Newspaper Page Text
Alabama (Monlgomrrv) J. ureal, ion. 30.
ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.
Adjourned on Saturday last sine die. The
Penal Code was passed in the lump, a por
tion of it without read.ng, by a vote oi 39 to
l(j the Senate concurring in the amend
ments. The law will take oiTect Ist oi Octo
ber next. The bill to en.arge the powers oi
the Directors of the State Banks was lost in
the House. Also the Bdi establishing the
third Chancery District failed. We have re
ceived the Captions of the Acts of this session,
and publish below those of general interest.
CAPTTONS OF THE ACTS
Passed by the General Assembly of Alabama
at an annual session on November and De
cember, 1840, and January, 1841.
GENERAL ACTS.
1. An act making appropriations for the
payment of members of the General Assem
bly, and the officers of the two Houses.
2. An act in relation to bonds given by the
officers of the Bank of the State of Alabama,
and its Branches.
Provides that the bonds of all officers shad
be renewable every 12 months and valid for
no longer period.
3. An act to regulate the practice in the
Courts of Chancery in the State.
4. An act regulating the mode of collect
ing costs accruing in the Supreme Court:
Provides that sheriffs shall be liable in cer
tain cases, where they fail to make returns on
executions issued from the Supreme Court,
and placed in their hand.
5. An ant to compel county treasurers to
make a fuli exhibit of the finances of their
respective counties, in each and every year.
Provides that county treasurers shall make
a statement of the means and liabilities of
each county, and submit the same to the first
commissioners’ court in each year, and that a
copy of such exhibit shall be kept in the clerk’s
office of the county court, free for public in
spection.
6. An act to provide for the election of
sheriff in certain cases.
Provides that where no election of sheriff
is declared, at any general election, by reason
of a tie or otherwise, the acting sheriff shall
advertise 30 days for anew election, and the
person having the highest number of votes
shall, upon executing the usual bond, be the
sheriff
7. An act to explain an act entitled an act
to appoint administrators in certain cases, ap
proved Feb. 5, 1840.
Provides that nothing in the amended act
shall be so construed as to prevent the judge
of the several county courts from granting
administration to sheriffs or coroners, und* r
the law existing before the passage of said
act.
8. An act to alter and amend the law rela
ting to dower.
Providing that any femme covert, residing
out of the State, inay relinquish dower before
any notary public or judge of any court of
record in any state, kingdom or territory in
which she may reside, and that when dower
is claimed by a non-resident, she shall claim
her dower within 12 months after the death
of her husband.
8. An act to establish tho General Ticket
System, in elections for members to Congress
from the State of Alabama.
9. An act making appropriations for the
Bupport of government in the year 1841.
10. An act to establish the Penitentiary
System in Alabama.
11. An act more effectually to enforce the
performance of the duties of sheriffs in cer
tain cases.
Provides that where any rule or notice
shall issue against any late or acting sheriff,
and his securities, judgment may be rendered
against such of the parties as service may
have been perfected on.
12. An act concerning county court judges.
Provides that they shall not appear in any
case before an appellate court that has been
tried before them; and that they shall not be
absent at the time of holding any court, or on
any return day.
From tho Alabama (Montgomery) Journal, Jan. 20.
EARLY DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
From the article quoted below, it will be seen
that evidence exists in South America also,
denoting the presence of the Northmen on
this continent at a period prior to that of its
discovery by Columbus. The investigations
of the last lew years have placed almost be
yond a doubt the question of their early ac
quaintance with, and occupation of a portion
of Eastern North America as early perhaps as
the 10th century.
[Translated from Le Courier des Etas Unis.]
Discovery of America before Christopher
Columbus. —ln the session of the Royal So
ciety of Northern Archeology of our city,
(Copenhagen) held last evening, the 17th of
May, 1840) Mr. Widdman, one of its mem
bers, read a letter, written from Rio Janeiro,
by Dr. Lund, in which this learned Danish
geologist announces to the Society an impor
tant discovery he has just made. In an exca
vation he caused to be made in the environs of
Bahia, Brazil, he found a fragment of that
stone, covered with runic characters, deeply
engraved, but much damaged, having suc
ceeded, after long research, in deciphering
some words, which lie discovered to belong to
the learned languages, he caused the excava
tion to be extended in all directions, and soon
he discovered the foundations of houses, in
cut stone, which, from the architectural af
finity, strongly resembled the ruins which ex
ist in the north of Norway, in Ireland, and
upon the western coast of Greenland. lie
caused a continuation of the excavation; for
several days, and finished by finding the statue
of the god Thor, (God of Thunder, of the
ancient Scandinavians) with all his attributes,
the hammer, the gauntlets, and the magic gir
dle, (megin giarder.)
The Society charged the Doctor and Pro
fessor Rafo, author of the celebrated work,
Antiquitates Americana;, and who has first
proved in an authentic manner, that relations
have existed between this Island and the
North of America, anterior to the discovery
of that part of-the world by Christopher Co
lumbus, to report upon the fetter of Mr. Lund,
and to publish it in order to call the attention
of the savans upon the interesting discovery
of which it gives an account, and which
seems to reveal that the ancient people of the
North had not only pushed their maritime
voyages even to the South of America, but
that the}’ even there laid firm foundations.
AN EARTHQUAKE AT ZANTE.
Corfu, Nov. 11.
An awful earthquake t< ok place at the ill
fated island of Zante, on Friday the 30;h ult.
