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pt rv „. tk Jf. T. N* E/
GENERAL bankrupt law.
It is nor, generally, good and • laieaiflanlike
nnlicv t” p ea iawe in the midst of an
excitement t am and ny great pecuniary distress;
j,r [p* reason that sucii iu\ts are framed to
rea. a, in ,-e pari'.CU.a.jy, individual oases, than
to te o u i.ver -ai application. In the case <>t
tin* ssatpcariioa oi specie pay men. s in 1347,
tne (inlinv it State Legislature*, in due need i<y
seinan motives o. aiarmed by the outcry oi
tliosa .uterested m Banks, passed temporary
ezped.cn s, .e.;a.‘;z; .g the suspension, m vie
iation o; constitutional and moral law, under |
tlie failacious impression that such a course j
would be.ielit the insolvent institutions I
Whether the people would reap any benefit!
was not a consideration with these most sa
pient legislators, or whether in passing those j
laws they were justified by their ee legated
powers, appeared to be a matter of no mo
ment The laws were passed and enforced !
whether for weal or woe to the people at
large, the history of the future will best in
form us. These temporary expedients have
justly alarmed many o. our realty wise and
sonest law makers, and have prompted them !
to regard the proposition for the General Bank
rupt aw, nat was urged w.th such f el ng at:
the last session o. Congress, as a measure oi
like kidney They regarded the proposi ion also
with mucu susp cion, oecause the originators j
of the movement in its lavor, here and else
where, were principally men who, steeped in
stock gambling and 101 speculations, had tie
come baaki upt train their recklessness,!'oily an-d
imprudence. Another canse for opposition re
the passage of this law, was, ihat the very
originators of the moveinen , while they were
willing o ake idvamage oi the pruvisio s os
such a meas are, at t m same time violently
opposed tna’. banks and o her ncorpora-ious
should be included. It seemed very much as
though they desired o h tve their old s ores
wiped away, omy ilia they roigh- commence j
anew a series of equally wJd speculations !
that had bis tc been their rui i. A bankrupt j
law applying to artificial persons would tend
to close many swindling Banking institutions,
and tins wo tld take lroin them the means by
which they could again e iter the arena of
speculation —hence their opposition. It is no
wonder when such gross insincerity was e
vinced on the part of those who made the
most isofse for a Bankrupt law, that it should
have been defeated. One thing is certain, that
but few of the honest debtors are opposed to
including Banks and other corporations in the
bankrupt act; and we regret that the influence
of the other class of doctors was sufficient to
prevent its passage at the last session. Op
position to that principle of the bill was the
principal h*.dr*ace in its successful consum
mation. Thus have the most numerous and
deserving class—tiio6e who have become poor
through misfortune, and who would pay if
they could—been obliged to lose another year
of their lives before Congress will exercise the
power granted them by the Constitution, to
establish uniform laws on the subject of bank
ruptcy throughout the United States.
It may wo. be u interesting to notice the
various attempts that have been made in our
National Legislature to establish such a law.
Congress, on he 4th of April, 1800, passed a
bankrupt act, which being imperfect in its de
tails, became u popu ar, and waa repealed on
the 19 h Dec. 1800. In 181 L, publi attention
was again directed to the measure, but as the
war followed immediately after, it was suffer
ed to sleep, lu Dec. 1817, a Bankrupt law i
being much ca'led for, a bill was introduced in
the House of Representatives by Mr. Hopkin
son of Pennsylvania, and after discussion,
it was indefinitely postpone I —yeas 82, nays
70. A bill was introduced b the same gen
tleman in Nov. 1818, and a petition in its fa
vor was presented to Congress by the N. Y.
Chamber of Commerce, but tne subject was
not acted on at that session. About this time
meetings were heid m various cit.es and towns
in the Umta.l States, in favor of a Bankrupt
law. At the nevt session oi Congress, a bill
was introduced in the House by Mr. Sergeant
of Penn., Dec. IJ, ISiO, a id in he Senate by
Mi’- Smi.h of” South Carolina. The laiter was
rejecia l by ayes 15, to nays 23, and the Sen
ate refused to re-coneider the bill, 17 to 19.
The House refused to take up Mr. Seigeaut,*
bill, ayes 47, nays 5(5. In the Senate, Jan. 2,
1821, a B ankrupt Bill was introduced by Mr.
Van Dyke, of Delaware. It passed the Sen
ate Feb. 19, 1821, by ayes 22, nays 19. In
the House it was taken up Feb. 28, ayes 78,
nays 59, and the sane H > ise re usid to post
pone it indefinitely, 58 to 73. It was, howev
er, laid on tii table March 1, 64 to 58, and on
the last day of the session, M irch 3, the House
refused to take it up, 70 to 58. It thu ap
pears that there was :n 1821, a maj rity of
both Houses of Congress in favor of a B mk
rupt Law, but that it was lost for want of tim \
In 1821, many meetings of citizens favorable
to the measure were held, and Congress was
petitioned on lie subject. In the House of
Representatives, Doc. 11,1821, Mr.Sergeant
introduced a b 11, wh.ch was finally rejected
March 12, 1822, by ayes 72, nays 99. The
■ubject was again introduced in the House,
May 29, 1824, and .n the Senate by Mr. Hayne
of South Carolina, Dec. 9, 1825, who intro
duced a bill the same Session, which was
laid on the table by general conseu*, Miy 4, |
1826. At the next session the same dietin- J
gu shed Se iat >r introduced a bill, Dec. 6, !
1826, and Mr. Webs er, one in the House,
Jan 2, 1827. Mr Hayne’s bill was taken up
in the Senate, which bo ly refused, 16 to 32,
to amend by provid.ng that the bill should not
extend to previous contracts. The bill was
rejected, Jan. 31, 1827—ayes 15, nays 25.
