oppose and resist every attempt to nullify any
; of its parts, whether emanating from the
! North or the South, the East or the West:
that we cherish and will guard it as the pal-
I iadium of our national greatness and glory,
! of our security and prosperity—the shield of
I our domestic comforts and endearments, the
safeguard of our peaceful firesides and happy
homes. And that we regard every attempt
to sever or to weaken the sacred bond of our
Union as Tieason against the People.
Resolved , That vve will co-operate with
our fellow citizens throughout the State and
Union, in all constitutional and lawful mea
sures to counteract and prevent the evils
threatened by the infatuation of a few fanati
cal individuals, and to avert the fearful con
sequences of their mischievous meddling and
misguided zeal.
DAVID BRYSON, Chairman.
William Tvack, William Agnew,
Henry Colville, Jon’n. J. Cnddington,
Henry Yates, Anthony W.Bleecker,
James B. Clark, John G. Rohr,
Jesse West, John 11. Rhinelander,
John Foote, Thomas S. Brady,
; William Timpson, James R. Whiting,
John W. Degrauw, Levi Kidder,
John J. Earle, John V. Greenfield,
Jacob D. Clute, Charles A. Van Zandt*
John H. Frederick, Benson Milledoler,
Stephen Allen, Samuel E. Thistle,
M, M. Quackenhos, George W. Gantz,
Robert Cochran, Andrew Mills,
Andrew Surre, Hezekiah W. Bonnell,
William F. Piatt, Ephraim Scudder,
Patrick McGafierty, Elnathan Thore,
Thos. P. Walworth, John McKibbin,
Thomas Chappell, Joseph Smart.
William Lee.
Edward Sandford, Secretary.