Sir Howard Douglas and suite are still there,
and have during the last week felt upwards
of one hundred shocks, and some very smart
ones. The country has suffered severely, hut
providentially not more than seven lives have
been lost. The inhabitants are all in the
greatest state of alarm, and the damage is
estimated at $1,500,000. Fortunately the
weather was, up to Friday last, remarkably
line, or the su tie ring’s of the poor would have
been tenfold. A subscription lias been opened
for the immediate relief of the poor wretches
whose houses are utterly destroyed. Gentle
men who have come from Zaute say, that af
ter the iirst tremendous shock, the town had
the appearance of a place that had beau bom
barded tor a month; and only fancy what it
must look like now that they have had one
hundred and more shocks, which, it is said,
have crumbled down those buildings which the
first shock had rent. A small island in ihe
harbor of Zante has disappeared. There
were a few fishermen’s huts upon it, but we
know not whether any poor wretches were on
i. at the time.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
Extract of a letter from Z r n: r , 30th Nov., in
the Mediterranean off Malta:
“ On the 3'bh uifi at half-past m e in tli
rooming, a violent earthquake overthrew nu
merous houses in this city, and eight persons
were tuned in the ruins. The total nuffiber
ot houses that ha\ e fallen is 240; but all the
oth r.-, without exception, have been more or
less injured; and in the fortress only two or
three have been left standing. The damage
caused to the country is immense. Some vil
lages may be almost said no longer to ex:Si,
as only some portions were felt to mark the
spots that have been inhabited. Some have
suffered less in proportion than these, but
have not been free from great loss. Oi the
country houses of Zaute no mention need Le
made, for they are all in ruins. It is sufficient
to state that Count Itouia, who was the pro
prietor of so many, has only one remaining.
Fortunately the day being ffue, the inhabitants
of the country were out of doors, and up to the
present hour it is not known that any in the
country districts have been killed. The loss
is enormous, and many years must elapse be
fore Zaire will recover from the blow. The
Lord High Commissioner, Sir Howard Doug
lass, arrived in our port just-at the time ol the
catastrophe.”
The 101 l owing is from Sir Howard Douglass,
dated on the day of the earthquake:
“ I arrived off’ this island just at the moment
of a terrible catastrophe—an earthquake, more
violent than any which has happened since .
1775. \Ve were within three miles of the
island when the engine of the steamer was
agitated in a very extraordinary manner,
which the captain declared to be the effect of
an earthquake. His opinion was soon con
firmed, by the appearance of columns of sand
dust along the coast. On coming closer in
with the land, we saw that enormous masses
had been detached from the hills, and the
islands of Trentanove and Corio Nero. On
reaching the town, we discovered the ravages
caused by the visitation. Very few houses
remained standing, the prison was damaged,
and the Resident’s house no longer habitable.
Whole streets were choked up With ruins,
and their inhabitants fled to other parts of the
town which had suffered less. The local
government is preparing a detailed report of
these misfortunes, but it is already known
that seven or eight lives have been lost”
Another letter of the 12th says —
“ We arrived here on the 30th of last month,
a quarter of an hour after the great shock of.
the earthquake, which we ourselves felt most
sensibly on board. The effects of it ou shore
are most lamentable. Whole villages have
been ruined; and at this season of the year,
when the rains are hourly expected, it is sad,
indeed, to see the poor wretches sitting on the
ruin3 of their dwellings, hundreds and hun
dreds of them without a farthing to assist in
rebuilding. Government has done much, and
charity is exerting itself all it can to render
help to tho destitute. There is not a house in
the town of Zante which has not, more or less,
suffered, and many to a considerable extent.
Two and a half millions of dollars is the low
est estimate of damage done altogether. We
have had at least fifty shocks since, which
keep ihe people in constant alarm.”
r ARREST OF MAIL ROBBERS.
The Baltimore American of Monday has
the following account of the arrest of the mail
robbers.
W e learn from the Post Master of this city
that the persons implicated in the recent rob
beries ot the great western mail from New
York and points east of it, have all been ar
rested. The mails stolen embrace packages
of leitors from Wheeling, Columbus, Cincin
nati, Louisville, Nashville and St. Louis—
about six packages from each. The active
and enterprising agents of the Post Office
Department, Messrs. Plitt and Kennedy, have
been for some time past on the look out, but
the ingenuity of the robbers eluded detection.
Finally, however, they succeeded in disco
vering the parties; and arrested a driver na
med Gorman, who immediately confessed his
participation in the crime, and implicated a
person named Dr. Braddee, his clerk, named
Purnell, and an assistant accomplice, named
Trayer. All these parties reside in Union
town, Pa.’
Large amounts of money, trunks and car
pet bags stolen from travellers, have teen
discovered, and part of the money has been
identified as having been taken from the mail.
This system of depredation has been carried
on from the 13th November until the 20th
December, at different periods, and the rob
beries are the most extensive ever committed
in the United States.
further particulars.
The Uniontown, Pa. Democrat, of Friday
last, savv : “Our town is now the theatre of
great excitement and commotion growing out
of the arrest of Dr. John F. Braddee, of this
place, and three of his supposed confederates,
who are charged with robbing the mail. Sus
picion fell upon Mr. Corman, the driver of the
mail stage, who was arrested at the instance
of Mr. Plitt, a special agent of the Post Office.
Corman soon confessed the crime, and impli
cated Dr. Braddee, his clerk, Purnell, and a
person named Trayer, who were all arrested
last night. A guard was placed overthe house
and outbuildings of Braddee through the night,
and in the morning a search was made, whicn
resulted in finding* no less than nine mailbags,
labelled “New York,” which had been con
cealed in the bottom of the privy. Further
search was then made, and a sum of money ex
ceeding Ten Thousand Dollars was found in
the hay mow—besides sundry apparatus for
coining money—pistols, travelling trunks cut
to pieces, &c. &c. They are all committed
for want of bail, which was placed at a high
amount. On the examination, Mr. Plitt gave
it as his opinion that the sum extracted at^this
place in cash and drafts must exceed one hun
dred thousand dollars. We understand other
commitments are contemplated.