Feb. 1, ‘he bill was re-c<>usidered, 20 to 17,
and amended Feb. 6, Mr. Branch of North ;
Carolina, moved to include banks and other
incorporations—rejected 12 to 35, and he bdl
was again nega ived, ayes 21, nays 27. In
April, 1840, bills we e in roduced in the S;n
ate, and the subject ably and eloquently dis
cussed, and on .lie 26th June, one of the bills,
a ter undergo.ng van. us amendments, chang
ing materially its original sea ures, passed by
a vote of 21 to 19. The bill was rejected in
the House bv a vo'e of 101 to 89.
We are gl id to perce.ve that the matter
has now been brought up n a quar er hat can
not but tend o undo the suspicion tiiat was
raised against it, from the character of those
who were lou lest in its favor. Since the ad
jonrnment of Congress, the people themselves
have given it an attentive consideration, and
tiie proceedings of ’he Ward meetings re
cently held, show their fee ngs m relation to
this most important propose ion. We collect
from the resolutions passed, the following evi
dences of public opinion. Want of space
aione prevents us from adding numerous oth
ers we have on hand.
The meeting held in the Fourth Ward
passed the following resolution by a unani
mous vote:
Resolved, That we are decidedly in favor
of an equitable .and just Bankrupt Law, that
will release the honest and unfortunate debt
or, on the surrender of his effects for the bene
fit of his creditors, and at the same time will
punish fraud, whether in individuals or corpo
rations.
The Democracy of the 17th Ward passed
the following judicious resolve:
Resolved, That our principles, socia 1 and
poli’ical, bind us to render justice to all men: j
and that we will support, in behalf of unfortu
na e debtors, such bankrupt laws as shall se
cure to the honest debtor his freedom, without
injustice to creditors, ad hold corporations as
well as endorsers to a strict accountability.
At the la’e meeting held in the Democratic
6th Ward the subjoined resolutions were
passed.
Resolved, That, the cardinal policy of the
Democratic party, the Independent Treasury,
insets the undivided and unqualified support of
tl*s Democratic party; but its permanently
yood eScats saaoniy be felt wiseu it is^united
[ with a bankrupt law which eirali celnpel cos
■ porate bodies to pay their debts with the same
. punctuall y as individuals.
Resol veil. That wo view with unmingle*
! fee in-is of sat sfactfon the universal expressio.
of sympathy av.nced ny our feliotv c.tize i
; tiir.itig tiou ihe Union in iavor oi the honc&
j but uu.oreunate men who are now
from tiie ormss.on of Congress to cnac.. gene, ai
bankrupt laws lor their renef; and we cordial
jy grant our sympathy and co-operation
t recommending and urging upon Congress the
iga oi such laws at the present session
in tne Bih VV'urd tiie meeting adopted llie
! following:
Resolved, That as Congress alone is era
i powered by the constitution to pass a uniform
j bankrupt iaw, and as a large number of out
fellow citizens are now laboring under griev
; oils disabilities for the want of such a law, we
therefore recommend to Congress the imme
diate passage of such a iaw; including corpo
rations and individuals, which, upon the sur
render of their assets for the benefit of their
: creditors, shall release them from their debts
and liabilities.
The 9th Word adopted the following:
Resolved, That a strict adherence to prin
ciples is ihe key stone of the Democratic arch,
u ider vie o y or deiea.—consistency wil pre
serve and secure the predominance of true
and honest doctrines; thereiore as liberty, jus
tice and hones y are Democratic axioms, we
‘deem the passage of an act which shall re
: lease the honest but unfortunate man, wii
shall surrender all his proper.y tor the benefit
io. his creditor., essential to Democratic prin
ciples, respectluliy ask the Congress oi the
United States to pass a general bankrupt law,
| win h snail place corporate institutions with.n
is benign influence.
; in tiie Itiiii Ward the following resolutions
j were adopted:
j Resolved, l'nat the principles of liberty
land the principles of Democracy are one; o
lis therelme incumbent on due Democnis lo
aid their follow citizens and sir ke off men
! nailing feMers; we thence respectfully n com
mend lo the present Congress of ihe United
States, to passgeneral Bankrupt Laws, which
shall release from worse than Egyptian bon
dage, tiie thousands of worthy and lioinsi
fellow citizens who have tor years pained lor
this measure of politic ami josi legislation.
Resolved, That the severance of Bank and
S ale is a mam pillar in (lie D<-m<>ciatic non
pie—it is strengthened by auotner pillar, the
honest Independent Trasury—and will be
completed by the third, winch will be Ibe e
nactnient of a general Bankrupt Law, w ich
shall include na oral and artificial persons.
A lie i ti e above expression of popular opin
ion hi favor of the pa-sage of a General
Bankrupt law—and it is but a reflection of o
pinion in all parts of tiie country—we trust
that Congress will, before tiie close of the
present session, show their tegatd tin the
public voice, bv prompt action m tiie premis
es. The project of so dividing the question
as to frame two separate laws, one applica
ble to incorporations, ami tiie other to mdi
viduals, is sustained by strong and powerful
reasons. The injustice under which nr own
citizens labor, and the advantages alien ere
ditors have over them, m consequence of the
neglect of our National Legislators, may be
seen by tins fact. In Wheaton’s Reports,
page 848, Ogden vs Saunders, it was decided
bv the Supreme Couit ol the United States,
that “a certificate of discharge under the
State law cannot be pleaded in bar of an ac
tion brought by a cit z m of a nother Slate, in
the courts of the United States, or of any
other State than that where ’he discharge
was obtained.” The consequence of tins is
that if a citizen of tl.is State is in dell tooth
er citizen of this State, and he can procure
the signature of two-thirds of his cr ditors tor
his discharge, the remaining third, although
opposed, are compelled to acquiesce. I< is
nut so with the alien or foreign creditor —he
can bring his action in the courts of the Unit
ed Sines, recover judgment, and get an * xe
co in levied ag* list the ci’izen debtor, who
has obtained his discharge under the laws of
this Stare, ami surrendered all be possessed.