The Wilmington, Pa. Reporter, gives the
fob owing particulars as to the method of com
mitting robberies, as confessed by Corman.
On reachingthe Post Office in Uniontown,
where the coaches are usually changed, all
the mads were discharged except the Eastern
Mail above referred to; this was retained in
the coach, per arrangement, until driven into
ihe yard, where the accomplices oftiie driver
received it, and conveyed it to the < -ffice of
Dr. Braddee, when, ou being rifled of its con
tents, the bags were thrown into a privy
apartment to the premises.
This was done on the nights of the 15th,
iikn, 23d, and 30? h of November, and on the
sch, 12th, and 18th of December.
Good News. —The following is an extract
of a letter published in the New York Express
ot the 13ih mst., dated Cincinnati, Jan. 5 :
Gen. Harrison, so far from making promi
ses of office, or even giving to his nearest and
dearest friends the least encouragement, ei
mer expressed or implied, will not so much
as listen to any one, no matter whom, when
asking for office, cither for himself or friend ;
or iii fact read a letter, knowing it to be an
application h r office. In this matter lie is
firm and decided; he will pay no attention to
such applications until after he is installed
inf o the * high office* to which the people have
elected h:m ; and then such applications must
come through the proper departments; and
in all cases the most successful will be those
who are judged the roost honest and capable.
The General does not subscribe to the doc
trine, “ that to the victors belong the spoils
he goes iifio the presidential chair as the Pre
sident of the nation and not of a party—and
if any one thinks tha> there is to be a general
clearing out of all minor office-holders, and
their places filled by Whigs, he is wofully
mistaken. All now in office who are honest
and faithful, and have devoted themselves ex
clusively to the performance of their duty—
with an eye single to the public good—-and
have in no case brought, or attempted to bring,
“die influence of their office in conflict with
the freed m of elections,” will doubtless be
retained. Such is my ophicn, without; eak
ing authoritatively, of General Harrison's
views. It is said, and I presume it is true,
that the College of Electors of Pennsylvania
took the liberty of recommending Mr. Ste
vens for Post Master General; and, notwith
standing the high personal regard which Ge- j
nera! Harrison is known to entertain for the 1
individuals composing that College—preclud
ing any doubt of the integrity of their motive
—yet it is equally true, that he did not recog
n ze their right officially to recommend, and
declined receiving the letter they sent him
He doubtless considered, that if colleges of
electors could successfully recommend can
didates to be appointed by the President they
had as; e.nbled to elect—it would be throwing
open a wide door for corruption, intrigue, and
management; lie therefore could give no coun
tenance to the precedent—by which he acted
up to his well known chaiacter for sterling
integrity and Roman virtue. Gen. Harrison
cannot knowingly do wrong. A more honest
and disinterested patriot never lived. I have
bad the honor of his acquaintance for nearly
twenty years, and I have never known a man
of more purity of heart. He has firmness and
decision as well as honesty and virtue, with
intellect and talents equal to any man in the
nation.
I also notice that some importance is attach
ed to articles emanating from the Cincinnati
press, in the newspapers east of the moun
tains; it seems to be supposed that our editors
q-eak by authority. This is a great mistake;
-here is no newspaper, or individual, I pre
sume, that is to speak for the Genera!, or that
knows any thing more about his views and in
tentions—particularly who are, or who are
not to be, or who have been offered seats in
he Cabinet, than you do. When the Presi
dent elect speaks through a newspaper, it will
be in such a way as will leave no doubt as to
authority. The various speculations of all
newspapers, both here and elsewhere, arc,
doubtless, as far as the General is concerned,
perfectly gratuitous. No authority whatever
has been derived from him for the speculations
they have made.
MISSISSIPPI.
The Legislature of this State is now in ses
sion. We have glanced over the message of
Gov. McNutt, and make from it the following
extracts, which will be read with interest:
“From the report of the State Treasurer to
me it appears that the receipts into the Trea
sury ‘from the first day of December 1839, to
the 30ili day of November 1840 (both days
inclusive) were one hundred and sixty-one
thousand, one hundred and sixty-one dollars
and seventy-nine cents, sixty-three thousand
and thirty dollars whereof, ufore in notes of
the Mississippi Rail Road Company, which
still remain in the Treasury, and are unavail
able. The auditor’s report shows expendi
tures during the same period to the amount of
four hundred and ninety-one thousand, six
hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifteen cts.
There w as expended during that period, $275-
727 57.
It thus appears that the ordinary expenses
of the State Government exceeded the re
ceipts into the Treasury, the sum of fifty-four
thousand, seven hundred and forty-two dolls,
and eighty-eight cents, and that the Treasur
er was unable to pay three hundred and nine
ty-three thousand, five hundred dollars .r.d
thirty-six cents, of pay warrants of the Audi
tor. The amount of unavailable funds in tee
State Treasury are $302,965 62 1-2.
This statement shows that more than three
fourths of the State debt has been incurred in
consequence of several of the State Banks
having failed to redeem their notes, taken in
payment of the public dues. The larae sums
due by the Banks, may be considered lost.—
Ever since May 1837, all the public officers
have been paid in currency greatly deprecia
ted. During the past year they have general
ly been unable to get their pay warrants cash
ed by the Treasury, and have usually been
compelled to sell them at about thirty-five
cents per dollar.