It appears, therefore, that Him partial working
of the State ins ireent laws, conflicting with
the existing iaws of the United Smies, giving
foreign creditors th<* preference over Ameri
can citizens, i* a sufficient reason that even
handed justice to creditor s well as debtor
should he meted out by the enactment of a
General Bankrupt Law. The introduction
of separate hills will, without doubt. fX|)edite
the action of Cos .gress on a subject involving
the fate o*’ thousands of our most estimable
but unfortunate citizens.
THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.
R iver Si. Lawrence, November , 1840.
The scenery of the Tftousand Islands stands
unrivalled in America, for quiet beauty and
picturesqo effect. Although it partakes not
of the sublimity and grandeur of Niagara and
the Sault de St’Mane, yet there is a charm
and romance anoui it which steals over the
senses, and fills the soul with deligh’; and
that man who can resist its silent but power
ful influence must be more than a stoic.
Tiie river aiong here varies from two to nine
m.les in width, and is filled with innumerable
; small rocky islets, generally covered with ce
j dar and hemlock, close to the water’s edge:
I yet there are exceptions, ae some of them are
nine or ten miles long, covered with good
timber, and somewhat fertile.
Many of these islands are so close together
that the branches are mterlocke 1, and there ;
scarcely room for a small canoe to go between
them; and in passing, the eye often catches a
j glimpse of long vestas, fringed with litt.e green
j islets and terminating in a broad expanse oi
j water, and looks like a tiny lake, which in a
! moment, as his boa’ , asses on, is lost to Ins
j View, or changed to some ssvv scene more
j exquisite and lovely.
The numerous capes and promontories, the
1 coun’ less bay- 1 and inlets, and the occasional
wide sheets of water, lend a charm to the
1 whole, that would require the pen of fancy
■ dipped in a dew drop to describe.
To appreciate fully the exceeding loveliness
of these “Emerald Isles,” you should visr.
them in the dreamy stillness ot an Indian sum
mer day, just when the fiosts have changed
the deep green of summer to the sober livery
jof autumn, and tiie leaves of the forest begin
to fall into the stream, like the moments ot
j time as th y drop into the fathomleenx ean of
the unknown future. r Tis then with the ser
vices of two Canadian boatsmen, and a good
Indian canoe, you can enjoy to the full extent
j the indescribable beauties to be found only
among these watery gems: as you sweep pas;
| their rocky margins, displacing with the mo
i mentary ripple from your canoe the gracelw
j evergreens that hang their pendant bran< hes
i in the crystal waters, and not a sound breaks
1 the solemn stillness, save the lazy dip of your
1 boatman’s oar, the enlivening notes of the for
est songster, or the occasional plunge of a
deer as he changes his abode from one island
to another—'tie then the heavenly influences
of the hour and place irresistibly seizes upon
; you, and you join your notes of joy and glad
ness with the hymn of nature that r.ses all
around.
Days and weeks have I spent in this way in
years long passed, when life to me was but one
j bright summer day, and ere the ghd and joy
; ous feelings of youth were blighted by con
tact with the cold and beggarly eiemenis tha
compose It grand mode of every day life. \V e
mix with the world, and alas! we become like
it, cold, vainglorious and selfish, daily striving
to quench every feeling of sympathy with our
fellows. At the same tune we will go into
the streets and into the synagogues, and talk
long and loudly of our obliga'ions and our du
ties to mankind, and urge, with all the ardor
jof Wilberforce and the philanthropy of How
ard, with energy and fervor, a plan for the uni
t vers.d eoaversiau of the woLd and the general
.n:reduction of the Graham ays 16m, W enable ,
•ie heathen so subsist on saw dust bread and
,ass wood potatoes; and in a few moments at
er drive irom our doors ihe poor and house.ess
Widow or orphan, denying even a crust to step
he gnawing of huiii'er, or a c3.st off garment
■j cover and protect there irom toe rude wm
ry wild, telling them to go and work lor a
ving as others do.
But, sh k Heaven, the kindlier feelings of
n;r nature are not wholly obi.terated, even if
iiey have become much defaced and worn
away; lor when a man visit such spots as are
o he found among the Thousand Isiands, and
sees the majesty of nature undisturbed by
man’s contending passions, his better teeiings
gain the mastery, and he is once more a man
looking at the world and worldly things, as did
he w.se man of old, and exclaims with him,
“ vanity, yea all is vanity.”
These islands have been the theatre of;
many bloody and stirring events during the
the old French and Indian war, and would
leisure permit I would relate some that were
the delight of my boyish days. Here the
“ handsome Mr Effingham” has laid some of,
the finest scenes in his Path Finder; and here,
ioo, the notorious 8.1 l Johnson look possession
of an island, and plundered alike friend and
foe. I recollect meeting h s daughter a French
Creek in 1837, but I insist conless, bachelor
as I am, that she appeared to me any thing but
a queen; but, as I may be prejudiced, I will
not attempt a description of her.
Among these islands was the last favorite
resort of the Canadian voyager, a race now
nearly extinct in Upper Canada, but whose
memory will long hover around the spots
where they used to resort.
Many and many time have I stolen to the
rocky banks of the St. Lawrence, and as the
shadows oi evening began to close around,
seated myself upon a projecting rock, and
dipping my feet into the pearly floor), for hours
listened to the distant song of the happy Ca
nadian as he pulled his oar; and as the mellow
sounds came sweeping over the waters, they
fell upon my ears like the sweet melody of the
flute, and long after the batteaux had past,
and was lost in the gathering gloom of even
ing, I could hear the measured stroke of the
oars, and the shout of the steersman as he
shilte i his paddle from one side of the boat to
the other.
VALUE OF CHARACTER.
No young man who lias a jusl so.se of iiis
own value will spo. t wnli his own chaiacier.
A watchful regard lo his character in early
voniti will be of inconceivable value to him
n til ihe remain ng years of his life. When
tempted to deviate fr.nu strict propriety of
deportment, he should a>k himseli, can I al
litrd this? Can I endure heredfler to look back
upon this?
It is of amazing worth to a youth, to have
a pure mind, tin this is ihe foundation of a
pure character. Tiie mind, in order lo be
kept pure, musi he employed on topics of
thought, winch are themselves lovely, chas
tened and elevating. Tims the muni hath in
itsown power Ihe election of its themes of
meditation. If youth only knew how dm a
hie and bow dismal is ihe injury produced by
the indulgence of degrad mg thoughts, if they
mil realize how frightful were the moral de
formities which a cherished habit of loose
imagination produces on the soul, thrv would
stum them as die bite ol a serpent. The
power of books to excite imagination, is a
fearful element of moral death, when employ
ed in the servire of vice.
The cultivation of an reliable, elevated and
glowing heart, alive to all Ihe In aut.es of na
ture, and all tiie sublimities of truth, invigo
rates the intellect, gives to the willitidf|)en
dence of baser passions, and to the affections,
♦he power of adhesion, to whatever is pure
and good, and grand, which is adapted to
lead out the whole nature of man into those
scenes of aclion and impression by which its
energies mav be tnost eff dually reached.
The opportunities of excibng these faculties
in benevolent and self-denying efforts, lor ihe
welfare of our fellow men, are so many and
great, that it is really worth while to live.
The heart which is truly evangelically be
nevolent, may luxuriate in an age like this.
The promises of G >d are inexpressibly rich;
the main tendencies of things so manifestly
in accordance with them, the extent ol moral
influence is so great, and the eff ct of its em
ployment so visib’e, that whoever aspires af
ter hew’relent action and reaches forth to
those things that remain for ub in the true
dignity of his naiure, can find free scope for
his intellect, anl all inspiring themes for bis
heart.
The following account of an attempt made
during the Revolutionary War, to blow up the
British vessels of war in New York harbor,
may be of interest to most of our readers. It
is copied from a New York paper of Novem
ber, 1821, and is an obituary notice of the gal
lant soldier who made the daring attempt:
Died —At Lyme, (Conn.) on the 29 h ult.
Capt. Ezra Lee, aged 72, a Revolutionary Of
ficer. When the British fleet lay in the North
River, opposite to the city of New York, and
while Gen. Washington had possess! nos the
city, he was very desirous to : e r and of such
neighbors A Mr. Busline. lof Saybrook, (Conn,)
who had the genius of a Fulton, onstrucied
such a marine machine, of a conical form,
bound toge her with iron bands, within which
one person might bit, and with cranks and
skulls could navigate to any depth of water.
In the upper part was fixed a vertical screw
for the purpose of penetrating ships bottoms,
id to this was attached a magazine of pow
der, w thin which was a clock, winch, on being
se to run any given time, would, when run
down, spring a gun lock, and an explosion
would follow, ‘i bis Marine Turtle, so called,
was examined by Gen. Washington, and ap
proved; to preserve secrecy, it was experi
men ed within an inclosed yard, over twenty
to thir y feet wa er, and kept dur ng day-iight
locked up in a vessel’s hold. ihe brother of |
the inventor was to . e the person to navigate
the machine into action, but on sinking it the
first time he declined the service.
Gen. Washington, unwilling to relinquish
the object, requested Major General Parsons
to select a person, in whom he could confide,
voluntarily to engage in the enterprise; the
lat'er being well acquainted wi h the heroic
spirit, the patriotism, and the firm and steady
courage of the deceased a >ove mentioned, im
mediately communicated the plan and the of
fer, which he a cepted, observing that his life
was at Gen. Washington’s service. After
practicing the machine until he understood its
powers of balancing and moving under water,
a night was fixed upon for the attempt. Gea.
Wash ngton and his associates in the secret,
took their stations upon the roof of a house in
Broadway, anxiously awaiting the result.—
Morning came and no in elligence could be
had of the in'repid sub-marine navigator nor
could the boat which ttendel him, give any
account of him after parting with him the first
part of the night.
While these anxious spectators were about
to give him up as las’, severai barges were
seen to start suddenly from Governor's Island,
(’hen in passesslon of the British) and pro
ceed towards some oojert near the Asia ship
>f the line—as suddenly they were seen to
:'Ut about and steer for the Island with spring
ing oars. In two or three minutes an explo
sion took place, from the surface of the water,
resembling a water spoa*, which aroused the
whole city and region; the enemy’s ships took
■he alarm, signals were rapidly g ven—’he
•mips cut their cables and proceeded to tha
Hook with all possible despatch, sleeping
heir bottoms with chains, and with difficulty
preventing the r affrighted crews from leaping
overboard.
During this scene of consternation, the de
ceased came to the surface, opened the brass
head of he aquatic machine, rose and gsave a
signal for the boat to eonrfo to huh, hut they j
could not reach him, until ho again descended j
under water, to avoid ihe enemies shot from
the Island, who had discovered him and!
commenced fifing in his wake. Hiving
forced h.mseli aga.nt a strong current under,
water, until without the re ten oi shot, tie was i
taken m tow and landed at the Btttery amidst i
a great crowd, and repor.ed hituself to Gen. j
Washington, who expressed his entire satis
taction, that the object was effected without 1
; the ios of lives. The deceased was under j
! the Asia’s bottom more than two hours, en- i
deavor.ng to penetrate her copper, but in;
vain. He frequently came up under her slern
galleries searching for exposed plank, and j
: could hear the sentinels cry. Once he was
discovered by the watch on deck, and heard
them speculate upon him, but concluded a
I drifted log had paid them a visit—he returned
!to her bottom and examined it fore and aft,
| and then proceeded to some other ships; but
j the impossibility of penetrating their copper,
for want of a resisting power, saved the live*
;of hundreds. The longest space of time he
could remain under water was tw r o hours.