In accordance with ray request, the Mar
shals of the Southern and Northern Districts
of this State, have politely furnished me with
a copy of their census returns, and the sta
tistical information collected by them. Re
lieving that the information contained therein
will be of great utility in facilitating you in the
despatch of the public bur’ness, I have caused
an abstract to be made of said returns, and
herewith transmit it—this document shows
that, there were in this State on the Ist day of
June, 1840,
Free white males, 96,886
* “ females, 81,781
178,067
Male slaves, 98,388
Female “ 97,376
165,764
Free white persons deaf and dumb, 139
“ *• “ blind “ insane, 153
Colored persons deaf, dumb and blind, 118
“ “ insane and idiots, 90
Free colored males, 722
“ females, 642:
No. of Colleges, 8
“ Students, 454 1
“ Academies and grammar schools, 71
“ Scholars in said institutions, 2480
“ Primary and common schools, 390
“ Scholars in said schools, 8,273
“ White persons over 21 years )
of age who cannot read > 8,358
and write, 3
“ Horses and mules, 109,227
“ Neat cattle, 623,157
“ Swine, 1,001,676
“ Bales of cotton crop of 1839, 685,568
“ Bushels of corn, 13,161,337
“ “ “ Wheat, 196,266
“ “ “ Oats, 598,604
The cotton crop of 1839 was certainly not
as large as stated—mistakes have no doubt
occurred in several counties, in consequence
of the Assistant Marshals having returned the
number of pounds of seed cotton instead of
ginned cotton. The act of Congress required
a return of the number of pounds of cotton
gathered—l have estimated the bale at four
hundred pounds.
During the last four years, all the banks in
tills State have been unable io furnish ex
change equal to the value of the cotton crop
of a single year. The present si. nation of our
banks, places it beyond then power to furnish
a sound currency, or to aid the indebted por
tion of the community by further loans. Jus
tice to their creditors, debtors, and stockhold
ers, and to the State, imperiously demand that
they be placed in liquidation for the benefit of
all concerned. The bank law of last Febru
ary was too feeble in its provisions to com
mand the regard of the bank directors. In
accordance with its provisions, i iss led mv
proclamation, declaring the charters of the
following banks forfeited, to wit:
The Tombighy Hail Road and Ranking
Company;
Ido Hernando Rail Road and Bank in
Company;
The Mississippi Rail Road and Banking
Compam;
The Benton and Manchester Rail Road
and Banking Company;
i The Grand Gulph Rail Road and Banking
Company;
The Aberdeen and Pontotoc Rail Road and
Banking Company;
The Bank of V icksburg;
The Mississippi Union Bank, and
one Citizen s rank ot -Mad.son County.
Copies of those proclamations are submitted
io \our consideration. 1 also transmit copier
of my correspondence with the Mississippi
Union Bank, and the Mississippi Rail Road
C ompany, in relation to appointment of com
missioners to make out a schedule of the as
s-’s ail d liabilities ci these institutions.—!
None cf the banks have appointed commis
sioners to act in conjunction with those ap
pointed by the Executive; and 1 believe they
! have all refused to give the State comrais
’ sioners access to their books and papers.
It is believed that the following banks have
! failed to comply with the injunctions of the
bank la\v‘ to wit:
The Commercial Bank of Columbus;
The Commercial Bank of Rodney:
The Agricultural Bank;
The Planter’s Bank ot Mississippi;
The Bank of Lexington;
The Bank of Grenada*
The Vicksburg YVaier Works and Banking
Company, and
The Commercial and Rail Road Bank of
Vick. burg.
All the assets of the latter institution were
assigned to trustees, by the board of directors,
previous to the passage of the bank law.—
The evidence required by law has not been
furnished to the Executive, to enable him to
issue his proclamations declaring the charters
of tho-e banks forfeited.
I have understqod that the Commercial
Bank of Natchez, the West Feliciana Rail
Road and Banking Company, the Bank of
Port Gibson, and the Northern Bank of Misis
sippi, complied with the provisions of the bank
law during the last year. Their heaviest en
gagements were to be met on the first day of
the present month.
The situation and affairs of the Mississippi
Rail Road Company, the Planter’s Bank of
this State, and oi the Missisippi Union Bank,
will demand your calm consideration. Ail of
those institutions are insolvent; and none of
them can resume specie payments in several
years, or make further loans. 1 submit bere
ft ith copies of my letters to those banks, cal
ling for specific information in relation to their
condition, and the answers and statements
furnished. The Union Bank lias four thou
sand three hundred and forty-nine dollars and
six cents of specie on hand.
Her suspended debt in suit is, $2,698,809 26
“ “ not sued on, 1,777,337 78
“ resources, chf’ly unavailable 8,034,154 28
“ immediate liabilities, 3,034,154 28
“ capital stock, 5,000,000 00
A reference to the report of the Joint Com
mittee of ihe Legislature, at the last session,
will satisfy you that not more than one-third
of the debts due the banks will be collected,
and that the whole capital stock has already
been lost. The bank has seven thousand
bales of cotton in Liverpool unsold, on which
it has drawn $267,116 94. An advance of
sixty dollars per bale was made to the plan
ters upon that cotton in 1838. They will
sustain a clear less, including interest, of thir
ty dollars per bale; equal, in the aggregate, to
$201,000. The bank has been irretrievably
ruined by making advances upon cotton, issu
ing post notes, and loaning the principal por
tion of her capital to insolvent individuals and
companies. The situation of the Mississippi
Rail Road Company, and the Planter’s Bank,
is equally bad. The former, in the year 1839,
issued about a million and a half of dollars in
post, notes, and expended them in construct
ing the rail road and building expensive de.
pots.
From ihe Georgia Macon Telegraph.
GOV. MCDONALD’S RELIEF MESSAGE.
The cry of relief has scarcely died away on
th* lips of the chiefs and head-men of the Har
rison party—they who lately made the welkin
ring with shouts and songs of relief! relief!
to the distressed and embarrassed people; and
now, when their “need is the sorest,” when a
scanty crop of cotton has taken away the last
hope of meeting those debts that press upon
them and threaten ruin—what is the course of
conduct adopted by the Harrison party? Have
they, in good faith, in the spirit of their pro
mises, sought out means of relief for the suf
fering thousands? Or have ghey even lent a
listening ear to others who have proposed
measures to ward ofirnin from the country, and
to save the property of their fellow citizens
from the ruthless hand of the sheriff ? No!
The suffrages cf the people have answered!
their present purposes—in securing .1 hem- ;
selves and friends; and the dear people may
take care of themselves, until their votes are
wanted to decorate another triumph.
With what supercilious sneers has the Relief
Message of Gov. McDonald been met from
those men, who very recently seemed to weep
tears of agony over the distresses of the peo
ple! It is decried as an indication of weakness
by some; and as evincing the disposition of a
demagogue, who wishes to make it a means
of increasing his popularity, by others of them.
If it indicates any weakness, it is that of a
heart anxious to avert ruin from the hearths i
of its fellow men; and can those who have
very recently used every artef sophistry, that j
will pervert truth and exaggerate wrong—
who have appealed to every prejudice of hu
man nature, that can be aroused by word and
symbol—can ihcy have the effrontery now to
impute sinister purposes to a man who sug
gests to the Legislature a .plan of relief to the
embarrassments of the people of Georgia? j
Those who have recently organised a sys
tem of agitation, equalled only by that engen
dered by those clubs which precipitated France
into a bloody revolution, will find themselves
mistaken if they expect to allay the excited
expectations of the people by further vague
premises. In the desperation of debt, the
people have confided in the remote and im
probable premises of relief, and something
more solid than words must satisfy their hopes.
How far the prospect of better times will be
realised, the recuperative energies of trade,
aided by a general system of economy and
increased industry, will slowly but surely de
velope. But this process—tiie surest reliance
of better times —will be too slow to answer
tiie purposes of thousands, who require imme
diate aid to save their property tram sacrifice,
and their families from want.
The Relief Message of the Governor point
ed to the only means of affording that aid ;
but was it not scouted and put down by a Har
rison majority in the Legislature! and is it not
now sneered at and reviled by the leaders of j
that party at home! Now that the elections !
are past, these men may ccolly discuss ab
stract points of policy, and endeavor to resume
that affectation of high-toned dignity which
was laid aside, with the facility of a worn gar
ment, not long since. But. the individuals on
; whom the rejection of the Governor’s message
j must bear—the people who are in debt—will
! not take it so coolly. The subject has awa
kened the inhabitants of the Log Cabin, and
! will excite in that—now almost forgotten—
edifice, perhaps as much investigation as the
mysterious relations of a cider barrel reform
d;d during the last summer. The presses of
the Harrison party have thus far maintained
the silence of delicacy on the subject, or, at
most, eked out a feeble amen to this act of
heir leaders of the majority in the Legisla
ture. But this silence cannot be preserved,
as the people will discuss it for themselves.
The Relief Message of Governor McDonald ,
and its rejection by a majority of the Harrison
early in the last Legislature, is now before the
country. The people will speak of it around
heir firesides, from the Chattahoochee to the
Savannah; from Nickajack to the most remote
island on the sea-coast! and public meetings
and the presentments of grand juries will re
verberate their sentiments!
’- Louisiana U. S. Senator. —Alexander Bar
row (Whig) was elected on the 11th inst., on
first hallo', to represent Louisiana in the U. S.
Senate for six years from the 4th of March
next.
B ardzrupt Laic. —Resolutions instructing
its Senators and requesting its Representa
tives in Congress to vote for the passage c.
an uniform Bankrupt Law, have passed the
Legislature of Louisiana by an unanimous
vote.
SENTINEL & HERALD.
CULL \l HI'S. JAN, -27. 1’ 11.
** Unis Institution is une of the most deadly hostility
against the principles and form of our Consti
tution. The nation is, at this time.so strong and united
in Us sentiments, that it cannot beskaken at this mo
ment. Bat suppose a aeries of untoward events should
occur , sufficient to bring into doubt the compilenci) of a
11-publican Cruvernment to meet a crisis of great dan
ger. or to unhinge the confidence of the people in the
public functionaries; an institution like this penetrating
by .ts branches every part of the union, acting by com
mand and in phalanx, may in a critical moment, upset
the government. I deem no government safe, which is
under the vassalage of any self-constituted authorities,
or any other authority than that of the naiion. or its reg
ular functionaries. IVhat an obstruction could n t this
Bank of the lj nited States, with all its branch bunks,
be in time of war/ It might dictate to us the peace we
should accept, or withdraw its aid. Ought we then to
-ire further growth to an institution so powerful, so
hostile ? — Thomas Jefferson.
Tjie Emperor Napoleon. —On our first
page will be found a full and interesting ac
count of the disinterment at St. Helena, and
removal to France, of the remains of Napoleon
■ Bonaparte—“the mightiest human genius
known to history.”
The Savannah Races and Col. Crowell
liie races over the Oglethorpe Course,
near Savannah, have just terminated; and the
papers of that city inform us that Col. Crowell,
wno resides in this neighborhood, has net
with his usual success, winning three out of
the five days. Great praise is due to Col.
Crowell lor his efforts to improve the breed of
horses; and, judging from the results, we
doubt if there be, in the United States, stock
more valuable than his, whether native or
imported.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
The subjoined Bill has passed both branch
es of Congress, and will, doubtless, receive
the approval of the President.
“A BILL supplementary to an act to abolish
imprisonment for debt in certain cases.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives oj the United Suites of Ameri
ca in Congress assembled, That, the act enti
tled “An act to aboJ.sh imprisonment for debt
in certain cases,” approved February twenty
eight, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, shall
be so construed as to abolish imprisonment
for debt, on process issuing out of any court
of the United States, in all cases whatever
where, by the laws of any State in which the
said court shall be held, the imprisonment for
debt has been, or shall hereafter be abolished .”