! For a particular description of this sub-ma- 1
jrme curiosi.y, see Silliinan's Journal of Arts !
and Sciences.—Com. Advertiser.
POLITICAL banking.
It is not our office to interfere with State
banks, unless they come into the poli.ical are
na. Then every editor who would preserve
popular nahis and an uncorrupted Govern
ment, should denounce them as inlschevious
and dangerous not on'y to public institutions,
hut to all honest banking institutions, winch
cannot laii to incur thesu ptcion and odium
Irom the course ol the electioneering banks.
We gave an example but a day or ivvo
since ol the i’ale ol an electioneering hank in
I England.
I The Wavne County Bank of New York
is another instance, which, upon a small sca'e,
illustrates the electioneering system bv bank
ing, which Mr. Biddle,on a grander scale, in
troduced among us from abroad. Nothing
is more common in England than the pur
chase of seats in Parliament for hopeful aspir
ants, by patronizing institutions or lordly
moneyed men; and it would seem that in
N< •vv York, those elevated to the control of
the Government by official station, do not
hesitate lo make tie ir stations subservient to
the moneyed interests that help them up.—
The ‘ avtie County Bank, which was so
Conservative in the election, it seems, was
bolstered up until after the Presidential elec
tion, by means given to it by tiie State Gov
trnment.
It is a remarkable fact that several of the
rotlen banks of New York which have fallen
into the hands of commissioners, and there
fore have had their affairs are Ibund
to have received large sums of money from
the State Administration to keep them afloat
until the campaign ended. This is e xplained
by a production of a well in forme I specula
ting Whig, before the failure of the BuflVo
Banks. He said the Democrats would carrv
the State ot New York re consequence ol
bank explosions, which he knew to be inevita
h'e. These |’xplosions tvere aveited until
the elections were over; and how, and why,
the sums of money belonging to the State, lor
which there broken concerns are debtors, now
‘how. — Globe.
Revenue of Great Britain. —The London
Journal of Commerce, of November 2, gives
the following discouraging account of the re
venue of Great Britain:
“Whatever may be the general belief as to
the resources of the United Kingdom—and
our own is, that if proper means be taken for j
their developemen, they are “not to speak;
t profanely,” boundless—the present state :
and fu. ure prospects of the revenue are sub- j
jects, if not of alarm, of serious consideration.!
“The actual expenditure of the United King
dom of Great Britain and Ireland,” it was i
late’y “announced from the National Debt Os- j
lice, exceeded tiie actua revenue thereof,
for the year ending the sth day of July, 1840,
by the sum of £1,204,121 6s 5 l-2d.” Such j
is the actual state of the revenue; nor is there !
any prospect, at present of its increase, or of j
a diminution in the national expenditure. On
the contrary, the next year’s revenue may be
expected to be less than that of the past year,
and the expenditure of 1841 much greater.
The principal articles of revenue in (he Cus
toms department are tea and sugar, the duty
on which, for 1839, exceeded eight millions
and a half; and the importation of these arti
cles will doubtless be seriously diminished by
the Chinese war, and the failure of the crops
in the West Indies. Hence a defalcation in
the revenue of 1841. Wo are at war with
China, we are at war in Syria; hence an in
crease m the expenditure of 1841 over that
of ordinary years.”
APPOINTMENTS B Y THK PRESIDENT
By and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
ATTORNEYS OF THE UNITED STATES.
James A. Bayard, for ihe Distiicl of Del
aware, (re appointed.)
Da nei Goodwill, lor the District of Mich
igan, (te-app, limed.)
Cnaries 8. Sibley, for the Middle District
of Florida, (re-appointed.)
Fiancis S. Key, for the District of Colum
bia, (re-appniuted.)
Nathaniel Williams, for tiie Di strict of Ma
ry land. (re appointed.)
Montgomery Blair lor the District of Mis
souri, in the place of Arthur L. Magenis, re
signed
Solomon Cohen, for tiie District of Geor
gia, in the place of Robert M. Cliariion, re
signed.
CONSULS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Philip Schuyler, of New York, tor the port
of Liverpool, in the place of Francis B. Og- !
den, resigned.
i -Lmis Tinelle, of New York, for the port
of Oporto.
Fiancis B. Ogden, of New Jersey, for the j
port of Bristol, in toe place of Thomas Den
nison.
Henry D. Gale, of New York, for the port
of Velasco, in (lie place of Stewart Newell,
resigned.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
James Getfys, N. B. Vanzandt, and Na
ihaniel Beady, to be Justices ot’ the Peace
for ihe county of Washington, in tiie District
of Columbia, (re-appointed.)
UNEXPECTED DISCLOSURE.
POLITICAL FRATERNIZATION.
Could a stronger or more unprincipled case
be presented, than tiiat of the appointment of
a person to the Senate of the United States,
to sustain the administration of General Har
rison, (or, perchance, as a member of his i
cabinet,) who united in a written application
to General Jackson to recall the Resident
elect from his mission to South America, on
the score of incompetency 7
P. whom is allusion made? To William
C. Rives?
Dreadful Disease. —We understand that a
most fatal disease has made its appearance,
within a few days pas', in our sister county
Henry, about 10 miles west of Paris. It is
sat ? to b ■ contagious, but In its symptoms
uulik e anv other disease known to the human
family; and in its fatality far more and ead ul
than the Cholera. Seveiai deaths have oc
curred m a lew families. On Saturday night
4 death* occurred in line family. Its victims
live from 1 ;o 4 imors, aider being attacked.
The citizens of Pans, we learn, are greatly'”
alarmed. Many talk of leaving the town.
We have heard no name by which to call this
mysterious and awful disease.
Huntington ( Tenn .) Jldv.
SENTtNKL &.“ES'*AU).