The circumstances which prompted the
adoption, by Congress, of the original act, and
supplemental bill, are as follows:—The Le
gislature of the State of New York, three or
four years since, abolished imprisonment for
debt, on process issuing from any of the Slate
courts, and directed against a citizen of the
State. The laws regulating the proceed
ings of the courts of the United States
sanctioned arrests for debt, and these laws
remained in their original form, as no
authority inferior to that of Congress could
abrogate or amend them. At the session of
Congress immediately subsequent to the pas
sage of the State law referred to, Mr. Tall
madge, r. Senator from New York, urged and
effected the enactment of a law, by Congress’
extending to citizens of the State of New
York, the same privileges in the courts of the
U. S., so far as arrests for debt were concern
ed as had been accorded to them in the State
courts. These two laws, State and General,
j operated an entire release to the citizen of
j New York, from arrest for debt, and to no
! other. A subsequent Legislature of that. State
enlarged the provisions of the existing law
enabling to embrace citizens of ail other
States, who might, at any period, be found
within the borders of New York, and subject,
for the time being, to the requisitions of its
statutes. The supplemental bill which has
j just passed Congress, and is inserted in the
commencment of this paragraph, is designed
to second the ltu nanc provisions of the a
| mended State law—thus exempting, from ar
rest for debt within the limits of New York,
j either in the State, or U. States courts, any of
the citizens of the U. States.
The law just passed, it will be perceived by
perusal, is not confined in its operation to the
State of New York. Where, by the Legisla
tive provisions of any State, either resident cr
non-resident, or both, are exempted from ar
rest for debt, the U. States courts, within the
j limits of such Stale, are governed by the
same rules, and equally debarred from incar
cerating the person.
i
We find in the Columbus Enquirer of this
morning, in an article headed “ Removals from
Office,” the following:
“ These Federalists are aware, from their
own experience, that more odium attaches to
an administration from the removal of political
opponents than from the appointment of politi
cal friends; and, .acting on this idea, Mr. Van
Buren {the great discarded) is now busily em
ployed in crowding the Senate table with
appointments of the most obnoxious Federal
ists to office, U lake, effect after the 4 Lh of March
next, in order that Gen. Harrison, when he
i comes into the executive chair, may subject
himself to tire charge of removing these men
’ for political reasons, should he see proper to
appoint some o! his own political friends to
office.”
We have italicised the words to which we
desire especially to call the attention of the
Enquirer, and in reference to which we shall
ask but a single interrogatory: Can the En
quirer put its finger on one appointment, made
by President Van Buren, before or since the
election of Gen. Harrison, “ to take effect after
the 4 lh of March next?” The President, in
the appointments made by him since the com-
mencement of the present session of Con
gress, has but conformed to the imperative
injunctions of the Constitution, and of his oath
of office. lie has made appointments where
vacancies existed, by resignation, or by the
expiration of commissions, and under no other
circumstances ; and is not this one of his high
est duties—as binding as any of his preroga
tives ? The doctrine of the Enquirer may
be that, as anew Pre. bdent will come into
office on the 4th of March next, the present
Executive should abstain, in the interim, from
the exercise of his appropriate, constitutional
functions—leave important offices vacant —
and produce an interregnum in the Govern
ment.
We are told likewise, in the same article,
thattne individuals thus improperly place ! in
office, are “obnoxious Federalists.” We do
not profess to be acquainted with the political
opinions of the several individuals who have
recently received new, or been retained :n old
appointments; but in glancing our eye over
some of the late nominations of the President,
we recognise the name of one to whom the
Enquirer, by its odious designation, has done
signal injustice—that is, if it do not design to
stigmatise its own friends. James Miller has
been reappointed by President Van Buren Col
lector of the Port of Salem, in Massachusetts.
This gentleman was a very gallaut officer of
the U. S. Army, during the last war, and is
particularly distinguished for an act of despe
rate daring, and brilliant success, on the
northern frontier, unsurpassed by any single
achievement of the war of 1812. lie has also
additional claims upon the forbearance and j
kindness of llie Enquirer, and of the party to
which that paper is attached. He was one ‘
among the many who, during the last year, 1
certified o tiia bravery and inilitasy skill of
the President elect; and how unkind in the
Enquirer to deal thus harshly with its own
friends, and to attempt to fasten upon them
the appellation of “ obnoxious Ft-derailsis" —
an appellation which the Enquirer admits
(mark it!) to be any thing but puts and patri-
In conclusion, we will barely remark —and
we hope the Enquirer will pardon us for look
ing into its land—that, from the demoastra
tions already made by Gon. Ilarrison in tr vor of
“obnoxious Federalists,” (beginning with Dan
iel Webster, the Prince of federalism,) the
President elect will, in all probability, “ snare”
enough of these offensive animals, during the
succeeding four years, to answer ail the pur
poses of the Enquirer, without entering our
premises to hunt for them.
MONROE RAIL ROAD AND BANK-1
ING COMPANY.
We have noticed within the last few days,
in several papers, articles touching the condi
tion and prospects df this institution, and the
probability of its resuming, and sustaining spe
cie payments. All of them advise, and very !
properly, bill holders not to sacrifice the funds
of the M. R. it. & 15. C. held by them; but to
wait and see the effect of resumption on the
Ist proximo. We say the same thing—by all
means defer any exchange at a loss of the
notes of this institution, as the period of re
sumption C so near at hand. We have not
the slightest knowledge of the condition of
this bank, or of its ability to redeem its issues;
but as the President of it is a gentleman of
integrity, we arc bound to believe that all will
bo right, after the repeated public declarations
made by him, that the day of resumption was
a period for the coming of which lie both “hun
gered and “ililrsted.” We sincerely hope,
both for the credit and character of the mana
gers of the institution, and the interests of
the public, that the M. R. R. & B. Company
will meet ail its liabilities on presentation.