LOLI JAN 6 i.'4l
. ,
j ** Tut* 1 usiitaiion is one of lUe ,no-t deadly hr ‘ti ity
existing agaiuM the principles and form of our Consti
■‘o >",. ‘l'kt nU on is. a! this time so strong and united
jin its sentime ts that it rtn.not hi shaken at this mo
■ie,U But suppose a series of untoward ever.ts sitou.d
! occur, sufficient to brine. to t.oubt the comint, oci. of n
| it publican Government to m,et a crisis of ercat dal-
I ger or to unhinge the ro Jideoc of the people in the
nub ic fundi otu ies : •* institution like tins penetrating
| by .ts branches every part of the union, acting by con
j maud and in phalanx, may in a critical moment upset
’ the government. / leem no government safe, which is
under the i assalage of any se f constituted authorities ,
or any other authority than that of the nation, or its reg
. ular functionaries. H'hat an obstruction could n t this
Bank of the United Statis. with all its branch banks,
I be in time of war ? It night dictate to us the peace we
should accept, or withdraw its aid Ought we then to
give further growth to an institution so powerful , so
hostile ?—Thomas Jeffebson.
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
On Saturday last polls were opened in the
i different wards ot this city, for the election of
I a Mayor and twelve Aldermen, to serve during
j the year 1341, which resulted as follows :
mayor:
JOHN L LEWIS.
aldermen:
Ist Ward— Joseph B. Greene,
Thomas Morris.
2d Ward—Thomas Berry.
[A tie in the choice ot an additional Aider
man—another election on Saturday next.]
3d Ward— Wiley Williams,
John T. Howard.
4th Ward— John Quin,
Robert A. Ware.
sth Ward—John L). Howell,
Joseph L. Morton.
6th Ward— Joseph Sturgis,
A. J. Abbott.
On Monday last, the following elections
were had for county officers:
JUDGES INFERIOR COURT.
J.M. CHAMBERS,
S. A. BAILEY,
W. WILLIAMS,
W. H. MITCHELL,
H. S. SAPP.
TAX COLLECTOR.
T. A. BRANNON.
TAX RECEIVER.
J. C. W. ROGERS.
The following is the vote given in this coun
ty, for Congress, on Monday last:
Holt, 039
Watson, 652
Holt’s maj. 37
We publish an ar; icle from ihe New York
New Er*, on the •übject of the passage of a
General Bankrupt law by Congress. It is in
teresting from the details included in it rela
tive to the action of Congress on the question,
at different periods since the formation of the
Government; as well as from the intrinsic im
portance of the subject.
The Mobile Advertiser, (W nig) of a late
date, mentions that persons front Tuscaloosa
just arrived, report the passage, through both
j Branches of the Alabama Legislature, of the
General Ticket Bill.
The Savannah Republican of the 4th ittst.
| contains interestingand tntpo taut news .front
1 Florida. We have not room (hr its inset tion
jin lull. Its aspect is decidedly favorable to
I the termination of the war.
From sixty to seventy warriors had come I
in to the different pots and surrendered their
arms, a tiling unknown befo’v since the cm i
menceineiil of die w ir. In addition, Col
Harney, . n the 25ih ult., captured about
forty Indians Ten of the warriors were
killed in the skirmish, ot hung immediately
| afterwards; and forty five women and club
jdren were taken prisoners. Col. H. had one
man killed,’ and five wounded.
A letter dated at Fort. Holmes, E. F. 30di
lilt., states ihai the e'press rider tepo ts that
Lieut. Sherwood, a sergeant and tiiree men, :
were killed; also Mrs. Montgomery, wife of
Lieut. M. of 7ih iulioitiy.
In order to correct any misapprehens'on
; which may have arisen relative to the standing
, of the Bank of Miliedgevilie, by the uninten
! tional error in our bank note table, we publish
! the following letter of the President of that
institution:
Bank of Milledoeville,
December %1, 1840.
To the Editor of the Sentinel and Herald:
Sir: I observe that in your paper of the
23d inst. you quote the bills of this bank at
a discount of seven per cent, in your city. This
is a great mistake. The bills of the Bank of
Miliedgeville now are, and have been for
some time past, at. par in Columbus, and in
Augusta also, and are bankable at both places.
Be pleased to correct this error, which is cal
culated to mislead your readers, though I am
very sure it is not 60 intended by you.
Respectfully yours,
S. GRAN I'LAND, President.
Singular circumstance in the election of
Mayor of Columbus. —The Harrison party,
entirely confident of their strength in the Ci
ty, and desirous to monopolize all the offices—
some few days previous to the election on
Saturday last, held exclusive meetings, to
which their opponents were not invited—and
then and there determined to nominate their
own men, and have things their own way. In
j pursuance of this arrangement, they selected
| for Mayor o> e of the most respectable and
unexceptionable men in their ranks—and for
Aldermen, individuals of the same political
stamp. It was mortifying to the Democrats
to be thus unceremoniously discarded—and
permitted to have no part or lot in the matter,
and they resolved to gather up the broken
fragments. Accordingly, a champion in the
republican ranks was entered for the race—
and, strange to relate, beat his competitor
thirty-four votes, securing also an equal divi
sion in the Board of Aldermen.
It was not the wish of the Democrats to
run their opponents quite so tar into the
ground, but they disliked such ungenerous
j and illiberal treatment, excluding them alto
gether from a voice in the City Councils. To
wards the gentleman selected to run for May
or, no unkind feelings were entertained, we
are sure, by a solitary member of our party—
for, in all the relations of life, public and pri
vate, he is unimpeachable—but yet we could
not submit to su'ffi wholesale and downright
prostration, as an acquiescence :n the exclu
sive arrangements of our opponents, would
have implied.
Another circumstance equally singular in the
election of member of Congress. —It will be re
collected by our readers that the Harrison
majority in Muscogee, on the Congressional
vote, in October, was one hundred and thirty
six—and, on the electoral vote,-in November,
two hundred and thirty-three—and yet Col-
Holt has only thirty-seven majority over Col.
Watson, to fill the *eat in Congress vacated
by the resignation fctf Judge Colquitt. Tube
sure, Col. Watson is s popular man; is well
and favoiably known to the people of this
county; and possesses all those qualities
which are calculated strongly to attract gene
ral attention, and secure public admiration—
but Col. Holt is equally popular, equally well
. known—and is, besides, a man of unquestion
able a tainments as a lawyer and civilian.
‘ “THE GEORGIA BULL DOG” UNMUZZLED!
“the immortal twenty-eight” (not)
USED UF ! !
“PASS IT ROUND!”
That, although a majority of the people are
always honest in their views, still they are li
able to imposition, a. 1, through want of cor
rect information, can err; that when their
sensibility is highly excited, the doctrines of
a political sect may sometimes obtain an as
cendancy, however ridiculous they may be in
theory, or dangerous in practice —but that they
can only continue until ihe casual circumstances
which hate produced it, are removed by tht opera
tions of returning reason.
gov. McDonald and state bonds.
In a hasty article m our last paper, we en
deavored to show the propriety of ihe course
pursued bv the Executive, in the present em
ergency; and to point out the benefits likely
to result from the adoption of his recommen
dation. We stated that resumption, so early
as the Ist of February, would operate injuri
ously on the people, and afford the Banks an
opportunity and a pretext, to press their debt
ors, and curtail their circulation. These pro
ceedings on the part of our moneyed institu
tions, under the most favorable condition of
things producing temporary pressure and in
convenience, would, we were certain, in the
, tailure ot the cotton crop, and the unusual
embarrassments of the present moment, work
j far greater, and more incurable mischiefs.
We hope sincerely that the result anticipated
by us may not follow—and that the Banks of
Georgia, most of which are solvent and strong,
will deal mildly and leniently with their debt
ors, and adopt no harsh measures calculated
to aggravate the prevailing distress. The
Banks ot Columbus will certainly be unau
thorized to pursue any other than a liberal
course—ns the statements made by them on
the Ist of October, show ample means to
meet their liabilities, without any sudden cur
tailment of their issues, or any harsh action
on their debtors. Indeed, the condition of the
Columbus Banks speaks volumes in favor of
the fidelity and skill with which they have
been managed; and the low rate of exchange
on New York, and the fact that exchange in
the other cities of Georgia, is in favor of Co
lumbus—afford gratifying evidence that we
are fast recovering from ihe embarrassments
| of ihe times, and that, in every department of
I business, our citizens have exhibited cornmen
’ daffe cau'ion and judgment. Ail these things
! are gratifying—and will, as far as they go, ob
j viate the evils sought to be remedied by the
I humane suggestions of His Excellency.
In perusing the reports made to the Logis
-1 lalure in opposition to the views of the Gov
| ernor, and the comments of intelligent eJi
| tors, we have been surprised with the train
|of arguments employed. We are told that
| “our bonds have been upon the stock mark
ets for above two years”—and “that no ad
vantageous sale of them could be made.”
What interest do these bonds bear; and what
is the prospect of their redemption by the
State at the time of payment! Is there any
certain fund sec apart for this purpose; or do
their punctual redemption depend on contin
gencies, and those, too, of an e tremely doubt
ful character] While the bonds already issu
i ed are directe 1 to be sold at a comparatively
low rate of interest; ar.d the objects to
which the money borrowed on them is to be
applied, are incapable of affording an ade
quaie and reasonable return—the bonds issu
|ed in pursuance of the recommendation o;
’ His Excellency, would be of great value,
! and sought, with avidity, by capitalists. These
| bonds bear eight per cent interest, an mteres
i double that asked on securities not as good,
i and higher than the legal price of money n
j half the States of this Union, and then the ; s
sets pledged, and set apart for their redemp
; tion—what are they? The notes of individ
uals, “secured by undoubted endorsers,”
bearing 8 percent, interest, and given lor the
full amount, borrowed on these bonds. Can
any security be better? Is it not equal to
that, at any time, taken by an individual, or a
private institution, where great vigilance is
exercised, and few losses occur—to secure
the re-payment of money borrowed? Would
not these bonds issued in small amounts, and
! made payable in the northern cities, be the
best currency in the Southern country, and
! sought with ihe greatest eagerness? Have
Siate Bonds, issued any where, been offered
j under such circumstances, carrying with them
i available means for their redemptionl But
I such bonds in the market, and see how capi
talists would seize th -m, and how summarily
the main argument employed against them,
j that they could not be sold, would vanish into
! thin air.
What has raised the value of Central Bank
money, so suddenly, and to such a degree! Is
it not the act passed by the Legislature, which
provides, among oJier things, for the issue of
►State Bonds, to redeem this very money—
these bonds to bear 8 per cent, interest, and
to be paid out of the assets of the Central
Bank, when realized? Now if the assumption j
of the reports be correct, that bonds, although
offered with such guarantees,will not sell,What
has elevated the value of the Central Bark
notes? or, even if this opinion were entertain- i
ed by the Legislature, why do so useless a
thing as to pass the act?
It appears to us that the reports of the com.
mittees proceed too much on the assumption,
that the use and abuse of power, are one and
the same thing. Now, there is no delegated
power, immaterial how cautiously guarded,
which is not liable to perversion, and improper
application—an i opposed, as we claim to be,
to the use of S‘ate Bonds under ordinary cir
cumstances; ve we believe occasions may
arise when they are of vast benefit, and we
snail not certainly object to their employment
at such times—because, perchance, it affords
a plausible pretext to use them when no ab
solute necessity exists. Our Governments,
S'ate and General, are dependent for exist
ence and correct action, on the intelligence of
the people, and the virtue of the rulers. These
are the foundation stones of our political sys
tem; and not the entire absence of all discre
tion, and a proper exercise of opinion and judg
ment, in the management of public affairs, a
to the most effectual method of relieving ex
isting emergencies—keeping within the limits
of legitimate constitutional power.