RESUMP HON.
Next Monday is the day fi>ed bv Law, for
the banks lo resume specie payments. In
tins City it seems to produce no stir or ex
citement, and but for the fact that so much
has been heretofore said throughout the coun
try, about suspended banks, we have no doubt
the day would piss off’ without any body’s
Blinking of it. So far as the banks of lids
cilv are concerned, we believe it will make
no difference will) them. They have for the
last two years done but lit tie business, except
upon bills ot exchange, at short time, conse
quently, they will no doubt be found in wood
condition to meet all the demands which may
be made upon them; of these, we think there
will be lew or none, other than those which
arise in the ordinary course of business.—Jlr
gvs.
SERIOUS AFFRAY.
A persona! rencounter, with pistols, grow
ing mil of a previous mhundeisialining he
iween the parties, occurred in the bar room
of Ihe Nashville inn, or M onda v evening a- j
bout supper time, in which Mr. J. G. Harris,
the editor oi the N tshvilie Union, Was
wounded in the L east and arm, lav Mr. Rob
erl C. Foster, jr. of this cilv. ‘Mae wounds
are considered dangerous. We fin-beat com
meet, as the circumstances of the case will
undergo judicial investigation. —JVashville
Whig, 13th inti.
GOV. McDONALD-S RELIEF MESSAGE.
The Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist, of the
23d hist contains the following:
The Relief Message of the Governor and
the proceedings of bolli branches of the le
gislature upon it, must be expected to pro
duce a diversity of opinion in regard to what
has been done, and what has not been done.
The subject, as we anticipate, will be one of
most importance in the political campaign for
Governor. We are prepared to meet that
subject; but it would be of no avail to enter
into it at the present time. Wc shall publish,
however, in the interval, whatever comes to
us in some official form, in order that the
people may know what a portion of them
selves think of the whole matter. We begin
by publishing the following extract from the
presentments of the Grand Jury of Twipes
county, January Term:
At the present critical embarrassed condi
tion of our county, the State and country
generally, we feel called upon, indeed it is
our imperious duty, standing as we do on the
direct line of our rights, to speak out boldly,
the sentiments of tins body, in relation to this
all absorbing and interesting subject.
We noticed with surprise, pain and regret,
tiie rejection of a course recommended by his
Excellency the Governor, to the last Legisla
ture, which we think was calculated to reme- j
dy the existing pecuniary difficulties of the
people, who are crying aloud tor some su h
measure. It is true that the people will have
to work out by manual labor the oppressive
debt with which they are burdened, but this
is no reason or argument why they should not
be assisted, if not relieved, by some legisla
tive provision. In ail matters involving the |
great fund .mental principles of right and
wrong vve douot not, but choose as if by in
stinct; well, now, is it right, to attempt relief,
or is it wrong? Taking it for granted that
it is right, we did expect some positive action
on the subject by our Representatives, and
the credit or the Slate ought if necessary to
be put in requisition for the common good. A
government unwilling or too impotent to re
spond to the necessities of its constituen
is in fact no government at all, and is totally
unworthy of support and ought not to be
cheri.-uvd. We approve the measures sug
gested to the Legislature by his Excellency,
especially as they were the best lie could pre
sent, and we believe they weio founded in
the purest motives of benevolence, philan
thropy, and patriotism, and they should no
have been defeated by any other than some of
a more judicious character.
We, therefore, as a body, expressing our
selves in this public manner of public things,
• f eel, and have no hesitation in earnestly re
commending to Governor McDonald, to call
ail extra-session of the Legislature, at as ear
ly a day as practicable, to adopt some mea
sure or measures, calculated to aubrd a
prompt and decided relief to the people.
It is sob-evident that benefit, if not eut’/s
relief, may be had, and if the bonds oi’ the ‘
State at one, two, three, four aid five ye u*s
could not be discounted to effect so desirab e |
a purpose, (and by that time these i■ :-xrai
ments might be fully met and promptly <ii : -
charged,) that some other mode supersede it, j
but a.:, great a blessing as tJri plan could pr >- :
duce would be the lessening of the great :
amount of littgatioa now going cn, whicfrwiT
continue to increase it something be not done
Ito arrest it, and litigation is a principle al
ways to be deprecated by the common mind,,
and is inimical and dangerous to the prosperi
ty and happiness of the country.
We furthermore seriously and solemnly
recommend to the graud juries throughout the
S ate, to follow our example in this item of
our presentments, and come up to she support
. of the common cause.
From the Charleston Mercury, Jan. 23.
LA YER FROM ENGLAND.
The packet ship Patrick Henry ariived in
New York last Friday, bringing Liverpool
! dates to the 25tli ult. The paper mail failed,
and we have therefore no political news to re
port, except what may be taken lor granted
in the improvement of the Cotton market.—
We are indebted to a commercial Inend for the
subjoined letter.
“ Liverpool , Dec.
The demand for Colton in our niaiket con
tinues not only lively, but has become very
brisk during the present week. Speculators
| have been inspired with increased confidence
and have considerably enlarged the scale of
I their operations. Dealers and spinners too.
have made more weighty purchases than they
! Lave usually done for some time past. As
surances of a diminished growth in lhe United
| States seem to be the chief, if not the only
stimulus; creating as they do the expectation
[of higher prices being established. Some
thing probably is to be attributed to the re
duction of 120,000 bales in our stock since the
i beginning of last October, though this is
doubtless much greater than it would have been
but lor the prevalence of easterly winds. We
have however to notice on'y the partial and.