But we are asked, in the “Minority
report—Senate”—“how can the bonds of
the State be negotiated for the purpose
of lending the proceeds, when the bonds
authorized by law cannot be negotiated for
ihe pur}K>se of completing the Western
and Atlantic Rail Road—a great work of in
ternal improvement, from which the State ex
pects to derive an income?” Where were
the usual penetration and judgment of the
Honorable Senator from Muscogee, whose
name is subscribed to this repor% when lie as
similated the two cases—as far apart as the
poles? In the one, the bonds hear a high in
terest, and have an ample available fund
pledged for the r redemption—in the other,
what is the security? The Western and At
lantic Rail Road, a great work of internal im
provement, to be sure, and from which the
State may “ expect ” to derive an income. Will
it yield an income? The committee ventured
tj use no stronger term than “expect”—one
of the most lat'Judinarutn words in the En
glish language. Although the Western and
Atlantic Rail Road is a work of internal
improvement, and may he of vast service to
the section through which it runs, and to the
Slat® generally, yet the history of Rail Roads
in this country, and of the incomes derived
trom them—show that the money expended
in their construction, is sunken capital , and
can only be realized by the indirect benefits
conferred, and not by a return in kind. And
is not this known to capitalists? And is it
reasonable to suppose they would loan on such
securities?
There are otiier questions embraced in this
subject, which we shall discuss in due time.
Extract from the \\ ashington Correspon
dence of the Columbus Enquirer:
There is a report abroad to-day, that Mr.
Webster lias concluded to accept the office of
Secretary ot State, in Gen. Harrison’s cabi
net. llis appointment would give as much
satisfaction perhaps as any other, although
the South would have preferred another man.
Mr. Webster’s honesty and capability will be
questioned by none, and Jiis recent movement®
have been such as to acquire the entire con
fidence of the friends of State Rights. No
one supposes however, for a moment, that he
will in any wise control the policy of the ad
ministration; for all who know Gen. Harri
son, know well enough his firmness and states
manlike abilities, lie will pursue his own
course, and in every thing will consult the
good of the country. Mr. Dawson of your
state, and Col. Todd of Cincinnati i, have both
been spoken of for Secretary of War, though
I yet believe that all speculation on this sub
ject is idle.
The above appears to us strangely contra
dictory, arising evidently from the distrust in
the mind of the writer, of the sincerity of Mr*
Webster’s professions of attachment to State
Rights. If his appointment to the State De
partment, would give as much satisfaction as
any other—why should the South prefer ano
ther? And if his hones'y be unquestionable*
“and his recent movements have been such as
to acquire the entire confidence of ihe friends
of State Rights”—why the necessity of ex
cluding him from any control in the coming
administration? For, although Gen. Harrison
be alI, “in firmness and a! atesmanlike ab 1 dies,’ ’ .
claimed—yet Mr. Webster, in there qualities,
is certain!} not his interior; and might, by pos
sibility, he able to enlighten him occasionally
on matters of intricacy and importance. ‘The
truth is, the southern wing of the Harrison
party is not at all easy at the political aspect of
things. Dislike to Mn Van Buren personaijy,
and oi some of the prominent men and mea
sures of his administration, led to the support
ot a man in whom they had no confidence, and
whose principal supporters have alw ys been
unappeasable foes of southern principles and
southern rights. Rumors have already told
us that certain southern gentlemen, who had a
principal agency in turning southern support
to Harrison, fearful that all might not be right;
or, in other words, sensible of the predilections
of Harrison for Northern men and ledcral
doctrines—had announced in advance that
tiieir pledges to the people must be redeemed,
and the south be duly respected in the organi
zation and arrangements of the new adminis
tration. Time will develope how far their
demands are respected.
The following remarks are from the Cin
cinnati Republican of the 17th December.
This paper is edited by John C. Wright, and
is supposed to be in the especial confidence
of General Harrison. It appears that, al
though the office-holding party is overthrown
—an office-seeking paity ,s in the ascendant.
Visits to North Ilcrul by applicants fur of
fice. —W e should suppose the good sense of
the Iriends ot Gen. Harrison would suggest
to them the propriety of abstaining from visits
to Ins residence to solicit office. We are per
suaded ihese visits must encroach on the time
which belongs not to individuals, but to the
whoie people. He will soon enter upon the
duties of the most arduous, as it is the most
dignified office in the world; and the nation
expects that he shall have such control of his
own time as may permit him to think upon the
measures calculated to advance her interests.
We speak advisedly when we assure all
applicants for office, whether personally or by
letter, that their claims will be prejudiced
rather than advanced by such a course oi con
duct We doubt not the President elect
would especially condemn the practice of any
of the present office holders presuming to so
! licit a continuance of their places by profess
ing to abuse the present incumbent under
whom they now hold office. We know that
applications have been made upon such
grounds.
The following remarks are from the Balli
more Ameiican; they refer to a subject
which is attracting public attention, and up
on which, at an early day, we propose to say
something.
One Presidential Term —The resolution
introduced into the U. 8. Senate by Mr. Tal
madge, to limit the occupant of the Presiden
tial chair to one terna ot service, is in accord
ance, we believe, with the wishes of a large
majority of the people. Respecting the length
of that term there is some diversity of opin
ion. A well written communication of some
length appeared in the Philadelphia National
Gazette in favor of reducing the period of
Presidential service to two years, without re
eligibility. We can only sav at present con
cerning this proposal, that it does not seem
calculated in our judgment to effect any salu
tary amendment of the evils now felt hv the
country from the present system—but on ti e
other hand its resul’s. so far as we can con
jecture them, would be towards aggiavating
the strife of party spirit and stimulating per
sonal ambition in multitudes to such a doerp#