I inconsiderable advance since last Friday of
[ 1-2 I per !h. Sellers appearing to be less san
guine than buyers of witnessing any material
advance, have generally met the demand at
full prices. According to the reports from
M mohester of the Yarn and Goods market
last Tuesday, the business in them had not
lieen weighty, but prices were buoyant, and
in a few instances sales had been made at a
small advance. In the sales of Cotton we
have to particularize, are included 7500 bales
of American and 4500 of Sm at, disposed of
to speculators. Only 850 scrims of Carlha
gena have been taken lor exportation.
Upland, Orleans and Alabama have been
in verv active demand, and all qualities have
gone* off at the a Ivance of fully 1 2d per lb.
the better qualities, from their comparative
cheapness, have been much more saleable.
Sea Island has been in moderate request at
previous rates. Brazil and Egyptian have
been in limited demand and have only obtain
ed last week’s prices. Surat has been very
much sought after and lias been disposed off
freely at l-2d per Ih. advance for the common
and middling qualities.
The sales altogether from the 10th to the
2-I'h inst. inclusive, are computci I at 39,400
bags, and the import, amounts t > 8,280 bags.
Sales from the 10th to the 21th Dec. 200
Sea Island at I4d to26d; 20 Stained dual 9d;
8040 Upland at 4 to 7; 1G 140 Orleans, 16,-
135 at 5 7 1-2 5 at 7 3-4; 5.510 Alabama and
Mobile at 5 1 8d to 5 l-2d; 910 Pernambuco
at 8 1 -4.1 to 8 7-Sd; 340 Bahia and Macao
at 8 1 to 8 1-2 1; 300 Maranharn at (5 1 2d to
8 1 2 !; 530 Wes! India at 9 1 2d; 290 Egypt
ian at 012 Ito 11 1 2d; G 950 Surat.at 43 4d
to 51; 150 Madras at 4 3 3d to 4 3 4d.”
The stock of Cotton has Hvn very much
reduced, being at the dates 377,100 bales, ami
of American 279 300. It is still however
160,000 bales greater than?at the same time
in the preceding year. It will be seen iLat
the arrivals iff Cotton in Liverpool had been
exceedingly small whi'i o n own prici scurrent
show that an umtMtaiiy large proportion of
the present crop has been shipped In that
port. It is no! at a 1 ! improbable, llui Gore. that
the Liverpool market will nceive a shock
when the first fair wind shall unload these
t-easures al her wharves. The emly arrival
of so large a part of the new crop in the
market will prohahlv produce (lie same doubt
in England, of the reality of the a Hedged de
ficiency, that it has produced in this coun
try.
P. f\—The above had been written and in
type when the New Voikrnnilol Saturday
came to hand. The bag, if appears, bad
been carried to the Rail Road and the mistake
not discovered till the cats were oil their wav
to A ‘gnsia. It was sent I ark by the return
train. The news is but of trifling impor
t a nee.
Tin* Banks of Philadelphia resumed i av
ments on Friday lasi. “We have not hcuul
of any earthquakes in consequence thereof. 5 *
Rut the Philadelphians must have suspen
sions in some lorm, so they turned out and
hanged a man the same day, whereupon ‘he
Ledger has hung two columns of disquisition,
and other papers, edifying paragraphs.
The Baltimore Republican of Saturday,
says: ‘lt is currently rumored that three of
our banks intend resuming specie payments
on Monday next. V\ e hope the rumor mav
prove true, and if true, they will deserve great
credit for the net, and we hope they will he
sustained hv the community.
The Boston Post of 1 fmrsday gives the
following as the count of the votes for Gov
ernor of Maine;
Maine. —The committee appointed to ex
amine the votes, repotted on Monday that tl e
people had effected no choice of Governor,
i he whole number of votes returned bv the
committee was SI 170; lor Fait field, 45 507;
Kent, 45,574; scattering. 93. The commit
,pe threw out 71 voles, of which 56 were for
Fairfield, 15 for Kent, 23 votes were returned
from the town of Springfield, in Penobscot
c uinty. (or Mr. Hamlin, which it is suppi sed
should have been returned for Fairfield. Ad
ding these, the vote stands:, Fairfiel I, 45,563;
Kent, 45:589.
\V<* learn from the same paper of Fiidav,
dial “Edward Kent was elected Governor of
Maine, by the Legislature ol that State, on
Wednesday. ‘The duty of the House was to
select two of the four highest candidates voted
lor by tiie people, one of whom was to be
chosen bv the senate. The vote stood, in the
House, Fairfield, 169; Kent. 164; Hamlin, 9;
Smith, 8. In the Senate—Faiifield,B; Kent,
16.”
i he late freshet spread its ravages far and
wile at the North. Ihe destruction of
bridges and other property on the Connecti
cut river was great. Some important public
works however escaped. The Baltimore JRe
vtiblican save
“ The Morris Canal, through its whole
length, 1( 2 miles, has s- fibred m damage by
the late freshets, which have bee n so destruct
ive in many parts of the country.”
A Whig slate. —The financial condition of
Indiana is gloomv enough. Her debt is near
13 millions; and near 3 millions of this have
been sold on a credit to individuals at.-d insti
tutions o: doubtful solvency—two millions, for
inGauce, sold to the Morris Canal and Bank
ing Company!—To secure the debt, “collater
als of every description (says the Columbus
Stalesman)have been taken—land in the alli
j gator marshes of Florida and .Alabama; water
; iots a 4 Hoboken and Jersey city; Pontiac rail
road, and the Morris canal—a large and splen
did candle and soap factory at Brooklyn, and
another on Staten Island!”—The yearly inter
est is near §800,000; arid she has” but $151,-
075, independent of taxation, to meet the de
.. 1. 1 repositions are before her Legislature
to tax bank stock 2 per cent—-and then all the
property in the State to raise the balance.
These Hosiers seem to have played their
cards badly.
L enny 2000 persons are said to have at
tended, the ini- 1 Promenade Concur', at the
Park Theatre, New York.